Fort Mitchell National Cemetery Fort Mitchell National Cemetery is one of the 130 United States National Cemeteries , located in Fort Mitchell , Alabama , adjacent to the state - owned and operated Fort Mitchell Park . It has interred approximately 5 , 000 individual since it officially opened its site in 1987 . It serves as a national cemetery in Federal Region IV , to serve veterans residing in North Carolina , South Carolina , Georgia , Florida , Alabama , Tennessee , and Mississippi . History . The Georgia Militia originally constructed Fort Mitchell in order to sustain a military presence in the area during the Creek War of 1813 to 1814 . Shortly after the fort ’ s completion , the Georgia Militia launched an attack against the British at Tuckabatchie and Hothlewali . The militia was ambushed and driven back to Fort Mitchell by a combined force of Creeks and British . Thereafter , until 1825 , a small force continued to garrison at the fort . From 1817 to 1825 , Fort Mitchell gradually emerged as a center of commerce for trade with Native Americans . In 1817 , a trading house , or factory , was established where produced goods were available to local tribes at prices below what they could otherwise afford . In 1818 , a post office was added to the newly extended Federal Road that crossed through Fort Mitchell from Augusta , Georgia , and westward into the Alabama Territory . In 1821 , an Indian agency was created at Fort Mitchell , and Colonel John Crowell was appointed agent to the Creeks . While Crowell managed the agency , his brother , Thomas , ran the tavern , which later served as an officer ’ s quarters . Fort Mitchell became central to the protection of Native Americans as settlers consistently violated the Creek territory as defined under terms of the 1814 Treaty of Fort Jackson . In response to Native American protests , a new fort was constructed and occupied by the 4th U . S . Infantry in summer 1825 , and it remained garrisoned almost continually through 1840 . The second fort encompassed the first , and while much larger , was similar in design . The use of force against white trespassers was effective . In 1831 , a group of white settlers invaded the Indian community of Ola Ufalal ( now Eufaula ) , evicted the Creeks , burned their houses , and built their own settlement . The U . S . marshal protested the settlers ’ actions , and when defied , the commandant at Fort Mitchell dispatched a company to demand the surrender and evacuation of the town . The residents complied and retreated across the Chattahoochee River . President Andrew Jackson was committed to a policy of removing Native Americans , however , and was not eager to use force against settlers who were supported by the laws of Georgia and Alabama . For every ejection of a trespasser evacuated by troops at Fort Mitchell , 10 intruders would cross the river and enter Creek territory . The hopelessness of the military ’ s position was reflected in the celebrated Hardeman Owen killing . Owen had planned but failed to murder the U . S . marshal . Troops at Fort Mitchell were called out to capture Owen , and in the ensuing melee he was killed . Georgia authorities charged the trooper who fired the fatal shot with murder and demanded the Army hand him over . The commandant refused . Tensions ran high and almost erupted into open warfare . In an attempt to settle the dispute , Francis Scott Key was dispatched by the administration to investigate the affair . He took up residence at Fort Mitchell and composed a report on the condition of the Creeks and the cause of the recent turmoil . He charged that the evils perpetrated on the Native Americans were caused by the weakness of the U . S . government in facing the aggressive actions of the settlers . Key went on to negotiate a settlement , which , after he returned to Washington , was rarely honored . Creek desperation reached a crisis point in spring 1836 . Under the leadership of Chief Eneah - Mathla , an estimated 1 , 500 warriors attacked the settlements . General Winfield Scott was ordered to intervene and succeeded in overcoming the attack . By July 1836 , an estimated 1 , 600 Creek people were concentrated at Fort Mitchell in preparation for a forced expulsion West . Approximately 2 , 000 to 3 , 000 were eventually marched from Fort Mitchell to Montgomery , “ shedding tears and making the most bitter wailings . ” This route is known as the Trail of Tears . In late 1980s , the old post cemetery at Fort Mitchell was officially identified as the location for a national cemetery in Federal Region IV and was opened in May 1987 . Notable burials . SFC Smiley Knight Davis Jr . March 29 , 2011 . US Army , 1954 - 1969 Korean War , Vietnam War - recipient of 3 Bronze Stars .