A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer / Comprising ancient and modern military technical terms, historical accounts of all North American Indians, as well as ancient warlike tribes; also notices of battles from the earliest period to the present time, with a concise explanation of terms used in heraldry and the offices thereof. The work also gives valuable geographical information. Compiled from the best authorities of all nations. With an appendix containing the Articles of war, etc.

by Thomas Wilhelm

Nehannees. A name given to a number of tribes who inhabit the head-waters of the Yukon, Mackenzie, and Stickeen Rivers. By the late George Gibbs, they are of a low grade and little is known of their peculiarities or numbers. They consist of the Abbatotena, who inhabit the basin of the Pelly and MacMillan Rivers, and are called by the Hudson Bay people “Gens du Bois.” The Mauvais Mondi, inhabiting basin of Francis Lake. Architotena, called Sicannees by the Hudson Bay people, inhabit the head-waters of the Deas and Laird’s Rivers. The Dahotena, inhabiting the head-waters of the Stickeen, and the Iahko-tena, in the basin of the Lewis River.

Chilkahtena. Inhabit head-waters of rivers that rise near the head-waters of the Chilkuht that flow north into the Yukon. They are bold and warlike; number about 500; are middlemen traders between the Chilkhut Ihlinkets, who do not allow them to descend the Chilkhut, and interior tribes.

Jnahnkutchin. Number about 800, and live in basin of Jenanah River, the principal tributary of the Yukon, are nomadic, live on deer, and trap fox and sable for trade; are regarded by their neighbors, whom they visit annually for trading purposes, with fear and terror.

Kutchkutchin. Number about 400, and inhabit about 350 miles of the Yukon valley.

Natsitkutchin. The “Gens de Rats” of the Hudson Bay people; occupy the north side of the Porcupine; number not known.

Inkuthkutchin. 250 in number; inhabit south bank of Porcupine.

Hankutchin. Number not known; occupy 300 miles of Yukon valley that is densely wooded.

Intchuon Kutchin. Very numerous, “the Gens de Foix” of the Hudson Bay people; occupy the basin of the White, the Lewis, and the Stewart River; they are of nomadic habits, amiable and remarkably honest. They trade with the Atna River Indians.

Ihlinkets. A stock of Indians inhabiting the islands of the Alexander Archipelago from lat. 60° N. to the head or north end of Vancouver Island. They are essentially maritime and commercial; they travel entirely by canoes, in which they make voyages hundreds of miles in length. They live in fixed villages, always built upon the shores of bays or rivers in the most substantial manner of heavy timber, often showing great mechanical skill, and frequently arranged with regard for capacity for defense. They own slaves, cremate their dead, and are industrious and frugal as well as cruel, warlike, and aggressive in their nature.

Yakutats. Numbering about 350; inhabit the coast from Mount St. Elias to Mount Crilton, their principal village being at Port Mulgrove, Behring’s Bay. They cure salmon to live upon, hunt the seal and sea-otter for trade. They eat the blubber and flesh of the whale, and often voyage as far south as Fort Simpson, in lat. 54° N.