USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Deerfield > History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the times when the people by whom it was settled, unsettled and resettled, vol 1 > Part 15
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Thus fell a man who should be ranked first of all New England Indians in the qualities which go to make up a pa- triot, nobleman and warrior. His death " was a matter of re- joicing to all the Colonies." He was called the "Ringleader of almost all this mischief, and great incendiary betwixt us and the Narragansets," and as " the son of Miantonomi, and heir of all his pride and insolence, as well as his malice
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147
OVERTURES FOR PEACE.
against the English * a most perfideous villain." With all the vituperation, the only charge brought against his honor was a violation of the October treaty at Boston. This treaty was in accordance with the treacherous policy of Philip, and made at his solicitation, Canonchet being unfor- tunately under his influence at that time. But let us remem- ber the fact, which his detractors overlooked, that very soon after he returned home he sent notice to Boston that the treaty was to be considered null and void.
Meanwhile, awaiting the return of Canonchet, the struggle for existence continued at Squakheag and few hostile move- ments were made. Scouts watched their own frontier and hovered about that of the enemy. The English, however, being thoroughly alarmed and on the alert, gave few oppor- tunities for spoil. An occasional success cheered them. Ear- ly in April a party, doubtless Pocumtucks, being on the high lands overlooking Hadley, saw workmen with a guard go out into the meadows. Creeping towards the scene of labor the scout patiently waited events. They soon saw the vigilance of the whites relax, and their own opportunity for action. Deacon Richard Goodman, one of the workmen, left the guard to examine his boundary fence, and three of the gnard climbed the hill to view the prospect. All came with- in range of the scouts' guns, and all fell. Thomas Reed was captured. He was brought to headquarters and closely ques- tioned, but the plans of the English being in utter confusion, as we have seen, no information of value could be obtained from him.
About this time another element of discord was introduced into the camp. Towcanchasson, with another Indian mes- senger, bearing a flag of truce, arrived from Hartford with the following message :-
These are to signify unto all or any of those Indians whoe are now at war with the English, that the Councill of Conecticott, haueing not wronged nor injured them in the least so as to cause them to take up armes against us, but being called according to covenant to assist our confederates of Massachusetts and Plimouth, haue taken sundry Indians captiues, and some are delivered to vs ; therefore we haue thought meet to declare to the sd Indians that we are willing to tender them an exchang of captives, for such English as they have in their hands; and that upon the return of ors to Hadley where we will meet them, theirs shall be set at liberty to come to them. We also do tender, that if the sª Indians doe desire any treaty with vs,
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PHILIP'S WAR.
and make appeare that they have been wronged by any of the Eng- lish, we shall endeavour to haue that wrong rectifyed, and heare any propositions they haue to make vnto us; and if any of the Sa- chems desire to treat with vs, they shall have liberty to com to vs and goe away without any molestation, sending word when and where before hand. And they may know that we are men of peace and willing to farther peace with all or neighbours.
Dated in Hartford, March 28. 1676. Pr order of the Councill, J. A. Secry. These to be convayed by Towcanchasson.
This overture was well received by the Pocumtucks and Nipmucks, who had no real cause for war. They were tired of the hardships it involved, and indignant against Philip, who enticed them into it. It was different with the Narra- gansets. Their homes were desolate, their people slain and their vengeful natures forbade thoughts of peace. At any rate no action could be had until the return of their chief- tain, Canonchet.
The departure of Maj. Savage from Hadley, April 7th, was reported by scouts at once, and caused great exultation, dampening all thoughts of peace, and greatly strengthening the war feeling. It now appeared that their friends at the east had carried out their part in the programme of the cam- paign. The troops had been forced to return home, and if all united, the valley towns must soon be in their hands, with all their corn and cattle. The occupation of the peacemaker was gone.
Within a day or two, however, came the sickening news that their valiant leader, their anchor of hope, the noble Ca- nonchet, had fallen. The blow was a stunning one. Con- sternation took the place of confidence, and confusion and discord reigned. The Pocumtucks at once deserted the cause and threatened to seek a peace, with the head of Philip as an offering. On the Ioth that prudent sachem moved towards safer quarters in the fastnesses of the Wachu- sett mountain. Within a week news of another disaster reached the camp. Forty men, including several counsellors and sachems, had been killed near the place where Canonchet was taken.
The care of the disorganized multitude now fell upon Pes- sacus. Measures were taken for defense here, and a fort pro-
149
INDIAN AND ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE.
jected at a cowass some forty miles up the river, as a re- treat, in case of need. Three forts were built for defense against invasion, on the ground now occupied. Scouting parties were sent to skulk about the towns below, to keep them in a constant state of alarm, and on the defensive. Cattle and horses from their pasture grounds added to the provisions in the camps. Though generally successful in their raids, the last week of April one party reported a disas- trous issue. While on the bank of the Connecticut river, near Springfield, they were surprised and fired upon by the enemy. Three of them were mortally wounded, but plung- ing at once into the water, their scalps were saved. The peace party had again become a power, and increased with every reverse. Towcanchasson was still here, and it was urged upon Pessacus to attempt a treaty with the enemy. The Narragansets were in no mood for peace, but the wily Sachem, whose object was to gain time until the winter's stock of fish was laid up and the planting season over, saw here an opportunity to ensure delay. To that end he dis- patched Tiawakesson, his own official "messenger," with Towcanchasson and suite, bearing an ambiguous message in writing to the Connecticut Council. In a short time Tiawa- kesson came back with the following message in reply :-
To Pessicus, Wequaquat, Wanchequit, Sunggumache, and the rest of the Indian Sachems up the River about Suckquackheage, these :-
You may hereby be informed, that we have received your writing, brought by or two messengers, and by Pessicus his messenger, and in it we find no answer to what we propownded, and therefore once again we haue sent these lines to you, to inform you that, as we sayd before, we are men of peace, and if they will deliver unto us the English captives that are with them, either for money or for captiues of yours in or hands, to be returned to them, wee shall accept of it so farr: and if they will attend a meeting at Hadley, within these eight days, if the Sachems will com thither bringing the captives with them as a signe of theire reall desire of peace, we shall appoynt some to meet them there, and to treat them upon tearmes of peace ; and they shall haue safe conduct both in comeing and while they stay; and they shall have free liberty to depart, if we doe not agree
to tearmes of peace. But to this we doe desire their speedy answer, to be brought to Hadly, within five dayes; and if one or two men come with the Sachems answer to this and come without armes, with a white cloath vpon a pole, they will receive no damage, and their answer will be speadily handed down to vs. They know we never use to breake our promise to Indians, and doe keep peace with all or own Indians, though some fewe are kept in a comfortable
150
PHILIP'S WAR.
house, put there by theire own free will as pawnes for the rest, till the wars be ended, and are well used, as friends not as prisoners.
Dated in Hartford,
May Ist, 1676.
Pr order of the Councill of Conecticott, Signed, John Allyn, Secret'y.
It was evident to Pessacus, by the tenor of both the com- munications from the English, that the principal object of these overtures was to get the prisoners from his hands; that their continuance in his camp would embarrass hostile move- ments, and he had no intention of giving up this advantage. So no response was made to the invitation for a meeting at Hadley. And as the spring advanced, and the hardships of the confederates diminished, there was less and less desire for peace. Changeful as children, the fickle savage was elated, or cast down, by the events of the hour.
As warm weather came on food was more and more readi- ly procured. The springing herbage not only furnished food in itself, but revealed the esculent root beneath. When the ponds opened, water fowl became common, and as the shad and salmon appeared in their annual migration, abun- dance followed the long winter of starvation. Mrs. Row- landson says, after being for weeks almost famished: "I was never again satisfied ; though it sometimes fell out that I had got enough and did eat till I could eat no more, yet I was as unsatisfied as when I began." Feasting and gorging brought content to the Indians and everything wore a more hopeful aspect. Every week brought news of successes by their friends at the East, and the enemy shut up in the towns below seemed to be at their mercy when the time for action should come. The peace party had disappeared.
While crowds were catching and drying fish to store their barns with a winter's stock, others were engaged in prepar- ing the ground for planting at Pocumtuck and Squakheag ; and by the middle of May a wide area had been planted. English scouts reported three hundred acres in corn at the former place. Indian scouts reported to the Sachems no re- inforcements to the English force, but, on the contrary, that part of the garrisons had been withdrawn from the towns; that the settlers were neglecting their fields from fear, and that no laborers left the stockades without a guard. Week by week the confederates grew more and more secure. The
151
FATAL FEAST AT PESKEOMPSKUT.
Sachems about the camp fires talked over the plans for the summer, assured of an easy success in driving the whites from the valley. The escaped captive, Reed, reported them " as secure and scornful, boasting the great things they had done, and will do," annihilating in their war dances many an imaginary foe.
Their principal camp was at the head of the rapids on the right bank of the river at Peskeompskut; another was at some distance above it; a third, nearly opposite on the left bank, while a fourth was on Smead's Island, a short distance below ; and still another at Cheapside guarded the ford of the Pocumtuck river. Beside these, every fishing place on the Connecticut as high up as the Ashuelot had its camp.
Quiet and plenty had lulled the Indians into a sense of se- curity. The escape of the English captives, Gilbert, Steb- bins and Reed, in consequence of their relaxed vigilance, brought no premonitions of danger. The English and the Mohawks, like themselves, they reasoned, must attend to their planting. May 12th, Pessacus, learning that the Hat- field people had turned their stock into the north meadows to feed, promptly sent a party to secure the prize ; and that very night seventy or eighty head were brought off. A part were left in the common field at Pocumtuck, and the fence repaired to keep them in, others taken to the camps for slaughter, and the cows brought to headquarters for their inilk, where the English captive women were made to milk them. Beef now became as plenty as fish. But the end was drawing near.
On the night of May 18th a grand feast was held at Peske- ompskut. Sachems and warriors, women and children, alike gorged themselves on the choice salmon from the river, and fresh beef and new milk from the Hatfield raid. Late in the night, perhaps to secure a further supply, a party went out in canoes to spear salmon by torchlight. A shower unfortu- nately extinguished the torches, and the fishermen went ashore to mingle again in the frolic and festivity. This lasted until near morning. At its close, without posting a single sentinel, the whole party, stuffed to repletion, and lulled by the monotone of the falling waters, fell into a pro- found slumber. From this criminal security and stupid tor-
152
PHILIP'S WAR.
por, warrior and people were rudely aroused. The foe were even now at their very door.
TURNERS FALLS FIGHT.
On the recall of Major Savage, as before stated, garrisons had been left in the valley towns at their request and their of- fer to pay the expense of the same. This proved a heavy bur- den to the harassed settlers, and as the weeks wore on, a feel- ing grew up, that, as all field operations were forbidden, they themselves could defend the stockades, and a smaller force of soldiers guard them in their labors. About the first of May a petition was sent to the General Court to the effect, that, if one-half of the garrisons be supported by the Colony, no objection would be offered to the withdrawal of the other half. This change was made, and the returning troops were doubtless the escort to the provisions which Turner had been ordered to send to the rendezvous at Quabaug.
The inhabitants were not deceived by the quiet of the In- dians. Aware of their numbers and occupation, they knew that when planting and fishing were over, and the trees in full leaf, the whole valley would be alive with them. The boldness of the enemy in settling so near, and their success- ful raids on the frontiers, had at length aroused more indig- nation than fear. Left to their own resources by the govern- ment, their inherent manhood rebelled against the fact that a horde of the despised race was insolently domineering over them. Their pride was aroused. The panic of the early spring gave way to an urgent desire for offensive action. The following letter represents this feeling to the General Court :-
Hadly Apr. 29. 1676.
It is strange to see how much spirit (more than formerly) appears in o' men to be out against the enemy. A great part of the inhab- itants here, would o' committees of militia but permitt would be go- ing forth. They are dayly moving for it, and would fane have lib- erty to be going forth this night. The enemy is now come so near us, that we count we might goe forth in the evening, and come upon them in the darknesse of the same night. We understand from Hart- ford some inclination to allow some volunteers to come from there up hither. Should that be, I doubt not but many of ors would joyne with them. It is the generall voyce of the people here yt now is the time to distresse the enemy, and that could we drive them from thair fishing, and keepe out though but lesser parties against them, famine
153
UNSUCCESSFUL DIPLOMACY.
would subdue them. All or late intelligence gives us cause to hope that the Mohawks do still retaine their old friendship to us, & enmity against our enemies. Some proofe of it they have of late, in those they slew higher up this River. Two of whom, as the Indian mes- sengers relate, were of or known Indians, and one a Quaboag Indian. And further proof its thought, they would soone give, were the ob- structions (yt some English have or may put in their way) removed, and the remembrance of the ancient amity and good turns between them, and these colonies, renewed by some letters, & if it might be, by some English messenger. We would not tho' out of so good an end as love and zeal for the weale publique, that we should be tran- sported beyond or line. We crave pardon for or reaching so far, and wth many prayers, so desire to beseech the father of mercies & God of all Counsell to direct you in the right way, and so praying we remain,
Sir, Your Worships most Humble & devoted Serv'ts.
JOHN RUSSELL. WILL TURNER. DAVID WILTON. SAMUELL SMITH.
JOHN LVMAN. ISAACK GRAVES. JOHN KING.
DANIELLE WARNARE.
The same day on which this letter was written, another of similar import was sent the Connecticut Council also giving notice of the arrival of Towcanchasson from Squakheag, with Tiawakesson, the messenger of Pessacus. The Council are cautioned against giving full credit to the stories they tell, as "they doe (especially he that belongs to these parts,) labor to represent the enemies state as much to their ad- vantage as may be, whether agreeing with truth or not." Tiawakesson and his party arrived at Hartford the next day, and on the ist of May were sent away with the message already given, [see ante, page 149,] and orders issued for rais- ing one hundred soldiers, who were to leave Hartford on the 8th for Hadley, the place and time appointed for the meeting with the Sachems. A letter was also sent to Mr. Russell, in reply to his of the 29th, giving the substance of the message sent by Tiawakesson, and asking that any an- swer to it being received, should be posted to Hartford, at the same time cautioning them against making any hostile movements while the English captives remained in the hands of the Indians, "whom they will in such case be likely to destroy."
154
PHILIP'S WAR.
The eight allotted days passed and no tidings from Pessa- cus, and so no Connecticut troops came to Hadley. "The spirit to be out against the enemy " grew stronger day by day, and when the great loss of stock from Hatfield meadows was known, that spirit was shared by the commander.
May 15th Thomas Reed, the escaped captive, came into headquarters and gave a full account of the unwarlike condi- tion of affairs up the river. All now agreed that the time had come for a trial of arms ; and that day Mr. Russell, who seems to have been their mouthpiece, wrote the Connecticut Council giving an account of the raid on Hatfield meadows and the news brought by Reed, concluding :--
This being the state of things, we think the Lord calls us to make some trial of what may be done against them suddenly, without fur- ther delay and therefore the concurring resolution of men here seems to be to go out against them to-morrow night so as to be with them, the Lord assisting, before break of day. We need guidance and help from heaven. We humbly beg your prayers, advice, and help if it may be. And therewith committing you to the guidance and blessing of the Most High, remain
Your worship's in all humble service JOHN RUSSELL.
To this was appended :-
Altho this man speaks of their number as he judgeth yet they may be many more, for we perceive their number varies, and they are going and coming, so that there is no trust to his guess.
WILLIAM TURNER. JOHN LYMAN. ISAAC GRAVES.
The resolution "to go out against them to-morrow night," the 16th, was not carried out. But after waiting for two days the result of the appeal to Connecticut for help, on the 18th, a force of about one hundred and forty-one men was gathered at Hatfield for an expedition against their enemy at Peske- ompskut. It was made up very nearly as follows: From the garrisons of Hadley, Hatfield and Northampton, thirty- four ; from those at Springfield and Westfield, twenty-two, under Lieut. Josiah Fay, of Boston. The rest were volun- teers. From Hadley, twenty-five, and Hatfield twelve, under Sergeants John Dickinson and Joseph Kellogg; twenty-two from Northampton, under Ensign John Lyman ; twenty-three from Springfield and three from Westfield, under Capt. Sam- uel Holyoke. Of these, nineteen at least had been, or be-
155
MARCH TO PESKEOMPSKUT.
came, citizens of this town. Rev. Hope Atherton of Hat- field, "who was a courageous man and willing to expose himself for the public good," was the Chaplain; Benjamin Waite and Experience Hinsdell were guides. The whole was under Captain William Turner of Boston. Each man was furnished with provision for three meals. Nearly all were mounted, but there were a few footmen. After sunset, Thursday, May 18th, this little army set out on a memorable march-memorable for its material, for its good and bad for- tune, and for the results achieved. After fervent prayer by the chaplain, and a tearful God-speed from their friends, the cavalcade passed out from Hatfield street with high hopes and determined hearts. Crossing the meadows to the north, vowing vengeance for the stolen cattle, they wended their way slowly up the Pocumtuck path. Tall Wequainps loomed up before them like a pillar of cloud against the dim northern sky. They followed the exact route which had led Beers and Lothrop into an ambush nine months before. Thought- ful eyes peered into the fatal swamp as they passed. Over the Weequioannuck and through the hushed woods as darkness was closing down, to Bloody Brook. Guided by Hinsdell, the troops floundered through the black morass, which drank the blood of his father and three brothers, eight months be- fore ; they passed with bated breath and clinched fire-lock, the mound under which slept Lothrop and his three score men. As they left this gloomy spot, and marched up the road, down which the heedless Lothrop had led his men into the fatal snare, the stoutest must have quailed at the uncer- tainty beyond. Was their own leader wise? Did he consid- er the danger? Did not they all know that if Towcanchasson was treacherous or any swift-footed friend of Pessacus had revealed to him their plans, that they were marching to sure destruction? Was it prudent to neglect precautions against surprise? What if the information of Reed should prove in- correct? Burdened with thoughts like these, the command made its way to Pocumtuck, guarding with closed ranks against the gaping cellars of our ruined village. More than one of these men, by toil and frugality, had here built their homes and gathered their families. As they passed the des- olate hearthstones, what but faith in the Most High could raise their sinking hearts? Onward across North Meadows,
156
PHILIP'S WAR.
where one of the guides, Benjamin Waite, was later to end his eventful life in the brave attempt to rescue the captives of 1704, and where the boy hero of this expedition, famous later as Capt. Jonathan Wells, tried vainly to temper his rash zeal. Over the Pocumtuck river, at the mouth of Sheldon's brook, to avoid the ford guarded by the Indian fort, and up the steep side hill to Petty's Plain. Even with this precau- tion, the wading of the horses was heard, and the Indian sentinel gave the alarm. With lighted torches a party ex- amined the crossing place, but finding no tracks, concluded that the noise was made by moose crossing the river. So narrowly did the party escape discovery. Following the
Indian trail at the foot of Shelburne hills, the adventurers entered the mysterious and unexplored wilderness stretching away to Canada. Full of boding fancies, they marched on under the gloomy arches of a primeval forest, the darkness made more intense by the glare of lightning, and the silence occasionally broken by a peal of thunder, the bark of the startled wolf, or raccoon, the ghostly flitting of the wonder- ing owl. What wonder if these brave men and boys, super- stitious as they were, and worn by fatigue and excitement, lost their self-possession a few hours later. Marching two miles northward, then crossing Green river at the mouth of Ash-swamp brook to the eastward, skirting the great swamp, Turner reached the plateau south of Mount Adams, before the break of day, tired and drenched by a shower, which fortunately drove in the fishermen. [See ante, page 151.]
Leaving his horses under a small guard. Turner led his men through Fall river, up a steep ascent, and came out on a slope* in the rear of the Indian camp. He had reached his objective point undiscovered. Silence like that of death brooded over the encampment by the river, save for the sul- len roar of the cataract beyond. With ears strained to catch any note of alarm, the English waited impatiently the laggard light, and with the dawn, stole silently down among the sleeping foe ; even putting their guns into the wigwams un- discovered. At a given signal the crash of a hundred shots aroused the stupefied sleepers. Many were killed at the first fire. The astonished survivors, supposing their old enemy
* Now the farm of T. M. Stoughton.
157
THE ENGLISHMAN'S REVENGE.
to be upon them, cried out " Mohawks! Mohawks!" rushed to the river, and jumped pell-mell into the canoes which lay along the shore. Many pushed off without paddles; in other cases the paddlers were shot, and falling overboard, upset the canoe ; many in the confusion plunged into the torrent, attempting to escape by swimming. Nearly all of these were swept over the cataract and drowned. Others, hiding about the banks of the river, were hunted out and cut down, "Cap- tain Holyoke killing five, young and old, with his own Hands from under a bank." A very slight resistance was made, and but one of the assailants wounded; another " was killed in the action by his friends, who, taking him for an Indian as he came out of a wigwam shot him dead." The wigwams were burned, and the camp dismantled. Says a letter writer of the day :-
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