The Beginning "In 1838, a large emigration of the Pottawattamies took place, under the direction of Genl. John Tipton and Col. A.C. Pepper, and immediately under the superintendence of Genl. Marshall, and his subordinates.  Much that is sad and touching relates to their removal westward …     It was only by a deceptive (in a moral point of view) and cunning cruel plan, they were coerced to emigrate … By convening a special Council of the principal Chiefs and Head men, at the Catholic Mission at the Twin Lakes,  near Plymouth, under the pretence of a Council of Amity, and good will, [Genl. Tipton] secured them as prisoners.  A high handed act, for such it was.  For its execution, stern necessity, must be the apology.  The policy was as painful, as it was successful.     This was followed up by the detailing parties to volunteers, who had been previously enlisted under authority, to bring in from the different villages, men, women and children into Camp. …     The Camp was now in full organization, but volunteers cam crowding in from all parts of the State, in anticipation of the Indians resisting, of which at one time, there was a seeming probability.  Very varied was the character of this heterogeneous body of men.  Some were of the highest respectability in the state, and others, in appearance at least, vagabonds and pillagers of the lowest order, such as humanity would recognize. …     … the whitemen were gathering thick around them, which was but a sad necessity for their departure.  Still they clung to their homes.  But the flames of the torch were applied – their villages and wigwams were annihilated.  The principal Chiefs were secured by the strong arm of authority, and lead or rather driven Captives out of the land at the point of the bayonet!  It was truly a melancholy spectacle, that awoke a deep feeling of sympathy for their unhappy fate.” (GWMSS 1-15 [15], 1-12 [13]) Ash-kum "Ash-kum was an orator of some consideration and distinction; he however was not continued in such capacity, when I knew him in 1837 …     In his speeches he always went into a circumlucutary historical account of his tribe, and the various treaties made with the government he was very minute, tedious and perplexing, although he had perspicuity of thought, and could clearly express himself …     It was therefore in consequence of Ash-kum’s verbosity and tediousness of detail, that Col. Pepper requested that in his future business with the Pottawattamies, some other speaker should be appointed by the Indians.  Knas-wa-kay was chosen – and Became their principal orator …     Ash-kum in person stood above the middle heighth, and some fifty years of age – perhaps some moons more. … He could not speak much English, though he could make himself amusingly understood. …     Ash-kum was among those old chiefs who retained their prejudices against having themselves portrayed – or from the secret contempt for being remembered among white men through the medium of the pencil.  Yet he was amused at others whom I painted, and was ever ready with his spicy joke upon their likenesses.     To me personally he was friendly and ever wore a smile upon his countenance when we met on the council group in the forest, or at the town of Logansport where he often came to trade at Ewing & Walker & Cos well known trading establishment.     I do not remember seeing him among the large number of converts to Christianity under the missionary labors of Father Petit.     He was however free from the vice of drinking. … He was a peaceable man, but opposed the emigration westward in 1837. …     He however fell into ranks, in the fall of 1838, when the strong arm of the U.S. Government coerced the Indians through the active and determined cooperation of Genl. John Tipton with Col. A.C. Pepper & Col Lewis H. Sands. …     Ashkum was strongly attached to his native forests and lakes – and left Indiana with a deep feeling of regret." (GWMSS 2-6 [1], 2-6 [4]) The March "After the first days’ march, the Emigration camped upon a small prairie near a run known by the unpoetical sobroquet of “Mud Creek” …     About 18 miles from Logansport Muddy Creek crosses the Michigan road.  Creek is called by the sobroquet which it so well deserves – the water as it passes sluggish along has no small quantity of alluvial matter incorporated with it.  On a small prarie near this creek on [9] Sept [1838] a thousand Indians of the Pottawattamie tribe encamped after a hard days travel in sickness – and in tribulation. …     The group of the captive Chiefs was truly a saddening sight, as they lay surrounded by a vigilant citizen soldiery.  Nor did their condition fail to reach even the hearts of many a settler, who rejoiced mostly, at the departure of them as a nation. …     On the 9th of [Sept.], the emigration moved some 18 miles towards Logansport, and camped near Horney’s Mill, in a grove of friendly timber near the vicinity of Eel river.  Here they rested on the sabath.” [GWMSS 1-15 [15], 2-32 [4]) Sun-go-waw "[Sun-go-waw] was among the several Warriors, Chiefs, and Headmen who were made prisoners at the Catholic Mission at the Twin Lakes. …     Sun-go-waw was one of Father Petit’s converts, and of great usefulness to the Priest in his godly purposes and work in the Pottawattamie people.     He acted in the capacity of Interpreter to the good father, with marked usefulness and ability …     Sun-go-waw was among the principal men of those who were carried prisoners (in waggons) at the head of the column of the emigration.     About one week after the departure of the Indians, Sun-go-waw was released, and sent back to Logansport, with a despatch to Genl. John Tipton, by Genl. Morgan, in command of the Indians.  This commission was a post of honor, which Sun-go-waw greatly appreciated.  I remember the day he appeared at Logansport.  He enquired of me as I stood at Capt. C. Vigus' Hotel corner, for Genl. Tipton's residence, which was about a mile distant from the bridge, eastward, up the Wabash, which he readily found.     Sun-go-waw faithfully performed the duty confided to him.  He received an answer from Genl. Tipton, and on the following day he returned, alone to overtake the emigration, which he had left several days previously.  This was the last time that Sun-go-waw was seen on the 'loved Wabash.'" (GWMSS 2-24 [1]) Father Petit Preaches to the Indians "It was in the month of [September] 1838, and on a sabbath day, that the Pottawattamie emigration column rested within the shadow of a large grove, near a clear stream of water, in close vicinity of the Eel River.  This was a halt after the second day's march to their far off destination, West of the Mississippi.     It was here that the Rt. Rev. Brute, Bishop of Vincennes, preached to the converted Pottawattamies ...       Independent of the moral aspect of this group, it was one of beautiful picturesque effect.  The singularly draped red people, in bright and startling combinations of color, blending in harmony with the forest rees, tinged with the influences of the decaying year, created a deep impression upon the beholder. ...     I sketched this imposing and interesting scene, which embraces perhaps nearly 1000 Indians.  I have a Cartoon of this subject - and it has always been a subject near my heart." (GWMSS 2-24 [1], 1-15 [13]) from Father Petit's journal of November 13, 1838: "While I was awaiting a public stage [coach] at the hotel [in Logansport], a traveler came up to me and presented me with a pencil sketch which seemed to me a good one and which represented the confirmation ceremony at the camp, the altar at the foot of the great tree, the linen tapestries, Monseigneur [Brute], M. Mueller and me, our young interpreter, and all the Indians, with their grave, pious solemn demeanor.  I was asked several questions about the Indians language, habits, and traditions. The Emigration Continues "The morning following this eventful and impressive day, the emigrating column was formed, headed by the Captive Chiefs who were conveyed in wagons, guarded by the strictest surveillance.  Soon the whole nation were seen moving down the hill sides, along the banks of the Eel river, on the way to their westward home. ...     Ah!  Well do I remember that scene, as the Indians left a beautiful grove of oaks where they had encamped a few days previous to their emigration, and descended a gentle declivity, the summit of which commanded an extensive view of a rich and wide spreading fertile land - and upon which with many others I stood to view with effect the little band as they passed by us. ...     ... they formed with their heavily packed ponies a picturesque scene, which a painter could but have deemed lovely as they followed the serpentine windings of a trail on the lower wild lands. ... I gazed with many others whom curiosity had brought to the spot, at the little emigrating band until they faded before us in the western horizon.  The Indian's is a mournful memory!     Many melancholy and touching thoughts passed through the mind and these questions presented themselves, as the indistinct and fast fading forms of the party were lost to the view.  Has the Redman in his entercourse with the White, witnessed the practice of the immutable principles of justice and probity which a holy religion teaches?  Has he been taught virtue and divine reverence in example or by precept? ... To these startling inquiries let the page of history respond.  Could the poor and degraded aborigine give his history to the world, it could but speak in emphatic language - the continual series of oppressions of the White man, from the day he first put foot upon the aboriginal soil; ans surely would the gilded enblazonary of Freedom's boasted escutcheon be tarnished in the sight of Philanthropy and Justice." (GWMSS 1-15 [15], 2-32 [2]) The Mother of We-wis-sa "It was reported that during the emigration of the Pot-ta-wat-ta-mies in the fall of 1838, that in consequence of the infirmities of the Mother of We-wis-sa, she became of great inconvenience to the family in keeping up with the main body of the Indians, and that they held a council for the purpose of deciding whether they should dispose of the old woman by the tomahawk and there-by relieve themselves of the incumberence of caring for her.     I never heard this confirmed, and therefore never regarded the circumstance of an authentic character worthy of indorsement."  (GWMSS 1-17 [38b]) Click here to read Jesse C. Douglas' eyewitness account of the Trail of Death

taken from Feest, Christian F. Indians and a changing frontier: the art of George Winter. The Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis. 1993.