Real TOMAHAWK Combat!..from historical accounts

[@scholagladiatoria]

Install Mech Arena for Free 🤖 IOS/ANDROID: pl.go-ga.me/h6hcjgfk and get a special starter pack 💥 Available only for the next 30 days

[@mkgods6661]

Scholagladiatoria You Are A "1" Of A Kind, Glad To Have You In My Life.

[@haroldchase1881]

Treed means to Corner a person. It’s kind of like treeing a mountain Line etc. As for loading a musket on the run I can do it with both fling lock and Percussion lock . If I can do it I’m certain they could . Mother Necessity being the mother of all Creation 😂

[@victorwaddell6530]

I'm from South Carolina , with some Cherokee and Seminole ancestry , and a US Navy veteran . So this video was very interesting to me . I carry a tomahawk daily in my pickup truck . My second ship was a Guided Missile Cruiser armed with several Tomahawk missiles , which is the military aircraft alluded to . On a note about the cultural aspect of the tomahawk , The US Major League Baseball team Atlanta Braves wear a tomahawk as their logo , their fans chant in a Native American style and perform a movement called the Tomahawk Chop . Many amateur baseball teams around Georgia and in the Southeastern states model themselves after the Atlanta Georgia Braves . The Atlanta Braves also won this year's World Series . Let's Go Brave's Nation in 2022 !

[@MarkusMahlberg]

Hey Matt, just to let you know: link sends me to the Google Play Store - on an IOS device.

[@billdehappy1]

just for claerify you saiid van as back shouldent it be front? as for vanguard or had the meaning change as still use raregurad? im not native english speaker although fluent in majority of it

[@fetmar]

Native American here. You're fine. I'm Cayuga from Six Nations and we always called ourselves indians. I don't really care what you call me. I know who I am. Awesome video, dude :D thanks for the attention on something historically relevant to me and my family!

[@bensullivan9478]

good to see people not get strung out on such things ❤ "i know who i am" 💪

[@John-mf6ky]

You know who you are, at the end of the day, it's all that matters ✌️

[@billythekidd623]

we are all people of love and culture we all fight to protect our lands and ancestors and people we shouldve never taken anything from anyone that were already here to begin with..

[@joesikkspac7904]

I came here to say just that. My lineage(21% through DNA testing) encompasses an unknown amount of Central and South American tribes. However, I've been married to an Oneida and friends with many Oneida and some Menomonee and almost everyone just says Indian when generalizing and aren't little snowflakes that melt from others' words. Whether said in ignorance or with a more sinister intent. Except for the activist types. Where we find ourselves today with so many people tiptoeing around spending half the day trying to remember the ever-changing PC/woke rules is such a waste of time.

[@Matheus-mw4rm]

Hello mate How ARE doing , one question , i FROM native south American , especific FROM ancient tribes of "tamoio" south WEST of Brazil , They have a old ritual of "antropofagic" canibalism even related in 1600s by German hostage Hans Staden , great book to know , They pratice a canibalism whit her fallen enemys , beliving if They eat The flesh , They Will absorve The strengh of their enemys, i know by now , who Just central América Aztecs doing sacrifice rituals , but seems to me North American tribes DONT have doing nothing like that 😮 , not even records of that things Just scalps , do you know any records of anything happening in North hemisfer ? 😮 , thats is Crazy no one talks about that , even in more ancient times when Bering straits was crossed , thanks a Lot and Sorry about my english ..

[@tando6266]

I think "take to the tree" might mean to seek cover behind a tree (remember in this time you were meant to stand your ground in the open) much like "took to ground" means to hide in the low points of the ground in this time.

[@texasbeast239]

Fleeing animals often instinctively run up tree trunks into the branches in order to attain the high ground, to avoid the teeth and claws of other predatory animals. Treeing someone probably meant chasing him until he climbed up a tree just like a frightened animal. The problem with this is that predatory humans have longer-reach weapons than wild animals, so humans can continue the attack even against someone up in a tree.

[@michaelfitzell2741]

Exactly! that way the person had cover, could watch the enemy, and reload at the same time.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

Taking to the trees simply meant running into the woods either taking cover or continuing to run to escape the pursuers

[@nirfz]

😂 I have seen the term "took to a tree" before, but it was not in any fighting scenario, and as a non antive english speaker i did think it means somehting different until the usage in this video... More in the way of reducing "bodily waste pressure". 🤭

[@nexviper]

Via the power of internet search it seems it has been used for both climbing or seeking cover behind a tree, at least when people are involved. With animals it seems to always mean actually climbing the tree. "[H]e ran for a short distance, then stumbled over a low fence. He then started firing with his six-shooter at the marshal. There were two large trees between John Tiger and Grant Johnson, and each one took to a tree for protection. While fighting, the bullets could be heard hitting the trees." -J.S. “Shorty” Brown in a 1938 interview about a gunfight in 1900

[@davidb7262]

Simon Kenton was famous for loading his long rifle while in flight. The Indians knew him as "The man who's gun is never empty" for his skill of running and reloading his flintlock at the same time. He was a main factor in the settlement of Kentucky.

[@mattjack3983]

It's definitely not very far-fetched at all. Whether it's a fist fight, a gunfight, sword fight, or an all out melee with lots of combatants with cutting, bludgeoning, and shooting weapons of all kinds, moving around and keeping yourself mobile is pretty important. Moving targets are harder to hit and harder to capture. Its stands to reason that there would have been people during that time who had gotten good at reloading their muzzle loaders while running. And it's not difficult to imagine the kind of advantage that would give a person who was good at reloading his rifle in flight, while his enemies had to stop and take cover in order to reload.

[@michaelamend3637]

Absolutely. Running a loading was also tought in the millitary at the time. They were absolutely running and gunning

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

Lewis Wetzel was another practitioner of the running reload. He was a a psycho killer and generally bad person, though.

[@mgbrown29]

I read no powder was put directly into the flash pan while running, but after putting powder and ball or shot in the barrel the runner would slap the left side of the musket to force powder into the flash pan. This apparently worked for a quick turn to take a point blank shot at the pursuer.

[@DouglasSandlin]

I was going to mention Simon Kenton, and specifically a book by Alan Eckert titled “The Frontiersman”. It is a great resource for the history of early American expansion.

[@JosephKerr27]

The British and Cherokee have an interesting historical relationship. There was conflict as in the first account, but they also fought for the Crown during the American Revolution. That's when my family's diaspora originated. The land where my Cherokee ancestors lived was ceded to the fledgling US during the Chickamauga Wars. Rather than move with fellow Cherokee, they stayed and assimilated. I am not an enrolled member of any of the 3 Cherokee bands, but I study the language and culture to honor those ancestors. I'm thrilled to hear Matt discuss tomahawks, and urge him to go further into warclubs. I have some resources that may help, if desired.

[@Raven-qj8xk]

Yes! His Shillelagh clubs and walking sticks episode was excellent!

[@athelwulfgalland]

My wife is Cherokee as well but doesn't know a lot about her own heritage unfortunately. Her mother was primarily raised in foster care so there wasn't much of an opportunity for that. I wasn't even aware of the three separate bands. I just know that her ancestors & even present day family live in Indiana. (Loosely in the Terre Haute region.)

[@JosephKerr27]

@@athelwulfgalland Residential schools and foster care have a history of separating people from their cultures... Sorry to hear your wife and her mother experienced it, but there's time to reclaim that culture if desired. Two bands are in Oklahoma: Cherokee Nation and United Keetoowah Band, the former is a result of the Trail of Tears while the latter moved west before removal. The Eastern Band is in present-day North Carolina, residing in the Qualla Boundary. Cherokee hid in the hills to avoid removal and later purchased land in the 1870s. It's one of few indigenous communities that was never a reservation. Here are resources to learn Cherokee: from the Cherokee Nation https:/ / language . cherokee . org/ from the Eastern Band ebci . com/services/departments/department-of-education/kpep-and-kituwah/ a page to help with the syllabary www. translitteration. com/transliteration/en/cherokee/sequoyah/ Links are broken to prevent flagging. As a linguist, I'll caution that ᏣᎳᎩ is one of the most difficult languages to learn because the verbs are so complicated, with prefixes, infixes, and suffixes. It's easier to find English resources discussing Cherokee culture, but beware of nonsense.

[@athelwulfgalland]

@@JosephKerr27 Thanks Joseph, I'll pass the link along to the missus to see if it draws her interest. I don't know how her ancestry fits into that puzzle & yes I certainly understand what you mean about institutions ruining the cultural integrity of a people. Apparently in her mother's case it was a very dysfunctional household with significant child abuse & willful neglect. My wife's childhood was also anything but rosy. One parent was a Vietnam vet struggling with PTSD & anxiety. The other was a chronic alcoholic. There were instances of spousal abuse, infidelity on both sides, etc. Then when they finally divorced for some reason her father left her in the custody of her alcoholic mother who went to live with her sister & husband. This in turn led to my wife, her sister & mother suffering over a year of sexual abuse. That landed my wife in foster care for a time until her father fought to regain custody. Things improved in some ways but got worse in others afterwards. Today she has only a few episodic memories pertaining to her childhood remaining. I assume it to be some form of PTSD induced amnesia. Her chronological memories only begin essentially when we met. We'll have been married 25 years in 6 days.

[@lancastercarmon1380]

I would also love to see a video on "war clubs". I make tomahawks and war clubs as a hobby and are fascinated with the subject.

[@darthkek1953]

So, basically, the Tomahawk was basically the American equivalent of the Bollock Dagger; "does everything, everyone has one, some are nicer than others"

[@kanejanz4173]

It was basically the basic equivalent of a basic axe for chopping basic wood and basic flesh and basic fabrics and basic stuff

[@Yeahwhatevah]

Basically ​@@kanejanz4173

[@jusme8060]

I just saw the cock and balls daggers for the first time, thankyou for that 😅

[@vohawk]

It was truly the multi-tool of the American Frontier.

[@Cocarat206]

Colonial history studies guy from the Midwest America here. You did a good job pronouncing "Potawatomi" and I am certain they fought from trees, which were very abundant and very large prior to the eastward expansion of large populations of American settlers. It's mentioned pretty frequently in frontier sources. Great video!

[@pavementsailor]

I concur. I lived near Potawatomi Bayou in Michigan. Good job.

[@markbecker71]

Fought from the trees..lol..yeah that would be ridiculous 🙄

[@phredphlintstone6455]

It's a good way to look over a hill without going over said hill.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

@@phredphlintstone6455 It's a death trap. They fought from BEHIND trees, using them for cover from gun fire. The first rule of a gun fight is FIND COVER.

[@phredphlintstone6455]

@@MrBottlecapBill I didn't say fight from it. Although, if you set an ambush it can work really well.

[@brianmincher716]

Ritualistic torture of captured enemies was a very real thing, and why wouldn’t people be terrified of it? Aren’t you? I certainly am.

[@mangalores-x_x]

The point is more that Europeans had no problem with torture, it was even enshrined in the judicial processes. So yes, it would literally be market Sunday for a European to see someone being punished via torture or being executed after torture.

[@zebradun7407]

Current woke in the land of the Native American is The land before the White man was an Idyllic paradise where none went hungry there was no war and torture along with human sacrifice and cannibalisms did not exist. To say other wise is to become a racist White supremacist.

[@ericferguson9989]

It still is. Especially with North American troops. The Germans in WW1 had a particular fear of Canadian troops. There are even stories as recent as the GWOT of Canadians taking ears of Afghans as trophies. I'm from Canada and I wouldn't want to be taken captive by Canadian troops.

[@MandalorV7]

@@ericferguson9989 Which is odd to me. Here in the states we tend to view Canadians as a lot more chill and polite.

[@ericferguson9989]

@@MandalorV7 We are. Scratch the veneer and it gets ugly, though. Humans are capable of some gnarly stuff. Religion is about the only thing that keeps us civilized.

[@morriganmhor5078]

Matt, no critics, but the "bucket" in case of cavalry force could also apply for watering the horse and/or feeding it with grain/oats, I think.

[@OneMindAnyWeapon]

It could be but, there is no mention of any other related kit for maintaining the horse, blankets halters hobbles etc and it is included with the carbine and the other combat related requirements.

[@actual_nonsense]

A "bucket" is a holster for a rifle, carbine, or even a bow (in the case of horse archers). There are wagons for all that care and feeding equipment called "the baggage train" or they leave that stuff at the camp or fort.

[@vadimflaks7795]

Going for a proper scholarly beard, I see. Noice.

[@hic_tus]

please santa easton for christmas please please please please! we all want swords, obvs.

[@texasbeast239]

Scholabarba

[@Manco65]

Nope, he's read all this North American wilderness stuff and he's going for the Mountain Man look.

[@buttheyreinvestmentsdear3132]

A missed opportunity for Matt to show us how an axe can be sharpened and used to shave.

[@jamesdobson2251]

Hatchet job lol

[@bobnesler4271]

Just want to confirm that, during my decade or so as a Boy Scout adult leader, I taught Scouts how to throw the tomahawk. The lightest belt hawks are, indeed, very accurate to fifteen yards and the heavier hawks to twenty yards. With practice, sticking every throw into a target the size of a paper plate is normal. (Yes, this is true, although most tomahawk throwing is probably best done at ten to fifteen yards with all sizes.) The body of most forged hawks is iron with an angled, forged edge of hard steel, generally sharpened to a fine edge. Throwing at closer range is done with the edge forward, but at greater range with the edge facing backward. Twenty yard throws will generally require a double-rotation throw with the edge once again toward the target. The technique is more sophisticated than one might at first imagine.

[@ThroneTHROWER]

If its a counter to a bayonet charge as described, then when they throw the tomahawk at 20 yards it will actually hit at 15 or closer. Given that the regulars would be sprinting to close the distance.

[@johnwall7968]

US History teacher here: the torture ABSOLUTELY happened all the time, but it's important to understand the cultural context. Many Native American cultural groups, such as the Algonquian and Iroquoian (and other) peoples engaged in "mourning" wars. When a person in your family or village was killed, it was believed that the spiritual power (also referred to as "medicine) of your family and community was diminished, and it was necessary to replenish that power. Mourning wars were conducted as raids with the intent of capturing enemies to be brought back to one's village, and through ritual and ceremony, use their spiritual power to replenish that of your family and community. There were 2 common ways of doing this. 1 was adoption and integration into the family and village, where the captive literally replaced the person who was killed. The other was to ritualistically torture the captive to death. A captive's fate was determined, in part, by their conduct. When a captive was brought to the village, they were often stripped down and examined by the women of the tribe to determine if they were strong and healthy. Then, while naked, they would be forced to run the gauntlet into the village. "Running the gauntlet" was a ceremony in which the villagers would line up in two rows, forming a kind of tunnel into the village. Then the captive had to pass through this tunnel, enduring taunts, insults, slaps, punches, cuts, and blows from sticks and clubs. If they conducted themselves bravely, they were more likely (not guaranteed, mind you) to be adopted into the tribe, as they had shown themselves to be strong and courageous. Those who ran the gauntlet with fear or timidity were more likely to be ritually tortured to death. The methods of torture varied, but there is one account I read of a French captive of the Mohawk in what is today Northern New York, who witnessed another captive be tied to a post in the middle of the village, and all members of the tribe came by to take turns sticking burning sticks to his skin, cutting him, and rubbing hot ashes and embers into his wounds. Apparently he endured this for over a day before succumbing to his wounds. None of this is meant to depict Native Americans as stereotypical, "bloodthirsty savages." I simply mean to explain that, if one was captured by Natives, there was a fair chance that they would endure horrific torture. The European settlers certainly had their own fair share of cruelties and atrocities that they committed against the Natives (and one another), and this does not excuse that.

[@whirving]

My mother's side includes a "captivity story" where Col. James Stewart was ambushed (while without this sword)and he killed, and his two young sons captured. His sons were then traded to a tribe near Kingston Ontario, the Wyandottes, where they had to run the gauntlet and were successful. They were adopted into the tribe and lived with them for several years. They later moved near Deroit where they were rejoined by their mother who had been searching for them for years. Quite a story.

[@iivin4233]

What was dimished was the tribe's happiness and, cynically speaking, prestige or fear as compared to other tribes. What they were collecting was vengance, however they dressed it up. It's somewhat understandable, the emotions involved. But I would argue that is what it was in reality. They tortured people for the same reasons any group of people tortures other people. It's also not suprising that they had a mechanism for commuting sentences for popular individuals. However I am glad you brought up the cultural context of American violence because it seems like there was a general cultural mismatch between Europeans and a lot of the people they encountered. That seems to have made it more likely that both sides would do things that were repugnant tp the other.

[@haroldonowa5474]

Seen a book about Wisconsin history where US Army soldiers would skin natives. Very gruesome and shows that there were bad men on both sides.

[@brinehound]

The concept of spiritual replenishment is also exibited in pre-european Hawaiian, perhaps even many or most polynesian cultures. The Hawaiians referred to their warriors needing to replenish "Mana" after a survived defeat in stone age combat. These warriors relied upon brute strength and clubbed weapons similar to the Maori of New Zealand.

[@EGvids1]

You should buy the Tomahawk and display it in your living room

[@thegreyghost2789]

Awesome video Matt. First hand accounts can be very revealing. The account of the riflemen throwing their tomahawks at the charging bayonets reminded me of a story involving a friend back when we did 1812 reenacting. The group of regulars always wanted to charge us with their bayonets which had proven, time after time, to be dangerous. My friend, being of rather large build, went to the commanding officer and told him if they charged, he would throw his large, heavy tomahawk. There were no further bayonet charges.

[@Person0fColor]

Cool story bro 😂

[@johnmcgarvey4758]

Taking to a tree usually meant using one for cover. The trunks could be quite large. It was still mostly old growth forest with little undergrowth.

[@KurNorock]

That's not true. At that time there would not have been a lot of "old growth" forest. When the pilgrims were first coming to the Americas, they found that the forests were almost entirely gone. The Indians cut most of them down for use as firewood and for building. It wasn't until disease killed off a large percentage of the Indian population that the forests began to come back. And even though these stories are over 100 years after that, it takes several hundred years for forests to become "old growth".

[@TeaSerpent]

Here's an account of an incident which occurred during the American Revolutionary war in which tomahawks were used as throwing weapons. "Now, whilst the troops were stationed at Springfield, Elerson on a certain day, thought he would go to a place where he had observed a quantity of mustard growing around a deserted old house, a small clearing having been made at this spot a year or two before, his object being to gather a dinner of herbs for himself and men. The place was distant from the camp about a mile, where he had been busily employed till his haversack was nearly half full. Round about this house the weeds and sprouts had grown thick and high. As he was stooping to gather the mustard, he thought he heard a rustling in the weeds behind him, when, looking around, he saw ten or a dozen Indians just ready to spring upon him, and take him prisoner. That they chose to take him prisoner, rather than shoot him, he inferred from their not having done it, as the most ample opportunity had been afforded. The nearness of the fort might have detered them, or they may have wanted him alive as a victim of torture. As he sprang to seize his rifle, which stood against the house, their hatchets were hurled sufficiently swift and numerous to have cut him to pieces, if they had all hit him; however, he sustained no injury, except the middle finger of one hand, which was nearly cut off." The account goes on to describe the long pursuit that followed in which he was chased over 20 miles through the mountains and, after killing one of his pursuers, had to spend three days hiding in a hollowed hemlock with a musket ball lodged in the flesh above his left hip. The man in this account (Elerson) is my direct patrilineal ancestor and was a rifleman on the colonial side in the American Revolutionary War and prior to that he fought in Lord Dunmore's War. He also fought at Monmouth and was present at Burgoyne's surrender. One of his more famous exploits was stealing the coach of general Henry Clinton in order to catch up with his unit after being separated on foot. Here is another account of an incident he was involved in that featured the use of an ax. "The first service on which they were sent, was to take, dead or alive, a person strongly suspected of Toryism, living on the Charlotte river, by the name of Service, who was not only Torified in principle, but was an active agent of the British in aiding, victualing, and secreting the enemies of the Revolution." The interim that I cut out describes their capture on the way of a man holding a letter from a British Captain Smith to Service detailing the movement of smiths troops and that he was travelling to Service's house and would arrive shortly. After setting up an ambush Captain Long and Ellerson both fired on and hit Captain smith in the chest killing him immediately. "This work finished, Captain Long and his men changed their course for the Charlotte, in pursuance of their first intention (ie to arrest Service for colluding with the Tories), where they arrived and silently surrounded the house of the person sought for, gathering closer and closer, till at length two or three entered the room where he was, before they were discovered. He instantly stepped out of the door with them, when he was informed that they had orders to take him to the forts at Schoharie. He appeared somewhat alarmed, while he strenuously objected to the proposal, pleading innocence, etc., but in the meanwhile was evidently working his way along from the door to a heap of chips lying between Elerson and Murphy. The reason now appeared why he had so cautiously approached the chips, for on coming to the spot, be seized in a moment a broad-ax, which lay there, and made a desperate stroke at Murphy, which, however, he eluded, as the keen eye of that veteran was not asleep, but the fruitless attempt rolled back in vengeance on its author, as a bullet from the rifle of Murphy stretches him a lifeless corpse, with the ax in his hand."

[@stephenballard3759]

That is very interesting! I have long maintained that many of the wounds you'd see from most pre-gunpowder weapons would be on the extremities first, and a coup dè grace later. Even in the ER wherr I work elbows, shoulders, knees, hands, wrists, and heads are more common that center-mass hits by handgun fire, except at very close range or by ambush. I've seen many, many people hit several times, everywhere but the chest. The account Matt gave of the Colonists being able to hit the head with lethality every single time seemed a bit like propaganda to me, and here the Natives threw several and managed one wounding hit. Still, that's something to be greatly feared. I wouldn't want to be chopped or even take a good, deep slice to the elbow, or back of the leg, or shin first thing in a fight. Taking a swing at that guy with a full-sized broad axe, too! That would horrifying injuries if it landed.

[@stefanfilipovits21]

This was really interesting stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@sheldoniusRex]

@@stephenballard3759 is it at least somewhat probable that part of the reason you see so few center mass gunshot injuries is that so few people actually center punched more than once are likely to survive the ambulance ride? Judging from my small experience in our recent wars in Mesopotamia I'd say that very few men so hit with the rifle last more than three minutes.

[@stephenballard3759]

@@sheldoniusRexThat's possible, of course, and these are not science just my impressions. However, I DO see a lot of center-punched gunshots, just not from scenarios people imagine, I guess, and less from handgins. A great many survive, and we get plenty of DOA's. Like, if we hear of a shotgun wound that wasn't accidental coming in, it's very likely a close range shot to the torso, and the patient will probably be dying, unless the docs can save him. Close range shotgun wounds and rifle shots are another level, entirely. Patients who die from center-mass handgun wounds, usually somebody with a plan walked up close, and shot the victim several times, ala gang-related stuff, or crazy ex-boyfriend stuff. A shootout with the cops or a rival gang member, or a defensive shooting, shot placement is essentially random. That's my $ 0.02.

[@sheldoniusRex]

@@stephenballard3759 thank you for your observations. Cheers.

[@Automaton550]

At the 30:00 mark, there is reference to the "savages" being employed by General Burgoyne. This was prior to the Battle of Saratoga, and there's an interesting story to come of it. The bands of Indians terrorized the countryside, targeting mostly Patriot's homes and towns. In one instance, a group of Native Americans raided a cabin and took two women prisoners before scalping them. When they brought the scalps back to the British army, an officer recognized one of the scalps as that of Miss Jane McCrea, a young lady he was engaged to. The other woman was Mrs.McNeil, the cousin of a British General Simon Fraser. The event caused great tension between the British and their native allies and was heavily propagandized by the local Patriots, who saw an increase of volunteers once word got around.

[@laurolavanda1807]

😮

[@Automaton550]

@Socucius Ergalla Likely lost to history, but my hypothesis is that she was of Irish descent, her last name being McCrea. Perhaps she was the only woman with red hair in the area, and therefore the scalp was easily recognized.

[@tomgoff7887]

@@Automaton550 Patriots? You mean the traitors who rebelled against the Crown and allied with the Spanish and French Empires to fight their fellow Brits?

[@billosby9997]

@@tomgoff7887 Yes, those.

[@austincummins7712]

@@tomgoff7887 Hey now- who would have sent you all those goodies in WWI and WWII if we hadn't "freed ourselves of the yoke of tyranny"? ; )

[@dillonbuford]

Sorry again. I'm just trying to clear up American history. Rifled muskets and smooth bore muskets were used concurrently. Rifles were not an invitation over smooth bore as most people think. Militaries used smooth bore as the ball fits looser allowing for faster reloads and more shots before fouling. Hunters used rifles as the ball must fit tight to engage with the rifling this makes for more accuracy but with slower reload and faster fouling. Contrary to popular belief the colonial army did use smooth bore military muskets and Eurasian tactics. I was the local militia that used their hunting rifle because that's all they had and acted as snipers because that's how the hunted and all they new how to do. Hunting rifles would not of hat bayonet lugs so militia men had to have tomahawks as they had no way to mount a bayonet.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

Yup. It's also why it's possible to reload a smooth bore musket on the run(other that priming the pan). You can literally almost drop the ball all the way down the barrel without a ram rod in a fresh unfouled musket. The ball, usually being smaller so that it can be used even after fouling in the barrel builds up. It may not settle perfectly fine, but it will allow you to take a shot which will be good enough at someone who's now most likely close to you.

[@dillonbuford]

@@MrBottlecapBill I didn't think if that

[@friedfish69]

@@MrBottlecapBill The "blunderbuss" was meant to allow ease of loading while on a ship's deck or on horseback. Same idea as a musket being easy to load, take further.

[@dillonbuford]

@@jimbob465 the term " rifled musket" didn't come until late. Bother "rifle" and "rifled musket" mean the exact some thing. I use the term " rifled musket" for clearly in the modern world. Matt Easton does this constantly. For example most of the names of swords and shields are modern and historically would of been called "sword" and "shield"

[@dillonbuford]

@@jimbob465 that's just wildly untrue. You're going to have to cite sources

[@Intranetusa]

Great video! It is always great to see you branch out to explore weapons and combat from different parts of the world!

[@Raymasseyus]

In 1757 Major Robert Rogers wrote his Rules of Ranging. Number 13 was as follows: "XIII. In general, when pushed upon by the enemy, reserve your fire till they approach very near, which will then put them into the greatest surprize and consternation, and give you an opportunity of rushing upon them with your hatchets and cutlasses to the better advantage." I seem to remember a version that said "Finish them off with your hatchets." but I could not find that version.

[@PalmettoNDN]

I'm a Cherokee subscriber of your channel. Thanks for mentioning us. Also, it's OK to call us Indians, bro 😂 Some tribes have the word "Indian" in their official name in English. Thanks again, Your Cherokee/Chickasaw Fan.

[@STEVEN-STEELE]

What group Brother. Those who went on the Trail of Tears Or those who held out in the mountains. Iv been up to N.C its beautiful. My Pawpaw was of the Siksika band of the Blackfoot. Though to look at me with red hair you can only tell because I get dark in the sun lol a sun tanned red head. My mom ? She got the dark skin and black hair. Go figure I got the Irish european look from Mamaw. Pawpaw remembered some of the language but had been sent to a school at 5 or 6 and they forbade him to use it. He was warned once then spent 3 days locked in a basement with bread and water when he was caught singing something his mom would sing to him. How he ended up way down south in Miss. Idk lol Hope all is well with you

[@tjohanne]

Thanks for explaining the use of "Indian". We have English teachers in my country who think it's a deadly sin to say "Indian", which is embarrassing, really. The important thing is to be respectful and open! I wish I knew more about indigenous North-American history and culture. It's interesting and fascinating.

[@panchopistola8298]

I hate political correctness lmao .

[@siouxicide9002]

@@tjohanne it's the brainwashed politically correct snowflake ndns who get butthurt. I mean "native americans"

[@IMP-vi6je]

How's that? And why are you called Indians while not having any connection to India?

[@SlimRhyno]

I am so pleased that I came across your channel. This is only the third or fourth video of yours that I have seen, but I am already a huge fan. I just love the lens in which you relate; a fantastic combination of intellect (without being smug), practical application, and genuine enjoyment of the subject. I only regret that I hadn't found your channel sooner. Please, keep doing what you are doing. Take care and be well. - Slim

[@mikejorgenson7316]

I can remember reading something about Daniel Boone in which ‘took to tree’ referred to placing yourself behind the tree, while using the tree to shield your body while simultaneously bracing against it to shoot.

[@PilgrimBangs]

I believe what is meant by "Treed" is to be taking cover behind trees, not necessarily climbing one. Although in some instances they could climb a tree I suppose, but then you'd be trapped. Your enemy only need shoot you out of the tree whether with arrow or ball. The Eastern woodlands of Appalachia were dense with wide mature trees. I'm thinking they were exchanging shots from behind or between tree trunks.

[@brianmincher716]

That makes sense, thanks for that.

[@CraigLYoung]

A good example is an account I read from Fort Necessary where they stated that the Indians were treed while shooting at the fort.

[@Crimzs]

I wonder how big a tree needs to be to stop a musket ball. I watched Paul Harrell's video on modern firearms and it requires quite a wide tree.

[@RickR69]

This. It might also just mean to go into the cover of a wooded area.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

@@Crimzs Not as much as you might think. Musket balls are pure lead projectiles, they "mushroom" and break apart fairly easily. Unlike modern copper or steel jacketed rounds which hold together much longer. The muzzle velocity of those types of guns is also far lower. Which is why they often opted for very large rounds. Oddly enough, these exact same characteristics make shooting through trees difficult but make devastating wounds on squishy humans quite simple.

[@christopherknorr2895]

I'll bet "treed" means to take cover behind a wide tree trunk in anticipation of a firefight. Climbing a tree is too involved, requires two hands, and probably exposes you to getting shot while you attempt it.

[@Daylon91]

Right! like they'd both climb a tree then shoot at eachother lmafao

[@SuperOtter13]

Suppose it depends on the trees

[@kellymoulton3792]

Christopher Knorr is Exactly Right! Ya gotta remember just how densely wooded the Americas were back in the 1700s. Taking cover behind a tree when engaging in a firefight was so common that it became it's own verb.

[@RespectThePep]

Correct. Taking to a tree meant to take cover!

[@ElkaPME]

The vietnam war before the vietnam war started

[@douglascox9996]

Martial pistols of the day, especially those with a brass ball end on the grip, became an ideal close quarters weapon when empty, wielded as a club held by either end.

[@Imperiused]

I really loved this, just reading and talking about various historical sources. Soul food for the history buff!

[@chehalem]

I love how more and more historical newspapers are available online. Such a wealth of period perspectives at our fingertips. Even if the stories are heavily biased or even made up, it shows what people living at that time thought was important and how they perceived the world.

[@Rakkasan0609]

In regards to provincial cavalry units being issued swords or tomahawks. It could be very likely they were used more as dragoons vs mounted cavalry depending on unit composition.

[@lynben100]

If they had to pay for their own weapons, some might not be able to afford a sword.

[@nickc.3385]

Agreed. Although, a thought comes to mind: one of the chief benefits of many tomahawk designs are that they are very conducive to having longer or shorter hafts but in them. I’d imagine it would be very easy to lengthen the haft if one was on horseback and therefore they could be more effective cavalry weapons at a pinch, especially if one is ambushed while riding , having spent their firelock’s etc.

[@MitchJohnson0110]

American here, grew up next to a Potawatomi reservation, brother graduated from the Tribal school. Got a little insight on regional terminology. Taking to the trees, taking to A tree, and treeing are 3 different things with a little overlap depending on context. "Taking *to the* trees." Simply means to run into the woods. "Taking *A* tree." usually means to take cover behind a tree "Taking *to a* tree." can either mean taking cover behind a tree or climbing a tree to get a vantage point, or a better shot. Climbing trees to shoot was a much more common thing that people realize back then. "Treeing" means to chase someone up a tree "Treed" means to BE chased up a tree

[@taianonni]

Interesting to note with the "burying the hatchet" phrase being pre-metal: the Haudenosaunee (aka Iroquois) Tree of Peace, which symbolizes the unification if the Six Nations, is a symbolic white pine which is usually depicted with a broken warclub/hatchet/tomahawk and arrow buried beneath it

[@Outsidecontext]

Bury the hatchet is from Viking nations.

[@taianonni]

Perhaps the term, both cultures may have practiced a similar burying of weapons to represent peace. Maybe Leif Erikson brought the practice over or vice versa. Or it could be an example of convergent cultural practices

[@maybecolby]

@@Outsidecontext it's not

[@actually_a_circle]

I was talking to a friend once and we were discussing throwing tomahawks. I didn't think it was practical but he pointed out that IF you do land a hit the fight is basically over even if the person doesn't die.

[@Rob_Fordd]

"tactical tomahawks" became VERY popular with US troops during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, especially in the mid 00s-early 2010s. They were not standard issue of course, but lots asked for them to be sent over by their families. Never read accounts of them being used in combat, but I bet it happened at least once! Very handy camp tools regardless alongside the standard issue knife.

[@wacojones8062]

I have a SOG short handled one. Many photos of SF ODA folks with them no sheath stuck into the MOLLE Webbing on the back blade inwards most of the time. I have read several accounts of close quarters action in A-Stan where they were mentioned as being used along with various E-tools, pick handles and such.

[@CrimsonCrux]

@@wacojones8062 The most popular ones I saw that were seen in LAV-25 toolkits was the American Tomahawk VTAC Lagana. I have 3 of that company's model 1 which was much the same style, which you see famously used in Vietnam and are excellent tools and certainly more balanced for hand-to-hand than say, Cold Steel's tomahawk line up or the CRKT ones.

[@QLAUZSIBEL]

@@CrimsonCrux Averall I guess you are right,I never handed a so called vietnam hawk nor all of the CS T-hawk lineup.But the CS spikehawk is very well balanced for fighting applications(,with a shortened handle.)

[@CrimsonCrux]

@@QLAUZSIBEL They are definitely much better with shortened handles, I have the riflemans, spike and pipe hawks and the spike's a much faster tool in the hand in comparison like I imagined legit tomahawks would have been.

[@abarbar06]

The term 'Indian' is still commonly used, and isn't viewed as derogatory or wrong. Yes, we know native Americans aren't from India, but America is a European name after all. Many call themselves Indians today. In the US, It's kind of like African American vs black.

[@mattjack3983]

My Uncle is Navajo, and him and his brothers and sister all refer to themselves and each other as "Indians".

[@MajoraZ]

Always nice to see military history content on stuff outside the usual Europe, Near East, and Asia. If you ever wanna do a similar video on Mesoamerican combat, weapons, etc, I'd be happy to help out with that, scheduling permitting: I've worked with a number of history and archeology channels on Mesoamerican videos before!

[@Person0fColor]

Nope 😂

[@mistahanansi2264]

Story time with Matt Easton is the best!

[@hatuletoh]

I've always thought that the term "tomahawk" caught on with Europeans the way it did not only because for a native word it's quite easy for a European to pronounce, but also because it seems somehow appropriately descriptive of the object itself. Not onomatopoeic exactly, but suggestive of that. The word has assosance and consonance in the right places for a weapon, particularly a weapon that for a long time struck terror into the hearts of European and American settlers. "Evocative" is probably the right word for it.

[@stefanfilipovits21]

Well said. I think there’s something to that.

[@anaussie213]

It's certainly more evocative than the Latin "securis", although we can see the etymology of security perhaps from there.

[@BUZZKILLJRJR]

My family was saying they're part of the historical Society here and worked with many different colleges around here and we have Indian artifacts on our homestead property which has been in our family for 220 plus years, as that it came from the Algonquin originally and the rest, Abenaki. Missiquoi. Pennacook. Arapaho. Beothuk. Blackfoot. Cheyenne. Chowanoke. Cree. tribes they had a stone or wooden headed variation that they all refer to as tomahawk, along with the incorporation of the European style metal headed hatchet AKA (tomahawk the name) just stayed because it's the same kind of weapon as what we refer to as a hatchet or axe, (the trides called a tomahawk) so the specific shape and style has always been referred to as tomahawk from that native language.

[@panchopistola8298]

I find it fascinating that they threw the tomahawks first, then used pistols etc. I think it was a psychological affect, seeing your man next to you are ahead of you get their head split open must be terrifying.

[@Rudyelf1]

“Oh my, Jim just got canoed by a tomahawk to the face. I’m rethinking this redcoat thing. Recruiter promised I would travel the world and not see combat.”

[@chutethemall8099]

I think throwing the tomahawks to initiate a charge might lead to getting some of your tomahawks back if you managed to advance a few dozen yards.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

As far as I'm aware, "fell in" with someone means joining up - fell in to their company. Maybe not in the instance in the report, but generally spontaneously meeting up with with someone.

[@stephenballard3759]

I've thrown a few tomahawks, and I definitely don't want one thrown at me. Injury would seem almost certain, but l still can barely believe that it was alway "death" at 20 yards. As you said, Matt, historical sources often lean hard one way.

[@austincummins7712]

Was thinking the same thing- it sounds too reckless- and it would make sense to portray them as such (i.e. they don't care to retain their weapon, they just want to be sure to kill you!). My immediate thought when someone talks about throwing a knife or axe in a combat situation is: "Why would you throw your weapon away in a single chance to wound someone when you could retain it for [potential] repeated defensive use up close?" I suppose someone might panic and throw it in a fit of fear, but then again not if I have an 18th century chest rig loaded with pistols- I will use those first thank you very much!

[@douglasgault5458]

​ It's not at all like throwing your weapon away. With Pratice your proficiency is deadly accuracy with almost any weapon. I've thrown knives & tomahawks my whole life, it is a rare day that I'll miss my target. Even a blunt hit by a tomahawk will temporarily paralyzed a person. I watched a demonstration presented by 2 guys. it hurts like hell for several minutes until they recover from the shock, of a blunt trauma hit. And they were wearing safety equipment.

[@stephenballard3759]

@@douglasgault5458 Ever try something like hunting rabbits with throwing knives?

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

The tomahawk throw was often used on fleeing enemies to mop up after a successful ambush. It required numerical superiority, as it was prone to failure. I can't tell if the tomahawk throw was a showboating move or a last ditch attempt to get someone you couldn't catch.

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

Simon Kenton was known for being able to reload while running, as was Daniel Boone. It was a skill learned on the frontier from long practice and necessity.

[@TheMountainman211]

Lewis wetzel as well he was famous for it

[@scruffy7760]

A Swede at sea, having a coffee, swinging a one handed axe... Yeah, as a swede, I believe it haha

[@dadventuretv2538]

And the Swedes were early settlers in America. In fact we have them the thank for the log cabin. So they were probably swinging a lot of tomahawks too!

[@Wavemaninawe]

Not plausible. He would be too busy wielding a pastry with the other hand. The time honored tradition of 'fika' is sacred to Swedes. Whether they be at sea, land, or air.

[@tamlandipper29]

As well as its inherent value to military history, I think this sort of look is also instructive for any historian. First hand accounts, technology, frontier and home dynamics, racial relations, and so forth. Great stuff.

[@TheJimboslav]

I love this type of reading videos! Primary sources with expert commentary... Great way to spend an hour!

[@nonna_sof5889]

As someone who grew up in the woods around where Last of the Mohicans took place I can tell you we have a lot of trees that are really easy to climb. Lots of scraggily pines with branches all up you can be up in a few seconds. Getting back down will, hopefully, take a bit longer.

[@TheTrueNorth11]

Love to see Tomahawk content. Here in Canada, tomahawks are still used often.

[@edwardstowers7272]

Tomahawks were also symbolically painted red as a sign of war. “Treed” can mean up a tree (the modern term) or hiding behind a tree’s trunk (the archaic frontier term). During the F&I or Seven Years War, British irregulars under Robert Rogers carried tomahawks when they attacked the Abenaki villages in Canada. American long hunters of the frontier adopted tomahawks both as weapons and camp tools. People can reload flintlocks while running. Daniel Boone could do it as could Simon Kenton (as can modern day re-enactor Mark Baker, who taught it to Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans). Interestingly, it was a tomahawk that started the Seven Years War when an Indian guide working for a young British officer named George Washington tomahawked and killed the French commander Jumonville during a parley, forcing Washington to fight the French at Fort Necessity. Usually a junior officer who starts a world war does not fare well, but Washington later fought under Braddock at the Monongahela before fighting as an American general and becoming our first president.Tomahawks are a part of American history that continues today. Tomahawk throwing is still a sport among American woodsmen and is gaining popularity as a recreational activity. It was a standard tactic to throw a tomahawk if your rifle was empty against an opponent with a loaded musket-not to kill the opponent, but to get them to duck and buy time to charge them with your long knife. It worked in days of single-shot guns.

[@ghostbeetle2950]

I imagine it's possible that "taking to a tree" might simply mean taking cover behind one. With the added option of climbing up it, if necessary. Very cool trip down History Lane! Cheers!

[@stefanfilipovits21]

That was kinda my first assumption too. It has to be right? Mostly because I can’t help thinking that going up a tree during a fight would leave a person more vulnerable not less.

[@wacojones8062]

Taking to a tree seems to mean it was used as a ground level shield while standing behind it to load and shoot. Common practice with units like Rogers Rangers and most natives. The Lobster backs took offense at this sort of behavior when they first came up against it as it was not gentlemanly behavior to hide rather than to stand in the open shooting at each other. Four relatives answered the Lexington alarm, took part in the siege of Boston and other events as part of the Continental Line under Washington.

[@bobsmoot2392]

Great historical video, sir. Your approach to content, by means of researching the word, "tomahawk", and drawing out actual historical references to share is brilliant!

[@davidbradley6040]

As to use of tomahawks on horseback it was noted by smiths who were asked to make the Missouri Battle Axe that it was weirdly balanced ,having a large but very thin triangular iron head(the tribes didnt want steel bits included) that was mainly used from horseback.The tribes had a fixed idea of what it should look like before they encountered any metal workers to make them.

[@drinks1019]

I really love the videos about historical accounts of fights, really interesting!

[@Wildwest89]

Loading on the run was quite common on the frontier, easier with a smooth bore than a rifle. Black powder maniac shooter on KZbin has attempted it in one of his videos as well.

[@j.bowman8699]

Living history 18th century guru,mark baker can load and fire on the run. It's in his videos

[@clasdauskas]

maybe, but it seems unlikely you could both reload whilst running AND outrun your pursuers!

[@cloudcleaver23]

"Tree" as a verb comes from raccoon hunting. The raccoon runs up a tree to take refuge and is then cornered there by the hunting hounds, unable to get down. The hunter than finishes it off. You can see it used that way throughout Wilson Rawles' "Where the Red Fern Grows".

[@robertayoder2063]

Or with any coon hunter

[@user-vg6sg7kh1q]

The french were using savages(plural most of the time ) not in a negative way, it came later, but to indicate that they were living in a natural state like savage animal. the word savage was use for the native of North America and the word indian was for South American and caribbean unless they were living in a forest. Indigenous did not came until the 18th century and was pejorative. American was also used sometimes not for people of the USA but the natives. Barbarian was used for the ennemy of the french. Redskin was never used in New France. When we read those old text we tend to assume that an insult today was an insult at that time.

[@zoukatron]

I think perhaps that scene you used for the thumbnail from Last of the Mohicans deserves a little video of its own. It has its flaws, but it has always been my favourite movie fight scene, more because of the story behind it.

[@DJRockford83]

I always think of hatchets as having shorter handles and tomahawks as having longer handles

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

In the naval story, the part that mentions 'throwing double-headed shot about' probably refers to the habit of sailors to start 'shot rolling' when they were pissed off by the officers. There were shot garlands near all the guns and once a shot was rolled it was heard rumbling throughout the ship, but it would be very hard to pinpoint where it was rolled from. Perhaps they were rolling bar shot, which is, literally double-headed shot and would roll very handily I would guess.

[@josephangiulo8601]

I was about to say something similar. Rolling a cannon ball along a deck was shorthand for "impending mutiny." It's often used to add some dramatic foreshadowing to accounts of mutinies.

[@kaizen5023]

RE: "Bury the hatchet," which is used as a phrase to signify letting go of ideas of vengeance, I once heard a preacher use the saying, "Don't bury the hatchet but leave the handle sticking up," -- so that you can grab it again. After listening to this account of actual buried hatchets, it makes even more sense!

[@friedfish69]

"Took to a tree" could mean hid behind a tree. Being up in a tree offers little advantage when being fired upon. Hiding behind a tree of sufficient girth offers protection while reloading.

[@Rob_Fordd]

A good sized tree will offer a large trunk to hide behind on a branch even a good way up. It also makes it harder for your attackers to stay in cover if you have such a elevation advantage.

[@DyvmSlorm]

Hunting often consisted of running a pack of dogs who would chase prey and when the prey went to ground or took to a tree, the human hunters would move in to finish the job.

[@KurNorock]

It literally means to climb a tree to evade danger.

[@tumbleweed6658]

Super well done and backed up by period source documents is tough to bet. Very well done I will share this with my fellow 18th century re-enactment mates the research is worthy of any history classroom.

[@coldwarrior78]

I read a book in the 60s about early American weapons which linked the European made metal tomahawk to the Francesca (sp-1). Natives certainly carried stone hawks which were extremely sharp but the durability of iron won out and the classic metal 'hawk was quickly adopted by all, native and European alike. Having carried one for years camping, they are great choppers for small to medium wood and much lighter than any hatchet I have ever owned.

[@matthewzito6130]

16:54 - It's pretty easy to lose someone in dense forest cover, especially if you're at all hesitant about the possibility of getting shot. 17:40 - It may just mean that he stood behind a large tree for cover/concealment.

[@matthewzito6130]

@@jimbob465 Most of the remaining forests in England are highly managed. They're much more open than forests in the eastern USA with far less undergrowth, so you can see much farther.

[@stephenpaul6839]

Here's a crazy fact about scalping. In Nova Scotia Canada there is still a bounty of thirty pieces of silver for Mikmaq Native scalps. Every treaty Day we celebrate, on October 1st each year we tried to get them to repeal this law but the Nova Scotia government refuses to

[@skipinkoreaable]

That's insane.

[@kiasax2]

Crazy! Those scalps were called "REDSKINS" which is why we Natives have such a problem with that term. Just thought I'd toss a little bit into your amazing piece of very cool information. Wado is how we say thank you in Cherokee. So, wado to you!

[@dorianwolf2198]

White people and mex started it first

[@hiddenaces8984]

I know this is fuckd but is it still being honored

[@unfortunatelygnarly]

Really cool video. Got to the end to realize you had been holding that tomahawk in frame for almost an hour! Respect!

[@Tagawichin]

Loading on the run under duress was a common skill with frontiersmen. The bullets at that time was simple round balls, sometimes also called shot. On the run that would put several balls in their mouth and spit one down the bore after dumping in powder from the horn. Then prime the pan and shoot. Simon Kenton is was well known by the Indians to use this tactic and identified him as, "the one who's rifle is alway loaded."

[@d.c.917]

Tomahawk and billhook (roncola in Italian) are two examples of tools used as weapons from down of humanity to the modern Era. Still effective as they were for our ancestors.

[@davidj6755]

I’m only halfway through, but so far this is my favorite episode.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

The designation Tomahawk was used for the Piper PA-38. Most people might associate it more with the Tomahawk Cruise Missile - (TLAM) Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.

[@jackberry893]

Hi Mat, maybe the term "taking to a tree" doesnt mean to climb up but maybe to take cover behind the tree, especially given the slow reloading times of the guns at the time. Just a thought

[@user-ef4gf7rr9r]

I'm from what used to be called Minisink! In the eighteenth century, some S's are written using an F. Also, "treed" is very likely them hiding behind trees, which were very large. Also, at that time, there was a string of small defensive forts along the Pennsylvania frontier in that region, and the Delaware and Shawnee raids were pretty fierce. Edit: Having gotten further into the video, I wanted to add that Rogers Rangers record double-loading with buck and ball. They were fighting from behind trees and from within arm's length of one another. I really doubt they're talking about climbing trees, though, because the trees were so large it would have been hard to get a low branch. The forest was mature enough at that time that you could ride light cavalry through because the canopy was high and dense enough to block out light to the understory and discourage growth. Also also, a lot of the British-allied natives at that time had sworn off cannibalism (it was part of the Iroquois religion to do so) and were actually relatively Anglo in their way of life in some places. Whereas a lot of the French-allied tribes were still openly cannibals; many of them had come in from the French trading posts in the far west. There's a lot of nuance to all of this, of course, but that's some broad brushstrokes.

[@SlavicCelery]

S is not written as a f. The bar doesn't pass all the way through the vertical line of the letter. It looks similar but the script is different.

[@user-ef4gf7rr9r]

@@SlavicCelery I mean, I’m talking in broad brushstrokes. And in moveable type, I imagine you use what you have in hand. Can you show me where I can learn more?

[@SlavicCelery]

@@user-ef4gf7rr9r Off the top of my head, I'm not sure. I spent a lot of time in primary sources with colonial American history. And you notice stuff about the font. The first letter of a word will not be the alternative style. Nor will the last letter of a word (in my experience). There's a number of styles that are used both in print and handwritten. But the center bar doesn't pass through fully. Once I realized that, it made reading handwriting of the period much easier.

[@SlavicCelery]

@@user-ef4gf7rr9r I think finding the exact answer is nearly impossible. It's sort of like explaining why people may or may not put a center line through a 7. I wasn't taught that method, but it makes it easier to read when I look back through my notes. So I picked it up back in high school.

[@MasterPoucksBestMan]

Regarding the pistols at closer range, I'm willing to bet after discharging both pistols, they'd turn them around and use them like double clubs, maybe one to parry the bayonet and the other the strike. Those pistols weren't all that short. Most were almost as long as the tomahawks. So, basically, they were tomahawks as well, more like the original wooden/stone tomahawks.

[@wingardwearables]

Great video! I have researched a lot of tomahawk accounts but hadn’t thought to look up British newspapers. Most of the historic accounts I found are in county histories documenting violence on the American frontier.

[@spartiate567]

"Boarding axes" were a common weapon on warships in the age of sail, and they typically had a spike opposite the blade.

[@stazz316]

This is fascinating. Youre the man for unearthing stuff like this, Matt.

[@jackdelvo2702]

When an eastern woodland native would go in for an all out final assault the hawk was to breach your enemy’s defenses and disable him while knocking him to the ground like a bird of prey and then us the scalping knife while upon him. Thus the use of the small maneuverable axe. The larger longer hawks from the photos are later versions used by the plains natives to be used mostly from horseback.

[@foggcm]

Tomahawks were regularly mentioned in firsthand accounts compiled in the book "Frontiersman" by Allan W. Eckert

[@martingreen2018]

Hi Matt love last of the Mohicans film, although the book is hard going. Strangely just sharpening my little Prandi. Thank you for your research and sharing with us. Happy Christmas/Yule/saturnalia.

[@texasbeast239]

KwanzaaHannuMasSticeNalia

[@netravler1]

When I head to the wild, I always carry a tomahawk with me. Light, fast, sharp, and very handy for chores or last ditch combat if needed.

[@danieltaylor5231]

Not gonna lie. This has me wanting a Townsends/scholagladiatoria crossover.

[@donsal.t.1765]

Yes

[@darthkek1953]

Ah, you are a man of culture as well I see.

[@daveybernard1056]

13:23 "immediately treed" sounds like the combatants went into cover in a forest setting, right before the shooting could begin. As opposed to standing out in the open like more conventional military troops.

[@rogerlacaille3148]

This was incredibly fascinating! I have read all of the Leatherstocking tales( last of the Mohicans being a part)and find the stories you related so in keeping with information gleaned from those tales...More tales please sir 😏...also,in reference to your mentioning about the throwing of the tomahawk,this practice..correct me if I'm wrong...went back even to the days of the Gauls/Celts fighting the Romans,where they threw hatchets...and the Romans riposted with plumbatta😏

[@andreweden9405]

Oh my goodness, Matt, you are spoiling me pulp-rotten with these last two videos! Thank you so much! Where to even start!!...😃 As a Hoosier, I could literally just type a mini book here about accounts of tomahawk usage on the Indiana frontier! But I will restrain myself, and just mention three things: When George Rogers Clark besieged the British-held fort at Vincennes in 1779, a hunting party of American Indians (probably Delaware and/or Kickapoo) unwittingly fired their rifles as they returned just to signal to their British allies that they were back. Well, they were promptly captured by Clark's militia. The British, which were mostly comprised of Native allies, plus about 30 regulars, were under the command of Governor General Henry Hamilton. He, and this garrison, had been sent down from Detroit to take Vincennes back from the American garrison who had already taken it over previously. Vincennes was actually a French town, but had come under nominal British control following the French and Indian War in the 1750s and '60s. Well, long story short, in a typically dark example of frontier violence, Clark ordered the Indians to be tomahawked right in front of the British garrison. Of course this seems gratuitous, and it was. I won't get into the political nuances of Clark's decision other than to say that is was also a calculated one. Following this gruesome execution, the men's bodies were thrown into the Wabash. Regarding the aforementioned governor general, Henry Hamilton, he is also an interesting character. He was actually Anglo-Irish (probably Protestant), and I don't believe that he even held any official title in the British military. I'm pretty sure he was just a civilian commander, hence the "governor general". But he was also a very talented artist, and sketched many pictures, including some portraits of Native Americans whom we would never have known what they looked like were it not for Hamilton. He was also given the dubious nickname "Hair Buyer" Hamilton due to the rumor among the Americans that he was paying Indians for American scalps. However, even though I believe you are erroneously "both-sidesing" the torture issue, especially when it comes to burning at the stake, I do believe that this is nothing more than anti-British/anti-Hamilton propaganda. Nonetheless, after capturing the fort, and taking Hamilton's sword, due to this belief on the part of the Americans, Clark had him put in irons like a common criminal, and taken back to Virginia. Speaking of the tomahawk again: Hamilton was well-known for being very engaged with the Native American population, very friendly with them, and very interested in learning their ways. It's said that he took part in two different ceremonial dances (again, knowing the area, I would assume Kickapoo or other Wabash tribes) in which he, as the honored guest, was obliged at the end to strike the (already-severed) head of an animal with a tomahawk. At one dance, it was the head of a black bear, and at the other, the head of a buffalo. And he did it. Finally, as a Midwesterner, I was very honored that you mentioned the Battle of the Wabash in 1791. Like you said, it was the worst defeat of American forces in history, even worse than Little Bighorn in 1876, yet very few Americans are aware of it. Well, there was actually a precursor to that battle right here in Indiana the previous year in 1790. It is known as the Battle of Pumpkin Field because the cold weather caused the freshly scalped heads of the dead Americans to emit steam, and to the Indians this looked like pumpkins in a pumpkin patch. Dark stuff. By the way, the young American government would exact revenge on the Indians in 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, which, like St. Clair's Defeat, took place in present-day Ohio.

[@karllambert2350]

So many frontier battlefields here in Indiana...

[@andreweden9405]

@@karllambert2350 , For sure!

[@enlilofnippur8409]

Slight correction: “Native American” is not universally preferred over Indian, or is “indigenous,” though both are fairly common misconceptions among Europeans/European-descent Americans. My maternal grandmother was Eastern Band Cherokee and considered Native American perhaps not offensive but incredibly annoying because everyone born in America is a “native” American. If you don’t know the name of the tribe/band - which is always preferred because there is a lot of heterogeneity - while there are differences in preference among individuals “American Indian” is generally the preferred term.

[@nunyabidniz2868]

And yet if you use the recognized contraction "Amerind," most people wouldn't have a clue what (who) you're talking about... And of course, having grown up at a time when 50% of Hollywood's output was westerns, people look at me funny when I disambiguate by specifying "East Indian" when discussing someone from the subcontinent...

[@citrusblast4372]

I guess its just case by case thing, some people care and some dont just as long as the point gets across.

[@taianonni]

Of all my family, and the nations around me, I've not heard a preference towards "American Indian" in 10-15 years other than maybe the government's usage. All other times I've heard Native or First Nations (Canadian term)

[@frekitheravenous516]

NOT among "Europeans/European-descent Americans". Among LIBERAL "Europeans/European-descent Americans". There IS a difference.

[@marcustyrone3950]

"Native American" Is anyone, (regardless of color/colour or features of race) that was born on the continent of America. I was born here! I am a Native American! My "foreign" ancestors conquered the land from the people that came before them. Just like the then subjugated, conquered the land from others. The U.S. Government gets bent if you pick up a "native" arrowhead, but they don't want to give the land back, now do they? Modern American Indians are no more Native than most Americans. Fact is according to U.S.A. law? You have to be "native born" to be eligible or even think about becoming The President of the U.S.. Most this modern "Native American" talk is only used to create division and as an excuse to not get on board with the times. The "indians" would have been conquered by somebody sooner or later. If not by eachother. Just like the Picts, Celts and all other tribes on every continent. Many Americans have "ancestors" barried in OUR land now. It's sacred to all us American's. People need to get over it. How many generations have to be, before one becomes "native"? My ancestors didn't do anything different than their ancestors, accept with better weapons. The pitty party needs to stop for them.

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

Lewis “Death Feather” Wetzel was taught to load a musket on the run. Noted warrior who was respected by the american indians. Many of my family live in Wetzel County, West Virginia.

[@jockjammer3443]

In my reenacting days I had learned that loading a musket while running is easy. Priming it and firing... not so much.

[@TheSimpleMan454]

Was gonna mention this. Keep the barrel upright and pour, then drop the ball in. But yeah, priming is a bear unless you're well situated and steady. Firing while running? Never tried it.

[@MichaelJohnson-mo4em]

19:48 you made the best point of what you should do before narrative. Hatchet job on the tomahawk.

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

There are remains of small Native American mines copper are all over the Appalachian mountains, so I imagine copper tomahawks were hardly unknown, by the time Europeans arrived.

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

While there is some archeological evidence of copper axes in Europe, like Otzi's axe, it likely required smelting techniques to make a decent copper axe. To my knowledge, the copper found in the appalachian mountains was cold hammered and mostly ornamental. The Inca and Purepecha (Western Mexico) were able to make Bronze weapons, though.

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

@@hypothalapotamus5293 Native American metallurgy is something I would not have even known existed, were it not for KZbin. So much for college!

[@davidkiser5250]

FIRST VIDEO of yours I've watched. Enjoyed-well researched.

[@robertoflores4546]

Can you do more episodes like this where you read to us Americans more bed time tomahawk stories? We love them. 👍🏼

[@MardukGKoB]

In the battle you cover where hostages inside the walls were to fight while their comrades attacked outside, part of the account refers to a soldier wounded in the head by a tomahawk and then stabbed in the stomach. Given that the classic tomahawk form encourages gripping at the end of the haft for maximum leverage in the swing, and isn't configured for two-handed use, it makes sense to hold a second weapon for defense or to follow up on an opening created by an attack with the tomahawk. If they weren't using any kind of shields, I think a small second weapon is the most effective way to go.

[@andrewrobertson3894]

A long time ago, I read a book that described how (possibly during the First Indian War) English soldiers would be forced to enter these enormous, almost prehistoric forests in pursuit of their enemies and that sometimes, they would not see daylight for over a month, with the canopy etc being so dense and untouched that they existed in a perpetual twilight for weeks at a time, constantly under threat of being sniped and ambushed. Wish I could recall the title or author. Anyway. As you were.

[@FatBoy42069]

So from my understanding as an American who grew up with a dad who was part of a historical society and re-enactments. Tomahawks are specifically a small axe that is pressure fitted to the shaft using a loop attachment rather than a tear drop or hammer style fitting. Making a tomahawk easier to fit with out wedges to keep the head in place. And caught on quickly with the settlers because of the obvious advantages or something like that being easier to fix maintain and carry for longer distances.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

I'm half native & to us "treed" means to take cover behind the trees. This was a staple fighting technique of our people.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

It can also refer to animals being chased up trees such as raccoons etc. Though in the context it was used if should mean to take cover behind.

[@ufc990]

No it wasnt

[@emmitstewart1921]

@@JCOwens-zq6fd In my readings, in hunter's language, a treed animal is synonymous with a trapped animal. What usually happens is that the hounds chase an animal until it takes shelter up a tree. The hounds then take position around the trunk, and by their barking, lead the hunter to the tree, where he brings the animal down with his rifle. No woodsman worth his salt would climb a tree to evade an enemy, especially when armed with a musket. The flash and smoke from a musket would immediately give away his position and he would be shot down before he could reload. Leaves and branches offer no protection from a volley of musket balls.

[@xXSPADEGG]

@@emmitstewart1921 Not climbing the trees genius, using them as cover for incoming arrows or musket fire.

[@emmitstewart1921]

@@xXSPADEGG That is what I have been trying to say. Climbing a tree makes no sense.

[@EgaoKage]

You are correct in concluding that "treeing", in the US, refers to having been forced to climb a tree, in an attempt to escape some danger. The term is still used today in rural areas, where dogs are allowed far more freedom and often chase small animals up trees. A particular favorite amongst such dogs, would be the raccoon. Though, sometimes even bears are "treed". I wonder if allowances-made for issuing tomahawks in military regiments, were in place to accommodate those who were formerly trappers or frontiersmen?

[@joelcopeland3018]

I really enjoyed your reading of historic text... great topic,,, well done... cheers... p.s. I think the main target was the head because a strike to the body would cause the weapon to get entangled in the clothing making recovery more difficult.

[@Mottleydude1]

“Tree’d” meant they had the individual trapped behind a tree used as cover to avoid being shot. Another source I’d recommend with primary sources on this topic would be the Lyman Coopeland Draper collection archived at The University of Wisconsin, Madison. One of the accounts I read on the topic of tomahawks was from an American Settler who had been captured by the Ottawa’s during Pontiac’s Rebellion. In the account the Ottawa’s accompanied by a few British Regulars had captured a group of settlers and we’re driving them to Detroit. At the end of the days march they stopped to camp for the night. While setting up camp the Ottawa warriors set up a cauldron of water over a fire to boil. They then went to the prisoners and separated out three pregnant women from the group who had struggled to keep up with the party. In front of the other prisoners the pregnant women were stripped and the warriors cut their bellies open with their tomahawks, dressed the fetuses and threw them into the cauldron of boiling water as the woman lay dying. Several of the male prisoners tried to intervene they cut their arms off with their tomahawks and threw them into the cauldron too. When arriving at Detroit and asked by British Officers why they did it the Ottawa told them matter of factly that they had been on the warpath most of the summer and were returning home and were hungry and had not had any meat in a long time.

[@davidk6269]

5:52 this style of Tomahawk reminds me somewhat of the ancient Chinese dagger-axe weapon.

[@stevenpremmel4116]

I didn't know about the British Newspaper Archive. I've been researching riding officers (feel free to do a video on them!) so this has been really helpful.

[@jambutty2218]

Read Bury my heart at wounded knee. It's tragic and moving.. I'm going for Last of the Mohicans after watching your show. So glad I found your channel recently. Excellent work..

[@Ratigun]

This is my favorite video. I love hearing the historical account.