The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-18
INFER TELLS OF JACKS0N'S MARCH Old Fort and Graves Should Be Tended THE BOYD CEDARS Many Interesting Landmarks Tell of General Jackson's March
 Against the Indians of
 Talladega
BY JOHN INFER FIREMAN

Ashville, May 1S-(SpeciaL)-"In order that history may be correctly written, said John w. Inzer a prominent resident of this county and justice awarded to the memory of those who did much to drive the Red Men out of Alabama terri tory and make way for the white pio- neers, it would be well for the United States government to send some of its engineers into this part of Alabama and locate before it shall be too late the line of march of Gen. Andrew Jackson and his troops, who were mainly from Ten nessee and northern Alabama through this (St Clair) county on his way to the place where he fought the battle of Tal- ladega with the Indians in 1s14s
 "Probably General Jackson came down Sand mountain at Line Creek, in the northern part of this county, thence on by way of the HamptonRhea place on the west bank of Big Wills creek, two miles west of the present city of Attalla; thence to the Holloway place two miles south of Attalla; on in a southeastern direction toward Aubery Bridge on Big Canoe creek, thence to Greensport on the Coosa river. From Greensport he marched south down the west bank of the. river. a. distance of seven miles, to point on the river where he constructed what is known to be Fort Strouther.
 .'The river above the fort makes a horse shoe bend. The bend commencing at what is now known as Lock 3, passing down under the railroad bridge and on by way of what is known as Willows Ferry' later as Hearts Ferry, the river Keeping up that horse shoe curve until it reaches a noint some 600 or 700 yards south or southwest of Lock 3. On the west pank of the river General Jackson construct ed the fort which covered some five or six acres of land.
 The earth was thrown up around this entire piece of land. offering resistance to small arms such as the Indians had. This fort is in a field now owned by VIII liam c. Watson. The earthworks on one side of the fort are now plainly to be seen for g. distance of some POO yards. It is a beautiful piece of ground.
 "It is near a shoal in the river, where it is supposed that Jackson crossed his troops as the Boyd row of cedars on the east side of the river point. to the first place of his crossing.
 "Boyd planted two rows of cedars one on each side of the Jackson trace as It is called. The trees were perhaps 20 feet apart on each side. These cedars contin- ued along the trace for some half mile or more Some of the cedars are now standing, but many of them nave been removed or destroyed, however there are a sufficient number of them left to distinguish his line of march. Jackson then moved on to Talladega by way or what Is known as Jackson's shoals, thence to Chocoloco creek, where he fought and won the battle of Talladega The battle-ground being down a spring branch about one-half mile below where the present city spring is located. S
 'IIow long Jackson remained in the fort is unknown to me. These matters should all be looked up before they pass from the memory One of Boyd's grandsons Is now connected with the works on the Coosa river near this old fort. There is graveyard made by Jackson some 300 yards south of Lock 3 and nearly on a straight line from the locks to the fort
 Perhaps there are as many as Ioo graves there Nothing can now be seen of the graves except the little indentations left on the earth The early settlers say that these graves were originally marked with cedar head and footboards; these boards have long disappeared.
 Ut seems that those old graves should be cared for by the government, no doubt many who slumber there were brave soldiers
 'sIt is said that General Jackson got out of 'rashions at this place. and some of his men inutioned and started for home and at a point not far from the Awbury Bridge Jackson placed himself in the road in front of the men and ordered them hack to camp. threatening them with death if they did not obey. All of whom returned to duty It is said that they lived on raw hides for some time"