Fort Loudoun, Tennessee.

 A few weeks back my buddy Anton posted a great article on the Tellico Blockhouse.  This great article can be found here Tellico Blockhouse  

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park is 1,200-acres and is one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. The fort was reconstructed during the Great Depression and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) the British Colony of South Carolina felt threatened by French activities in the Mississippi Valley. To counter this threat, the Colony sent the Independent Company of South Carolina to construct and garrison what became Fort Loudoun. This move helped to ally the Overhill Cherokee Nation in the fight against the French and guaranteed the trade would continue between the Cherokee and South Carolina.

In the course of the fort’s four year existence, relations between South Carolina and the Cherokee Nation broke down. In August 1760, the Cherokee captured Fort Loudoun and its garrison. After the surrender in 1760, Fort Loudoun was never used again for any military purpose. It is thought the Cherokees destroyed the fort sometime shortly after the English marched away.

As you can see the Blockhouse is just across the river.

Entrance to the Museum. The Fort is a state park. Tennessee has no fees to enter until like Michigan

Uniforms of the troops station at the Fort. The post here was better the the Northern ones.

Artifacts found during the restoration

Standard Brown Bess issued to the troops

The part at the top had been found during the restoration

1 LB cannin

Loading procure

Massive Fortress Smoothbore  1 inch dia

Both Cherokee and British smoking pipes

Nice model of the Fort

I never knew the Desoto had been at the this site in 1650.

The Spanish and Cherokee had a brief battle. The Spanish crossbow won the battle.

Desoto's travels in the region.

Hand Grenades

Each corner had cannons to defend the Fort

Tellico Blockhouse model

The troop main food stock was salted beef.

The Black smith Shop

Officers quarters

The cook house.  The oven outside is typical in the south.

Note the angle of the wall.  The ranger told us it is at 15 degrees. So the Indian's could not scale the wall with out a ladder.

Enlisted barracks

Headquarters and Commanders quarters

Enlisted barracks are surprisingly large

Note the red paint tables

Main gate

Carpenters shop and leather man

The well the provided all the fresh water.