SWANTON] INDIANS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 687 



The Powhatan Indians used bows and arrows, clubs, and shields 

 in warfare, but according to Strachey they did not have very many of 

 these last (Strachey, 1849, p. 106). 



Barlowe states that the Algonquians of the North Carolina coast, 



when they goe to wanes . . . cary about with them their idol, of whom they 

 aske counsel, as the Romans were woont of the Oracle of Apollo. They sing songs 

 as they march towardes the battell in stead of drummes and trumpets: their 

 warres are very cruell and bloody, by reason whereof, and of their civil dissentions 

 which have happened of late yeers amongst them, the people are marvelously 

 wasted, and in some places the countrey left desolate. (Burrage, 1906, p. 238.) 



Beverley says : 



When they fear being discover'd, or follow'd by an Enemy in their Marches 

 they, every morning, having first agreed where they shall rendezvouse 

 at night, disperse themselves into the Woods, and each takes a several way, 

 that so, the Grass or Leaves being but singly prest, may rise again, and not 

 betray them. For the Indians are very artful in following a track, even where the 

 Impressions are not visible to other People, especially if they have any advantage 

 from the looseness of the Earth, from the stiffness of the Grass, or the stirring of 

 the Leaves, which in the Winter Season lye very thick upon the ground, and 

 likewise afterwards, if they do not happen to be burned. (Beverley, 1705, bk. 3, 

 pp. 18-19.) 



It would appear that they did not invariably make their attacks 

 early in the morning, for when a reconnoitering party from the vessels 

 which established the colony of Virginia was returning to the ships, 

 Percy says : 



At night, when wee were going aboard, there came the Savages creeping upon 

 all foure, from the Hills, like Beares, with their Bowes in their mouthes, 

 charged us very desperately in the faces. ( Narr. Early Va., Tyler ed., 1907, p. 10. ) 



Wars were conducted as follows by the Powhatan according to 

 Strachey : 



When they intend any warrs, the weroances usually advise with their priests 

 or conjurers, their allies and best trusted chauncellors and freinds; but corn- 

 only the priests have the resulting voice, and determyne therefore their resolu- 

 tions. Eyther a weroance or some lustie fellowe is appointed captaine over a 

 nation or regiment to be led forth; and when they would presse a number of 

 soldiers to be ready by a day, an ofiicer is dispacht awaye, who comyng into the 

 townes, or otherwise meeting such whome he hath order to warne, to strike them 

 over the back a sound blow with a bastinado, and bidds them be ready to serve 

 the great king, and tells them the rendevous, from whence they dare not at any 

 tyme appointed be absent. They seldome make warrs for lands or goods, but for 

 women and children, and principally for revenge, so vindicative and jealous they 

 to be made a dirision of, and to be insulted upon by an enemy. (Strachey, 

 1849, pp. 100-101.) 



He adds that because some of his priests had prophesied that a nation 

 should arise from the Chesapeake Bay region destined to overthrow 

 his empire, Powhatan had decimated the tribes formerly in occupancy 

 there. 



