Near Birchwood in Meigs County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
"Forced from this country"
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011
1. "Forced from this country" Marker
The President, as well as Congress, have decreed that you should remove from this country. The people of Georgia, of North Carolina, of Tennessee and of Alabama, have decreed it. Your fate is decided; and if you do not voluntarily get ready and go by the time fixed in the treaty, you will then be forced from this country by the soldiers of the United States."
"Under such circumstances what will be your condition! Deplorable in the extreme! Instead of the benefits now presented to you by the treaty, of receiving pay for the improvements of your lands, your houses, your cornfields and your ferries, and for all the property unjustly taken from you by the white people, and at the same time, blankets, clothing and provisions for the poor, you will be driven from the country, and without a cent to support you on your arrival at your new homes. You will in vain flee to your mountains for protection. Like the Creeks you will be hunted up and dragged from your lurking places and hurried to the west." - Brigadier General John E. Wool, appeal to the Cherokee, Headquarters, Army, Cherokee Nation, New Echota, Georgia, March 22nd 1837
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Location. 35° 24.423′ N, 85° 0.383′ W. Marker is near Birchwood, Tennessee, in Meigs County. Marker can be reached from Blythe Ferry Road, 2 miles north of Hiwassee Highway (Tennessee Highway 60), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birchwood TN 37308, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Orders No. 25" (here, next to this marker); "To Learn and not Forget" (here, next to this marker); "Your Fate is Decided" (here, next to this marker); "Chains of Friendship" (here, next to this marker); "Given by the Great Spirit above" (here, next to this marker); "A Desire to Possess" (here, next to this marker); "Not a treaty at all" (here, next to this marker); "They drove us out of our house" (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011
2. BG John Wool
A veteran of the War of 1812, Wool commanded the first American troops into the Cherokee Nation in 1837. Considered by Georgians as too lenient toward the Cherokee people, President Martin Van Buren replaced him with General Winfield Scott.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011
3. "Forced from this country" Marker
Second from right in this view.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
