Indian Discipline described by James Smith

American Indian Discipline and method of War:
The business of the private warriors is to be under command, or punctually to obey orders
--To learn to march a-breast in Scattered order, so as to be in readiness to surround the enemy, or prevent being surrounded
--to be good marksmen, and active in the use of arms
--to practice running
--to learn to endure hunger or hardship with patience and fortitude
--to tell the truth at all times to their officers, but more especially when sent out to spy the enemy." Smith p 157

Concerning officers. They say that it would be absurd to appoint a man an officer whose skill and courage had never been tried--that all officers should be advanced only according to merit--that no one man should have the absolute command of an army--that a council of officers are to determine when, and how an attack is to be made--that it is the business of the officers to lay plans to take every advantage of the enemy-to ambush and suprise them, and to prevent being ambushed and suprised themselves--it is the duty of officers to prepare and deliver speeches to the men, in order to animate and encourage them; and on the march, to prevent the men at any time, from getting into a huddle because if the enemy should surround them in this position, they would be exposed to the enemy's fire. It is likewise their business at all times to endeavor to annoy their enemy, and to save their own men, and there fore ought never to bring on an attack without considerable advantage, or witout what appeared to them the sure prospect of victory, and withthe loss of few men." Smith p158

"He said as the art of war consists in ambushing and suprising our enemies, and in preventing them from ambushing and suprising us..." p104-105 Smith

"I scattered my men about forty rod along the side of the road, and ordered every two to take a tree, and about eight or ten rod between each couple, with orders to to keep a reserved fire, one not to fire until his comradehad loaded his gun--by this means we kept a constant, slow fire, upon them from front to rear." Smith p109 note rod=16 feet Smith is leading rangers, but as he says "I taught them Indian discipline, as I knew of no ther at that time, which would answer the purpose musch better than British." p 107

"General orders are commonly given in time of battle, either to advance or retreat, and is done by a shout or yell, which is well understood, and then they retreat or advance in concert. They are generally well equipped and exceeding expert and active use of arms." Smith p 151

"...Each man is to fight as though he was to gain the battle himself." Smith p 151

"When they go to battle they are not loaded or encumbered with many clothes, as they commonly fight naked, save only breech-clout, leggings and mockasons." Smith p 151

"...They have all the essentials of discipline. They are under good command and punctual in obeying orders: they can act in concert, and when their officers lay a plan and give orders, they will cheerfuly unite in putting all their directions into immediate execution; and by each man observing the motion or movement of his right hand companion, they can communicate the motion from right to left, and march abreast in concert and in scattererd order, though the line may be more than a mile long, and continue, if occaison requires, for a considerable distance, without disorder or confusion." Smith p 150

"They can perform various necessary manuevers, either slowly, or as fast as they can run: they can form a circle, or a semi-circle: the circle they make use of, in order to surround their enemy, and the semi-circle if the enemy has a river on one side of them. They can also form a large hollow square, face out and take trees: this they do, if their enemies are about surrounding them, to prevent from being shot from either side of the tree." Smith p.150

"There is no such thing as corporeal punishment used, in order to bring them under such good discipline: degrading is the only chastisement, and they are so unanimous in this, that it effectually answers the purpose." Smith p 151


Smith, James, 1737-1812. "An account of the remarkable occurences in the life and travels of Col. James Smith during his captivity with the Indians, in the years 1755, '56, '57, '58 & '59" Cincinnati, 1870