eighty-eight men, to bring away some corn, grain, and other valuable
articles from Deerfield. It was at that very time that the company under
Captain Mosely, then quartered at Deerfield, intended to pursue the
enemy. But upon the 10th of the month, "that most fatal day, the saddest
that ever befel New England," Lathrop's company was attacked by the
Indians, who had selected a place very advantageous to their purpose,
knowing that the English with their teams would pass the road at the
spot. The place was at the village now called Muddy Brook, in the
southerly part of Deerfield, where the road crossed a small stream (as
it now does), bordered by a narrow morass. Here the Indians, in great
force, had planted themselves in ambuscade; and no sooner had Lathrop
arrived at the spot, than the Indians poured a heavy and destructive
fire upon the columns, and then rushed furiously to close engagement.
The English ranks were broken, and the scattered troops were every where
attacked. Those who survived, after the first onset, met the foe
individually, and endeavored to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Seeking the covert of a tree, each one selected an object of attack, and
the awful conflict now became a trial of skill in sharp shooting, on the
issues of which life or death was suspended. But the overwhelming
superiority of the Indians, as to numbers, left no room for hope on the
part of the English. They were cut down every instant from behind their
retreats, until nearly the whole number were destroyed. The dead, the
dying, the wounded, strewed the ground in every direction. Out of nearly
one hundred, including the teamsters, only seven or eight escaped from
the bloody spot. The wounded were indiscriminately massacred. This
company consisted of choice young men, "the very flower of Essex county,
none of whom were ashamed to speak with the enemy in the gate." Eighteen
of the men belonged to Deerfield.
Captain Mosely, being only four or five miles distant, heard the sound
of musketry, and reasonably concluded what was the cause of the
report. By a rapid march for the relief of Lathrop, he arrived at the
close of the struggle, when he found the Indians stripping and
mangling the dead. At once he rushed on in compact order, and broke
through the enemy, charging back and forth, and cutting down all
within range of his shot. After several hours of gallant fighting, he
compelled the Indians to flee into the more distant parts of the
forest. His loss amounted to two killed and eleven wounded.
Until this period, the Indians near Springfield remained friendly, and
refused the appeals of Philip, to cöoperate with him against the white
population. But now that he held the northern towns, they were closely
watched by the English, who supposed that the Indians might take sides
with him, as his cause seemed likely to prevail. The suspicions
entertained concerning them were confirmed. On the night of the 4th of
October, they admitted about three hundred of Philip's men into their
fort, which was situated at a place called Longhill, about a mile
below the village of Springfield, and a plan was concerted for the
destruction of the place. The plot, however, was revealed by an Indian
at Windsor, and the inhabitants of Springfield had time barely to
escape into their garrisons. Here they resisted the attacks of the
Indians until they received relief from abroad. The unfortified
houses, thirty-two in number, together with twenty-five barns, were
burned by the savages. The people were reduced to great distress, and
had very inadequate means of support through the ensuing winter.
The confidence of Philip and his Indians was now greatly increased by
their successes. The next blow which they aimed, was at the
head-quarters of the whites, hoping to destroy Hatfield, Hadley, and
Northampton, as they had Springfield. But by the providence of God,
and the good conduct of the whites, they were effectually foiled. At
this time, Captain Appleton, with one company, lay at Hadley, and
Captains Mosely and Poole, with two companies, at Hatfield, and Major
Treat was just returned to Northampton for the security of that
settlement. Against such commanders, it was in vain for the untutored
Indian to contend in regular battle. Philip's men, however, made a
bold attempt, and seven or eight hundred strong fell upon Hatfield, on
the 19th of October, attacking it on all sides at once. They had
previously cut off several parties, which were scouring the woods in
the vicinity. While Poole bravely defended one extremity, Mosely, with
no less vigor, protected the centre, and Appleton, coming on with his
troops, maintained the other extremity. After a severe struggle, the
Indians were repulsed at every point.
After leaving the western frontier of Massachusetts, Philip was known
next to be in the country of his allies, the Narragansets. They had
not heartily engaged in the war; but their inclination to do so was
not doubted, and it was the design of Philip to incite them to
activity. An army of fifteen hundred English was therefore raised by
the three colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, for
the purpose of breaking down the power of Philip among the
Narragansets. It was believed that the next spring, that nation would
come with all their power upon the whites. Conanchet, their sachem, in
violation of the treaty, had not only received Philip's warriors, but
aided their operations against the English. These were the grounds of
the great expedition against the Narragansets, in the winter of 1675.
Philip had strongly fortified himself in South Kingston, Rhode Island,
on an elevated portion of an immense swamp. Here his men had erected
about five hundred wigwams, of a superior construction, in which was
deposited an abundant store of provisions. Baskets and tubs of corn
(hollow trees cut off about the length of a barrel), were piled one
upon another, about the inside of the dwellings, which rendered them
bullet-proof. Here about three thousand persons, as is supposed, had
taken up their residence for the winter, among whom were Philip's best
warriors.
[Illustration: THE SWAMP FIGHT.]
The forces destined to the attack of this great rendezvous of Philip
and his men, were under command of Governor Winslow, of Plymouth. By
reasons of a great body of snow, and the prevalence of intense cold,
much time was consumed in reaching the fort. On the 19th of December,
they arrived before it; and, by reason of a want of provisions, found
an immediate attack indispensable. No Englishman, however, was
acquainted with its situation, and, but for an Indian, who betrayed
his countrymen, there is little probability that the assailants could
have effected any thing against it. The hour of their arrival was one
o'clock on that short day of the year. There was but one point where
the place could be assailed with the least probability of success, and
this was fortified by a kind of blockhouse, directly in front of the
entrance, and had also flankers to cover a cross-fire. The place was
protected by high palisades, and an immense hedge of fallen trees
surrounding it on all sides. Between the fort and the main land was a
body of water, which could be crossed only on a large tree lying over
it. Such was the formidable aspect of the place--such the difficulty
of gaining access to the interior of it.
On coming to the spot, the English soldiers, attempting to pass upon
the tree in single file, the only possible mode, were instantly swept
off by the fire of the enemy. Still, others, led by their captains,
supplied the places of the slain. These also met the same fearful
fire, with the same fatal effect. The attempts were repeated, until
six captains and a large number of men had fallen. And now was a
partial, but momentary, recoil from the face of death.
At length, however, Captain Mosely got within the fort, with a small
band of men. Then commenced a terrible struggle, at fearful odds.
While these were contending hand to hand with the Indians, the cry was
heard, "They run! they run!" and immediately a considerable body of
their fellow-soldiers rushed in. The slaughter of the foe became
immense, as the assailants were insufficient in strength to drive them
from the main breast-work. Captain Church, who was acting as aid to
Winslow, at the head of a volunteer party, about this time dashed
through the fort, and reached the swamp in the rear, where he poured a
destructive fire on the rear of a party of the enemy. Thus attacked in
different directions, the warriors were at length compelled to
relinquish their ground, and flee into the wilderness.
The Indian cabins, (contrary to the advice of some of the officers, who
thought it best that the wearied and wounded soldiers should rest there
for a time,) "were now set on fire; in a few moments every thing in the
interior of the fort was involved in a blaze; and a scene of horror was
now exhibited. Several hundred of the Indians strewed the ground on all
sides: about three hundred miserable women and children with lamentable
shrieks were running in every direction to escape the flames, in which
many of the wounded, as well as the helpless old men, were seen broiling
and roasting, and adding to the terrors of the scene by their agonizing
yells. The most callous heart must have been melted to pity at so awful
a spectacle. By information afterwards obtained from a Narraganset
chief, it was ascertained that they lost about seven hundred warriors at
the fort, and three hundred who died of their wounds. After the
destruction of the place, Winslow, about sunset, commenced his march for
Pettyquamscott, in a snow storm, carrying most of his dead and wounded,
where he arrived a little after midnight. Several wounded, probably not
mortally, were overcome with cold, and died on their march; and the next
day thirty-four were buried in one grave. Many were severely frozen, and
about four hundred so disabled that they were unfit for duty. The whole
number killed and wounded, was about two hundred." The sufferings of the
English, after the fight, were well pronounced to be almost without a
parallel in history.
The spirit of Philip animated the Indians even where he was not
present, for he was now by some supposed to be beyond the frontier. On
the 19th of February, they surprised Lancaster with complete success,
falling upon it with a force of several hundred warriors. It contained
at that time fifty families, of whom forty-two persons were killed and
captured. Most of the buildings were set on fire. Among the captives
were Mrs. Rowlandson and her children, the family of the minister of
that place, who were afterwards happily redeemed. The town was saved
from entire ruin by the arrival of Captain Wadsworth with forty men
from Marlborough.
Not far from this time a fatal affair occurred at Pawtuxet river, in
Rhode Island. Captain Pierce, of Scituate, with fifty men, and twenty
Cape Cod Indians, having passed the river, unexpectedly met with a
large body of Indians. Perceiving that their numbers rendered an
attack upon them hopeless, he fell back, and took a position so as to
be sheltered by the bank. In this situation, the company was not long
secure. Part of the Indians crossed the river, and attacked them from
the opposite bank, while the remainder encircled them on the side of
the river, where they had sought protection, and poured in upon them a
most destructive fire. Hemmed in so effectually, there was no
possibility of escape, and nothing was left them but to sell their
lives as dearly as possible. This was accordingly done, and before the
unfortunate men were nearly all cut off, more than a hundred of the
enemy are said to have fallen by the desperate valor of the English.
The Christian Cape Cod Indians showed their faithfulness and courage
in this melancholy affair, as also their dexterity and foresight. Four
of them effected their escape, and one of these aided the escape of
the only Englishman that survived the encounter. One of them, whose
name was Amos, after Captain Pierce was disabled by a wound, would not
leave him, so long as there was a prospect of rendering him service,
but loaded and fired his piece several times. At length, to save
himself, he adroitly adopted the plan of painting his face black, as
he perceived the enemy had done to their faces. In this disguise he
ran among them, and pretended to join them in the fight; but watching
his opportunity, he soon escaped into the woods. Of another it is
reported, that being pursued by one of the enemy, he sought the
shelter of a large rock. While in that situation, he perceived that
his foe lay ready with his gun on the opposite side, to fire upon him
as soon as he stirred. A stratagem only saved his life. Raising
carefully his hat upon a pole, he seemed to the person lying in wait,
to have exposed himself to a shot. A ball was instantly sent through
the hat, but one was returned in earnest against the head of the
enemy. Thus the Christian Indian, through his address, found the means
of escape from his singular peril. A similar subtle device was used by
another of these Indians, who was pursued as he attempted to cross
the river. Hiding himself behind a mass of earth turned up with the
roots of a tree, he was watched by the enemy, in the expectation that
he would soon be obliged to change his position. But, instead of doing
this, the Cape Cod Indian, perforating his breastwork, made a
convenient loophole, and shot his enemy before he had time to notice
the artifice. The fourth Cape Cod Indian who escaped, effected his
object by affecting to be in pursuit of an Englishman with his
upraised hatchet. This ingenious feint, of course, was the means of
saving the white man at the same time.
[Illustration: Indian Stratagem.]
The work of destruction continued among the towns of New England at
this period. To a greater or less extent Rehoboth and Providence
suffered--also, Plymouth, Chelmsford, and Andover--either men were
killed, or dwelling-houses and barns were burned. But the most signal
disaster, at this time, fell upon the English in the vicinity of
Sudbury. On the morning of the 20th of April, the largest body of
Indians which had at any time appeared, attacked the place, and,
before a force could be brought against them, set fire to several
buildings, which were consumed. The inhabitants rallied, and bravely
defended their homes; and, being soon joined by some soldiers from
Watertown, they forced the Indians to retreat without effecting
further mischief against the town that day. On hearing the news of the
attack on Sudbury, some of the people of Concord flew for its
protection. As they approached a garrison-house, a few Indians were
discovered, and a pursuit was given them. The flight of the latter
proved to be only a decoy, and the Concord people, eleven in number,
found themselves ambushed on every side. Fighting with the utmost
desperation, they were all cut off except one. The Indians, who
remained in the adjoining woods for further depredations, found
another opportunity to glut their vengeance against the whites.
Captain Wadsworth, hearing of the transactions at Sudbury, marched
with several men, joined by Captain Brocklebank and ten others,
towards the place. At a mile and a half from the town, five hundred
Indians lay in ambush behind the hills. When Wadsworth arrived at the
spot, the Indians sent out a few of their party, who crossed the track
of the English, and, being discovered by the latter, affected to fly
through fear. Wadsworth, with great want of caution, immediately
commenced a pursuit, and was consequently drawn into the ambush. The
Indians began the attack with great boldness. For some time, the
English maintained good order, and retreated with small loss to an
adjacent hill. After fighting four hours, and losing many men, the
Indians became doubly enraged, and resolved to try the effect of
another stratagem. In this they completely succeeded. They immediately
set the woods on fire to the windward of the English, which, owing to
the wind, and the dryness of grass and other combustibles, spread with
great and fatal rapidity. The English were driven, by the fury of the
flames, from their favorable position, and were thus exposed to the
tomahawks of the Indians. Nearly all the English fell--some accounts
say that they sold their lives, to the last man.
[Illustration: Fight near Sudbury.]
Several towns in the colony of Plymouth, as Scituate, Bridgewater,
Middleborough, and Plymouth, were in turn attacked and injured, though
not many of their inhabitants were destroyed. They probably betook
themselves to the fortified houses, which now became common in the
exposed villages.
Connecticut, not being exposed to the incursions of the natives, sent
out several volunteer companies in aid of her sister colonies, in
addition to the troops required as her quota in the present war. These
volunteer forces were raised principally from New London, Norwich, and
Stonington, joined by a body of friendly Indians. On the 27th of
March, a body of these troops, under Captains Dennison and Avery,
penetrated the country of the hostile Narragansets. In the course of
their excursion, they struck the trail of a large body of Indians, and
commenced pursuit. The latter, upon the approach of the English,
scattered in all directions. It proved to be a force commanded by
Conanchet. He took a route by himself and, being swift of foot, hoped
to outstrip his pursuers. In crossing a river, however, he
accidentally plunged under water, and wet his gun. On this occurrence,
he was soon overtaken by a fast-running Pequod, to whom he surrendered
himself at once. A young Englishman, coming up, began to put various
questions to the chief, who, little liking to be catechised in that
manner, replied to him, with a look of contempt: "You much child--no
understand matters of war; let your captain come: him I will answer."
Conanchet was conveyed to Stonington, and, after a sort of trial, was
condemned to be shot by the Mohegan and Pequod sachems. The
alternative of life was, however, presented to him, if he would make
peace with the English. The chieftain indignantly refused it, and gave
utterance to the feelings of his untamed spirit, when his sentence was
pronounced, in the sentiment, that "he liked it well that he should
die before his heart was soft, or he had said any thing unworthy of
himself." Conanchet was the son of the famous Miantonimoh, who was put
to death by Uncas, as related in another portion of this work.[22]
When success no longer attended Philip in Massachusetts, those of his
allies whom he had seduced into this war began to accuse him as the
author of all their calamities. Many of the tribes, therefore,
scattered themselves in different directions. The Deerfield Indians
were among the first who abandoned his cause, and many of the Nipmucks
and Narragansets soon followed their example. Still, Philip, though he
had not been much seen during the winter--and it is doubtful, even,
where he had spent the most of it--had no intention of abating his
efforts against the English. In the month of May, 1676, he was found
at the head of a powerful force, in the northern part of
Massachusetts, extending many miles on its frontier from east to west.
Considerable numbers of his people were also still in and about
Narraganset, ravaging and annoying the adjacent English settlements.
Large bodies of the Indians, about this time, anxious to secure the
advantages of fishing in Connecticut river, took up positions at the
falls, between the present towns of Gill and Montague. This was in the
vicinity of the line of country occupied by Philip's forces. They felt
the more secure here, as the English forces at Hadley and the adjacent
towns were not at this time at all numerous. Two captive lads, who had
escaped from the Indians, informed the English of their situation, and
the little pains they had taken to guard themselves. The intelligence
thus brought induced the people of Hatfield, Hadley, and Northampton,
to raise a force, for the purpose of attacking the enemy at so
favorable a point. About one hundred and sixty troops were raised, and
placed under the command of Captain Turner. They marched silently in
the dead of the night, and came upon the Indians a little before the
dawn of day, whom they found almost in a dead sleep, and without any
scouts abroad, or watching around their wigwams at home.
[Illustration: Indians attacked at Connecticut River Falls.]
When the Indians were first awakened by the thunder of their guns,
they cried out, "Mohawks! Mohawks!" as if their own native enemies had
been upon them; but the dawning of the light soon rectified their
error, though it could not prevent their danger. The loss of the
Indians was great: one hundred men were left dead on the ground, and
one hundred and forty were seen to pass down the cataract, but one of
whom escaped drowning.
The march of the English forces back was, however, attended with no
small disaster. The Indians, learning the inconsiderable numbers that
had attacked them, rallied in their turn, and hung upon the rear of the
English. Their captain, just then enfeebled by sickness, was unable to
arrange or conduct his forces as they should have been; and the
consequence was a degree of confusion, and their separation into small
parties. In this manner, they suffered the loss of thirty-eight men,
though the Indians paid dearly for it by the loss of more than a hundred
of their warriors on the way. Captain Turner perished in the expedition.
By the destruction at the falls, Philip's forces were seriously
diminished; yet his spirit continued unsubdued and undaunted, and he
was resolved to retort upon the English the injuries he had sustained.
Accordingly, on the 30th of May, six hundred of his warriors appeared
at Hatfield, and rushed suddenly into the town. They immediately set
fire to twelve unfortified buildings, and attacked several palisaded
dwelling-houses. These were bravely defended by the people. In the
midst of the fight, as the inhabitants were attacked, whether in their
dwellings or at their labors, a party of twenty-five resolute young
men crossed the river from Hadley, and came with such animation upon
the Indians, and with so deadly a fire, that the latter were driven
back. Eventually, the whole body of the enemy was obliged to return,
without effecting, as was intended, the complete destruction of the
place. They, however, drove off a large number of sheep and cattle.
Massachusetts and Connecticut now increased their forces in this
quarter, as it appeared that the foe was determined on devastating
the settlements upon the river. Hadley became next the object of
attack, in which about seven hundred Indians were engaged. The assault
was made on the 12th of June, the Indians having laid an ambuscade at
the southern extremity, and advanced the main body towards the other
the preceding night. Though the Indians exhibited their usual
fierceness, they were met and repulsed at the palisades. Renewing
their attacks upon other points, they seemed resolved to carry the
place. Still, they were held in check until assistance arrived from
Northampton, when the foe was driven into the woods.
[Illustration: Defence of Hadley.]
It was during this attack, as is supposed, that the assistance was
afforded to the whites which has generally been ascribed to Goffe, one
of the fugitive judges from England, which at the time was believed to
have been rendered by the guardian angel of the place. In the midst of
the confusion and distress of the battle, a gray-headed,
venerable-looking man, whose costume differed from that of the
inhabitants, appeared, and assumed the direction of the defence. He
arrayed the people in the best manner, showing that he well understood
military tactics, led in the battle, and, by his exhortations and
efforts, rendered essential aid on the occasion. After the departure
of the Indians, he was not observed, and nothing was heard of him
afterwards. As it is known that, at that time, Goffe and Whalley were
concealed in the house of Mr. Russel in Hadley, it is inferred that
one of these men, Goffe (for Whalley was superanuated) left his
concealment, in the danger which existed, and put forth the effort
here recorded, in order to save the town.