Trail of Tears: September 23 & 24, 1838

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 23 Sept. 1838

“Traveled 15 mi. to Pyatt’s Point (now called Monticello, Illinois).  Left our encampment at 8 o’clock, having been detained for an hour at the request of the Rev. Petit, who desired to perform service. The day was clear and cold. Our way lay across another portion of Grand Prairie, which we found without timber for 15 miles. Physician report: “the number of sick is 40. There have been 2 deaths since my last report, and 4 or 5 may be considered immediately dangerous.”

“A child died early this morning. One also died on the way to our present encampment. We are at present camped on the Sangamon River, along the banks of which our route tomorrow lies. Subsistence, beef and flour - better than usual. 29 sick persons behind in camp.”

Watercolor of Iowah, emigrant on the Trail of Death; George Winter

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 24 - 25 Sept. 1838

“At 9 this morning we left Pyatt’s Point, Ill. and proceeded down the Sangamon River fifteen miles, to the place of our present Encampment, Sangamon Crossing.

"There have been two deaths. At the suggestion of Dr. Jerolaman twenty-nine persons were accordingly left behind with efficient nurses. They will join us tomorrow. We find a good deal of difficulty in procuring wagons for transportation—so many of the emigrants are ill that the teams now employed are constantly complaining of the great burthens imposed upon them in the transportation of so many sick.

“Subsistence and forage the same as yesterday. A child died during the evening. NOTE: The group camped along the Sangamon River for two days (Sept. 24, and Sept. 25). During that time, two more children and one adult died; the sick who had been left behind to recover rejoined the group and the men were allowed to go hunting for food.”

Painting of Miss-en-nah-go-gwah by George Winter.