The Trail of Tears: An Account of the Cherokee Journey

"My original convictions ... that those tribes can not exist surrounded by our settlements and in continual contact with our citizens is certain. They have neither the intelligence, the industry, the moral habits, nor the desire of improvement, which are essential to any favorable change in their condition. Established in the midst of another and a superior race, and without appreciating the causes of their inferiority or seeking to control them, they must necessarily yield to …

…moving west. Over 12,000 people were traveling, some by flooded, icy rivers, others by muddy, almost impassible roads. Many times, entire groups of travelers were stuck, unable to go on due to travel conditions. These unfortunate travelers would stay put until the conditions improved, many of them dying of starvation, cold, or disease. The entire trip covered about 800 miles, and by the end of it over 4,000 people died - one fifth of the entire Cherokee nation.