GEORGIA MILITARY  INDIAN WARS  Scott, Winfield and Cherokee Removal

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Winfield Scott

Born June 13, 1786, Petersburg, Virginia
Died May 29, 1866, West Point, New York

His military career included  the War of 1812, the
Blackhawk War, the Seminole Wars, the Mexican-
American War, and the Civil War.


In 1832 Col Scott fought in various "Indian Wars". He
was elevated to Commander of the US Troops (
replacing John Wool) in the Cherokee Nation just
before  the Trail of Tears in 1838. 

General Wool had been in disagreement of Pres. Andrew
Jackson's efforts in 1835 when the Treat of New
Echota was signed which would force the Cherokee from
their native lands.  (The U.S. Supreme Court had
agreed that the Cherokee's had the right to remain
there.)

Scott was appointed April 6, 1838, and by May was in
New Echota, Cherokee Nation, beginning his plans for
the removal of the Cherokee. His plan was to divide
the Cherokee Nation into three military districts,
and that they would be rounded up and held within
three "forts" in readiness for the trip westward.
The conditions were so unhealthy, that 1/3 of the
deaths of the Cherokees occurred.

As early as May 18, 1838, local   "round up" began,
mostly carried out by Georgia Guard under the command
of Colonel William Lindsey. The first Cherokee round-
up under orders from United States General Winfield
Scott started on May 25, 1838 with General Charles
Floyd in charge of field operations. 

This travel during the heat resulted in many deaths
both of people and of livestock. The Cherokees
appealed to General Scott to wait for cooler days.
Scott agreed and also supported that the Cherokee
Chiefs be given leadership roles rather than the US
Army.

Scott himself, continued to accompany them west when
they started again in Oct 1838. He went as far as
Nashville, and then was ordered back to Washington
for duties there.