The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-09-23

tnat peTSecuteu CHRISTIAN 1celS, Wnen ne
knows that he is an heir of God, and joint
heir with Jesus Christ, who died that he
might live.
While this was going on, the soldiers
crowded around the door of the hut, and al
the closing verse he fell on his knees, his wife
and all the family following his example, he
then lifted his hands towards Heaven, and
plead the cause of those of his oppressors,
and asked God to forgive them all their sins
and prepare each one by grace divine, for ad-
mission into that "house not made with hands
eternal in the heavens"
NV feelings on this occasion can never be
described; such never had before and the
impressions then made on my mind never will
BE- removed.
Although was the only one present who
understood the Cherokee language, yet all
seemed to read the feelings of that old mans
my weakness, | looked around upon my fell
low soldiers, and tears were streaming from
every eye. This day and this scene was the
theme of conversation for weeks after it oc-
Cured.
The old man and his four sons, in accor-
dance with his promise, went on to the Fort,
submitting to all the privations to which they
were incident under the circumstances, with
a cheerfulness seldom equalled. On the next
day the old man came to me and requested
leave of absence until II o'clock the day fol-
lowing. told him would try to obtain it,
and went TO the Major to get him off. He
refused me, but continued to insist, as the
old man seemed very anxious to see what had
become of his wife and children. The Major
agreed at last that lie might 90, but that he
would hold me responsible for his return;
therefore became his surety and let him off.
He went home, and at the exact time he re-
turned to the Fort and reported himself
beloved home and return at his pleasure, and
| must here say, that he never failed to be
prompt in every promise he made.
The day now being fixed for the departure
of all that we had then taken, to the far west,
Wah-w-cattocah was directed to bring into
camp his wife and smaller chrildren. He
went alone, promising to bring them all in:
And now the test of his honesty; here he was
permitted to 90 at large, with no bonds and
no responsibility save his own word. The
reader is almost ready to say | would have
forfeited my word, rather than subject myself
and family to such great privations and trials.
This, however, did not seem to enter the
mind of the honest Indian; he had promised,
and this was sufficient for him, and without
stopping to think of the loss or gain, he kept
it righteOusy.
Reader, think, pause for moment, consid-
er the situation Of this poor red man of the
forest; he was in the midst of plenty; heavens
smiles seemed to beam upon him and upon
all he possessed: he knew no restraints save
those of the religion of the Bible; his wife,
his sons and his daughters, that had arrived
to mature age, although their skin was red,
yet they too had espoused the satne cause
with the husband and father, and they now
feel that Christ is their only hope, and heaven
their only home. Their earthly home has
now to be left forever, not of their own
choice, but torn from home they loved,
where God had blessed the father, mother,
brothers and sisters, all together. ] can now
see them in my Imagination, piiing up their
little pundcr preparing to bid it final fare
well. And as the father is busiIy engaged in
arranging his packs the big tear stands full
in his cye, and with his tawny hands he wipes
them away he looks around on n beautiful
growing crop, he remembers how providence
has rewarded his tolls. His yard is covered
with beautiful poultry, his fields with flocks
and herds, all the product of his own honest
labor. All are to be left to the mercy Of the
white man, who had heretofore been his
greatest enemy. Finally, his preparation is
completed: taking upon himself the largest
burdens and assigning to his wife and each
child their load, the big tears begin now to
chase each other down their cheeks. The
old man takes the lead, his wife next and the
children following according to their age
Silently they all moved on, but before fairly
out of sight, the old man turns around to
take the last, lingering look at an humble but
much beloved home, and, in a whisper, he
bids all that he calls home and country, good
by.' He now winds his way on to the Fort,
soon to depart for the west Here he joins
his sons that are prisoners, and the whole
family are again united,
Their stay here was but for n few days,
where they, with hundreds of others, took up
the lire of march for head quarters, which
was at Calhoun, Tenn. To this place all the
Cherokces from Georgia, Alabama, North
Carolina and Tennessee, that were removed,
were brought. They were in plumber about
called sayages, arrested by force, all driven
from their homes and congregated at this
place, without the shedding of blood. This
is unparalleled in history; but such was the
fact, although blood was afterwards shed in
the most inhuman and brutal manner, of
which may hereafter give you full and de-
tailed account, MS have all these events on
record vet But let us now return to the
subject of our story.
Old Standing Wolf. We parted with him,
when he left for head quarters, about the
Goth of June, 1888, little thinking we should
ever see him again this side of that great day
which is TO unalterably fix all our destines.
But so il was, we met him again in August,
the same year. The transportation Of the
Indians could not be effected until in October
or November, in consequence OF the low wa
ter. Having some unsettled business to ut
tend TO, went TO head quarters in August.
The settlement of my business was delayed,
and concluded one Sabbath to 90 out
amongst the Chcrokees who were encamped
some three miles from Town, at n large lime
stone spring cal led the "Rattle Snake Spring"
where met my old friend, Wah-w-cattocah.
lie Just saw me, and making his way through
the crowd, he seized me by the hand before
saw him. A copious flood Of tears began to
flow, and ho asked me to remain where was
until he brought his wife to see me. agreed
to do so, meanwhile falling into deep thought
on the scene before me, ms looked over the
vast assembly then camped In the open woods.
wns not permitted long to indulge my re-
Elections, for il seemed but moment had
passed before he returned with his wife by
Lis side. She nnNe me her hnnd. and with n