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

Blythe's Ferry

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

1. Blythe's Ferry Marker

Inscription. Nine detachments ranging in size from 729 to 1,766 individuals began crossing the Tennessee River at Blythe's Ferry in October, 1838. Cherokee leaders, called conductors, Hair Conrad, Elijah Hicks, Reverend Jesse Bushyhead, Situwakee, Captain Old Fields, Moses Daniel, Chooalooka, George Hicks, and Peter Hildebrand, directed each detachment. Wagon masters, doctors, mounted guards, and contractors who provided food and other supplies assisted the Conductors in coordinating the marches.

The first two detachments that approached Blythe's Ferry in late August 1838 stopped because of drought and hot weather. The first detachment camped on both sides of the river. The second group camped four miles back of the Ferry. While encamped, contractors provided rations of sugar, coffee, salt, and soap. The Cherokee added to the rations by hunting and fishing.

Weather conditions improved by early October and the detachments began crossing the Tennessee River. Detachments continued to cross at Blythe's Ferry until mid-November. They traveled westward with heavy hearts. Some deserted. Most, however, continued somberly trekking westward.

Topics and series.

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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 1838.

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, 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.

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 8 other markers

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

2. Blythe's Ferry Marker

A mural depicting the 1838 crossing at Blythe's Ferry by Bill McDonald in Decatur, Tennessee.

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. Blythe's Ferry Marker

Fourth from the left.

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 977 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on April 8, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.