Opechancanough was by no means backward in taking advantage of the
repose afforded by the treaty of 1632. For the long period which
elapsed between its conclusion and his final effort, in 1644, he
was industriously occupied in making preparations for a renewal of
hostilities. An opportunity at length presented itself for executing his
long-cherished purpose. The colony was involved in intestine dissensions.
An insurrection had taken place in consequence of the unpopularity of the
governor, and at a moment when the people were occupied with internal
disorders and heedless of danger from without, their great enemy struck a
powerful and almost fatal blow.
He was now advanced to extreme old age, being supposed to have numbered
nearly a hundred years, but the powers of his mind were still so
vigorous, that he was the leading spirit of a confederacy embracing
all the Indian tribes distributed over a space of country six hundred
miles in extent. Unable to walk, he was borne in a litter to the scene
of action (April 18th, 1644,) and thus led his warriors to the attack.
Such was the skill with which his measures had been concerted that the
whole force of the Indians commenced their operations upon the entire
line of the frontier at the same instant of time, with the intention of
carrying a war of extermination down to the sea, and thus annihilating
the colony at a single blow. In two days, five hundred persons had fallen
in the massacre. Of course, every operation of industry was instantly
abandoned, and all who were able to bear arms were embodied to oppose
so terrible an invasion. Governor Berkeley, at the head of a chosen
force, consisting of every twentieth man in the colony, marched into the
enemy’s country, and thus gave him the first check. Of the details of the
campaign, in consequence of the confusion and distress prevailing at the
time, no details are furnished by the contemporary historians. Beverly’s
account, the only one which survived the ravages of the time, is meagre
and unsatisfactory. One result of the war, however, is sufficiently well
attested, since it terminated the horrors of the season. This was the
capture of the aged Opechancanough, who was surprised and taken prisoner
by a squadron of horse under the command of Governor Berkeley, who
forthwith conducted him in triumph to James-Town.
It was the governor’s intention to have sent this remarkable person
to England; but he was shot after being taken prisoner, by a soldier,
in resentment of the calamities he had inflicted on the province. He
lingered under the wound for several days, and died with the pride and
firmness of an old Roman. Indignant at the crowds who came to gaze at
him on his deathbed, he exclaimed; “If I had taken Sir William Berkeley
prisoner, I would not have exposed him as a show to the people.” Perhaps
he remembered that he had saved the life of Captain Smith, and forgot the
numberless instances in which he had exposed other prisoners to public
derision and lingering torture.
After the decease of their great enemy, the colonists had no difficulty
in concluding a treaty with the Indians, which gave tranquillity to the
province for a long term of years.
[Illustration]