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Associated Press - November 9, 2009 7:45 AM ET
COKER CREEK, Tenn. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service has begun to uncover the remains of a fort used to temporarily house the migrating Cherokee on the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma more than 170 years ago.
The land in Monroe County, Tennessee, where Fort Armistead once stood has never been plowed or developed. Walking along the trails there and passing the numerous springs used by the Cherokee is like traveling back in time.
Forest Service archaeologist Quentin Bass told the Knoxville News Sentinel that work has revealed the locations of block houses, a parade ground, a powder magazine, barracks and storage pits. Archaeologists and volunteers also have discovered many articles discarded by soldiers and Cherokee.
Future plans for the site are still being developed.
Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
