Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Whiskey War

Fort Smith National Historic Site

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

Whiskey War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2015

1. Whiskey War Marker

Inscription. By 1833, a small community had developed next to the fort. Out of the six shops, five were taverns. As the fort's commanding officer, Captain Stuart's responsibilities included stopping the illegal sale of whiskey to Indians and soldiers.

After two months at Fort Smith, he observed that his soldiers were becoming the worst in the Army due to excessive drinking. The Bigelow brothers' tavern was the scene of most of the trouble. In August, Captain Stuart confronted the brothers. During the argument he was severely beaten with his own cane. That night an explosion rocked the tavern. The Bigelows woke up and found a gaping hole in their wall, and four soldiers standing outside around a smoking cannon.

The brothers demanded that Captain Stuart arrest the four soldiers. Stuart replied that the soldiers were under the influence of bad whiskey purchased at their tavern, and that they could not be found. Unfortunately, the struggle against illegal whiskey trading continued through the rest of the 19th century.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 35°

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23.285′ N, 94° 25.898′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Parker Avenue and South 3rd Street. Marker is located on the Fort Smith National Historic Site grounds, overlooking Belle Point on the west side of the fort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Belle Point (within shouting distance of this marker); At the Edge of Indian Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Wall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abandoned and Forgotten (about 300 feet away); Request Denied (about 300 feet away); Major Long Surveys the Western Frontier (about 300 feet away); Establishing Fort Smith (about 300 feet away); Who Served Here? (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Also see . . . Attack on the Bigelows. No matter what others thought of him, Captain Stuart was very popular with his troops. The cannon had been loaded with a six pound cannon ball and an additional ten to twelve pounds of scrap iron and lead, and had knocked a sizable hole in the wall, almost bringing the building down. If the cannon had been aimed four inches higher, the world would have been short a couple of Bigelows.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2015

2. Whiskey War Marker

(overlooking Belle Point to the west)

(Submitted on September 30, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.