Fort Armstrong (Cherokee County, Alabama (near Cedar Bluff and Turkeytown), Alabama)

Cherokee County, Alabama (near Cedar Bluff and Turkeytown) · Alabama · Creek War

Quick BriefFort Armstrong was built in October 1813 by soldiers under the command of General James White, who was serving under General John Alexander Cocke. The fort was a stockade fort built in present-day Cherokee County, Alabama during the Creek War to protect the surrounding area from attacks by Red Stick warriors and served as a staging area and supply depot in preparation for further military action. After the Creek War, John Ross and his brother Andrew operated a store at the site of Fort Armstrong.

History & Significance

The fort was named for John Armstrong Jr., who was the Secretary of War at that time. A stockade fort built in present-day Cherokee County, Alabama during the Creek War, it protected the surrounding area from attacks by Red Stick warriors and functioned as a staging area and supply depot in preparation for further military action against the Red Sticks.

Most evidence points to it being located on the north bank of the Coosa River near Turkeytown and present-day Cedar Bluff. Boats were assembled at Fort Armstrong to transport supplies further down the Coosa River.

Cherokee soldiers who were part of Jackson's forces were stationed at Fort Armstrong and were allowed to participate in individual raids against the Red Sticks. After the Creek War, John Ross and his brother Andrew operated a store at the site of Fort Armstrong. The original fort site is unknown; the Jacksonville State University Archaeological Resource Laboratory has performed archaeological investigations on Pruett's Island, which is thought to be the approximate location of Fort Armstrong, and it is possible the site was inundated by the formation of Weiss Lake.