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168 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 103
enemy as belonging to the village of Oka hullo by means of a war
club which they had left behind. It is uncertain whether this means
that each town had its individual mark or whether the object
identified was unique.
It is only natural that war customs should have been among the first
to recede from the memories of the later Choctaw, and in fact
Cushman is practically the only relatively modern writer who
mentions them—as usual in an emotional setting.
The Choctaw warrior was equally as expert in deceiving his enemy
as . . . the wild denizens of his native forests. When upon the war-path the
Choctaws always went in small bands, which was the universal custom of
their entire race, traveling one behind the other in a straight line; and, if in
the enemy's territory, each one stepped exactly in the tracks of the one who
walked before him, while the one in the extreme rear defaced, as much as
possible, their tracks, that no evidence of their number, or whereabouts might
be made known to the enemy. In these war excursions, the most profound
silence was observed ; their communications being carried on by preconcerted
and well understood signs made by the hand or head ; if necessary to be
audible, then by a low imitative cry of some particular wild animal.
The dignity of chieftainship was bestowed upon him who had proved himself
worthy by his skill and daring deeds in war; and to preserve the valiant
character of their chief, it was considered a disgrace for him to be surpassed
in daring deeds by any of his warriors ; at the same time, it was also regarded
as dishonorable for the warriors to be surpassed by their chief. Thus there
were great motives for both to perform desperate deeds of valor—which they
did ; nor did they wait for opportunities for the display of heroism, but sought
perils and toils by which they might distinguish themselves. These war
parties, gliding noiselessly like spectres through the dense forests, painted in
the most fantastic manner conceivable, presented a wild and fearful appearance,
more calculated to strike terror to the heart of the beholder than admiration.
Though they advanced in small bodies and detached parties, yet in their
retreats they scattered like frightened partridges, each for himself, but to unite
again at a pre-arranged place miles to the rear. No gaudy display was ever
made in their war excursions to their enemy's country. They meant business,
not display, depending on the success of their expedition in their silent and
unexpected approach, patient watching, and artful stratagems. To fight a
pitched battle in an oiten field giving the enemy an equal chance, was to the
Choctaws the best evidence of a want of military skill. Not unlike most of
their race, they seldom invaded an enemy's territory from choice ; but woe to
the enemy, who, attributing this to cowardice, should have the presumption to
invade their country ; like enraged bears robbed of their young, they would find
the Choctaw warriors, to a man, ready to repel them with the most desperate
and fearless bravery ever exhibited by any race of men. Yet, to them, no less
than to the whites, strategy was commendable, and to outwit an enemy and
thus gain an advantage over him, was evidence of great and praiseworthy
skill."
As with all their race, so war was, in the estimation of the ancient Choctaws,
the most patriotic avocation in which a man could engage ; they seldom began
a war with another tribe, but rather waited for an attack; then no braver or
•3 Cushman, Hist. Choc, Chick., and Natchez Inds., pp. 198-199.