Chief White Path was a leader to his people who led them in battle alongside United States forces at Horseshoe Bend, served on the Cherokee Council, traveled to the city of Washington in 1830 to petition Congress to overturn the Indian Removal Act, and spent the following eight years as one of the leaders fighting against removal. When the forced removal began, he again led his people, this time toward an unknown land. He and respected elder Fly Smith became gravely ill on the trail and both died shortly after arriving here. Wood monuments and white flags marked their graves with honor, and White Path's people carried on, continuing the fight for Cherokee rights and sovereignty. At least 4,000 Cherokee people died during the forced removal, but few marked graves exist. The graves of Chief White Path and Fly Smith stand as solemn reminders of the suffering and loss endured.