Fort Gilmer
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Fort Gilmer, named after former Governor of Georgia, George R. Gilmer, is a historical marker that is located south of Chatsworth, Georgia. Fort Gilmer, now one of many Trail of Tears forts, was established in 1838 to house troops that were on orders to remove the Cherokee Indians. Along with the housing of troops, the fort was also home to numerous Cherokee prisoners. This specific fort was home to United States General Winfield Scott.
Images
U.S General Winfield Scott, 1786-1866
Map of the route the Cherokee Indians took during the removal period
Fort Gilmer historical marker that gives some information on what is was about.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Fort Gilmer was one of many that were established in the Cherokee territory that would become referred to as a Trail of Tears fort. The Trail of Tears was the series of relocation of Native Americans from their homes to areas west of the Mississippi River. Thousands of Native Americans were killed during the removal process due to different diseases and starvation.
Fort Gilmer housed many troops that were commanded under the removal of the Native Americans. This fort was also the temporary headquarters to U.S General Winfield Scott. General Scott was responsible for more than 4,000 Cherokee Indians while held in the confinements such as Fort Gilmer. They were starved and beaten while held in these forts. This is in part is a major reason behind the Cherokee removal being called the Trail of Tears.
It is estimated that 15,000 Cherokee Indians were forced into stockades here while under orders of Scott. Scott had lost control of the U.S Soldiers and more specifically the Georgia Militia. After the removal of Indians, there was no longer a need for the fort and what remained. In late 1838 it became an abandoned site and auctioned off.
Fort Gilmer housed many troops that were commanded under the removal of the Native Americans. This fort was also the temporary headquarters to U.S General Winfield Scott. General Scott was responsible for more than 4,000 Cherokee Indians while held in the confinements such as Fort Gilmer. They were starved and beaten while held in these forts. This is in part is a major reason behind the Cherokee removal being called the Trail of Tears.
It is estimated that 15,000 Cherokee Indians were forced into stockades here while under orders of Scott. Scott had lost control of the U.S Soldiers and more specifically the Georgia Militia. After the removal of Indians, there was no longer a need for the fort and what remained. In late 1838 it became an abandoned site and auctioned off.
Sources
"Fort Gilmer Historical Marker." Historical Marker. June 16, 2016. Accessed March 04, 2018. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=33860.
DREW, BETTINA. 2014. "The Great Amnesia." Southwest Review 99, no. 4: 556-569. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed March 4, 2018).
Hill, Sarah H. "Cherokee Removal Scenes: Ellijay, Georgia, 1838." Agpike. January 01, 1970. Accessed March 04, 2018. https://southernspaces.org/2012/cherokee-removal-scenes-ellijay-georgia-1838.
History.com Staff. "Winfield Scott." History.com. 2010. Accessed March 04, 2018. http://www.history.com/topics/winfield-scott.
DREW, BETTINA. 2014. "The Great Amnesia." Southwest Review 99, no. 4: 556-569. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed March 4, 2018).
Hill, Sarah H. "Cherokee Removal Scenes: Ellijay, Georgia, 1838." Agpike. January 01, 1970. Accessed March 04, 2018. https://southernspaces.org/2012/cherokee-removal-scenes-ellijay-georgia-1838.
History.com Staff. "Winfield Scott." History.com. 2010. Accessed March 04, 2018. http://www.history.com/topics/winfield-scott.