Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri: Edited with Notes and Biographical SketchDenig, Edwin Thompson
History
Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri: Edited with Notes and Biographical Sketch
Denig, Edwin Thompson
Assiniboine Indians; Indians of North America -- Missouri River Valley
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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