History of the War with the Indians, Part 36 – Part 41
June 15. This day was seen at Plimouth the perfect form of an Indian Bow appearing in the air; which the Inhabitants of that place (at least some of them) look upon, as a Prodigious Apparition. The like was taken notice of, a little before the Fort Fight in the Narraganset Countrey. Who knoweth but that it may be an Omen of ruine to the enemy, and that the Lord will break the bow and spear asunder, and make wars to cease unto the ends of the ea…th? Nor is this (may I here take occasion a little to digress, in order to the inserting of some things, hitherto not so much observed, as it may be they ought to be) the first Prodigy that hath been taken notice of in New-England. It is a common observation, verified by the experience of many Ages, that great and publick Calamities seldom come upon any place without Prodigious Warnings to forerun and signifie what is to be expected. I am slow to believe Rumors of this nature, nevertheless some things I have had certain Information of.
It is certain, that before this War brake out; viz on Sept. 10. 1674. In Hadley, Northampton, and other Town thereabouts was heard the report of a great piece of Ordinance, with a shaking of the earth, and a considerable Eccho, when as there was no Ordinance really discharged at or near any of those Towns at that time. Yea no less than seven years before this war there were plain prodigious Notices of it. For,
Anno 1667. There were fears on the spirits of many of the English, concerning Philip and his Indians, and that year, Novemb. 30. about 9. or 10. ho. A. M. being a very clear, still, Sun-shine morning, there were divers Persons in Maldon, who heard in the air on the South-east of them, a great Gun go off, and as soon as that was past, they heard the report of small Guns like musket shot, discharging very thick, as if it had been at a general Training; but that which did most of all amaze them, was the flying of the Bullets that came singing over their heads, and seemed to be very near them, after this they heard drums passing by them and going Westward. The same day, at Scituate, (and in other places) in Plimouth Colony, they heard as it were the running of troops of horses.
I would not have mentioned this relation, had I not received it from serious, faithful and judicious hands, even of those who were ear-witnesses of these things.
And now that I am upon this Digression, let me add, that the monstrous births which have at sundry times hapned, are speaking solemn providences. Especially that which was at Woburn, Febru. 23. 1670. When the Wife of Joseph Wright was delivered of a Creature, the form thereof was as followeth. The head, neck and arms in true form and shape of a child, but it had no breast bone nor any back bone; the belly was of an extraordinary bigness, both the sides and back being like a belly, the thighs were very small without any thigh bones; It had no buttocks, the Membrum Virile was a meer bone; it had no passage for nature in any part below; the feet turned directly outward, the heels turned up, and like a bone, It being opened, there were found two great lumps of flesh on the sides of the seeming belly; the bowels did lie on the upper part of the breast by the Vitals. This was testified before the Deputy Governour Mr. Willoughby on the 2d. of March following, by Mrs. Johnson Midwife, Mary Kendal, Ruth Bloghead, Lydia Kendal. Seen also by Capt. Edward Johnson. Lieut. John Carter, Henry Brook, James Thomson, Isaac Cole.
There are judicious persons, who upon the consideration of some relative circumstances, in that monstrous birth, have concluded that God did thereby bear witness against the Disorders of some in that place. As in the days of our Fathers, it was apprehended that God did testifie from heaven against the monstrous Familistical Opinions that were then stirring, by that direful Monster which was brought forth by the wife of William Dyer, Octo. 17. 1637. a description whereof may be seen in Mr. Welds his History of the Rise and Ruine of Antinomianism. p. 43, 44. and in Mr. Clarks Examples vol. 1. p. 249.
Certainly God would have such providences to be observed and recorded; He doth not send such things for nothing, or that no notice should be taken of them. And therefore was I willing to give a true account thereof, hoping that thereby mistakes and false Reports may be prevented.
To go on then with our History.
June. 16. Our Forces marched towards the Falls, ours on the East and Connecticut on the West side of the River. when they were about three miles out of the Towns, a vehement storm of rain, with thunder and lightening overtook them, yet continuing but a while, they passed on till they came to the Falls, but the enemy was then gone. The next day it rained again, and continued a cold Euroclydon, or, North-east storm all that day and night, so that our Souldiers received much damage in their arms, ammunition and provision; and the next day (being Lords day) returned to the Towns, weary and discouraged, the Lord having seemed to fight against them by the storm mentioned. Thus doth the Lord in Wisdom and Faithfulness mix his Dispensation towards us.
June 19. A party of Indians set upon Swanzy and burnt down the remaining houses there, except five houses whereof four were Garisons.
June 20. Connecticut Forces returned home in order to a recruit, intending to meet with ours the next week at Quabaog.
June. 21. was kept as a day of solemn Humiliation in one of the Churches in Boston, so was the next day in all the Churches throughout the Colony of Plimouth, After which we have not received such sad tidings, as usually such dayes have been attended with; ever since this War began (as the precedent History doth make to appear) but rather such Intellegince from divers parts of the Country as doth administer ground of hope, and of rejoycing, the Lord seeming to return with mercy to his people, and to bring the enemy into greater distresses then formerly.
June 28. About thirty of ours adventured to go up the River towards the Falls at Deer field, to see what Indians they could espy thereabouts, but coming they found none. They went to an Island where they found an hundred Wigwams, and some English plundered Goods, which they took, and burnt the Wigwams. Also they marched up to a Fort which the Indians had built there, and destroyed it. Digging here and there they found several Indian Barns, where was abundance of Fish, which they took and spoiled, as also thirty of their Canoos, so that it appears that the Heathen are distressed and scattered, being no more able to continue together in such great Bodyes as formerly.