National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Support the National Park Service
Fort Smith National Historic Sitesidewalk path along Arkansas River
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Fort Smith National Historic Site
People at First Fort Smith (1817-1824)
 

The first Fort Smith was established by Major William Bradford and a company of the U.S. Rifle Regiment in December 1817 to maintain peace between local Osage Indians and emigrating Cherokees. 

The 1822 Treaty of Fort Smith, negotiated by Col. Mathew Arbuckle, then the fort's commanding officer, and Indian Commissioner James Miller, reconciled most of the difficulties between the Osage and the Cherokee.
detail of letter from Kramer to his wife in 1822
A Soldier's Letters
Ill and disabled, Balthazar Kramer struggled to receive his pension and return home to his wife.
more...
13th Kansas lined up in downtown Fort Smith 1864
Units Stationed At Fort Smith 1817-1871
List of Companies and Detachments at Fort Smith
more...
foundation remains of first fort overlooking Arkansas River  

Did You Know?
The U.S. Army selected a spot overlooking the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers for the site of a fort. Soldiers from the Rifle Regiment arrived in 1817 and named the site Fort Smith after their commanding officer, Thomas A. Smith.

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: August 28, 2006 at 15:48 EST