Cherokee Agency East Nov. 12th 1838. To Major Genl. W. Scott U S. Army Commdg. Sir- I have the honor to state that I reached Blythe’s ferry on Friday Saturday evening and a part found found the great body of W Hildebr W. Hildebrand detachment of Emigrating Cherokees quietly encamped on the South bank of the Tennessee river and a portion with about twelve waggons who had crossed over en who had crossed on the North bank – and on yesterday morning by at dawn of the day they were emigrants were in readiness and commenced crossing the river – and with our intermission, running four boats continued the continued the four boats were put in [illegible] & continued running of four boats until dusk, Two of them manned by Cherokees themselves- When it c…[sic] crossing sixty one waggons when at the close of the day is about sixty one waggons of the Detachment with the people were safely lodged on on across the river. Beyond the river – as and the business was resumed again this morning of crossing was again resumed early this morning and before 12 o’clock eighteen m…[sic] m… [sic] waggons carriages & with all the people were over – In the performance of this duty it is admitted by all who saw it were present and I assure you there were not few including travelers, that nothing but good management, perseverance & energy could have accomplished it so satisfactorily and that no one deserved more credit for personal attention and labour in the task than w Hildebrand the conductor himself - . He is a source of much satisfaction to me, and to have it in my power to state and I am convinced know it will be no less so to you to hear, that the reported desertion from Geo Hicks & Hildebrand detachments which have been reported to you were are altogether untrue –I have not been able to find the best intelligence which I could obtain, the reports which reached you of desertions from Geo. Hicks & Hildebrand detachment are untrue not true. W. Hildebrand informs me that so far from his detachment being lessened by desertion that it has considerably increased by others coming into it joining it. That previous to taking up the line of march it was is true that there were some who had left for the purpose of going with their friends in other attachments, and since the detachment has been on the road a family had stayed temporarily by sickness [illegible] delayed at one of the encampments but that from sickness, but they had again come up and that and were in the detachment. The people seen generally are cheerful and in good spirits [illegible]. Mr. Theodore Johnson who was dispatched by Lewis Ross on business to Col. Colburn the contractors agent for supplying Capt. Benge’s Detachment on the route has just returned and who states that he over took this detachment near Reynoldsburg and continued with it to that place town and there left the emigrants crossing the Tennessee River on the 3rd inst. And that all things were going on well with the exception of sickness, that which seemed to have prevailed to a greater extent in that detachment on the read than others. **other transcript has more information, need to look at document to see if photo was left.