Charleston in Bradley County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Preparing for Removal

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

1. Preparing for Removal Marker

Inscription.

Our situation is truly a critical one. Our whole country is full of troops and fortifications and should it be determined by the Govmt, to remove the Cherokees by force under the fraudulent Treaty by the kind of Soldiers which are amongst us I fear that serious troubles will arise.

— Lewis Ross to John Ross, Cherokee Agency (Charleston, TN), April 20, 1838

Caption: Lewis Ross, brother of Principal Chief John Ross, was a wealthy businessman who lived in the Agency Area (present-day Charleston) and operated a store and ferry in the community. Courtesy of George M. Murrell Home, Oklahoma Historical Society, Park Hill, OK.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Military • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1838.

Location. 35° 16.873′ N, 84° 45.59′ W. Marker is in Charleston, Tennessee, in Bradley County. Marker is on Market Street NE north of Hiwassee Street (U.S. 11), on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the Voices from the Past trail at Hiwassee River Heritage Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8746 Hiwassee Street, Charleston TN 37310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. Prisoners (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Preparing for Removal (a few steps from this marker); Anticipation Grows (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Prisoners (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Anticipation Grows (within shouting distance of this marker); Spare Our People (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Spare Our People (within shouting distance of this marker); A Warning and a Protest (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

More about this marker. It is double-sided, with each side identical to the other.

Also see . . . Letter from Lewis Ross to Chief John Ross. Digital scan by the Gilcrease Museum of the April 20, 1838 handwritten letter. (Submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

2. Preparing for Removal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.