Trail of Tears - Bridgeport, Alabama
Posted by: 
flyingmoose
N 34° 57.149 W 085° 42.253
16S E 618314 N 3868540
Located at the Historic Dual Railroad Tennessee River Bridge.
Waymark Code: WM15CED
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 12/06/2021
Views: 1
Marker Text:
May 23, 1838 the deadline for the Cherokee to move west to Oklahoma, Gen. Winfield Scott was sent in to AL, TN and GA to round up the Cherokee and place them in stockades near what is now Chattanooga, TN and Ft. Payne, AL. In June of 1838 about 5,000 Cherokee was removed from Ross' Landing, TN down the Tennessee River on flatboats and passed under where this bridge is now located. The would be forced on a steamboat and travel to the Ohio River, then go down the Mississippi River then head west on the Arkansas River to a reservation in Oklahoma. Then when the Tennessee River got so low, June 17, 1838 a detachment of 1,070 Indians left Ross' Landing and marched overland right near this bridge and followed closely to what is now U.S. 72 Highway. The group rebelled and refused to move and bout 300 escaped near Woodville. U.S. Capt. Gus Drane was sent in to move them on to Waterloo, where they arrived in despicable condition. There were many escapes, births and deaths on these removals and this is why many people in Alabama has Indian heritage today.
The bridge was burned by the Union Army twice during the civil war in the 1860's and rebuilt and used for train travel until 1998. A new bridge was built and this walking bridge was donated to the Town of Bridgeport, AL., Bridgeport recieved a grant from CSX and the DOT to restore and make into a pedestrian bridge.
Much thanks to the participates in the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride
Sponsors: City of Bridgeport Don McCokney
Shadow Wolf, Inc. Jerry D. Davis
AL-TN Trail of Tears Corridor Association
Routes: Water Route
Additional Coordinates: Not Listed
Address if available: Not listed
Additional Information: Not listed
Marker Website: Not listed
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