Fort Easley (Clarke County, Alabama)
Clarke County · Alabama · Creek War
History & Significance
Fort Easley was built in 1813 on the east side of the Tombigbee River to provide local settlers protection from hostile Creek (known as Red Sticks) attacks. The fort was a stockade fort and encompassed three acres and a spring.
Named for an early settler, it was constructed on Woods Bluff, named for Major Wood, who owned the surrounding land and fought in the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek. A camp meeting was held at Fort Easley in early August 1813, prior to the Fort Mims massacre, with occupants from nearby Turner's Fort in attendance.
On August 21, a Choctaw warrior arrived with news of an impending attack; in early October, Colonel William McGrew left St. Stephens toward Fort Easley and was ambushed by Red Sticks near the fort, resulting in the deaths of McGrew and three militia members in what became known as the Bashi Skirmish. General Thomas Flourney commanded Claiborne to carry out an expedition; Claiborne's forces consisted of volunteers, militia, and dragoons under Lieutenant Thomas Hinds, and Claiborne stayed at Fort Easley for approximately one month before returning to St. Stephens. After Claiborne left, Fort Easley was abandoned with nothing remaining at the site today; the United States Army Corps of Engineers now operates the Woods Bluff Public Access Area near the former site.
Key Facts
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Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Easley
- https://digitalalabama.com/forts-of-alabama/easleys-fort/46698
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_County,_Alabama
- https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/creek-war-of-1813-14/
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Creek-War
- https://northamericanforts.com/East/al.html