Trail Of Tears

In 1835, a minority of Cherokee leaders, acting outside the authority of the Cherokee government, signed the Treaty of New Echota. This treaty set the conditions for removal: In exchange for $5 million, the tribe would relocate to the West. Most Cherokee protested the Treaty, but in 1838, in an event known as the Trail of Tears, over 15,000 Cherokee were forced from their homes, many at the hands of federal troops and state militia. During the process many families became separated, never to see their loved ones again. The journey that lay ahead of them would test the strength and will of each man, woman, and child traveling west to unfamiliar land. At the time the Treaty of New Echota was signed, southeast Tennessee was not only the location of the seat of the Cherokee government in Red Clay, but also the home of about 2,500 Cherokee. Prominent leaders Hair Principal Chief John Ross Conrad, James Brown, 1828-1866 Jesse Bushyhead, Lewis Ross, and Principal Chief John Ross all had homes in Tennessee. They lived in communities scattered across the hills and valleys and along the rivers and creeks. Most Cherokee farmed the fertile soils. Some owned prosperous plantations, stores, taverns, and ferries. Throughout the years, several mission schools, such as Brainerd, near Chattanooga, provided a place for Cherokee children to learn to read and write in English and to attend Christian church services. In many respects, Cherokee The Tennessee Trail of Tears story is one of removal camps and detachment routes. Cherokee driven from their homes in Georgia and North Carolina arrived in Tennessee, where they waited to be organized into “detachments” to take them to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), a home they never wanted. Even so, Tennessee’s legacy today remains rich in Cherokee culture. Tennessee Trail of Tears The “Sun Circle” at Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga Artwork by Harry Fenn The circular Cherokee design to the left symbolizes the holy sun in the form of sacred fire sent by the Creator. The central cross depicts the four logs that keep the sacred fire alive. It is said that the Cherokee will survive as long as the sacred fire burns. Ferry at Chattanooga In 1816, brothers John and Lewis Ross established the settlement of Ross’s Landing. It consisted of a ferry, warehouse, and ferry landing site We are now about to take our final leave and kind farewell to our native land the country that the Great Spirit gave our Fathers, we are on the eve of leaving that Country that gave us birth. It is the land of our fathers…our sons, and it is (with sorrow) that we are forced by the authority of the white man to quit the scenes of our childhood, but stern necessity says we must go, and we bid a final farewell to it and all we hold dear East of the Father of Waters, the Majestic Mississippi. Traveling through Tennessee The detachment of the people are very loth [sic] 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. Fort Cass 1838 historic map of the Fort Cass area Highlighted in blue are the removal camps that were spread across the valley. communities did not differ much from those of their American neighbors. In 1838, though, Cherokee life was about to change. Beginning in late May 1838, thousands of Cherokee, enslaved African Americans, and Creek were taken from their homes by troops and held at removal camps near one of three emigrating depots. Two of these camps were located in the vicinity of Cherokee communities in Tennessee: Ross’s Landing, now known as Chattanooga, and Fort Cass in presentday Charleston. During removal, Fort Cass served as the center for the largest emigrating depot. Removal camps in this area were spread out over a 12- by 4-mile area, extending from Charleston southward. Approximately 7,000 Cherokees were held at these camps prior to their departure to Indian Territory, but poor conditions at the camps led to rapid outbreaks of disease, and many perished before the journey began. How many more families would lose their loved ones before reaching their new homes? —Detachment Conductor Elijah Hicks, October 24, 1838 The Cherokee used many different routes to reach their new home in the West—most started in Tennessee. In June, three groups of Cherokee left Ross’s landing to begin their journey to Indian Territory. Dire conditions, disease, and deaths plagued the last two groups. As a result, Principal Chief John Ross and other Cherokee leaders petitioned the US government to allow the Cherokee to control the remainder of their removal. Permission was granted and the remaining Cherokee were organized into detachments of about 1,000 each. MTSU Center for Historic Preservation Cherokee Communities to Removal Camps Museum of the Cherokee Indian MTSU Center for Historic Preservation Toby Darden Road Tennessee Greenways and Trails MTSU Center for Historic Preservation National Park Service Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Why did they Leave ? Toll gates Many of the detachments traveling the Northern Route were stopped and made to pay a fee at tolls such as this one, a reason why some of the detachments took an alternate route around Murfreesboro to Nashville. Hair Conrad, James Brown, and Jesse Bushyhead each led one of these detachments. Most left from Fort Cass and took the Northern Route, crossing the Tennessee River at Blythe Ferry. On this route, they had to travel the steep road over the Cumberland Mountains, traveling an average of 10-12 miles a day. We descended the mountain. The ground was frozen and the mountain steep, and the descent very long, so that I became alarmed, fearing I could scarecely get down... —Daniel S. Butrick traveling with the Taylor detachment, November 1838 The Bell detachment, which traveled through southern Tennessee, found the roads equally difficult to traverse. Detachments resupplied at various points along the way, stopping at mills, such as those at Port Royal, to purchase flour and corn for the next portion of the journey. The trip through Tennessee was not without heartbreak. The detachment led by John Benge lost some children in the Pulaski area. Other Cherokee also perished while traveling through Tennessee and were buried along the routes. It took up to six and a half months for the Cherokee to travel 800 miles to Indian Territory, with the last detachment arriving on March 24, 1839. Hundreds of Cherokee lives were lost along the Trail of Tears. Despite the great loss suffered by the thousands of people who traveled this trail, the Cherokee people today live on as a renewed, invigorated nation. 0517- 4219 Middle Tennessee State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. See our full policy at mtsu.edu/titleix. With the establishment of the United States and an increasing American population, early US presidents sought to acquire American Indian land for westward expansion. —Letter by George Hicks dated November 4, 1838, to John Ross Hair Conrad Cabin MTSU Center for Historic Preservation Artwork by Dorthy Sullivan HIWASSEE RIVER HERITAGE CENTER AUDUBON ACRES 8746 Hiwassee Street, Charleston, TN 37310 6630 Blythe Ferry Lane, Birchwood, TN 37308 (423) 339-2769 Site Information: The park contains a visitor center, walking trails, and outdoor interpretive exhibits that explain the history of the Trail of Tears. The park is located on a bluff that overlooks Blythe Ferry, where 9,000 Cherokee and Creek were encamped while waiting to cross the Tennessee River on their way to Indian Territory. ROSS’S LANDING & THE PASSAGE (423) 413-8284 900 North Sanctuary Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 892-1499 Site Information: Charleston was the site of the Indian Agency and later Fort Cass, the military operational headquarters for the entire Trail of Tears removal. This and other stories, including pivotal Civil War positioning and the filming of Wild River involving TVA damming, are told at the center. Site Information: Audubon Acres contains the Spring Frog Cabin, a pre-removal Cherokee home, and the visitor center has exhibits on the Brainerd Mission site and on Cherokee culture. At Audubon Acres, visitors can learn about the typical Cherokee agricultural life and their level of acculturation at the time of removal. 100 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402 Site Information: Ross’s Landing was one of three emigrating depots for thousands of Cherokee on their way to the Indian Territory. The park contains a historical marker and various memorials dedicated to Cherokee history and culture. BRAINERD MISSION CEMETERY HAIR CONRAD CABIN 5700 Eastgate Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37066 RED CLAY STATE HISTORIC PARK 1140 Red Clay Park Road, SW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0339 433 Blythewood Road SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-8942 (by appointment only) Site Information: Brainerd Mission once consisted of some 40 buildings, including boarding houses, schools, and churches. During removal, the mission was a stopping point and hospital. Evidence suggests that the mission’s cemetery is the final resting place for some Cherokee who died at the removal camps. Site Information: Hair Conrad lived in this cabin for over 30 years. In 1838 he was selected to lead the first Ross-managed detachment, which traveled the Northern Route from Rattlesnake Springs (near Charleston) to Indian Territory. Other Sites to Visit: JOHN ROSS HOME (Northern Georgia) BROWN’S FERRY TAVERN (Restricted, private property) Other Sites to Visit: WILSON-ERWIN HOUSE (Private property. View from street) CLEVELAND CLEVELAND CHATTANOOGA CHATTANOOGA CHATTANOOGA CHARLESTON BIRCHWOOD CHEROKEE REMOVAL MEMORIAL PARK: BLYTHE FERRY Site Information: Red Clay served as the seat of the Cherokee government from 1832 until the forced removal in 1838. The park contains replicas of 19thcentury Cherokee buildings and an interpretive visitor center, which features exhibits on Cherokee life in the early 1800s and on the removal from their homelands. Other Sites to Visit: JOHN MARTIN HOUSE (Private property. View from street) ILLINOIS ee ess nn Te VIRGINIA 41 KENTUCKY 79 58 MISSOURI Adams Port Royal State Park 65 Johnson City 41 24 Cumbe rland River 51 r Rive Nashville Reynoldsburg The Hermitage Nashville 1823 Bridge Abutments Mis sis sip pi Jackson er Riv e Fall Creek Falls State Park 64 Savannah Vonore Sequoyah Birthplace Museum 129 Birchwood Fayetteville Pulaski Chattanooga (see list above for sites to visit) Giles County Trail of Tears Interpretive Center 24 ALABAMA MISSISSIPPI Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Coker Creek 60 W ol f C reek ver te David Crockett State Park 69 78 75 Dunlap 72 55 Unicoi Turnpike Trail Hiwassee River H.C. Charleston Cleveland Hiwassee R iver Hair Conrad Cabin John Martin House 64 74 The Different Routes of Travel Red Clay State Historic Park Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park GEORGIA Between the years of 1837 and 1839 the Cherokee were removed to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) via multiple routes across the country. The Round Up routes were used by the US government starting on May 24, 1838, to gather the Cherokee from their homes and forcibly place them in removal camps, where they awaited the start of their 800-mile journey. The Water, Northern, Taylor, Benge, and Bell routes were used by different removal detachments during this time period to escort thousands of Cherokee to their new land in the West. Many Cherokee perished along each of these routes as harsh weather conditions, poor food supplies, and the spread of sickness affected these traveling parties. SOUTH CAROLINA Hair Conrad Cabin Accessing Sites TRAIL OF TEARS RETRACEMENT TRAIL SEQUOYAH BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM GILES COUNTY TRAIL OF TEARS INTERPRETIVE CENTER David Crockett State Park 1400 West Gaines, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 (931) 424-4044 Site Information: Visit the Trail of Tears Interpretive Retracement Trail located in David Crockett State Park, and hike a portion of the Bell Route. This route was used to transport 650-700 Cherokee from Tennessee to Indian Territory in 1838. PORT ROYAL STATE PARK More Sites to See: (423) 884-6246 (931) 358-9696 THE HERMITAGE 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076 Site Information: Exhibits at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum trace American Indian history in the region, beginning with the Paleo-Indian period. A video presentation, map, and pictorial display tell the Trail of Tears story. Site Information: During 1838 and 1839, Cherokee passed through the present-day park as part of the Trail of Tears’ Northern Route. Diary records of the removal mentioned Port Royal, the last stop before leaving Tennessee, as an encampment site where the Cherokee stayed to resupply, grind corn, and rest. Within the park are the remains of several old roadbeds. 576 State Highway 360, Vonore, TN 37885 220 Stadium St, Pulaski, TN 38478 (931) 762-9408 Site Information: In October and November of 1838 the Bell and Benge detachments passed through Pulaski on the Trail of Tears. Explore both indoor and outdoor exhibits at the interpretive center to learn more about the journey of these two detachments and the broader story of Cherokee removal. 3300 Old Clarksville Highway, Adams, TN 37010 UNICOI TURNPIKE TRAIL 250 Ranger Station Road, Tellico Plains, TN 37385 TENNESSEE RIVER MUSEUM 495 Main Street, Savannah, TN 38372 The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is under development. It’s not possible to follow the entire trail along the historical course. In most cases travelers will have to follow public roads that are close to the authentic trail. TRAIL OF TEARS NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL ROUTES Please ask for permission before visiting any trail sites on private lands and check with public sites for visiting hours and regulations. ROUND UP ROUTES WATER ROUTE JAMES BROWN CHEROKEE PLANTATION (private property) 9521 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363 OVERLAND WATER ROUTE For more information on Cherokee history and sites in Tennessee, visit the Southeastern Tennessee Tourism Association website at: NORTHERN ROUTE or Visit the National Park Service Trail of Tears website and select the Quicklink: Places to go BENGE ROUTE TAYLOR ROUTE southeasttennessee.com/roadtrip/cherokee-heritage-sites/ BELL ROUTE ADAMS VONORE nps.gov/trte PULASKI LAWRENCEBURG Tennessee Map and Guide McMinnville Coke Ovens Park and Museum 43 Tennessee River Museum Great Smoky Mountains National Park 72 Cherokee Removal Memorial Park 40 Memphis Trail of Tears 24 65 64 NORTH CAROLINA 411 60 Lawrenceburg 40 441 129 Columbia 45 40 sse Stones River National Battlefield er Riv Ri on Knoxville Twin Forks Trail Murfreesboro 40 26 lst Ho Oak Ridge 45 E ARKANSAS 81 r ve 40 ne Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park 45W TENNESSEE Te n 155 Kingsport Gray's Inn The National Park Service administers the trail in close partnership with Trail of Tears Association, the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, federal, state, county, and local agencies, interested groups, and private landowners. Trail sites are in private, municipal, tribal, federal, or state ownership. North While traveling along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, you will see a variety of roadway signs meant to help you explore the trail’s stories, routes, and sites. 0 0 50 100 Kilometers 50 Miles 100