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

Request Denied

Fort Smith National Historic Site

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

Request Denied Marker image. Click for full size.

By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2015

1. Request Denied Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In the spring of 1821, Osage leader Bad-Tempered-Buffalo appeared across the Arkansas River with 400 warriors in war paint. He and seven warriors crossed the river requesting gunpowder and permission to hunt on Cherokee land. Acting fort commander, Lieutenant Martin Scott, refused both requests. The Osage left the fort having received the answer they expected.

In full view, the Osage cut trees, built rafts, and appeared ready to attack. Outnumbered ten to one, Lt. Scott, ordered the fort's two cannons prepared for battle. After seeing this, the Osage left the area without incident. According to Osage oral tradition, Bad-Tempered-Buffalo's actions were a bluff intended to scare the nearby Cherokee, intimidate the temporary commander, and reaffirm the Osage presence.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 35° 23.272′ N, 94° 25.959′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Marker detail: First Fort Smith image. Click for full size.

Original artwork by Michael Haynes

2. Marker detail: First Fort Smith

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this page online

, 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 the Arkansas River 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. Abandoned and Forgotten (within shouting distance of this marker); Establishing Fort Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Who Served Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Long Surveys the Western Frontier (within shouting distance of this marker); Seminole Nation (within shouting distance of this marker); Choctaw Nation (within shouting distance of this marker); Muscogee (Creek) Nation (within shouting distance of this marker); Chickasaw Nation (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Also see . . . Bad Tempered Buffalo Affair. Several Osage warriors invaded a soldier's cabin, forcing the mother and children into a corner and threatening them with cocked firearms, tomahawks and knives. Other Osage captured a hunting party consisting of four Quapaws, a Cherokee and a French trader camped on the Poteau River across from the fort. Frightened settlers fled to the fort and stayed there for several weeks until the crisis abated. (Submitted on October 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2015

3. Request Denied Marker

(Arkansas River in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 68 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.