Trail of Tears, September 18, 1838

 Potawatomi Trail of Death, Diary of William Polke, 18 Sept. 1838:

“The accumulation of business, together with the discharge of a number of troops in service, rendered it necessary that we should remain in camp a day or so—beside which the weak condition of many of the emigrants demanded rest.”

“During the evening a woman and a child died. A child was also born today. The health of the emigrants continues very bad. Scarcely a day but new cases are reported.”

“In the main however, a daily improvement may be calculated upon. Dr. Jerolaman, the physician to the emigration arrived in camp today and commenced the discharge of his dut[ies]. He is assisted for the time by Dr. James H. Buell of Williamsport, Ia. whose services were enlisted during the absence of Dr. Jerolaman. In their report of today they say, there are at this time sixty-seven sick—of that number there are forty-seven cases of intermittent fever. Of the whole number eight may be considered dangerously ill. Flour, beef and forage still continue to be scarce.” 

Watercolor "Pottawattamie Indians" by George Winter.



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