The original Fort Smith, established at Belle Point, at the confluence of the Poteau River with the Arkansas River, was less than two years old when Nuttall arrived there on April 24, 1819. We will begin our field trip at the confluence and tour the old fort site on April 29, 2017. NPS Ranger Cody Faber will describe the early history of the fort, and the historical and political factors in play at the time of Nuttall’s visit.