Under the direction of General Winfield Scott , the army was responsible for the forced removals of Cherokees known as the Trail of Tears . The initial results were so disastrous that Cherokee leaders , including Goingsnake , successfully petitioned Scott for delays and to allow self-leadership of future detachments . Goingsnake left with the first detachment under Cherokee leadership , which departed on September 28 , 1838 . Arriving in Indian Territory after a 4-month journey , Goingsnake built his cabin on Ward Branch Creek about 6 miles north of present-day Westville , OK
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
Goingsnake