Camden in Ouachita County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Simmons

Redoubt C

— 1863 1864 —

Fort Simmons Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2022

1. Fort Simmons Marker

Inscription. This is one of nine Civil War fortifications that were constructed in 1863-64 by Confederate soldiers and slaves under the command of Camden lawyer, Colonel Alexander Hawthorn.

This square earthworks faced west and held as many as six artillery pieces. Located on a high knoll, near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and McCullough street, it commanded any approach along the main Washington Road, some one-half mile to the south and west. It was fronted by entrenchments.

This fort was named for Camden resident "Pap" Simmons who ran a tin shop on this property. This fort has completely disappeared, a victim of urban sprawl. It was regarded as the most likely approach of attack from the north and west; its key position was one that was to be protected at all cost.

Union soldiers improved this fortification during their brief occupation of Camden in April 1864.

Erected 2005 by Camden Historical Advisory Commission sponsored by Camden A&P Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1864.

Location. 33° 35.309′ N, 92° 50.284′ W. Marker is in Camden, Arkansas, in Ouachita County. It is at the intersection of Cleveland Avenue NW and

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

McColough Street NW, on the left when traveling north on Cleveland Avenue NW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Cleveland Ave NW, Camden AR 71701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Gulf Coastal Plain,

in Caddo Territory,

and in the Quapaw Homeland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Redoubt B (approx. 0.4 miles away); To Our Confederate Women (approx. half a mile away); Ecore A-Fabre or Fabre’s Bluff (approx. half a mile away); Ouachita County Desert Storm Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Fort Southerland (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Lookout (approx. ¾ mile away); Camden Water Battle (approx. one mile away); Fort Diamond (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.

Fort Simmons Marker looking west. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2022

2. Fort Simmons Marker looking west.

Colonel Alexander Travis Hawthorn (January 10, 1825 – May 31, 1899) image. Click for full size.

Public domain (Wikipedia)

3. Colonel Alexander Travis Hawthorn (January 10, 1825 – May 31, 1899)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.