Post In the late spring of 1687, Henri Joutel and the In 1719, Louis XV of France granted a colorful Floridablanca saw the revolt as an opportunity other weary survivors of LaSalle's ill-fated Scottish speculator named John Law a large to regain Spanish territory in Florida and under­ colony on Matagorda Bay struggled through section of land near Tonty's old post. Law mine British influence among the Indians. In the wilderness toward the . planned to settle 1,500 German and French 1779, following Spain's formal entry into the Joutel later described the reaction of his little immigrants at the site. The first colonists soon war, Spanish Governor Bernardo de Galvez band, when, foot-sore and hungry, they arrived arrived, and in 1722 a visitor reported: seized Mobile and the British posts along the at the river's edge: 'Pavilions were already erected for the officer, lower Mississippi. Galvez's actions, combined "Looking over to the further side we discovered and cabins for the workmen . . . large store­ with George Rogers Clark's forays into the a great cross, and at a small distance from it a houses were even built and everything seemed to Illinois country, severely reduced British power house built after the French fashion. It is easy promise that it would soon become flourishing." in the West. But the British were not yet defeated, and their sympathizers soon launched to imagine what inward joy we conceived at the a counter-offensive. sight of that emblem of our salvation. We knelt But Law's ambitions exceeded his resources. down, lifting up our eyes to heaven, to return His grand plans, like LaSalle's, were doomed to thanks to the Divine Goodness for having con­ failure. He overextended his credit with his In 1782 a band of British partisans attacked a ducted us so happily; for we made no question backers and the Crown, and eventually had to Spanish convoy and captured Sehora Cruzat, of finding [the] French on the other side of the flee France, Law's grant reverted to the wife of the Spanish commandant at St. Louis. river." government. During the ensuing years, despite The lady managed to secure her release, how­ Indian raids and frequent floods which forced ever, and hurried to New Orleans, where she The house, the cross, and the mighty river several changes of location, con­ warned Acting-Governor Estevan Miro that the that rolled eastward before them—all symbo- tinued to serve as both a military outpost and a Indians, under the leadership of James Colbert, ized for the exhausted travelers their renewed trading station. Friendly Quapaw (or Arkansas) planned to attack Arkansas Post and other contact with a familiar civilization. On the brink Indians exchanged hides and furs for European Spanish forts. The Governor notified Captain of western wilderness, beside the ever-present, supplies of paper, axes, salt, vermilion, and Jacobo Dubreil at Arkansas Post (now called ever-changing Arkansas River, the crude little similar goods. Fort Carlos III) of the impending attack. Dubreil Posfe de Arkansea was destined to attract many replied that he was prepared to repel any move a weary adventurer in the years that followed. During the 1750's Arkansas Post increased in against the fort, but he underestimated the size under the leadership of Governor Baron de threat. On the morning of April 17, 1783, Colbert Today, as you stand near the visitor center Kerlerac, who regarded it as indispensable to and a force of 81 Indian, black, and British and look toward the glittering river, you may the defense of Louisiana and as a base for partisans attacked the post. The battle continued find it difficult to imagine that this tranquil, future French trade with Santa Fe. By 1759 the throughout the morning. Although the attackers rural spot was once a strategic military and fort boasted a garrison of 40 men. Substantial were unable to breach the fort's defenses, they commercial center on the frontier. Yet much improvements in the buildings included a three- overran the nearby village and captured Lt. Don of the early history of what is now the State room house, barracks, a powder magazine, a Luis de Villars, his wife Doha Maria, two of Arkansas focuses on this all but forgotten prison, a bakery, a warehouse, and quarters for soldiers, and several civilians. A few days later, outpost. Often called the "Birthplace of the chaplain. however, a band of Quapaws sent by Dubreil Arkansas," the post was the site of French and overtook Colbert and forced him to release most Spanish forts and trading stations, the scene Although Arkansas Post was never a major of his prisoners. of a skirmish in the wake of the Revolutionary French settlement, it nonetheless continued to War, a territorial capital, a thriving river port, grow until ownership abruptly changed hands The "Battle of Arkansas Post" was not crucial. and a battleground of the Civil War. Arkansas following the British victory in the French and The Revolution was already over. Yorktown had Post was the focal point of numerous Indian War. In November 1762, France ceded been fought a year-and-a-half before and a pre­ encounters between Indian and European Louisiana, including the Arkansas territory, to liminary peace treaty signed. The encounter has cultures, and its colorful history spanned the Spain, which finally took formal possession in been largely "lost" to history—its heroes, reigns of several nations. May 1765. heroines and villains forgotten!

National Memorial, Arkansas

Napoleonic France and The French Period, The Spanish Regime, the ,( 1683-1765 1765-1800 1800-1803 The Arkansas Indian robe shown on the cover was The ravages of time and man have brought The Spaniards recognized the value of Arkansas In the aftermath of the Revolution, affairs in acquired by Louis XVI in 1786 for use in the educa­ many changes to the Arkansas Valley since Post in controlling the Indian trade and limiting Louisiana and at Arkansas Post became ex­ tion of his sons. The robe's design depicts the Rene Robert Cavalier. Sieur de LaSalle, first ceremonial Buffalo Dance of the Arkansas and other British influence among the tribes. The first tremely complicated and confused. The new Siouan tribes, performed to attract the herds when visited the region in 1682. Here in lush forests Spanish governor of Louisiana, Antonio de Ulloa, American Nation proved a far more formidable game was scarce. When a dancer became exhausted, that teemed with fur-bearing animals and other designated the post as the center for Indian antagonist to the Spaniards than had the British. he yielded his costume to another, and the ritual game—a land crisscrossed by great rivers, Aggressive frontiersmen pushed into the area continued with no break in rhythm until game appeared. trade in the Arkansas River region. Through the small streams, and deep meandering bayous— employment of French agents, Ulloa dispensed and settled on the rich bottom lands along the The Musee de I'Homme, Paris, France LaSalle hoped to found an inland empire gifts and treaty medals to various Indian groups. rivers. In retaliation, the Indians, especially the connecting French Canada with the Gulf of The Indians had learned much about European Osage, intensified their raids. In 1796 these This Osage warrior, drawn in crayon by C.B.J.F. St. Memin in 1804, was a member of a delegation to Mexico. ways, and they shrewdly bargained for favorable pressures forced Spain to repair and strengthen Washington prior to the 1808 cession of Osage lands terms and increased annuities. Even the friendly the post on the Arkansas, which once again had in Arkansas and . The tribe was widely As a first step toward realizing his dream, Quapaws threatened to desert to the British, been relocated because of changes in the respected as one of the most powerful of the trans- Mississippi Indian groups. Osage warriors LaSalle granted an extensive land and trading unless they received substantial gifts, including river's course, and renamed Fort San Estevan. sometimes raided Arkansas Post. concession to his trusted friend and lieutenant. rifles, knives, red silk ribbons, and "hats with As a result of the French Revolution and The Henry Francis du Pont Henri de Tonty. Tonty intended to develop silver embroidery," to match those given the Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power, Spain Winterthur Museum several fur trading stations and settlements Osage and Chickasaw. ceded Louisiana back to France in 1800. For a within the area, to establish firmly the French brief period Republican France ruled the presence in the lower Mississippi Valley, and Despite the threat of Indian raids, the civilian Arkansas territory. But Napoleon, pressed for to open the way for commerce between population increased under Spanish rule. A 1768 funds, sold Louisiana to the in the Illinois settlements and the Gulf Coast. census showed 85 whites and 35 black and 1803 and still another nation took possession In 1686, 32 years before the founding Indian slaves living near the fort. The post would of the Post of Arkansas. of New Orleans, and one year before the arrival probably have grown even more rapidly if com­ of Henri Joutel's party, Tonty sent several men peting imperial ambitions had not created ten­ to build a trading house near the confluence sions with the Indians and kept the region in of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. The turmoil. It was this same competition for empire exact site of this first Posfe de Arkansea has that drew Arkansas Post, if only marginally, not been established. But the "great cross and into the American Revolution. . . . house built after the French fashion" so A Frontier Settlement, joyfully described by Joutel, probably stood 1803-1865 about 8 kilometers south of the present-day After the United States acquired the Louisiana park. Territory, Arkansas Post became a typical American frontier village—bustling and scrappy. During the next 75 years the fortunes of the Arkansas During the It was peopled by an assortment of settlers, post rose and fell dramatically. European and American Revolution, including sturdy pioneer families, adventurous colonial wars, fluctuating economic conditions, 1779-1783 frontiersmen, fugitives, outcasts, Indian traders, and periods of neglect by French kings all Few Americans are aware today of the role of and as one visitor noted in 1810, a sprinkling affected the development of the area. By 1700, the Mississippi settlements in the Revolution­ of "men of education and wealth . . . lawyers, LaSalle's and Tonty's dream of a great trading ary era, for the major engagements east of the doctors and mechanics." empire had failed, due in part to lack of capi­ Appalachians overshadowed events in the west. tal. Stringent trade regulations and competition Yet, control of transportation and trade on the In 1819 Congress established a territorial gov­ from the British in the Carolinas also contrib­ Mississippi and its tributaries was an important ernment for Arkansas, and Arkansas Post be­ uted to the failure. For a while the French factor throughout the war. The Spaniards reluc­ came the first capital. Local landowners built neglected the lower Mississippi Valley. But tantly joined forces with the American patriots, attractive townhouses, merchants erected sub­ Spanish and British rivalry for the lucrative not out of sympathy for the rebel cause, but as stantial stores and warehouses along the river, Indian trade and rumors of "pearls, gold and s a matter of self-interest. Spain's foreign minister and William Woodruff established the first terri­ other precious metals" soon reawakened torial newspaper, the still prestigious Arkansas i French interest, and during the second decade Gazette. of the 18th century, France ordered construction of several new trading posts. Once again the In the same year, the famous naturalist, Thomas Arkansas area took on life J Nuttall, visited Arkansas Post and noted: z 'The town, or rather settlement of the Post of Despite a brief resurgence in the 1840s as a Arkansas Post, Then and Now Joutel and his adventurous band rejoiced at Arkansas, was somewhat dispersed over a river port, with an imposing brick bank building, Although the post disappeared, the memory of their good fortune beside the Arkansas, they prairie . . . and containing between thirty and a race track, and a "female seminary," Arkansas its contribution to Arkansas history lingered. In paid unspoken tribute to the life-bearing waters forty houses. The merchants then transacting Post, like many another frontier settlement, was 1929 the State of Arkansas acquired the site for of a major wilderness transportation route. Be­ nearly all the business of the Arkansas and doomed. The removal of the capital and the a park and pioneer memorial. In 1964 ownership cause the river was there, Indians, explorers, White River . . . kept well assorted stores of decline of the river traffic sealed its fate. By of the park was transferred to the Federal traders, and eventually settlers, could travel merchandize, supplied chiefly from New Orleans, 1856. according to a local observer, "The town Government. more easily through a little-known land. And with the exception of some heavy articles of at the Post of Arkansas has gone to decay because the river was there, more powerful than domestic manufacture obtained from Pittsburgh. [with] but a few [persons] remaining." During its long history the location of Arkansas the people who used it, the little post on its ... I could not but now for awhile consider my­ Post changed many times. Historians have bank had to change locations many times over self as once more introduced into the circle of The post had one last moment of glory. Early identified at least ten different forts and settle­ the years. civilization." in the Civil War the Confederate government ments associated with the post. Although many recognized the strategic advantage of the site of these, including Tonty's original trading The story of Arkansas Post is also the story of But Arkansas Post's period of eminence was and established Fort Hindman on the banks of house, are not within the present park, the the American frontier. Here Indians, French fur short-lived. The first territorial legislature de­ the Arkansas River near the old town. Union 221-acre National Memorial does encompass traders, Spanish soldiers, white and black fron­ cided that "the remoteness of this situation . . . forces under Gen. John A. McClernand attacked the sites of several early forts and the territorial tiersmen met, fought, mixed, settled and created together with its unhealthiness, forms a serious the foit in 1863 with river gunboats and infantry, capital. Today, there are few visible historic a new nation. Arkansas Post does not commem­ objection to the present location." Thus in 1821 overwhelming the Confederate defenders. structures, but the park offers visitors an oppor­ orate any major event or great battle. It is, the legislature, the capital, the newspaper office, tunity to enjoy a beautiful natural setting that instead, a modest memorial to the men and and many citizens moved upriver to the newly The fierce naval bombardment battered the shelters many native species of birds and wild­ women of many nations and varied cultures established town of Little Rock. fort and destroyed many of the remaining life. A walk along the historic trail will help who, despite hardship, privation, and isolation, town buildings. Although a small farming com­ visitors better understand, and recreate in their played an important role in the growth and When W. F. Pope, nephew of the territorial gov­ munity grew up near the site after the war, the imagination, the events which occurred here. development of the United States. It is fitting that ernor, visited Arkansas Post in 1832, he noted town never regained its former prominence. we pay tribute to little known and anonymous that it presented "a very forlorn and desolate The Arkansas River relentlessly eroded the land. The story of Arkansas Post is, in a sense, the people at a thousand obscure places, as well as appearance . . . tali chimneys had fallen down The abandoned Confederate fort and remnants story of the river that flowed past it. When Henri to the heroes and famous folk. Arkansas Post is and trees . . . were growing out through the of many old buildings disappeared beneath its such a memorial. roofs." waters, while native grasses, honeysuckle, and Sandra L. Myres trees buried the remains of Arkansas Post.

Please be Careful Be on the lookout for snakes and poison ivy as you walk through the area. Watch your step and stay on the trails.

About Your Visit Arkansas Post is located on Ark. 169, 11 kilometers (7 miles) south of Gillett via U.S. 165 (the Great River Road) and about 32 kilome­ ters (20 miles) northeast of Dumas via U.S. 165 and 1. The visitor center is open daily except Christmas. Exhibits and an audiovisual program help explain the history of the post. Some two miles of walks and trails lead through the Village Area and the Civil War Rifle Pits. All walks are suitable for use by persons in wheelchairs.

The memorial is also a wildlife sanctuary. Fire­ arms are not permitted. An Arkansas license is required for fishing. Pets must be on a leash or otherwise restrained. We ask that you use the trash containers and leave the area as clean as for most of our you found it. Boat launching is not permitted nationally owned public from the memorial. There is a picnic area with lands and natural resources tables and grills. Only here are fires permitted. This includes fostering the A centrally located comfort station is also avail­ wisest use of our land and water able. Arkansas Post has no camping or resources, protecting our fish and restaurant facilities. wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national Administration parks and historical places, and providing Arkansas Post National Memorial is adminis­ for the enjoyment of life through outdoor rec­ tered by the National Park Service, U.S. Depart­ reation. The Department assesses our energy ment of the Interior. A superintendent, whose and mineral resources and works to assure that address is Gillett, AR 72055, is in immediate their development is in the best interests of charge. all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reser­ As the Nation's principal conservation agency, vation communities and for people who live in the Department of the Interior has responsibility Island Territories under U.S. administration.

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior