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

Prisoners

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

1. Prisoners Marker

Inscription.

My troops already occupy many positions in the country that you are to abandon, and thousands and thousands are approaching from every quarter, to render resistance and escape alike hopeless. All those troops, regular and militia, are your friends. Receive them and confide in them as such. Obey them when they tell you that you can remain no longer in this country.

— Major General Winfield Scott to the Cherokees, Cherokee Agency (Charleston, TN), May 10, 1838

Caption: The Cherokee were given until May 23, 1838, to remove voluntarily, but few left before the deadline. From his headquarters in present-day Charleston, Major General Winfield Scott delivered this warning to the Cherokees to cooperate with the soldiers and militia in anticipation of the deadline. Courtesy of Library of Congress.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Military. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1838.

Location. 35° 16.877′ N, 84° 45.587′ W. Marker is in Charleston, Tennessee, in Bradley County.

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It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Preparing for Removal (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Preparing for Removal (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Prisoners (a few steps from this marker); Anticipation Grows (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

2. Prisoners 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); Sickness in the Camps (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 . . . Printed 'Address' of Major General Winfield Scott to the Cherokee. Full-text, printed copy of Scott's May 10, 1838 address/ultimatum. From the Gilcrease Museum. (Submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

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 340 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.