Trail of Tears, September 21, 1838

 Potawatomi Trail of Death - Entries from the diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton, 21 Sept. 1838:

“Traveled 12 mi. Left Davis’s encampment at half-past 9. At a little before 2 we reached Sidney, near the spot selected for encampment. The health of the Indians is the same - scarcely a change - the worst of the cases in most persons proves fatal. Physician reports for yesterday - their condition somewhat better. There are yet 50 sick in camp - 3 have died since my last report. The farther we get into the prairie the scarcer becomes water. Our present encampment is very poorly watered, and we are yet in the vicinity of timber.

“A child died since we came into camp. This morning before we left the encampment of last night, a chief, Muk-kose, a man remarkable for his honesty and integrity, died after a few days’ sickness. Forage not so scarce as a few days ago. Bacon we occasionally procure - beef and flour, however, constitute our principal subsistence.” 

Painting of Potawatomi washing by George Winter, 1838



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sacred - a definition - and the Eagle (Kno)

Sweat Lodge

Naming ceremony