Native reenactors for New Orleans?

A call to arms! To all able bodied warriors and white men in Indian Country.
A new company is being formed for thepurpose of defending America from that scourge ofEnglish aggression. Major General Pushmataha needs all those warriors who are interested in defending the southland at the major engagement that will soon be had at New Orleans when the English land their ships and troops to attempt to impose their will upon bothours and the American’s lands. We have given our word that we hold in honor to our American brothers and weintend to make good on our promise to help them defend their lands. A company of Indian militia is being formed at present to attend the battle at New Orleans and other sites of interest in an attempt to put the English in their right and proper places. Join now, come and aid in the fight to come. War honors, gifts and loot are to be had to all those who come to fight. Who will go with me to help our American brothers win this fight,who will go with me to teach the English a lesson that they will not soon forget and a fight that songs will be sung for generations to come? Now is the time to join, many English scalps await the hatchet and scalping knife of our bravest warriors, you but need to walk in the path of war with me and we shall be victorious!
The Americans are but a young nation, but with the help of our old sovereign Indian nations we shall help them become great and help them gain the strength that they need to become an old nation as we are. Come brave warriors, come red brothers, let us go to war and let us dance the scalp dances after the victory! I am the one called Apushmatahaubi, the one who brings death to his enemies, the one who stepped forth from the oak fully formed with hatchet and scalping knife in hand. I will lead us to victory and to many prizes of war, come with me!Apushmatahaubi, Mico ant Okla Hannali ChahtaTuska Chitto ant Amahican.(Pushmataha)Leader of the Six Towns Choctaws War General of the Americans
The “modern” call:
At present I am trying to form a company of “Indian Militia” as was such that the “Indian General” andChoctaw chief Pushmataha lead during the War of 1812. The militia will be comprised primarily of Native reenactors dressed as Indians (i.e. frock coats orshirts, leggings, breechcloths, mocs) armed with muskets/rifles/tomahawks and scalpers, but formed up into companies of militia that will adhere to the basic drill of American militia. I realize this is fairly short notice, but only recently was the decision to have the battle of New Orleans reenactment in light of the Katrina disaster made once again. This event is a crucial event in regards to living history and also is important as it will help form a modern link to the importance of a multitude of various groups of people coming together to save New Orleans. It is in direct parallel to what is happening down there at this very moment. The event is January 6-8 of 2006. It is also a great opportunity to portray an aspect of history that has not been displayed since it was originally enacted, that of a significant Native military force serving under “modern” military tactics to accomplish the feat of helping win a major military victory. It is known that Pushmataha drilled his warriors (who numbered some 700 or so Choctaws, Chickasaws and Cherokees) in the white military tactics of the day. They were so effective at learning and conducting the military drill that they were commended on many separate occasions for their bravery and gallantry under fire. That is a sight that will turn some heads, Indians serving in a line company of militia, and with your help as a reenactor in the company, we could be one of the best militia groups ever seen!
The company would also be complemented by any“American” reenactors who wished to portray “Indian country men” – those whites who were living amongst the Indians in their territory at the time, who were serving alongside them because they had a tie either by marriage or by affiliation. This company also has the chance to attend other events of the period other than the Battle of NewOrleans, but what that all depends on is who and how many people wish to join up.
Requirements as far as dress and accoutrements are pretty easy to attain and most folks doing Native reenacting already can easily fit into the role. There is ample documentation of what these men carried and the fact that they were paid as members of the“Mississippi Militia” adds to the idea that these were paid soldiers, not just an Indian rabble.There are no dues, there are few rules, this isn’t a political organization of any kind, I’m just trying to form up a company of militia to attend some really cool events and do a really cool portrayal of an integral period of Native American history.
If you’re interested, please contact me atnitaiskatene@yahoo.com for more information. If you know anyone who might be interested but has not received this, please forward it to them.
Please, inquire only if you’re seriously interested and would be able to firmly commit to at least attending the Battle of New Orleans reenactment in January.Thank you most sincerely, David B. Wells dit Nitaiskatene but now aka Pushmataha:-)