An Overland Journey to the West November - December 1837

(October - December 1837)
by B. B. Cannon, Conductor

Nov. 17th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted at white Water creek 4 O'C P.M. Issued corn & fodder, corn meal and beef.  13 miles today
Nov. 18th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted and encamped at Mr. Morand's 5 O'C P.M. Issued corn & fodder, flour & bacon.  16 miles today.
Nov. 19th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. halted and encamped 1/2 past 4 O'C P.M. at Wolf Creek. Issued corn & fodder. 14 miles today.
Nov 20th 1837
Marched at 8 O'C A.M. passed thro' Farmington, Mo. halted at St. Francis river, 4 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder, Flour & beef. 15 miles today.
Nov 21st 1837
A considerable number drunk last night - obtained the liquor at Farmington yesterday, had to get out of bed about midnight to quell the disorder.  A refusal by several to march this morning, alledging that they would wait for Starr & Reese to come up at that place.  Marched at 8 O'C A.M. in defiance of threats and attempts to intimidate, none remained behind, passed through Caledonia halted at Mr. Jackson's encamped and issued corn & fodder, beef & Bacon mostly bacon.  14 miles today.
Nov 22 1837
Marched at 8 1/2 O'C A.M. pass through the lead mines (or Courtois diggings) halted at Scott's, 4 O'C P.M. Issued corn & fodder and corn meal.  13 miles today.
Nov 23rd 1837
rested for the purpose of repairing waggons shoeing horses, washing, & tc. Starr, Reese and Taylor came up the health of their families in some degree improve.  Issued corn & fodder, and beef. Weather very cold.
Nov 24th 1837
Marched at 8 1/2 O'C A.M. Considerable sickness prevailing, halted at Huzza Creek, 4 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder.  12 miles today.
Nov 25th 1837
Doct.. Townsend, officially, advised a suspension of our march, in consequence of the severe indisposition of several families, for a time sufficient for the employment of such remedial agents as their cases might require.  I accordingly directed the Party to remain in camp and make the best possible arrangement for the sick.  In the evening issued corn & fodder, flour and beef.
Nov 26th 1837
Remain in camp. sickness continuing and increasing.  Issued corn & fodder, beef & corn meal.
Nov 27th 1837
Remained in camp.  sickness continuing to increase.  Issued corn & fodder, Bacon & corn meal.
Nov. 28th 1837
Moved the Detachment two miles further to a Spring and Schoolhouse.  Obtained permission for as many of the sick to occupy the school house as could do so.  A much better situation for an encampment than on the Creek.  sickness increasing.  Issued corn & fodder.
Nov 29th 1837
Remained in camp.  Sickness still increasing. Buried Corn Tassle's child today.  Issued corn & fodder.
Nov. 30th 1837
Remained in camp.  sickness continuing.  Issued corn & fodder.
Dec. 1st 1837
Remained in camp. Sickness abating. Issued corn & fodder, Bacon & corn meal. buried Oolanheta's child today.
Dec. 2nd 1837
Remained in camp.  Sickness abating.  Issued corn & fodder, Beef & corn meal.
Dec. 3rd 1837
Remained in camp.  Sickness abating.  Issued corn & fodder.
Dec. 4th 1837
Marched at 9 O'C A.M. Buried George Killion, and left Mr. Wells to bury a  waggoner (black boy) who died this morning.  Scarcely room on the waggons for the sick. halted at Mr. Davis, 1/2 past 4 O'C P.M. had to move down the creek a mile off the road, to get wood.  Issued corn & fodder and corn meal.  11 miles today.
Dec. 5th 1837
Marched at 9 O'C A.M. left two waggoners (black boys) at Mr. Davis sick, this morning.  Halted at the Merrimack river, 1/2 past 3 O'C P.M. Encamped and issued corn and fodder, corn meal and beef.  10 miles today.
Dec. 6th 1837
Marched at 9 O'C A.M. passed Masseys Iron Works.  Halted at Mr. Jones' 1/2 past 3 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder. 12 miles today.
Dec. 7th 1837
Marched at 8 1/2 O'C A.M. Reese's team ran away, broke his waggon and Starr's carry-all. left him and family to get his waggon mended, at 17 miles - and to overtake if possible.  Halted at  Mr. Baterson, 5 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn and fodder, corn meal & bacon.  20 miles today.
Dec. 8th 1837
Buried Nancy Big Bear's grandchild.  Marched at 9 O'C A.M. Halted at Piney, a small river, 1/2 past 3 O'C P.M.  Rained all day, encamped and issued corn only no fodder to be had.  Several drunk.  11 miles today
Dec. 9th 1837
Marched at 9 O'C A.M. Mayfield's waggon broke down at about a mile - left him to get it mended and overtake, halted at Waynesville, Mo. 4 O'C P.M. encamped and issued corn & fodder, beef & corn meal.  Weather extremely cold.  12 1/2 miles today.
Dec. 10th 1837
Marched at 1/2 past 8 O'C A.M. halted at the Gasconade river at 4 O'C P.M. Issued corn & fodder.  14 miles today.

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Source: National Archives, Office of Indian Affairs, "Cherokee Emigration"  C-553 - "Special File 249" Transcribed and edited by:  E. Raymond Evans Published in the Cherokee Journals " The Removal of the Cherokees".

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