In 1814, because of the Muskogee (Creek) Indian uprisings in 1813-1814, two U.S. military stockades were built within six miles of Tallassee. These outposts were early frontier defenses against Creek Indians then in revolt. They protected military troops and white settlers, who moved into Muskogee Indian territory and served as a base of supply.

They were named Fort Decatur and Fort Burrows (aka Fort Barron), both on the lower Tallapoosa River near Tukabahchi town in Muscogee (Creek) Indian territory. Fort Decatur is 6.1 miles south of downtown Tallassee at Milstead in Macon County on property owned by Auburn University. Fort Burrows is 5.9 miles south of downtown Tallassee in Elmore County on private property.