Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-26
LETTERS FROM THE ALLEGHANY MOUNTAINS.
[connrspospEscr OF THE NATIONAL IsrrIIIsrscra. ]
QuArLA Tows, HArwooD COUNTY,

4 +
! QuALLA Tows, HArwooD COUNTY,
| MAY II, ls4S.
The plan adopted for the civilization Of the Carolina Che
rokee differs materially from any others adopted in the Unit
ed States. Their not inerered WITH ex-
cepng when found to have immoral unhappy tendency
goody number of their ridiculous games however,
they have abandoned of their accord but the manly
game of bapayng is still pracsed after the ancient man
ne with two restrictions In the first place they are
not allowed wager their property the games as Of old
unless il be ae in the way Of wooen belt or cotton
handkerchief and they prohibited from choking other
and breaking their heads and legs when excited their
habit in former times Since my arrival haze the Indians
have had of their ball games, and gotten up
especially for my edfcaton, made it point of etiquette to
be present the preparatory dance and the game, well
at the concluding ceremony and these will endeavor
to describe.
The preparatory training dance took place the night
preceding the game and participated in it who not
to play the following day. There sixty young
present. besides the spectators, and they grassy plot
formed by bend Of neighborng stream called Soco creek
The dancers stripped Of every particle Of clothing but
their Wristbands; they made their music which
composed merely Of rapid succession whoops and shouts
and they danced round large blazing FIRE. The night in
question very beautiful and when this strange group
looked upon by the light Of the full moon and the wild noun
Tain scenery every side they presented APP
earance indeed They kept up the dance for hour,
and, when it concluded, all the Immediately
wards deep pool in the ce-cod stream and, without waiting
for the perspraon to COOL plunged into the water and hav
ing finally emerged started their several homes This
dance, informed, had its origin in an ancient custom,
which compelled all the candidates for game Of ball to
themselves every hardship for ten days before the
game took place, andsdurng all that time they
but little food and refrain from gratifying any Of their
sensual appetites.
On the morning Of the game large plain, lying between
hills and directly front Of the Indian Courthouse, "a
large circular LODGE built Of ogs Invested of every
and stick surface and o'clock the specta-
tors began assemble These composed of the old
men the nation large number of boys and still larger
number of women and children They all dressed in
their holyday attire, that feathers shawl tubans scarlet
belts and gaudy hunting shirts quite abundant; and
scattered they were in groups Of from five fifty the
hill sides and under the shadow Of the trees they presented
most picturesque appearance. During all this time the players
had kept of sight, and it understood that the two
parties among the bushes the two ends Of the plain,
preparing themselves for the game Under The direction OF
the presiding chief game-decto two poles erect
ed about six hundred yards apart, either side Of given
CENTRE and in this centre placed the ball From this
point the ball to be given TO the players and the party
which succeeded in throwing it outside of the pole be-
longing their opponents the number Of twelve times
to be considered the winners,
Every thing being ready, shrl whoop given from
end Of the PLAIN Immediately answered by the opposing
party when they all made their appearance, marching slowly
the CENTRE shouting and yelling they passed along
Each party consisted of thirty spenddy formed young men,
who were unncumbered by any clothing (save their
mon wastband and every individual carried in his hand
La with braida al haoa nd
the parties approached the the of the players
ran out upon the plain and gave their favorite champions
variety Of articles such belts and handkerches which
they were willing wager upon the vaor Of their future hus
bands This little movement struck particularly inte
resting and greatly pleased with the bashfnness and
yet complete confidence with which the Indian madens mani
tested their preferences.
When the several parties assembled at the centre OF
the plain selected his particular antagonist by pac
ing his sticks his rivals feet after which the
delivered long speech, wherein he warned them TO adhere
to The existing regulations and throwing the ball high up
in the air. made his escape side Of the pain and the
game commenced Asproceeded the players became great
" excited and noticed that the ball taken in hand
until after had been picked up by the spoony stick but the
experness with which these performed
indeed surprising At time the whole crowd of players
would rush together in the desperate and fearful MANNER
presenting Ior
dozen gadiators striving TO monster serpent and
then again. as one man would the ball and start for the
boundary line OF his opponent the which ensued were
very beautiful and exciting. Wrestling conflicts also
red quite frequently and il often seemed il The players
would break every bone in their bodies they threw each
other in the air dragged each other the ground; and
many Of the leaps which single individuals performed, were
really superb The exercise Of character that would
kill the majority Of white The game lasted for about
two hours and the moment il finished the entire body Of
PLAYERS while yet painting with excessive fatigue, made rush
for the neghbong river and in short time appeared the
plain 10 their usual gab, and the old chief who bad held the
stakes awarded the prizes TO the winning party. short
time afterwards the boys stripped themselves and went through
the same routine Of playing already described, when the
ball playing was end and the people began dperse
with view Of getting ready for the evening dance.
employed the intervening time by going home with
of the chiefs and eating comfortable supper in his log
bin The habtaion Of this chief made Of hewn logs
and occupied farm Of twenty the mountaia side,
about one fourth Of which in state Of cultivation and
planted with and potatoes. He had tidy wife and
veral children and bis stock consisted Of pony COW, and
some ten or dozen sheep. At nine o'clock, again
ia the midst of crowd Of Indians assembled Of the court
house Of the The cdfce, called Is built Of hewn
logs very large and circular without any floor but that Of
solid EARTH and without any but short bench intend
/ ~. n. al nf htu