Hopkinsville in Christian County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Mourning at Camp

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 27, 2024

1. Mourning at Camp Marker

Inscription. Chief White Path was a leader to his people. He led them in battle, alongside United States forces, at Horseshoe Bend. He served on the Cherokee Council, traveling to the city of Washington in 1830 to petition Congress to overturn the Indian Removal Act. He spent the following eight years as one of the leaders fighting against removal.

When the forced removal began. Chief White Path again led his people, this time toward an unknown land. He and respected elder Fly Smith became gravely ill on the trail and both died shortly after arriving here. Wood monuments and white flags marked their graves with honor, White Path's people carried on, continuing the fight for Cherokee rights and sovereignty.

At least 4,000 Cherokee people died during the forced removal, but few marked graves exist. The graves of Chief White Path and Fly Smith stand as solemn reminders of the suffering and loss endured.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 36° 51.198′ N, 87° 28.217′ W.

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Marker is in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in Christian County. It is on Trail of Tears Dr. 0.1 miles north of East 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Trail of Tears Dr, Hopkinsville KY 42240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Winter Camp (here, next to this marker); The Cherokee A Civilized People (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitepath and Fly Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherokee "Trail of Tears" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail of Tears Indian Camping Grounds (approx. ¼ mile away); The Trail of Tears (approx. ¼ mile away); The Knight House (approx.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 27, 2024

2. Mourning at Camp Marker

0.7 miles away); Peace Park (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hopkinsville.

Graves of Chief White Path and Chief Fly Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 27, 2024

3. Graves of Chief White Path and Chief Fly Smith

Headstone of Chief White Path image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 27, 2024

4. Headstone of Chief White Path

Headstone of Chief Fly Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 27, 2024

5. Headstone of Chief Fly Smith

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.