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Second sheet 70 Page 9 72 man of the captain of the host, or, may I call him now the high priest for the wars. None sung, but moved their feet at the sound of the drum, and frequently raised the war whoop. The drum was a pot made as common Indian earthern [sic] ware, having the top covered with a coon skin. Small bells were fastened round the rim, which rattled as the drum was beat. This dance being ended, all bathed, or washed all over before they slept. Here it may be well to observe that no warrior must have any intercourse either with his wife or any other woman, from the time of enlisting till the expedition was entirely, completed. This amounts for the fact that female captives are never polluted by Indian warriors. Soon after commencing their march, They sang another war song, consisting of seven verses, and at the end of each verse, raised the war whoop four times. Their fastings, vigils & various other religious ceremonies, especially their manner of making, carrying & using new fire, as well as the order of their marches and encampments are all interesting, but too lengthy to be full described here. Their encampments for the night were ordered with peculiar propriety; all the distinguished officers sleeping in the centre, and the common warriors in a circle about them. | See on another sheet.

On drawing near the enemy, if an open, fair battle was intended, they halted at a place most convenient for making the onset. Here, after the usual speeches & ceremonies, all being ready for the engagement, the war trumpet was blown, by a selected person. This was made of bone, from a foot to a foot & half long, and made a very shrill, low noise, which could be heard a great distance. The warriors then instantly raised the war whoop, i.e. shouted for the battle and sprang forward. They ran so as to form two wings, as if to enclose the enemy, which the chief officer &suit? went directly forward, meeting those of the same order in the enemies ranks. The chief officer never retreated, but conquered or died, unless, as was sometimes the case, his warriors, perceiving his danger, seized him by force & snatched him from the power of the enemy. But the more general method of the Cherokees was to set an ambush for their enemies, so as to form an acute angle, & by various artifices draw them in & surround them. Many strategems were used to decoy the enemy and draw them into danger. On engaging in an offensive war, their attention was turned to different ceremonies and in some respects they pursued a different course, yet leaning, apparently on God. (See Warfare - future sheet)