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Winfield Scott
US Army General, Commanded Trail of Tears Removal
Military Officer
Overview
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general who commanded the military forces that carried out the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands in 1838, an event known as the Trail of Tears. Under his command, approximately 16,000 Cherokee were rounded up at bayonet point, held in stockades, and forcibly marched westward, resulting in the deaths of approximately 4,000 people.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Commanded the military forces that forcibly removed 16,000 Cherokee from their homeland
Ordered soldiers to round up Cherokee families at bayonet point and hold them in stockades
Approximately 4,000 Cherokee died during the forced march under his command
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Martin Van Buren
Carried out Trail of Tears under Van Buren's orders
James Knox Polk
Led Mexico invasion under Polk
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- June 13, 1786
- Birthplace
- Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Education
Key Timeline
1838
Assigned command of 7,000 troops to enforce Cherokee removal
1838
Ordered roundup of Cherokee families into internment camps
1838-1839
Oversaw forced march of 16,000 Cherokee westward, approximately 4,000 died