The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion, Appendix 2 – Letter

The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion · Appendix 2 – Letter

APPENDIX. By the Rev. JOHN TAYLOR, the preſent Miniſter of the Goſpel, in Deerfield; containing ſome account of the miſchief done by the enemy, in Deerfield, and its vicinity, from the death of the Rev. Mr. WILLIAMS, to the concluſion of the laſt French War.

THE readers of this Appendix, will probably feel deſirous of knowing the reaſons, why, in many things, I have been ſo general; only having given a brief ſtatement of facts; and in others, have been more particular. I truſt, it will be a ſufficient apology to obſerve, That I have done it for the want of better documents. Moſt of the facts mentioned, I have taken from the minutes of ſome gentlemen, who kept them, only for their own ſatisfaction, and were not particular; and now, the diſtance of time, precludes the poſſibility of obtaining ſuch an account of circumſtances, as may be depended on.

One reaſon, of my adding this appendix, is, I ſuppoſe that it will not be diſagreeable to any who were deſirous that the Narrative ſhould be reprinted, eſpecially p. 160the deſcendants of thoſe who were either killed, wounded, or captivated; and for this reaſon, I have been careful alſo to mention the names of ſuch.

Another reaſon is,—I think that every veſtige of hiſtory, which reſpects the early ſettlement of a country, ſhould be preſerved, for the ſatisfaction of future generations.

THE laſt account of miſchief, mentioned in the former Appendix, done by the enemy in this part of the country, was in Auguſt, 1725. This year, terminated the war. A treaty of peace was held at Boſton, by commiſſioners from the General Court, and the Chiefs of the Indian tribes; at which, articles were ſigned, and a long peace enſued.

There appeared, for many years, an unuſually pacific ſpirit among the Indians; probably in conſequence of ſome acts of the General Court, favourable to them in their trade. It was thought, that they never again would have been diſpoſed to hoſtilities, had they not been under the immediate influence of the French intereſt.

War was declared between France and p. 161England, March, 1744. The firſt year of the war, no Indians made their appearance in this part of the country: They had found by experience, that to maintain an open trade with the Engliſh, was greatly for their intereſt; and conſequently at firſt, entered into the war with reluctance.

The firſt miſchief that I can obtain an account of, done by the enemy, in this part of the country, in the courſe of this war, was in July, 1745; when a few Indians came to a place called the Great Meadow, about 16 miles above fort Dummer, on Connecticut River; two of whom, captivated William Phips, as he was hoeing his corn. After having taken, and led him about half a mile, they made a ſtand; and as the Indians afterwards informed, one of them having laid down his gun, and gone a few rods, for the purpoſe of fetching ſomething he had left, on his return, Phips took up the Indian's gun, fired upon, and killed him; then fell upon the other with his hoe, ſtruck him down, and bruiſed him, 'till he ſuppoſed he was dead; he then attempted to make his eſcape, but unfortunately, three more p. 162of the enemy came upon him, and killed him.

The ſame month, deacon Joſiah Fiſher, was killed, and ſcalped at a place called the upper Aſhwelot.

Oct. 11th. The fort at the Great Meadow, was attacked by a large party of French and Indians; the attack was bold, and furious, but without ſucceſs. No lives were loſt. Nehemiah How was taken captive, and carried to Quebeck, where he ſoon died. The enemy on their return, met one David Rugg, with another perſon, paſſing down Connecticut river in a canoe; Rugg they killed, and ſcalped, the other perſon, with ſome difficulty, made his eſcape.

I can find no farther account of miſchief done by the enemy, in this part of the country, in the year 1745, but in 46 they began in ſeaſon, and the ſufferings of the people were very conſiderable.

In April, the enemy made their appearance at No. 4, (now Charleſton,) which was then the moſt northern ſettlement, on Connecticut river; Capt. John Spafford, Iſaac Parker, and Stephen Farnſworth, being at a little diſtance from the fort, were captivated and carried to Canada.

p. 163The ſame month, a party of Indians ambuſhed the road, between Northfield and Lunenburgh, and killed Joſhua Holton.

On the 23d of the ſame month, a large party of the enemy, came to the upper Aſhwelot, with a deſign to have taken the fort by ſurpriſe, but being diſcovered by a perſon who was providentially, at that time, at a little diſtance from the garriſon, they were diſconcerted; an action however enſued, which continued for ſome time; the enemy finally withdrew. In this action, John Bullard was killed, Nathan Blake was captivated, and the wife of Daniel M'Kinne, being out of the fort, was overtaken and ſtabbed. Before the enemy retired, they burnt ſeveral buildings, which was ſuppoſed to have been done, not ſo much for the ſake of miſchief, as to conceal their dead; there being many human bones afterwards found among the aſhes.

In the beginning of May, the enemy again appeared at No. 4; a few people were near a barn, about ſixty rods from the fort, when they were fired upon by a conſiderable body of the natives who had concealed themſelves in the barn, Seth Putnam, p. 164a ſoldier belonging to the fort, was killed; whilſt the enemy were endeavouring to ſcalp him, Major Willard, commander of the garriſon, with two ſoldiers, ran near to them undiſcovered, and fired upon them, upon which they retreated in great haſte. The Indians afterwards reported to the priſoners in Canada, that at this time, two of their number were mortally wounded, and died ſoon after.

May 6th, a large party of Indians made an attempt upon the fort at Falltown; (now Bernardſton,) a perſon about forty rods from the fort diſcovering them, gave information to another farther diſtant than himſelf; by this, the enemy found they were diſcovered, and ran immediately to the fort; an attack commenced, which continued for ſome time, and tho' there were but three ſoldiers in the fort, they defended it till the enemy withdrew. John Burk was ſlightly wounded, one houſe was burnt, and about ten cattle were killed. Two Indians were mortally wounded, who died ſoon after their return.

On the ſame day, Serg. John Hawks, and John Miles, were fired upon by two Indians, as they were riding out from fort Maſſachuſetts, and were both wounded: p. 165Miles made his eſcape to the fort; Hawks fought for ſome time, and as afterwards appeared, might have taken them both priſoners, had he underſtood their language; they aſked him for quarter before he turned to make his eſcape.

10th. Five of that party of Indians, who the day before had been at Falltown fort, ambuſhed the road at Colrain. Matthew Clark, with his wife and daughter, together with two ſoldiers were fired upon, a few rods from the fort; Clark was killed, and his wife and daughter were wounded; one of the ſoldiers returning the fire, killed one of the enemy, which gave them a check, and he brought the wounded into the fort.

A few days after, about twenty men were out, fifty or ſixty rods from the fort, at No. 4, viewing the place where Parker was killed on the 2d of the month, and before they diſcovered an enemy, they were fired upon by a large body of Indians, who immediately endeavoured to cut off their communication with the fort; Capt. Stevens, commander of the garriſon, came out with a body of men for their relief, a ſevere action enſued, which continued for ſome time; at p. 166laſt the enemy fled; and as was ſuppoſed with conſiderable loſs. Capt. Stevens loſt three, viz. Aaron Lyon, Peter Perrin, and Joſeph Marcy; he had four wounded, and one taken captive.

June 11th. A party of the enemy again appeared at fort Maſſachuſetts; a number of men being at ſome diſtance from the fort, were attacked, and a ſkirmiſh enſued: The enemy fled, after ſuſtaining the fire but a few moments. Eliſha Nims, and Gerſhom Hawks were wounded; and Benjamin Tenter was captivated. One of the enemy was killed.

19th. A large body of the enemy again appeared at No. 4; Capt. Stevens, and Capt. Brown, marching with about fifty men from the fort into the meadow, were ambuſhed; the enemy were diſcovered before they fired: Stevens began the attack, and a ſevere action was fought; after ſome time the enemy were repulſed, and retreated in great haſte. Capt. Stevens loſt none on the ſpot. Jedidiah Winchel was mortally wounded, and died ſoon after. David Parker, Jonathan Stanhope, and Noah Heaton were alſo wounded, but recovered.

20th. A party of about twenty Indians p. 167came to Bridgman's fort, about two miles below fort Dummer, and fell upon a number of men who were at work in the meadow. In this ſkirmiſh William Robins and James Parker were killed; John Beaumont and Daniel How were taken captive; Michael Gilſon, and Patrick Ray were wounded, but recovered.

July 3d. The enemy waylaid a mill in Hinſdale; Col. Willard having come to the mill with a guard of about 20 men, for the purpoſe of grinding, and having placed his guards, they were ſoon fired upon; the Colonel calling to his men with great earneſtneſs to fall upon them, gave them ſuch a fright, that they fled, leaving behind them their packs, and proviſions, to the value of 40l. (old tennor.)

28th. David Morriſon, of Colrain, was taken captive, near one of the garriſons.

Auguſt 3d. A body of the enemy appeared at No. 4; ſuſpicions of their approach were excited by the yelling of dogs. A ſcout was ſent out from the fort, and had proceeded but a few rods before they were fired on. Ebenezer Philips was killed; the remainder made their eſcape to the fort; the enemy ſurrounded the garriſon, and endeavoured, p. 168for three days, to take it; but finding their efforts ineffectual, they withdrew, after having burnt ſeveral buildings, and killed all the cattle, horſes, &c. they could find.

11th. Benjamin Wright, of Northfield, riding in the woods, was fired on, and mortally wounded; he died in a few hours.

17th. Ezekiel Wallingford was killed, and ſcalped, at a place called Poquaig. The ſame day, a perſon by the name of Bliſs, was killed, and ſcalped, on the road between Deerfield, and Colrain, or Bernardſton.

20th. An army of about nine hundred French and Indians, under the command of Gen. de Vaudreuil, made an attack upon fort Maſſachuſetts. The fort was commanded by Col. Hawks, who, was not in a ſituation to defend it againſt ſuch a force, having but thirty three perſons, both of men, women, and children, in the fort; and being miſerably provided with ammunition; with great fortitude, however, he defended it for twenty eight hours; and had not his ammunition failed, it is probable he never would have given up the fort. He was, p. 169finally, neceſſitated to capitulate; and he offered ſuch articles as were accepted by de Vaudreuil. One ſpecial article in this capitulation, was, that none of the priſoners ſhould be delivered into the hands of the Indians; the next day, however, Vaudreuil divided the priſoners, and delivered them one half, in open violation, and contempt of the article.**Gen. de Vaudreuil's plea for this breach of ſaith, was, the danger of mutiny in his army, the Indians being irritated to a great degree, on account of their being cut off, by the capitulation, from all the profits of the conqueſt. But, how far this plea was a juſtification of ſuch perfidy, I leave to the judicious to determine. The Indians immediately killed one, who, by reaſon of ſickneſs, was unable to travel. The priſoners were, in general, treated with civility, moſt of whom were afterwards redeemed. Col. Hawks loſt but one man in the ſiege. Gen. de Vaudreuil, according to the beſt accounts the priſoners could obtain, loſt forty five, who were either killed outright, or died of their wounds.

Immediately after the capture of the fort, a party of about fifty Indians came p. 170on, for the purpoſe of making depredations upon Deerfield. They came firſt upon a hill, at the ſouth weſt corner of the ſouth meadow, where they diſcovered ten, or twelve, men and children at work, in a ſituation, in which they might all, with eaſe, be made priſoners. Had they ſucceeded in their deſign, which was, to obtain priſoners, rather than ſcalps, it is probable that events would not have been ſo diſaſtrous as they proved. They were diſconcerted by the following circumſtance: Mr. Eleazer Hawks was out that morning a fowling, and was providentially at the foot of the hill, at the time the enemy came down; they, ſeeing him, ſuppoſed they were diſcovered, and immediately fired upon him, killed, and ſcalped him. This gave an alarm to the people in the meadow, ſome of whom were diſtant but a few rods. The enemy were now ſenſible, that what they did muſt be done with diſpatch. Accordingly they ruſhed into the meadow, fired on Simeon Amſden, a lad, and killed him, beheaded, and ſcalped him. Mr. Samuel Allen, John Sadler, and Adonijah Gillet, ran a few rods, and made a ſtand, under a bank of the river, where they p. 171were attacked with fury, and fought for a little time with great bravery; they were, however, ſoon overpowered with numbers. Allen and Gillet fell. Sadler, finding himſelf alone, ran acroſs the river, and made his eſcape, amidſt a ſhower of balls. Whilſt this was paſſing, Oliver Amſden was purſued a few rods, overtaken, and ſtabbed, after having his hands and fingers cut in pieces by endeavouring to defend himſelf againſt the enemies knives. At the ſame time, three children by the name of Allen, all of whom are ſtill living, were purſued; Eunice, one of the three, was ſtruck down with a tomahawk, which was ſunk into her head, but by reaſon of the haſte in which the enemy retreated, ſhe was left unſcalped, and afterwards recovered. Caleb, the preſent Mr. Caleb Allen, of Deerfield, made his eſcape; and Samuel was taken captive, the only priſoner who was taken at this time.**This lad, after a year and nine months, was redeemed. Col. Hawks, who was ſent to Canada for the purpoſe of redeeming captives, after enquiring for the lad, was informed, that he was unwilling to be ſeen, and that he expreſſed great diſſatiſfaction upon hearing of his arrival: When he was brought into the preſence of Col. Hawks, he pretended not to know him, altho' he was his uncle, and had always been acquainted with him in Deerfield; neither would he ſpeak in the Engliſh tongue, not that he had forgotten it, but to expreſs his unwillingneſs to return; he made uſe of various arts, that he might not be exchanged; and finally could not be obtained, but by threats, and was brought off by force. In this we ſee the ſurpriſing power of habit; this youth had loſt his affection for his country, and his friends, in the courſe of one year, and nine months; and had become ſo attached to the Indians, and their mode of living, as that to this day, he conſiders that of the Indians, the happieſt life. This appears more ſurpriſing when we conſider, that he fared extremely hard, and was reduced almoſt to a ſkeleton. The firing immediately alarmed the town. Capt. Hopkins, commander p. 172of the ſtanding guard, together with moſt of the inhabitants, as volunteers, came on with the utmoſt expedition, but the enemy had withdrawn in great haſte, expecting, no doubt, a violent attack; they were purſued ſeveral miles by a body of men, under the command of Capt. Cleſſon, but could not be overtaken.

It does not appear, as matter of certainty, that more than one of the enemy was killed at this time, and him, by Samuel Allen; ſometime after, however, the remains of a perſon were found, near the p. 173place of action, ſuppoſed to be thoſe of an Indian.

This was the laſt miſchief, done by the enemy, in the weſtern frontiers, this ſeaſon.

April 7th, 1747. A large body of French, and Indians, appeared at No. 4, and laid ſiege to the garriſon, which continued for three days, when the enemy withdrew, having done but little damage; only ſlightly wounding Joſeph Ely, and John Brown.

15th. Nathaniel Dickinſon, and Aſahel Burt, of Northfield, being out a little diſtance from the town, were killed, and ſcalped. The enemy, on their return from Northfield, burnt moſt of the buildings in Wincheſter, and in the upper, and lower Aſhwelots, which plantations, a few days before, had been deſerted by the inhabitants, not having ſufficient protection afforded them by government.

May 25th. As fort Maſſachuſetts was rebuilding, there being ſeveral hundred people preſent, an army of the enemy came, with a deſign to hinder the undertaking. About an hundred men, a few days before, had been ſent to Albany, for p. 174ſtores of proviſions, and ammunition; being on their return, and near the fort, a ſcout was ſent forward, who, coming within ſight of the fort, diſcovered the enemy, and began an attack; this gave an alarm to the people at the fort, who, as yet, had not diſcovered the enemy; a few iſſued out, and fought, till the enemy withdrew. There was, at the time, much complaint, both of the people at the fort, and of the commander of that party who was with the waggons, for not affording aſſiſtance, which was imputed to cowardice. In this action, three perſons were wounded; and a friend Indian, who belonged to Stockbridge, was killed.

July 15th. Eliakim Sheldon, of Bernardſton, was fired upon, and wounded; he died the following night.

The ſame month, John Mills, of Colrain, paſſing from what was called the ſouth fort, to his own houſe, was fired upon and killed.

Auguſt 26th. A ſmall party of the enemy came to a village belonging to Northampton, (now Southampton,) and killed, and ſcalped, Elijah Clark, as he was threſhing in his barn.

p. 175October 1ſt. Peter Burvee was taken captive near Maſſachuſetts fort.

19th. John Smead, as he was travelling from Northfield to Sunderland, was killed, and ſcalped, near the mouth of Miller's river. He had but a few days before returned from captivity, being one who was taken at Maſſachuſetts fort, with his wife, and children.

About this time, Jonathan Sawtel was taken captive, from Hinſdale.

24th. As twelve men were paſſing down the river, from No. 4, they were ambuſhed, and a ſkirmiſh enſued; Nathaniel Gould, and Thomas Goodall, were killed, and ſcalped; Oliver Avery was wounded, and John Henderſon taken captive, the remainder made their eſcape.

March 15th, 1748. About eight men were out a few rods from the fort, at No. 4, and were attacked by about twenty Indians, who endeavoured to cut off their retreat to the fort; a ſkirmiſh enſued, in which Charles Stevens was killed; a man by the name of Androus was wounded, and Eleazer Prieſt was taken captive.

April 12th. Jaſon Babcock was taken priſoner, being at work in his field, at Poquaig.

p. 176May 9th. Noah Pixley was killed, and ſcalped, at Southampton.

About the ſame time, Capt. Melvin, with eighteen men, being at the Lake, near Crownpoint, fired at two canoes of Indians: On his return, being on Weſt river, about 35 miles from fort Dummer, was ambuſhed, and being fired on by ſurpriſe, his men were ſcattered: Two or three returned the fire, and killed two of the enemy: The ſame perſons, after having gone ſome diſtance, and having fallen in company with three or four of their own men, concluded to return back, and give the enemy a ſhot; on their return they were fired on, and one was killed; they returned the fire, and killed one of the enemy. The whole company, excepting ſix, made their eſcape through the wood, and came in at different times. In this ſkirmiſh Joſeph Petty, John Heywood, John Dod, Daniel Mann, and Iſaac Taylor, were killed; Samuel Severance could not be found, and was ſuppoſed to be taken captive. The loſs of theſe men, was much lamented; and they are ſpoken of with reſpect, as prudent, virtuous men, and reſolute ſoldiers.

p. 177June 16th. As thirteen men were marching from Col. Hinſdale's, to fort Dummer, they were ambuſhed by a large body of the enemy, and were fired upon. Joſeph Richardſon, Nathan French, and John Froſt, were killed the firſt ſhot, and ſeven were immediately taken captive, viz. Henry Stevens, Bejamin Oſgood, William Blanchard, Matthew Wiman, Joel Johnſon, Moſes Perkins, and William Bickford. Bickford was either killed by the enemy, the firſt night, or had been wounded, and died of his wounds.

26th. Capt. Hobbs, paſſing through the woods from No. 4, to fort Shirly, with forty men, and being about twelve miles Northweſt of fort Dummer, was attacked by a large body of the enemy, who had purſued him; it being in the middle of the day, he had made a ſtand, that his men might receive ſome refreſhment; whilſt they were dining, the ſcout, which was ſent upon the back track, were fired on. Upon this, Capt. Hobbs put his men into as much readineſs for an action, as two or three minutes would admit of. The enemy came on with great fury, expecting, no doubt, an immediate ſurrendry; but Capt. Hobbs gave them p. 178a warm reception, and fought, for four hours, with ſuch boldneſs and fortitude, as that had he, and his men, been Romans, they would have received a laurel, and their names would have been handed down with honor, to poſterity; the enemy finally fled in haſte, and with great loſs. Capt. Hobbs, in this action, loſt but three men, and had but three wounded; thoſe killed were Ebenezer Mitchel, Eli Scott, and Samuel Gunn.

July 14th. As a ſcout of ſeventeen men were paſſing from Col. Hinſdale's to fort Dummer, they were ambuſhed, and fired upon, by about 120 of the enemy; two only were killed the firſt ſhot; two more were wounded, and but four made their eſcape; the remainder were taken captive; the wounded the enemy killed, after having carried them about a mile.

23d. The enemy waylaid the main ſtreet, at Northfield, and killed Aaron Belding.

Auguſt 2d. About 200 of the enemy, made their appearance at fort Maſſachuſetts; the fort was then under the command of Capt. Ephraim Williams: A ſcout was firſt fired upon, which drew out Capt. Williams, with about thirty p. 179men; who fought for ſome time; but, finding the enemy numerous, he finally retreated to the fort: The enemy ſoon withdrew, and with what loſs was unknown. In this action, one Abbot was killed, Lieut. Hawley, and Ezekiel Wells were wounded, but recovered.

This is the laſt account I can find, of miſchief done by the enemy in the Weſtern frontiers, in what is called the firſt French war. Peace, however, was not finally ſettled with the Indians, until Oct. 1749, when a treaty was held at Falmouth, by Commiſſioners from the General Court, and the Chiefs of the Indian tribes, by whom a former treaty, with ſome additions, was renewed.

Peace, between France, and England, took place in the year 1748, and war was again declared in 1756; but, in the Summer of 55, a body of Indians appeared at Stockbridge, killed ſeveral perſons, and did conſiderable miſchief, in killing cattle, &c.

In June, the ſame ſummer, a number of perſons being at work in the meadow, at the upper part of Charlemont, were fired on by a party of the enemy; not ſo much miſchief was done, as might have been expected; a number made their eſcape: p. 180Capt. Rice, and Phinehas Arms, were killed, their bodies were afterwards found in a mangled condition. Titus King, and a lad, were taken captive.

The ſame month, Capt. Bridgman's Fort, at Hinſdale, was taken by a ſtratagem, and a number of perſons were captivated. It was ſuppoſed that the enemy had been lurking about for ſome time, and the ſituation of the ſort was ſuch as that whatever paſſed, either in, or near it, might be eaſily ſeen from the hills a little back: It was the cuſtom of the fort, for the women within to faſten the gate when the men went into the fields to labour, and to open it upon their return, at the ſignal of knocking: The Indians obſerving this, took an opportunity when the men were at the greateſt diſtance from the fort, came, and knocked at the gate; and the women, being under no ſpecial apprehenſions of an enemy, immediately threw open the gate, when, to their aſtoniſhment, they found the enemy entering; no reſiſtance was made in the fort, and fourteen perſons were taken captive. The enemy made no longer tarry at the fort, than to ſecure the priſoners, but ruſhed into the meadow, and fell upon the men, p. 181who, as yet, had not diſcovered what had paſſed at the fort; they made as much reſiſtance as their ſituation would admit of. In this ſkirmiſh, Caleb Howe was killed, the remainder made their eſcape.

About this time, the fort at Keene, under the command of Capt. Sims, was attacked by a large party of Indians, and with great fury; the attack was ſuſtained with fortitude. The enemy finding their attempts to take the fort ineffectual, gave over the attack, but wreaked their vengeance on the inhabitants, by deſtroying all the property they could find, in killing cattle, burning buildings, &c. In this ſiege, no lives were loſt, and but one perſon was taken captive, he being out of the ſort at the time.

July 3d. The enemy appeared at Keene, and captivated a perſon by the name of Frizzle.

The ſame month, fort Hinſdale was attacked by a conſiderable body of the enemy. In this attack two perſons were killed, and one was taken captive; one of the perſons killed was John Alexander.

About the ſame time, two men were killed, at Bellows's ſort. Alſo, a man, p. 182by the name of Pike, was killed at ſome place up the river, but where I cannot tell.

June 7th, 1756. Joſiah Foſter, with his family, were taken captive, at Wincheſter. The ſame day, a body of the enemy appeared at fort Maſſachuſetts. Benjamin King, and a man by the name of Meacham, were killed.

The ſame month, Lieut. Joſeph Willard, was killed at No. 4.

On the 25th, as a number of men were coming from the army at the Lake, they were attacked by a large body of the enemy, eight men killed, and five taken captive.

July 11th. The enemy came to Weſt Hooſick, and killed Capt. Chapin, and two perſons by the name of Chideſter.

Auguſt 12th, 1756. A party of five, or ſix Indians, made their appearance in Deerfield, (now Greenfield,) at a place called the Country Farms: ſeveral men, viz. Benjamin Haſtings, John Graves, Daniel Graves, Nathaniel Brooks, and Shubal Atherton, being at work, were ſurpriſed, by diſcovering the enemy between them and their guns, and being in no ſituation to make reſiſtance, found no way p. 183to ſave themſelves, but by flight. They had fled but a few rods, before they were fired on; none were either killed, or wounded the firſt ſhot; the enemy ſtill purſued, and continued their firing. Shubal Atherton was ſoon killed; Benjamin Haſtings, and John Graves, made their eſcape; Daniel Graves, and Nathaniel Brooks, were taken captive. Graves was killed, after the enemy had conveyed him but a little diſtance; he was in years, and it was ſuppoſed, he was unable to travel with ſuch ſpeed as the enemy wiſhed. Brooks never returned from his captivity.

1757. The enemy appeared at No. 4, and captivated five perſons; the particulars of this matter I cannot aſcertain.

March 20th, 1758. John Morriſon, and John Henry, of Colrain, being near what is called North River, (a branch of Deerfield River,) were fired on, and were both wounded; Capt. Morriſon's barn was burnt, and his cattle were killed the ſame day.

March 21ſt, 1759. The enemy again appeared at Colrain, and captivated Joſeph M'Cown, with his wife. Mrs. M'Cown, was killed by the enemy, after p. 184one day's travel, ſhe being unable to proceed.

This is the laſt account, which I can obtain, of miſchief done by the enemy, in the weſtern frontiers, in the laſt French war.

APPREHENDING that it will not be diſagreeable to the public, I here ſubjoin a circumſtantial account, of what is called the Fall Fight, which happened in May, 1676.

The following, I have taken in part, from Hubbard's hiſtory of the Indian wars; but principally, from an atteſted copy of a manuſcript, written by ſome gentlemen who were in the action.

SEVERAL large bodies of Indians had aſſembled at different places about Deerfield. Two tribes had ſeated themſelves at the falls, one on the Eaſt, and the other on the Weſt ſide of the river. A little below the falls, upon an iſland, was another tribe. Another had placed themſelves on the Weſt ſide of the river, at a little diſtance above the falls: And a fifth had taken their reſidence at Cheapſide.

Theſe Indians, being previouſly informed, by ſome of their captives, that p. 185the forces were principally withdrawn from the neighbouring towns, had imprudently fallen into a ſtate of ſecurity. The inhabitants being informed of this, by ſome priſoners, who had been ſo fortunate as to make their eſcape, determined to improve the opportunity, and if poſſible, extirpate them from this part of the country. All the ſoldiers, who could be raiſed, for this almoſt deſperate expedition, both from the militia, and the ſtanding forces, amounted to only one hundred and ſixty. The ſtanding forces were commanded by Capt. Turner, of Boſton. The volunteers by their own officers. Thoſe from Spring field, by Capt. Holyoke; from Northampton, by enſign Lyman; from Hadley, and Hatfield, by ſergeants Kellogg, and Dickinſon. The Rev. Hope Atherton, miniſter of the Goſpel, at Hatfield, a gentleman of public ſpirit, accompanied the army. The pilots were Meſſrs. Benjamin Wait, and Experience Hinſdale.

Theſe troops marched from Hatfield, May 17th, 1676, a little before night. Paſſing Deerfield River, at Cheapſide, they were heard by the Indian ſentinel, who p. 186immediately alarmed the tribe, informing them, that horſes had paſſed the river. Search was made, at the uſual fording place, which our troops had happily miſſed, having by miſtake, croſſed a little above, and the enemy finding no tracks, concluded, that their ſentry had been deceived, and that what he heard, muſt have been the noiſe of Mooſe, paſſing the river near the fording place. Meeting with no oppoſition from this tribe, our troops marched on, till they came to the falls. It was now about the break of day. According to their wiſhes, our army found the enemy in an unguarded ſituation, without even a ſentinel. The reaſon why, at this time, they were thus ſurpriſingly unguarded, was, the evening before they had been rioting upon milk, and roaſt beef, having been pillaging cows from the neighbouring towns. When the day opened, ſo that our army could diſtinguiſh friends from foes, they marched up and began the attack, by firing into the wigwams. The Indians awaking in ſurpriſe, and in their conſternation ſuppoſing that they were attacked by their native enemies, cried, Mohawks! Mohawks! They ſoon, however, diſcovered p. 187their miſtake; but being in no ſituation to make an immediate defence, great numbers were ſlain upon the ſpot,—ſome, in their ſurpriſe, ran directly into the river, and were drowned; others betook themſelves to their bark canoes, and having in their confuſion forgot their paddles, were hurried down the falls, and daſhed againſt the rocks; and many who had endeavoured to ſecrete themſelves under the river bank, were diſcovered, and ſlain.

In this action the enemy, by their own confeſſion, loſt 300, women, and children included.

This victory, tho' great, and obtained with the loſs of only one man, in the firſt onſet, was however, diſaſtrous in the iſſue. The few who had not been ſlain, of this tribe, after recovering from their fright, and being joined by the neighbouring tribes, diſcovering the ſmallneſs of the number, by whom they had been thus furiouſly attacked, and by whom they had ſuſtained ſuch a loſs, purſued, and harraſſed the army on their retreat, with ſuch fury, that thirty ſeven were killed, and ſeveral were wounded.

p. 188This loſs was imputed, in part, to the bodily infirmities of Capt. Turner; and in part to the want of ammunition, which was the cauſe of an illtimed and unguarded retreat.

A few, to the number of about twenty, did not quit the ground, with the main body of the army, but tarried behind, for the purpoſe of firing at ſome of the enemy who were croſſing the river. Theſe men ſoon found themſelves under the neceſſity of diſputing the ground, with a conſiderable body of the enemy, before they could recover their horſes; but after a ſevere ſkirmiſh, obtained their object, and ſoon came up with the army, which was ſurrounded, and fought on their retreat for ten miles. Seven, or eight men, in the beginning of the retreat, were, by ſome accident, unfortunately ſeparated from the army, and being unacquainted with the ground, knew not what courſe to purſue. The Indians, afterwards, gave the following account of them: That on Monday after the fight, eight Engliſhmen came to them, who were loſt, and offered to ſurrender, on condition their lives might be ſpared; but, inſtead of giving them quarter, they p. 189took and burnt them in the following manner: They firſt covered them with dry thatch, then ſet fire to it, and compelled them to run: When one covering was burnt off, they put on another, and ſo continued, till death delivered them from their hands.

This expedition was productive of very happy conſequences, for the enemy were ſo diſconcerted in all their plans, and ſo greatly diſheartened, that they never after, during that war, gave any conſiderable diſturbance to the frontiers. From this expedition may be dated their decline in theſe parts.

In the above action was one Jonathan Wells, of Hatfield, then a youth, in his 17th year, he was afterwards a gentleman improved in public life, and ſuſtained a worthy character. The following is the ſubſtance of an atteſted copy of an account, taken from his own mouth.

Mr. Wells was one of the 20 men abovementioned, who were under a neceſſity of diſputing the ground, for the purpoſe of recovering their horſes. Soon after he had mounted, being in the rear, three of the enemy fired upon him; one of their balls bruſhed his hair, another p. 190wounded his horſe, and a third ſtruck his thigh, in a place where it had before been broken with a cart wheel; the ball did not wholly break his thigh anew, but fractured the end of one of the bones, which was a little projected over the other, it having been badly ſet. Upon receiving the wound, it was with difficulty that Mr. Wells kept in his ſaddle. The Indians perceiving they had wounded him, preſſed hard upon him. Mr. Wells recovering a little from the firſt ſhock, and perceiving the enemy almoſt upon him, preſented his gun, which gave them a check, and whilſt they were charging, he made his eſcape, and reached the company. He repreſented to Capt. Turner, the danger to which the people in the rear were expoſed, and urged him to return to their relief, or halt till they might come up; but he anſwered, "It is better to loſe ſome, than all." The army was now divided into ſeveral companies, one pilot crying, "If you will ſave your lives, follow me;" and another, "If you regard your ſafety, follow me." Mr. Wells was now following a company, whoſe courſe was towards a ſwamp; but perceiving that a body of the enemy were p. 191there, he left that company, who were all loſt, and joined a ſmall party, who were taking a different route; but his horſe ſoon failing by reaſon of his wound, and himſelf being much weakened by loſs of blood, he was left by this party, having only one Jones, a wounded, man to accompany him: They had no path to guide them, and were both unacquainted with the woods. They had not travelled far, before Mr. Wells was ſeparated from Jones, and finding himſelf faint, ate a nutmeg which he had in his pocket, upon which he revived. After having wandered in the woods for ſome time, he came upon Green River, and he followed the courſe of it up, till he came to a place called the Country Farms; having paſſed the river he attempted to aſcend a mountain on the Weſt ſide, but fainted, and fell from his horſe. How long he lay in this condition he knew not, but when he recovered, he found his horſe ſtanding by him, and his bridle hanging on his hand. He aroſe, tied his horſe, and again laid himſelf down; but upon reflection, finding himſelf already ſo weak as to be unable to mount, concluded that he ſhould have no farther uſe for his horſe, and being p. 192unwilling he ſhould die at the tree, diſmiſſed him; but unhappily forgot to take any proviſion from his portmanteau, altho' it contained a plenty. Towards night, being troubled with muſquetoes, he ſtruck up a fire; but this almoſt proved his deſtruction; it aroſe, and ſpread with ſuch fury, among the leaves and traſh, that it was with difficulty, in his faint condition, he eſcaped periſhing in the flames. After he was out of danger, from the fire, he again laid himſelf down to reſt; but now new fears aroſe; he imagined that the fire would direct the enemy where to find him, and ſerve to betray him into their hands:—Unwilling the enemy ſhould be benefited by his ammunition, he caſt it to as great a diſtance as he could, reſerving only a round or two for their uſe, ſhould he fall into their hands. After ſome time, finding his fire had ſpread conſiderably, he took courage, put ſome tow into his wounds, bound them up with his handkerchief, and compoſed himſelf to ſleep. In his ſleep he dreamed, that his grandfather came to him, and told him he was loſt, and muſt turn, and go down that river, till he ſhould come to the end of a mountain, where he would p. 193find a plain, upon which he muſt travel, in order to find his way home. When he awoke he found himſelf refreſhed,—his bleeding ſtopped, and his ſtrength recruited, and with the help of his gun as a ſtaff, he was able to walk, tho' but ſlowly. The riſing of the ſun, convinced him, he was loſt, and that the courſe he intended to purſue was wrong. He had now wandered ſeveral miles farther from home, than when he ſet out from the place of action. And tho,' at firſt, he paid no attention to his dream, now he determined to follow the directions of it. Accordingly, he travelled down the river, found the end of the mountain, and ſoon came to the plain; all of which, agreed to the repreſentation in his dream.**I doubt, whether, in this dream, there was any thing ſupernatural, as ſome may be ready to ſuppoſe. Mr. Wells, having wandered in the woods ſix or ſeven miles, muſt neceſſarily have had ſome doubts whether his courſe was right; and his mind, when aſleep, would more naturally employ itſelf on this ſubject, than any other; becauſe, to find the way home, muſt have been his great object, when awake. His dreaming, that his grandfather appeared to him, was nothing ſtrange;—and his local ſituation at this time was ſuch, that he could not be entirely unacquainted with the natural make of the ground; and his thoughts running as they did, in this dream, would be natural; the river was near him—the plain was before him—and the end of the mountain, near the ſide of the plain, if he had not previouſly ſeen it, would naturally be ſuppoſed. Soon after he entered upon the plain, he found p. 194a foot path, which led him to the road, in which, the main body of the army returned. When he came to Deerfield River, he met with much difficulty in croſſing; the ſtream carrying his lame leg acroſs the other, ſo that ſeveral of his firſt attempts were without effect.—Finally, however, with the help of his gun, with much difficulty he reached the oppoſite ſhore. When he had aſcended the bank, being greatly fatigued, he laid himſelf down under a walnut buſh, and fell aſleep. When he awoke, the firſt object that preſented, was an Indian in a canoe, coming directly towards him. Mr. Wells now found himſelf in a very unhappy condition, being ſo diſabled by his wounds that he could not make his eſcape, and his gun being ſo filled with gravel and ſand, in croſſing the river, that he could not fight. As ſoon however, as he perceived the Indian had diſcovered him, he preſented p. 195his gun, which ſo affrighted him, that he leaped out of the canoe, leaving his own gun, and made his eſcape. Mr. Wells concluding that he would inform the whole tribe, who were only a few rods diſtant, went into a neighbouring ſwamp, and finding two logs lying near each other, and covered over with rubbiſh, he crept between them. He ſoon heard the noiſe of Indians; but was not curious to look out after them. When the noiſe had ceaſed, he ventured to proceed forward. In Deerfield meadow he found ſome horſes bones, from which he ſcraped ſome matter, which ſerved for food;—he alſo found two or three rotten beans, where the Indians had threſhed, and alſo two Bluebird's eggs, which was all the ſuſtenance he had till he reached home. He came to Deerfield town plat, on Saturday night about dark, but as there were no inhabitants preſent, the town having a little before been burnt, he continued his courſe in the evening.

He was often under great diſcouragements, and frequently laid himſelf down to die, expecting to riſe no more. He reached no farther than Muddy Brook as the ſun roſe on ſabbath morning. Here, p. 196ſeeing a human head, which had been dug up by wild beaſts, Mr. Wells, notwithſtanding the diſtreſſes of his condition, ſtoped to find the grave, which having found he laid the head to the body, and covered it with billets of wood, to defend it from the ravenous beaſts of the wilderneſs. After he had left the brook and entered upon the plain, he grew faint and very thirſty, but could obtain no water for a conſiderable time; he was, however, often refreſhed, by holding his face in the ſmoke of burning knots of pine, which he frequently met with, as the woods were on fire. Mr. Wells arrived at Hatfield on the Sabbath, between meetings, and was received with inexpreſſible joy, as one having ariſen from the dead. He endured incredible pain, and diſtreſs, with his wound, being confined ſeveral times to his bed, for ſix months together; and it was upwards of four years before he was ſound.

In this action was alſo the Rev. Mr. Atherton, miniſter of the goſpel, in Hatfield. The following is the ſubſtance of a paragraph, which he delivered to his people the Sabbath after his return:

"In the hurry and confuſion of the retreat p. 197I was ſeparated from the army; the night following, I wandered up and down among the dwelling places of the enemy, but none of them diſcovered me. The next day, I tendered myſelf to them a priſoner, for no way of eſcape appeared, and I had been a long time without food; but notwithſtanding I offered myſelf to them, yet, they accepted not the offer; when I ſpake they anſwered not; and when I moved toward them they fled.**There were various conjectures at the time, relative to this ſtrange conduct of the Indians; the moſt probable one was, that it aroſe from ſome of their religious ſuperſtitions. They ſuppoſed that he was the Engliſhman's God.—Finding they would not accept of me as a priſoner, I determined to take the courſe of the river and if poſſible find the way home, and after ſeveral days of hunger, fatigue and danger, I reached Hatfield."

DEERFIELD, October 10th, 1793.

Mr. DICKMAN, Sir,

AGREEABLY to your requeſt, I ſend you the following extracts from a diſcourſe, delivered at Deerfield, on the firſt p. 198day of the preſent century: As you wiſh to annex theſe to my former appendix to Mr. Williams's narrative, it may be neceſſary to obſerve, that ſome part of the hiſtorical ſketch I have given of Deerfield, is drawn from the narrative itſelf.—Yet as there are circumſtances, which Mr. Williams omitted; I ſend you what I have written upon theſe events, without any material alterations.

JOHN TAYLOR. DEERFIELD, Jan. 1ſt, 1802.