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Post by spence on Feb 10, 2021 22:14:39 GMT -7
I have an item collected several years ago which raises questions I've not been able to answer. It describes a design painted by NAs on a tree, apparently as a message or sign, maybe a record of accomplishment. Does this ring any bells with anyone?
The Pennsylvania Gazette
August 6, 1761
CHARLES TOWN, in South Carolina, July 15.
"On the 9th, we found on a tree, one of the Cherokee war faces; it was 9 Indians, running with their guns and Tomahawks , and a white man prisoner, all done in red: A sure sign of war, which we were afterwards told by the prisoners was made by nine creek Indians, that were in the action of the 10th, where the place of attack was very advantageous:"
War faces? I have a vague memory of running across something similar at another time, but I apparently didn't collect it.
Spence
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Post by brokennock on Feb 11, 2021 1:37:20 GMT -7
I have an item collected several years ago which raises questions I've not been able to answer. It describes a design painted by NAs on a tree, apparently as a message or sign, maybe a record of accomplishment. Does this ring any bells with anyone? The Pennsylvania Gazette August 6, 1761 CHARLES TOWN, in South Carolina, July 15. "On the 9th, we found on a tree, one of the Cherokee war faces; it was 9 Indians, running with their guns and Tomahawks , and a white man prisoner, all done in red: A sure sign of war, which we were afterwards told by the prisoners was made by nine creek Indians, that were in the action of the 10th, where the place of attack was very advantageous:" War faces? I have a vague memory of running across something similar at another time, but I apparently didn't collect it. Spence It does have a familiar ring to it. I can't remember where I read or heard it though. |
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Post by paranger on Feb 11, 2021 5:34:48 GMT -7
Similar "messages" were left for British forces during the Braddock Expedition. With a definite "psyops" flavor to them, they were a clear demonstration that Braddock's forces were in fact under nearly constant surveillance by small native reconnaissance parties during their approach to Fort Duquesne.
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Post by armando on Feb 12, 2021 5:05:46 GMT -7
I'm so curious about these now. Are they carvings? Are they painted on the tree?
I work with NA Cherokee interpreters when I work at the museum. I want to run this by them.
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Post by brokennock on Feb 12, 2021 6:16:18 GMT -7
I'm so curious about these now. Are they carvings? Are they painted on the tree? I work with NA Cherokee interpreters when I work at the museum. I want to run this by them. Please fill us in on anything you learn from these interpreters. It would be great if you could get some of them to join us on the board here. |
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 12, 2021 8:14:41 GMT -7
My adopted Shawandasse grandfather is an old story teller. I spoke with him this morning about this and everything he said is on par with what paranger has already mentioned.
Much if not everything had a meaning and simply these types of inscriptions were warnings of what was to come or what had transpired upon the land that was crossed.
Unfortunately what is lacking within the native community allot of times is the passing of such information... Many younger people care little for the story's of old and the meanings associated with them. Fortunate to have access to old stories, information and songs from several elders.
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Post by spence on Feb 12, 2021 14:04:54 GMT -7
I hope some of you can find some reliable info about these "war faces".
Of course it's well known that native peoples use elaborate systems of signs and symbols to communicate in many ways and situations. It's part of their culture from birth, and is very effective, both within and between groups/tribes.
One thing I've noticed several times is that eastern woodland Indians will leave a weapon with the body of a conquered enemy.
April, 1777 "They scalped Simpson, and left a tomahawk and war belt on him,
The Pennsylvania Gazette
June 30, 1757
PHILADELPHIA
“That in the Heighth of the Storm seven Indians killed and scalped one Trump in Allamingle, and left a Knife and Halbert sticking in his Body:
That "war belt" left with Simpson was probably wampum, which is familiar, but I seriously doubt we will ever understand how thoroughly it pervaded the culture or how important it was to their way of life. It served many functions. The number, color and pattern of the beads were all part of the code, and it was used to record history, send a message, seal a treaty or as a badge of authority passed down through successive leaders.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 24, 1760
Charles Town (in South Carolina) Nov. 24.
"At Night the Cherokees made an Attempt to send a String of white Wampum to the Chickesaws, but were prevented."
[later]
"That Evening one of the Artillery men detected one of the
Interpreters carrying two Strings of Wampum from the Great
Warrior of the Cherokees to the Chickesaws; the Fellow upon
being detected pretended he was sent to buy a Horse with it;
but that Excuse appearing very lame, Captain Gadsden sent the
Wampum to the Governor, that this Affair might be further
inquired into."
Tomahawks were used in many symbolic ways. Striking the war post with one was their declaration of war. Its color carried exact meanings, too.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 24, 1760
"...that upon their Arrival, a general Alarm had run through all their Towns; and Runners were dispatched over the Hills; and also to the Creeks, with a painted Tomahawk to desire their immediate Assistance;"
The complexities of other cultures has always been fascinating to me.
Spence
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Post by armando on Feb 12, 2021 19:06:30 GMT -7
I have an item collected several years ago which raises questions I've not been able to answer. It describes a design painted by NAs on a tree, apparently as a message or sign, maybe a record of accomplishment. Does this ring any bells with anyone? The Pennsylvania Gazette August 6, 1761 CHARLES TOWN, in South Carolina, July 15. "On the 9th, we found on a tree, one of the Cherokee war faces; it was 9 Indians, running with their guns and Tomahawks , and a white man prisoner, all done in red: A sure sign of war, which we were afterwards told by the prisoners was made by nine creek Indians, that were in the action of the 10th, where the place of attack was very advantageous:" War faces? I have a vague memory of running across something similar at another time, but I apparently didn't collect it. Spence By the way Spence, where did you find this primary source? |
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Post by spence on Feb 12, 2021 21:00:41 GMT -7
For several years I subscribed to an online site called Accessible Archives which had a wealth of primary documents. For example, all the 18th-century issues of the Pennsylvania Gazette, South Carolina Gazette, Virginia Gazette. I spent inordinate amounts of time combing through those and other publications, cherry picking items I found of interest. www.accessible-archives.com/subscribe/personal-subscriptions/Spence |
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Post by lenapej on Feb 14, 2021 13:34:37 GMT -7
From the journal of Christopher Gist, 1750.
"Wednesday 3. - S 1 M, SW 3 M, E 3 M, SE 2 M, to a small creek on which was a large warriors camp, that would contain 70 or 80 warriors, their Captain's name or title was The Crane, as I knew by his picture or arms painted on a tree."
In the notes of the journal was written;
" A common practice among the Indian tribes, with war parties at a distance from home, was to paint on trees or a rock, figures of warriors, prisoners, animals, etc, as intelligible to other Indians as a printed handbill among whites."
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Post by spence on Feb 14, 2021 13:58:57 GMT -7
Excellent, lenape, thank you. That's what I was trying to remember, I guess. I've read Gist's journal, but it has been a long time.
Spence
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Post by lenapej on Feb 15, 2021 6:47:18 GMT -7
Excellent, lenape, thank you. That's what I was trying to remember, I guess. I've read Gist's journal, but it has been a long time. Spence No problem, I think I have run across other references of this, but don't remember where exactly. |
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Post by Richard on Feb 16, 2021 17:43:23 GMT -7
Just as a point of information, Gist's name was pronounced with a hard G, not a soft "j" sound. The family name back in England had been Guest. I only mention this because I had never been sure how to pronounce the name, and met Christian Wig, who authored the novel, Annosana ( speaker of true words) about him.
Richard/Grumpa
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Post by lenapej on Feb 17, 2021 12:06:34 GMT -7
Just as a point of information, Gist's name was pronounced with a hard G, not a soft "j" sound. The family name back in England had been Guest. I only mention this because I had never been sure how to pronounce the name, and met Christian Wig, who authored the novel, Annosana ( speaker of true words) about him. Richard/GrumpaI have wondered about that myself, thanks for the info. |
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