USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement of the colony to the adoption of the present constitution, vol. I > Part 24
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Robert Stanton came up, and with the forwardness of youth ventured to ask him some questions. At first the chief looked at him in silence, and then regarding his beard- less face with hereditary scorn, he replied in broken English, " You too much child ; no understand matters of war. Let your brother or chief come. Him I will answer." He kept his word .*
When his life was tendered him on condition that he and his nation would submit, he rejected the offer with indig- nation. Then they threatened him with death if he failed to fall in with their terms. He calmly replied that killing him
* Trumbull, i. 344, 345 ; Bancroft, ii. 106.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
would not put an end to the war. Some of them taunted him with the violation of his treaty, and with the boast that he had made that "he would burn up the English in their houses, and that he would not deliver up a Wampanoag or the paring of a Wampanoag's nail." "Others," said the chief, quietly, " were as forward for the war as myself, and I desire to hear no more about it."
Denison took him to Stonington. A council of war was held, and it was decided that he must be shot. When the sentence of this court-martial of volunteers was made known to him, his only answer was, "I like it well. I shall die before my heart is soft, or I have said any thing unworthy of myself."t I find in the history of Greece and Rome no record of heroism more striking, nor a dying speech more in consonance with the philosophy of self-sustaining paganism, than the last words of Nanuntenoo. As his father was killed by Uncas, so the son of Uncas superintended the execution of the son of Miantinomoh.
Thus perished the last of a line of monarchs, the noblest among the New England nations, and thus another tribe, the best and the most cultivated as well as the most powerful that inhabited the northern Atlantic coast, was swept away. The rest of the details of Philip's war are foreign to my purpose, and I shall here take my leave of the chief of the Wampanoags.
One important feature of this war, however, remains to be delineated. At the election that took place on the 11th of May 1676, William Leete was chosen governor, and Robert Treat deputy governor. To carry on the war the Assembly voted to raise a standing army of three hundred and fifty men, who, with the friendly Indians, were to defend the country and harass the enemy.
Major John Talcott was appointed to the chief command of these forces; the Rev. Gershom Bulkley surgeon, and good Mr. James Fitch chaplain. The surgeon and chaplain were made a part of the council of war. Norwich was made
* Trumbull ; Bancroft.
285
SUCCESS OF MAJOR TALCOTT.
[1676.]
the first general rendezvous of the army, and from this place Talcott marched about the first of June with some two hun- dred and fifty Englishmen and two hundred Mohegans and Pequots, towards the Wabaquasset country, in quest of the enemy. But not an Indian was to be found, though they searched the woods faithfully in the old retreats of the sav- ages. The wigwams were all deserted, and the fortifications made of the tops of trees were without a warrior to man them. At Wabaquasset, Talcott destroyed the fortress and about fifty acres of corn, and on the 5th of June marched on to the country of the Nipmucks. There he killed nineteen Indians and took thirty-five prisoners. He then marched to Brookfield, and thence to Northampton. The army suffered fearfully from fatigue and famine before it reached North- hampton, and that march was long known to the people of our colony as the "long and hungry march."
On the 12th of June a furious attack was made upon Hadley by about seven hundred Indians. Talcott soon arrived and saved the garrison and the town. The Indians were driven off with such promptness that they were pre- vented, as is believed, from making attempts upon other towns that they had in their hearts devoted to destruction.
Some time after this the Massachusetts forces arrived and joined Talcott's troops. The army then scoured the woods upon both banks of the river, destroying the dwellings of the fugitive enemy, breaking up their fisheries, and despoiling them in every way that they deemed likely to take from them the power to do mischief. Talcott went as far as Deerfield Falls and then returned. After he had spent about three weeks in that part of Massachusetts, he departed with his army through the wilderness towards the Narragansett country. On the 1st of July he came near a large body of Indians and took four of them.
Two days after he surprised the main body of the enemy on the border of a large cedar swamp, and so skillfully did he dispose his forces and conduct the attack that he killed and took prisoners a large number. The rest fled into the swamp.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
This Talcott surrounded, and after a fight of about three hours killed and took captive one hundred and seventy-one Indians. In this hard-fought battle thirty-four Indian war- riors were killed, and after the action, ninety captives, who were fighting men, shared the same fate. Between forty and fifty women and children were preserved unhurt.
That same day he marched his army to Providence and made an attack upon the Indians on the Neck, and after- wards upon those at Norwich. In these two places he killed and captured sixty-seven. Thus, in a little more than a month, he had killed and taken two hundred and thirty-eight hostile Indians, and had done much in other respects to cripple the resources of Philip.
On the 5th of July, Talcott set out on his return march, and before he reached Connecticut took sixty more prison- ers. If we add to the killed and those taken alive by this gallant officer, those also who had fallen into the hands of the volunteers since the 1st of April of that year, we shall find that four hundred and twenty of the Indians had been subdued by Connecticut alone, in the space of about three months. When we add to this the depredations made upon the country of Philip's allies, the destruction of the houses and growing crops, and the carrying away of their corn, beans, and other valuables that stood them in the stead of money, we shall be able to form some adequate conception of the aid rendered by our little colony to her distressed neighbors.
After his return, Major Talcott waited but a little while to recruit his men, and then stationed himself at Westfield. While there, he discovered a large party of the enemy flying towards the west. He pursued them, and on the third day, about midway between Westfield and Albany, he came up with them. They were lying upon the western bank of the Housatonick river, in a state of fancied security, without dreaming of the approach of the English.
It was late in the afternoon when Talcott became aware of his proximity to them, and he deemed it unsafe to attack them at that hour. He therefore retreated silently to a suit-
287
TALCOTT'S STRATAGEM.
[1676.]
able distance and caused his army to pass the night under arms. As the dawn drew on he ordered his troops to form in two divisions, the one to cross the river below the Indians, and advance upon them from the west; the other to creep stealthily up to the eastern bank, and there lie in ambush until they should hear the gun that was to be fired by those who had crossed the river, as a signal that the savages were approaching within the range of their shot. When they heard this gun they were to open a deadly fire upon the Indians. This stratagem would have been attended with a fearful destruction of life had it not been partly defeated by an accident that the English could not have foreseen. A single Indian had left his fellows in a profound sleep, and had stolen down the river to catch fish. As the party upon the west bank was advancing to surprise his slumbering companions, he saw them and cried out in alarm "Owanux, Owanux !" He was instantly shot dead by an English sol- dier. This solitary musket shot was of course mistaken by the other party for the expected signal gun. Too hastily, therefore, for the success of the ambuscade, they arose and fired upon the startled Indians as they fled towards them. But the savages soon discovered their danger, and while the English who were coming up from the rear were too remote to do them much injury, they turned from the destructive bullets of the ambushed party, and ran along the bank of the river for their lives. Still, many of them fell victims to the enterprise. Nothing but the dense growth of the trees and bushes saved them from a total annihilation. The sachem of Quobaug (Brookfield) was killed and twenty-four other warriors. There were forty-five in all who were either killed or taken prisoners. Major Talcott in this war was second only to Major Treat in his practical, effective efforts to reduce the power of Philip and hasten his downfall.
CHAPTER XIII.
ANDROSS ATTEMPTS TO LAND AT SAYBROOK.
As a previous declaration of war had been made in Eng- land against the Dutch, that had caused much alarm in the colonies, and had induced the mother country to make com- mon cause with the people of New England, all interference on the part of the government with our civil affairs was for a time suspended. But no sooner were friendly relations again established between the two contending powers, than the old jealousy that had so long existed in England, against our growing strength, began to be revived. Private interest and ambition also seconded the views of the government.
The Duke of York, who was by no means satisfied with the tenure by which he held his property in America, on the 29th of June, 1674, procured a new patent, granting the same territory named in the old one. He resolved to follow up his title thus acquired, by possession, and immediately gave to Major, afterwards Sir Edmund Andross, a commis- sion to be governor of New York and all the territories in those parts.
With this paper to vouch for whatever arbitrary thing he might think proper to do, Andross sailed to New England.
The boundaries of Connecticut, that had been so carefully defined by the king's commissioners ten years before, were totally disregarded by Major Andross, and he now laid claim, by virtue of his master's new patent, to all that part of Con- necticut lying west of Connecticut river .* Unless this outrageous demand should be acceded to, he threatened the colony with an invasion. The astonishment and indignation of the people of the colony, at this disregard of their own
* J. H. Trumbull's Colonial Rec., ii. 569 ; also see Doc. Hist. of N. York, iii. 78.
[1675.]
ANDROSS APPROACHES THE COAST. 289
prior grant, ratified by a solemn award, knew no bounds. Although the war with Philip was impending, and the whole country was in a state of preparation for the uncertain issue, yet it was resolved by the governor and council of Connecti- cut, not to submit to a dismemberment of the colony.
It was soon made known at Hartford that Andross was about to land at Saybrook, and that he intended, after having taken possession of that important post, to proceed to Hart- ford, New Haven, and other places, until he had made him- self ready to suppress the government of the people, and establish his own upon a firm footing.
As soon as the tidings reached Hartford, that Andross was approaching the coast, detachments of militia were ordered to repair to Saybrook and New London as speedily as pos- sible .* Captain Thomas Bull was appointed to the com- mand of the garrison at Saybrook. The preparations made to oppose his landing with a hostile force were as vigorous as those against Philip, or the armament that had been raised against the Dutch, during the war that had then just been brought to a close.
On the 9th of July, the inhabitants of Saybrook, who were ignorant as well of the intended invasion as of the measures taken by the government to resist it, saw with alarm an armed fleet in the sound, making all sail for the fort.t Thus taken by surprise, they were at first thrown into much confusion, and were undetermined what they should do. But without instructions, as they were, from Hartford, they were not long in recovering their self-possession. They de- termined to meet the emergency manfully, and treat the invaders as enemies.
True to themselves and the popular government that they had sworn to support, the gallant militia, who scarcely needed to be officered, rallied as one man to defend the fort. Bull with his company soon arrived, and with great alacrity aided them in completing the enterprise that had been so nobly begun ..
* Holmes, i. 368 ; Trumbull, i. 328; Bancroft, ii. 404.
t Bancroft, ii. 403 ; Trumbull, i. 328.
19
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Meanwhile, a letter that Robert Chapman had written to the governor and council at Hartford, informing them of the approach of the armed force, had received a very character- istic answer, that could leave no doubt, in the mind of Cap- tain Bull what would be expected of him. Never did a state paper issue in the name of a colonial government, that was couched in language expressive of more loyalty or tender regard for the king's honor. Indeed, the name and interest of " his majestie," if we follow the phraseology of the docu- ment, make up the principal burden, and even the people of Connecticut are lost sight of in their zeal to maintain the royal prerogative.
The letter is addressed to Mr. Chapman and to Captain Thomas Bull, and begins with the announcement that intelli- gence has just been received at Hartford of the arrival of two sloops of war from New York, bringing troops under Major Andross, who has been so considerate of the wants of the garrison and the town, as to pay them a visit with a view of lending them aid against the Indians. These gentlemen are then instructed to inform Major Andross that Connecticut has no occasion to trouble him in this matter, as she has al- ready provided for the defense of her own territory ; but to make him acquainted with the fact that Rhode Island is the seat of war, and that he is desired to repair thither without delay, "for the relief of the good people there, who are in distress."
After making this charitable provision for the protection of their neighbors, by generously proposing to make every sacrifice in their favor, the governor and council, without intimating a suspicion that the visit of Andross could have arisen from any other than the promptings of a humane desire to save the colony from destruction, go on to say that if the Major shall desire to go ashore with any of his gentle- men for refreshments, they are to be treated with all due respect.
Here, for some mysterious purpose not named in the letter, those to whom it was addressed were to make a
291
DIRECTIONS OF THE GENERAL COURT.
[1675.]
decided stand. " And if so be those forces on board should endeavor to land at Saybrook, you are in his majesty's name to forbid their landing. Yet if they should offer to land, you are to wait their landing and to command them to leave their arms on board ; and then you may give them leave to land for necessary refreshing, peaceably, but so that they return on board again in a convenient time." Then kindling into an irrepressible flame of loyalty, and again losing sight of the republic in their zeal to protect from insult the sacred banner of the British empire, they earnestly add, "and you are to keep the king's colors standing there under his majesty's lieutenant, the governor of Connecticut; and if any other colors be set up there, you are not to suffer them to stand. And in general, whatsoever shall be done or attempted in opposition to the government here established by his majesty, you are to declare against, oppose and undo the same."
Lest these general instructions should be liable to miscon- struction from not being sufficiently explicit, they particu- larize as follows :
"If they make proclamations, you are to protest against them; if they command the people to yield obedience to them, you are to forbid it, and to command them to continue in obedience to his majesty and his government here estab- lished ; and if they should endeavor to set up any thing, you may pull it down ; and if they dig up any trenches, you are to fill them up; if they say they take possession, you are to say you keep possession for his majesty."
. After thus giving expression to their enthusiastic love of their monarch, as well in detail as in general, their habitual caution comes to the rescue; but it will be seen from the context passage, that there lurks beneath the spirit of con- cealment, a terrible and deadly opposition.
" You are, in his majesty's name, required to avoid striking the first blow; but if they begin, then you are to defend yourselves."
In the whole body of this letter, not a word is said of the claims of the Duke of York, nor is it so much as intimated
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
that the governor and council are aware of the real inten- tions of the invader. The postscript alone touches upon this dangerous ground. " You are to keep your instructions to yourselves, and give no copies of it. If Major Andross desire a treaty, let him present what he desires in that respect."*
On the 9th of July, the next day after the date of this letter, the General Assembly convened at Hartford, and pro- ceeded forthwith to draw up a declaration, protesting in the strongest terms against the conduct of Major Andross. This paper, unlike the letter of instructions sent to Bull, is very explicit in its terms. After a preamble, reciting the horrors of Indian warfare, and the critical condition of the colony, and after alluding to the king's charter as the basis of their political existence, the remonstrants say, " We can do no less than publicly declare and protest against the said Major Edmund Andross, and these his illegal proceedings ; also against all his aiders and abettors, as disturbers of the peace of his majesty's good subjects in this colony ; and that his and their actions in this juncture tend to the encouragement of the heathen to proceed in the effusion of blood." They add further that, "they shall unavoidably lay at his door," whatever evil consequences may flow from his conduct, and that they will use their utmost power and endeavor, expecting therein the assistance of Almighty God, to defend the good people of this colony from the said Major Andross' attempts." After commanding all the people, in the king's name, to resist the demands of Andross, and on no account to obey him or lend him any countenance, in any proceedings contrary to
* I cannot doubt for a moment as to the authorship of this remarkable letter. Indeed, there was but one man then living in New England who could have framed it. The masterly use of language, the adroitness with which conclusions so startling are drawn from premises so innocent, its politeness, its firmness, its childlike transparency of language giving forth a light that can neither dazzle nor mislead-in a word, its exquisite diplomatic touch-betrays the hand of John Winthrop in every line. The whole letter may be found in vol. ii. of J. H. Trumbull's Colonial Records, pp. 334, 335.
- 293
ANDROSS AND BULL.
[1675.]
the charter and the laws of the colony, the protest closes with the loyal words, "God save the king."*
This protest was approved by every member of the Gen- eral Assembly, and sent off immediately by express to Say- brook, with instructions to Bull to propose to Major Andross that the matter in dispute should be referred to commis- sioners, to meet at any place in the colony that he might choose.t
Early on the morning of the 12th of July, Major Andross begged that he might be permitted to go on shore and have an interview with the ministers and principal officers. This request was granted, and he accordingly landed with his suite. While this was going on, the express arrived from Hartford with the protest and letter of instructions. With the blunt courtesy that was befitting a man of his straight- forward nature, Captain Bull, accompanied by his officers and the principal gentlemen of the town, met the major on the beach and told him that he had just received orders to make a treaty with him, and told him of the terms.
The object of Andross in going ashore, was to intimidate the officers and the people, by reading the king's new patent to the Duke of York, and the Duke's commission to himself under that grant. He, therefore, with much haughtiness, rejected the proposal made by the General Assembly, and as he and his retinue had now come within hearing distance of Bull and his companions, he commanded his clerk to read aloud the two papers that gave him his pretended authority.
Little was Major Andross aware of the character of the man with whom he was dealing. With an authority that seemed to set at defiance both king and duke, Captain Bull addressed himself to the clerk and imperiously commanded him to forbear. Balked in his first attempt, the secretary attempted to persist in the execution of his office.
" Forbear!" reiterated the captain, in a tone that even Andross himself did not think it safe to oppose.
* Colonial Records, ii. 261, 262. + Trumbull, i. 330.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Major Andross, with all his faults, was not without fine traits of character, and was struck with a soldier's admira- tion at the coolness and intrepidity of the captain.
" What is your name ?" he asked.
"My name is Bull, sir," was the prompt answer.
" Bull !" responded the governor, "It is a pity that your horns are not tipped with silver."*
The governor saw that it was idle to attempt to overawe the officers or the inhabitants, and that they would overpower him with numbers should he resort to coercion.
With this equivocal compliment to the captain, and with a bitter remark on the ingratitude of the colony and the meagerness of their protest, he took a hasty leave of them. With a politeness that could hardly have been agreeable to him, the militia of the town escorted him to his boat. In a few hours, his sloops were out of sight.t
The General Assembly regarded these proceedings of An- dross not only as illegal, but as a marked insult to the col- ony. After having read a detailed account of what had happened at Saybrook, they sent a declaration to the several towns, under the seal of the colony and signed by its secre- tary, to be published to all the inhabitants. They say that "the good people of his majesty's colony of Connecticut have met with much trouble and molestation from Major Edmund Andross' challenge and attempts to surprise the main fort of said colony, which they have so rightfully ob- tained, so long possessed and defended against all invasions of Dutch and Indians, to the great grievance of his majesty's good subjects in these settlements, and to despoil the happy government by charter from his majesty granted to them- selves, and under which they have enjoyed many halcyon days of peace and tranquillity." The declaration further informs the people that the Assembly had desired Mr. Win- throp and Mr. Richards, who were about to visit England, to carry with them a copy of all the papers relating to the
* Trumbull, i. 330. + Trumbull.
295
DEATH OF GOVERNOR WINTHROP.
[1676.]
invasion of Andross, and anticipate, by a full narrative of the affair, any false statements that he might make at court to the prejudice of the colony .*
The colony, in the midst of her successes, was destined to suffer the keenest anguish. One after another, her patriarchs had departed from her borders or found a refuge in her bosom. Winthrop was now to follow them. He had been chosen a commissioner to represent her in the Congress of the United Colonies in May 1676, and, true to her interests in age as he had proved himself in his youth, he had gone to Boston early in the spring of 1676 to discharge the trust, and to lend to New England in her darkest day, the light of his counsels. There he was taken suddenly ill, and, after a brief period of sickness, died.+
It is difficult for me to consider him as an individual char- acter, so inseparably is his bright image blended with that of the colony herself during the most doubtful and at the same time most glorious period of her existence. An ideal of humanity, setting forth upon a journey that was to involve the exploration of paths untried and wild; too full of hope long to remain distrustful of the future ; too sincere a believer in the revealed will of God to doubt the comprehensiveness and unfailing resources of his providence ; too intelligent and large-hearted for bigotry on the one hand ; on the other, too keenly alive to the thrill of those finer fibers of the soul that can alone ennoble man's nature and elevate his reason into a faculty that may be called divine, ever to become a sceptic ; a fair ideal, rather than an individual man with the frailties of our race binding him to the earth with chains, does he sometimes present himself to my contemplation. Whenever we would revive in our breasts the spirit of de- votion to the cause of liberty, that better liberty setting bounds to itself that the very laws of its being will not permit it to pass ; whenever we hallow with a sigh some half-forgotten memory of those early days when the sons of
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