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

Sickness in the Camps

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

1. Sickness in the Camps Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[A]s a very natural result of collecting and marching … men, women and children of all ages and conditions, changing suddenly, and very materially all their habits of life … We should feel little astonishment at finding a high grade of Diarrhea, hazardous Dysentery, and urgent Remittent Fever prevailing to a great and deplorably fatal extent. [I]n addition to this, Measles and Whooping Cough appeared epidemically among the Cherokees about the first of June...[A]ll these Diseases are now rife among them.

— Principal Disbursing Agent Captain John Page, Cherokee Agency (Charleston, TN), July 20, 1838

Captions:
• Top: Medical professionals were hired to care for the Cherokees at the various internment camps. Monthly reports documenting the sick, such as this one written by Attending Physician Alfred M. Folger for the eastern fork of the Mouse Creek encampment at Fort Cass in July 1838, details the diseases and number of Cherokee treated, the number vaccinated, the number who died, and general remarks from the physician. Courtesy of Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
•

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Bottom: Fort Cass Emigrating Depot Map, 1838. Courtesy of National Trails Intermountain Region, National Park Service.

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

Location. 35° 16.9′ N, 84° 45.551′ W. Marker is in Charleston, Tennessee, in Bradley County. Marker can be reached from 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 walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Sickness in the Camps (a few steps from this marker); A New Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A New Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Prisoners (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Prisoners (within shouting distance of this marker); Voices from the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Preparing for Removal (within

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

2. Sickness in the Camps Marker

shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Preparing for Removal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). 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 . . . How Native Americans Struggled to Survive on the Trail of Tears. By Christopher Klein for The History Channel. Originally posted November 7, 2019. (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 116 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.