Native American War Clubs

What is a War Club?

Native American tribes used war clubs in close-in, hand-to-hand
fighting. These could be fatal at close range.

Description of War Clubs

War clubs’ lengths varied, as well as their style and construction. Some had a spiked ball at the end, the spikes being made of metal, stone or bone. Others had sharp stone edges. Another style was made of a jawbone, either from a buffalo or a horse. And some clubs, such as a tomahawk, could be thrown.

In the early 1800s, the Southeastern Creek tribe made war clubs from white oak or hackleberry, usually between two and three feet long. Because they resembled the shape of a gun, they were called the “Gunstock Club.” A steel or iron blade was added where a gun’s lock would be. One hard whack on the head with this club could easily kill a man.

The Red War Club

During the Creek War (1813-1814) in Alabama, the Creek faction that opposed the settlers was called Red Sticks because their war clubs were painted red. To paint them this color, dyes were used from one of the following:

• The pokeberry plant’s red juice
• The puccoon plant’s root
• A soft red stone found in Alabama

SOURCES

“Facts and Information about Native American War Clubs.” The American History.org  Last accessed February 29, 2023. A look at the Native American War Clubs Native Americans (theamericanhistory.org)

Halbert, Henry S. “The Creek Red Stick.” Alabama Historical Reporter 2, May 1884.

Moore, Ethan. “Cherokees of the Creek War (1813-1814).” National Park Service, Published August 2017. Cherokee of the Creek War (1813 – 1814) (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

“Red Sticks.” Wikipedia. Last accessed February 29, 2023. Red Sticks – Wikipedia

Waselkov, Gregory A. A Conquering Spirit. Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press, 2006

Yost, Russell.  “Creek Tribe Weapons.” The History Junkie. Published August 11, 2022. Last modified October 30, 2023. Accessed February 29, 2023, Creek Tribe Weapons – The History Junkie