Rifle Pits, Shelter Pits, and Entrenchments in the Trans- Mississippi West: Suggestions for Archaeological Study and Analysis

Description

A common perception of military engagements in the Trans-Mississippi West is one of a running fight between antagonists or hit and run tactics of Indians versus the Anglo-American encroacher. A review of the historic literature relating to the Indian War era demonstrates that various types of earthworks were used as defensive measures at forts and encampments as well as in combat situations between various antagonists. An interesting sidelight is that Indians did construct and utilize several types of entrenchments in much the same manner as the AngloAmerican combatants. Limited archeological investigation of earthworks in the TransMississippi West demonstrates that the earthworks constructed by Anglo-Americans, specifically soldiers, were not hasty or haphazard as is the common perception. They were constructed according to procedure outlined in various military guides of the period. Native American breastworks and earthworks were also constructed in manner consistent with cultural knowledge of the terrain and need for concealment in conflict situations. A behavioral model for archeological investigation of “hastily constructed” earthworks is presented.