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

"Very loth to go on"

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

1. "Very loth to go on" Marker

Inscription. The detachments approached Walden's Ridge within days of leaving Blythe's Ferry. The climb up the mountain proved difficult. Supplying food to both people and animals became a major problem. Particular hardship accompanied the climb up Walden's Ridge and according to Third Detachment Conductor Jesse Bushyhead, his wagoneers had to "double many of the teams in ascending the mountains." Conductors reported problems during the early days of the march.

The detachment or the people are very loth to go on, and unusually slow in preparing for starting each morning. I am not surprised at this because they are moving not from choice to an unknown region not desired by them, I am disposed to make full allowance for their unhappy movement.
Elijah Hicks, [Second Detachment] Port Royal near Kentucky line October 24th, 1838

We encamped at Meadows that night [October 25] and on yesterday travelled sixteen miles to this place. As the teams and people were somewhat fatigued with passing so rapidly over the bad roads we concluded it best to rest here today and tomorrow.....Mr. Bushyhead's Detachment was detained by their oxen being poisoned from eating Ivy and we passed them yesterday. They propose starting on Monday and keeping a day behind us on the road.

Topics and series.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1946.

Location. 35° 24.423′ N, 85° 0.383′ W. Marker is near Birchwood, Tennessee, in Meigs County. It can be reached from Blythe Ferry Road 2 miles north of Hiwassee Highway (Tennessee Highway 60), on the right when traveling north. Marker is part of 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.

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

Reverend Jesse Bushyhead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

2. Reverend Jesse Bushyhead

A respected Cherokee preacher and Clerk of the Cherokee Nation, led the Third Detachment that crossed at Blythe's Ferry.

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Winfield Scott (here, next to this marker); "Orders No. 25" (here, next to this marker); "To Learn and not Forget" (here, next to this marker); "Your Fate is Decided" (here, next to this marker); "Chains of Friendship" (here, next to this marker); "Given by the Great Spirit above" (here, next to this marker); "A Desire to Possess" (here, next to this marker); "Not a treaty at all" (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

3. "Very loth to go on" Marker

Second from the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.