Kentucky Historical Marker #0757
Union Supply Base. One of first Kentucky positions, Fort Jefferson, occupied by Union troops after Confederate seizure of Columbus, Sept. 1861. From this base, General Ulysses S. Grant directed demonstration against Columbus, Jan. 1862. Troops from here joined in capturing Ft. Henry, Feb. 1862. One of four river ports in area used as Union supply bases for operations in the western theater.
Fort Jefferson, US 51, Wickliffe, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #1309
Fort Jefferson Site. Built in 1780 by George Rogers Clark as part of impressive plan of settlement, conceived by Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia, later pursued by and named for Gov. Thomas Jefferson. The fort was to protect US claim to its western border and to be a key trading post. It was abandoned, 1781. Resettled after Jackson Purchase. Important Union post in Civil War. Over. (Reverse) Indian Massacre - In 1781, the Chickasaws, led by a Scotchman, Colbert, aroused by use of their land without consent, besieged the fort for five days. Many settlers killed. Those left became desperate for provisions, already low because of the difficulty in reaching the fort. Gen. Clark arrived with reinforcements and supplies. The Indians withdrew. Fort was abandoned thereafter. Over.
1 mi. S. of Wickliffe, US 51, Wickliffe, KY, United States