Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri 50

Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri 50

There can be no plan of operations laid down, as they are as yet

unaware of the position of the camp, how their horses are kept,

what surrounding objects afford concealment, etc. In the night they

approach the camp in a body under cover of the hills and bushes, and

when near enough to see the horses, and judge of the opportunities

of getting to them unobserved they again separate, and each pursues

his own way of proceeding from different points, as the nature of the

ground affords. The best horses of the Crows and Blackfeet are usually

picketed near the lodge of their several owners and the rest grazing

near. Sometimes pens are made around the lodges, the horses driven in

at dark, and cottonwood bark thrown in for them to eat. The risk of

extracting horses from the interior of a camp is very great, as young

men are moving about from lodge to lodge all night in their various

prosecutions of schemes on women; but the horses must be had, and the

venture must be made.

 

Near daylight, when all the people of the camp are supposed to be

asleep, but when yet dark (and the darkest kind of nights are chosen)

each warrior creeps slowly and silently toward that portion of horses

apparently the best situated to be taken off unperceived. Should he in

this way be so fortunate as to reach them without discovery he cuts the

cords with which they are tied and works them gradually into the shade

or darkness, then mounting one, drives the whole to the appointed place

of rendezvous. But owing to the many obstacles in the way of each, the

probability of some one being observed is great, and in that case the

whole camp is alarmed on the instant, each rushing toward his horses.

Shots are fired and the warriors seek safety in flight, with or without

horses as it happens. If there be snow to show their tracks the enemy

pursues them the next day, but if no trail can be found to follow they

abandon it. In either case the warriors shape their course individually

toward the appointed place of meeting, and if all are not assembled,

leave some token for those not arrived to know they have passed, and

continue their flight.

 

The horses are put to full speed day and night for several days in

succession until entirely out of reach of pursuit, and now begins a

series of quarrels as to the right of possession of the animals. Some

who have been disappointed and drove none off take from those who

have. The leader takes several, combinations of two or three to rob

another are entered into, horses are killed in the quarrel, or stolen

from each other, and unless a great haul has been made very little

satisfaction appears. These differences are mostly gotten through with

before reaching home and they make known their approach by setting the

prairie on fire. When arrived in the outskirts they shoot and sing, but

do not black themselves for stealing horses, unless they have brought a

scalp also, which occasionally happens. If any of their party have been

killed they arrive uttering loud lamentations.

 

The whole camp turns out to meet them. The old women cry over their

sons, rubbing the hand down their face, a great deal of flattery is

used by some of the elderly men, shouting the name of some one of the

warriors in a loud voice, stating his bravery, greatness of heart,

etc., until overwhelmed by glory, he presents him with one of the

horses. Great is the joy and tumult, and it frequently happens before

the warrior has arrived at his own lodge, that all his horses are given

away, and he retains nothing but the glory of the action. In this

event, however, his name is sung around the camp by the persons who

have received these gifts, accompanied with the song of thanks, and

loud and prolonged praises of his bravery and strength of heart.

 

War parties for battle are a long time in contemplation, frequently

occupying a whole winter in preparing for the campaign, and in

counseling regarding it. Usually large parties are led by some chief of

a band, and invitations are sent by him to different chiefs of other

bands of the same nation and to those of another nation with whom they

are at peace.

 

In the beginning of the summer they all assemble with their lodges at

the place appointed, and a great deal of debate, feasting, and private

consultation takes place, with sacrifices by the chiefs and soldiers,

and also by many of the warriors to the several supernatural powers

before referred to. It appears to be the misfortune of these large

expeditions to fail in executing anything like what is anticipated at

the start. Here also, the cause of their failure appears to be due to

their insubordination. There is no one man to lead, no one source of

authority in carrying out any plan decided upon. The nominal leader as

chief is only chief of his band, and even among these there are others

who are his equals in war. There are several chiefs of bands, and also

many other chiefs; every one’s advice, although asked, can not be

taken, which produces dissatisfaction. The soldiers of one band will

not be commanded by those of another, rank on every side is interfered

with, old grudges renewed by meeting with old delinquents, in short

though all looks pretty fair on starting, yet difficulties and disputes

from various causes take place every day after, which results in their

leaving and returning home in detached parties.

 

When, however, the ranks have by these means become purged of the most

turbulent and unruly characters the others proceed in the following

order: Chiefs, warriors of note and soldiers, dressed in deerskin

shirts and leggings trimmed with ermine, horse, or scalp hair. A war

eagle feather cap is on his head, a shield of bull’s hide covers his

arm, a bow and quiver of arrows is carried on his back, a short gun

stuck in his belt with pouch and horn across his shoulders and scalping

knife in its sheath, the powder horn and ball pouch are carried on the

middle of the back, the connecting strap reaching across his breast

and the upper parts of both arms. These are the mounted men, and the

most distinguished for their former deeds. The footmen consist of young

warriors and new recruits without any peculiar insignia, but well armed

if possible. The soldiers are men holding that rank in whichever camp

they reside, and their duty is to ride on the outside of the main body

to keep any person from straying away and prevent any useless noise or

manner of travel.

 

The scouts are appointed by the leader and changed daily; their duty

being to separate and keep 5 or 6 miles ahead of the main body. These

scouts or discoverers are footmen and use the same precautions as

before stated. The main body moves slowly forward after reconnoitering

has commenced, without any order, and only passing whatever ground has

been rendered secure by the reconnoiterers. During the time before

arriving in their enemies’ country, or at least before any signs of

enemies have been perceived, they run buffalo with horses, kill enough

meat for present use and dry and pound more to be used when hunting

is not advisable. When signs of the camp are perceived, sentinels are

posted every night, who lie down around the camp within 200 or 300

yards of the main body, and 50 or 60 steps from each other. All the

horses belonging to the expedition are picketed within this circle and

near the place where their several owners sleep. These sentinels are

changed every night.

 

When by means of scouts and other observations they have discovered

the camp it is approached in the night and the several advantageous

positions which the ground affords around it are occupied by different

detachments of the party, who are to attack from various quarters as

nearly as possible at the same time. About daybreak a rush is made by

the mounted men, shouting the war whoop and firing into the lodges as

they pass through. The attention of the horsemen is directed toward

driving off every horse found in camp. These, although picketed, take

fright at the noise, snap their cords and are driven away. This rush

only passes through the camp, and the enemy being raised and armed

turn out and pursue and a battle now takes place near the camp. Indian

fighting is individual fighting, each one for himself, without any

military order, line, or file. Orders are given by any of the chiefs

or soldiers in a loud voice when some advantage presents itself. Both

parties endeavor to cover their bodies by any objects which are in the

way. A thicket is much desired, small trees, stones, bunches of grass,

or hollows made by the rain are all occupied, and those who cannot find

any shelter jump from side to side, never standing still a moment to

avoid any certain aim for their enemy’s fire.

 

The whole is accompanied with a terrible yelling on both sides. When

one falls on either side the war whoop is sent forth by the party who

killed and a simultaneous rush is made by the enemy to obtain the scalp

and the friends of the fallen man to rescue the body. In these mêlées

of small parties take place the terrible savage struggles for which

they are remarkable. It is hand-to-hand fighting by a few on each side

over the body of the fallen man.[26] Knives, lances, and war clubs are

the arms then used and frequently several fall on each side before

one party recoils. These scenes are going on over several parts of

the field at the same time. The war whoop is sounded from either side

whenever any success is visible, and when any disproportionate loss

takes place the flight of that party is the consequence. This is the

great aim of either party, as a massacre of the scattered fugitives

then takes place. It should be remembered that when the contending

parties are nearly equal very little damage is done.

 

[26] Such fierce struggles over fallen heroes recall similar combats

engaged in by the stalwart figures in Homer’s Iliad.

 

The firing is at such a distance that only a random shot takes

effect, and after abusing each other and firing hundreds of shots all

day, perhaps only three or four are killed. There must be a great

superiority of numbers and position on one side where there is any

great destruction. The greatest loss of life happens when some 200 to

400 warriors surprise a camp of 20 or 30 lodges, or when the war party

is too large to effect concealment for stealing horses, and too small

for defense. In this case when pursued by the whole camp they are

brought to a stand. If on the prairie they take up a position on the

top of some hill covered with stones with which they make a barricade

or seek a gully or cluster of bushes. Here they fight as long as one of

them is living, but being surrounded by a superior force are all killed

in the end. Three years since 52 Assiniboin who were discovered in an

attempt to steal horses from the Blackfeet were pursued and brought to

bay in a sink hole, or gully, where they were surrounded by about 800

men of the latter nation and fired upon until all were killed.

 

Their enemies, however, lost 34 men before they succeeded. A retreat

is ordered in words to that effect and the movement being perceived

is followed by all, which generally ends in downright flight. A very

common exhibition of individual bravery is, when the parties are

equally divided, and slow skirmishing going forward, each party having

good positions, a single warrior rides forth near the place where the

other party is stationed, and riding slowly within reach of their

fire along their front, sings his war song and calls out his name,

presenting a mark for the whole of his enemies to fire at. Either he

or his horse is generally killed, or if he escapes he is considered a

brave man ever afterwards. In either case he is followed by one of the

opposite side in the same manner, and in this way often three or four

are killed. They eat no root supposed to have the power of deadening

pain or inspiring courage.

 

The divining men are consulted as to the nature of their dreams before

they set out, and on the march, but not in regard to their operations

in battle.

 

Battles are planned as soon as they can determine the position of the enemy, which plans are changed according to circumstances afterwards, but the fighting is done at random, each loading and firing when he chooses, and using any measures of concealment of his person.