The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-09
lNklINGS FROM THE FRONTIER;

lNkiiNGS FROM THE FRONTIER;
Life and Observations among Civilized
y 81 Indians.
- FIsHoMIEo CRY, c. n, Jan. IL, 1860.
TO the Editor of the National Era:
There are four other tribes or nations of civil
lied Indians occupying the territory south of
the Cherokees. According to the traditions
and legends Of these people, these four tribes
have ever been neighbors, and closely allied to
each other. 'o - kHd
The Choctaws, or Pafallayes, the Chickasaws,
and the Greeks, or Mnscogees, claim, that at the
time of the Spanish invasion of Mexico by Her
nando Cortez, in the early part of the sixteenth
century, their ancestors resided in the northern
portion Of that country. Wanderer," cor
respondent of Forneys Press, makes mention
of this fact in very interesting letter from the
Indian country to that paper. AS far as have
been able to gather information in relation to
the history of these three nations, have seen
nothing to lead to a different conclusion as to
their origin, but rather much to confirm this
traditional history. tl
At that early date, so the tradition goes, the
Choctaws, Creeks, and Chickasaws, formed a
powerful confederacy, and enjoyed repub-
lican form of government. They lived set
tied life, had villages and Cities titled the SOIL
and raised grain and vegetables, possessed i'm
mense wealth in all kinds of property then
known, and worshipped the fire and the sun, to
which they erected temples, and offered sacri-
fees. +-8 =
When fernando Cortez, the bloody conquer
or, entered Mexico with his hosts Of fierce
Spaniards, and almost literally waded through
blood, from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico,
staying thousands on his triumphal march, and
finally numbering Montezuma, the mighty abo-
riginal King, and despoiling his capital city,
great terror seized upon all the natives who
heard of his cruel and bloody deeds.
This northern confederacy, which had re-
fused to acknowledge the rule of the most
powerful monarch America ever knew, became
panic.stricken, and fed the country and the
homes they loved so WELL leaving most of their
riches behind them. The direction of their
fight lay toward the northeast. After arriving
at the Gulf Of Mexico, they wandered through
the country which is now Texas and Louisiana,
crossed the Mississippi river, and took up their
abode in the fowery savannas and shady for
ests of the sunny South, where now are the
States of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South
Carolina, and Florida.
How many years elapsed from the time they
left their homes in old Mexico, until they ar
rived at their new homes, where they were
found by De Soto, is not known. But we are
informed by tradition, that during their exodus
they lost their property and wealth, and were
greatly diminished in numbers, by hardshps,
sickness, and wars. They made war upon all
tribes with whom they came in contact, either
en- route, or after their arrival at their new
homes, and whom they conquered, dispossessed,
and, like the ancient Romans, adopted into
their own nations.
When De Soto, the famous explorer, discov
cred the Mississippi river at the Chickasaw
Ford, he found the Choctaws, Creeks, Chero-
KEGS, and Chickasaws, to be powerful and war
like nations and formidable contestants to the
Spanish occupancy of the fair country. In
1910, the great battle of Manbila was fought at
the place now known as the Choctaw Bluff, in
Clarke county, Alabama. De Soto, at the head
of an army of about three thousand Spaniards
well-armed and equipped, and experienced war
riors, marched against the powerful Indian ar
my composed of Choctaws, Creeks, Cherokees
and Chickasaws, whose numbers were unknown,
but supposed to be fifteen or twenty thousand
warriors.
1t was at first, De Soto's intention TO hold
festival on the large plot of greensward in
front of the town, have talk with the chief
men, and with presents of gaudy tinsels and
false promises cheat them out Of their lands
Tuscaloosa, the head chief Of the allied powers
had previously been captured by strategem,
and held prisoner. But on this occasion
sion; and showing their magnanimity, he was
safely delivered over to his people, having first
promised to exert his influence in the Council to
induce, favorable concessions to be made in be-
half Of the Spanish invaders. The festival and
scenes of merry making then commenced. The
Spaniards, with great pomp, exhibited their gor.
geous splendors and pagantry. The Indiana also
produced their peculiar entertainments. Hun
dreds of tender and beautiful maidens, with
long waving hair dishevelled and falling over
their shoulders, and attired in all the fnery
that savage taste could devise, came and
danced, and sang, and played, before the chival
ric and gallant Spaniards. .rs4,aa as.s..y 8
5 But the promises of the great Tuscaloosa
proved TO be only q cunning ruse of his inven-
ton, to. obtain his liberty. And, as soon as
released, he commenced preparing his warriors,
and making arrangements to pounce upon the
naughty invaders. Soon, spies and scouts,
whom De Soto had taken, the precaution to
have out securing the adjacent country, came
in with the ominous intelligence that the old
men, women, and babes, were being removed
to dense forest behind the bluG, and several
miles in the rear Of their town. The, spies had
scarcely done speaking, when the terrible war
cry of the fierce savages rang upon the welkin
with . startling and awe.inspiring effect. The
Spaniards flew to their arms, snd prepared to
defend themselves against the assault, leaving
most of their horses tied and tethered in the
adjacent groves, At FIRST they were repulsed,
and driven from the field but they soon raj
lied, mounted their well-trained war-steeds,
and charged upop the foe. The charge was q
terrible one Living and daad vworo t,a N, Mad