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
POWER OF THE WAR CHIEF.—No chiefs are war chiefs in contradistinction
to their being civil chiefs. If it is desirable to go to war and so
decided, any chief, soldier, or brave warrior has a right to raise
and lead a war party, provided he can get followers. He then comes
under the head of partisan or captain of the expedition, his powers in
this capacity only lasting during the excursion and terminating on his
return to camp and resuming his civil place and duties. The powers of
war and civil chief are united in the same, also those of warrior and
hunter, soldier and hunter, soldier and partisan, chief and partisan.
The leading chief could also and often does guide the whole band to
war; in fact in the event of any general turnout, he must be the head.
Any man, however, in whom the young men have confidence to follow,
may raise and lead a war party, if war is going on and the time suits
the chiefs and soldiers in council assembled. But as the chiefs and
soldiers are the most experienced in this occupation, and are better
acquainted with their enemies’ country, they are generally chosen
as leaders in these expeditions. Yet from among the warrior class,
occasionally a young partisan arises who is neither chief nor soldier,
but whose character for bravery, caution, and all the necessary
talents is established. There is no specified age when a young man may
rightfully express his opinion. This depends on his success in war,
his general good behavior, activity in hunting, etc. When he becomes
remarkable for these things he is noticed by the soldiers, invited to
feasts, to councils, where being of sufficient consequence his opinion
is asked and is given. We have known men not over 22 to 24 years of age
being called upon to speak in council, and others to arrive at extreme
old age without ever opening their lips there. An Indian soon sees
and feels his standing with the others, and acts accordingly; to do
otherwise, or force his presence and opinions prematurely, would only
incur ridicule, contempt, and disgrace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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