Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears History
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 called for the voluntary or forcible removal of all Indians from the eastern United States. May of 1838 marked the deadline for the voluntary Native American removal. The military was prepared to use force and did so under the command of General Winfield Scott. General Scott ordered the roundup and removal of over 17,000 Cherokees who refused to leave. So began the Cherokee "Trail of Tears," one of the darkest episodes in relations between the United States and Native Americans.
The process was swift and brutal. Detachments of soldiers arrived at every Cherokee house and drove men, women and children out of their homes with only the clothes on their backs. They were placed in concentration camps where conditions were horrendous. Food and supplies were limited and disease was rampart. A great number perished. In the end, members of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole Nations suffered the same fate as the Cherokees.
By late June of 1838, the U. S. government hired wagonmaster J. C. S. Hood to transport 1,070 Native Americans by foot and wagon from Ross' Landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to what is now Waterloo, Alabama -- about 200 miles. Much of the journey followed what is now U. S. Highway 72.
Upon reaching Waterloo, the survivors were in poor condition. Migration had to be suspended until the river was high enough for navigation. Many died in Waterloo and others escaped into the surrounding hills. Many Waterloo residents can trace their Native American ancestry back to those who fled. Estimates of as many as 4,000 deaths occurred because of this force migration of civilized people from their rightful homes.
Motorcycle Ride History and PurposeThe Alabama Waterfowl Association, Concerned Motorcyclists of Tennessee, Rocket City Harley Owners Group and other associations began this ride in October 1994 to raise public awareness and to raise funds to place historic markers in key areas. The event was successful in getting legislation passed through federal and state governments to designate this region as a historic corridor.
On October 14, 1995, over 2,500 motorcyclists from all different walks of life converged in Waterloo, Alabama to witness the unveiling of the first Trail of Tears Historic marker. They were greeted along the way by thousands of people from the towns along the over-200-mile trail.
September 20, 1997,
A Trail of Tears Historic marker was dedicated in Bridgeport on Highway 72 just south of the Alabama-Tennessee state line in Jackson County as the 4th annual ride passed by. This was the second Trail of Tears marker to be dedicated along the route. Over 7,000 bikes rolled into Waterloo to be met by a crowd of over 10,500.
Several groups were involved in making contributions toward the historical marker including the Jackson County Historical Association and the Alabama Harley-Davidson Owners' Group. All donations will help fund future historic markers and highway signs marking the Trail of Tears Corridor. It is our goal to raise awareness and educate everyone about the tragedy of the "Trail of Tears."
The year 2000 Trail of Tears Commemorative Ride will be held September 16, 2000. The Alabama-Tennessee Trail of Tears Committee has a web page at http://www.al-tn-trailoftears.org/.
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