Situated at the head of the Alabama River system—at the juncture of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers—Fort Toulouse in 1717 was planned to keep the local Indians neutral, if not loyal, to the French and contain the British in their southernmost Atlantic colonies. Unlike the usual frontier settlements, Fort Toulouse was both a diplomatic post, since its officers acted as resident ministers, and a military post. Because it was located in a friendly territory adjoining an area under a rival (British) influence, the post participated in psychological warfare rather than in blood-letting. It used trade and aid, and was familiar with spies and double-agents—welcoming and debriefing British defectors; no cannon was discharged in anger at Toulouse.
The most eminent figure to have been connected directly with Fort Toulouse was General Andrew Jackson, who established a military post there during the War of 1812 after his victory over the Indians at Horseshoe Bend. The outpost was named Fort Jackson in his honor and played a key role in the treaty negotiations and eventual settlement of the Indian land by Americans.
In addition to discussing geopolitical and military affairs and diplomatic relations with Indian chiefs, Thomas describes daily life at the post and the variety of interactions between residents and visitors. Waselkov's introduction places the original 1960 book within the context of the existing scholarship of that time and adds an extensive and enlightening review of the most recent archaeological and historical research to Thomas' pioneering work.
Introduction: Recent Archaeological and Historical ResearchWaselkovGregory A.Fort Toulouse: The French Outpost at the Alabamas on the CoosaThe Potentialities of a Fort at the Head of the Alabama RiverConditions and Events Leading to the Establishment of the PostThe Construction of Fort Toulouse in 1717Its Military Role and HistoryLife on the PostTrade at the Alabama PostFort Toulouse as a Missionary CenterThe Fort as a Diplomatic CenterThe Show Down —The French and Indian War, 1754–1763The Fort in the Treaty NegotiationsThe French Evacuation in 1763 and the British Decision Not to Garrison the FortSequelNotes
Daniel H. Thomas is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Rhode Island. Gregory A. Waselkov is Professor of Anthropology at the University of South Alabama.
