Near Birchwood in Meigs County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

"Your Fate is Decided"

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

1. "Your Fate is Decided" Marker

Inscription. Both the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Treaty of New Echota aimed to accomplish removal through voluntary emigration. Such efforts largely failed and by 1838 only about 2,000 Cherokee affected by the treaty had moved west. For those remaining, hope for success remained alive as John Ross continued to negotiate with the American government.

During 1837, American military leaders prepared to act. They marshaled soldiers and militiamen from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee within the Cherokee Nation. These troops began to build temporary forts from which they could base their moves against the roughly 16,000 Cherokee who remained in the Nation.

The American government, led by Andrew Jackson's picked successor, President Martin Van Buren, however, persisted in enforcing the treaty. With a deadline for voluntary emigration set to expire in May 1838 (two years after Senate ratification of the Treaty of New Echota), preparations to force the Cherokee from the homeland hastened.

"President Martin Van Buren ordered final preparations for eviction in May 1838."

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Native Americans • Wars, US Indian

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. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #08 Martin Van Buren, and the Trail of Tears series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1838.

Location. 35° 24.428′ N, 85° 0.375′ 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. Consequences (a few steps from this marker); Prelude (a few steps from this marker); "Orders No. 25" (a few steps from this marker); "To Learn and not Forget" (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named "Your Fate is Decided" (a few steps from this marker); "Chains of Friendship" (a few steps from this marker); "Given by the Great Spirit above" (a few steps from this marker); "A Desire to Possess" (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.

General Winfield Scott image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

2. General Winfield Scott

General Winfield Scott lead military operations to remove the Cherokees from their native land.

President Martin Van Buren image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

3. President Martin Van Buren

President Martin Van Buren continued to enforce the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Treaty of New Echota enacted by his predecessor Andrew Jackson.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

4. "Your Fate is Decided" Marker

On the far right in this view.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 569 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.