Note 083 — {52} CHAPTER III
Reading edition
What we have called base in the following statement is in reality the length of a line passing over the top of the mound, from the termination of the base each side.
The numbers refer to a draft. The heights are estimated, with the exception of two.
No. 2. A square with a hollow way, gradually sloping to the top; or, in other words, a hollow square open behind.
Base 50 feet.
Height 5
Distance N. from the Spanish bastion 259
No. 3. An oblong square.
Longitudinal base 114
Transverse base 50
Length at top 80
Perpendicular height 4
Distance from No. 2. N. 115
No. 4. An oblong square.
Longitudinal base 84
Longitudinal top 45
Perpendicular height 4
Distance N. 251
Nos. 2. 3. and 4. are each about 33 ordinary steps from the edge of the second bank of the river.
No. 5. An oblong square.
Longitudinal base 81 feet.
Longitudinal top 35
Perpendicular height 4
Distance W. 155
No. 6. Different in form from the others. It is called the Falling Garden, and consists of three stages, all of equal length, and of the same parallelogramic form: the superior stage, like the five succeeding mounds, is bounded on the east by the edge of the second bank of the river: the second and third stages are in succession on the declivity of the bank, each being horizontal; and are connected with each other, and with the first, by an abruptly oblique descent.
Longitudinal base 114 feet.
Longitudinal top 88
Transverse base of first stage 30
Transverse height of first stage 5
Declivity to the second stage 34
Transverse surface of second stage 51
Declivity to the third stage 30
Transverse surface of third stage 87
Declivity to the natural slope 19
No. 7. Like the three succeeding ones, conical.
Distance northward 95
Base 83
Top 34
Height 4½
No. 8. Distance about N. 94
Base 98
Top 31
Height 5
No. 9. Distance about N. 70
Base 114
Top 56
Height 16
No. 10. Distance about N. 74
Base 91
Top 34
Height 8 or 10
No. 11. Nearly square, with a large area on the top (a brick house is erected at the S.W. corner). The eastern side appears to range with the preceding mounds.
Distance 158 feet.
Base 179
Top 107
Height W. side, say 5
Height S. 11
Height E. 15 or 20
No. 12. Nearly square, westerly a little N. from No. 7. and distant from it 30 feet.
Base 129
Top 50
Height 10
No. 13. A parallelogram, placed transversely with respect to the group.
Distance 30 feet.
Distance from No. 5. N. 10 W. 350
Longitudinal base 214
Longitudinal top 134
Transverse base 188
Transverse top 97
Height 12
No. 14. A convex mound, W. 55
Base 95
Height 5 or 6
No. 15. Together with the three succeeding ones, more or less square.
Distance N.W. 117 feet.
Base 70
Height 4
No. 16. Distance N. 10 E. 103
Base 124
No. 17. Distance N. 78
Base 82
No. 18. Distance, N.N.E. 118
Base 77
The mounds from 14. to 18. inclusive, are so arranged as to describe a curve, which, when continued, terminates at the larger mounds, Nos. 15. and 19. No. 19. A large quadrangular mound, placed transversely, and with No. 13., ranging in a line nearly parallel to the principal series (from 2. to 11.)
Distance N.N.W. from No. 13. 484 feet.
Distance E.N.E. from No. 18. 70
Base 187
Top 68
(By measurement) Height 23
No. 20. A small barrow, perhaps two feet high, and of proportionably rather large base, say 15 or 20 feet.
No. 21. A mound similar to the preceding, same height. West of No. 16., base 25 feet.
No. 22. Quadrangular.
Distance West from No. 16. 319 feet.
Base 73
No. 23. A mound of considerable regularity; but, owing to the thickness of the bushes, we cannot at present satisfy ourselves of its being artificial, though from its corresponding with No. 25. we suppose it to be so.
No. 24. Appears to be an irregular mound 10 or 12 feet high, and 145 feet base.
No. 25. Distant N. 10 E. 114 feet; and following this course 132 feet, we arrive at an elevation on its margin, as is also the case with No. 24., and which we have numbered 26.
No. 26. Of which the base is 89 feet, and height 10 or 12.—It is distant W.N.W. from No. 26., 538 feet.
No. 27. Is the largest mound, of an elongated-oval form, with a large step on the eastern side.
Distance N. from No. 26. 1463 feet.
Longitudinal base 319
Longitudinal top 136
Transverse base 158
Transverse top 11
Step transversely 79
Height by measurement 34
At the distance of a mile to the westward, is said to be another large mound. —James.
Comment by Ed. These mounds have been effaced by the growth of the city. The map of them prepared by Long's party was not published until 1861; it will be found on page 387 of the Smithsonian Institution Report for that year.