Chattahoochee in Gadsden County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Nicolls' Outpost
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2014
1. Nicolls' Outpost Marker
Inscription.
Nicolls' Outpost. . Atop this large prehistoric mound stood Nicolls' Outpost, a British fort of the War of 18 12. Built in the fall of 1814, it was a rectangular earthen redoubt with a surrounding stockade and was armed with two small cannons. Garrisoned by 180 white and black Royal Colonial Marines, the outpost was named for Bvt. Lt. Col. Edward Nicolls, a noted British officer of the early 19th century. Nicolls was assigned the task of forming a battalion of Royal Colonial Marines by enlisting and training both free blacks and liberated slaves from Spanish Florida and the United States. He was also ordered to supply a large fighting force of Red Stick Creek and Seminole Indians. The outpost provided protection for Nicolls' main base at today's Fort Gadsden Historic Site in the Apalachicola National Forest. It was to serve as a launching point for a planned invasion of Georgia and more than 500 Creek and Seminole Indians gathered here in February 1815. They were preparing to attack when news arrived of the end of the War of 18 12. A major council of chiefs met here in March to appeal for continued British support, but Nicolls' Outpost was abandoned soon after.
Atop this large prehistoric mound stood Nicolls' Outpost, a British fort of the War of 1812. Built in the fall of 1814, it was a rectangular earthen redoubt with a surrounding stockade and was armed with two small cannons. Garrisoned by 180 white and black Royal Colonial Marines, the outpost was named for Bvt. Lt. Col. Edward Nicolls, a noted British officer of the early 19th century. Nicolls was assigned the task of forming a battalion of Royal Colonial Marines by enlisting and training both free blacks and liberated slaves from Spanish Florida and the United States. He was also ordered to supply a large fighting force of Red Stick Creek and Seminole Indians. The outpost provided protection for Nicolls' main base at today's Fort Gadsden Historic Site in the Apalachicola National Forest. It was to serve as a launching point for a planned invasion of Georgia and more than 500 Creek and Seminole Indians gathered here in February 1815. They were preparing to attack when news arrived of the end of the War of 1812. A major council of chiefs met here in March to appeal for continued British support, but Nicolls' Outpost was abandoned soon after.
Erected 2014 by the West Gadsden Historical Society, Chattahoochee Main Street, City of Chattahoochee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
Location. 30° 42.046′ N, 84° 51.402′ W. Marker is in Chattahoochee, Florida, in Gadsden County. Marker is on South River Landing Road, half a mile south of West Washington Street (U.S. 90), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 South River Landing Road, Chattahoochee FL 32324, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Sign noting use of mound that was underneath the fort.
This is the last of seven Indian mounds built in the Fort Walton period (1450-1650 AD). They were residential mounds not burial or ceremonial mounds.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2014
5. Nearby city park.
Public Domain
6. Sir Edward Nicolls of the Royal Marines (circa 1855)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 7, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
