Potawatomi Trail of Death

Yesterday (September 4) marked the anniversary of the beginning of the Trail of Death. The Potawatomi people were removed by the government from ancestral land in Indiana and marched all the way to an Indian reservation in Kansas. Over 850 Potawatomi endured the Trail of Death between September 4 and November 10, 1838. The trek covered four states, lasted just over two months and resulted in the death of 41 people including children.

 “Removed by the government” is an almost clean-sounding phrase.  As though the government backed up moving vans and loaded up all the belongings.  Reality: They were herded together, without warning.  They had to walk, accompanied by soldiers on horses with rifles. They forded rivers. On one day, 300 were reported sick.  And the numbers vary; one report I read said 756 were moved.

 Also, this was the most well-documented march. In 1840, there were two more forced moves from Michigan and Indiana, each with 400-500 Potawatomi.  

Jump to the 2020 daily series of journal entries from 1838.
         

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