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

"An immense amount of suffering"

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

1. "An immense amount of suffering" Marker

Inscription. As they trudged westward, the parties that left Blythe's Ferry in the early fall of 1838 endured lingering health problems from diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, measles, and whooping cough, which began during their long stay in stockades. Heavy hearts and sadness for those that died while imprisoned added greatly to their suffering. Sadness swept through the detachments as children and elderly members of the group were laid to rest in unmarked graves along the roadside.

"It has been exceedingly cold for some time past, which renders the condition of those who are thinly clad, very uncomfortable.

I am afraid that, with all the care that can be exercised with the various detachments, there will be an immense amount of suffering, and loss of life attending the removal. Great numbers of the old, the young and the infirm, will inevitably be sacrificed. And the fact that the removal is effected by coercion, makes it the more galling to the feelings of the survivors."
Evan Jones, in Baptist Missionary, December 30, 1838.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 30, 1946.

Location. 35° 24.423′

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N, 85° 0.383′ 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 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of 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); "Forced from this country" (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

2. "An immense amount of suffering" Marker

There are no known contemporary paintings or drawings of the Cherokees as they traveled to the Indian Territory. This painting, completed in 1942, illustrates the hardships of the long march.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

3. "An immense amount of suffering" Marker

On the far 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 642 times since then and 24 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.