Fort Hartsuff was named in honor of Lt. George C. Hartsuff of the 2nd Artillery, U.S.A., whose detachment was ambushed in the Big Cypress Swamp on December 20, 1855, by Seminole Indians, killing several men and wounding many others. During the Indian uprisings of 1856-1858, it served as a community fort and refuge for settlers, and it was garrisoned by U.S. Regular troops and the Florida Mounted Volunteers.