402 ETHNOLOGY. 



clii|)i)ings of flints, or fragments of pottery, now covering the surface, wero 

 funnd. These Avouhl have been abundant if the mound had been erected sul)se- 

 quently to the manufacture of the pottery and arrow-heads at that phice. Sin- 

 gle fragments of pottery were found, but these were painted and of much better 

 qualit}' than those found upon the surface. 



Tlie mound was composed of alternate layers of earth and ashes, showing 

 that a surface of the size of the top, when finished, was kept substantially level, 

 and raised oidy two to three feet at a time when fires were kindled, Avhich must 

 have been large or continued for a long time, as the amount of the ashes and 

 fragments of charcoal abundantly indicate. 



Near the centre of the mound rows of stake-holes were found, as far as fol- 

 lowed, marking two sides of a rectangular parallelogram, which, continued, 

 would have formed an enclosure around the centre. In some of these were the 

 remains of the wood and bark ; not enough to show the marks of tools if any 

 had been used. They penetrated the natural surface of the ground to the 

 depth of about two feet. 



Here, and at about the same level as at No. 1, were found the skeletons of 

 which the skull-bones and other parts are marked No. 2. They were appa- 

 rently the remains of a youngish woman and two children, all so far decomposed 

 that only the parts sent could be preserved. The larger skeleton was in such a 

 position as a person would take if kneeling down, then sitting upon the feet, the 

 hands were brought to the head, and the body doubled down upon th,e knees. 

 The head was toward the south. The remains of the children were ibund at 

 the right side of this body, the bones mingled together. 



About two feet directly under these, the skeleton, of which the skull is marked 

 No. 3, was found in a similar position, it is said, (I was not present when it was 

 taken out,) with the one above it. 



I attempt no description and indulge in no speculations in regard to these 

 remains, as I have decided to forward them to you, for the examination of those 

 who can compare them with other skulls, and are better qualified to make a 

 proper use of them. They are nnquestionably of the age of the " mound 

 buildei-s." 



I enclose also, marked No. 4, remains taken from between two flat stones 

 near the surface of the mound at point marked No. 4. These are doubtless 

 of Indian origin. 



I enclose also a poor photograph of the mound after it had been cleared and 

 ornamented by the gardener, showing his office, arbors, seats, &c., on the top, 

 and guards and laborers in front. It will serve to give you the outline of the 

 mound. 



It was my purpose to continue the examination further ; to follow round the 

 line at No. 1 ; ascertain whether other bodies were buried in a similar position ; 

 to look for a completion of the parallelogram at the centre ; to cany a shaft 

 upward to the top, and connect and measure the successive layers of earth and 

 ashes ; but the sinndtaneous firing of the heavy guns in the forts about Chatta- 

 nooga, at the celebration of Lee's surrender, produced such a shock that the 

 mound *' caved in," burying tools, vegetables, &c., to be found, perhaps, by 

 some future explorer, as proof of the intelligence of the race of the mound 

 builders. No other works are found in the neighborhood, but I obtained verbal 

 information of very many mounds, stone forts, rock inscriptions, &c., &c., in the 

 State, a careful examination of which might throw much light upon the charac- 

 ter of a race who have left no other records. 



