This area saw the most warfare during the 1600s and 1700s. By the 1800s most of the tribes in the delta had moved further west or had been severely depopulated to the point that their nation numbered a couple hundred members or less. The dominant European power in the area during the 1600s and 1700s tended to be the French. However despite growing British influence, it would be a diplomatic move rather than a military defeat which would end French control along the Mississippi. At the end of the French and Indian War, the French avioded turning over Loiusiana to the British by signing a secret treaty with the Spanish. Spanish Loiusiana would see few military conflicts. As stated earlier, by the time the Americans obtained control of the Loiusiana territory most of the Native Nations had lost any capability to conduct military operations. A few local tribes would contribute volunteers to USA and Confederate armies later during the American Civil War. Some military actions of the Chickasaw and Choctaw after 1820 and even a few before can be found in the section covering Oklahoma and Arkansas. In my opinion, one of the most significant military events of the region was the Chickasaw War. It is my intention to do a separate article about this war.

In military matters Native nation tactics of the region was similar to other areas. Combat was common between hunting parties who encountered each other in disputed hunting grounds. Large warparties were rare, though more common after the French began using Native allies in their military expedition and the Chickasaw began their hugh Slave raids. In regards to equipment, the traditional weapons quickly gave way to European imports. Bone, stone and iron knives were replaced by steel ones. The warclub declined in use being replaced by the steel tomahawk but was available for Home defense and use by traditional warriors. Lances and long spears were commonly used in pre-contact warfare. The lance was a common home defense weapon being thrust through openings of the palisade at the attackers. Javlins were used by several tribes.

The bow was used for hunting large game and in warfare. The size and type of wood for the arrow and arrowhead material was dependent on the prey. Europeans actually made steel arrowheads to trade with the local tribes which replaced other types of material. Though there were rumors of poisoned arrows being used most historians consider the use of poisoned arrows as being rare. The effectiveness of cane bows and arrows should not be discounted. Several battle reports indicate that arrows would penetrate a horse on one side and exit the other side. Also one report (Garcilaso) states that a cane arrow only hardened by fire (no metal point) penetrated the horse three inches after penetrating the saddle tree, pad and passing through the riders leg. Arrow quivers were often made of hide. The musket quickly replaced the bow.

Other weapons which were common in pre-contact warfare were the atlatls, blowguns, slings. Several tribes used atlatls against DeSoto's and Narvaez's expeditions. The Blowgun, due partly to the abundance of cane were popular in this region. Blowguns were used mainly for hunting but were used in home defese and had an effective range of 20-50 feet. Slings were also used to attack the early Spanish explorers in the region. Shields were also common in the South. Most were woven tightly of cane and considered so effective that a Spanish crossbow arrow would not penetrate it. Other less effective shields were made of animal hide. They were either round or oblong in shape and varied in size from a smaller buckler to a almost man-sized oblong shield. Bodyarmor was not common in this region. A last comment on palisades and even European stockades of the region. Often there were small gaps between logs which allowed the defenders to fire out. Only a very few palisades had ramparts. As a result, if the attacker could gain control of the wall, then would have a clear field of fire into the town.

More Native American: Mississippi River Valley, its Delta and the Northern Gulf Coast

Introduction
Sketch of Native Nation Characteristics
Chronology of Native American Nation Conflicts