=Military Organization=: Although it is not known for certain, it
seems likely that the groups of men called _pnieses_ constituted
an elite military society that provided leadership in battles
as well as being a policy-making body. Boys with the proper
characteristics—courage, strength, stature, endurance, honesty,
discretion, and courtesy—were trained from childhood to endure
hardships in preparation for becoming a pniese. When they were of the
proper age they were initiated into the society in a ceremony which
involved physical ordeal and supernatural experience.[468] Pnieses
performed feats of great courage and boldness and were considered
to be immune to wounds by enemy weapons. These were the leaders in
battle—the men who carried long spears.[469]
=Defensive Fortifications=: Winter villages were often fortified
against attack. Fortifications were pallisade and ditch
constructions. A pallisade consisted of upright poles of some ten
to twelve feet high, set into the ground as close as possible. On
the inside a breast-high ditch was dug, and dirt thrown up against
the base of the uprights provided further protection during combat.
Spaces between the poles served as loopholes. The fort had one or
two entrances, depending on its circumference. These were formed by
overlapping the ends of the wall.[470]
Forts varied considerably in size, and probably there was also
variation from the above structural specifications. Sizes ranged from
enclosures of about fifty feet across to areas of several acres.[471]
The smaller fortified areas were probably meant for the use of small
groups when away from the main community, perhaps during the hunting
season. Thick woods and swamps also served as refuge areas for women
and children in wartime.[472]
=Ordnance=: Weapons consisted of bows and arrows, clubs, and
tomahawks. Knives were used for taking trophies. War leaders carried
long spears. When guns, swords and other European war machines had
been introduced into North America, these also were used. Wampanoag
fortifications were not so effective against the guns as they had
been against bows and arrows.[473]
=Uniform and Accoutrement=: The uniform of the Wampanoag was his war
paint, described in the following passage: “When they goe to their
warres, it is their custome to paint their faces with diversitie of
Colours, some being all black as jet, some red, some halfe red and
halfe blacke, some blacke and white, others spotted with divers kinds
of colours....”[474] In addition, wampum and other ornaments were
worn into battle.[475]