Finding Aid for the H.S. Halbert Letter, 1881 September 24
MS-2291University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN
Encoded by: Elizabeth Dunham, June 29, 2006.
Summary Information
H.S. Halbert Letter
Date/Date Range : 1881 September 24
0.1 linear feet
Abstract: In a September 24, 1881, letter to Mr. Berlie in Pennsylvania, historian H.S. Halbert writes about his ethnographic and archaeological work among the Choctaw Indians in Neshoba County, MS. He speaks of attending a "ball play," overcoming the suspiciousness of the chief and members of the tribe, and finding difficulties in locating "antiquities."
MS-2291
University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN
Access and Use
The Special Collections Library purchased this collection in June of 2000.
Collection is open for research.
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
[Identification of Item], H.S. Halbert Letter, MS-2291. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder.
Biography / History
Henry Sale Halbert (1837-1916) was born in Pickens County, AL, on January 14, 1837, and grew up in Lowndes County, MS. After receiving an M.A. degree from Union University (TN) in 1857, Halbert served as a soldier with the Texas state troops, guarding the frontier. With the dawn of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army, fighting with the 6th Texas Cavalry. After seeing combat at Corinth and Hatchie Bridge, the 6th Texas Cavalry served with the Army of Tennessee during the Atlanta Campaign. Halbert was severely wounded at New Hope, GA, on May 16, 1864, and returned to duty just before the war's conclusion.
After the Civil War, Halbert taught at Waco University (now Baylor) from 1866 until 1872, and at other institutions throughout Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi from 1872 until 1884. From 1884 until 1899, Halbert performed educational work among the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi, learning about their traditions and customs. Using this knowledge, Halbert became one of the nation's leading authorities on the Choctaws, publishing articles for publications such as American Antiquarian and The American Anthropologist. He also co-edited a dictionary of the Choctaw language and co-wrote The Creek War of 1813 and 1815 with T.H. Ball (Chicago: Donohue & Henneberry, 1895; Special Collections Call Number E83.813 .H15).
Collection Scope and Content Note
In a September 24, 1881, letter to Mr. Berlie, H.S. Halbert writes about his ethnographic and archaeological finds amongst the Choctaw Indians in Crawford, MS. Halbert tells of attending "one of their ball plays," describing it as the "great game of the red man." He also talks of difficulties he faced upon first arrival, and the ways in which he has obtained the trust of the Choctaw people.
Expressing disappointment in his difficulty locating "antiquities," Halbert discourages Mr. Berlie from traveling to Mississippi to perform an archaeological dig in the area. He talks of his interest in the Nanih' Waia Mound, but states that he knows that "there is not sufficient archaeological interest to justify you in coming all the way from Pennsylvania."
Halbert also tells of a manuscript he is writing from the information he has gathered. He informs Mr. Berlie that research for the manuscript will continue next summer when he returns to Mississippi.
Subject Terms
- Halbert, Henry Sale, 1837-1916.
- Choctaw Indians -- Social life and customs.
- Choctaw Indians -- Mississippi.
- Mississippi -- Mississippi -- History -- 19th century.
Contents List
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Letter to Mr. Berlie from H.S. Halbert in Crawford, MS, 1881 September 24 Scope Note: Selected Portions of Letter:
"I made two excursions down into the Indian Country. There are about 500 Choctaws living in Neshoba County. They still keep up many of their primitive customs. While there I attended one of their ball plays. Some day I will give you a full description of this great game of the red man."
"I acquired a great deal of information while down there and I have employed an Indian there to collect information for me, as I expect to go down there again next summer. "
"The Indian is a suspicious creature and has been bamboozled so much by the whites that they were very suspicious of me at first. I subsidized one of them, and tipped several of them, the chief among others, until I carried my point. "
"I have made an arrangement with a Mr. Welsh of Neshoba to collect some Choctaw war songs, which an old Indian there knows. I collected several traditions and myths and some fragmentary information. "
"While I am gratified at the bonanza I have struck in the Indian line, I have accomplished nothing in the way of antiquities. People sometimes tell me of localities where antiquities may be found, but when I visit the place, I find the antiquities are natural formations. And right here to be candid and conscientious with you, I can not advise you to visit this country on an archaeological tour. For I know there is not sufficient archaeological interest to justify you in coming all the way from Pennsylvania, and I would not wish you to be disappointed. "
"I send you by this mail a box of relics. All were found in Oktibbeha County, except the bird shaped relic and a small flat fine corned stone, looking much like a half used up piece of soap. I send you this stone because such pieces of smooth flat stone were used by the Choctaws in smoothing off the outside of pottery. Mr. Welsh, who was raised among them and perfectly familiar with their language and customs, tells me that he has often seen these smooth flat little stones in use by them in smoothing off the outside of pottery whilst engaged in manufacturing it. How much this has been worn in use, I am unable to say. "
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