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History of Fort Smith, (Sebastian County) ArkansasOur database does not include an historic photo for Fort Smith, (Sebastian County) Arkansas, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us! 15% - 35% off all Products ยป The Ready Store Biographies:Benjamin L. E. Bonneville Biographical Sketch Benjamin L. E. Bonneville, explorer, was born in France about the close of the eighteenth century, immigrated to America, and was graduated at the military academy in 1815. He served in garrison and frontier duty until 1831, when he set out on a five years' exploring tour beyond the Rocky Mountains. (See "The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U.S.A., in the Rocky Mountains and the Far West. Digested from his journal and illustrated from various other sources," by Washington Irving.) In the war with Mexico he distinguished himself at Contreras and Churubusco, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallantry. In 1855 he was promoted to colonel, and in 1861 was placed upon the retired list. He served in Missouri throughout the civil war, as superintendent of recruiting service, as chief mustering and disbursing officer, as commander of Benton and Jefferson barracks, and as commissary of musters. In 1865 he was made brevet brigadier-general. He died at Fort Smith, Ark., June 12, 1878. |
Arkansas Facts: Sebastian County Facts: Seat: Fort SmithEstablished: 1851 Formed from: Crawford, Polk, Scott, Van Buren
Additional Local History Notes: The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows: FORT SMITH, a thriving post-village of Sebastian county, Arkansas, on the right bank of the Arkansas river, 163 miles by land W. N. W. from Little Rock, and at the western boundary of the state. It has an extensive trade with the Indian tribes, and is a military post of the United States. A weekly newspaper is published here. The government buildings are of brick. There is one frame church in the place. According to some authorities, Fort Smith is the present county seat. Population, about 1500. Fort Smith is situated 134 meters above sea level. |