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James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820, part 1

Note 083 — {52} CHAPTER III

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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.

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