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.

Fort Toulouse: The French Outpost at the Alabamas on the Coosa (Library of Alabama Classics)

History

Thomas, Daniel H

Americas

University Alabama Press

In 1839, the town of Wetumpka, Alabama, seemed poised for greatness; at the head of river navigation, it became the center of commerce for much of Alabama and parts of Tennessee and Georgia, and even almost became Alabama's capitol. But the changing times brought decline: Railroads replaced river transportation. Devastating fires in 1844 and 1852 demolished whole blocks of the business section east of the river. Floods in 1833 and 1844 heavily damaged both residential and business sections of the city. The war in the 1860s and subsequent economic problems also took their toll. A picturesque covered bridge built in 1844 was swept away in a flood in 1886. Wetumpka’s population dropped from 5,000 to around 500. This fond and engaging account tells how things used to be in the old days in and around Wetumpka, Alabama. A personal chronicle, a family history, and a history of a time and place, An Elmore County Life reveals the honesty and glory of an earlier time that is now remembered only by a few.

An Elmore County Life

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

NewSouth Books

An Elmore County life

Black Belt Press

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Books by Thomas, Daniel H