 Thursday 30th Aug. - Monday 3rd Sept. Twin
Lakes, Plymouth Indiana. Gen. John Tipton captured Menominee's
village, closed Father Petit's chapel, sent squads of soldiers in all
directions to bring in &
enroll Indians. Preparation for journey. Loaded
wagons.
Put 3 chiefs in jail wagon: Menominee, Black
Wolf, & Pepinawa.
 Tuesday 4th Sept. 21 miles, camped at
Chippeway (Tippecanoe
River & Michigan Road) in Fulton County. Left at Twin Lakes Chief
San-ga-na [Sun-go-waw] & family of 13 because sick. 20
Indians
escaped & took 2 horses. Roads choked with dust. 286
horses,
26 wagons.
Wednesday, 5th Sept. 9
miles, camped at Mud Creek. Water scarce. 51 persons too
sick to travel, left at Chippeway. A child was born & a child
died. Party of 3 indians joined us.
Thursday 6th Sept. - Sunday
9th Sept. 17 miles, Logansport, Ind. 49 of those left at
Chippeway caught up. 4 children died. Mass conducted
on Sunday by [Bishop Brute]. Physicians report 300 cases of
sickness
so medical hospital erected.
... Saturday 15th Sept. 10
mi., camp by filthy stream near Indiana-Illinois state line.
Young
Indians allowed to go hunting. 2 small children died along the road.
Sunday 16th Sept. 15 mi., crossed state line at noon, camped at
Danville, IL. Left 7 persons in camp, 1 a woman about to give
birth.
Whole country afflicted with sickness. 4 whites died in
town. Father Petit arrived, got chiefs out of jail wagon,
baptized
dying babies.
click here to read Father Petit's
description
of the trip
Monday 17th - Wednesday 19th Sept. 6 mi., Sandusky’s Point,
Illinois.
Remained in camp due to illness. The sick left behind yesterday
caught up, had new baby. 3 children & 2 adults died. A
child was born. Dr. Jerolaman assisted by Dr. James Buell of
Williamsport.
Thursday 20th Sept. 10 mi., Davis’
Point. Most volunteers discharged, 16 retained. Gen. Tipton
left, Wm. Polke is now in charge.
Friday 21st Sept. 12 mi., Sidney, Ill, chief Muk-kose & a
child died.
click here to see a picture
of Sidney's monument to the Trail of Death
Saturday 22nd Sept. 16 mi., Sidoris' Grove, Heavy rain,
exceedingly cold. A wagoneer discharged for drunkeness. 2
intoxicated Indians locked up.
click here to see a picture of Sadoris' monument
to the Trail of Death
Sunday 23rd Sept. 15 mi., Pyatt’s Point on Sangamon river. Father
Petit performed service before journey started. A child died this
morning. 29 sick persons left in camp.
Monday 24th - Tuesday 25th Sept. 15 mi. Sangamon Crossing in
Illinois.
2 children and 1 adult died. Indian men permitted to go
hunting.
Sick left in camp yesterday caught up.
Wednesday 26th Sept. 14 mi., Decatur, Ill. The physician is
sick.
A child died after dark.
Thursday 27th Sept. 14 mi., Long Point,
Ill. Indian men procuring so much game that rations not needed,
camp is full of
venison.
Friday 28th Sept. 18 mi. Crossed Sangamon River. Polke
promised Indians tobacco after going thru Springfield tomorrow
if the present a good appearance. Chief I-o-weh in charge of
celan up.
Forage is plentiful. 2 children died during the night.
click here to see newspaper article from
Springfield, IL
(Sept. 29, 1838) about the Potatwatomi march.
Saturday 29th Sept. 17 mi., McCoy's Mills. Indians dressed up to
pass thru Springfield, Ill. Camped at stream with little
water.
Sunday 30th Sept. 6 mi., Island Grove. A child died. A
dragoon (note: soldier) dismissed for intoxication.
Monday 1st Oct. 17 mi., Jacksonville, Ill. A child fell from
wagon and was crushed by wheels, will probably die. Late at night
the camp was complimented by serenade from Jacksonville Band.
Tuesday 2nd Oct. 16 mi. Marched into Jacksonville town square
where presents of tobacco and pipes given to Indians by citizens.
Band
played & escorted Indians. Camped at Exeter.
Wednesday 3d - Thursday 4th Oct. 9 mi., Naples, Ill. Spent 9
hours fording Illinois River. Able to wash clothese & make
mocasins.
2 children died.
Friday 5th Oct. 12 mi., McKee's Creek. Subsistence: beef &
flour.
Had to hunt for water, found only in stagnant ponds.
Saturday 6th Oct. 18 mi., barren encampment we named Hobson's
Choice.
Beef and potatoes issued to Indians tonight. A child died this
evening.
Rain, cooler.
Sunday 7th Oct. 12 mi., Mill Creek in
Illinois. A child died.
Monday 8th - Wednesday 10th Oct. 7 mi., Quincy, Illinois. Steam
ferry across river, entered Missouri. 3 children died.
Permission
granted to remain in camp each succeeding Sabbath for devotional
services
(note: attended Mass at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Quincy).
click here to read newspaper article from Quincy, IL
(October 13, 1838) about the Potawatomi March
Click here to read Father Petit's letters describing the
trip.
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