Narrative of the Troubles with the Indians in New England, Supplement – Map
A SUPPLEMENT Concerning the WARRE with the PEQUODS.
Reader,
I Could willingly have now expected that my Indenture being cancelled, I might have had a discharge from any further labour of this nature; but least I be found to have falsified my word passed in th… Title of the Narrative, according to the Civilians Rule, Nihil dicitur factum quamdiu aliquid superest ad agendum; as also that other, Non absolutus est debitor qui multa reddit, sed qui omni…; being some intimation ba…h already been made of great toruble with the Pequod Indians, at the first sesling of the Plantations upon C…nnecticut River, that I may make even, though not over measure, I shall i… …he last place give this following account thereof, either left …nder the hands of such as …m…anded i… …bief in that action, or from the mouth… of some saithf…l Witnesses, that were not only then present, but personally co…ned and engaged in that Ser…ice.
THere was a Nation of the Indians in the Southern parts of New-England, called Pequods, seated on a fair Navigable River, twelve miles to the Eastward of the mouth of the great and famous River of Co…ecticot; who (as was commonly reported about the time when New-England was first planted by the English) being a more fierce, cruel, and warlike People then the rest of the Indians; came down o…t of the more inland parts of the Contine…, and by force seized upon one of the goodliest places near the Sea, and became a terr our to all their Neighbours, on whom they had exercised several acts in inhumane cruelty; insomuch that being fleshed with Victories over their Fellow-indians; they began to thirst after the blood of any Forreigners, English and Dutch that accidentally came amongst them, in a way of Trade, or upon other Accounts.
In the year 1634. they treacherously and cruelly murthered Captain Stone, and Captain Norton, who came occasional…y with a Bark into the River to Trade with them. Not long after, within the compass of the next year, they in like treacherous manner, slew one Mr. Ol…ham (formerly belonging to New-Plimouth, but at that time an Inhabitant of the Massachusets) at Block Island a place not far from the mouth of their Harbour, as he was fairly Trading with them: besides some other such like acts of persideous cruel…y towards some of the Dutch, that had formerly been trading up Connecticut River: by which practises perceiving that they began to stink in the nosthrils of their Neighbours, whose revenge they now began to fear, and not willing to have to deal with too many Enemies at once, they imitated the subtlety of the Children of Ammon, when they began to stink before David; endeavouring to strengthen themselves with allyance of some of those they had formerly provoked, that by their assistance they might defend themselves against the rest, not doubting but to make their part good with their forreign Enemies, if they could be reconciled to their Indian Neighbours, the Narrhagansets, or other home-bred Enemies, if they could but fortifie themselves by a League of Friendship with any of their forreign Neighbours that were newly come to plant in these parts. To this end they sent Messengers with gifts to the Massachusets in the latter end of the same year 1634. the first Messengers were dismissed without an answer: but they being sensible of their own danger, and of the great importance a peace with the English of the Massachusets might be, pursued the business very earnestly, sending Messengers a second time, who offered much Wampam (Indians Money) and Beaver; with these second Messengers the Governour and Council of the Massachusets had much conference many dayes; and at last after the best advice they could take amongst themselves, concluded a Peace and Friendship with them, upon these Conditions.
1. That they should deliver up to the English those persons amongst them that were guilty of Captain Stones Death, and the rest that were with him.
2. That if the English desired to Plant in Connecticut they should give up their right to them.
3. That the English should thence forward Trade with them as their Friends, which was à chief thing aimed at, … the said Pequods being at that time in War with the Dutch, and the rest of their Neighbours, on the Reasons forementioned, to these conditions they readily agreed, and also cunningly insinuated their desire that their new Confederates, the Massachusets should mediate a peace for them with the Narrhagansets; intimating likewise their willingness that a part of the Present which they promised to send should be given to them, standing so much upon their ho…our, that they would not be seen to give any thing themselves; such was the pride and height of Spirit lodged in this company of Treacherous Villains, the Dr…gs and Lees of the Earth, and Drosse of Mankinde.
As for Capt. Stone's death they slily evaded the guilt of it, falsly adding that there were but two left that had any hand therein, and that it was a just quarrel wherein he was slain: for, said they, he surprised some of our men, and would by force have compelled them to shew him the way up the River, whereupon the said Stone coming ashore, with two more, was watched by nine of our men (say they) who finding the… asle…p in the night, slew them to deliver our own men, one of whom going afterward to the Barque, it was suddenly blown up, whereas the truth of the matter was thus,
The said Capt. Stone formerly belonging to Christophers in the West-Indies, occasionally coming to these parts, as he passed between this place and Virginia put in at that River, where the Indians after they had been often on board his Vessell to trade with him; at the last came friendly on board as they used to doe, but finding the Captain asleep in his Cabbin, took the opportunity to murther him as he lay, casting a Covering over him that he might not be discerned by the res… whom they pre…ently after dispatched one after another, all but Capt. Norton, who made flout resistance, for a long time defending himself in the Cook-room of the Barke, till the gun-powder which he had set in an open vessell, to be more ready for his use, accidentally took fire, by which fatal accident he was so burned & his eyes so blinded that he could not make any longer resistance, but forthwith fell into the hands of these cruel and bloudthirsty wretches, who after they had taken away his life made a prey of all that was in the Vessell.
As for Mr. Oldman he was indeed murthered at an Island called by the India…s Manisses (since known among the English by the name of Block-Islan… ) bu… those that murthered him (probably Inhabitants of the said Island) fled presently to the Pequods, by whom they were sheltered, and so became also guilty themselves of his bloud, which ere long was revenged by them, as is in the next place to be declared.
The English of the Massachusets after the peace concluded with the Pequods, sent a Barke thither for trade, that trial might be made of the reality of their friendship, but they found them treacherous and false, and that no advantage was to be had by any commerce with them, insomuch as they took up a resolution never more to have to doe with them; which the said Indians perceiving, made no account of the former peace, but took all advantage to do us mischief, not only by harbouring those who had murthered Mr. Oldham, but surprizing many of the English in the year 1636. when Connecticut River began first to be planted, divers of whom were killed (nine at one time in April 1637.) by them about Wethers field, when the Plantation then first began, so as they could not pass up and down the River without a Guard, but they would be in danger of being cut off or carried away, as two Maids were said to be; thirty men have been killed by them in all; those who fell into their hands alive, were cruelly tortured after a most barbarous manne…, by insulting over their Prisoners in a blasphemous wise, when in their dying Agonies, under the extremity of their pains (their flesh being fir…t fl…shed with knives, and then filled with burning Embers; they called upon God and Christ with gasping groans, resigning up their Souls into their hands; with which words these wretched Caitifs used to mock the English afterward, when they came within their hearing and view.
About the same time some Agents sent over by the Lord Say, and the Lord Brook, built a Fort at the mouth of Connecticut River, wherein was placed one Lieutenant Gardiner, and a convenient number of Souldiers to secure the place, intended soon after to be planted, but all the winter following (soil.) in the end of the year 1636. they were little better then besieged by the said Salvages, not daring to stir out of command of the Fort, but they were ready to b… seized by these their barbarous Enemies: At one time the Lieutenant himself with ten or twelve of the Souldiers; marching out of the Fort, with an intent to pass over a N…ck of Land, to burn the Marshes; as soon as ever they were passed over the streight of the Neck, th…y espyed a Comp…ny of Indians making towards the said I…tmus, which if they could not recover, they see they must all perish; whereupon returning back with all speed, they very narrowly escaped, and were two or three of them killed notwithstanding, before they could get back into the Fort, which was presently surrounded wit… multitudes of them; but the discharging of a plece of Ordnance gave them warning to keep further from the Walls: sometimes they came with their Canooes into the river in vie… of the Souldiers within the Fort, and when they apprehended themselves out of reach of their gunns, they would imitate the dying groans & invocations of the poor Captive English, which the English Souldiers were forced with silent patienc… bear; not being then in a capacity to requite their insolent blasphemyes. But they being by these horrible outrages justly provoked to indignation, unanimously agreed to joyn their Forces together to root them out of the earth with Gods Assistance.
The Colony of the Massachusets did immediately set about it in the latter end of the Summer (1636) by sending out fourscore men under the Command of Capt. Endicot of Salem, who went to the Pequoa Country by water, with Commission to treat with the said Pequods, first offering terms of peace, if they would surrender the Murtherers of the Eng…sh, and for bear further acts of hostility, or else fight them.
The Captain aforesaid coming ashore with his Company, by a message sent them by an interpreter, obtained some little speech with a great number of them at a distance; but after they understood what was propounded to them, first cunningly getting b…hind a hill, they presently ran away into the Woods and Swamps, where there was no pursuing of them: however one discharging a gun among them as they were taking their fl…ght, stayed the course of one, which was all that could be done against them for that time.
Winter approaching, and no encouragement presenting further to pursue them; at that time it was resolved better to return back for the present, and wait a further season when more Forces could be gathered together to pursue the quarrel to the utmost.
During this interim the Pequods perceiving that they had by several late injuryes and outr ages, drawn upon themselves the hatred of all the English, as well as of their own people by former wrongs; and distrusting their own ability to deal with them all at once, did at the last by all subtle insinuations, and perswasions, try to make their: peace with the Narrhagansets, using such Arguments as to right reason seemed not only preg…nt to the purpose; but also (if revenge that bewitching and pleasing passion of mans mind had not b…inded their eyes) most cogent and invincible: But they were by the good providence of God witheld from embracing those counsels, which might otherwise have proved most pernicious to the design…of the English: viz. That the English were Strangers, and b…gan to over spread the Country, the which would soon be possessed by them to the depriving the ancient inhabitants of their right, if they were not timely prevented; and that the Na…hagansets would but make way for their own ruine, by helping to destroy the Peq…ads; for after themselves were subdued, it would not be long ere the Narrhagansets themselves, would in the next place be rooted out likewise: Whereas if they would but joyn together against the English they could demonstrate how the English might easily either be destroyed or forced to leave the Country, and that without any danger to themselves: telling them also that they never need come to any open Battles, they might destroy them only by firing their houses, and killing their Cattle, and lying in wait for them as they went about their ordinary occasions; which course if it were pursued, they said their new and unwelcome neighbours could not long subsist; but would either be …arved with hu…ger and cold, or forced to forsake the Country.
Matchiavel himself if he had sate in counsel with them could not have insinuated stronger reasons to have perswaded them to a peace.
It is said that so much reason was apprehended in these motives, that the Narrbagansets were once wavering, and were almost perswaded to have granted an ear to their advice and perswasion and joyned all again…t the English; but when they considered what an advantage they had put into their hands by the strength and favour of the English, to take a full revenge of all their former injuries, upon their inveterate Enem…es, the thought of that was so sweet that it turned the scale against all other considerations whatsoever.
The report of the unheard of cruelties fore mentioned filling the ears of the English throughout the Country; it was agreed by the joynt consent of the English throughout the three Colonies to … all their Forces together, for the suppressing the common Enemy, early in the Spring Anno, 1637. who were also moved thereunto by their own necessities as well as by the earnest request of their Friends at Connecticut.
Those of Plimouth being written unto by the Governour of the Massachuse…s, appeared very cordially willing thereunto, to which end they agreed to send fifty men at their own charge, with as much speed as the matter required, with sufficient Leaders appointed, and a Barke provided to carry them Provisions, and tend upon them on all occasions; but before they could be dispatched away the next Spring, News was brought that the Enemy was wholly routed, so as their journey was stopped, and their good will accepted for the deed; as if they really had been there to have born their part in the Service, their non-appearance in time and place being not to be im puted to any backwardness in their minds; but to their too late invitation to the Service; the motion fetching a large compass from Connecticut down to the massachusets; from whom in the last place they were solicited thereunto. And for the other two Colonies, those of Connecticut being quickned on by the sp…rr of necessi…y, and present sense of the insolency daily acted at their very doors, were soonest upon their March, and by the good hand of God upon them, had given the main stroak before their Friends of the Massachusets could come up with them, yet was there no repining for the want of the glory of the Victory, nor was their any cause, those that were the chief actors therein being forward to give God the glory of the whole, and not willing to pocket up any thing thereof themselves, acknowledging that they never saw more of God, or less of man in any business of that nature, as may more fully be understood by particulars ensuing.
The Colony of the Massachusets determined to send an hundred and six…y, of whom an hundred and twenty were ordered under the conduct of Capt. Patrick of Watertown, and Capt. Trask of Salem, Capt. Stoughton of Dorchester, being to command in chief; with whom was sent that holy man of God Mr. Iohn Wilson (Pastor of the Church of B…ston) the Charets and Horsemen of our Israel, by whose Faith and Prayer as sometimes was said of Luther (in reference to Germany) the Country was preserved, so as it was confidently believed that no Enemy would break in upon a place whilst he survived, which as some have observed accordingly came to pass.
The matter requiring great expedition, and it being long before the whole company could be dispatched away, Capt. Patrick with forty men were sent away before hand, to be sure to meet with those of Connecticot in case they should be in action, before the rest of our Forces could get into a readiness, which accordingly came to pass; for the main business in taking the Fort was over, even before the said Patrick could get thither. Capt. Vnderhill was sent by Mr. Vane the Governour to Saybrook the winter before to strengthen the Garison there. The assaulting and surprizing of which, being the most remarkable piece of service in that whole expedition; take it as it was delivered in writing by that valia…, faithful and prudent Commander Capt. Mason, chief in the action, who lived long after to reap the fruit of his labour, and enjoy the benefit of that dayes service, having an Inheritance given him in that part of the Country, as a just reward of his faithful service on that day as well as at other times. Wequash a Pequod by Nation, but disgusted by the Sachem, proved a good guide, by whose direction they were led to a Fort near Mystick River, some miles nearer then Sassacous his Fort, which they first intended to assault.
On the second Wednesday of May, being the tenth day of that Month, we set sayle with ninety men of the English in one Pink, one Pinnace, two Boats toward the Pequods, with seventy River Indians, … ving somewhat a long passage to Saybrook Fort, about forty of our Indians desired to go down by land on Saturday, but on Munday they went forth from the Fort, and meeting seven Pequods and Nianticks, they flew five outright, took one Prisoner and brought him, into Saybrook Fort, where he was executed by Captain Vnderhill, the other escaped.
On Munday we all landed at Saybrook Fort, and stayed there till tuesday; Capt. Vnderhill joyning ni…eteen men with himself to us: whereupon we sent back twenty of ours to strengthen our Plantations: and so set sayl on thursday towards Narrhaganset, and arrived there on fryday
On Saturday my self, with Capt. Vnderhill, Leiftenant Sealy, with our guard marched to Canonicus by land, being about five miles distant, where we were kindly entertained after their manner: having bad parly with him, we sent to Miantonimo, who would give no present answer: and so our Sabbeth being on the morrow▪ we adjourned our m…eting untill Monday, at which time there a sembled Mi…ntonimo … the chiefest of them about two hundred men; and being solem…ly se… for Conseltation after their manner; we told them we were now going God …, to revenge the wrong committed and bloud shed by their & our enemies, upon our native Country-men, not any way desi…ing their a…d, unless they would voluntarily send, which they did exceedingly approve of: moreover we told them that the English and they had alwayes … friends for ought we knew, & so we were with the Indians that had not wronged English-men, the which they acknowledged, and so made a large description of the Pequods Country, and told us they would send men with us; so we resolved there to keep our rendezv…ze a Canonicus his Plantation on the morrow might being Tuesday: but the wind being sti…, we could not land our men …ll five or six of the clo…k in the afternoon, at which time I landed on Narrhaganset shoa… with thirty two men and so marched to the place of Rendez…ou…e formerly appointed: Capt. … …ill and my Leiftenant landed … rest, and so came up to me that night. About two hours before day came a… Indian with a Letter from Capt. Patrick, being then at Mr. Ro. Williams his plantation with fourty men, who desired us to stay for his coming and joyning, not intimating when that would be: the which being considered and debated. We thought could not be our safest course, (though his present assistance was much desired) for these Reasons.
First. Because the day before when we had absolutely resolved to go, the Indians plainly told us they thought we were but in jest, and also that English-men did talk much but not fight, nay they concluded that they would not goe on: and besides if we should deferre, we feated we should be discovered by reason of the frequent recourse between them by certain Squaws (who have mutual recourse) whereupon we were constra… ed to set forward toward the Pequods, with seventy seven English, and about sixty River Indians, and as I suppose near about two hundred Narrhagansets, and marched that night to the eastern Nia…ticks, where we kept our Rendezvouze that night; The Sachem of the place adding about an hundred of his men unto us.
We set forward and marched about ten miles, where making an Alta (or halt) there we held a consultation with the Indians that desired to know what we intended; we told them that we resolved to assault Sassacous his Fort, at which they were all stricken, and as it were amazed with fear, as they plainly confessed; and so after long debate and pressing of them taxing them with cowardize, some of them resolved to goe along with us, though I suppose they had no such intent, as appeared afterward; some of them left us to the number as I suppose of an hundred or less; and marching on five miles further, we made another Alta, where they told us we had near a dozen miles to Sassacous his Fort as we gathered by their relation: Being very weary in travelling with our arms, amunition and provision; we were constrained to alter our resolution, and resolve to attempt that Fort the which they had formerly described to be three or four miles nearer; and also one of Capt. Vnderhills men falling put it out of doubt. But whosoever saith that Capt. Vnderhill had any falling out about …hat or any thing else, doth speak untruth: for we both resolved to Sassacous his Fort, as we concluded in our consultation at …rrhagauset, and so continued our resolution till we received the former … as grounds sufficient to perswade us to the contrary, and … pr…f cu…e that which was most likely to be accomplished.
They drew a Plot of the seituation of the Pequods and described Sassaco…s his Fort to be the nearest, which was the chief cause we determined to … that first, and had no reason leading till our last Alta, where upon the reasons formerly mentioned, we changed our res…n…ion: … is they much desired and very much rejoy…ed; for it was dre…dfull to them to hear the name of Sassacous.
From thence we marched two or three miles where we kept our rendezyonze, supposing we had been within one mile of the Fort: They having sent an Indian to discover before hand, brought us newes that they were secure, having been fishing with many Canooes at Sea, and diverse of them walking here and there.
About two hours before day we marched toward the Fort, being weary and much spent; many of us having slept nothing at all.
And so we began to march toward the Fort, the Lord being pleased wonderfully to assist and encourage us; after a tedious march of three or four miles, about break of day we came fair in view of the Fort standing on the top of an hill …ot steep; the Indians all falling back, were suddenly vanished out of sight, so we made an Alta, and sent back for our Guide, who had promised to goe with us to the Fort, but his heart we saw much failed him; we asked him what they intended who promised to wing us▪ and to surround the Fort; he told us they were much afraid; but he seing our resolution went to them and prevailed with diverse of them to come up to us; we told them their best course would be to flanke the Fort on both sides, and having no time longer to conferre, we proceeded; Capt. Vnderhill to the western entrance with one division, my self with the other to the eastern as silently as possibly we could, so it pleased God we came up with the Palisado within two rod, before we were discovered, at which time a dog began to bark & an Indian c…ied out, but not being my self rightly informed by the Indian of the right entrance, though there was a little postern door, the which I had thought to have attempted to break down with my foot; but the Lord directed me otherwise for the better; for I then feared we could not there … with our armes, which proved true, so I suddenly hasted to the Palisado, and putting in the muzzle of my piece, discharged upon them, and so the rest with all celerity; and suddenly hastned on toward that side which stood toward the water; where I concluded was an entrance, and instantly fell upon it, being only barred with two great forked boughs, or branches of some tree, and hasting over them, I drew one after me my Lieutenant the other way outward; then we suddenly fell upon the Wigwams, the Indians ceyed out in most hideous manner, some issuing out of the Wigwams, shooting at us desperately, and so creeping under beds that they had. We had resolved awhile not to have burned it, but being we could not come at them, I then resolved to set it on fire, after diverse of them were slain, and some of our men sor… wounded: So entring one of their wigwams, I took a fire-brand [at which time an Indian drawing an arrow had killed him, but one Davi… his Serjeant cut the Bow-string with his Co…rtlace] and suddenly kind…ed a fire in the matts wherewith they were covered, and fell to a retreat and surrounded the Fort; the fire encreasing violently, insomuch as that they were constrainned to climb to the top of the Palisadoe; from whence they were soon fetcht down, … suppose to the number of an hundred and forty; many of of them issuing forth were suddenly slain either by the English or Indians, who were in a ring without us, all being dispatched and ended in the space of an hour, having two of our men slain, and sixteen wounded.
Being very hot and dry we could very hardly procure any water, where we co…tinued one hour not knowing what course to take or which way to go, our Pinnaces not being come in, neither did we know how far, or which way to go to them; our Interpreter being an Indian and they so hurried and ditracted with a few hurt men, but chiefly as I conceive with fear of the Enemy, who suddenly approached, that we could hardly come to speak with him, who knew nothing what they intended.
But the Enemy approaching they began to cleave unto us, and I verily think du…st not leave us.
Our Pi…naces then coming in view with a fair gale, being guided as it were to serve o… necessity by the good hand of God, which I think was never more eminently seen in a matter of like moment and less of man in several passages. Then we set our men in order and prepared for fight and began to march toward the Harbour where the Pinnaces w…re to ride: the Enemy approaching Capt. Vnderhill with divers Indians and certain English issued out to encounter them, but they would not stand to it, for the most part they lay behind Rocks, Trees and Bushes, we marched on they still dogging of us; sometimes desperately hazarding themselves in open field, where some of them were stain in open view, and as we hear many wounded: I was somewhat ca…lous in bestowing many shot upon them needlesly, because I expected a strong opposition; and thus they continued to follow us till we came within two miles of our Pinnaces where they wholly left us, which vvas near six miles as I conceive, having then about tvvo miles more to the River.
Four of our wounded men we were forced to carry our selves, while at length we hired the Indians to bear them, both in this and all their following enterprises against the Pequods:
Here note that one Wequash a Pequod fell from his Country-men, and proved a Guide to the English.
This service being thus happily accomplished by these few hands that came from Connecticut, within a while after, the Forces sent from the Massachusets under the conduct of Captain Stoughton as Commander in chief arrived there also, who found a great part of the work done to their hands, in the surprizal of the Pequods Fort as aforesaid, which yet was but the breaking of the nest, and …ke …el…ng those …vage Wolves; for the Body of them, with Sassacous the chief Sachem (whose very … war a terrour to all the Narrhaganse…s) were dispersed abroad and scattered all over their Country, yet so far dismayed, that they never durst make any assault upon the English, that in several parties were scatered about in pursuit of them.
It was not long after Capt. Stoughtous Souldiers came up before a news was brought of a great number of the Enemy, that were discovered by the side of a River up the Country, being first trapanned by the Narhagansets, under pretence of securing them, but they were truly hemmed in by them, though at a distance, yet so as they could not, or durst, not sti… from the place, by which means our Forces of the, Massachusets had an easie Conquest of some undreds of them who were there … up as in a Pound: not daring to fight, not able to fly away, and so were all taken without any opposition: the men among them to the number of thirty were turned presently into Charons Ferry-boat under the command of Skipper Gallop, who dispatched them a little without the Harbour; the Females and Children were disposed of according to the will of the Conquerers, some being given to the Narrhagansets, and other Indians that assisted in the service.
The rest of the Enemy being first fired out of their strong hold were taken and destroyed, a great number of them, being seized in the places where they intended to have hid themselves, the rest fled out of their own Country over Connecticut River, up toward the Dutch Plantation. Our Souldiers being resolved by Gods assistance to make a final de…ruction of them, were minded to pursue them which way soever they should think to make their escape, to which end in the next place, our Souldiers went by Water towards New Have…, vvhether they heard, and vvhichwhich in reason vvas most likely) they bent their course? soon after they vvere informed of a great number of them, that had betaken themselves to a neighbouring place not far of, vvhither they might hope it vvas not like they should be pursued; but upon search they found fifty or sixty Wigvvams, but vvithout any Indians in any of them, but heard that they had passed along tovvard the Dutch Plantation, vvhereupon our Souldiers that vvere before, all embarked for Quill…piack, aftervvards called New-Haven, and being landed there, they had not far to march unto the place where it was most probable they should either find or hear of them; accordingly in their m…rch they met here & there with sundry of them, whom they flew or took prisoners, amongst whom were two Sachems, whom they presently beheaded; to a third that was either a Sachem or near a kin to one, they gave his life upon condition that he should goe and enquire where Sassacous was, and accordingly bring them word; this Indian overlooking all other national or n…tural obligations, in consideration of his life that was received on that condition, proved very true and faithfull to those that sent him, his order was to have returned in three dayes, but not being able within so short a time to make a full discovery of the business, & also find an handsome way to escape, he made it eight dayes before he returned, in which something fell out not a little remarkable; for those he was sent to discover, suspecting at the last by his withdrawing himself that he came for a Spye, pursued after him, so as he was forced to fly for his life, and getting down to the Sea-side he accidentally met with a Canooe a little before turned adrift, by which means he padled by some shift o… other so farr out of the harbou…, that making a sign he was discerned of some on board one of the Vessels that attended on our Souldiers, by whom being taken up he made known what he had discovered: But after he was gone Sassacous suspecting (and not without just cause) what the matter was, made his escape from the rest with twenty or thirty of his men to the Mohawkes, by whom himself and they were all murthered afterward, being hired thereunto by the Narrhagansets, as was confidently affirmed & believed.
Thus this treac…erous and cruel Villain with his Companions, having against his Faith and promise, as well as contrary to the Lawes of nature and nations, murthered several others, both of the Dutch and English Nation, is in the same manner himself against the lawes of Hospitality murthered by those to whom he fled for refuge; V…ngeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay it.
It is worthy our observation, that this Sassacous the chief Sachem of the Pequods, as Philip of Mount-hope, (both of them in their several times and places the contrivers of many bloudy and cruel mischiefs, yet) escaped the hands of those whom they had so many wayes provoked to the u…most degree of indignation, that so they might not too much gratifie their own spirits in taking revenge; but it must be brought about by those means, in which the glory of divine vengeance and justice shall more eminently shine forth, that it might be truly said of them as Adonibesek confessed of himself, As I have done, so God hath requited me. But to return.
The rest of the P…quods from whome Sassaco… had made an escape, shifted every one for himself, leaving but three or four behind them (when a party of our Souldiers according to the direction of him that was sent as a Spy came upon the place) who would not or could not tell them whither their Company were fled; but our Souldiers ra…ging up and down as providence guided them, at the last, Iuly 13. 1…37. they lighted upon a great number of them, they pursued in a small Indian town seated by the side of an hideous Swamp (near the place where Fairfield or Stratford now stand) into which they all slipt as well P…quods as natives of the place, before our men could make any shot upon them, having placed a Centin… to give warning; Mr. Ludlow and Capt. Mason with half a score of their men hapned to discover this crew. Capt. Patrick and Capt. Tra…k with about an hundred of the Massachuset Forces came in upon them presently after the alarm was given; such Commanders as first hapned to be there gave special order that the Swamp should be surrounded (being about a mile in Compass) but Lieutenant Davenport belonging to Capt. Trask his Company, not hearing the word of Command, with a douzen more of his Company in an over eager pursuit of the enemy, rushed immediately into the Swamp, where they were very rudely entertained by those evening wolves that were newly kenne…ed therein; for Lieft. Davenport was sorely wounded in the Body, Iohn Weagwood of Ipswich in the belly, and was laid hold on also by some of the Indians; Thomas Shirman of the said Ipswich in the neck; some of their neighbours that ventured in with them were in danger of the Enemies arrows that flew very thick about them, others were in as much hazzard of being swallowed by the miery boggs of the Swamp wherein they stuck so …ast, that if Serjeant …iggs of …o…bury had not rescued two or three of them they had fallen into the hands of the enemy; but s…ch was the strength and courage of those that came to the rescue, that some of the Indians being …ain with their Swords, their friends were quickly relieved, and drawn out of the mire and darger.
But the Indians of the place, who had for company sake run with their Guests the Pequods into the swamp, did not love their friendship so well as to be killed with them also for company sake, wherefore they began to be …ink themselves that they had done no wrong to the English, and desired a parly which was granted, & presently understood by the …ears of Thomas Stanton an exact Interpreter then at hand, upon which the Sachem of the place with several others their wives and children, that liked better to live quietly in their wigwams then be buried in the Swampe, …ame forth and had their lives granted them: after some time of further parley with these, the interpr…er was … …n to … the … to the rest, but they were Possessed with … of … and fullenness that they resolved rather to fell their lives for what they could get there; and to that end began to let fly their arrowes thick against him as intending to … his bloud some part of the price of their own; but through the goodness of God toward …, his … was not … be sold on that account, he being presently fetched ….
By this time night drawing on, our Commanders perceiving… on which side of the Swampe the enemies were lodged, gave order to cut through the Swamp with their swords, that they might the better … them round in one corner; which was presently done, and so they were begir… in all night, the English in the … p…ying them with s…ot all the time, by which meanes many of them were killed and buried in the mire, as they found the next day. The Swamp by the forementioned device being reduced to so narrow a compass, that our souldiers standing at twelve foot distance could surround it, the enemy was kept in all the night: but a little before day break (by reason of the Fogge that useth to arise about that time observed to be the … of the …) twenty or thirty of the lustiest of the enemy brake through the …, and escaped away into the woods, some by violence and some by … dropping away, some of whom not withstanding were killed in the pursuit; the rest were left to the mercy of the Conquerers, of which many were killed in the swamp like …ulle… doggs, that would … in their self-willedness and madness s… … be shot through or … in pieces, then receive their lives for the asking at the … of those into whose power they were now fallen: Some that are yet living and worthy of credit doe affirm, that in the morning entring into the Swamp, they saw several heaps of them fitting close …; upon whom they discharged their pieces laden with ten or twelve … bullets at a time; putting the muzzles of their pieces under the boughs within a few yards of them; so as besides those that were sound dead (near twenty) it was judged that many more were killed and su…k into the mire and never were minded more by friend or foe: of those who were not so desperate or sullen to fell their lives for nothing, but yielded in time, the male Children were sent to the Bermudas, of the females some were distributed to the English towns, some were disposed of among the other Indians to whom they were deadly enemies as well as to our selves.
This overthrow given to the Pequods struck such a terror into all the Indians in those parts (some of whom had been ill-affected to the English before) that they sought our friendship, and tendred themselves to be under our protection, which they then obtained, and have never since forfeited it any of them till this late rebellion of Philip the subject of the discourse …. Amongst the rest of the Prisoners special notice was taken of the Wife of a noted, Indian called Mononotto, who with her Children submitted her self, or by the chance of the warre fell into the hands of the English: it was known to be by her modia…ion that two English maides, (that were taken away from W…thersfield upon Connecticut River) were saved from death, in requital of whose pitty and humanity, the life of her self and her children was not only granted her, but she was in special recommended to the care of that honourable gentleman Mr. Iohn Winthrop, for that time being the worthy Governour of the Massachusets; who taking notice of her modest countenance and behaviour, as well as of her only …equest (not to suffer wrong either as to the honour of her body or fruit of her womb) gave special charge concerning her according to his noble and Christian disposition.
After this slaughter at the Swamp the Pequods being upon every turn exposed to revenge of the Mohegins on one side, and Narrhagansets on the other, chose rather to submit themselves to the English, by whom they were, put, some under the Mohegin, and some under the Narrhagansets, which at last proved the occasion of the present quarrel as is conceived, through the ambition of Miantonimo, as was at first related.
This was the issue of the Pequod Warre, which in the day of it here in New England was then as for midable to the Country in general as the present Warre with Philip; the experience of which because it may administer much matter of Comfort and encouragement to the surviving Generation, as well as of praise and thanksgiving to almighty God from all those who have thus long quietly enjoyed the benefit and reaped the fruit of their labour, and courage who engaged therein: the more pains hath been taken to search out the broken pieces of that Story and thus put them together before the memory thereof was buried in the ruines of time, and past the recovery and knowledg of the present age, the which though it be here in the last place recorded, should in the first be remembred.
A MAP OF NEW-ENGLAND,
Being the first that ever was here cut, and done by the best Pattern that could be had, which being in some places defective, it made the other less exact: yet doth it sufficiently shew the S…tuation of the Country, and conveniently well the distance of Places.
The figures that are joyned with the Names of Places are to distinguish such as have been assaulted by the Indians from others.