History of the War with the Indians, Part 9 – Part 30
Decemb. 18. Connecticut Forces being come, a March toward the enemy was resolved upon: Peter Indian having informed that the Body of Indians (only Ninnigret being one of their old crafty Sachems, had with some of his men withdrawn himself from the rest, professing that he would not ingage in a War with the English, therefore did he go into a place more remote) was in a Fort about eighteen miles distant from the place where our Army now was. The next day, although it were the Sabbath, yet, provisions being almost spent our Souldiers, waiting so long for Connecticut Forces, the Council of War resolved to give Battle to the enemy. The English Souldiers played the men wonderfully; the Indians also fought stoutly, but were at last beat out of their Fort, which was taken by the English, There were hundreds of Wigwams (or Indian houses) within the Fort, which our Souldiers set on fire, in the which men, women and children (no man knoweth how many hundreds of them) were burnt to death. Night coming on, a Retreat was sounded.
Concerning the number of Indians slain in this Battle, we are uncertain: only some Indians which afterwards were taken prisoners (as also a wretched English man that apostatized to the Heathen, and fought with them against his own Country-men but was at last taken and executed) confessed that the next day they found three hundred of their fighting men dead in their Fort, and that many men, women and children were burned in their Wigwams, but they neither knew, nor could conjecture how many: it is supposed that not less than a thousand Indian Souls perished at that time. Ninnigret whose men buried the slain, affirmeth that they found twenty and two Indian Captains among the dead bodies. Of the English there were killed and wounded about two hundred and thirty, whereof only eighty and five persons are dead. But there was a solemn rebuke of Providence at this time, in that six of our Captains were slain, viz. Captain Johnson of Roxbury, Captain Gardner of Salem, Captain Davenport of Boston (son to that Captain Davenport who did great Service in the expedition against the Indians in the Pequod War, Anno 1637.) Captain Gallop of New-London, Captain Marshal of Windsor, Captain Seily of Stratford, who dyed of his wounds some days after the fight was over. The three Captains first mentioned, belonged to Mattachusets Colony, the three last to Connecticut, of Plimouth Colony Captain Bradford (one of their faithful Magistrates, and son of him that was many years Governor there) was sorely wounded, but God had mercy on him, and on his people in him, so as to spare his life, and to restore him to some measure of health, albeit the bullet shot into him is still in his body. Also Captain Goram of Barnstaple in Plimouth Colony fell sick of a fever whereof he died.
Thus did the Lord take away seven Captains out of that Army. Also four Lieutenants were wounded in that Fort-fight, so that though the English had the better of it, yet not without solemn and humbling rebukes of Providence. At night as the Army returned to their quarters a great Snow fell, also part of the Army mist their way, among whom was the General himself with his Life-guard. Had the Enemy known their advantage, and pursued our Soldiers (and we have since heard that some of the Indians did earnestly move that it might be so, but others of them through the over-ruling hand of Providence would not consent) when upon their retreat, they might easily have cut off the whole Army: But God would be more gracious to us. Here then was not only a Victory, but also a signal Preservation, for which let the Father of mercies have eternal glory.
After this God seemed to withdraw from the English and take part with the Enemy. The next day the Indians finding but few English men dead in the Fort among their three hundred Indians that were slain, were much troubled and amazed, supposing that no more of ours had been killed; this blow did greatly astonish them, and had the English immediately pursued the Victory begun, in all likelihood there had been an end of our troubles; but God saw that neither yet were we fit for deliverance. Wherefore Connecticut forces withdrew to Stonington, and there being so many killed and wounded amongst those that remained in the Narraganset Country, also bread for the Soldiers being wanting, by reason the extremity of the weather was such, as that the Vessels laden with Provision could not reach them, therefore the Army lay still some weeks.
In this interval of time the Town of Mendam (which before that had been forsaken of its Inhabitants) was burnt down by the Indians.
Now doth the Lord Jesus begin solemnly to fulfil his word, in removing Candlesticks out of their places, because of contentions and loss loss of first love. Surely when those places are destroyed where Churches have been planted, Candlesticks are removed out of their places. But to proceed, when the Army was just upon the resolve to return home, because Provisions were spent, God so ordered, as that a Vessel laden with Victuals arrived, whereupon it was determined (g=f) to pursue the Enemy. Only it was thought necessary to desist from this pursuit until Connecticut forces could return and join with ours. In the interim, a strange sudden Thaw happened in the midst of January (when in New-England the season is wont to be extreme cold) that the snow melted away in a little time: the like weather hath rarely been known in this Land at that time of the year, albeit some of the first Planters say it was so above fifty years ago. However this made wonderfully for the Indians advantage, for now they fled out of the Narraganset Country, and whereas they had been sorely straightned and distressed for victuals, now the snow being wasted, they lived upon Ground-nuts.
In fine, the Army pursued them several days, overtook some of them, killed and took about seventy persons, were in sight of the main Body of them, and could they have held out to have pursued them but one day longer probably this unhappy War had then been ended: but the Souldiers were tired with eight days March, and (having spent much of their provision whilst waiting for our Connecticut Brethren) their bread failed, so as that they were forced to kill horses and feed upon them.
We have often carried it before the Lord as if we would Reform our ways, and yet when it hath come to, we have done nothing: So hath the Lord carried toward us, as if he would deliver us, and yet hath deferred our Salvation, as we our selves have delayed Reformation.
So then February 5. The Army returned to Boston, not having obtained the end of their going forth. It was easie to conjecture that the Narraganset, and River Indians, being all come together, and the Army returned, they would speedily fall upon the Frontier Towns. And some of the Praying Indians who had been sent out as Spies, and had been with the Indians beyond Quabaog, brought intelligence, that a French Man that came from Canady had been amongst them, animating them against the English, promising a supply of Ammunition, and that they would come next Summer and assist them; also the Indian Spies declared, that there was a design, within such a time to burn Lancaster, which came to pass both as to the time and manner accordingly.
For upon the 10. day of February some hundreds of the Indians fell upon Lancaster, burnt many of the Houses, kill'd and took Captive above forty persons. Mr. Rowlandson (the faithful Pastor of the Church there) had his House, Goods, Books, all burned; his Wife, and all his Children led away Captive before the Enemy. Himself (as God would have it) was not at home, whence his own person was delivered, which otherwise (without a Miracle) would have been endangered. Eight men lost their lives, and were stripped naked by the Indians, because they ventured their lives to save Mrs. Rowlandson.
As this good Man returned home (having been at Boston to intercede with the Council that something might be done for the safety of that place) he saw his Lancaster in flames, and his own house burnt down, not having heard of it till his eyes beheld it, and knew not what was become of the Wife of his bosom, and Children of his Bowels. This was a most awful Providence, and hath made me often think on those words, though Noah, Job and Daniel were in it, they should deliver but their own souls, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, they only shall be delivered, but the Land shall be desolate. And this desolation is the more tremendous, in that this very day the Churches Westward were humbling themselves before the Lord. Within a few days after this, certain Indians did some mischiefs at Malbury, Sudbury, Chelmsford.
February 21. The Indians assaulted Medfield, and although there were two or three hundred Soldiers there, they burnt half the Town, killed several Men, Women and Children (about eighteen in all) amongst others their Lieutenant Adams was slain. And soon after he was killed, his Wife was casually slain by an English-man, whose Gun discharged before he was aware, and the Bullet therein passed through the Boards over-head, and mortally wounded Lieutenant Adams's Wife. It is a sign God is angry, when he turns our weapons against our selves.
February 23. A day of Humiliation was attended in the old Meeting-house in Boston, but not without much distraction, because of an Alarm, by reason of rumors, as if the Indians were doing mischief within ten miles of Boston.
February 25. This night the Indians fired seven Houses and Barns in Weymouth.
In the beginning of March, another small Army was sent out from Boston, under the conduct of that expert Soldier and Commander Major Savage, to seek out the Enemy. Connecticut Forces met with ours at Qu…baog, and they marcht together, but not following the direction of the (Natick) Praying Indians, who were sent as Pilots, the Army mist their way, and was bewildred in the Woods. On a sudden when they thought on on such thing, a party of Indians fired upon them and killed one man, and wounded Mr. Gershom Bulkly, who is Pastor of the Church in Wethersfield; whereupon those Indians were immediately pursued, who hastned towards Northampton. The Army following them thither, mist of the main body of Indians. Nevertheless, there was a singular Providence of God ordering this matter, for the relief of those Western Plantations, which otherwise in probability had been cut off.
For upon the fourteenth of March a multitude of Indians fell upon Northhampton, broke through their Fortification in three places, burnt five houses, and five barns, and killed four Men and one Woman: but the Town being full of Soldiers, the Enemy was quickly repulsed, with the loss of many of their lives.
March 10. Mischief was done, and several lives cut off by the Indians this day, at Groton and at Sudbury. An humbling Providence, inasmuch as many Churches were this day Fasting and Praying.
March 12. This Sabbath eleven Indians assaulted Mr. William Clark's house in Plimouth, killed his Wife, who was the Daughter of a godly Father and Mother that came to New England on the account of Religion, (See July 6.) and she herself also a pious and prudent Woman; they also killed her sucking Ch…l…, and knockt another Child (who was about eight years old) in the head, supposing they had killed him, but afterwards he came to himself again. And whereas there was another Family besides his own, entertained in Mr. Clark's house, the Indians destroyed them all, root and branch, the Father and Mother and all the Children: so that eleven persons were murdered that day, under one roof; after which they set the house on fire. The Leader of these Indians was one Totoson, a fellow who was well acquainted with that house, and had received many many kindnesses there, it being the manner of those brutish men, who are only skilful to destroy, to deal worst with those who have done most for them.
March 13. The Indians assaulted Groton, and left but few houses standing. So that this day also another Candlestick was removed out of its place. One of the first houses that the Enemy destroyed in this place, was the House of God, h. e. which was built and set apart for the celebration of the publick Worship of God.
When they had done that, they scoffed and blasphemed, and came to Mr. Willard (the worthy Pastor of the Church there) his house (which being fortified, they attempted not to destroy it) and tauntingly said, What will ye do for a house to pray in, now we have burnt your Meeting-House? Thus hath the Enemy done wickedly in the Sanctuary, they have burnt up the Synagogues of God in the Land; they have cast fire into the Sanctuary; they have cast down the dwelling place of his name to the ground. O God, how long shall the Adversary reproach? shall the Enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? why withdrawest thou thine hand, even thy right hand: pluck it out of thy bosom.
March 17. This day the Indians fell upon Warwick, and burnt it down to the ground, all but one house.
March 20, Some of them returned into the Narraganset Country, and burnt down the remaining English Houses there.
We are now come to the conclusion of the year 1675. which hath been the most troublesom year that ever poor New England saw. What ending the present year shall have, is with God, but it hath a most doleful beginning.
For March 26. 1676. being the Sabbath-day, the Indians assaulted Malbury, and consumed a great part of the town; after which the Inhabitants apprehended themselves under a necessity of deserting that place, which was done accordingly; so that here is another Candlestick removed out of his place. This day also, Captain Pierce of Scituate, with a party of about fifty English, and twenty Indians, who were Friends to the English, pursued a small number of the Enemy, who in desperate subtilty ran away from them, and they went limping to make the English believe they were lame, till they had led them into a snare: for suddenly a vast body of Indians did encompass them round; so that Captain Pierce was slain, and forty and nine English with him, and eight (or more) Indians who did assist the English, and fought bravely in that engagement.
How many of the Enemy fell we know not certainly, only we hear that some Indians, which have since been taken by the English, confess that Captain Pierce, and those with him killed an hundred and forty of them before they lost their own lives.
Upon this Lords-day another sad thing likewise hapned; for near Springfield, there were eighteen English men riding to the Town, to attend the solemn Worship of God on his Holy-day, And although they were Armed, there were seven or eight Indians, who lying in Ambuscado, were so bold as to shoot at them. They killed a Man and a Maid that rode behind him, the English being surprised with fear, rode away to save their lives: in the mean while the Indians seized upon two women and children, and took them away alive, so that here we have cause to think of Joshuahs words, who said, O Lord, What shall I say when Israel turns their backs before the Enemies? What shall be said when eighteen English men well arm'd, fly before seven Indians? This seems to argue something of a divine forsaking, and displeasure in Heaven against us. The next day those Indians were pursued, but when the English came in sight those barbarous wretches hasted to run away, but before they knocked the two Children on the head, as they were sucking their Mothers breasts, and then knocked their Mothers on the head: Nevertheless one of them was alive when the souldiers came to her, and able to give an account of what the Indians had told her. Amongst other particulars, they did affirm to her that there was a Body of about three thousand Indians (no doubt but in that they did hyperbolize) near to Deerfield, and that they had newly received a great supply of powder from the Dutch at Albany: men that worship Mammon, notwithstanding all prohibitions to the contrary, will expose their own and other mens lives unto danger, if they may but gain a little of this worlds good.
March 27. Some of the inhabitants of Sudbury, being alarumed by what the Indians did yesterday to their neighbours in Malbury, apprehending they might come upon the enemy unawares, in case they should march after them in the night time, they resolved to try what might be done, and that not altogether without success. For towards the morning whilst it was yet dark, they discerned where the Indians lay their Fires. And such was their boldness, as that about three hundred of them lay all night, within half a mile of one of the garison houses in that Town where they had done such mischief the day before. Albeit the darkness was such as an English man could not be discerned from an Indian, yet ours being forty in number, discharged several times upon the enemy, and (as Indians taken since that time do confess,) God so disposed of the bullets that were shot at that time, that no less than thirty Indians were wounded, of whom there were fourteen that dyed, several of which had been principal actors in the late bloudy Tragedies. They fired hard upon the English, but neither killed nor wounded so much as one man in the Skirmish.
March 28. The Indians burnt about thirty Barns, and near upon forty dwelling Houses in Rehoboth, so that thereby the dissipation and desolation of that Church is greatly threatned.
The next day they burnt about thirty houses at the Town called Providence.
In the beginning of April they did some mischief at Chelmsford and Andover, where a small party of them put the Town into a great fright, caused all the people to fly into Garison-houses, killed one man, and burnt one house. And to shew what barbarous creatures they are, they exercised cruelty towards dumb creatures. They took a Cow, knocked off one of her horns cut out her tongue, and so left the poor creature in great misery. They put an Horse, Ox, &c. into an hovil, and then set it on fire, only to shew how they are delighted in exercising cruelty.
April 9. This day being the Lords day, there was an alarum at Charles-Town, Cambridg, and other Towns, by reason that sundry of the enemy were seen at Billerica, and (it seemeth) had shot a man there. This week we hear from Connecticut, that a party of their Souldiers went with many of the Pequods, and Monhegins, and some of Ninnegrets Indians, to seek after the enemy, and they killed and took captive forty and four Indians without the loss of any of ours: amongst whom were several of their Chief Captains, and their great Sachem called Quanonchet, who was a principal Ring-leader in the Narraganset War, and had as great an interest and influence, as can be said of any among the Indians. This great Sachem was pursued into a Rlver by one of Ninnegret his men, and there taken. Being apprehended he was carried away to Stonington, where the English caused the Pequods and Monhegins, and Ninnegrets Indians, to joyn together in shooting Quanonehet, and cutting off his head, which was sent to Hartford. And herein the English dealt wisely, for by this means, those three Indian Nations are become abominable to the other Indians, and it is now their interest to be faithful to the English, since their own Country-men will never forgive them, on account of their taking and killing the Sachem mentioned: So that there was a gracious smile of providence in this thing, yet not without matter of humbling to us, in that the Sachem was apprehended not by English but by Indian hands.
April 19. The Indians killed a man at Weymouth, and another at Hingham. And they burnt down the remaining deserted houses at Malbery.
April 20. A day of Humiliation was observed in Boston. The next day sad tidings came to us. For the enemy set upon Sudbury, and burnt a great part of the Town, and whereas Captain Wadsworth (a prudent and faithful man) was sent out for their relief with about seventy armed men, a great body of Indians surrounded them, so as that above fifty of ours were slain that day, amongst whom was Captain Wadsworth and his Lieutenant Sharp. Also Captain Brattlebanck (a godly and choise spirited man) was killed at the same time. Also they took five or six of the English and carried them away alive, but that night killed them in such a manner as none but Salvages would have done. For they stripped them naked, and caused them to run the Gauntlet, whipping them after a cruel and bloudy manner, and then threw hot ashes upon them; cut out the flesh of their legs, and put fire into their wounds, delighting to see the miserable torments of wretched creatures. Thus are they the perfect children of the Devil. What numbers the Indians lost in this fight, we know not, only a Captive since escaped out of their hands, affirms that the Indians said one to another, that they had an hundred and twenty fighting men kill'd this day,
The same day (as is judged fifty) Indians burnt nineteen houses and barns at Situate in Plimouth Colony, but were notably encountred and repelled from doing further mischief by the valor of a few of the inhabitants.
April 24. Skulking Indians did some mischief in Braintry, but the inhabitants received not any considerable damage by them.
April 27. A small number of them near Woodcocks who keeps the Ordinary in the Road to Rehoboth, watched their opportunity and killed his son, and another man, and greatly wounded another of his sons, and shot himself through the arm, and then burnt his sons house.
At Boston there is a Press in order to sending forth another Army to pursue the enemy; for we hear there is a great body of them near Malbury, (as tis apprehended) of many hundreds.
About this time, in Connecticut Colony, Capt. Dennison with sixty six Volunteers, and an hundred and twelve Pequod-Indinas, pursuing the common enemy, took and slew seventy and six Indians. Amongst the slain was the Sachem Pomham his Grand-child, who was also a Sachem, and another Sachem called Chickon, and one great Counsellor. They took and spoiled an hundred and sixty bushels of the Indians Corn. None of ours either English or Indians that did ingage with and for the English, were lost when this exploit was done.
In the month of April, many of the Eastern Indians having been sorely distressed, and fain to wander up and down for meat, so as that they lived for some time upon no other food then the skins of wild creatures, which they soaked in water till they became soft and eatable, notwithstanding the outrages and murthers (for they have shed the blood of about forty seven persons) by them committed, they did in confidence of favour from the English come and submit themselves, alleadging that the injuries done by them were grounded upon a mistake. For when a party of English came in a Warlike posture upon some of their Webbs (as they call them) i. e. Women as they were gathering Corn, an Indian seeing it, ran to the other Indians and told them that the English had (though it were not at all so) killed all those Indian women, and therefore they took up arms to revenge that supposed injury. Also they plead for themselves, that a Fisher-man told one of them, that the English would destroy all the Indians, and when inquiry was made of another English man (thought to be more discreet than the former) he confirmed what the other had said, and that some rude English did purposely over set a Canoo wherein was an Indian Lad; and that although a Squaw dived to the bottom of the River and fetched him up alive, yet that the Lad never came to himself again. It is greatly to be lamented that the Heathen should have any ground for such allegations, or that they should be scandalized by men that call themselves Christians.
May 3. Was the day of Election for Governour and Magistrates in the Mattachusets Colony. This day the Lord by a wonderful hand of providence, wrought Salvation for Mrs. Rowlandson and returned her to Boston, after she had been eleven weeks in Captivity amongst the Heathen. This is a Token for good, being a great answer of Prayer. For by reason of her near relation to a Man of God. much Prayer had been particularly made before the Lord on her behalf. Nevertheless did the Lord manifest his holy displeasure, inasmuch as at Haveril and Bradford, a small company of Indians killed two men and carried a way a man and a woman, and five children alive.
May 6. Our Forces which are abroad met with a party of Indians, and killed about thirteen of them, and had probably destroyed many more of them, had not an English man unhappily sounded a Trumpet, whereby the enemy had notice to escape. The Praying Indians did good Service at that time, insomuch as many who had hard thoughts of them all, begin to blame themselves, and to have a good opinion of those Praying Indians who have been so universally decryed.
May 8. About seventeen Houses and Barns did the Indians fire and destroy at Bridg-water. About this time they killed four men at Taunton, as they were at work in the field, by whose death about thirty Children were made Fatherless. But the Lord in the nick of time, sent Thunder and Rain, which caused the Enemy to turn back.
May 9. A day of Humiliation by Fasting and Prayer, was attended in the Town-house at Boston, by the Magistrates, and Deputies of the General Court, with Assistance of so many Teaching Elders as could be obtained. Although many such solemn occasions have at times been attended in former years, yet it hath been observed by some, that God did always signally own his Servants, upon their being before him in such a way and manner: And so it was now; for the very next day after this, a Letter came from Connecticut to Boston, informing, that God had let loose the Mohawks upon our Enemies, and that they were sick of Fluxes, and Feavers, which proved mortal to multitudes of them. And whereas a special request left before the Lord this day, was, that he would (as a token for good) cause our poor Captives to be returned to us again, and particularly those that were taken from Haveril the last week, God gave a gracious and speedy Answer, bringing home those very Captives in particular, and many other, yea at least sixteen of our poor sighing Prisoners, who were appointed to death, did the Lord loose and return unto us, within eight weeks after this day, and divers of them within three days after this solemn day of Prayer. There are who have dated the turn of Providence towards us in this Colony, and against the Enemy in a wonderful manner, from this day forward: yet some lesser and more inconsiderable devastations happened soon after in Plimouth Colony. For,
May 11. A company of Indians assaulted the Town of Plimouth, burnt eleven Houses and five Barns therein: ten English men were going to seek after the Enemy, and having an Indian with them, who was true to the English, he spied a party of Indians lying in Ambush, who in probability had otherwise cut off many of them, but the English having the opportunity of the first shot, struck down several Indians, one of which had on a great Peag Belt. But he and the other that fell were dragged away, and the Indians fled, when they saw themselves pursued, though but by a few. Nevertheless two days after this, they burnt seven Houses and two Barns more in Plimouth, and the remaining Houses in Namasket.