Fort Williams (Alabama) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Williams |
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| Fayetteville, Alabama in United States | |
 Fort Williams
Fort Williams
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| Coordinates | 33°08′25″N 86°27′54″W / 33.14028°N 86.46500°W |
| Type | Stockade fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Controlled by | Private |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Inundated by Lay Lake |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1814 |
| Built by | United States Army |
| In use | 1814-1832 |
| Battles/wars | Creek War |
Fort Williams was a military base built in early 1814. It was a key supply spot for soldiers during the Creek War. This war was part of the bigger War of 1812. The fort was located in Alabama, where Cedar Creek meets the Coosa River. It was near a place called Talladega Springs.
Contents
Building Fort Williams
The Creek War Begins
During the Creek War, General Andrew Jackson needed a place to store supplies. He sent Colonel John Williams and his soldiers, the 39th Infantry Regiment, to build it. They came from Fort Strother. Supplies were brought by boat down the Coosa River.
A New Fort is Built
General Jackson met Colonel Williams at the chosen spot. On March 22, 1814, they started building the fort. It was named Fort Williams, after Colonel Williams. Most of Jackson's army stayed at Fort Williams. From here, they cleared a 52-mile path to the site of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
After the Battle
After the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Jackson returned to Fort Williams on April 2. He then moved the fort's supplies to Hickory Ground. Soldiers who died at Horseshoe Bend were buried in a cemetery at Fort Williams. Later, William Weatherford surrendered to Jackson at Fort Jackson. Major General Thomas Pinckney then took charge at Fort Jackson. He told Jackson to go back to Fort Williams. Jackson's new mission was to look for any remaining hostile Creeks in the Cahaba River Valley.
A military road, called the Jackson Trace, once connected Fort Strother and Fort Williams.
Life After the War
A Difficult Time
Fort Williams was used for a short time after the war. It became a place where Creek people were held during the Trail of Tears. This was a sad time when many Native American people were forced to move from their homes. Many Creeks faced very difficult conditions at the fort. They had little food and supplies. Some people became ill and died there. They were buried in unmarked graves in the nearby cemetery.
What Remains Today
The original site of Fort Williams is now underwater. It was covered by Lay Lake when the Lay Dam was built in 1914. This dam is about 14 miles downstream. In 2006, the headstones from the military cemetery were moved. This was done because a new neighborhood was being built nearby.
Units Stationed at Fort Williams
Several military groups were stationed at Fort Williams during its active years:
- The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiment of East Tennessee Militia
- The 1st and 4th Regiment West Tennessee Militia
