Fort Mitchell, Alabama, named after Governor David B. Mitchell, played a significant role in US history during the War of 1812 and Creek War of 1836. The Fort Mitchell National Historic Site now serves as a museum and memorial for the Creek Nation’s forced removal from their land. The site is open for self-guided tours, and the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery is open for headstone viewing. Fort Mitchell is no longer part of the active military community, replaced by Fort Benning in Georgia.
Fort Mitchell, Alabama is a community in Russell County. It is close to Phenix City and Cottonton Alabama as well as Columbus and Cusseta Georgia. Named after Georgia Governor David B. Mitchell, Fort Mitchell holds great significance in US history.
The community is the site of the original Fort Mitchell, which was used in the War of 1812 by Colonel Benjamin Hawkins during a campaign that was settled peacefully. The fort was used again during the Creek War of 1813-1814 by General John Floyd’s military troops. This hilltop fort was needed as a recovery place for troops after initiating battle with the Creek Nation Natives. The Mississippi Territorial Militia attacked a supply train at Burnt Corn Creek in Alabama on July 27, 1813, starting that war.
In the Creek War of 1836, white settlers forced the Creek Nation people off their lands and homes. They stole land rights in the area east of the Mississippi River. The Creek Nation’s Indian bands eventually fought back.
They first tried to do it legally by asking US President Andrew Jackson for help. When that didn’t work, the natives set fire to houses, destroyed mail carriages, and destroyed the entire city of Roanoke, Georgia. United States Army troops led by Major General Winfield Scott shackled and starved Creek Nation Indians as they moved them from the Fort Mitchell, Alabama area to what later became part of the state of Oklahoma.
Fort Mitchell National Historic Site is a museum containing the fort and replica cabins, a blacksmith shop, and other buildings from the era. The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center at the museum features a Trail of Tears monument that was created in Russell County, Alabama as a memorial to the mourning that occurred when the Creek Nation was forced off its land. The memorial sculpture is shaped like a flame to symbolize the ceremonial fire of the Creek nation.
The museum is open to the public for self-guided tours. Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, a burial site for military veterans, is also open to the public for headstone viewing. Veterans buried there include a Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient, Platoon Sergeant Matthew Leonard. Fort Mitchell, Alabama is no longer used as part of the active military community. Instead, Fort Benning, a US Army post in the Georgia vicinity, replaced it as a modern military community.
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