History of the War with the Indians, Part 7 – Part 8
October 19. The Conclusions of the Committee, respecting Reformation of provoking evils were signed, and delivered into the General Court, who voted acceptance thereof, and appointed another Committee to draw up Laws in order to the establishment of the things agreed on. Now as I remember that famous Martyrologist Mr. Fox (in Acts and Monuments, vol. 2. pag. 669.) observes, with respect to the Reformation in K. Edward VI. his days, that that very day and hour when the Act for Reformation was put in execution at London, God gave the English a signal victory against the Scots at Muscleborough; so it was proportionably with us. For that day when there was a vote passed for the Suppression and Reformation of those manifest evils, whereby the eyes of Gods Glory are provoked amongst us, the Lord gave success to our Forces, who that day encountred with the Indians at Hatfield. The English lost but one man in the fight (albeit some that were sent forth as Scouts were killed or Captivated) the Enemy fled before them, and ran into the River, many of them being seen to fall, but night coming on, it was in vain to follow them further. And after that day, the Western Plantations had little or no disturbance by them, but lived in quietness all the Winter. All this notwithstanding, we may say as sometimes the Lords People of old, the Harvest is past, the Summer is ended, and we are not saved. The Sword having marched Eastward, and Westward, and Northward, now beginneth to face toward the South again. The Narragansets, who were the greatest body of Indians in New-England; there being no less then six Sachims amongst them; having not as yet appeared in open Hostility. Nevertheless Philips and Squaw-Sackims men, when routed by the English Forces, were harboured amongst the Narragansets. When the Commissioners of the united Colonies sat at Boston, in the latter end of September, one of the Narraganset Sachims, and Messengers from other Sachims there, made their appearance in Boston; they pretended nothing but good-will to the English, and promised that those Enemies of ours, who had burnt so many houses, and committed so many Murders, and had fled to them for refuge, should be delivered up by the latter end of October. But when the time prefixed for the surrendry of the Wompanoags and Squaw-Sachems Indians was lapsed, they pretended they could not do as they had ingaged at present, but after Winter they would do it. In the mean while, when the English had any ingagement with the Indians, wounded Indians came home to the Narragansets, especially after the fight at Hatfield, Octob. 19. about forty wounded men were seen crossing the woods towards the Narragansets: also some (at least two Indians) from amongst themselves, came to the English, and told them that the Narragansets were resolved (if they could) to destroy the English: but they were loth to begin to fall upon them before Winter, but in the Spring when they should have the leaves of trees and Swamps to befriend them, they would do it: wherefore it was judged necessary to send out Forces against them, and preparartions were made accordingly.
There was some agitation amongst those whom it did concern, where a person suitable for so great a trust might be found as General; and that worthy Gentleman Josiah Winslow Esq; who succeeds his Father (of blessed memory) as Governour of Plimouth, was pitched upon for this Shrvice.
Under his conduct therefore, an Army consisting of at first a thousand, and at last about fifteen hundred men, were sent forth to execute the vengeance of the Lord upon the perfidious and bloudy Heathen. But before they set out, the Churches were all upon their knees before the Lord, the God of Armies, intreating his favour and gracious success in that undertaking, wherein the welfare of his people was so greatly concerned. This day of Prayer and Humiliation was observed Decemb. 2. when also something hapned intimating as if the Lord were still angry with our Prayers; for this day all the houses in Quonsickamuck were burnt by the Indians.
Decemb. 8. The Army set out from Boston. Whilst they were upon this march, an Indian whose name was Peter, having received some disgust among his Country-men, came to the English, and discovered the plots of the Indians, told where they were, and promised to conduct the Army to them. They were no sooner arrived in the Narraganset Country, but they killed and took captive above forty Indians. Being come to Mr. Smiths house, they waited some days for Connecticut Forces. In the mean while a party of the enemy did treacherously get into the house of Jerem. Bull (where was a Garison) burned the house, and slew about fourteen persons.