CHAPTER VI

BACON'S REBELLION

For many years Virginia had been at peace with the neighboring

Indians.[472] The long series of wars which had filled most of the first

half of the seventeenth century had broken the spirit and power of the

Pamunkeys, the Nansemonds and the Nottoways.[473] The remnants of these

nations had become dependent upon the English, paying them tribute and

looking to them for protection from their enemies.[474] In 1675,

however, these friendly relations were disturbed by a southward movement

of some of the northern Indians. Large bodies of the warlike Senecas,

pressing upon the Susquehannocks at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, were

driving them down into Maryland and Virginia. Here their indigence and

their restlessness became a menace to the whites and an element of

disturbance to their relations with the other tribes.[475]

In the summer of 1675 a party of savages rowed across the Potomac river,

committed several murders and made good their escape into Maryland.[476]

In anger and alarm the planters of Stafford county seized their arms to

protect their homes and to avenge their neighbors. A band of thirty or

more, led by Colonel Mason and Captain Brent, pursued the savages up the

Potomac into the Maryland woods.[477] Coming in the early dawn upon two

diverging trails, "each leader with his party took a separate path". "In

less than a furlong either found a cabin", one crowded with Doeg

Indians, the other with Susquehannocks. The king of the Doegs, when he

saw his hut surrounded by Brent's men, "came trembling forth, and wou'd

have fled". But Captain Brent, "catching hold of his twisted lock, which

was all the hair he wore", commanded him to deliver up the men guilty of

the recent murders. "The king pleaded ignorance and slipt loos",

whereupon Brent shot him dead. At this the savages in the cabin opened

fire, and the Virginians answered with a deadly volley. "Th' Indians

throng'd out at the door and fled." "The English shot as many as they

cou'd, so that they killed ten ... and brought away the kings son." "The

noise of this shooting awaken'd th' Indians in the cabin which Coll.

Mason had encompassed, who likewise rush'd out and fled, of whom his

company shot ffourteen."[478]

This unfortunate affair was the beginning of a deadly war between the

English and the Indians, which brought untold suffering upon the people

of Maryland and Virginia. The Susquehannocks, enraged at the slaughter

of their warriors, became the most implacable enemies of the white men.

Joining with the other tribes in a league against the English, they

began a series of outrages and murders which continued many months, and

cost the lives of hundreds of men, women and children. During the year

1676 alone, more people were butchered in Virginia by the savages than

fell in the massacre of 1644.[479] This fearful mortality was due to the

fact that the Indians were now supplied with firearms. Governor Berkeley

and his friends, in their greed to secure the valuable beaver and otter

skins, had not hesitated to purchase them with powder, shot and

guns.[480] The savages had now almost entirely discarded the bow and

arrow, and were so skilful with their new weapons that the English often

hired them "to kill Deare".[481] So that when the war cry was once more

heard upon the frontier, the savages, although less numerous than in the

days of Powhatan or Opechancanough, were far more to be feared.

It was Maryland that first felt the resentment of the savages.

[Illustration: MAP OF

VIRGINIA

DURING BACON'S REBELLION]

The people of this province had taken no part in the attack of Mason and

Brent, but the Susquehannocks were not in the humor to make nice

distinctions. In seeking revenge for the murder of their braves they

held all whites equally guilty, and fell immediately upon the nearest

plantations. Thus were the Marylanders made to suffer for the rashness

of the Virginia frontiersmen.

Feeling that it was his duty to aid the neighboring province in this war

brought on by the hasty action of two of his own officers, and fearing

that depredations upon the Virginia frontiers could not long be

prevented, Sir William Berkeley decided to join Governor Calvert in a

vigorous attack upon the savages. Colonel John Washington,

great-grandfather of George Washington, at the head of several hundred

men, was despatched across the Potomac to effect a junction with the

Maryland troops.[482] The combined forces of the two colonies are said

to have numbered "neer a thousand men".[483]

Unable to withstand this army in the open field, the Indians fell back

upon a fort which they had erected upon the north bank of the Potomac,

and here awaited the approach of the English. Their fortress had been

constructed with such care and skill that the white men were unable to

carry it by storm. The outer works consisted of lines of tree trunks,

from five to eight inches in diameter, "watled 6 inches apart to shoot

through", their tops firmly twisted together. Behind this was a ditch,

and within all a square citadel, with high walls and "fflankers having

many loop-holes". The fire of the red-skins from behind these works

proved so deadly that hopes of a successful assault had to be abandoned.

Nor could breaches be effected, for the allies were not provided with

heavy guns. The moist and swampy ground surrounding the fort made it

impossible to approach by means of trenches.[484]

So the English cast their camp before the fort hoping to starve out the

enemy. Lines were drawn about the place, as closely as the nature of the

ground would permit, while boats patrolled the river to cut off escape

to the Virginia shore. Fearing, no doubt, that lack of provisions would

soon make it necessary for them to come to terms with the besiegers, the

Indians sent out several of their leaders to treat for peace. But so

deep was the animosity aroused by the recent murders, that the white men

violated the flag of truce by detaining these envoys, and finally

beating out their brains.[485] This flagrant act aroused the Indians to

a desperate defense. In numerous sallies they inflicted severe loss upon

the besiegers, and captured enough horses to supply themselves with

food. At last, after six or seven weeks of fighting, they resolved to

effect their escape. On a dark night, when the English were least

expecting it, they sallied forth, bringing with them their women and

children. Awakening the white men with their savage yells, they burst in

among them, killing and wounding many, and before resistance could be

made, were through the lines and gone.[486]

And now the Virginians were made to pay dearly for their part in this

ill-managed affair. Early in January, 1676, the Susquehannocks crossed

the Potomac and came plundering and murdering through the frontier

counties.[487] Separating into small bands, the Indians fell upon the

more isolated plantations, and in a few days had killed no less than

thirty-six persons. Those whose wretched fate it was to be captured,

were put to death with all the tortures that devilish ingenuity could

devise. Some were roasted, others flayed alive. The sufferings of the

victims were long and protracted, while the savages knocked out their

teeth or tore off their nails or stuck feathers and lighted wood into

their flesh.[488]

In terror the people of the frontier began to desert their homes,

seeking shelter in the more populous settlements.[489] In a few weeks

one parish, upon the upper waters of the Rappahannock, was reduced from

seventy-one plantations to eleven.[490] Those that remained were

concentrated upon the largest farms, which they fortified with palisades

and redoubts.[491]

When the news of these atrocities reached Sir William Berkeley, hasty

preparations were made for an expedition against the invaders. Sir Henry

Chicheley was put at the head of forces of horse and foot, with orders

to give immediate pursuit to the savages. But just as all was in

readiness and the command to march hourly expected, the Governor decided

that the expedition should be abandoned. Chicheley's commission was

annulled, his forces disbanded and the soldiers sent to their

homes.[492]

What induced Berkeley to take this strange step none could tell. The

murders of the savages were continuing. The frontier was defenseless.

Messages were coming from the exposed plantations imploring aid. Why

should he desert the people and expose them to the fury of the Indians?

It is possible that he detected symptoms of mutiny among the troops and

thought it better to abandon the expedition than to run the risk of a

rebellion. He was well aware of the discontent of the people, and his

letters to England show that he dreaded an insurrection.[493] The

unhappy planters ascribed the Governor's strange conduct to avarice. He

and his friends had a monopoly of the Indian trade, and it was hinted

that he preferred to allow the atrocities to continue rather than

destroy his source of revenue. He was determined, was the cry, "that no

bullits would pierce beaver skins".[494] More probable seems the

explanation that Berkeley hoped to prevent further depredations by the

help of the Pamunkeys and other friendly tribes, and feared that an

invasion of the Indian lands might defeat this purpose.[495]

But an Assembly was summoned in March and instructed by the Governor to

take immediate measures to secure the frontier.[496] Acting, no doubt,

under Berkeley's influence, the Assembly resolved not to carry the

conflict into the enemy's territory, but to wage a defensive war. Forts

were to be erected upon the upper waters of the great rivers, and manned

with regular troops as a protection to the outer plantations. To defray

the cost, new and heavy taxes were put upon the people.[497]

This last act of the Long Assembly caused bitter dissatisfaction. The

border counties had hoped that provision would be made for an expedition

against the Indians. No headway could be made unless the whites took the

offensive and hunted down the savages in their own villages. The

erection of forts was useless.[498] The Indians would experience no

difficulty in avoiding them in their murderous raids. They could

approach the remote plantations, or even those far within the frontiers,

without fear of detection by the soldiers, for the numerous swamps and

dense woods afforded them ample covert. It was not intended that the

forts should be used as bases for expeditions into the enemy's country;

nor could the soldiers leave them to pursue and punish the plundering

savages. What then, it was asked, could be the value of fortresses, if

they were to defend only the ground upon which they stood?[499]

The event proved the people right. The forts, when built, were but

slight obstacles to the invasions of the Indians. The murders became

more frequent than before. The impotency of the defenses of the colony

seems to have inspired them to more terrible and vigorous attacks. The

cry against the forts became more bitter. "It was a design," the people

thought, "of the grandees to engross all their tobacco into their own

hands".[500] As the cries of their women and children grew more piteous

and distressing, the men of the frontier spoke openly of disobedience.

Rather than pay the taxes for the accursed forts they would plant no

more tobacco. If the Governor would not send an expedition against the

Indians, they themselves would march out to avenge their wrongs. The

forts must be dismantled, the garrisons dismissed.[501]

From all parts of the colony came the insistent demand that the

Assembly, which had so long been but a mockery of representative

government, should be dissolved and the people given a free

election.[502] But Berkeley was not the man to yield readily to this

clamor. Never, in all the long years that he had ruled over Virginia,

had he allowed the rabble to dictate his policies. He would not do so

now. When petitions came from the frontiersmen, asking leave to go out

against the Indians, he returned a brusk and angry refusal.[503] A

delegation from Charles City county met with a typical reception from

the irritable old man. As they stood humbly before him, presenting their

request for a commission, they spoke of themselves as the Governor's

subjects. Upon this Berkeley blurted out that they were all "fools and

loggerheads". They were subjects of the King, and so was he. He would

grant them no commission, and bade them be gone, and a pox take

them.[504] Later he issued a proclamation forbidding under heavy

penalties all such petitions.[505]

Unfortunately, at this juncture came news that large bodies of Indians

were descending upon the upper waters of the James, and that another

bloody assault might soon be expected.[506] In terror and anger the

people of Charles City county seized their arms, determined to repel

this threatened storm, with or without the Governor's permission.

Parties went about from place to place beating up volunteers with the

drum. The magistrates were either in sympathy with the movement, or were

unable to prevent it.[507] Soon a considerable body of rough, determined

men were assembled, awaiting only a leader to march out against the

enemy.

This leader they found in one of the most interesting and picturesque

characters in Virginia history. Nathaniel Bacon is depicted as

twenty-nine years of age, black-haired, of medium height and slender,

melancholy, pensive, and taciturn. In conversation he was logical and

convincing; in oratory magnetic and masterful.[508] His successful

expeditions against the Indians and the swift blows he directed against

the loyal forces mark him as a military commander of no mean

ability.[509]

Bacon was almost a stranger in Virginia, for he had left England less

than two years before.[510] He was fortunate, however, in having a

cousin, also named Nathaniel Bacon, high in the favor of Sir William

Berkeley.[511] It was doubtless through the influence of this relative

that the young man attained a position of great influence, and was

appointed to the Council itself.[512] But submission to the will of the

imperious Governor was the price paid by all that wished to remain long

in favor in Virginia. Bacon did not approve of Berkeley's arbitrary

government; he disliked the long continuation of the Assembly, the

unjust discriminations, the unusual taxes, the incapacity of officials;

and it was not in his fiery temper to conceal his opinions. Soon, it

would seem, the frowns of the Governor began to fall upon him, and he

grew weary of coming to Council.[513]

Bacon had made his home in Henrico, at that time one of the extreme

frontier counties. His marked ability, his liberal education, his place

in the Council soon gave him a position of great influence among his

rough but hardy neighbors. None could be better suited to assume command

over the desperate volunteers that had gathered in Charles City county.

But it was a very serious step to accept the leadership of this band

which had taken arms in defiance of the Governor's commands. It would

expose him to the charge not only of disobedience, but of open

rebellion. Bacon, however, like all that dwelt upon the frontiers, was

angered at the inadequate protection given by the government. When news

came to him that depredations had been committed upon one of his own

plantations, and that his overseer had been killed, he was eager to take

revenge.[514]

Now some of Bacon's friends, as anxious as he for an Indian expedition,

and thinking him most proper to conduct it, suggested his name to the

volunteers. The men were quite willing to accept so influential a

commander, but it was not so easy to persuade Bacon to take the

dangerous place. He consented, however, to row across the river, and

visit the soldiers in their camp. Here the men gathered around him, and

with joyous shouts of, "A Bacon! A Bacon!" proclaimed him their leader.

His friends pressed him to accept. They would, they said, accompany him

on his expedition. If the Governor ordered them to disband, they would

defy him. "They drank damnation to their souls", if they should prove

untrue to him. Touched by these proofs of confidence, and fired perhaps

with ambition, the young man yielded, and Bacon's Rebellion had

begun.[515]

From the very first the movement assumed the character of an

insurrection.[516] Amid the hearty applause of his rough followers,

Bacon spoke of the negligence, the incapacity and wickedness of the

government. Their betrayal into the hands of the savages was but one of

many grievances. The laws were unjust, the taxes oppressive. Something

must be done to redress these wrongs and to end misgovernment.[517] And

as the poor people flocked in to him, he listed their names in a huge

round-robin and bound them to him by an oath of fidelity.[518]

A message was dispatched to the Governor to request a commission

authorizing the expedition against the Indians.[519] But Bacon promised

his men that if Sir William withheld his assent, he would lead them

forth without it; and in the meanwhile, without waiting for the

Governor's reply, he crossed over into New Kent, "a county ripe for

rebellion", where he expected to strengthen his position and perhaps

attack the Pamunkeys.[520] This nation had for many years been friendly

to the English, and had more than once given them invaluable assistance

against other Indian tribes. Their present queen was the widow of

Tottopottomoi, who had been killed while fighting as the ally of the

white men against the Richahecrians.[521] They now occupied land

allotted them by the Assembly, upon the frontier of New Kent, where, it

was supposed, they would act as a protection to the colony against the

raids of hostile tribes.[522] When the Susquehannocks began their

depredations Governor Berkeley expected valuable assistance from these

allies, whom he termed his "spyes and intelligence" to search out "the

bloody enimies".[523] But the Pamunkeys not only failed to check the

invasion of the Susquehannocks, but seem to have joined with them in the

work of bloodshed and pillage. The people of the frontier believed that

almost all the Indians were leagued together for their ruin. The

Pamunkeys, they were sure, had taken part in the recent atrocities. And

as they were their close neighbors, knowing all their customs and all

their habitations, they were especially fitted for the work of

destruction. The New Kent planters were now impatient to march out

against them to take revenge for the recent horrible murders. But the

Pamunkeys, upon hearing of Bacon's approach, deserted their reservation

and took refuge in the wilderness.[524]

It is not hard to imagine the Governor's anger when he heard of these

proceedings. Despite the testimony of the frontiersmen, he had refused

to believe the Pamunkeys guilty, and he still relied upon them for

assistance against the Susquehannocks. Bacon's proceedings, in

frightening them from their lands, upset all his plans of defense. Yet

had the volunteers contented themselves with attacking the Indians, it

is conceivable that Berkeley would have yielded. But when they took up

arms without his permission, put themselves under the command of a

discontented Councillor, and demanded redress of grievances from the

government, it was necessary for him to resort to repression. The

commission was refused and a proclamation issued denouncing Bacon's

conduct as illegal and rebellious. He and his men were offered pardon,

but only on condition that they lay down their arms, and return

immediately to their obedience.[525]

But the mutineers would not obey. Are we, they complained, to return

passively to our homes, there to be slaughtered by the savage foe? The

Governor has given us no protection. The Indians are coming. Already the

blood of our butchered relatives cries aloud to Heaven. We hope we have

still enough English blood in our veins to think it more honorable to

die in fair battle with the enemy, than to be sneakingly murdered in our

beds. If we lie still, we are destroyed by the heathen; if we defend

ourselves, we are accounted rebels and traitors. But we will fight. And

if we must be hanged for killing those that will destroy us, let them

hang us, we will venture that rather than lie at the mercy of our

barbarous enemies. So, turning their backs upon the plantations, they

struck out into the dense woods.[526]

When Berkeley heard that his authority was still defied, and his pardon

rejected, he was resolved at all hazards to compel obedience. Gathering

around him a party of three hundred gentlemen, "well armed and mounted",

he set out, on the third of May, to intercept the rebels.[527] But

learning, upon his arrival at the falls of the James, that Bacon had

crossed the river and was already far away, he decided to encamp in the

frontier counties and await his return.[528]

But he sent out a party under Colonel Claiborne to pursue the Pamunkeys,

and induce them, if possible, to return to their reservation. The

savages were found entrenched in a strong; position, "encompassed with

trees which they had fallen in the branch of an Impassable swamp".[529]

Their queen refused to abandon this retreat, declaring that since the

Governor had not been able to command the obedience of Bacon, he could

not save her people from his violence. But she promised that the

Pamunkeys should remain peaceable and should take no part in the raids

of the Susquehannocks. "Of this the Governor was informed, who resolved

not to be soe answered but to reduce her and the other Indians, soe

soone as Bacon could be brought to submit."[530]

On May the tenth Berkeley issued a new proclamation. The taking of arms

by Bacon, he said, against his wishes and commands, was an act of

disloyalty and rebellion. If permitted to go unpunished, it would tend

to the ruin and overthrow of all government in the colony. It was his

duty to use all the forces at his command to suppress so dangerous a

mutiny. Should the misguided people desert their leader, and return to

their allegiance, he would grant a free and full pardon. And as

Nathaniel Bacon had shown himself by his rash proceedings utterly

unworthy of public trust, he suspended him from the Council and from all

other offices held by him. It was amazing, he said, that after he had

been Governor of Virginia so many years, and had done always equal

justice to all men, the people should be seduced and carried away by so

young and turbulent a person as Bacon.[531]

But although Berkeley was determined to suppress the rebels by force of

arms, the attitude of the commons in other parts of the colony became so

threatening that he was forced to make some concessions. To the great

joy of the people he dissolved the unpopular Long Assembly, and ordered

a new election. It was with sorrow, he declared, that he departed with

the present Burgesses, who had given frequent proof of ability and

wisdom. But the complaints of many inhabitants of the long continuance

of the old Assembly had induced him to grant a free election. And if any

man had grievances against his government, or could accuse him of

injustice or bribery, he was to present his complaint by his Burgesses

to the Assembly, where it would be examined.[532]

It was indeed time for the Governor to act, for the rebellion was

spreading to the older and more populous counties.[533] The people there

too were denouncing the forts, and demanding redress of grievances. Some

began to arm, and it seemed not improbable that the entire colony might

soon be ablaze. Hastening back to his residence at Green Spring, he

sought to appease the people by dismantling the obnoxious forts and

dismissing their garrisons.[534]

In the meanwhile Bacon was making his way through the woods southward

from the falls of the James in pursuit of the Susquehannocks that had

committed the recent murders upon the frontier.[535] These savages had

not attempted to return to their homes north of the Potomac, but had

retired to the country of the Occaneechees, where they had entrenched

themselves in two forts.[536] The Occaneechees dwelt in the southernmost

part of Virginia, near the site of Clarksville.[537] They are described

as a stout people, and the most enterprising of traders. Their chief

town, situated upon an island in the Roanoke River and defended by three

strong forts, was "the Mart for all the Indians for att least 500 miles"

around.[538] The beaver skins stored in this place at the time of

Bacon's expedition are said to have valued no less than £1,000.[539]

Persicles, their king, was reported to be an enlightened ruler, "a very

brave man & ever true to ye English".[540]

It was toward this island that Bacon led his men. But a quest for Indian

allies took him far out of his route. Everywhere he found the savages

reluctant to aid him, even those nations that had formerly been most

friendly to the English now holding aloof from them. This embarrassed

him greatly for he had relied upon receiving aid from several tribes,

and his food was not sufficient for a long march. As the little army

went further and further into the wilderness, they began to face the

possibility of starvation. When at last they approached the Occaneechee

country and received promises of aid from Persicles, their provisions

were nearly exhausted.[541]

Upon reaching the Roanoke the English crossed the north branch of the

river and encamped upon the Occaneechee island.[542] To his deep

satisfaction, Bacon found Persicles embroiled with the Susquehannocks,

and already preparing for their destruction. When these wanderers from

the north first came to him, Persicles had received them with kindness

and had relieved their needs. But they, "being exercised in warr for

many years with the Senecaes, and living on rapin, endeavoured to beat

the Ockinagees of their own Island".[543] Persicles had defeated them,

however, and forced them to take refuge in their two forts.[544]

Now the Susquehannocks, in their southward march, had subdued and

brought with them some members of the Mannakin and Annelecton

tribes.[545] These savages, although they lived with their conquerors,

had no love for them, and were quite willing to join in any plan for

their destruction. Persicles, it would seem, was plotting with them to

surprise and cut off the Susquehannocks, when Bacon appeared with his

men. Fearing, no doubt, that the participation of the English in the

attack would render secrecy impossible, Persicles left them on the

island, and went out alone against the enemy.[546] The Mannakins and

Annelectons proved true to their allies and the Susquehannocks were

easily defeated. Persicles returned in triumph, bringing with him

several prisoners. These he wished the English to execute, but they

"refused to take that office".[547] Thereupon he himself put them to

death with all the usual Indian tortures, "running fyer brands up their

bodys & the like".[548]

But now the friendship of Persicles and the English came abruptly to an

end. The Berkeley party afterwards claimed that Bacon deliberately

picked a quarrel with his allies, and attacked them without

provocation.[549] It would be unjust, however, to place too much

confidence in these charges. Bacon's men found themselves in a most

critical situation. They were many miles from the plantations,

surrounded by the savages, their provisions exhausted. Persicles, they

asserted, had failed to keep his promise to supply them with food. He

was assuming a threatening posture, manning his forts, and lining the

river bank with his warriors. For Bacon to retreat from the island under

these circumstances, would have exposed his company to destruction. To

remain passive was to starve.[550]

As the English became more insistent in their demands for food,

Persicles retired to one of his forts, and refused further conference.

Many of the savages, seeing hostilities imminent, deserted their cabins

and began to rush in through the entrances of their fortresses. But

Bacon interposed his men, and succeeded in shutting out many of

them.[551] Now from the Indians across the river came a shot, and one of

the English fell dead.[552] Instantly Bacon ordered a general attack.

The defenseless men, women and children left in the cabins were

mercilessly butchered. At the same time fire was opened upon the forts.

The soldiers rushed up to the portholes, and poured their volleys

directly in upon the wretched savages.[553] A hideous din arose. The

singing and howling of the warriors was mingled with the moans of the

dying. Fire was set to one of the forts, in which were the king's wife

and children. As the flames arose, three or four braves made a dash for

safety through the line of the English. All others in this fort,

including the king's family, perished amid the burning timbers.[554]

The next day the fight was continued from morn till night. Several times

the savages sallied forth from their remaining forts, and placing

themselves behind trees, opened fire upon the English. But Bacon's

frontiersmen were accustomed to this method of warfare. So well were

they posted and so cleverly concealed, that most of the enemy were

picked off as they stood. At last Persicles himself led forth a party of

about twenty men in a desperate attack upon his enemy. With great

bravery they rushed around the English in a wide circle, howling and

firing. But they too were unsuccessful. Persicles was killed. Several of

his men were shot on the bank of the river, and fell into the water. Of

all this party seven only were seen to escape.[555]

It now seemed hopeless for the Indians to fight further. With their king

and many of their warriors dead, and with one of their forts in ruins,

their ultimate destruction was certain if they remained upon the island.

So, with their women and children, they deserted the remaining forts and

escaped. How they managed to slip past the victorious white men and make

their way across the river is not explained. Thinking it best not to

follow, Bacon secured his plunder, and turned his face back towards the

plantations.[556]

The news of the victory over the savages was received with enthusiasm in

the frontier counties. Bacon had been popular with the people before; he

now became their idol.[557] He and his men, upon their return, found the

entire colony deeply interested in the election of a new House of

Burgesses. In various places popular candidates, men in sympathy with

Bacon, were being nominated.[558] In Henrico county the people showed

their contempt for the Governor's proclamations by electing Bacon

himself.[559]

But it would be a matter of no little risk for him to go to Jamestown to

take his seat in the Assembly. While surrounded by his loyal

frontiersmen in his own county he might well ignore the proclamations

against him, but if he put himself in the Governor's power, that fiery

old man might not hesitate to hang him as a rebel. His friends would not

allow him to go unprotected, and insisted upon sending with him a guard

of forty or fifty armed men.[560] Embarking with this company in a

sloop, Bacon wended his way down the crooked James to the capital. He

cast anchor a short distance above the town and sent to the Governor to

know whether he would be allowed to take his seat in the Assembly

without molestation.[561] For reply Sir William opened fire upon the

sloop with the guns of the fort.[562] Whereupon Bacon sailed further up

the river out of danger.[563] But that night he landed with twenty of

his men, and unobserved by any, slipped silently into town.[564]

In the place resided Richard Lawrence and William Drummond, both deeply

impressed with the need of reform in Virginia, and both in sympathy with

Bacon's movement. Repairing to Lawrence's house, Bacon conferred with

these two friends for several hours.[565] Upon reëmbarking he was

discovered. Alarm was immediately given in the town and several boats

filled with armed men pursued him up the river. At the same time Captain

Gardner, commanding the ship _Adam and Eve_, was ordered to follow the

fugitives, and capture or sink the sloop. For some hours Bacon eluded

them all. Finally, however, about three the next afternoon, he was

driven by the small boats under the guns of the _Adam and Eve_, and

forced to surrender.[566] Coming on board he was entrusted to Captain

Gardner and Captain Hubert Farrill, and by them conducted to the

Governor.[567]

As the prisoner was led before him, the old man lifted his eyes and

arms to Heaven, exclaiming, "Now I behold the greatest Rebell that ever

was in Virginia!"[568] After some moments he added, "Mr. Bacon, doe you

continue to be a gentleman? And may I take your word? If so you are at

liberty upon your parol."[569] Later, when the rebel expressed gratitude

at this mild treatment and repentance for his disobedience, Berkeley

promised to grant him a free pardon. And should he offer a humble

submission, he was to be restored to his seat in the Council, and even

receive the long desired commission.[570]

In this unexpected leniency the Governor was probably actuated not by

magnanimity, but by policy, or perhaps necessity. When the rebel was out

upon his Indian expedition, Sir William had not scrupled to tell Mrs.

Bacon that he would most certainly hang her husband, if ever he got him

in his power.[571] But now he dared not do so. Bacon was regarded by a

large part of the people as their leader in a struggle for justice and

liberty; to treat him too harshly might set the entire colony ablaze. In

fact, many frontiersmen, when they heard of the capture of their hero,

did hasten down to Jamestown with dreadful threats of revenge should a

hair of his head be touched.[572] And throughout the colony the

mutterings of impending insurrection were too loud to be mistaken or

ignored.[573]

A few days after the capture, at a meeting of Council and Assembly, the

Governor arose from his chair, saying, "If there be joy in the presence

of the angels over one sinner that repenteth, there is joy now, for we

have a penitent sinner come before us. Call Mr. Bacon." Whereupon the

rebel entered, and dropping upon his knee, presented his submission.

"God forgive you," said the Governor, "I forgive you." "And all that

were with him?" asked one of the Council. "Yea," said Sir William, "all

that were with him."[574] That very day Bacon was restored to his seat

in the Council.[575] The soldiers that had been captured with him were

freed from their chains and permitted to return to their homes.[576]

And, to the great joy of the people, it was publicly announced by one of

the Burgesses, that Bacon had been granted a commission as general in

the Indian war.[577] Feeling that all was now well, and that their

presence in Jamestown was no longer necessary, the sturdy frontiersmen

shouldered their fusils, and returned to their plantations.[578]

But the reconciliation could be but temporary. Bacon's repentance and

submission had been forced from him while helpless in the Governor's

power. He did not consider it morally binding. And so long as the

people's grievances were not righted, and the Indian war was neglected,

he could not be content to remain inactive and submissive. On the other

hand, Sir William probably felt that his promise of a commission had

been exacted by the unlawful threats of Bacon's friends, and might be

broken without dishonor.[579]

After waiting several days for his papers, Bacon became suspicious of

the Governor's intentions, and set out for his home in Henrico.[580]

Berkeley consented to his departure, and he took "civill leave", but

immediately afterwards he repented bitterly that he had let his enemy

thus slip through his fingers. It is probable that information came to

him just too late, that Bacon was again meditating resistance. Parties

of men were sent out upon the roads and up the river to intercept his

flight. The very beds of his lodging house were searched in desperate

haste, in the hope that he had not yet left Jamestown. But all in vain.

Bacon had ridden quietly out of town, without servants or friends, and

was now far on his way towards the frontier.[581]

On his arrival at Henrico, his old comrades flocked around him, eager to

be led out against the Indians, and confident in the belief that Bacon

was authorized to command them. And when they learned that he had not

secured a commission, and was once more a fugitive, they "sett their

throats in one common key of Oathes and curses, and cried out aloud,

that they would either have a Commission ... or else they would pull

downe the Towne".[582] And as the news spread from place to place,

rough, angry men came flocking in to Bacon, promising that if he would

but lead them to the Governor, they would soon get him what he pleased.

"Thus the raging tumult came downe to Towne."[583]

Vague rumors began to reach the Assembly that Bacon was marching on

Jamestown at the head of five hundred men.[584] By June the

twenty-second, it became definitely known that the rebels were

approaching.[585] Berkeley sent out several messengers to demand their

intentions, but could get no satisfactory reply. Hasty preparations were

made to defend the town.[586] The neighboring militia was summoned. Four

guns were dragged to Sandy Bay to command the narrow neck of land that

connected the peninsula with the left bank of the river.[587] It was

proposed to construct palisades across the isthmus. Early on the morning

of the 23d, Berkeley went out himself to direct the mounting of the

guns.[588] But it was too late. On all sides the people were crying, "To

arms! To arms! Bacon is within two miles of the town." The rebels were

threatening, it was reported, that if a gun was fired against them, they

would kill and destroy all.[589] Seeing that resistance would be

useless, and might be fatal, the Governor ordered the guns to be

dismounted, withdrew his soldiers, and retired to the state house.[590]

And so the rebels streamed unresisted into the town, a motley crew of

many sorts and conditions: Rough, weather-beaten, determined

frontiersmen, bent on having the commission for their leader; poor

planters, sunk deep in debt, denouncing the government and demanding

relief from their taxes; freedmen whose release from bondage had brought

them little but hunger and nakedness. Moderation and reason were not to

be expected of such a band, and it is not strange that many of them

talked openly of overthrowing the government and sharing the property of

the rich among themselves. Sixteen years of oppression and injustice

were bearing their natural fruit--rebellion.[591]

"Now tagg, ragg & bobtayle carry a high hand."[592] Bacon leaves a force

to guard Sandy Bay, stations parties at the ferry and the fort, and

draws up his little army before the state-house.[593] Two Councillors

come out from Berkeley to demand what he wants. Bacon replies that he

has come for a commission as general of volunteers enrolled against the

Indians. And he protests that if the Assembly intends a levy for new

forces, his men will refuse to pay it. The ragged troops shout their

approval with cries of "Noe Levies! Noe Levies!"[594]

It is easy to imagine with what anger the Governor drew up and signed

the commission. But he dared not refuse it. He was in the power of the

rebels, who were already muttering threats of bloodshed and pillage. To

defy them might bring instant ruin.[595] When the commission was brought

out, and Bacon had read it to his soldiers, he refused to accept it,

declaring the powers granted insufficient. Thereupon he drew up the

heads of a new paper, in which his loyalty to the king and the legality

of his past actions were attested, and an appointment given him as

general of all the forces in Virginia used in the Indian war.[596]

These new demands throw the old Governor into an uncontrollable rage. He

rushes out to Bacon, gesticulating wildly, and declaring that rather

than sign such a paper he will have his hands cut off.[597] In his

excitement he opens his bosom, crying out, "Here, shoot me, fore God

fair mark."[598] Then he offers to measure swords with the rebel before

all his men, shouting, "Let us settle this difference singly between

ourselves."[599] But Bacon ignores these ravings. "Sir," he says, "I

come not nor intend to hurt a haire of your Honors head. And for your

sword, your Honor may please to put it up, it will rust in the scabbard

before ever I shall desire you to draw it. I come for a commission

against the Heathen who daily inhumanly murder us and spill our

bretherens blood."[600]

In the general distraction somebody takes the proposals to the

Burgesses, now sitting in an upper chamber of the state house. Bacon

struts impatiently below, muttering threats and "new coyned

oathes".[601] At a window of the Assembly room are a number of faces,

looking out on the exciting scenes below. Bacon calls up to them, "You

Burgesses, I expect your speedy result." His soldiers shout, "We will

have it, we will have it." At a command from Bacon the rebels cock their

fusils, and take aim at the crowded window. "For God's sake hold your

hands," cry the Burgesses, "forbear a little and you shall have what you

please."[602] And now there is wild excitement, confusion and hurrying

to and fro. From all sides the Governor is pressed to grant the

commission in Bacon's own terms. At last he yields, and the paper is

signed.

But new humiliation awaited him. The next morning Bacon entered the

House of Burgesses with an armed guard, demanding that certain persons

active in obeying the Governor's orders should be deprived of all

offices, and that recent letters to the King denouncing him as a rebel

should be publicly contradicted. When Berkeley heard of these demands,

he swore he would rather suffer death than submit to them. But the

Burgesses, who thought it not unlikely that they might soon have their

throats cut, advised him to grant whatever was demanded.[603] So a

letter was written to the King, and signed by the Governor, the Council

and the Burgesses, expressing confidence in Bacon's loyalty and

justifying his past actions.[604] Several of Berkeley's friends were

committed to prison. Blank commissions for officers to command under

Bacon in the Indian war were presented for signature. The Governor

granted all, "as long as they concerned not life and limb", being

"willing to be ridd of him". The Assembly finished its session, and

thinking to appease the rebels, sent their laws out to be read before

them. But they rose up like a swarm of bees, and swore they would have

no laws.[605] Yet the legislation of this session was exceedingly

liberal. The elections had been held at a time when the people were

bitterly angry with the Governor and disgusted with the old régime. In

several counties popular candidates, men bent upon reform, had been

elected over Berkeley's friends.[606] These men, aided by the menacing

attitude of the people, had initiated a series of bills designed to

restrict the Governor's power and to restore to the commons their

rightful share in local government. But it was probably the presence of

Bacon with his ragged troops at Jamestown that brought about the final

passage of the bills. The Governor and the Council would hardly have

given their consent, had they not been forced to do so at the sword's

point.

Indeed these laws aimed a telling blow at the aristocratic cliques that

had so long controlled all local government. It was to be illegal in the

future, for any man to serve as sheriff for two consecutive terms.[607]

Surveyors, escheators, clerks of the court and sheriffs should hold only

one office at a time.[608] The self-perpetuating vestries which had long

controlled the parishes and levied church taxes, were to give place to

bodies elected tri-annually by the freemen.[609] An act was passed

restricting the power of the county courts. For the future the people

were to elect representatives, equal in number with the justices, to sit

with them, and have a voice "in laying the countie assessments, and of

making wholesome lawes".[610] Councillors were no longer to be exempt

from taxation. The act of 1670, restricting the right to vote for

Burgesses to freeholders was abolished, and the franchise extended to

all freemen.[611] And since "the frequent false returns" of elections

had "caused great disturbances", it was enacted that any sheriff found

guilty of this crime should be fined twenty thousand pounds of

tobacco.[612]

Hardly had the Assembly closed its session when the news was received

that the Indians were again on the war-path, having killed eight persons

in the upper counties. This caused great alarm in the rebel army, and

Bacon found it necessary the next day to lead them back to the frontier

that they might guard their homes and families.[613]

Here active preparations were made for a new expedition against the

savages. Now that Bacon had a commission signed by the Governor and

confirmed with the public seal, men were quite eager to follow him. On

all sides volunteers flocked in to offer their services against the

brutal enemy. Even Councillors and Burgesses encouraged their neighbors

to enlist, declaring that no exception could be taken to the legality of

the commission.[614] Thus hundreds swallowed "down so fair a Bait, not

seeing Rebellion at the end of it".[615]

In the meanwhile, the Governor, angered at the great indignities put

upon him, was planning to regain his lost authority. A petition was

drawn up in Gloucester county by Sir William's friends, denouncing

Bacon, and asking that forces be raised to suppress him.[616] Although

most of the Gloucestermen, it would seem, had no part in this request,

Berkeley crossed over the York River to their county and began to enlist

volunteers.[617] But he met with little success. Even in this part of

the colony Bacon was the popular hero, and men refused to serve against

him. It seemed outrageous to many that while he was out to fight the

common enemy, the Governor should attack him in the rear. All his

desperate efforts were in vain. Sick at heart and exhausted from

exertions too great for his age, he is said to have fainted away in the

saddle.[618]

The news that Berkeley was raising forces reached Bacon at the falls of

James River, just as he was going to strike out into the woods.

"Immediately he causes the Drums to Beat and Trumpets to sound for

calling his men to-gether."[619]. "Gentlemen and Fellow Soldiers," he

says, when they are assembled, "the news just now brought me, may not a

little startle you as well as myselfe. But seeing it is not altogether

unexpected, wee may the better beare it and provide our remedies. The

Governour is now in Gloster County endeavouring to raise forces against

us, having declared us Rebells and Traytors.... It is Revenge that

hurries them on without regard to the Peoples safety. (They) had rather

wee should be Murder'd and our Ghosts sent to our slaughter'd Countrymen

by their actings, then wee live to hinder them of their Interest with

the Heathen.... Now then wee must be forced to turne our Swords to our

own Defence, or expose ourselves to their Mercyes.... Let us descend to

know the reasons why such a proceedings are used against us ... (why)

those whome they have raised for their Defence, to preserve them against

the Fury of the Heathen, they should thus seek to Destroy. (Was there)

ever such a Theachery ... heard of, such Wickednesse and inhumanity? But

they are damned Cowards, and you shall see they will not dare to meet us

in the field to try the Justnesse of our Cause."[620]

Whereupon the soldiers all cried, "Amen. Amen." They were ready to

follow him. They would rather die fighting than be hanged like rogues.

It would be better to attack the Governor at once than have him come

upon their rear while they were engaged in the woods with the

savages.[621] And so, with universal acclaim, they gathered up their

arms, and set out to give battle to the Governor.

But Berkeley had fled. Upon finding that the militia of Gloucester and

Middlesex would not support him, he had taken ship for the Eastern

Shore. Here, for the time being, he was safe from the angry rebels. It

would be difficult for Bacon to secure vessels enough to transport his

men over to Accomac; to march them hundreds of miles around the head of

Chesapeake Bay was out of the question.

The flight of the Governor left Bacon undisputed master of all the

mainland of Virginia. Everywhere he was hailed by the people as their

hero and deliverer. Those that still remained loyal to Sir William

either fled with him or rendered their submission to the rebel. For a

while, at least, he could prosecute the Indian war and redress the

public grievances without fear of interruption.[622]

But now Bacon was confronted with the question of what attitude he

should assume to the English government. Berkeley had written home

denouncing him as a rebel and traitor. The King assuredly would not

tolerate his conduct. No doubt preparations were already being made to

send British troops to the colony. Should he defy the King and resist

his soldiers in the field of battle?

Bacon made up his mind to fight. The dense woods, the many swamps and

creeks, the vast distances of the colony would all be favorable to him.

He would resort to the Indian method of fighting. His men were as brave

as the British; were better marksmen. Five hundred Virginians, he was

sure, would be a match for two thousand red coats. If England sought to

bring him to his knees, by blockading the coast and cutting off all

foreign trade, he would appeal to the Dutch or even to the French for

assistance. Assuredly these nations would not neglect so favorable an

opportunity of injuring their old rival and enemy. He even cherished a

wild dream of leading his rebels back into the woods, to establish a

colony upon an island in the Roanoke river.[623]

But Bacon knew that the people would hesitate to follow him into open

resistance to England. Ties of blood, of religion, of interest were too

strong. All the injustice done them by the King, all the oppression of

the Navigation Acts, could not make them forget that they were

Englishmen. So he found it necessary to deceive them with a pretence of

loyalty. He himself took the oath of allegiance and supremacy, and he

imposed it upon all his followers. His commands were issued in the

King's name. He even went to the absurd extremity of declaring it for

the service of the Crown to disobey the King's commands, to arrest the

King's Governor, to fight the King's troops.[624]

Realizing that resistance to his plans would come almost entirely from

the upper classes, Bacon made especial efforts to seduce the wealthy

planters. On August the third, a number of influential gentlemen

assembled upon his summons at Middle Plantation, to discuss the means of

protecting the people from the Indians, and preventing civil war. After

delivering a long harangue, justifying his own actions and denouncing

the Governor, Bacon requested the entire company to take three oaths

which he had prepared. First, they were to promise to assist him in

prosecuting the Indian war. Secondly, they must combat all attempts of

the Governor and his friends to raise troops against him. Thirdly, they

were asked to declare it consistent with their allegiance to the King to

resist the royal troops until his Majesty could be informed by letter

from Bacon of the justice of his cause.[625] This last article caused

prolonged and bitter controversy. But Bacon locked the doors, it is

said, and by persuasion and threats induced them all to sign. The three

oaths were taken by no less than sixty-nine prominent men, among them

Thomas Swann, Thomas Milner, Philip Lightfoot and Thomas Ballard.[626]

Bacon now felt himself strong enough to take active control of the

administration of the government. He did not assume, however, the title

of Governor, but styled himself "General by the consent of the

people".[627] Nor did he venture to proceed in the alteration of laws or

the redress of grievances without the advice and support of the

representatives of the people. In conjunction with four members of the

Council, he issued orders for an immediate election of a new Assembly,

to meet on the fourth of September, at Jamestown.[628]

Having settled these matters, Bacon turned his attention to two military

expeditions--one against the Indians, the other against the Governor.

The continued activity of the savages and the exposed condition of the

frontier demanded his personal attention, but he was resolved not to

leave the lower counties exposed during his absence to attack from the

Eastern Shore. Seizing an English ship, commanded by a Captain

Larrimore, which was lying in James River, he impressed her, with all

her crew, into his service against the Governor. In this vessel, with a

sloop and a bark of four guns, he embarked a force of two hundred or

more men.[629] The expedition was placed under the command of Captain

William Carver, "a valiant, stout Seaman", and Gyles Bland, both devoted

to Bacon's cause and high in his favor. They were ordered to patrol the

coast to prevent raids upon the Western Shore, and, if possible, to

attack and capture the Governor.

Bacon himself hastens to Henrico, "where he bestirs himself lustily in

order to a Speedy March against the Indians". It was his intention to

renew his attack upon the Occaneechees and the Susquehannocks, but for

some reason he gave up this design to turn against the Pamunkeys.

Hastening across from the James to the York, Bacon met Colonel Gyles

Brent, who brought with him reinforcements from the plantations upon the

upper waters of the Rappahannock and Potomac. Their united forces

marched to the extreme frontier and plunged into the wilderness.

Discovering a narrow path running through the forest, the English

followed it to a small Pamunkey village situated upon a neck of land

between two swamps. As Bacon's Indian scouts advanced upon the place

they were fired upon by the enemy. Whereupon the English came running up

to assault the village. But the Pamunkeys deserted their cabins and fled

into the adjacent swamps, where the white men found it impossible to

pursue them. All made good their escape except one woman and one little

child.[630]

Continuing his march, Bacon stumbled upon an old squaw, the nurse of the

Pamunkey queen, whom he ordered to act as his guide. But the woman,

unwilling to betray her people, led him far astray, many miles from the

Indian settlements. The English followed her "the remainder of that day

& almost another day" before they discovered that they were being

deceived. When sure of her treachery, "Bacon gave command to his

soldiers to knock her on the head, which they did, and left her dead on

the way".[631] The army now wandered around at random in the woods,

following first one path and then another, but could not discover the

enemy. The appointed time for the new Assembly was approaching, and it

was imperative for Bacon to be at Jamestown to open the session. He was

resolved, however, not to return to the colony until he had struck a

decisive blow at the Indians. Sending a message to the people "that he

would be with them with all possible speed", he resumed his discouraging

quest.[632]

But the Indians still eluded him. It seemed a hopeless task to discover

their villages amid the dense woods and treacherous swamps. His men

became discouraged. "Tyred, murmuring, impatient, hunger-starv'd", many

begged him to lead them back to the plantations. But Bacon would not

abandon the expedition. He would rather die in the woods, he said, than

disappoint the confidence reposed in him by the people. Those that felt

it necessary to return home, he would permit to depart unmolested. But

for himself, he was resolved to continue the march even though it became

necessary to exist upon chincapins and horse flesh.[633] Whereupon the

army was divided, one part setting out for the colony, the other

resuming the search for the savages.

That very day Bacon runs upon the main camp of the Pamunkeys and

immediately attacks them. The savages are encamped upon a "piece of

Champion land", protected on three sides by swamps, and covered with a

dense growth of "small oke, saplings, Chinkapin-Bushes and grape vines".

As the English charge in among them they offer little resistance, but

desert their habitations and flee. Some are shot down, many are

captured. Bacon takes possession of all their goods--"Indian matts,

Basketts, Match cotes, parcells of Wampameag and Roanoke, Baggs, Skins,

ffurs", etc.

The poor queen fled for her life with one little boy, and wandered

fourteen days in the woods, separated from her people. "She was once

coming back with designe to throw herself upon the mercy of the

English", but "happened to meet with a deade Indian woman lying in the

way, ... which struck such terror in the Queen that fearing their

cruelty by that ghastly example, shee went on ... into the wild woodes".

Here she was preserved from starvation by eating part of a terrapin,

found by the little boy.[634] After this victory, Bacon secured his

plunder and his captives, and hastened back to the plantations.

In the meanwhile the expedition against Accomac had ended in disastrous

failure.[635] Carver and Bland had been given instructions to capture

the Governor, and Bacon proposed, if ever he got him in his power, to

send him to England, there to stand trial for his misgovernment and his

betrayal of the people to the barbarous Indians.[636] Even though it was

quite probable that the King would send him back, the colony would for a

time be rid of his troublesome presence.

Upon the arrival of the little fleet off the coast of Accomac, it was

decided to send Carver ashore under a flag of truce, to treat with the

Governor.[637] Leaving Bland to guard the fleet with a force not

superior in number to the English sailors, Carver set out in the sloop

"with the most trusty of his men".[638] In the meanwhile Captain

Larrimore and his sailors, who resented their enforced service with the

rebels, were plotting to betray them to the enemy. In some way Larrimore

contrived to get a message to Berkeley, requesting him to send out a

party of loyal gentlemen in boats, and promising to deliver his ship

into their hands.[639] The Governor at first was loath to venture upon

such a hazardous undertaking.[640] The whole thing might be a snare to

entrap his men. Yet his situation was desperate; he must take desperate

chances.

Placing a party of twenty-six men in two small boats, he sent them out

under the command of Colonel Philip Ludwell, to surprise the ship.[641]

Fearing that Carver might return before the capture could be effected,

Berkeley "caressed him with wine", and detained him with prolonged

negotiations. Upon reaching the ship, Ludwell and his men rowed up close

under her side, and clambered in at "the gun room ports". "One

courageous gentleman ran up to the deck, and clapt a pistoll to Bland's

breast, saying you are my prisoner."[642] The rest of the company

followed upon his heels, brandishing their pistols and swords. Captain

Larrimore and his crew caught up spikes, which they had ready at hand,

and rushed to Ludwell's assistance. The rebels, taken utterly by

surprise, many no doubt without arms, "were amazed and yielded".[643]

A short while after, Carver was seen returning in the sloop from his

interview with the Governor. "They permit the boat to come soe neere as

they might ffire directly downe upon her, and soe they alsoe commanded

Carver on Board & secured him. When hee saw this surprize he stormed,

tore his haire off, and curst, and exclaimed at the Cowardize of Bland

that had betrayed and lost all their designe."[644] Not long after he

was tried for treason by court martial, condemned, and hanged.[645]

Elated by this unexpected success, the Governor determined to make one

more effort to regain his lost authority. The rebels were now without a

navy; they could not oppose him upon the water, or prevent his landing

upon the Western Shore. With the gentlemen that had remained loyal to

him, the troops of Accomac, many runaway servants and English sailors he

was able to raise a force of several hundred men.[646] Embarking them in

Captain Larrimore's ship, in the _Adam and Eve_, and sixteen or

seventeen sloops, he set sail for Jamestown.[647]

In the meanwhile the appointed date for the convening of the Assembly

had come. It is probable that the members were arriving to take their

seats when the news of the Governor's approach reached the town.[648]

Bacon was still absent upon the Pamunkey expedition. There seems to have

been no one present capable of inspiring the rebels with confidence, or

of leading them in a vigorous defense. When the sails of the Governor's

fleet were seen, on the seventh of September, wending their way up the

river, the place was thrown into the wildest confusion. Sir William sent

a message ashore, offering a pardon to all, with the exception of

Lawrence and Drummond, that would lay down their arms and return to

their allegiance.[649] But few seem to have trusted him, "feareing to

meet with some afterclaps of revenge".[650] That night, before the place

could be fully invested, the rebels fled, "every one shifting for

himselfe with no ordnary feare".[651] "Collonell Larence ... forsooke

his owne howse with all his wealth and a faire cupbord of plate entire

standing, which fell into the Governour's hands the next morning."[652]

This was the unwelcome news which greeted Bacon upon his return from the

Indian expedition. So many of his soldiers had left for their homes

before the final defeat of the Pamunkeys, that he now had with him less

than one hundred and fifty men.[653] Yet he resolved to march at once

upon Jamestown to attack the Governor. His little band gave him

enthusiastic assurance of loyal support. He knew that he had the well

wishes and prayers of the people, while his opponents were "loaded with

their curses". Berkeley's men, although so much more numerous than his

own, he believed to be cowards that would not dare appear against him in

the field. Victory would be easy and decisive.[654]

So, after delaying a short while to gather reinforcements from New Kent

and Henrico, he marched with extraordinary swiftness down upon the

enemy.[655] Everywhere along the route he was hailed by the people as

their deliverer. The sight of the sullen Indian captives that he led

along with him "as in a Shew of Triumph", caused enthusiastic rejoicing.

Many brought forth fruit and other food to refresh his weary soldiers.

The women swore that if he had not men enough to defeat the Governor,

they themselves would take arms and follow him. All prayed for his

success and happiness, and exclaimed against the injustice of his

enemies.[656]

Before Berkeley had been in possession of Jamestown one week, Bacon was

upon him. On the evening of September the thirteenth, the little rebel

band arrived at Sandy Bay, driving before them a party of the Governor's

horse.[657] With singular bravado, Bacon himself rode up to the enemy,

fired his carbine at them, and commanded his trumpets to sound their

defiance.[658] Few thought, however, he would attempt to capture the

town, for the Governor's position was very strong. The narrow isthmus,

by which alone the place could be approached, was defended by three

heavy guns planted behind strong palisades.[659] Upon the left, "almost

close aborde the shore, lay the ships, with their broadesides to

thunder" upon any that dared to assault the works. The loyal forces had

recently been augmented to a thousand men, and now outnumbered the

rebels three to one. Yet Bacon seems to have meditated from the first an

attack upon the place, and was confident of success.[660]

Although his men had marched many miles that day he set them immediately

to work within gun-shot of the enemy, building an entrenched camp.[661]

All night long, by the light of the moon, the soldiers toiled, cutting

bushes, felling trees and throwing up earthworks. But it soon became

apparent that their utmost efforts would not suffice to complete the

trenches before dawn, when the enemy's guns would be sure to open upon

them. In this dilemma, Bacon hit upon a most unmanly expedient to

protect his men at their work. Sending out several small parties of

horse, he captured a number of ladies, the wives of some of Berkeley's

most prominent supporters. "Which the next morning he presents to the

view of there husbands and ffriends in towne, upon the top of the smalle

worke hee had cast up in the night, where he caused them to tarey till

hee had finished his defence."[662] The husbands were enraged that the

rebels should thus hide behind the "white aprons" of their innocent

wives, but they dared not make an assault.

When, however, the ladies were removed, "upon a Signall given from ye

Towne the Shipps fire their Great Guns and at the same tyme they let fly

their small-Shott from the Palaisadoes. But that small Sconse that Bacon

had caused to be made in the night, of Trees, Bruch, and Earth soe

defended them that the Shott did them noe damage at all, and was

returned back as fast from the little Fortresse."[663]

Fearing that this cannonade will be followed by an assault upon his

works, Bacon places a lookout on the top of a near-by brick chimney,

which commands a view of the peninsula. On the sixteenth, the watchman

announces that the enemy are preparing for an assault, and the rebels

make ready to give them a warm reception. The Governor's forces, six or

seven hundred strong, dash across the Sandy Bay, in an attempt to storm

Bacon's redoubts.[664] Horse and foot "come up with a narrow front,

pressing very close upon one another's shoulders". But many of them

fight only from compulsion, and have no heart for their task. At the

first volleys of shot that pour in upon them from the rebel army, they

throw down their arms and flee. They marched out, as one chronicler

says, "like scholars going to school ... with heavy hearts, but returned

hom with light heels".[665] Their officers were powerless to stem the

rout, until they were safe under the protection of the palisades.[666]

The Governor's losses in dead and wounded were very small, but the moral

effect of his defeat was great. The rebels were so elated at their easy

victory, and so scornful of their cowardly opponents, "that Bacon could

scarce keep them from immediately falling to storm and enter the

Towne".[667] On the other hand, the loyal troops were utterly

discouraged. Many of them, that had been "compelled or hired into the

Service", and "were intent only on plunder", clamored for the desertion

of the place, fearing that the victorious rebels would soon burst in

upon them.[668]

"The next day Bacon orders 3 grate guns to be brought into the camp, two

whereof he plants upon his trench. The one he sets to worke against the

Ships, the other against the entrance into the towne, for to open a

pasage to his intended storm."[669] Had the rebels delayed no longer to

make an assault it seems certain they could have carried the palisades

with ease, taken many of the enemy, and perhaps captured the Governor

himself. The loyal soldiers were thinking only of flight. "Soe great was

the Cowardize and Basenesse of the generality of Sir William Berkeley's

party that of all at last there were only some 20 Gentlemen willing to

stand by him." So that the Governor, "who undoubtedly would rather have

dyed on the Place than thus deserted it, what with (the) importunate and

resistless solicitations of all was at last over persuaded, nay hurried

away against his will".[670] "Takeing along with him all the towne

people, and their goods, leaveing all the grate guns naled up, and the

howses emty", he left the place a prey to the rebels.[671] "So fearful

of discovery they are, that for Secrecy they imbarque and weigh anchor

in the Night and silently fall down the river."[672]

Early the next morning Bacon marched across the Sandy Bay and took

possession of the deserted town.[673] Here he learned that the Governor

had not continued his flight, but had cast anchor twenty miles below,

where he was awaiting a favorable opportunity to recapture the

place.[674] At the same time, news came from the north that Colonel

Brent, Bacon's former ally, was collecting troops in the counties

bordering upon the Potomac River, and would soon be on the march to the

Governor's assistance, with no less than a thousand men.[675] Should

this new army, by acting in concert with the fleet, succeed in blocking

Bacon up at Jamestown, the rebels would be caught in a fatal trap. The

peninsula could hardly be defended successfully against superior forces

by land and water, and they would be crushed between the upper and

nether millstones. On the other hand, should they desert the town, in

order to go out against Brent, Berkeley would undoubtedly return to take

possession of it, and all the fruits of their victory would be lost.

After long consultation with his chief advisors, Bacon decided to

destroy the town.[676] That very night he set fire to the place, which

in a few hours was reduced to ashes. Not even the state-house, or the

old church were spared. Drummond and Lawrence, it is said, showed their

unselfish zeal for the cause by applying the torch to their homes with

their own hands.[677] As the Governor, from his ships, saw in the

distance the glare of the burning buildings, he cursed the cowardice of

his soldiers that had forced him to yield the place to the rebels. But

as it could now serve him no longer as a base, he weighed anchor, and

set sail for Accomac.[678]

Deserting the ruined town, Bacon led his men north to Green Spring, and

thence across York River into Gloucester county. Here there came to him

a messenger riding "post haste from Rapahanock, with news that Coll:

Brent was advancing fast upon him".[679] At once he summons his soldiers

around him, tells them the alarming news, and asks if they are ready to

fight. The soldiers answer "with showtes and acclamations while the

drums thunder a march to meet the promised conflict".[680]

Bacon had advanced not "above 2 or 3 days jurney, but he meets newes ...

that Brents men were all run away, and left him to shift for

himselfe".[681] Like the troops that had so signally failed of their

duty in the battle of Sandy Bay, these northern forces had no desire to

meet Bacon. Many of them were undoubtedly pressed into service; many

were in sympathy with the rebellion. At all events they deserted their

leaders before the hostile army came in sight, and fled back to their

homes.

Thus Bacon once more found himself master of all the mainland of

Virginia. But his situation was more critical than it had been in July

and August. Many of the prominent gentlemen that had then given him

their support, and had taken his three oaths, were now fighting on the

side of the Governor. It was quite certain that royal forces were being

equipped for an expedition to Virginia, and might make their appearance

within the capes before many more weeks. Moreover, the disastrous

failure of Carver and Bland had left him without a navy and exposed all

the Western Shore to attack from the loyal forces in Accomac.

Realizing his danger, Bacon felt it necessary to bind the people to him

more closely. Summoning the militia of Gloucester to meet him at their

county court-house, he delivered a long harangue before them and

tendered them an oath of fidelity. They were asked to swear that if the

King's troops attempted to land by force, they would "fly to-gether as

in a common calamity, and jointly with the present Army ... stand or

fall in the defense of ... the Country". And "in Case of utmost

Extremity rather then submitt to so miserable a Slavery (when none can

longer defend ourselves, our Lives and Liberty's) to acquit the

Colony".[682]

The Gloucestermen were most reluctant to take this oath. A Mr. Cole,

speaking for them all, told Bacon that it was their desire to remain

neutral in this unhappy civil war. But the rebel replied that if they

would not be his friends, they must be his enemies. They should not be

idle and reap the benefit of liberty earned by the blood of others. A

minister, named Wading, who was active in persuading the men to refuse

the oath, was committed to prison by Bacon, with the warning that the

church was the proper place for him to preach, not the camp. Later, it

seems, fearing the consequences of further refusal, the Gloucester

troops yielded and took the binding engagement.[683]

Bacon now turned his thoughts, it is said, to an expedition against

Accomac. But his preparations were never completed. For some time he had

been ill of dysentery and now was "not able to hould out any

longer".[684] He was cared for at the house of a Mr. Pate, in Gloucester

county, but his condition soon became worse.[685] His mind, probably

wandering in delirium, dwelt upon the perils of his situation. Often he

would enquire if the guard around the house was strong, or whether the

King's troops had arrived. Death came before the end of October.[686]

Bacon's place of burial has never been discovered. It is supposed that

Lawrence, to save the body of his friend from mutilation by the

vindictive old Governor, weighted the coffin with stones and sunk it in

the deep waters of the York.[687]

The death of Bacon proved an irreparable loss to the rebels. It was

impossible for them to find another leader of his undaunted resolution,

his executive ability, his power of command. No one could replace him in

the affections of the common people. It would not be correct to

attribute the failure of the rebellion entirely to the death of this one

man, yet it undoubtedly hastened the end. Had he continued at the head

of his faithful army, he might have kept the Governor indefinitely in

exile upon the Eastern Shore, or even have driven him to take refuge

upon the water. In the end Bacon would have been conquered, for he could

not have held out against the English fleet and the English troops. But

he would have made a desperate and heroic resistance.

The chief command fell to Lieutenant-General Ingram. The selection

seems to have been popular with the soldiers, for when it was announced,

they "threw up their caps, crying out as loud as they could bellow, God

save our new Generall".[688] Ingram is depicted by some of the

chroniclers as a man of low birth, a dandy and a fool, but there is

reason to believe their impeachment too harsh. Although he lacked

Bacon's force of character and had no executive ability, as a general he

showed considerable talent, and more than held his own against the

Governor.

The mastery of the water was an advantage to Berkeley of the very

greatest importance. The numerous deep rivers running far up into the

country made it easy for him to deliver swift, telling blows at any

point in the enemy's position. In order to guard the James, the York and

the Rappahannock it became necessary for the rebels to divide their

forces into several small bands. On the other hand, the entire strength

of the loyalists could be concentrated at any time for an unexpected

attack.

Ingram made his chief base at West Point, where the Mattapony and the

Pamunkey unite to form the broad and stately York.[689] Here he could

watch both banks of the river, and could concentrate his men quickly

either upon the Peninsula, or in Gloucester or Middlesex. At this place

were gathered several hundred rebels under Ingram himself. But it was

deemed wise to leave other detachments at various places lower down in

the country, to prevent the enemy from landing, and to suppress any

rising of the people in favor of the Governor. At the house of Colonel

Bacon, in York county, a force of thirty or forty men were posted under

the command of Major Whaly.[690] "The next Parcell, considerable, was at

Green Spring, the Governours howse, into which was put about 100 men and

boys." Their leader, a Colonel Drew, fortified the place strongly,

barricading all approaches, and planting three large guns "to beate of

the Assailants". Another small detachment, under Colonel Hansford, was

posted "at the Howse where Coll: Reade did once live", the site of

famous old Yorktown.[691]

This last post, situated near the mouth of the river, was especially

exposed to attack from the Eastern Shore. A few days after the death of

Bacon, Major Robert Beverley, with a small force, sailed across the bay

to effect its capture.[692] The rebels "kep a negligent Gard", and were

caught completely by surprise. Hansford was taken prisoner, with twenty

of his men, and brought in triumph to Accomac.

Here he was at once charged with treason, tried by court martial, and

condemned to die. He pleaded passionately to "be shot like a soldier and

not to be hanged like a Dog. But it was tould him ... that he was not

condemned as he was merely a soldier, but as a Rebell, taken in

Arms."[693] To the last he refused to admit that he was guilty of

treason. To the crowd that gathered around the scaffold to witness his

execution he protested "that he dyed a loyal subject and a lover of his

country".

"This business being so well accomplish'd by those who had taken

Hansford, ... they had no sooner deliver'd there Fraight at Accomack,

but they hoyse up there sayles, and back againe to Yorke River, where

with a Marvellous celerity they surprise one Major Cheise-Man, and som

others, amongst whom one Capt. Wilford, who (it is saide) in the

bickering lost one of his eyes, which he seemed little concern'd at, as

knowing that when he came to Accomack, that though he had bin starke

blinde, yet the Governour would take care for to afford him a guide,

that should show him the way to the Gallows."[694]

The Governor was resolved to make the rebel leaders pay dearly for the

indignities they had put upon him. Those that were so luckless as to

fall into his hands, were hastened away to their execution with but the

mockery of a trial. Doubtless Berkeley felt himself justified in this

severity. To him rebellion against the King was not merely a crime, it

was a hideous sacrilege. Those guilty of such an enormity should receive

no mercy. But this cannot explain or excuse the coarse brutality and

savage joy with which he sent his victims to the scaffold. It is

impossible not to feel that many of these executions were dictated, not

by motives of policy or loyalty, but by vindictiveness.

Nothing can make this more evident that the pathetic story of Madam

Cheesman. "When ... the Major was brought in to the Governor's presence,

and by him demanded, what made him to ingage in Bacon's designes? Before

that the Major could frame an Answer ... his Wife steps in and tould his

honr: that it was her provocations that made her Husband joyne in the

Cause that Bacon contended for; ading, that if he had not bin influenced

by her instigations, he had never don that which he had don. Therefore

(upon her bended knees) she desires of his hour ... that shee might be

hang'd, and he pardon'd. Though the Governour did know, that that what

she had saide, was neare to the truth," he refused her request and

spurned her with a vile insult. It is with a sense of relief that we

learn that her husband died in prison and was thus saved the ignominy of

the gallows.[695]

Encouraged by his successes, Berkeley now planned a more formidable

invasion of the Western Shore. Public sentiment, he hoped, was beginning

to turn in his favor. The death of Bacon had deprived the rebellion of

all coherency and definiteness of purpose. The country was getting weary

of the struggle, and was anxious for the reëstablishment of law and

order. In Gloucester and Middlesex especially there were many prominent

planters that awaited an opportunity to take up arms against the rebels.

And although the common people were indifferent to the Governor's cause,

they would be forced to enlist under him could he but get a firm

foothold in those counties.[696]

So he sailed into York River with a fleet of four ships and several

sloops, and a force of one hundred soldiers.[697] Landing a party, under

command of Major Robert Beverley, upon the north bank, he surprised and

captured a number of the enemy at the residence of a Mr. Howard.[698] He

then set up his standard at the very house in which Bacon had died, and

sent out summons to all loyal citizens to come to his support. Here

there soon "appeared men enough to have beaten all the Rebells in the

countrey, onely with their Axes and Hoes".[699] They were quickly

organized into an army and placed under the command of Major Lawrence

Smith.[700] Almost simultaneously the people of Middlesex began to take

up arms in support of the Governor, and for a while it seemed that the

rebels would be overwhelmed and driven back upon the frontiers.

But Ingram acted with vigor and promptness. He dispatched a body of

horse, under Lientenant-General Walkelett, to attack and disperse the

Middlesex troops before their numbers become formidable. With the main

body of the rebels he himself remained at West Point, to watch the

movements of the enemy in Gloucester. When Major Smith heard of

Walkelett's advance, he at once hastened north to intercept him, leaving

a garrison at Mr. Pate's house, to guard that post and maintain intact

his communication with the fleet in York River. But he was not quick

enough. Before he could complete his march, news came to him that

Walkelett had dispersed the Middlesex troops and was preparing to give

battle to him.[701]

In the meanwhile, Ingram, hearing that Smith had marched north, "by the

advice of his officers strikes in betweene him and his new made

Garrisson at M. Pates. He very nimbly invests the Howse", and forces its

defenders to surrender. Hardly had he accomplished this task, "but M. L.

Smith, having retracted his march out of Middlesex ... was upon the back

of Ingram before he was aware". This new move placed the rebels in no

little peril, for the Gloucester forces were between them and their base

at West Point. Defeat at this juncture would have meant utter

destruction for Ingram's army.

As the two bands faced each other, "one Major Bristow (on Smith's side)

made a Motion to try the equity, and justness of the quarrill, by single

combett ... proffering himselfe against any one (being a Gent.) on the

other side.... This motion was as redely accepted by Ingram, as

proffered by Bristow; Ingram swaring, the newest oath in fashion, that

he would be the Man; and so advanceth on foot, with sword and Pistell,

against Bristow; but was fetched back by his owne men", who had no

desire to risk their leader in this duel.[702]

But the Gloucester troops were not inspired to deeds of courage by the

intrepidity of their champion. They had no desire to encounter the

veterans that had defeated the Governor before Jamestown and twice

hunted the savages out of their hidden lairs. Despite all the efforts of

their officers they opened negotiations with Ingram and agreed to lay

down their arms. No less than six hundred men, it is said, thus tamely

surrendered to the rebels. Major Smith and some of his officers, when

they found themselves betrayed by their men, fled and made good their

escape. Other "chiefe men" fell into the enemy's hands and were held as

prisoners of war. Ingram "dismist the rest to their own abodes".[703]

It was a part of the Governor's plan to secure a foothold also upon the

right bank of the river and to drive the rebels out of York county. With

this in view, he sent out one hundred and twenty men, under Captain

Hubert Farrill, to surprise and capture the rebels commanded by Major

Whaly, at Colonel Bacon's house. To advise and assist Farrill, Colonel

Ludwell and Colonel Bacon himself accompanied the expedition. They

decided to steal silently up to the place in the early hours of the

morning before dawn, drive in the sentries and "enter pell mell with

them into the howse". But their plans miscarried woefully. "The Centrey

had no sooner made the challenge ... who comes there? ... but the other

answer with their Musquits (which seldom speakes the language of

friends) and that in so loud a maner, that it alarmed those in the howse

to a defence, and then to a posture to salley out." The attacking party

took refuge "behinde som out buildings, ... giving the Bullits leave to

grope their owne way in the dark". Here they stood their ground for a

short while and then fled back to their boats. Several were taken

prisoners, but none were killed save Farrill himself, "whose commission

was found droping-wett with blood, in his pockett".[704]

The failure of these operations in the York were partly offset by

successes in the southern counties. Late in December a loyal force,

consisting in part of English sailors, landed on the right bank of the

James and defeated a party of the rebels, killing their leader and

taking thirteen prisoners. Four days later, they captured one of the

enemy's forts. Soon large parts of Isle of Wight and Surry had been

overrun and the people reduced to their allegiance. During the first

week of January several hundred rebels gathered upon the upper James to

retrieve their waning cause, but they seem to have melted away without

accomplishing anything, and at once all the south bank of the river

submitted.[705]

Almost simultaneously in all other parts of the colony the rebellion

collapsed. The defeats of the Governor in Gloucester, Middlesex and York

had not long postponed the end. The failure of the movement was due, not

to military successes by Berkeley, but to hopeless internal weakness.

Since the death of Bacon the insurgent leaders had been unable to

maintain law and order in the colony. Ingram, although he showed some

ability as a general, proved utterly unfitted to assume control of civil

affairs. Bacon, when Sir William fled to Accomac, had grasped firmly the

reins of government, calling a part of the Council to his assistance,

summoning a new Assembly, and retaining sheriffs and justices in their

offices. Like Cromwell, he had shown himself not only a soldier, but a

civil ruler of force and ability. But Ingram could not command the

respect and obedience of the people. Under him the machinery of

government seems to have broken down. The unhappy colony was given over

to disorder and anarchy. We are inclined to wonder why Drummond or

Lawrence did not assume the chief command in the government after

Bacon's death. Both were men of intelligence and ability, both esteemed

by the people, and both devoted heart and soul to the rebellion. For

some reason, neither could take the leadership, and affairs fell into

hopeless confusion.

Without a government to supply their needs, or to direct their

movements, the rebel bands found it necessary to maintain themselves by

plundering the estates of the Governor's friends. Many wealthy planters

paid for their loyalty with the loss of their cattle, their sheep, their

corn and wheat, and often the very furniture of their houses. At times

the rebel officers could not restrain their rough soldiers from wanton

waste and destruction. Crops were ruined, fences thrown down, houses

burned.[706] Disgusted with this anarchy, and seeing that Ingram could

not preserve order, many of the people began to long for the end of the

rebellion. Even the misgoverment of Berkeley was better than lawlessness

and confusion.

Ingram himself seems to have perceived that the end was at hand.

Intelligence came to him that some of his own party, dissatisfied with

his conduct, were awaiting an opportunity to deprive him of the chief

command. The long expected arrival of the English troops would bring

swift and complete ruin, for under the present conditions, he could not

hope for success against them. So he soon became quite willing "to

dismount from the back of that horse which he wanted skill, and strength

to Manidge". Could he but secure a pardon from the Governor, he would

gladly desert the failing cause of the people, and return to his

allegiance.[707]

Nor was Sir William less anxious to come to terms with Ingram. It had

been a bitter humiliation to him to be thrust headlong out of his

government by the rebellious people. It would add to his shame to be

restored by English troops. Could he but reduce the colony before the

arrival of the red coats, his position would appear in a much better

light, both in Virginia and in England. So he sent a Captain Grantham to

negotiate with Ingram and to offer him immunity and pardon in return for

prompt submission. The rebel leader willingly accepted these terms and

returned to his allegiance.[708]

More delicate was the task of inducing the troops at West Point to

follow the example of their general. It was a question whether Ingram,

"or any in the countrye could command them to lay down their arms". An

attempt to betray them, or to wring the sword out their hands by

violence would probably end in failure. It was thought more prudent to

subdue "these mad fellows" with "smoothe words", rather than by "rough

deeds". So Grantham presented himself to them, told of Ingram's

submission and offered them very liberal terms of surrender. They were

to be paid for the full time of their service since the granting of

Bacon's commission; those that so desired were to be retained in arms to

fight the Indians; all servants among them were to secure immediate

release from their indentures. Deserted by their leader and tempted by

these fair promises, the men were at last persuaded to yield. Grantham

embarked them on the fleet and took them down to Tindall's Point, there

to make their submission and "kiss the Governour's hand".[709]

Almost at the same time overtures were made by the Governor to General

Walkelett. Could this man be induced to surrender himself and his

troops, the last great obstacle to peace would be removed. So anxious

was Sir William to seduce him from the cause of the rebels, that he

offered him not only his pardon, but part of the plunder taken by Bacon

from the Indians.[710] Walkelett assented, and agreed to lead his troops

to Tindall's Point, and "declare for ye King's Majesty, the Governour &

Country". He was to find there "a considerable Company of resolved men",

to assist him in case his own party offered resistance.[711] This

arrangement seems to have been carried out successfully and Walkelett's

entire command was taken.[712]

The collapse of the rebellion sounded the death knell of those "chiefe

Incendiaries" Drummond and Lawrence. These men had long protested

against Berkeley's arbitrary government, and had been largely

instrumental in bringing on the insurrection. Bacon had considered them

his chief advisors and friends. So deep was the Governor's hatred of

them that in his recent proclamations he had excepted them from the

general pardon.[713]

When Ingram and Walkelett surrendered, these "arch rebels" were

stationed on the south side of the York River, at a place called Brick

House. When they heard of Ingram's intended desertion, they made

desperate but futile efforts to prevent his designs. Failing in this,

they determined to gather around them the remnants of the rebel forces

and march towards the frontier, in hopes of kindling anew the waning

spirit of resistance. "They sent downe to Coll: Bacons to fetch of the

Gard there, under ... Whaly, to reinforce their own strength." Whaly,

whose position was more exposed than their own, promptly obeyed, and

succeeded in bringing off his force with "the last remains of Coll:

Bacon's Estate". The rebel leaders now mustered about three hundred men,

and with these they retreated through New Kent, "thinking (like the snow

ball) to increase by their rouleing". "But finding that in stead of

increasing there number decreast; and that the Moone of there fortune

was now past the full, they broke up howse-keeping, every one shifting

for him selfe."[714]

And now the chief rebels were hunted down like wild beasts by the

Governor's troops. Thomas Hall, formerly clerk of the New Kent county

court, Thomas Young, Major Henry Page, and a man named Harris were

captured and led before Sir William. They were all tried by court

martial, on shipboard off Tindall's Point, convicted of treason, and at

once sent to their execution.[715]

A few days later Drummond was found, exhausted and half starved, hiding

in Chickahominy swamp.[716] When he was brought before the Governor,

that resentful old man could not restrain his joy. He is said to have

"complimented him with the ironicall sarcasm of a low bend", declaring

that he was more welcome than any other man in Virginia, or even his own

brother.[717] The next day Berkeley went to Colonel Bray's house and

here Drummond was conducted on foot to stand his trial. "In his way

thither he complained very much that his Irons hurt him, and ...

expressed abundance of thankes for being permitted to rest himselfe upon

the Roade, while he tooke a pipe of Tobacco."[718] But he refused the

offer of a horse, saying he would come soon enough to his death on foot.

At his trial he was treated with brutal harshness, his clothes stripped

from his back and his ring torn from his finger. Although the rebellion

was now over, he was denied jury trial, and was condemned by court

martial after a hearing of but half an hour. Some months later, when

this matter came to the attention of the English Privy Council, the Lord

Chancellor exclaimed that "he knew not whether it were lawful to wish a

person alive, otherwise he could wish Sir William Berkeley so, to see

what could be answered to such barbarity".[719]

Thus ended the rebellion. Apparently it had accomplished nothing for the

cause of liberty or the relief of the oppressed commons. Few of the

abuses that had caused the people to take arms had been rectified. The

taxes were heavier than ever, the Governor was more severe and

arbitrary. English troops were on their way to the colony to enforce

submission and obedience. Charles II, irritated at the independent

spirit of the Virginians, was meditating the curtailment of their

privileges and the suppression of their representative institutions. Yet

this attack of an outraged people upon an arbitrary and corrupt

government, was not without its benefits. It gave to future Governors a

wholesome dread of the commons, and made them careful not to drive the

people again into the fury of rebellion. It created a feeling of

fellowship among the poor planters, a consciousness of like interests

that tended to mould them into a compact class, ready for concerted

action in defense of their rights. It gave birth in the breasts of many

brave men to the desire to resist by all means possible the oppression

of the Stuart kings. It stirred the people to win, in their legislative

halls, victories for the cause of liberty, as real as those which Bacon

and his followers had failed to secure on the field of battle.

FOOTNOTES:

[472] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 165; P. R. O., CO1-30-71.

[473] Hen., Vol. I, pp. 323, 380.

[474] Hen., Vol. II, p. 141.

[475] T. M., p. 9; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, pp. 165, 167.

[476] T. M., p. 9; P. R. O., CO5-1371-370; CO1-36-36; CO1-36-37.

[477] T. M., p. 8; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 165.

[478] T. M., pp. 8-9; P. R. O., CO5-1371-370; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p.

165.

[479] P. R. O., CO1-39-10; CO1-36-78; W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 10.

[480] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 6; T. M., p. 11.

[481] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 6.

[482] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 165; P. R. O., CO1-36-78.

[483] P. R. O., CO5-1371-369; T. M., p. 9.

[484] T. M., p. 10.

[485] T. M., p. 9; P. R. O., CO392.1-173, 178; Cotton, p. 3; Inds'

Pros., p. 5; P. R. O., CO5-1371-370.

[486] P. R. O., CO1-36-78; CO5-1371-369; T. M., pp. 9-10; Inds' Pros.,

pp. 7-8; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 165.

[487] P. R. O., CO5-1371-370.

[488] Inds' Pros., p. 7; P. R. O., CO-1371-370; CO1-36-66; Mass. S. IV,

Vol. IX, p. 176.

[489] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 7.

[490] P. R. O., CO5-1371-372; Va. Mag., Vol. III, p. 35.

[491] T. M., p. 10.

[492] P. R. O., CO5-1371-373, 411.

[493] P. R. O., CO1-30-51; CO1-36-37.

[494] T. M., p. 11; W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 7; P. R. O., CO5-1371-375.

[495] P. R. O., CO1-36-36.

[496] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p 165; Hen., Vol. II, p. 326.

[497] P. R. O., CO5-1371-373; Hen., Vol. II, pp. 327-329.

[498] Inds' Pros., pp. 8, 9.

[499] P. R. O., CO5-1371-378.

[500] P. R. O., CO5-1371-374.

[501] P. R. O., CO5-1371-378; Inds' Pros., p. 8.

[502] P. R. O., CO5-1371-379; CO1-37-17.

[503] P. R. O., CO5-1371-375.

[504] P. R. O., CO1-40-106.

[505] P. R. O., CO5-1371-375.

[506] Ibid.

[507] Ibid.

[508] Bac's Pros., p. 9.

[509] P. R. O., CO5-1371-376.

[510] Cotton, p. 4; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p, 180; P. R. O., CO1-37-1.

[511] Va. Mag., Vol. II, pp. 125-129.

[512] P. R. O., CO5-1371-375.

[513] Va. Mag., Vol. III, pp. 134-135.

[514] P. R. O., CO5-1371-376; W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, pp. 4, 7.

[515] P. R. O., CO5-1371-376.

[516] P. R. O., CO1-36-54; CO1-36-37; CO1-37-1.

[517] P. R. O., CO5-1371-376, 7; CO1-36-54: CO1-37-1; Mass. S. IV, Vol.

IX, p. 166.

[518] P. R. O., CO5-1371-376, 7.

[519] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 7; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 166.

[520] P. R. O., CO5-1371-377; W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 4.

[521] Hen., Vol. I, p 422; Burk, Vol. II, pp. 104-106; Force, Vol. I,

Tract VIII, p. 14.

[522] Hen., Vol. I, p. 380.

[523] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, pp. 166, 180.

[524] Mass. S. IV, p. 166.

[525] P. R. O., CO5-1371-377; CO1-36-55; CO1-37-1.

[526] P. R. O., CO5-1371-377; CO1-36-66; CO1-37-14.

[527] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 167.

[528] P. R. O., CO5-1371-377.

[529] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 168.

[530] Ibid.

[531] P. R. O., CO1-37-1.

[532] P. R. O., CO1-36-64. Berkeley's proclamation, addressed to the

sheriff of Rappahannock county, dissolving the Assembly, and the

proclamation denouncing Bacon as a traitor were both issued in Henrico,

on May 10, 1676.

[533] P. R. O, CO5-1371-379.

[534] P. R. O., CO5-1371-379, 411.

[535] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 1; Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 180; P. R. O.,

CO1-36-77; CO1-37-16.

[536] Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 180.

[537] W. & M. Q., Vol. XI, p. 121.

[538] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 167.

[539] Ibid.

[540] P. R. O., CO1-37-16; Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 182.

[541] P. R. O., CO1-36-77.

[542] Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 181.

[543] Mass. S. IV, Vol. I, p. 167.

[544] Ibid.

[545] Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 181; P. R. O., CO1-37-16; W. & M. Q., Vol.

IX, p. 2.

[546] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[547] P. R. O., CO1-36-77.

[548] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 167; P. R. O., CO1-37-16; CO1-36-77.

[549] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 167.

[550] P. R. O., CO1-36-77.

[551] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 168.

[552] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[553] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 7.

[554] P. R. O., CO1-36-77.

[555] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 7.

[556] P. R. O., CO1-36-77; CO1-36-16; T. M., p. 11.

[557] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 5.

[558] P. R. O., CO5-1371-379.

[559] Bac's Pros., p. 11; T. M., p. 12.

[560] P. R. O., CO5-1371-369; CO1-37-16, 17; Bac's Pros., p. 11; Mass.

S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 170.

[561] P. R. O., CO5-1371-379.

[562] Ibid.

[563] Ibid.

[564] Ibid.

[565] P. R. O., CO5-1371-380; CO1-37-16; Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 170.

[566] Ibid.

[567] Ibid.

[568] CO5-1371-380.

[569] Ibid.

[570] Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 171; Hen., Vol. II, p. 543.

[571] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 5.

[572] T. M., p. 15.

[573] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 8.

[574] T. M., pp. 12-13.

[575] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[576] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 170; P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[577] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 8.

[578] Ibid.

[579] Ibid.

[580] W. & M. Q., Vol. IX, p. 9.

[581] Va. Mag., Vol. I, p. 171.

[582] P. R. O., CO5-1371-381.

[583] P. R. O., CO5-1371-382.

[584] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 171.

[585] P. R. O., CO1-37-17.

[586] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[587] P. R. O., CO1-37-17.

[588] Ibid.

[589] Ibid.

[590] Ibid.

[591] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[592] P. R. O., CO1-37-17.

[593] P. R. O., CO1-37-16, 17; T. M., p. 16.

[594] P. R. O., CO1-37-17.

[595] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[596] Ibid.

[597] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[598] P. R. O., CO5-1371-382.

[599] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[600] P. R. O., CO5-1371-382.

[601] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[602] P. R. O., CO5-1371-382. In the various accounts left us of these

scenes there is usually agreement upon the essential points. But in

details and the sequence of events there is much discrepancy. The author

has endeavored to present the facts in accordance with the greatest

weight of evidence.

[603] P. R. O., CO1-37-16, 17.

[604] P. R. O., CO5-1371-383; CO1-37-15.1.

[605] P. R. O., CO1-37-16.

[606] P. R. O., CO5-1371-379.

[607] Hen., Vol. II, p. 353.

[608] Hen., Vol. II, p. 354.

[609] Hen., Vol. II, p. 359.

[610] Hen., Vol. II, p. 357.

[611] Hen., Vol. II, p. 356.

[612] Ibid.

[613] P. R. O, CO1-37-16.

[614] CO5-1371-384, 385.

[615] P. R. O., CO5-1371-383.

[616] Mass. S. IV, Vol. IX, p. 181.

[617] P. R. O., CO5-1371-385.

[618] P. R. O., CO5-1371-387; T. M., p. 20.

[619] P. R. O., CO5-1371-385.

[620] P. R. O., CO5-1371-385.

[621] P. R. O., CO5-1371-386.

[622] P. R. O., CO5-1371-387.

[623] P. R. O., CO5-1371-232-240; CO1-39-38.

[624] P. R. O., CO1-37-41.

[625] P. R. O., CO1-37-42.

[626] Ibid.

[627] P. R. O., CO1-37-41.

[628] P. R. O., CO1-37-43.

[629] P. R. O., CO5-1371-388; Burk, Vol. II, p. 271.

[630] P. R. O., CO5-1371-390.

[631] P. R. O., CO5-1371-391.

[632] P. R. O., CO5-1371-392.

[633] P. R. O., CO5-1371-392.

[634] P. R. O., CO5-1371-393.

[635] P. R. O., CO5-1371-393.

[636] P. R. O., CO5-1371-394.

[637] Ibid.

[638] T. M., p. 22.

[639] P. R. O., CO5-1371-394; Burk, Vol. II, p. 271.

[640] Burk, Vol. II, p. 271.

[641] Ibid.

[642] T. M., p. 22.

[643] T. M., p. 22.

[644] P. R. O., CO5-1371-394.

[645] T. M., p. 23; P. R. O., CO5-1371-52, 54.

[646] The account of the King's commissioners places the number at six

hundred; in Bacon's Proceedings it is given as one thousand.

[647] P. R. O., CO5-1371-394; Bac's Pros., p. 21.

[648] Bac's Pros., p. 22.

[649] Bac's Pros., p. 22.

[650] Bac's Pros., p. 22.

[651] Bac's Pros., p. 22.

[652] Bac's Pros., p. 22.

[653] P. R. O., CO5-1371-394.

[654] P. R. O., CO5-1371-395.

[655] P. R. O., CO5-1371-395.

[656] P. R. O., CO5-1371-395.

[657] P. R. O., CO5-1371-396.

[658] P. R. O., CO5-1371-397, 400.

[659] Bac's Pros., p. 24.

[660] Bac's Pros., p. 24.

[661] P. R. O., CO5-1371-396.

[662] Cotton, p. 8; Bac's Pros., p. 24. The report of the commissioners

places this incident some days later, after the assault of the 15th. The

author has followed the account given in Bacon's Proceedings, which

seems to him probably more correct. Bacon could have no object in

exposing the ladies after his trenches were completed, his heavy guns

mounted and the enemy defeated.

[663] P. R. O., CO5-1371-397.

[664] Bac's Pros., p. 25.

[665] Bac's Pros., p. 25.

[666] P. R. O., CO5-1371-398, 400.

[667] P. R. O., CO5-1371-400.

[668] Ibid.

[669] Bac's Pros., p. 25.

[670] P. R. O., CO5-1371-400.

[671] Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[672] P. R. O., CO5-1371-400.

[673] P. R. O., CO5-1371-401; Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[674] Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[675] Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[676] P. R. O., CO5-1371-401.

[677] P. R. O., CO5-1371-405.

[678] P. R. O., CO5-1371-401; CO1-39-22; Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[679] Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[680] Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[681] Bac's Pros., p. 26.

[682] P. R. O., CO5-1371-402.

[683] P. R. O., CO5-1371-401; Bac's Pros., p. 27.

[684] Bac's Pros., p. 28.

[685] P. R. O., CO5-1371-404.

[686] Bacon's Proceedings places the death of Bacon on Oct. 18; the

Commissioners give the date as Oct. 26.

[687] T. M., p. 24.

[688] Ing's Pros., p. 32.

[689] Ing's Pros., p. 39.

[690] Ing's Pros., p. 40.

[691] Ing's Pros., p. 39.

[692] The news of Hansford's capture reached Captain Morris near

Nansemond Nov. 12th.

[693] Ing's Pros., p. 33.

[694] Ing's Pros., p. 35.

[695] Ing's Pros., p. 36.

[696] Ing's Pros., p. 38.

[697] Ing's Pros., p. 38.

[698] Ing's Pros., p. 38.

[699] Ing's Pros., p. 40.

[700] Ing's Pros., p. 40.

[701] Ing's Pros., p. 40.

[702] Ing's Pros., p. 42.

[703] Ing's Pros., p. 42.

[704] Ing's Pros., p. 43.

[705] P. R. O., CO5-1371-416; CO1-37-52; CO1-39-10.

[706] P. R. O., CO1-40-45.

[707] Ing's Pros., p. 45.

[708] Ing's Pros., p. 45; P. R. O., CO5-1371-416.

[709] Ing's Pros., p. 46; P. R. O., CO5-1371-416.

[710] P. R. O., CO1-39-13.

[711] P. R. O., CO5-1371-501.

[712] P. R. O., CO5-1371-416.

[713] P. R. O., CO1-39-10; Ing's Pros., p. 47.

[714] Ing's Pros., p. 48.

[715] Ing's Pros., p. 49.

[716] Drummond was captured Jan. 14, 1677.

[717] T. M., p. 23; Ing's Pros., p. 49.

[718] Ing's Pros., p. 50.

[719] Burk, Vol. II, p. 266; P. R. O., CO1-41-74, 75; CO389.6. Lawrence

and Whaly made good their escape into the forest. They probably

perished, however, from exposure, or at the hands of the Indians.