most, if not all, the Indians in those parts had soon followed the example of those, who had now surrendered themselves, which would have been a good step towards finishing the war. But in spite of all that Captain Eels, Church or Earl could say, argue, plead or beg, somebody else that had more power in their hands, improved it. And without any regard to the promises made them on their surrendering themselves, they were carried away to Plymouth, there sold, and transported out of the country, being about eight score persons. * An action so hateful to Mr. Church, that he opposed it, to the loss of the good will and respects of some that before were his good friends. But while these things were acting at Dartmouth, Philip made his escape ;† leaving his country, fled over Taunton river, and Rehoboth plain, and Patuxett river, where Captain Edmunds of Providence, made some spoil upon him, and had probably done more, but was prevented by the coming of a superiour officer, that put him by.|| *With regret it is mentioned that the venerable John Winthrop was Governour of Connecticut, (Connecticut and Newhaven now forming but one colony) the Hon. John Leverett of Massachusetts, and the Hon. Josiah Winslow of Plymouth. Rhodeisland, because they chose freedom rather than slavery, had not been admitted into the Union. From this history it would seem that one Cranston was Governour of Rhodeisland at this time; but that colony appears not to be implicated in this as well as many other acts of maleadministration. See note 2 on page 38. † An account of which is given in note 1, page 50. It Douglass wrote this word Patuket, as it is now pronounced. Summary, I, 400. It is now often written Patuxet. is Blackstone river, or was so called formerly. § I find no other account of this officer in the Indian wars, only what is hinted at in this history; from which it appears that he was more than once employed, and was in the east ern war. || Hubbard, 91, says that Philip had about thirty of his party killed; but he takes no notice of Capt. Edmunds' being put by. He said that Capt. Henchman came up to them, And now another fort was buiit at Pocasset,* that proved as troublesome and chargeable as that at Mounthope; and the remainder of the summer was improved in providing for the forts and forces there maintained; while our enemies were fled some hundreds of miles into the country near as far as Albany.t but not till the skirmish was over. “But why Philip was followed no further," he says, "is better to suspend than too critically to inquire into.” Hence we may conclude that the pursuit was countermanded by Capt. Henchman, who when too late followed after the enemy without any success. * The fort here meant was built to prevent Philip's escape from the swamp before mentioned. See note 1, on page 50. Mr. Church appears early to have seen the folly of fort building under such circumstances. While that at Mounthope was building, he had seen Philip gaining time; and while this was building to confine him to a swamp, he was marching off in triumph. † Here appears a large chasm in our history including about four months, namely, from the escape of Philip on the 1 August, to December; during which time many circumstances transpired worthy of notice, and necessary to render this history more perfect. Mr. Church appears to have quitted the war, and is, perhaps, with his family. Philip having taken up his residence among the Nipmucks or Nipnets, did not fail to engage them in his cause. On the 14 July a party killed 4 or 5 people at Mendon a town 37 miles southwest of Boston. August 2, Capt. Hutchinson with 20 horsemen went to renew the treaty with those Indians at a place appointed, near Quabaog, (now Brookfield) a town about 60 miles nearly west from Boston; but on arriving at the place appointed, the Indians did not appear. So he proceeded 4 or 5 miles beyond, towards their chief town, when all at once, some hundreds of them fired upon the company. Eight were shot down, and 8 others were wounded. Among the latter was Capt. Hutchinson who died soon after. The remainder escaped to Quabaog, and the Indians pursued them. But the English arrived in time to warn the inhabitants of the danger, who with themselves crowded into one house. The other houses (about 20) were immediately burned down. They next besieged the house containing the inhabitants (about 70) and the soldiers. This they exerted themselves to fire And now strong suspicions began to arise of the Narraganset* Indians, that they were ill affected and also, with various success for two days, and on the third they nearly effected their object by a stratagem. They filled a cart with combustibles and set it on fire, and by means of splicing poles together had nearly brought the flames in contact with the house, when Major Willard arrived with 48 dragoons and dispersed them. See American Ann. I, 423, 424. The Indians about Hadley, who had hitherto kept up the show of friendship, now deserted their dwellings and drew off after Philip. Toward the last of August, Capt. Beers and Capt. Lothrop pursued and overtook them, and a fierce battle was fought, in which 10 of the English and 26 Indians were killed. September 1, they burned Deerfield and killed one of the inhabitants. The same day (being a fast) they fell upon Hadley while the people were at meeting, at which they were overcome with confusion. At this crisis, a venerable gentleman in singular attire appeared among them, and putting himself at their head, rushed upon the Indians and dispersed them, then disappeared. The inhabitants thought an angel had appeared, and led them to victory. But it was General Goffe, one of the Judges of King Charles I, who was secreted in the town. See President Stiles' history of the Judges, 109, and Holmes, I, 424. About 11 September Capt. Beers with 36 men went up the river to observe how things stood at a new plantation called Squakeag, now Northfield. The Indians a few days before (but unknown to them) had fallen upon the place and killed 9 or 10 persons, and now laid in ambush for the English, whom it appears they expected. They had to march nearly 30 miles through a hideous forest. On arriving within three miles of the place, they were fired upon by a host of enemies, and a large proportion of their number fell. The others gained an eminence and fought bravely till their Captain was slain, when they fled in every direction. Sixteen only escaped. Hubbard, 107. On the 18th following, as Capt. Lothrop with 80 men was guarding some carts from Deerfield to Hadley, they were fallen * It was believed that the Indians generally returned from the western frontier along the Connecticut, and took up their winter quarters among the Narragansets; but whether Philip did is uncertain. Some suppose that he visited the Mohawks and Canada Indians for assistance. designed mischief. vered. The next winter they began their hostilities upon the English. The united colonies then agreed to send an army to suppress them: Governour Winslow to command the army.* And so the event soon disco He undertaking the expedition, invited Mr. Church to command a company, [-]1 which he declined; 1 [in the expedition] fallen upon, and, including teamsters, 90 were slain; 7 or 8 only escaped. Ibid. 108. October 5, the Springfield Indians having been joined by about 300 of Philip's men began the destruction of Springfield. But the attack being expected, Major Treat was sent for, who was then at Westfield, and arrived in time to save much of the town from the flames, but, 32 houses were consumed. Holmes, I, 425. October 19, Hatfield was assaulted on all sides by 7 or 800 Indians, but there being a considerable number of men well prepared to receive them, obliged them to flee without doing much damage. A few out buildings were burned, and some of the defenders killed, but we have no account how many. Holmes, I, 425, says this affair took place at Hadley but Hubbard whom he cites, 116, says it was at Hatfield. The places are only separated by a bridge over the Connecticut, and were formerly included under the same name. Mr. Hoyt in his Antiquarian Researches, 136, thinks that it was in this attack that Gen. Goffe made his appearance, because Mr. Hubbard takes no notice of an attack upon that place in Sept. 1675, which, if there had been one, it would not have escaped his notice. But this might have been unnoticed by Mr. Hubbard as well as some other affairs of the war. Thus are some of the most important events sketched in our hero's absence, and we may now add concerning him what Homer did of Achilles' return to the siege of Troy. Then great Achilles, terrour of the plain, Iliad, II, B. XX, 57. * It was to consist of 1000 men and what friendly Indians would join them. Massachusetts was to furnish 527, Plymouth 158, Connecticut 315. Major Robert Treat with those of Connecticut, Maj. Bradford with those of Plymouth, and Maj. Samuel Appleton with those of Massachusetts. The whole under Gen. Josiah Winslow. American Annals, I, 426. craving excuse from taking [a] commission, [but] ne promises to wait upon him as a Reformado [a volunteer] through the expedition. Having rode with the General to Boston, and from thence to Rehoboth, upon the General's request he went thence the nearest way over the ferries, with Major Smith,* to his garrison in the Narraganset country, to prepare and provide for the coming of General Winslow, who marched round through the country with his army, proposing by night to surprise Pumham,† a certain Narraganset sachem, and his town; but being aware of the approach of our army, made their escape into the deserts. But Mr. Church meeting with fair winds, arrived safe at the Major's garrison in the evening, and soon began to inquire after the enemy's resorts, wigwams or sleeping places; and having gained some intelligence, he proposed to the Eldridges and some other brisk hands that he met with, to attempt the surprising of some of the enemy, to make a present of, to the General, when he should arrive, which might advantage his design. Being brisk blades they readily complied with the motion, and were soon upon their march. The night was very cold, but blessed with the moon. Before * This gentleman, Mr. Hubbard informs us, Nar. 128 lived in Wickford where the army was to take up its headquarters. Wickford is about 9 miles N. W. from Newport on Narraganset bay. † (Sachem of Shawomot or Warwick.) This Sachem had signed the treaty in July, wherein such great faith and fidelity were promised. See note 3 on page 36. A few days before the great swamp fight at Narraganset Capt. Prentice destroyed his town after it was deserted. But in July, 1676, he was killed by some of the Massachusetts men, near Dedham. A grandson of his was taken before this, by a party under Capt. Denison, who was esteemed the best soldier and most warlike of all the Narraganset chiefs. Trumbull, I, 345. The It appears that all did not escape into the deserts. heroick Capt. Mosely captured 36 on his way to Wickford. § December 11. |