Records Pertaining to Cherokee Removal, 1836-1839
The New Echota Treaty of May 1836 fixed the time after which Cherokee Indians who refused to leave their land in Alabama and Georgia voluntarily would be removed by force. In 1838 the War Department issued orders for General Winfield Scott to removed the remaining 2,000 Cherokees to the Indian Territory (Oklahoma). There is no comprehensive list of all persons involved in the movement of the Cherokee to Oklahoma (often referred to as the "Trail of Tears"). The following microfilm publications are a good place to begin an examination of the Cherokee disturbances and removal between 1836 and 1839.
Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Military Records – Records of Fort Gibson
Fort Gibson served as the primary military staging area in the west during the Cherokee removal. The forces in this post helped shield the Cherokees from the Osage tribe during their trek to Indian Territory, administered supplies, and dealt with disputes among the Cherokees.