Day Two: Frontier Forts

The actual military defense of Virginia's extreme western frontier did not begin, on a large scale, until the spring prior to the outbreak of Dunmore's War in the fall of 1774, more commonly referred to as the Point Pleasant Campaign.

There were seven of the original forts erected in compliance with Lord Dunmore's order, four on the lower Clinch River under Captain William Russell's militia command, and three on the upper Clinch River under the militia command of Captain Daniel Smith. These forts were erected by the settlers as a means of protection for the locals living in the area. The seven original forts were: Fort Preston in Upper Castlewood, Russell County, Fort Christian, between Dickensonville and Lebanon, Russell County, Moore's Fort in Castlewood, Blackmore's Fort, at the mouth of Stoney Creek in Scott County. Elk Garden Fort in Scott County, Witten's Fort near Tazewell, and Maiden Springs Station, located on the branch of the Clinch River near Tazewell. There were other forts built a few years later in the southwestern part of Virginia. They included: Daniel Smith's Fort in Lebanon, New Garden Station, in Russell County, Tate's Fort, on Moccasin Creek in Russell County, Rye Cove Fort, in Rye Cove. Carter's Fort, also in Rye Cove, Houston's Fort and the Kilgore Fort in Scott County.

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