The Military Road or The Gaines Military Road, sometimes referred to as
General Jackson’s road, connected the two most remote western outposts
of the United States’ army, Fort Jesup and Fort Towsin. This last was
located at the confluence of the Kiamechi River of Oklahoma and the Red
River. The military road was nearly three hundred miles long.
In 1831 Fort Jesup came under the command of Brevet Brigadier General
Leavenworth, with six companies of the Seventh Infantry. In 1832 the
garrison was increased to two hundred ninety-six men and officers, and
Colonel James B. Many again assumed command.
It was during the command of Gen. Leavenworth that some of the settlers
or squatters that had moved into the area, some within a half-mile
distance of the Fort, made themselves objectionable by selling whiskey
to the personnel at Fort Jesup. In order that the sale of whiskey near
the fort might be stopped the following order was issued: