USA > Connecticut > New London County > Groton > Groton, Conn. 1705-1905 > Part 4
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Our Council being called, and the Question propounded, How we should proceed, Captain Patrick advised that we should cut down the Swamp; there being many Indian Hatchets taken, Captain Traske concurring with him; but was opposed by others: Then we must pallizado the Swamp; which was also opposed: Then they would have a Hedge made like those of Gotham; all which was judged by some almost impossible, and to no purpose, and that for several Reasons, and therefore strongly opposed. But some others' advised to force the Swamp, having time enough, it being about three of the Clock in the Afternoon : But that being opposed, it was then propounded to draw up our Men close to the Swamp, which would much have lessened the Circumference; and with all to fill up the open Passages with Bushes, that so we might secure them until the Morning, and then we might consider further about it. But neither of these would pass; so different were our Apprehensions; which was very grievous to some of us, who concluded the Indians would make an Escape in the Night, as easily they might and did: We keeping at a great distance, what better could be expected? Yet Cap-
* It should be Davenport, who was afterwards Captain of the Castle in Boston Harbour.
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tain Mason took Order that the Narrow in the Swamp should be cut through; which did much shorten our Leaguer. It was resolutely performed by Sergeant Davis.
We being loth to destroy Women and Children, as also the Indians belonging to that Place; whereupon Mr. Tho. Stanton a Man well acquainted with Indian Language and Manners, offered his Service to go into the Swamp and treat with them: To which we were somewhat backward, by reason of some Hazard and Danger he might be exposed unto: But his importunity prevailed : Who going to them, did in a short time return to us, with near Two Hundred old Men, Women and Children; who delivered themselves to the Mercy of the English. And so Night drawing on, we beleaguered them as strongly as we could. About half an Hour before Day, the Indians that were in the Swamp attempted to break through Captain Patrick's Quarters; but were beaten back several times; they making a great Noise, as their Manner is at such Times, it sounded round about our Leaguer: Whereupon Captain Mason sent Ser- geant Stares to inquire into the Cause, and also to assist if need required; Capt. Traske coming also in to their Assistance: But the Tumult growing to a very great Heighth, we raised our Siege; and Marching up to the Place, at a Turning of the Swamp the Indians were forcing out upon us; but we sent them back by our small Shot.
We waiting a little for a second Attempt ; the Indians in the mean time facing about, pressed violently upon Captain Patrick, breaking through his Quarters and so escaped. They were about sixty or seventy as we were informed. We afterwards searched the Swamp, and found but few Slain. The Captives we took were about One Hundred and Eighty ; whom we divided, intending to keep them as Serv- ants, but they could not endure that Yoke; few of them continuing any considerable time with their Masters.
Thus did the Lord scatter his Enemies with his strong Arm! The Pequots now became a Prey to all Indians. Happy were they that could bring in their Heads to the English: Of which there came almost daily to Winsor,
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or Hartford. But the Pequots -growing weary hereof, sent some of the Chief that survived to mediate with the English ; offering that if they might but enjoy their Lives, they would become the English Vassals, to dispose of them as they pleased, Which was granted them. Whereupon Onkos and Myantonimo were sent for; who with the Po- quots met at Hartford. The Pequots being demanded, how many of them were then living? Answered, about One Hundred and Eighty, or Two Hundred. There were then given to Onkos, Sachem of Moheag, Eighty; to Myan- tonimo, Sachem of Narragansett, Eighty; and to Nyni- grett,* Twenty, when he should satisfy for a Mare of Edward Pomroye's killed by his Men. The Pequots were then bounded by Covenant, that none should inhabit their native Country, nor should any of them be called Pequots any more, but Moheags and Narragansetts forever. Shortly after, about Forty of them went to Moheag; others went to Long Island; the rest settled at Pawcatuck, a Place in Pequot Country, contrary to their late Covenant and Agree- ment with the English.
Which Connecticut taking into Consideration, and well weighing the several Inconveniences that might ensue; for the Prevention whereof, they sent out forty Men under the Command of Captain John Mason, to supplant them, by burning their Wigwams, and bringing away their Corn, except they would desert the Place: Onkos with about One Hundred of his Men in twenty Canoes, going also to assist in the Service. As we sailed into Paweatuck Bay We met with three of those Indians, whom we sent to inform the rest with the end of our coming, and also that we desired to speak with some of them: They promised speedily to return to us an Answer, but never came to us more.
We run our Vessel up into a small River, and by reason of Flatts were forced to land on the West Side; their Wig- wams being on the East just opposite, where we could see the Indians running up and down Jeering of us. But we meeting with a narrow Place in the River between two
* He was usually called Ninnicraft.
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THE PEQUOT WAR
Rocks, drew up our Indian Canoes, and got suddenly over sooner than we were expected or desired; Marching im- mediately up to their Wigwams; the Indians being all fled, except some old People that could not.
We were so suddenly upon them that they had not time to convey away their Goods : We viewed their Corn, whereof there was Plenty, it being their time of Harvest: And coming down to the Water Side to our Pinnace with half of Onkos's his Men, the rest being plundering the Wigwams; we looking towards a Hill not far remote, we espyed about sixty Indians running towards us; we sup- posing they were our absent Men, the Moheags that were with us not speaking one word, nor moving towards them until the other came within thirty or forty Paces of them; then they run and met them and fell on pell mell striking and cutting with Bows, Hatchets, Knives, &c, after their feeble Manner: Indeed it did hardly deserve the Name of Fighting. We then endeavored to get between them and the Woods, that so we might prevent their flying; which they perceiving, endeavored speedily to get off under the Beach : we made no Shot at them, nor any hostile Attempt on them. Only seven of them who were Nynigrett's Men, were taken. Some of them growing very outragious, whom we intended to have made shorter by the Head; and being about to put it in Execution ; one Otash a Sachem of Narra- gansett, Brother to Myantonimo stepping forth, told the Captain, They were his Brother's Men, and that he was a Friend to the English, and if we would spare their Lives we should have as many Murtherers Heads in lieu of them which should be delivered to the English. We considering that there was no Blood shed as yet, and that it tendered to Peace and Mercy, granted his Desire; and so delivered them to Onkos to secure them until his Engagement was performed, because our Prison had been very much pestered with such Creatures.
We then drew our Bark into a Creek, the better to defend her; for there were many Hundreds, within five Miles wait- ing upon us. There we Quartered that Night: In the
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Morning as soon as it was Light there appeared in Arms at least Three Hundred Indians on the other Side the Creek : Upon which we stood to our Arms; which they perceiving, some of them fled, others crept behind the Rocks and Trees, not one of them to be seen. We then called to them, saying, We desired to speak with them, and that we would down our Arms for that end: Whereupon they stood up: We then informed them, That the Pequots had violated their Promise with the English, in that they were not there to inhabit, and that we were sent to supplant them: They answered saying, The Pequots were good Men, their Friends, and they would Fight for them, and protect them : At which we were somewhat moved, and told them, It was not far to the Head of the Creek where we would meet them, and then they might try what they could do in that Respect.
They then replied, That they would not Fight with English Men, for they were Spirits, but would Fight with Onkos. We replied, That we thought it was too early for them to Fight, but they might take their opportunity; we should be burning Wigwams, and carrying Corn aboard all that Day. And presently beating up our Drum, we Fired the Wigwams in their View: And as we Marched, there were two Indians standing upon a Hill jeering and reviling of us: Mr. Thomas Stanton our Interpreter, Marching at Liberty, desired to make a Shot at them; the Captain de- manding of the Indians. What they were? Who said, They were Murtherers: Then the said Stanton having leave, let fly, Shot one of them through both his Thighs; which was to our Wonderment, it being at such a vast distance.
We then loaded our Bark with Corn; and our Indians their Canoes: And thirty more which we had taken, with Kittles, Trays, Mats, and other Indian Luggage, That Night we went all aboard, and set Sail homeward: It pleased God in a short Time to bring us all in safety to the Place of our Abode: although we strook and struck upon a Rock. The Way and Manner how God dealt with us in our Delivery was very Remarkable; The Story would be
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somewhat long to trouble you with at this time; and there- fore I shall forbear.
Thus we may see, How the Face of God is set against them that do Evil, to cut off the Remembrance of them from the Earth. Our Tongue shall talk of thy Righteousness all the Day long; for they are confounded, they are brought to shame that sought our Hurt! Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who only doth wondrous Things; and blessed be his holy Name for ever: Let the whole Earth be filled with his Glory! Thus the Lord was pleased to smite our Enemies in the hinder Parts, and to give us their Land for an In- heritance: Who remembered us in our low Estate, and redeemed us out of our Enemies Hands: Let us therefore praise the Lord for his Goodness and his wonderful works to the Children of Men!
Addition
I shall add a Word or two by way of Coment.
Our Commons were very short, there being a general scarcity throughout the Colony of all sorts of Provision, it being upon our first Arrival at the Place. We had but one Pint of strong Liquors among us in our whole March, but what the Wilderness afforded; (the Bottle of Liquor being in my hand) and when it was empty, the very smell- ing of the Bottle would presently recover such as Fainted away, which happened by the extremity of the Heat: And thus we Marched on in an uncoath and unknown Path to the English, though much frequented by Indians. And was not the Finger of God in all this? By his special Providence to lead us along in the Way we should go: Nay though we knew not where their Forts were, how far it was to them, nor the Way that led to them, but by what we had from our Indian Guides; whom we could not confide in, but looked at them as uncertain: And yet notwithstand- ing all our Doubts, we should be brought on the very fittest season ; nay and which is yet more, that we should be car- ried in our March among a treacherous and perfidious
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People, yea in our allodgment so near the Enemy, all Night in so populous a Country, and not the least Notice of us; seemeth somewhat strange, and more than ordinary: Nay that we should come to their very Doors: What shall I say ? God was pleased to hide us in the Hollow of his Hand; I still remember a speech of Mr. Hooker at our going aboard; That they should be Bread for us. And thus when the Lord turned the Captivity of his People, and turned the Wheel upon their Enemies; we were like Men in a Dream; then was our Mouth filled with Laughter, and our Tongues with Singing; thus we may say the Lord hath done great Things for us among the Heathen, whereof we are glad. Praise ye the Lord !
1 shall mention two or three special Providences that God was pleased to vouchsafe to Particular Men; viz. two Men, being one Man's Servants, namely, John Dier and Thomas Stiles, were both of them Shot in the Knots of their Handkerchiefs, being about their Necks, and received no Hurt. Lieutenant Seeley was Shot in the Eyebrow with a flat headed Arrow (the Point turning downwards : I pulled it out myself.) Lieutenant Bull had an Arrow Shot into a hard piece of Cheese, having no other Defence: Which may verify the old Saying, A little Armour would serve if a Man knew where to place it. Many such Providences happened; some respecting myself; but since there is none that Witness to them, I shall forbear to mention them.
The Year ensuing, the Colony being in extream Want of Provision, many giving twelve Shillings for one Bushel of Indian Corn; the Court of Connecticut imploying Captain Mason, Mr. William Wadsworth and Deacon Stebbins, to try what Providence would afford, for their Relief in this great Straight: Who notwithstanding some discourage- ment they met with from some English, went to a place called Pocomtuck :* where they procured so much Corn at reasonable Rates, that the Indians brought down to Hart- ford and Windsor, Fifty Canoes laden with Corn at one time. Never was the like known to this Day! So although * Since called Deerfield.
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the Lord was pleased to show his People hard Things; yet did he execute Judgment for the Oppressed, and gave Food to the Hungry. O let us meditate on the Great Works of God: Ascribing all Blessing and Praise to his Great Name, for all his Great Goodness and Salvation! Amen, Amen.
FINIS
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CHAPTER III
PEQUOTS IN AFTER YEARS
T HE RESULTS of this day's work have been well por- trayed in the address of Isaac H. Bromley at the unveiling of the John Mason statue at Mystic, June 26, 1889. We quote :* "Clearly, this was a bloody day's work; a day of fire and slaughter. It is not altogether pleasant to think of, though two-hundred and fifty years have passed. At the best, war everywhere, in all its immediate aspects, is repulsive. War is waste. Its wisest economy is often prodigality. It stops not to count with exactness, nor measures to the line, but scatters with reckless profusion and rends its fabrics with tooth and claw. It is well to remember, too, that from the beginnings of history all progress has been in the wake of war, and every forward step in our boasted Christian civilization has been in its bloody footprints. And this was war in its worst form; a war of extermination on the one side, of self-preservation on the other. It was short, sharp and decisive,-none ever more so. And this is the comforting feature of it, that, bloody and terrible as it all was, it resulted in an enormous saving of human life, and the prevention of barbarities beside which what happened here would have seemed but tender mercies.
"It is not strange however that, long after the event, when the conditions and surroundings were almost for- gotten, and civilization had begun to ameliorate in some measure the horrors of war, the conduct of the fight should be criticised and the humanity of Capt. Mason called in question. It did not occur to Mason's associates, or the
* The John Mason Statue, New London, 1889.
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General Court under whose orders he acted, that there was any occasion for criticism. Mason made no excuses or explanations. The enthusiasm with which he was received on his return was unstinted; the General Court raised no 'Committee on the Conduct of the War,' but signed its approval thereof and its confidence in Mason by appoint- ing him to the chief military command of the colony.
"Roger Williams, who would surely have been heard from had there been any ground for criticism of the transaction on the score of inhumanity, afterwards spoke of Capt. Mason, with whom he was in controversy, as having been made by the Lord 'a blessed instrument of peace to all New England.'
"Capt. Underhill, in his narrative of the fight, in a quaint and characteristic way anticipates possible criticism: 'It may be demanded,' he says, 'why should you be so furious ? (as some have said). Should not Christians have more mercy and compassion? But I would refer you to David's war. When a people is grown to such a height of blood and sin against God and man and all confederates in the action, then He hath no respect to persons but harrows and saws them and puts them to the sword and the most terriblest death that may be. Sometimes the Scripture declareth that women and children must perish with their parents. Sometimes the case alters, but we will not dispute it now. We had sufficient light from the Word of God for our pro- ceedings.' The devout spirit of the Puritan preferred lodging his defence upon Scriptural analogies and his own . interpretation of them, to the more natural and unanswer- able appeal to the first law of nature.
"It is not impossible that there are those living within sight of this consecrated summit whose narrow view is con- fined to the bloody details of the fight, excluding causes, conditions and results, and whose unreasoning sympathies are wholly given to the savage horde who only received here the measure they meted out; who can see nothing in this passage in our early history upon which we may dwell with grateful emotions; nothing in the character of the
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chief actor in it to awaken our enthusiasm or tax our admiration.
"Looking out upon what has resulted from that morn- ing's work on this hill, they may, if urged to the confession, admit that the deliverance it accomplished, the saving of the seeds of New England civilization from the hoofs of barbarism, has been of some service to mankind. But they would qualify the admission by insisting that there was unnecessary bloodshed. For not knowing the precise line to which they were required to hew on the one hand, and might safely stop on the other, they censure Mason and his men. For all the beneficent results that flowed from their action, they piously thank God, who overrules all things to His own glory and who maketh the wrath of man to praise Him. It is our function here, while reverently acknowledg- ing the over-ruling Providence in history, to consider also with reverence and gratitude the instruments and methods by which it works. And we are here, too, amid these peace- ful scenes whose peace was bought at such a price, to re- member, first of all, that homely axiom of common life, that 'to have an omelet there must be breaking of eggs.'
"Was it necessary to meet barbarians with barbarity, to apply the burning brand that consigned these seven hun- dred to destruction? Could not the end have been accom- plished at a less sacrifice? Ask Pastor Hooker, who at Hartford a fortnight before by a formal religious ceremony had solemnly delivered the staff into Mason's hands as the ensign of martial power, entrusting to his protection the lives of the colonists. Ask Teacher Stone, chaplain of the expedition, whose character and life assure us, even if his calling had not forbidden it, that he would not approve un- necessary bloodshed. Ask the affrighted settlers at Weth- ersfield, whose husbands and brothers had been tortured and slain, and whose daughters had been carried into cap- tivity worse than death. Ask Lion Gardiner, who from his little fort at Saybrook had seen his men ambushed and put to death with horrible torture. Ask the peace-loving Roger Williams, who afterwards hailed Mason as 'a blessed instru-
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ment of peace to all New England.' Finally, ask John Mason himself, standing in the midst of overwhelming odds, within the very touch of their tomahawks, every wigwam bristling with arrows, and only restrained by momentary panie from bursting forth in a stream of red death upon him and his companions. Arrest his hand raised with the burning brand, ask him, 'Cannot the sacri- fice be avoided ?' He need not speak. The scene itself, the conditions and surroundings, above all the first great law of nature, make instant answer.
"Does your justification still lag, my peace-preaching brother? Lift up your eyes upon the scene spread out before you ; upon these grassy hillsides sloping to the river and the sea, upon field and meadow waving with ripening harvests, upon farm and cottage, the rewards of toil and thrift, upon towns and villages teeming with life and hum- ming with industry, upon yonder waters white with a com- merce that keeps the world's remotest shores in constant touch. Slowly broaden your view till the tired eye of your fancy rests upon the Pacific shores; gather in the vast intervening spaces reclaimed from savagery and waste for the occupation of sixty million people; turn the pages of history ; note the growth and development of the nation, its beneficent influence in the march of human progress, its grand leadership in all that makes for the welfare of the world, in all that elevates and enobles man. All this had not been, had John Mason been less prompt or less resolute. Justified by all the existing conditions that influenced his action, he has been abundantly vindicated by the process of time, the award of history and the judgment of posterity."
The pursuit of the Pequots was both rapid and relentless. Extermination had been the war cry of the Indians, and self-preservation that of the English, at the beginning of the struggle, but as it progressed the tables were turned. The night after the battle, Sassacus and his remaining braves held a council of war, and it is said that three plans of action were discussed-to fly from the country, to attack the English or to attack the Narragansetts. The proud
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chieftain advocated the bolder course but was overborne by his comrades, and sadly firing their wigwams they stole away to the westward. Of their further misfortunes Capt. Mason has told us in his account of the battle and it has not to do directly with the history of this town. Sassacus finally took refuge with his old enemies the Mohawks, who killed him and sent his scalp to Boston as a token of his death. The remnant of the Pequots who were taken prisoners were reduced to slavery and were allotted to the Mohegans, the Narragansetts and the Niantics, a treaty with these tribes providing that the Pequots should never- more inhabit their native country nor be called Pequots. Neither the Narragansetts nor Mohegans were to occupy the conquered territory without the consent of the English.
The attempt to keep the Pequots from returning to their old home was not effectively carried out, for in September 1639 Capt. Mason was sent with forty men to dislodge a body of them who had settled at Pawcatuck. Assisted by Uncas with one-hundred and twenty Mohegans, he broke up their settlement, burning their wigwams and carrying off or destroying their corn. In 1647 the Pequots com- plained of the treatment they had received and were re- ceiving from Uncas and prayed to be taken under the protection of the English. This request was not granted, but it was renewed from time to time. In 1651 Capt. Mason was appointed to go to Long Island and to demand of the Pequots there, as well as in other places, the pay- ment of the tribute which they had obligated themselves to pay in 1638. Uncas appeared before the commissioners in behalf of the Pequots and remonstrated with them against a perpetual payment of tribute and it was agreed that twelve years' tribute was due in 1650, but to show the lenity of the settlers* "and to encourage the Pequots if they would behave themselves well, and pay the tribute agreed upon for ten years, reckoning from 1650, they would give them all which was due for past years, and that at the expiration of the ten years they and their children should
* History of Connecticut, Benj. Trumbull, p. 198.
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be free. This it seems they thankfully accepted and after- wards became as faithful friends to the English as the Mohegans. They assisted them in their war with other Indians: especially in that against Philip and the Narra- gansetts."
In the memorable swamp fight at South Kingstown, R. 1., Dec. 19, 1675, a number of Pequot Indians were engaged under the charge of Capt. James Avery .*
In 1655 the oft-repeated request of the Pequots was granted and the Indians were taken under the protection of the English, lands being set out for them about the Pawcatuck and Mystic Rivers. The lands in Groton occu- pied by them were first at Noank, later in North Groton. Robin Cassasinamon was made their governor and they were placed under general laws. Blasphemy, murder, witchcraft and conspiracy against the colonies were pro- hibited upon pain of death. Sabbath-breaking, adultery and drunkenness were properly punished; stealing by double damages. They were forbidden to make war with other Indians or to join with them in their wars-except it were in their own just defence-without the consent of the commissioners of the United Colonies. The governor appointed by the English was to receive the same tribute they had stipulated to pay to the English. The Public Records of Connecticut contain the following entry :** "April 20, 1665 -- This Court doth appoint Ensigne Avery, Ensigne Thomas Tracy and John Gallup, Thomas Miner or any three of them to lay out a convenient percell of land for Robin and his company to plant upon, at or near the head of Mistick River, provided it be not in the bounds of any of the plantations, & to make return hereof at Ye Court in May next."
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