Trail of Tears – Deas detachment

Twenty-eight hundred of Cherokee were divided into three detachments, each accompanied by a military office, a corps of assistants, and two physicians. On June 6, 1838 Lt. Edward Deas’ detachment of 800 Cherokee from Georgia left from the camps four miles above Ross’s Landing escorted by soldier guards and boarded the steamboat George Guess and six flatboats, one of which was constructed with a double-decked cabin. Grant Foreman wrote that “In the excitement and bitterness accompanying the enforced embarking of the Indians and their crowded condition aboard the boats, the conductors thought it best not to attempt to muster and count them until later”. The boats traveled down the Tennessee River, reaching Decatur at six o’clock in the morning on the ninth. There they waited till the next day for the train to Tuscumbia Landing.  Foreman writes “the Indians and their baggage were transferred from the boats to the Rail Road cars. About 32 cars were necessary to transport the Party, and no more could be employed for want of power in the Locomotive Engines.”

From Tuscumbia about 800 Cherokee continued west by land. Throughout his journey, and especially in Alabama, Deas reported many Cherokee slipping away to join other detachments or returning back to the mountains. When Deas arrived in Arkansas on June 19, his detachment consisted of 489 persons. From the Madison County Democrat, July 21st, 1838: The Work Goes Bravely On The detachment of 1100 Cherokees which left Ross’ Landing on the 6th ult. reached Fort Gibson, Arkansas, on the 18th after a passage of less than twelve days! – and what will still be more gratifying to those who feel an interest in Indian Removal, not a single death occurred, although there were numbers of feeble and aged men and squaw among the party, and only one of the emigrants was sick, and the physician reported this one as convalescent, and out of all danger. Much credit is due to Lt. Deas, of the United States Army, and Dr. Folger, of North Carolina, the Attending Physician, for their care and attention to the emigrants. By the proper ventilation of the boats, and by a vigilant examination of all on board, the Agent and Physician succeeded in preventing all sickness, and in carrying this large body of emigrants with comfort and in good health to their new and (we doubt not) happier homes.”