USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 39
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' You are to see that the worship of God be kept up and duly attended in the army, by daily prayer and invocation of his name, and preaching of his word, as you have opportunity; and the Sabbath be not profaned, but that, as much as in you lies, and the emergency of your services will admit, you take care it be duly sanctified, and your ministers respect it.
' You shall, by all means possible, endeavor to secure any of our English plantations, or any of the colonies, that may be pressed and endangered by the enemy, and improve your utter- most care, caution and diligence, by policy and force, to dis- cover, pursue, encounter, and, by the help of God, to vanquish and subdue the cruel, barbarous and treacherous enemy, wheth- er Philip Sachem and his Wampanoags, or the Narragansets, his undoubted allies, or any other of their friends and abettors.
' In pursuance hereof, we also advise and order, that you be very careful in your marches in or near the enemy's country, by keeping out scouts and forlorns before the army, to prevent and avoid the ambuscades of the enemy, that sentinels be at all times careful of their duty, and all soldiers be made constantly to keep their arms very fix and clean, fit for service.
' And that you endeavor as silently and suddenly to surprise the enemy as you can, and if possible draw or force them to en- gagement, and therein to do valiantly for the honor of God and our nation, and the interest of the country; and you encourage valor in any, and severely punish cowardice.
' That if the enemy offer treaty, you trust them not to the loss of any promising advantage; nor take their words, or subscrip- tion to any engagement, without further assurance of arms, good hostages, &c.
' You shall consult those commanders and gentlemen appoint- ed to be of your council in matters of moment, when opportu- nity permits, for the well management of the design.
' You shall diligently improve your time for the speedy effect- ing of this expedition, and use all means possible to cut off and hinder supplies of provision to the enemy and to secure your own.
' That you order the commissaries for provision and stores to be careful there be no waste nor embezzlement therein, nor want of what is meet to any.
' And you are, from time to time, to give us full and particular intelligence of your proceedings, and how the Lord shall please to deal with you in this expedition.
General Winslow was peculiarly qualified for the important station to which he was appointed. He possessed ability and integrity, and his bravery and heroism were tempered with pru- dence and discretion.
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A ravaging warfare was kept up by the Indians during the summer, by which several towns were destroyed, and many in- habitants slain or captured. At the close of the year 1675, the English were reduced to the dreadful alternative of an active campaign against the perfidious and powerful enemy in the depth of winter. It was no longer doubted that the Narraganset tribe was in secret alliance with Philip, and united with him in the plan to attack and destroy the whole English settlements, hav- ing become bold and open in their conduct. The commission- ers of the United Colonies, deeming it of the highest import- ance to anticipate their enemies, and frustrate their plans, or- dered that the army under General Winslow should be pre- pared for active service by the 10th of December. The second day of December was appointed to be 'observed and kept as a solemn day of prayer and humiliation, to supplicate the Lord's pardoning mercy and compassion towards his poor people, and for success in the endeavors for repelling the rage of the en- emy.' The army consisted of from 1500 to 2000 men, includ- ing volunteers and Indians, and a troop of horse, under com- mand of Capt. Thomas Prentice. The Massachusetts forces were divided into six companies, commanded by Captains Mose- ly, Gardiner, Davenport, Oliver, and Johnson, and Major Ap- pleton. Those of Connecticut were commanded by Major Treat, who had under him Capt. Seily, Gallop, Mason, Watts, and Marshall. The Plymouth forces were commanded by Major William Bradford as chief, and Capt. John Gorham. It was unfortunate that Capt. Church, in consequence of some previous misunderstanding with the government, was prevented having a command on this occasion; but, at the particular desire of the commander-in-chief, he acted as a volunteer. The Narragan- set country, in which were to be the war operations, was almost an entire wilderness, and Philip's fort was located in South Kings- ton, Rhode Island, in an immense swamp, in the centre of which was a piece of high land, comprising about five or six acres. The fortification was formed by high palisades encircling the whole of the high land. The palisades were encompassed by a thick and almost impenetrable hedge of fallen trees, with their branches pointing outwards, of almost a rod in width. At one . corner there was an opening, where a large fallen tree was placed, rising four or five feet from the ground, but this entrance was defended by a sort of block-house, and by flankers at the sides. The common entrance into this fort was by passing on a tree which had been thrown over a body of deep water between the fort and the main land, which could be done only in single file. Within this strong enclosure, the Indians had erected
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about five hundred wigwams of superior construction, intended for the winter quarters of their whole people, men, women and children. Here they had deposited a large quantity of pro- visions, and baskets and tubs of corn were so piled one upon another as to afford additional defence against the English bul- lets. It was estimated that not less than 3000 people had collect- ed here as their safe retreat. The warriors were armed with bows and arrows, muskets and tomahawks. On the 18th of December, 1675, General Winslow's army marched to attack Philip and his Narraganset allies in their strong fort; the weath- er was cold and stormy, and the snow more than ankle deep on the ground. The house on their route in which they expected to quarter that night, was burnt down by the Indians before their arrival, and they were destitute of shelter during the night. At the dawn of day they resumed their march of fifteen miles, and at one o'clock reached the margin of the swamp, and hav- ing no shelter from the inclemency of the weather, and being short of provisions, they resolved to make an immediate attack. Not an Englishman was acquainted with the situation of the In- dian fort; but it was their good fortune that a few days before, about thirty-five of Philip's men were captured by Capt. Mose- ly, among whom was one named Peter, who turned traitor and undertook to guide the army through the intricate paths to the seat of his Sachem. The assault commenced, the Indians at the margin of the swamp were driven to their strong hold, and the troops without regular order rushed impetuously to the bar- riers of the fort; the officers and men were intermixed, but they faced death with astonishing boldness and courage. The gal- lant Captains, Johnson and Davenport, with a number of their men, were soon seen to fall, and as one after another was swept off at the narrow passage by the enemy's fire, others supplied the place of the slain. Overwhelmed by the deadly fire, there was a momentary recoil, and the troops throwing themselves down with their faces to the ground, the bullets passed over them. Two other companies advancing, were also compelled to retreat ; but animated by the exhortations and exertions of Gen- eral Winslow and Major Appleton, the soldiers were rallied and again resumed the conflict. A few officers and men had now forced their way into the fort, and here commenced personal combat hand to hand. At this moment a voice was heard, ' they run ! they run !' This operated like enchantment on the English, and a general rush through the barriers ensued; the Indians were driven from their posts at all points, and from wig- wam to wigwam, in great confusion. An immense slaughter took place; neither men, women nor children were spared; all
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were hewn down, and the ground was encumbered with heaps of the slain. In the midst of this awful fight, fire was commu- nicated to their wigwams, when the howlings and yells of the savages were mingled with the roar of musketry, the raging of consuming fire, and the screams of the women and children, altogether forming a scene inconceivable appalling to humanity. The battle continued for three hours with unexampled ferocity and obstinacy; quarters were neither asked nor received, but carnage and death were the order of the day. The whole army, officers and men, fought with undaunted courage; the captains led their men to the conflict, and continued at their head till they received the fatal ball. Captain Church, always brave and never inactive, by permission led the second party that en- tered the fort, and while within, he was struck at the same in- stant with three bullets from a party of the enemy. He received a severe wound on his thigh, and another slight wound, but the third bullet struck against a pair of thick woollen mittens, which were doubled in his pocket, which saved him from a third wound. For some time after the fort was in possession of the English, the combatants in various parts of the swamp continued the work of slaughter. The English being masters of the fort, it became a question whether to hold possession of it for the pres- ent, or to abandon it immediately. General Winslow and Cap- tain Church were decidedly in favor of holding possession; as the darkness of night was approaching, the troops might find shelter in the wigwams that were not burnt, and avail them- selves of the Indians' provisions, which they greatly needed. But this measure was violently and very improperly opposed by one of the Captains and a surgeon, probably from the appre- hension that the Indians might rally their forces, and drive them from the fort in their turn. The surgeon asserted that unless the wounded were removed that night, it could not be effected the next day, when their wounds would be inflamed and pain- ful; and turning to Captain Church, whose blood was then flow- ing from his wounds, impudently said to him, ' that if he gave such advice, he should bleed to death like a dog, before he would endeavor to staunch his blood.' It was now decided to quit the ground, which was done with some precipitation, leav- ing eight of their dead in the fort. It was indeed a cruel dilem- ma, after fighting three hours, to be compelled to march sixteen miles through the snow, and in a most boisterous night, before they could halt, and the wounded could be dressed; and it is not strange that many of the wounded dicd before they could reach their destined quarters. Thus ended the memorable Narraganset Swamp Fight; and the victory on the side of the
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English was purchased at the high price of eighty men killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded. Six brave captains were killed, viz .: Davenport, Gardiner, Johnson, Gallop, Seily, and Marshall. Lieutenant Upham was mortally wounded, and Cap- tain John Gorham, of Barnstable, died of a fever on the expedi- tion. The number of Indians slain is uncertain; but Hubbard says it was confessed by Potock, a great counsellor amongst them, who was taken and executed, that seven hundred fight- ing men were slain, and three hundred wounded, the most of whom died. The number of old men, women and children, burnt in their wigwams, and that died from hunger and cold, must have been immense.
When General Winslow arrived at his quarters at Wickford, four hundred of his soldiers besides the wounded were rendered unfit for duty, and many of them were frost-bitten. The snow that fell during that night rendered travelling almost impracti- cable.
An Englishman, named Joshua Tift, a stupid, uneducated man, who had abandoned his countrymen, and deserted to the Indians, married an Indian woman, and conformed himself to their habits. This man was captured by Captain Fenner, and after confessing that he had supplied the Indians with powder and had fought on their side in the fort, was condemned to death, hung, and quartered, as a traitor. This miserable wretch was found as ignorant as an heathen, never having heard the name of Jesus Christ.
In the spring of 1676, a predatory warfare was kept up by Philip and his followers in various parts of the country. On the 12th of March, the garrison house of William Clark, at Eel river, in the town of Plymouth, was attacked by a party of In- dians on the Sabbath, when most of the men were gone to meet- ing, and eleven persons were killed, and the house consumed. The house, with two or three others, had been fortified for the security of families in that neighborhood. It stood on the west side of the road, near the spot where the dwelling house of the Rev. Mr. Whitmore has recently been erected. Among the sufferers in this tragedy was a boy, who received several toma- hawk wounds on the skull, and was left for dead, but he recov- ered, and afterwards wore a plate of silver over the wound, from which he was distinguished by the name of Silver-Headed Tom during life. Totoson and Tispequin, two noted chiefs in Philip's war, were engaged in this cruel massacre, although they had often received much kindness at Clark's house.
May 11th, the Indians made an attack on a settlement in that part of Plymouth which is now Halifax. The inhabitants being
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suddenly alarmed, fled with their families; the savages burnt eleven houses and five barns; and two days after, seven houses and two barns.
Captain Church, although only a volunteer in the service, was constantly alert, even when he could not mount his horse without assistance, in consequence of his wounds. At one time a friendly Mohegan captured one of Philip's Indians, and brought him before the General. Some of the General's at- tendants proposed that he should be tortured, in order to elicit a discovery of the haunts of his countrymen; against this propo- sition Church vehemently remonstrated, and this barbarous pro- ceeding was prevented, but the captive was given up to the Mo- hegan, who was permitted to put him to death. Desirous to avoid the scene, Church withdrew. The Mohegan, striking at his victim with his tomahawk, missed his blow, and the weapon escaped from his hand; the prisoner broke from his keepers, and ran directly upon Church, who was standing amongst the baggage horses. In the impulse of the moment Church seized him, but the Indian, being nearly naked, eluded his grasp, and ran on; although Church was much disabled by his wounds, he pursued, and the Indian stumbling, fell to the ground. Church seized him again, and again the Indian escaped, still pursued by Church, who at length seized him by his hair and held him fast. At this time they were at some distance from the others, and a deadly struggle commenced. The Indian was stout and athletic, and Church was weakened by his wounds; yet his in- domitable spirit enabled him to maintain the contest with some equality. The ice began to crack, and steps were heard; both were uncertain whether of friend or foe. It was the Mohegan; but it was now so dark, that the combatants could not be dis- criminated. The Mohegan, ascertaining his victim by' his nakedness, drove his tomahawk into his brains, and relieved Church from his perilous situation.
On the 11th of July, Philip attempted to surprise Taunton, but was repulsed. Captain Church was in constant pursuit of this cunning Sachem, who, in his turn, used many stratagems not only to elude, but to cut off his antagonist, and followed him from place to place without success, but with the loss of many of his people. Some soldiers from Bridgewater fell upon Philip's camp, near Taunton river, July 31st, and killed ten war- riors; but Philip, having disguised himself, made his escape. His uncle, Akompoin, was among the slain, and his own sister was captured. On the 1st of August, Church attacked his head quarters, killed and took about 130 of his people, but the wily Sachem again escaped; but his wife, and son, about nine years
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old, fell into the hands of Captain Church, and were brought to Plymouth. Philip, although he had lost most of his warriors and friends, and was left almost alone, had the address for a long time to elude the vigilance of his pursuers. At length, finding himself harrassed to the last extremity, in July he re- sorted to a thick swamp near Mount Hope for concealment, and while here, put to death one of his men for advising him to make peace.
On Saturday morning, August 12th, Captain Church ap- proached with a party of volunteers, surrounded the swamp on all sides, and so disposed of his men as to render his escape impossible. Church then ordered Captain Golding to rush into the swamp; upon which, Philip, finding himself closely pressed on one side of the swamp, attempted to escape from the oppo- site, and came out where Caleb Cook, of Plymouth colony, and a Jaconet Indian, named Alderman, were posted. Cook in- stantly levelled his gun, but it missed fire. Alderman, whose gun was loaded with two balls, fired, and Philip, bounding from the ground, fell flat upon his face in the mud and water, with his gun under him, one of the balls having passed through his heart, and the other into his lungs. *
The barbarous usage of beheading and quartering traitors, was now executed upon the body of the unfortunate Philip. His head was brought to Plymouth on thanksgiving day in great triumph, where it was exposed to public view for more than twenty years, and one of his hands was preserved in rum by Alderman, who afterwards exhibited it through the country.
' Thus fell Metacomet,' says Mr. Baylies, 'some times called
* There is in the Historical Society's Collection, wol iv. second series, an anecdote respecting the lock of the gun with which King Philip was killed, as follows :
The late Isaac Lothrop, of Plymouth, obtained the lock of Sylva- nus Cook, late of Kingston. Sylvanus was great grandson of Caleb Cook, and Caleb was the soldier placed with an Indian by Colonel Church to watch, and, if possible, kill King Philip. Cook, as the historian relates, snapped his gun, but it missed fire. He then bade the Indian fire, and he instantly shot him through the heart. The. tradition is, that Cook, having a strong desire to possess the gun with which Philip was killed, prevailed on the Indian to exchange guns with him ; and the fortunate gun has been preserved in the family of the Cooks to the present time. When the great grandson consented that Mr. Lothrop should take the lock, he retained the other parts as memorials of the interesting event. The gun lock was, by Dr. Nathaniel Lothrop, late of this town, presented to Rev .. John Lothrop, of Boston, and by him to the Historical Society.
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Pumatarkeam, the Sachem of Mount Hope, or Pokanoket, bet- er known by his English name Philip, the most illustrious savage of North America, the most powerful enemy that was ever encountered by the English settlers, and who came near exterminating the whole English race in New England.' Philip was unquestionably a man of superior talents, a great warrior, and a mighty chief, in whom rested the confidence and hope of the confederated tribes. On close examination of his character, it will appear that he possessed some virtues which ought to have inspired his enemies with respect, some traits of a benev- olent heart which should be remembered with gratitude. But unfortunately for his memory, his character could be written only by his enemies, who in noticing his victories were obliged to record their own defeats, and whose prejudice naturally led to a false coloring of motives and actions. In Philip's charac- ter were combined the attributes of the patriot and hero, and it is unjust that his stern courage, and unconquerable spirit, should be regarded as mere savage ferocity. This celebrated chief was led by his sagacious mind to anticipate the impending fate of his race. The English were constantly increasing in num- bers and strength, they were in possession of a considerable portion of the Indian territories, and the expulsion of the ab- origines from the land of their fathers must inevitably be the consequence. Base indeed would have been his conduct had not Philip made every possible effort in favor of the preserva- tion of his people. No chief of a numerous and powerful nation would tamely submit to annihilation without a struggle. His patriotic spirit was excited into action, and the noble deeds which he performed in 1676, in defence of his unfortunate peo- ple, would not suffer in comparison with those of the renowned heroes in our own cause in 1776, to whom has justly been award- ed a large share of honor and fame. Had Philip been the con- queror instead of the vanquished, the whole race in this coun- try would have celebrated his name with enthusiasm, and en- twined round his brow laurels like those which have adorned the names of some of the most renowned heroes of antiquity. Who shall discern the difference between the noble heroism, and the loftiness of spirit, which is laudably displayed by the patriot in civilized life, and the same active virtues when glow- ing in the breast of the ignorant, untutored son of the forest? From the death of Philip may be dated the extinction of his tribe, and eventually the aboriginal race in New England. The termination of the sanguinary Indian war was an event of the utmost importance to the colonies, as during its con- tinuance of about two years, they suffered a loss of thirteen
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towns in all the colonies, six hundred dwelling houses burnt, and six hundred men slain in the flower of their strength; so that almost every family in New England was called to mourn the loss of a relation or friend.
The mode of warfare practised by Philip and his followers, by burning the habitations, and their murderous assaults upon the inhabitants, could not fail of spreading through the land in- expressible terror and dismay.
It can therefore be no matter of surprise that a vindictive and bitter spirit was excited among the English colonists against their enemies, but we have to lament the want of charity and candor in that eminent divine, Dr. Increase Mather. In speak- ing of the efficacy of prayer for the destruction of the Indians, he says, 'Nor could they cease crying to the Lord against Philip until they had prayed the bullet into his heart.' Speak- ing of the slaughter of Philip's people at Narraganset, he says, ' We have heard of two and twenty Indian captains, slain, all of them brought down to hell in one day.' Again referring to a chief who had sneered at the christian religion, and who had ' withal, added a most hideous blasphemy, immediately upon which a bullet struck him in the head and dashed out his brains, sending his cursed soul in a moment amongst the devils, and blasphemers in hell forever.'
When true religion warms the heart into philanthropy, there will be no rejoicing at the sacrifice of the lives of human beings, nor complacency in sanguinary revenge. The enormities of the Indians cannot justify enormities among christians, who be- ing blessed with high intellect, should set before them examples of mildness and humanity. It is true that Philip, following the injunction and example of his father, was strongly opposed to the christian religion. Their own forms of religious worship were probably no less precious to them than the christian reli- gion was to their opposers. When Rev. Mr. Eliot urged upon Philip the great importance of the gospel, he, taking hold of a button on his coat replied, that he cared no more for the gos- pel than he did for that button. Dr. Mather, in the year 1700, says, ' it was not long, before the hand which now writes, upon a certain occasion took off the jaw from the exposed skull of that blasphemous leviathan; and the renowned Samuel Lee hath since been a pastor to an English congregation, sounding and showing the praises of heaven, upon that very spot of ground, where Philip and his Indians were lately worshipping of the devil.' From the above data it appears that Philip's skull re- mained exposed 24 years or more.
The rage for war manifested by the natives, was by Dr ..
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Mather and others ascribed to the influence of a diabolical spirit, and the Rev. Divine speaks of them in the phraseology of the times as if they were unworthy of christian sympathy. In a review of the treatment of the Indian prisoners by the colonists, the inquiry naturally arises to what extent the inflic- tion of capital punishment could be considered as justifiable and proper. The position is allowed to be correct that a conquered foe should be rendered incapable of committing further enormi- ties; retaliation nevertheless should be tempered with clemen- cy, and human lives should be sacrificed no further than the public safety demands. The major part of the Indian prison- ers, both old and young, of both sexes, were condemned to a punishment little less cruel than death, that of being sold into perpetual slavery; some were transported to Europe and to Bermudas, and others were domesticated among the English families. The principles of humanity as understood in more modern times would raise the public voice against such pro- ceedings, unless the real safety of the conquerors rendered it indispensable. The punishment of death was inflicted on a number of the most notorious murderers of defenceless families and individuals. Eleven savages of this description were cap- tured in July, 1676, four of whom were executed at Plymouth, and others at Boston. The base miscreants who assaulted the house of Mr. Clark at Plymouth and massacred the inhabitants, were justly excepted from mercy or quarter.
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