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 43
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428
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
The next spring, April 24th, 1725, De Vaudreuil and Fath- er de la Chasse, Superior of the Jesuits in Canada, unite in sending to the War minister an account of the same affair. This agrees in every particular with the account given above. In neither is there the slightest hint of any indignity to the body of the fallen missionary. The omission of such a charge against the English can only be accounted for on the ground that there was no foundation for it whatever.
The truth seems to be, that Father Rasle was killed in the heat of the attack, while encouraging his charge in defend- ing themselves; that even his death under these circum- stances was against the moral sense of the English command- er, and that pretexts were sought to excuse the English sol- diers. Capt. Harman did not perhaps know, so well as it is known to-day, that his death was justifiable, on the ground that to him more than to any other the opening and contin- uance of the war was directly chargeable.
The following is the English version of the event taken from Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, p. 282. After the Indians had been driven across the river,-
The English then returned to the town, where they found the Jes- uit in one of the wigwams, firing upon a few of our men who had not pursued after the enemy. He had an English boy in the wigwam with him about fourteen years of age, who had been taken about six months before. This boy he shot through the thigh and afterwards stabbed in the body, but, by the care of the surgeons he recovered. I find this act of cruelty in the account given by [ Capt. ] Harman on oath: Moulton had given orders not to kill the Jesuit, but, by his fir- ing from the wigwam, one of our men being wounded, a lieutenant Jaques, stove open the door and shot him through the head. Jaques excused himself to his commanding officer, alledging that Ralle was loading his gun when he entered the wigwam, and declared he would neither give nor take quarter. Moulton allowed that some answer was made by Ralle, which provoked Jaques, but doubted whether it was the same as reported, and always expressed his disapprobation of the action.
August 17th, 1724, Col. Schuyler writes to Stoddard :--
I send you the answer what Jacob and his company brought from Canada * * Note that the Cagnawagoes and Scawinadees stand strict and honorable by there former Resolution and promise * *
* * There is now againe fourty Indians Gone Against your Govt but I know not where they will make there attempt
Later advices show that somebody is mistaken. Aug. 23d, 1724, Capt. Kellogg writes Stoddard the news that four of his
429
THE WAR BELT.
Macquas brought from Albany about the messengers which the Five Nations sent to carry a Belt to the Caghnawagas- one "to take the hatchet away," the other to invite them to a Conference at Albany. In reply to the first they returned "an Extraordinary Large Belt of Wampum we was very much redded & told ym you our fathers of ye Six Nations say we take the hatchet out of your hands, but these are to aquaint yt we shall not deliver it up but shall still war against ye Eng- lish," giving as a reason that the English have taken away their land and keep their Hostages in prison.
They also report a Conference between the Caghnawaga and the Eastern Indians before the governor of Canada.
This last item explains the action of the Caghnawagas in the first. De Vaudreuil never let slip an opportunity of keeping the Indians on the war path towards New England.
Aug. 17th, 1724, Col. Stoddard writes to Dummer :-
I hoped that the enemy, (who have been very troublesome to us) were drawn off, but we are again informed from Fort Dummer that their scouts have discovered tracks of several Indians coming tow- ards us, but we have had that advantage, that not one party of the enemy has passed the fort without being discovered and seasonable notice given, which hath undoubtedly been a means of preserving many lives. The like discovery we were never able to make in any former war. Several parties of the Enemy have been afraid to re- turn their usual way but by Hooseck, which is near Albany.
Fort Dummer was Stoddard's pet, and did good service ; but the notices did not always prevent disaster, nor was this possible, while the subtle enemy had only to lurk and wait until a favorable opportunity offered, when the stroke came like a flash of lightning.
August 25th, Noah Edwards, while going with others from Easthampton to Northampton with a load of hay, was shot and scalped, and Abraham Miller was wounded. The next day a party of the enemy, probably the same that shot Ed- wards, appeared at Westfield. An Englishman was wounded, and one of the assailants, a Scatacook, was killed by Noah Ashley, who received £100 for his scalp. The chiefs of this tribe said that he had deserted and gone to Canada, and they were not responsible for his conduct.
August 27th, Col. Pynchon writes to Lieut. John Root at Westfield, concerning,-
The Mischief done at Northampton upon the Rhode Saturday,
430
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
nere unto Joseph Bartlett's house, about 4 score Rodds from sª House toward Northampton, which alarms us to be carefull in or going out, & I advise & order that you be very careful in yor goeing out, not to goe, near or further of, from town with less in number than 12 or 15 men to guard & before any work is done to scout the wood Round about the place where the work is done before they goe to work & the Guards to be very Watchfull all the tyme they are out; * Also to give notice of this mischief to the Carters and Guards com- ing from Hartfort.
High hopes had been entertained after the treaty of July 3d, 1724, but no important result followed. The Abenakis were not intimidated by the threats of the Iroquois. Their messengers sent to Canada were told the war should be pros- ecuted until the English gave up the land and hostages of the Abenakis. Those Mohawks who went eastward pretend- ed, at least, to have been convinced of the justness of the Abenakis' claim. The Iroquois, when upbraided by Gov. Burnett, in a conference at Albany, Sept. 14th, for not keep- ing their promise, say they only offered "to be mediators for Peace." On being further pressed, and confronted with their language of July 3d, they said they would give the English Commissioners an answer. On the 16th this was given. They tell the English that they had sent messengers three times to the Abenakis, who said they would make peace on the " Return of the Land and the hostages, and the matter re- specting peace seems to lye with you. All mankind is not without thinking, and our thoughts are, that the delivering up the Hostages is the likeliest way for Peace. * %
* If we should make a war it would not end in a few days as yours doth, but must last till one nation or the other is de- stroyed, as it hath been heretofore with us." This is plain Indian common sense. They also say they have no answer to the belt sent to the King of England on the subject.
In a speech to them Sept. 19th, Governor Burnett again charges the Iroquois with bad faith. "I find you do not deny your promises, but only you say, wait for King of Great Brit- ian's orders in answer to your Belt. Now this is not a just Pretence. *
% * You know very well you have promised that if the Eastern Indians did not accept your last messen- gers you would take up the Hatchet, and you ought to stand to this." In their reply to the Governor's speech, the next day, the Iroquois with diplomatic silence entirely ignore the
431
POLITICAL SKIRMISHING.
Eastern question ; making no reply to this charge. In a con- ference with the Scatacooks, Sept. 19th, Gov. Burnett accuses them of harboring and furnishing supplies to the hostile In- dians, and allowing some of their men to join in the war against New England. They reply, that those who have de- serted and gone to Canada are seeking revenge; for two years ago they were "arrested while hunting, and shut up in Boston jail." [They had been mistaken for enemies, and were soon released.] When again urged to join the English against the Abenakis, they finally say, "the Belt they sent King George concerning the war has not been answered, and you are our father, and the Six Nations our Leaders, where they go we shall follow." The truth seems to be, that the Iroquois had no notion of going to war, but confidently ex- pected their threats would frighten the Abenakis into yield- ing to the English demands. This doubtless would have been the result, but for French encouragement. De Vau- dreuil says it "Seriously intimidated them," and "cooled them down considerably," but having more favorable news " he hopes shortly to make them to act with more vigor."
The policy of both the English and French towards the Indians, looked solely to their own respective security or agrandizement, with no regard whatever to the effect on the native tribes. The wonder is, that the Indians were able to match them so ably as they did, in shrewdness and state- craft.
September 2d, the Massachusetts General Court authorized Col. Schuyler "to give the Six Nations one thousand pounds, if they will come into ye war with the Eastern Indians."
September 2d, Timothy Childs of Deerfield was appointed Commissary for Hampshire county and was directed to send £300 in goods to Fort Dummer for the use of the Indians and others in the service there.
September 4th, Capt. Kellogg reports to Gov. Dummer that he continues scouting "as usual up the River & then Eastward, that it might be the best security to the Towns below, but have made no Late Discovery." It was the duty of Lieut. Childs to look after the west side of the river, and Stoddard thought it best that he should be made captain, and command that part of Kellogg's company then at Deerfield and the men at Sunderland. Kellogg says he "is very free
432
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
Lieut. Childs shall be set off, in case it don't Hazzard my pay, nor the pay of under officers." Childs was commissioned captain Oct. 7th, 1724, and stationed in Deerfield. The fol- lowing shows service not elsewhere found :-
DEERFIELD Sept 9, 1724
These may Testifie whome it may concerne that I came in to This Plase with a company of Inglish and Indians for ye Defence of this place and were entertaind by Capt Thomas Wells his order till ye 14th Instant, ye Number of men 43.
This 14th Day of Septr 1724
JOHN MASON Capt.
He probably brought the Pequods and Nianticks Partridge speaks of below.
HATFIELD, Oct. 1 1724
Honorable Sr I am to inform yor Honor of a very troubelsome summer we have had in getting in or Harvests, the Indian Harvest not all gott in yet ye Enemy frequently discovered by their trals ly- ing in waite to shed blood & some they have as I suppose you' Hon- our hath heard from tyme to tyme so that we have been working with perrill of our lives. 15 20 30 40 in a Company with Guards, the Coniticott Forces have been very helpfull to us in this County & speak off drawing off in a fortnight or 3 weeks time, our Forces ex- pend much of or stores of amnition I am forct to supply them with some for which I have good governor Saltonstons engagent to an- swer or Government for itt of which I shall be ready to give account of it
If the war Continue there will be great need of more amnition be sent up to Hartford now while vessels are goeing, I am sorry we have no better success with the Mohawks but we must put or trust in God in vain is the help of Man
with my humble duty, submission & obedience I am yo' very hum- ble Servt SAMII PARTRIDGE
The following letter shows a new cause for anxiety and caution :-
ALBANY ye 5th of Octo™ 1724
Col Stoddard, Sir This accompanys my Former Letter wrote you by Sekekeko and his companion dated ye 30th Last past You will un- derstand my meaning therein, these Indians went via Shagtekoke as they came from hunting above Saretogue they seen a Large path of a number of Inds butt could not directly guise what the number might bee but the path went directly towards N E. as yy say. And the said Indians of Skagtekoke told ym yt ye Onongongus had laid way for ym in ye Road upon which [illegible] I have consulted by myself and concluded to dispatch ye bearer hereof John Tyson with ye enclosed and these
There is since my last unto you nott ansd any one from Canada neither Indians or christians. I shall not at prsent Enlarge but my due Respects as in my former. I am S' your Humble Servt
JOHN SCHUYLER
433
PEQUOTS AND MOHEGANS.
This letter was forwarded to Boston from Northampton, Oct. 12th, with the following letter from Stoddard to the Gov- ernor and Council :-
I received your Hon'rs of the 6th. There are now no Indians in the Block House, save two Mohikans [i. e. Mahicans] or River In- dians. All the Macquas went to Albany at the last treaty. Since my coming from thence I hear nothing about their young men. I rec'd the enclosed letter by express last Wednesday; our people are pretty much alarmed therewith. I am ready to imagine that it is [Cattanawlet's? ] son who is cos'n to Grey Lock, that hath either made or aggravated the story of tracks, to afright the Indians & prevent their bringing the letter, presuming that in it was an account of Grey Lock being out, but I dare not mention such a thing to our people, lest it should make them too secure. This Cattanawlet is a French Indian & was in Deerfield Meadows when our people were wounded & from thence he ran to Scatacook, there married a squaw & is suf- fered to dwell there.
In the former part of the summer there were 42 Connecticut In- dians at Deerfield, Moheags & Nehanticks, as likely men as I have seen. They drew off & near 40 Pequods & Nehanticks supplied their place. The Pequods look pretty well, but the people at Deerfield say they can't compare with the Moheags, not being so active, & un- used to the woods; there is some misunderstanding between them & they don't do well together; there are some some likely Indians at Farmington & Hartford. I hear the Moheags incline to come up hither again in the winter. * * Capt. Wright & others have pretended to make some marches, but their designs have dropped through & I don't expect anything will be done this way before win- ter; but I cannot be weaned from the expedition proposed to your Hon'rs last winter when Govr Saltonstall was here.
He gives details of the proposed march to Canada. To guard against discovery, and insure a surprise, he would "send two Indians with a belt of wampum to Grey Locks place to invite the Scatakooks to return home, and to the St. Fran- cis to let them know we delight not in blood, but are willing to hearken to any reasonable terms of peace; or it matters not what message."
Capt. Kellogg, at Northfield, could not be depended on to intercept the enemy. He had written Oct. 7th, 1724, "'Tis difficult keeping a scout out constantly, by reason of guarding ye people, who are now busy. getting in ye harvest. I have a scout out now, ordered to go 40 miles up ye Great River, and from there to the eastward to Great Monadnock."
The party about whose movements Schuyler warned Stod- dard, October 5th, did not appear on our frontiers. Schuyler writes October 24th :-
434
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
Since my last to you am assured of the french Indians of Cagna- waga & the Shaweenade have hitherto kept the Treaty here made with you and can have no other design than continuence of the same by them two tribes. Here have been since your departure above 20 Canoes: Two Days ago hendrick and six more Mohawk Indians came here to offer their services to your government, on which con- dition I have delivered them the following things out of your stores left in my hands: 4 guns, 6 shirts, 30 lbs lead, 3lbs powder, 4 hatch- ets & 4 cutlashes: 6 knives, some spirits, paint, and one blanket, hope they may be of Service to the government in some way or other. If one or more should happen to be killed in the service. I believe it would animate the others to revenge the cause
Pray make my Respects acceptable to your ffather, mother and all other aquaintance and you' oblige Sr your friend and Humble Sevt JOHN SCHUYLER
Schuyler sends the same to Gov. Dummer by Mr. Trescot " who will be able to give you an account of the proceedings in Canada where he has been a prisoner for some time."
These seven Indians appeared in the Council Chamber at Boston, November 17th, offering their services against the Eastern Indians, and were accepted by the Governor.
November 6th, Stoddard, writing Dummer, says he is sup- plying the Indians with extra stores, to keep them quiet. Thinks there will be no danger until the last of January, or February, when the enemy may come on snow shoes. No- vember 17th, he writes, "The Block House has been of great service ; notice was received from there of every party of the enemy that came by that route, saving many lives by putting people on their guard. I have been obliged to guard the men while gathering crops in the distant fields, or several people must have lost their corn and other fruits." He thinks Grey Lock has gone back. The frontiers were too well guarded for successful forays. And it may be doubted whether any Indians left Canada after the news of the disaster to the Nor- ridgewocks, and the death of Father Rasle August 12th ; and there appeared an evident desire for peace.
To test the feelings of the Eastern Indians, Saccamakton, one of the Abenaki hostages from Norridgewock, was sent home on parole for six weeks. Saccamakton was true to his engagements, and it was through him that peace was finally established.
Capt. Thomas Wells of Deerfield had command of a com- pany this year. His muster roll has not been found, but in December, 1724, he was allowed for their pay £162, 4s, 6d.
435
WHAT WINTER SCOUTING STANDS FOR.
and for subsistence £90, 12s, 10d, with £9 for funeral charges for soldiers. To pay off sergeants' commands in Hampshire county, £64, 4s, 6d was put into his hands December 21st, and £90, 10s, 12d, for subsistence. Capt. Samuel Barnard of Deerfield was stationed at Hadley, with about 100 men. Lieut. Timothy Childs was commissary, and the supplies for Fort Dummer passed through his hands. He was commissioned lieutenant under Capt. Kellogg in October, and stationed in Deerfield. Sergt. Joseph Clesson had a scout under his com- mand, and received in December, £32, Is, 6d, for their wages and subsistence.
Among the expenses of the campaign of 1724, three Mac- quas, "Christian, his son Christian, and Isaac" were paid 40 S per week for five weeks.
On such muster rolls of Fort Dummer as I have found were Ezerus, Kewakcum and Cosannip, under the Mohawk Sachem Hendrick. Wakumtameeg, Poopornuck, Ponagum, Suckkeecoo, Noonoowannet, Waunoowooseet and Taukaquint, Scatacooks, under Ampaumeet of Hudson River.
When the rivers and lakes were frozen and the snow was the deepest, the enemy were the most to be feared, and par- ties constantly ranged the woods to prevent a surprisal of the settlements. Capt. Kellogg reports to Gov. Dummer the journals of those sent out by him in the winter of 1724-5. The story is that of the every day duty by soldiers guarding the frontiers, told in the fewest words. We must look through the matter-of-fact language for the underlying heroism and romance, to see the brave hearts, tough fibre and high sense of duty, which carried these men through the cold, the snow, and the danger. We should see them tramping all day through interminable forest, on cumbersome snow shoes, gun in hand, hatchet and bullet pouch at the belt, pack with provisions and blanket on the back ; with senses all alert, the strained ear noting every sound, the trained eye peering be- hind every tree, scanning every thicket, and snuffing the very air for signs of the foe. They would be found camping in the snow where the falling night finds them; eating in silence their scanty supper of salt pork, raw and frozen it may be, with no fire to warm their benumbed bodies, with no song or story to cheer their spirits; cutting with muffled strokes of the hatchet a bed of spruce or hemlock boughs;
436
FATIIER RASLE'S WAR.
with a watchful sentinel standing a little apart, the rest of the wearied men stretching themselves in their blankets to pass the long and dreary night as best they may; shivering under the driving blast, or cased, perchance, in icy armor of frozen rain; fortunate, indeed, if they found themselves in the morning, sheltered under a blanket of soft-falling snow. Harder and more tedious than all this, was lying inactive for days together on the bleak summits of the highest moun- tains, watching for smoke from the fire of an incautious enc- my. Only constitutions of iron could endure these hardships unharmed; and the gravestones of those generations testify to the cost of such service. Kellogg says :-
The first scout on Nov. 30, 1724, went up on ye west side of Con- necticut River & crossing ye West river went up to ye Great Falls, and returned, making no discovery of the enemy. The second scout went up to West river & followed up sd river 6 miles, & then crossed the woods to ye Great Falls & returned seeing no new signs of ye en- emy. The third scout went west from Northfield about 12 miles, then northward crossing West river, and steering east came to the canoe place about 16 or 17 miles above Northfield * *
* 'The fourth struck out northwest about 6 miles, thence north across West river & so to the Great Meadow below ye Great Falls, then crossed the Connecticut river, and came down on the east side. This mead- ow is about 32 miles from Northfield. The fifth, the men were sent up West river mountain [Wantastiquat] there to lodge on the top, and view morning and evening for smoaks, and from there up to ye Mountain at ye Great Falls, & there also to lodge on ye top, and view morning and evening for smoaks. The sixth went up to West river, which they followed 5 miles, then went north till they came upon Saxton's river, six miles from the mouth of it, which empties itself at ye foot of ye Great Falls; then they came down to the mouth of it, & so returned. In addition we watch & ward 3 forts at Northfield continually, besides what those 10 men do at Deerfield, & ye people are uneasy that we have no more men to keep ye forts than we have.
Some of these scouts penetrate to the lake, and even to the borders of Canada. The employment of Indian scouts, and the permission of the Mohegans and Scatacook Indians, to hunt in our woods, added much to the difficulties of scouting. If by means of smoke, or otherwise, an Indian camp was dis- covered, the scout must not fall upon the occupants until their spies could discover their character,-a service of pecul- iar delicacy and danger, requiring the utmost circumspection, knowledge of wood-craft and judgment. A fatal mistake would rouse a whole clan to vengeance. To facilitate recog- nition, the authorities required these hunting Indians to wear
437
DECEIVED BY FALSE PRETENSES.
some distinguishing mark on their heads, but the difficulty the scout must find in discovering this sign, under all condi- tions, is too obvious to need comment.
The successful campaign of Capt. Lovewell in December, and his unfortunate one in April following, are too well known to need detailing here. In their effects on the cam- paign, one neutralized the other. For a full and interesting account of Lovewell's fight see Gen. Hoyt's Antiquarian Re- searches, page 216.
Men under Capt. Joseph Kellogg in Northfield & Deerfield in 1724 :-
Lieut. John Pomroy, Northampton.
Sergt. Josiah Stebbins, ..
Sergt. Waitstill Strong,
Ebenezer Smith, ..
Corp. Jas. Stephenson, Suffield.
Joseph Allen,
Corp. Japhet Chapin, Northfield.
Eb. Williams, Hatfield.
Corp. Benoni Wright,
Joseph Burt,
Eldad Wright,
Samuel Bedortha, Springfield.
Stephen Belden,
Shem Chapin,
Jonathan Belden,
Abraham Elger, servant to Rev. Mr. Doolittle, Northfield.
Eleazer Mattoon,
Jonathan Warriner, Springfield.
Edward Grandy,
Benjamin Bedortha,
Hezekiah Elmer,
Benjamin Miller,
46
Benjamin Brooks, Deerfield.
Benjamin Munn,
Joshua Wells,
Daniel King, Westfield.
James Corse,
John Beaman, Samuel Vining, Enfield.
Nathaniel Hawks,
George Swan,
John Brown,
Nathaniel Brooks,
Enoch Hall, Westfield.
John Allen, 66
Joseph Merchant, Hadley. George Bates,
Daniel Severance,
John Seargant, Worcester.
John King, Northampton. Orlando Bridgman,
Daniel Shattuck,
James Porter,
Josiah King, Clerk.
Hezekiah Stratton,
Asahel Stebbins, Northampton. David Smith, Suffield.
About December Ist, 1724, Dummer received dispatches from De Vaudreuil, through Col. Schuyler, who wrote him by the same post: "Mons. Vaudreuil is very sorry and wea- ry of the war & would willingly see one or two gentlemen empowered by New England governments to endeavour to put an end to that war." Believing this story, with which the wily Frenchman had imposed upon the honest Dutch- men, to be true, the Governor on the 24th of December, ap- pointed William Dudley and Col. Stoddard Commissioners to go to Canada in response to its suggestion. Dudley, Samuel Thaxter, and Thomas Atkinson of New Hampshire were finally sent. They were accompanied by Schuyler, and reached Montreal March 3d, 1725, N. S.
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