FORT GADSDEN 33 survived the IIlSTORIC SITE blast. The de­ fending leaders, Apalachicola tTO Garson and a chief National Forest SUMATRA Imagine a historic fort overlooking the of the Choctaw peaceful Apalachicola River. This mental Nation, were two image is probably one of quiet territorial life, of the survivors. but the actual history surrounding Fort When the Amer­ --Graded Road Gadsden is one of bloody battles for power icans learned that ---- · Interpretive Trail during Spanish Florida's last days. Called the Edward Daniels, "Hill of Good Vistas" by the Spanish and who had earlier II Shelter "Achackweithle" by Native Americans, the been taken cap­ prominent bank on the majestic Apalachicola tive, had been River hosted international conflict that reputation as a threat to supply vessels that tarred and burned determined the destiny of nations. traveled the Apalachicola River between the alive, Garson and United States and the Gulf of Mexico. In the Choctaw chief Escaped slaves had long found refuge in response, the United States ordered that the fort were turned over Spanish Florida since before the be destroyed. to Mcintosh's Revolutionary War. But in the early 1800s, Creeks, who Spain was losing its hold on Florida. Seeing Alerted to the impending attack, black sentenced them to , I an opportunity to advance it's own interests families and Choctaw, Upper Creek and death. Survivors ' , FT. - .. GADSDEN on the continent, Britain took advantage of Seminole women and children took refuge in that were once RECREATION Spain's weak defenses. Unchallenged, British the fort. Others hid in the surrounding forests. slaves were event­ AREA APALACHICOLA Col. Edward Nicolls and Captain George On July 17, 1816, Col. Duncan Clinch left Fort ually returned to • 27MILES Woodbine established a stronghold called Scott at the junction of the Flint and their owners. "British Fort" on the Apalachicola River and, Chattahoochee Rivers in Georgia and traveled by offering land and freedom in the British down the Apalachicola River with 116 men. American soldiers burned what was left of down the Apalachicola River to destroy West Indies for service, recruited more slaves Clinch and his men combined forces with Maj . the fort and all of the surrounding settlements. Seminole and allied Upper Creek villages in from Louisiana, Mobile, Pensacola, Georgia William Mcintosh and his company of 150 The fort had been well stocked with weapons, what is called the First Seminole War. and the Lower Creek Nation. Lower Creek Indians. much better than the Americans had suspected. Impressed by the strategic location of the old To encourage support, the Americans had fort, Jackson instructed Lt. James Gadsden Nicolls constructed the fort in 1814 at a They surrounded the British Fort that flew promised Mcintosh's Lower Creeks could have to build a new fortification upon the site as a small company storehouse and settlement the Union Jack flag. Though they had been met whatever weapons were taken after destroying supply base. Inspired by the lieutenant's zeal, called "Prospect Bluff," and in the early with threats that any American vessel the fort, and it proved to be a surprisingly Jackson named the fort in Gadsden's honor. summer of 1815, he sailed for England with attempting to pass would be sunk, Clinch fortunate acquisition. prominent members of the Nation in order to ordered his men to move up. Around 5 a.m. on negotiate an agreement with the Creek July 27, their advance was accompanied by shots The pace of destruction and bloodshed Nation. Ample artillery and military supplies from gunboats. increased over the next 2 years for everyone were left behind and a black military leader along the Apalachicola River on the American named Garcon took command. Before Early in the battle, a heated shot, glowing border. Settlers were killed, plantations raided, leaving, the British had trained and armed red, landed in the magazine of the fort, literally livestock and slaves seized. Ft. Scott was about 3,000 Indian and 300 black soldiers to blowing it to pieces. Clinch later reported that, evacuated in the fall of 1816 after the protect the fort, which safeguarded families, "the explosion was awful and the scene horrible destruction of British Fort, leaving custody of fields and pastures extending 50 miles along beyond description." Of the 300 people, about the buildings to a Creek aliy named Perryman. the Apalachicola River. Sometimes known 200 women and children and 100 men, who took as the "Negro Fort," the post earned a refuge in the fort at the time of the attack, only In April 1818, Andrew Jackson led a force Jackson seized St. Marks in April 1818. Later the same month, under Jackson's direction, a court-martial sentenced a Scottish trader and a former British Lieutenant to death, for supplying blacks, Seminoles and their allies with weapons and powder. Jackson's extreme measures in Spanish Florida exceeded orders from the War Department and almost led to war with Spain and England.

Jackson's actions decisively ended Spanish and British interests in Florida. Survivors of British Fort fought later in the Seminole PROTECT FORT GADSDEN Wars on both sides. Some black descendents AND HERITAGE RESOURCES left for Texas and played major roles in the Fort Gadsden Historic Site is a National Mexican American War, some adapted to a Historic Landmark and is listed in the National life within Native American societies. Register of Historic Places. This means that Seminoles eventually joined their kin and the site has been recognized as an important allies in southern Florida or settled in piece of our national heritage and warrants Oklahoma during Indian Removal of the early special protection. 1830s. The Choctaw and Upper Creek survivors either joined the Seminole or The Archeological Resources Protection Act of dispersed with family elsewhere, some also I Apalachicola 1979 (and its amendments) protects this site and settling in Oklahoma. all others of historic and prehistoric (before For more information about Fort Gadsden or Columbus) significance in the national forests. the Apalachicola National Forest, Gadsden, later known for the famed Gadsden This law provides severe penalties for collecting please contact the Purchase of 1853, maintained the fort until artifacts from public land. This area is closed Spain ceded Florida to the United States in Apalachicola National Forest to possession and use of metal detectors. 1821. The fort was virtually forgotten until P. 0. Box 579, Route 20 1862, when the Confederate Army realized Bristol, Florida 32321 Seminole Brave"...... that Apalachicola was the largest exporting Phone: (850)643-2282 and importing route in the region, and that the river led to plantations in Florida, Georgia TDD Relay 1-800-955-8770 and Alabama. Confederate troops actually The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination Apalachicola National Forest occupied the fort until July of in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or 1863, when malaria forced family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with them to move from the disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program Forest Southern information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's lowlands along the river. TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). Service Region To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Roorn 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, a SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Seminole Pot Apalachicola River Steamboat Hauling Cotton United States Department ofAgriculture Apalachicola River Region • Recreation Guide R8-RG 197 Revised Decern ber 2002