Posted by Rich/Mohican Press on March 11, 2001 at 06:22:22:
ABOVE: From elsewhere on this site, Trudy, our Mohican friend, and neighbor for seven years.
Indians were renowned for their hit & run tactics. Population density, or lack of, and perhaps a healthy dose of good common sense, made the European tactic of massed volley, at close range, unthinkable. Frontal assault was just about always out of the question, though I can think of a few, desperate, situations where that tactic was used. By & large, though, there were no Cold Harbors in Indian warfare.
The Commanche were called, by a US Cavalry officer, "the world's best light cavalry." They struck a deadly, unsuspecting blow, and galloped off. It was their way. It was braver to touch a live enemy with one's coup stick, than to actually kill that person. You had to be in VERY close range to touch a live victim with a short stick ... You could shoot, and kill a man, from a safe distance, even before the rifle.
In Eastern warfare, the tribes successfully used the hit & run on the colonists over & over. Eventually, the colonists became adept at these manuevers themselves and used them on the British in the War for Independence. And, the British learned to use them, as well.
Hit & Run, as practiced in warfare, can be a very good thing.
Hit & Run can also be a cheap, and safe, way to perform a cowardly act. We've been on the wrong end MANY times. False names, false E-Mail addresses, no response, gang-up tactics ... some, or all (and more) of these techniques have been employed against us through the years over various subjects that seem to irk a certain sector of the Internet "community." None of these topics provokes more "hit & run" against us (well, there may be one) than the topic of Mohicans. Trouble is, they carry no coup sticks.
We've seen it over & over. They tend to come in flurries; there is a self-righteous, all-knowing, tone to them; they attack, out of willful ignorance, and then flee. They will not stand on open ground and debate ... maybe even learn. They are cowards, plain & simple ...
This past week's "No Subject" post, by R. Bowman, may or may not fit into this category ... I'm not quite sure, myself. So, on the following morning when I first read the post, I fought off the urge to respond. Seamus & Elaine later did a fine job. So, my comments are not necessarily directed at Miss/Mr. Bowman ... They ARE directed at those who delight in sending us E-Mail along similar, but more pointed lines ...
They often go something like this:
"Don't you know we Mohicans are still around? Why do you pretend we are not for your own profit? We have histories you should read by the Mohican people ... blah, blah, blah. Cooper was a racist. Are you?"
When we reply ... we NEVER, I repeat, we NEVER ... hear from that same person again. It is sickening madness.
First of all, if anyone wants to know what this site is about, there's really no reason, barring laziness or instigation, to post a query on a bulletin board, or even to send an E-Mail. If I want to know what a site is about I follow the following complicated procedure:
1 - I go to the site's home page.
Period. Any site worth visiting will let you know right there. If one goes to our home page, it is made CLEAR that this site was inspired, first & foremost, by the locations in a movie. How political is THAT? It says that, very clearly, in the very first paragraph. Yes, we go on to say that we will cover all kinds of other things RELATED. And we do ... in an effort to provide an educational & meaningful web site. Clearly, though our focus has always been on the movie made by Michael Mann. We also have a "Mission Statement" on the site. So, yeah, we did some histories. I guess because I'm 100% Italian, I am only qualified to do a history on Ceasar ... or maybe Joey Gambino? Ah HA! You have not reckoned with Lainey ... she of English, French, German, Delaware, Shawnee, Dutch, AND Italian descent. Catch that in there smart-asses? Delaware & Shawnee. Those, by the way, are American Indian tribes. She, however, doesn't run around yelling, "I'm part Indian," at every inopportunity ... So, my question to the know-it-alls ... In YOUR histories, how do you deal with the European? I hope, for accuracy's sake, you bring in a Frenchman to write the French parts, an Englishman for the English ... oh, and by the way, I certainly hope that you, as a MOHICAN, don't presume to speak for the Shawnee ... please, allow Lainey to handle that. Oh, and PLEASE don't mention Columbus without clearing it with ME first, OK? Thanks for your cooporation.
Oh, what BULL!
Then there's the little matter of a book, called "The LAST of the Mohicans." Boy, has that title got some folks all in a "hissy fit." "Tore out of their frame," as they say in these parts. Give me a break! Yes, Virginia, there ARE Mohicans ... still. Hold the presses, we didn't know! We should have, having had one for a neighbor for seven years, but in our racistly-bent views we conveniently ignored that fact to perpetuate an agenda filled lie on the unsuspecting World public. I ask you, WHERE on this site does it say that we think there are no longer any Mohican Indians alive today? Where? If you would take the time to REALLY find out what this site is about ... as if you cared ... you would find information to the contrary, but I won't bore you with minor details like that. "The Last of the Mohicans." A literary work that has captured the imaginations of millions of people, over the span of 175, or so, years, been made into numerous motion pictures, and has kept alive, more than ANY other single factor, the name of Mohicans ... Like any good piece of literature, it makes grand use of symbolism ... the "last of the Mohicans" symbolizes the dying race.
I ask you, what is wrong with that? History is filled with speeches by American Indian chieftains that carry that same theme ... and concern ... for the future of their people. This was not Cooper's cockamaymied, off the wall, conjecture ... He wrote a book that spoke of a path that was being followed ... the dying of a race. Before and after, many others, Indian & not, have spoken of the same. Have you ever read the preface to "The Last of the Mohicans"? Cooper makes crystal clear that he uses Mohicans to mean various tribes, including the rather numerous Delaware. SURELY, you don't mean to say that Cooper, and all those proponents of his work, really believed there were no more Delaware Indians. You jest, right? Ha Ha! GOOD joke!
Now, this site is not really about the book anyway, for the most part. As I've said, it's about the film, before it's about anything. The film ... hmmm ... same name, so I presume, same offense? Yet, Russell Means, who can turn ANYTHING into a racist point of view claims it is one of the very best films dealing with Indians ever made. Just this week, we received the following message ...
"Hello-
My name is [omitted] I am Cheyenne from Oklahoma, I had pulled
into a site last year some time-I do believe this is the same site, but
it looks entirely different.I like your site-especially for the fans and
folks that live there, not to mention those of us that were involved and
cast in this remarkable story. This is truly a testament to this
beautiful country that attributed to the making of this graet story-I am
still amazed that I lived herefor a short period in my life and will
never forget that time-I was in total awe the entire time I was
there-the people were so warm, receptive, friendly and wish to come to
the next reunion whenever that takes place. I was cast as one of the 13
Mohawk core members and stayed in Camp Mohican, even rented a little
chatuea kinda room on a highway to Lake Lure-I can't remember the name,
but had a unforgettable experience while in your part of the country"
truly God's country" as well asAshville and the surrounding area during
the entire filming of this unforgettable epic story. I know you must
take a great sense of pride being involved in this history making event,
and your website is absolultly wonderful. I have been searching for some
dear frens I became very close too during filming, I lost their address
and contact info. I was wondering if you could help me to relocate them.
Their names are [omitted] they live or lived in Morgantown at
the time we shot this. I appreciate any and all help in helping me find
them.
Ha`Ho (Thank you)
Cheyenne"
So, I'd like to know, what is the problem? Whatever it is, I'd get over it and be thankful there is a tribute to your people out there, with longevity, to keep all aware of your existence. It does so much more elequently than your rants and illogical raves ...
Speaking of, as long as I'm venting, remember that post a week or two ago? About purchasing an Eric Schweig mask recently? It went on to say how this wonderful woman helped her make her purchase and offered us a photo to put in our gallery? Guess where THAT came from? I tracked the IP ... it originated from Knoxville, Tennessee. Those of you who have been here for years will see the "coincidence" there. If the person were genuine, I would think they'd have contacted us privately, not soley through a public post. It was an advertisement, nothing more. Neither here nor there ...
Talk about Hit & Run!
Anyway ... a few other, unrelated notes ...
Read a bit about the cook book idea, though I must confess, I did not read it all, so I may have missed some important points. Ros has contacted us privately, as well ... We have no problem with the idea. Just keep in mind that Ann had originally projected a booklet to come out of the various recipes sent her way for the potluck. So, perhaps you should get in touch, and collaborate, with her on that.
Once again, congratulations, and much success, to you, Bea, on the publication of your book!!! You deserve any good it might bring to you! We might not be here, still, if not for your support, insight & friendship over the years.
Our work continues on "The Companion Guide ..." Just for your info, the tentative chapter names are:
A Shoney’s Morning ............................ 5
From The Mohicans’ Land To
MohicanLand ....................................... 10
Locations: Rediscovered .......................... 21
Virtual Community Or Virtually A Nightmare? .......................................... 81
Trails & Trivializations Of Trials & Tribulations ...................................................... 101
Stars & Swipes ........................................ 125
Off The Beaten Trail; Wilderness Survival Techniques ........................................... 150
Inside The Interviews ........................... 175
A Gathering Grows ............................ 275
The Voice From Within ....................... 300
Accommodations Updated ................... 325
More Notes ........................................ 337
Credits & Thanks .................................. 340
Page numbers are constantly changing, and it appears the book will be even longer than expected (300 pages). It's been fun!
Christina Berry, who used to run the Wes Studi Fan Site, now has another, and she recently spoke with Wes. The site presently features the Q & A ... Follow the link ...