Fort Darien was laid out by General James Edward Oglethorpe in 1736 on the first high bluff of the Altamaha River to protect the new town of Darien. It was a large fortification with two bastions and two half bastions, defended by several cannon. From the town's settlement by Scottish Highlanders in 1736 until after the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742, Darien was in constant danger from the Spaniards of Florida. Highland soldiers were often away from home for weeks on military campaigns, leaving only a few men to guard the women and children, who lived within the fort's walls for safety. On several occasions Spaniards or their Indian allies fired upon the post. After the war with Spain ended, the fort fell into ruins because it was no longer needed, but it was rebuilt and armed during the Revolution, when it again saw action against British forces.