Originally a major path for Creek Indians and the indigenous tribes who preceded them, the Federal Road became a postal route after a treaty between the Creeks and the United States government in 1805, and its widening under a second treaty in 1810 increased opportunities for settlers to move west while troubling the Upper Creek tribes with intrusion on their land and culture. Their violent reaction led to the Creek Indian War of 1813-14, which became part of the larger War of 1812. Fort Mitchell was built in 1813 under the direction of Georgia Militia Gen John Floyd to extend the supply line on the Federal Road from Ft. Hawkins (Macon) to west of the Chattahoochee River. In the early stages of the conflict, Andrew Jackson and Tennessee militia attacked the Upper Creeks from the north, while John Floyd and Georgia militia were charged with similar actions from the east against the same Red Stick warriors, with both Jackson and Floyd assisted by the Lower Creeks who lived near this location. During these conflicts, Floyd used the Federal Road to move troops and supplies, and he built Fort Mitchell at this site as a major base of operations for military campaigns farther west at Autosse and Caleebee Creek.