Page "Canton, Georgia" Paragraph 14

Many members of the Cherokee Nation moved west, but the majority stayed until removed by Federal Troops sent into the area during the summer of 1838.

The remaining Cherokees were gathered and held in forts until the removal could be completed.

Present-day Cherokee County had the largest and most southerly of these fort, Fort Buffington, which stood six miles ( 10 km ) east of Canton.

Today nothing stands to identify its timber structure, but the area is marked by a large piece of green Cherokee marble quarried near Holly Springs.

By autumn of 1838, the federal troops had accomplished their mission and the Cherokees at Fort Buffington were marched off to join other groups on the infamous " Trail of Tears ".