Fort Gibson: Terminal on the Trail of Tears

Fort Gibson was the first military post established in Indian Territory on the Grand River in 1824. The principal mission for the Army was to maintain order and expedite the policy of Indian Removal. Throughout the years of the Indian Removal there were no clashes between the Indians and soldiers from Fort Gibson; no Indian was killed by the army and only one soldier from the post died at the hands of the Indians. Based on letters, official reports, newspapers, and personal accounts of those who served or lived near the post; Fort Gibson: Terminal on the Trail of Tears pictures a vastly different type of military mentality from what has been widely accepted.