[Statement of] the prisoners (all women) brought in from Thomas County, Georgia, Fort Mitchell, 1836 Sept. 28 / [signed by] J.A. [?] Chambers
The prisoners (all women) brought in from Thomas County, Georgia- state as follows.
The party to which they belonged crossed the Chattahoochie just three months since, in all about 112, seventy of which were Warriors- They were headed by Chelokeor Chelocke Harjo, a nephew of Neah Micco's- crossed the river just below the mouth of the Hatchee [unclear: Chubbe], on rafts which I understood them to say they were about a week preparing- after crossing divided into two parties, one of which was overtaken, by the whites on the third day, and two of the men killed- some of the women taken- the rest of the party got off, and scattered. The other was attacked on the other side of the Flint river, and six men & seven women killed- the rest 5 in number, taken prisoners- all the men killed- all of the above people crossed the Chattahoochieon the Night of the day on which Yoholo harjo&c [et cetera] surrendered- They knew that Eneah Mathlahad been taken prisoner, and it was about a week after his capture that they crossed the river- They state that they understood that three other parties crossed the Chattahoochieat the Oswitchee Bendsoon after the first hostile party was sent to Arkansas- they know nothing of them after they crossed- They further stated that they knew that about twenty Ucheeshad recrossed to Ala: [Alabama]- To the question of what had become of them? they answered they did not know- supposed they were in the Cowaggee...
Document: CIM004
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Answers to enquiries relating to the Cherokees, 1817 Aug., Cherokee Agency / Colonel Return J. Meigs
Qu [Question]: What is the state of the Cherokees with respect to religious knowledge?
An [Answer]: They have as a people no acquired knowledge of religion. Their Green corn dance, so called, is undoubtedly of religious origin, it is only an annual meeting & may be justly termed a Feast of the first fruits.
Qu [Question]: Do the Cherokees believe in the being of a God?
An [Answer]: Yes universally.
Qu [Question]: What conceptions have they of his attributes?
An [Answer]: That [added: his] power, & his goodness are infinite, that he approves or disapproves of our conduct here.
Qu [Question]: Do they believe in a future state of existence?
An [Answer]: Yes & that [added: it] will be terrestial enjoyment. For want of instruction they cannot elevate their minds above materiality they have no apprehensions of future unhappiness.
Qu [Question]: What are their most prominent traits of character?
An [Answer]: Hospitality and kindness (and without ostentation) to the whole human race except in instances where they concieve that they are grossly injured.
Document: PA0001
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Orders, 1838 May 17, Cherokee Agency, Ten[nessee] / [by command of] Winfield Scott
The duties devolved on the army, through the orders of the Major General & those of the commanders of districts, under him, are of a highly important and critical nature.
The Cherokees, by the advances which they have made in christianity and civilization, are by far the most interesting tribes of Indians in the territorial limits of the United States. Of the 15,000 of those people who are now to be removed -- (and the time within which a voluntary emigration was stipulated, will expire on the 23rd instant -- ) it is understood that about four fifths are opposed, or have become averse to a distant emigration; and altho' [although] none are in actual hostilities with the United States, or threaten a resistance by arms, yet the troops will probably be obliged to cover the whole country they inhabit, in order to make prisoners and to march or to transport the prisoners, by families, either to this place, to Ross' Landing or Gunter's Landing, where they are to be finally delivered over to the Superintendent of Cherokee Emigration.
Considering the number and temper of the mass to be removed, together with the extent and [unclear: fastnesses] of the country occupied, it will readily occur, that simple indiscretions -- acts of harshness and cruelty, on the part of our troops, may lead, step by step, to delays, to impatience and exasperation, and in the end, to a general war and carnage -- a result, in the case to those particular Indians, utterly abhorrent to the generous sympathies of the whole Americanpeople. Every possible kindness, compatible with the necessity of removal, must, therefore, be shown by the troops, and, if, in the ranks, a despicable individual should be found, capable of inflicting a wanton injury or insult on any Cherokeeman, woman or child, it is hereby made the special duty of the nearest good officer or man, instantly to interpose, and to seize and consign the guilty wretch to the severest penalty of the laws. The Major General is fully persuaded that this injunction will not be neglected by the brave men under his command, who cannot be otherwise than jealous of their own honor and that of their country.
By early and persevering acts of kindness and humanity, it is impossible to doubt that the Indians may soon be induced to confide in the Army, and instead of fleeing to mountains and forests, flock to us for food and clothing. If, however, through false apprehensions, individuals, or a party, here and there, should seek to hide themselves, they must be pursued and invited to surrender, but not fired upon unless they should make a stand to resist. Even in such cases, mild remedies may sometimes better succeed than violence; and it cannot be doubted that if we get possession of the women and children first, or first capture the men, that, in either case, the outstanding members of the same families will readily come in on the assurance of forgiveness and kind treatment.
Every captured man, as well as all who surrender themselves, must be disarmed, with the assurance that their weapons will be carefully preserved and restored at, or beyond the Mississippi. In either case, the men will be guarded and escorted, except it may be, where their women and children are safely secured as hostages; but, in general, families, in our possession, will not be separated, unless it be to send men, as runners, to invite others to come in.
It may happen that Indians will be found too sick, in the opinion of the nearest Surgeon, to be removed to one of the depots indicated above. In every such case, one or more of the family, or the friends of the sick person, will be left in attendance, with ample subsistence and remedies, and the remainder of the family removed by the troops. Infants, superannuated persons, lunatics and women in a helpless condition, will all, in the removal, require peculiar attention, which the brave and humane will seek to adapt to the necessities of the several cases.
All strong men, women, boys & girls, will be made to march under proper escorts. For the feeble, Indian horses and ponies will furnish a ready resource, as well as for bedding and light cooking utensils -- all of which, as intimated in the Treaty, will be necessary to the emigrants both in going to, and after arrival at, their new homes. Such, and all other light articles of property, the Indians will be allowed to collect and to take, with them, as also their slaves, who will be treated in like manner with the Indians themselves.
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White men and widows, citizens of the United States, who are, or have been intermarried with Indians, and thence commonly termed, Indian countrymen; also such Indians as have been made denizens of particular States, by special legislation, together with the families and property of all such persons, will not be molested or removed by the troops until a decision on the principles involved can be obtained from the War Department.
A like indulgence, but only for a limited time, and until further orders, is extended to the families and property of certain Chiefs and and head-men of the two great Indian parties, (on the subject of emigration) now understood to be absent in the direction of Washington on the business of their respective parties.
This order will be carefully read at the head of every company in the Army.
[Signed] Winfield Scott. By Command:
[Signed] [unclear: Lieut. Col.]
Chief of the Staff
Document: IVP001
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[Census 1840?] Heads of [Cherokee] families, places of residence, deaths, and remarks
...6 of her children died during the emigration
His wife Lesa died during the emigration
died during the emigration
died during the emigration
one child included died during emigration
One of his children included in the census of 1835 died during the emigration
His wife & one child included in the census of 1835 died during the emigration
One child included in the Census of 1835 died
His father Ahtiwih, his mother Tulach& Sister Tukuh died during the emigration
When the census of 1835 was taken he lived with his aunt Nesa she died during the emigration.
One of his wives and two of his children included in his family, when the census was taken in 1835 died during the emigration
One of her children died during the emigration,
died during the emigration
When the census of 1835 was taken her mother [unclear: Su se]lived with her but died during the emigration
two of his daughters [illegible] and Choyu cuh who resided with him in 1835 died during the emigration
her mother died during the emigration
His wife Cu wistah and his daughter Anawakih were included in the census of 1835, and died during the emigration
died during the emigration
died during the emigration
died during the emigration.
Four of his children included in the census of 1835 died since, during the emigration
When the census of 1835 was taken she had an orphan residing with her who died during the emigration,
died during the emigration
his mother Conawela was included with his family in the census of 1835, died during the emigration...
Document: WTP002
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Southeastern Native American Documents
Arts and Humanities
Galileo Digital Library of Georgia
