FIW and bows

[whill4]

Good morning esteemed gentlemen. How common was the use of bows and arrows by the native tribes fighting in the French and Indian War?

Thank you,

Wayne

[fergal]

I'm no scholar, but I read nothing but FIW books for about 1.5 years trying to find out everything I could about the period (I moved to the area and was fascinated AND a gamer, so that's what you do right?).

I have yet to read ANY accounts of anyone using a bow in combat during the FIW.  Giving the natives muskets was one of the best ways to secure allies and keep them dependent on the Europeans. 

[Malamute]

I would still expect to see bows being used alongside muskets, albeit in reduced numbers. I can't imagine they would have dropped them entirely in favour of firearms. I am sure some warriors may have carried one or even both.

[whill4]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

(I moved to the area and was fascinated AND a gamer, so that's what you do right?).

I would expect nothing less fergal. 

Thanks again.

[mikedemana]

Although the native Americans quickly adopted the musket when given a chance, the bow did not entirely disappear. However, when supplies of powder grew short, the tribes quickly complained to the French or British that they were starving because they did not have enough ball and shot to hunt with. If they had kept up proficiency with the bow, they would not have been in as desperate of straits. That said, some of this lamenting was poetic license, of course, painting themselves as needy as possible to encourage generosity on their benefactor's part.

Another example of the bow not entirely dying out was that Tecumseh's brother was injured in the eye while practicing with a bow. This is even after the French & Indian War period, so bows were still around. I would think that younger or unproven warriors might be more likely to have a bow, while the more experienced braves would have a musket.

One final point is that some tribes had less access to trade with the French & British, so might have a higher likelihood of warriors armed with bows.

Hope this helps...!

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

[Landsknecht]

During the FIW, muskets were the primary range weapon.

During the Pontiac Rebellion, bows were more in fashion do to shortages of muskets and a religious movement that pushed for the old ways.

[FifteensAway]

One must also account for the musket being present for a century or more and bow making and bow use skills would have declined to a great degree for many.  This applies to the north east - further west and south east, not so much.

Though within my reading and memory of same, I only recall a couple of instances of use of bow and arrow - and flaming arrows in particular being used and I'm pretty sure both instances were in the south and during the AWI.  And probably wielded by European heritage versus native heritage individuals.  Can't recall any FIW reading that included bows and arrows - at all.  Doesn't mean it did't happen, of course. 

For what it's worth.

[SotF]

Although the native Americans quickly adopted the musket when given a chance, the bow did not entirely disappear. However, when supplies of powder grew short, the tribes quickly complained to the French or British that they were starving because they did not have enough ball and shot to hunt with. If they had kept up proficiency with the bow, they would not have been in as desperate of straits. That said, some of this lamenting was poetic license, of course, painting themselves as needy as possible to encourage generosity on their benefactor's part.

Another example of the bow not entirely dying out was that Tecumseh's brother was injured in the eye while practicing with a bow. This is even after the French & Indian War period, so bows were still around. I would think that younger or unproven warriors might be more likely to have a bow, while the more experienced braves would have a musket.

One final point is that some tribes had less access to trade with the French & British, so might have a higher likelihood of warriors armed with bows.

Hope this helps...!

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com

With the cherokee, one of the things that would have pushed more towards muskets is that, for them, making a good bow from scratch was something that would take up to 3 years to make with lots of that being cure times, and a lot of their villages were essentially torched over the course of the French & Indian War which wrecked a lot of their materials for it. Even canoes would take 6 months or more depending upon the size due to the processes needed there because it involved long periods of times to burn and dig out the wood used for it.

Bullets also required less work to make than arrows or darts.