By May 17, 1838, General Nathaniel Smith reported that the preparations for Cherokee removal were in place, with more than 600,000 rations on hand and enough boats and wagons to carry the Cherokee away. Carrying out the removal required thousands of items, from foodstuffs to guns. A document from Fort Cass in April 1838 recorded quantities of flour, bacon, bread, salt, soap, candles, beans, vinegar, and coffee rations, including amounts needed for 496 men for 82 days and amounts turned over to the Indian Department. A letter dated April 6, 1838, listed guns and ammunition sent from the Mount Vernon Arsenal to Fort Cass, including 600,000 musket ball and buckshot cartridges, 100,000 musket flints, 20 barrels of rifle powder, and 10,000 rifle flints.