I'm not arguing with Gayle's comments because the things she described did occur. General Winfield Scott issued an Order on May 17, 1838 which said in part ...... "White men and widows, citizens of the United States, who are, or have been intermarried with Indians .... will not be molested or removed by the troops ...." This is the larger picture of the tragedy in 1838 ... the disruption of families. Perhaps four thousand + died along the Trail of Tears. Dennis