University of Virginia Library

Although the cession of Louisiana by France to Spain was signed November 3,
1762, it was not until 1766 that d'Ulloa, the first Spanish governor, arrived at New
Orleans. The following year he sent a detachment of troops to St. Louis. Their
commandant finding them obnoxious to the French settlers withdrew to this site and
built a fort named Charles the Prince. In 1797, however, the land was granted by
Governor Trudeau to a private citizen. When the Americans took possession, a treaty
was made with the Sauk and Fox tribes, providing for the establishment of a factory
where these tribes "can be supplied with goods at a more reasonable rate than they
have been accustomed to procure them." Accordingly, Gen. James Wilkinson was
directed to build a fort and factory, and in 1805 erected on the site of the old Spanish
post Fort Bellefontaine—so called from "a fountain of pure water competent to supply
a thousand men daily." Quarters for the men, a magazine, and storehouse were
built of green logs cut upon the ground. Four iron field-pieces were brought from
St. Louis and mounted in the rear of the cantonment. From 1809–15 Bellefontaine
was headquarters of the department of Louisiana (including Forts Madison, Massac,
Osage, and Vincennes), and was the starting-point of Pike's, Long's, and Atkinson's
expeditions. During the War of 1812–15 it was frequently threatened by marauding
bands of British Indians, but never attacked. The last return from this post is dated
June 30, 1826, when it was garrisoned by four companies of the First Infantry. On
July 10 of that year it was finally abandoned as a military post in favor of Jefferson
Barracks; a small arsenal of deposit, however, was maintained until 1834, and two
years later the land was sold by the government. A number of stone foundations are
yet to be seen at this spot, and the stone magazine is still standing. In 1904 the
bodies buried in the fort cemetery were removed to that of Jefferson Barracks.—
Walter B. Douglas.

Col. Thomas Hunt was born at Watertown, Mass., Sept. 17, 1754. His
ancestors had served the colony in military affairs, and he entered the Revolutionary
army early in 1775, serving as sergeant at Lexington and Concord, ensign in a
Massachusetts regiment in 1775, adjutant of the Twenty-fifth Continental Infantry
in 1776, brigade major in October, 1776, and captain in 1779. He was wounded
both at Stony Point (1779) and Yorktown (1781). In 1791 he was appointed
captain of the Second Infantry, major in 1793, and after transference to the First
Infantry (1796) was promoted to a colonelcy in April, 1803. His later service was
under Wayne (1796), and after that campaign he held command successively of
Forts Defiance, Wayne, Industry, Shelby at Detroit (1800), and Mackinac (1803).
In 1805 he took command of the newly established Fort Bellefontaine, dying there
in 1808. His body, with that of his wife, was removed to Jefferson Barracks in
1904.—Walter B. Douglas.

George Peter of Maryland was second lieutenant in the Ninth Infantry, 1799,
lieutenant of artillery, 1801, captain, 1807, resigning from the army, 1809. He
died at Washington, June 22, 1861.—Ed.