The dress and adornments are similar in each engraving. They suggest John Horse's Seminole heritage, without implying any particular rank as a warrior (he was working for the U.S. at the time, after all). Overall, his appearance recalls George McCall's assessment, upon re-meeting John Horse in 1842:

"Yesterday morning before breakfast, [I saw] 'Gopher John,' who has grown up from a long-legged, ill-looking negro boy to a fine-looking fellow of six feet, as straight as an Indian, with just a smile of red blood mantling to his forehead. He dresses remarkably well, and has altogether a jaunty air that would fix your attention at sight."

(1 of 3 details on these images)