USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Dunstable > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tyngsborough > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hudson > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Litchfield > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashville > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hollis > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Merrimack > History of the old township of Dunstable: including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H.; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass > Part 8
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" January 16th, 1717, voted that Henry Far- well and Sarg't Cummings are to endever to get a minister as soon as they can, and to see after Mr. Weld's place (the old parsonage) to by it if it be to be had. Also, Joseph French is to entertain the minister." French lived at the first house on the main road northerly of the State line.
" 1st May, 1717, voted that there be a day of fast kept sum time this instant May. Voted that ye 15th day of this instant May, be the day ap- pointed to be kept as a day of Fast. At the same time Decon Cumings was chosen for to discourse Mr. Stoder ( Rev. Samson Stoddard, of Chelms- ford, ) concerning the Fast." This was a fast ordained by Gov. Shate, (1.) and was, probably, in consequence of the alarming threats and dep- redations which were made at this time, by some of the Indian tribes against the frontier settle- ments. (2.)
(1.) 1_Belknap, 186.
(2.) Penhallow. 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 89.
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"Sept. 26th, 1717, voted that the Rev. Jona. Parepoint [Peirpoint, of Reading, Mass., grad. Harvard, 1714,] should have a call in order for settlement. Also, voted that the minister should have £SO a year salary, and one hundred pounds for his settlement. Voted that Major Eleazer Tyng and Ensign Farwell should acquaint Rev. Mr. Pairpont with what is voted at this meeting."
This call was equally unsuccessful with the former, and "Sept. 2d, 1718, chose a committee to go to discourse with Mr. Coffin [ Enoch, grad. Harvard, 1714,] in order for a settlement." It is stated by Mr. Farmer, so noted for his accuracy, that the Rev. Mr. Prentice was settled here this year. This is a mistake, and the same error occurs in all other notices of Dunstable. (1.)
"Dec. 1st, 1718, voted that the Rev. Enoch Coffin should have £80 a year salary in money. Also, voted to give him land which cost the town .£80, and ten acres of meadow for his settlement ; and also 200 acres of the common lands." Both the church and the town unani- mously agreed " to give Rev. Mr. Enoch Coffin a call to be our settled minister."
It would seem that Mr. Coffin accepted thecall, for May 18th. 1719, " a committee was chosen with Mr. Coffin to lay out his meadows," which were offered him in case of settlement, and dur- ing this year, in the records of land laid out, he is styled the present minister of said Town .- Something, however, occurred to prevent his legal ordination at that time, as nearly a year after, March 7th, 1720, a committee was chosen "to go to our neighboring ministers, and to discourse them all in order for the ordination of Rev. Mr. Coffin." But he was not settled at all, for May 20th, 1720, "a committy was chosen to com-
(1.) 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 150, 5. 109 Rev. Mr. Sperry's Sketch.
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pound matters with Mr. Coffin, concerning the l'own's settlement money, and Mr. Coffin's offer to the Town concerning his place."
Mr. Coffin resided here for some time with his family, and Nov. 5th, 1719, a daughter, Mehit- abel, was born. He left town June, 1720, and returned to his native place, Newbury, Mass .- He afterwards went as chaplain with the first band of settlers to Concord, N. H., and settled there May, 1726, where he died August 17th, 1727, aged 32. (1.)
The Ecclesiastical affairs of the town were for many years involved in so much confusion and difficulty, as almost to warrant the facetious re- mark of Col. Taylor to Gov. Burnet. The Gov- ernor, who was no friend to long graces before meals, on his first journey from New York to take upon him the government of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, enquired of Col. Taylor when the graces would shorten. He replied, "The graces will increase in length until you come to Boston : after that they will shorten until you come to your government of New Hampshire, when your Excellency will find no grace at all." (2.)
In June, 1720, Rev. Nathaniel Prentice began to preach here. Aug. 20th, 1720, the town gave Mr. Prentice a call, with the offer of £100 set- tlement, and £80 a year salary ; but warned by their premature grants of land to Mr. Coffin be- fore ordination, they prudently inserted a proviso, that he was "not to enter upon said £SO salary till after he is our ordained minister."
Mr. Prentice accepted the call, and was proba-
(1.) 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 100.
(2.) 1 Belknap, 223: note.
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bly ordained during the fall of 1720. He proba- bly claimed a larger salary, as Nov. 13th, 1720, it was voted, " That when Mr. Prentice comes to keep house and have a family, and stands in need of a larger supply, then to ad Reasonable Ad- itions to his salary, if our abilities will afford it." They also voted, Dec. Sth, 1720, "That Mr. Prentice after marriage should have a sufficient supply of wood, or ten pounds of passable money in lew thereof yearly." He was soon after mar- ried to Mary Tyng, of Dunstable, and died here, according to Mr. Farmer, Feb. 27th, 1737. (1.) He was buried, it is said, in the old south bury- ing ground, beside his children, but there is no monument or inscription to mark the place of his interment.
Of the character and talents of Mr Prentice, we have little information. "It is said of him," says Mr. Sperry, " that he was a man of wit and a good sermonizer." That he was popular we may conjecture from the fact that the people here were contented under his preaching for so many years, and additions from time to time after his settlement, were made to his salary. In 1730, and perhaps carlier, £90 were raised for him : in 1731 the non resident taxes added : in 1732 he received £105 and the non resident taxes ; and in 1733 the same. The town also voted to build a new meeting house near the old one. The value of money, in comparison with other arti- cles, however, had then depreciated so much, in consequence of the emission of large quantities of paper money by the Colony, that perhaps his compensation at this time was worth little more than his original salary. (2.) This, though it may seem to us a small sum, [£SO, or $270.00]
(1.) Others say in 1735.
(2.) See table of values of money in Appendix.
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was no mean salary in those days, when the Colony gave the Governor but £100 a year, and when Portsmouth, the Capital, and which had been settled a century, gave its minister a salary of only £130. (1.)
(1.) Adams' Annals of Portsmouth.
CHAPTER VII.
INDIAN ATTACK OF 1724.
THE mournful story of Indian massacre must now be resumed. After the close of Queen Anne's war, by the ratification of the treaty of peace between France and England, at Utrecht, a treaty was made with the Indians at Ports- mouth, N. H., in July, 1713, and quiet reigned throughout the frontiers for many years. The emigrants pushed their settlements farther and farther into the wilderness, and the smoke curling up from many a cabin along the green hill sides, and in the rich valleys, gave signs of advancing civilization. The distant Indians, however, were still hostile and treacherous, although, being de- serted by France, they were compelled to make peace.
In 1717 they began to be more and more inso- lent, killing the cattle and threatening the lives of the settlers, and occasioned so much alarm that a Fast was ordered. 'These outrages were imputed to the instigations of the French mis- sionaries, (the Jesuits) who were jealous of the growth of the English plantations. In August, 1717, however, a congress was held with them at Arrowsick on the Kennebec River, and the treaty of 1713 was renewed. (1.) This apparent friend- ship lasted but a short time, owing, as was said,
(1.) Penhallow. 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 89. 1 Belknap 189.
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to the advice of Father Rasle and the Jesuits, for in 1720 they began to threaten again, and in June, 1722, attacked the settlement at Merry · Meeting Bay, on the southern shore of Lake Winnepisiogee, and " carried off nine families." (1.)
During all the previous Indian wars, Dunsta- ble was the frontier town, and therefore exposed to greater dangers than its more interior neigh- bors. Now other settlements had commenced beyond us, although yet in their infancy, and in- capable of affording much protection. As early as 1710 settlements were made in Hudson. Lon- donderry (then called Nutfield) was settled in 1719, and Litchfield (then called Brenton's Farm, or by its ancient Indian name, Naticook) in 1720. Chester was also settled in 1720, and Merrimac and Pelham in 1722. During the years 1722- 3-4, frequent ravages were committed and much alarm excited. As we look around on our beau- tiful villages and thickly peopled towns, we can scarcely realize that a little more than a century ago the yell of the Indian was heard even here, and the shriek of the murdered settler went up to heaven with the flames of his desolated home.
In the summer of 1723 the Indians attacked Dover and Lamprey River, and fearing an attack upon the settlements in this vicinity, a garrison of thirty men was posted in Dunstable. It was still considered a frontier town, and was the ren- dezvous of all the scouting parties which travers- ed the valleys of the Merrimack and the Nashua. The scouts were drafted from the different regi- ments, and were constantly out upon excursions against the Indians. In Nov. 1723, Capt. Dan'l Peeker arrived at Dunstable with such a compa- ny from Haverhill, and having received recruits
(1.) 1 Belknap, 201.
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here, marched to Penichook brook, Souhegan, Anconoonook hills, Piscataquog, Amoskeag, An- nahooksit, Contookook, Cohasset, [Goffe's Falls] and Beaver brook, but " discovered no enemy." A small party was sent out by him " under the command of Jona. Robbins of Dunstable," and were gone several days but without success. (1.)
At the same time a company under the com- mand of Lt. Jabez Fairbanks of Groton, was also scouting up and down the Nashua. In this com- pany were six men from Dunstable; viz: Joseph Blanchard, Thomas Lund, Isaac Farwell, Eben'r Cummings, John Usher, and Jonathan Combs. Upon a petition from the selectmen of the town, stating its exposed situation, and the necessity that they should be allowed to stay at home to guard it, they were all discharged, upon the con- dition, however, that they should perform duty at Dunstable. (2.)
January 19, 1724, died Hon. Jonathan Tyng, aged S1. He was the oldest son of Hon. Edward Tyng, and was born Dec. 15, 1642. He was one of the original proprietors of the town, and the earliest permanent settler, having remained here, alone, during Philip's war, when every other per- son had deserted the settlement for fear of the In- dians. That he was a man of much energy and decision of character we may judge from this fact. That he was a man of probity and of con- siderable distinction at an early period, we may infer from his appointment as Guardian over the Wamesit Indians in 1676, and from the numerous other important trusts confided to him from time to time by the Colony.
(1.) Mass. Records. Journals of Scouts. page 47. Robbins was a volunteer, and a Lieutenant under Capt. Lovewell in 1725.
(2.) Mass. Military Records, 1723, page 111-145.
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In 1687, he was appointed (as well as his bro- ther, Edward Tyng) (1.) in the royal commis- sion of James II. as one of Sir Edmund Andros's Council. In 1692 he was chosen representative of Dunstable, and for many years as selectman, and otherwise was much engaged in the public business of the town. For many years during the wars of 1703, he was Colonel of the upper Middlesex regiment, and was entrusted with the care of all the garrisons within its bounds.
Col. Tyng married Sarah, daughter of Heze- kiah Usher, who died in 1714. After her death, he married Judith Fox of Woburn, who died June 5th. 1736, aged 99. His children were, 1. John, grad. of Harvard College, 1691, who was killed by the Indians in 1710 ; 2. William, born 22d. April, 1679, the first child born in town ; 3. Eleu- zar, grad. of Harvard College, 1712; 4. Mary. who married Rev. Nathaniel Prentice, minister of the town ; and others who died at an early age.
In the winter and spring of 1724, Lieut. Fair - banks and his company were scouting about "Nashuway River," "Nisitisit Hills," " The Mines," or Mine Falls, "Penichuck Pond,' " Naticook." "Souheganock," " Nesenkeag," " Dunstable meeting house," and other places in this vicinity. In May, 1724, men were at work planting both north and west of Nashua river, and a part of this company were posted here as a garrison. (2.)
(1.) Edward Tyng was appointed Governor of Annapolis, but sailing for it, was taken prisoner and carried into France where he died. His children were ; 1. Edward, a brave naval commander, born 1683 and died at Boston 8th. Sept. 1755. 2. Jonathan, who died young. 3. Mary, who married Rev. John Fox of Woburn. 4. Elizabeth, who married a brother of Dr. Franklin. Edward Tyng was a Lieutenant in the great Narraganset swamp fight, Dec. 19, 1675, and commanded the company after Capt. Davenport was killed.
(2.) Mass. Records. Journal of Scouts, page 51.
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In August, 1724, the English sent a body of troops to attack the Indian town at Norridge- wock, Me. The town was surprised, and a large number of Indians slain, together with Father Rasle, the Jesuit, their priest, who was considered by the English as the instigator of all these out- rages. By this attack the Eastern Indians were much alarmed and weakened. But about this time a party of French Mohawks, to the number of 70, made an incursion into this neighborhood. "Sept. 4th they fell on Dunstable, and took two in the evening. Next morning Lt. French with Fourteen men went in pursuit of them, but being way-laid, both he and one half of his men were destroyed. After this as many more of a fresh company engaged them, but the enemy being much superior in number, overpowered them, with the loss of one man killed and four wound- ed." (1.) A more particular account of this mournful event has been preserved and collected from various sources with much care and labor. It must prove interesting, at least to the descend- ants of the actors in these scenes, many of whom still reside among us, and may serve to make us all realize more fully the nature, extent, and worth of the sufferings of those into whose labors we have entered.
" The two captives mentioned above were Nathan Cross and 'Thos. Blanchard. (2.) They had been engaged in the manufacture of turpen- tine on the north side of the Nashua, in Nashville, near the spot where the upper part of the village now stands, and were seized while at work and carried off by the Indians. As there were at that time no houses or settlements on that side
(1.) Penhallow. 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 109.
(2.) A Grand-daughter of Thomas Blanchard, Mrs. Isaac Foot- is still living.
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of Nashua River at that place, these men had been in habit of returning every night to lodge in a saw mill on the south side of the river .- This mill was probably John Lovewell's, which stood on Salmon Brook at the bridge, by the house of Miss Allds, the mud sills of which are now visible. The night following their capture they came not as usual, and an alarm was given, as it was feared they had fallen into the hands of the Indians.
"A party consisting of ten of the principal in- habitants of the place, beside their leader, started in pursuit of them, under the direction of Lieut. Ebenezer French. In this company was Josiah Farwell, who was next year Lieutenant at Pe- quawkett under Lovewell. When this party ar- rived at the spot where these men had been la- boring, they found the hoops of the barrels cut and the turpentine spread upon the ground .- From certain marks made upon the trees with wax mixed with grease, they understood that the men were taken and carried off alive.
" In the course of the examination, Farwell perceived that the turpentine had not ceased spreading, and called the attention of his com- rades to this circumstance. They concluded that the Indians had been gone but a short time, and must be near, and decided on instant pursuit .- Farwell advised them to take a circuitous route to avoid an ambush ; but unfortunately he and French a short time before had a misunderstand- ing, and were then at variance. French imputed this advice to cowardice, and cried out, "I am going to take the direct path : if any of you are not afraid let him follow me." French led the way and the whole of the party followed, Far- well following in the rear.
" Their route was up the Merrimac, towards
10
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which they bent their course to look for their horses upon the intervals. At the brook (1.) near Satwych's [now Thornton's] Ferry they were way-laid. The Indians fired upon them and killed the larger part instantly. A few fled, but were overtaken and destroyed. French was killed about a mile from the place of action under an oak tree lately standing in a field belonging to Mr. John Lund, of Merrimac. Farwell in the rear, seeing those before him fall, sprung be- hind a tree, discharged his piece, and ran. Two Indians pursued him. The chase was vigorously maintained for some time, without either gaining much advantage, till Farwell passing through a thicket, the Indians lost sight of him, and proba- bly fearing he might have loaded again, they de- serted from farther pursuit. He was the only one of the company that escaped.
" A company from the neighborhood immedi- ately mustered, and proceeded to the fatal spot to find the bodies of their friends and townsmen. Eight of them were found and conveyed to the burying place. 'Coffins were prepared for them, and they were decently interred in one capacious grave.' The names of these persons given in the Boston News Letter, were Lt. Ebenezer French, Thomas Lund, Oliver Farwell and Eb- enezer Cummings, who belonged to Dunstable, and all of whom, excepting the last, left widows and children, Daniel Baldwin and John Bur. bank, of Woburn, and Mr. Johnson, of Plain- field."
Cross and Blanchard, the first named, were carried to Canada ; after remaining there some time they succeeded, by their own exertions, in
(1.) Naticook Brook, the stream which crosses the road just above Thornton's. The scene of the ambush must have been near the present highway.
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effecting their redemption, and returned home." (1.)
The place of their interment was the ancient Burial Ground near the State line, in which there is a monument still standing, with the following inscription, copied verbatim et literatim.
" Memento Mori.
Here lies the body of Mr Thomas Lund who departed this life Sept. 5th 1724 in the 42d year of his age. This man with seven more that lies in this grave was slew all in a day by The Indians."
Three other grave stones stand close beside the above, very ancient, moss covered and almost illegible. One was erected to "Lt. Oliver Far- well, aged 33 years" ; one to "Mr Ebenezer Cummings, aged 29 years", and one to "Mr Benjamin Carter, aged 23 years ".
It is related by Penhallow, that after the first attack "a fresh company engaged them " but were overpowered " with the loss of one killed and four wounded." The Indians, elated with their success, moved forward to Nashua River, and this second fight is said to have taken place at the ancient fordway, where the highway crossed the Nashua, and very near its mouth .- It was probably at this time that the circum- stance occurred which has given to that portion of the village its name. Tradition reports that the Indians were on the north side of the river and the " English on the south, and that after the fight had lasted a long time across the stream without decisive result, both parties drew off, and that after the Indians had departed, upon a large tree which stood by the river side, near the Con-
(1.) 1 Belknap, 207 : note. Manuscript corrections thereof by John Farmer, Esq., in the possession of Isaac Spalding, Esq.
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cord Railroad Bridge, the figure of an Indian's Head was found carved by them, as if in defi- ance. Such was the origin of " INDIAN HEAD."'
There is another version of the account, in- deed, which relates, that a fight once took place there between the whites and the Indians; that the latter were defeated, and all of them supposed to be slain ; but that one escaped, and carved upon a tree The Indian Head as a taunt and a threat of vengeance.
Sometime during this year, William Lund, " being in the service of his country, was taken prisoner by the Indian enemy and carried into captivity, where he suffered great hardships and was obliged to pay a great price for his ransom." The time, place and circumstances of his cap- ture and return are not known, and this brief rec- ord is all that remains. (1.)
(1.) Mass. Military Records, 1734.
CHAPTER VIII.
LOVEWELL'S WAR AND LOVEWELL'S FIGHT.
IN consequence of this attack, and of the de- vastation everywhere committed by the Indians, John Lovewell, Josiah Farwell and Jonathan Robbins petitioned the General Assembly of Massachusetts for leave to raise a company, and to scout against the Indians. The original peti- tion, signed by them, is still on file in the office of the Secretary of State in Boston, and is as follows :
" The Humble memorial of John Lovel, Josiah Farwell, Jonathan Robbins, all of Dunstable, sheweth :
" That your petitioners, with near forty or fifty others, are inclinable to range and to keep out in the woods for several months together, in order to kill and destroy their enemy Indians, provided they can meet with Incourage- ment suitable. And your Petitioners are Imployed and desired by many others, Humbly to propose and submit to your Honors' consideration, that if such soldiers may be allowed five shillings per day, in case they kill any enemy Indian and possess their scalp, they will Imploy themselves in Indian hunting one whole year; and if within that time they do not kill any, they are content to be allowed nothing for their wages, time, and trouble. JOHN LOVEWELL. JOSIAH FARWELL.
Dunstable Nov. 1724. JONATHAN ROBBINS."
Lovewell was a man of great courage and fond of engaging in adventurous enterprises. He was particularly successful in hunting wild animals, and in time of war was engaged in exploring the wilderness to find the lurking places of the In-
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dians who ravaged the settlements in New Eng- land. His father, it is said, had been an ensign in the army of Cromwell, and a soldier under the famous Capt. Church in the great Narraganset Swamp fight, and his sons inherited his military taste and ardor. This petition was granted, changing the conditions into a bounty of £100 per scalp. The company was raised and a com- mission of Captain given to Lovewell. They became greatly distinguished, first by their suc- cess, and afterwards by their misfortunes.
Lovewell was then in the prime of life, and burning with zeal to distinguish himself. With his company of picked men he started upon an excursion into the Indian country. The head quarters of the Pequawketts, a fierce and dan- gerous tribe, were in the region between Lake Winnepiseogee and the pond in Fryeburg, Me., since known as "Lovewell's Pond." It was called Pequawkett, is filled with lakes, ponds and streams affording excellent fishing and hunting, and embraces the present towns of Conway, Wakefield, Ossipee, Fryeburg, &c. Dec. 10th. 1724, while northward of Lake Winnepiseogee, the party came "on a wigwam wherein were two Indians, one of which they killed and the other took, for which they received the promised bounty of one hundred pounds a scalp, and two shillings and six pence a day besides." (1.)
Other similar expeditions had been attempted, but without much success. Some had fallen into ambuscades, and some after long and dangerous journeys through the pathless wilderness had re- turned without meeting an enemy. But the success of Capt. Lovewell roused their spirits, and he determined upon another excursion. This
(1.) Penhallow. 1 N. H. Hist. Coll. 100. 1 Belknap, 208.
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company was soon augmented to eighty-eight (1.) He marched again, February, 1725, and visiting the place where they had killed the In- dian, found his body as they had left it two months before. Their provisions falling short, thirty of them were dismissed by lot and return- ed home.
The remaining fifty-eight continued their march till they discovered a track, which they followed until they saw a smoke just before sunset, by which they judged that the enemy were encamped for the night. 'This was February 20th. 1725. "They kept them- selves concealed till after midnight, when they silently advanced and discovered ten Indians asleep around a fire by the side of a frozen pond. Lovewell was determined to make sure work, and placing his men conveniently, or- dered a part of them to fire, five at once, as quick after each other as possible, and another part to reserve their fire. He gave the signal by firing his own gun, which killed two of them. His men firing according to order killed five more on the spot. The other three starting up from their sleep, two of them were immediately shot dead by the reserve. "The other though wound- ed attempted to escape by crossing the pond, but was seized by a dog and held fast till they killed him.
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