Fort Strother facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Strother Site
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Map of Alabama during the War of 1812
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Ragland, Alabama |
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| Area | 334 acres (135 ha) |
| Built | 1813 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001440 |
| Added to NRHP | July 24, 1972 |
Fort Strother was an important military fort built during the Creek War (1813-1814). It was located in what is now St. Clair County, Alabama. The fort sat on a high bluff overlooking the Coosa River. Today, this area is near the Neely Henry Dam in Ragland, Alabama.
General Andrew Jackson and thousands of soldiers built Fort Strother in November 1813. It was named after Captain John Strother, who was Jackson's main mapmaker. The fort served as a key base for American forces during the war.
Contents
History of Fort Strother
The Creek War and Fort Strother
General Jackson arrived at a place called Ten Islands on November 1, 1813. He immediately started building Fort Strother. The fort was shaped like a rectangle. It had strong blockhouses at each corner for defense. Inside, there was a supply building, hospital huts, and many tents for the soldiers.
While building the fort, Jackson learned about a group of Red Sticks (Creek warriors) nearby. He sent General John Coffee to attack them. This led to the Battle of Tallushatchee. Later, Red Stick warriors surrounded another fort, Fort Leslie. They wanted the people inside to join them against the United States.
One person escaped Fort Leslie and reached Fort Strother. They told General Jackson about the danger. Jackson quickly marched his troops from Fort Strother to help. This led to the Battle of Talladega, where Jackson's forces fought the Red Sticks.
Challenges at the Fort
Keeping Fort Strother supplied was very difficult in the winter of 1813. Supplies had to travel 55 miles from Fort Deposit on the Tennessee River. Some soldiers from Tennessee felt their time serving was over. They left their posts, but many were caught or came back. A few faced serious punishment.
More supplies and soldiers eventually arrived at Fort Strother. These came from Fort Deposit and Fort Armstrong. With these new troops, Jackson planned to attack a large Red Stick camp. But on the way, his forces were attacked in the Battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek.
Jackson returned to Fort Strother to gather even more soldiers and supplies. Among the new arrivals were William McIntosh and 75 Coweta warriors. In March 1814, Jackson sent Colonel John Williams to build Fort Williams further down the Coosa River. Jackson then moved his army to Fort Williams. From there, they marched to a place called Tohopeka. This is where they fought the famous Battle of Horseshoe Bend on March 27, 1814.
Fort Strother Today
Today, you can find a stone marker near Highway 144. This marker tells a short history of Fort Strother. The Daughters of the American Revolution also placed a special marker there. They did this on the fort's 100th anniversary.
Protecting the Fort Site
The Fort Strother site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's recognized as an important historical place. St. Clair County bought the land in 2012.
The exact spot of the fort itself hasn't been found yet. However, archaeologists have found a cemetery and a camp area. About 76 unmarked graves of soldiers have been found in the cemetery. Local groups are working to get the fort site and graves protected by the government.
Famous People at Fort Strother
Many different groups of soldiers were stationed at Fort Strother. These included the 1st and 2nd Regiment East Tennessee Volunteer Militia. Members of the Cherokee tribe also served there.
Some very famous people spent time at Fort Strother during the Creek War:
- Davy Crockett, a famous frontiersman and politician.
- Sam Houston, who later became a key leader in Texas.
