History of the War with the Indians

THAT the Heathen People amongst whom we live, and whose Land the Lord God of our Fathers hath given to us for a rightful Possession, have at sundry times been Plotting mischievous Devices against that part of the English Israel, which is seated in these goings down of the Sun, no man that is an Inhabitant of any considerable standing, can be ignorant. Especially that there have been ( Nec injuria ) Jealousies concerning the Narragansets and Wompanoags, is notoriously known to all men. And whereas they have been quiet until the last Year, that must be ascribed to the wonderful Providence of God, who did (as with Jacob of old, and after that with the Children of Israel ) lay the fear of the English, and the dread of them upon all the Indians. The terror of God was upon them round about. Nor indeed had they such Advantages in former Years as now they have, in respect of Arms and Ammunition; their Bows and Arrows not being comparably such weapons of death and destruction, as our Guns and Swords are, with which they have been unhappily furnished. Nor were our sins ripe for so dreadful a Judgment, until the Body of the first Generation was removed, and another Generation risen up which hath not so pursued, as ought to have been, the blessed design of their Fathers, in following the Lord into this Wilderness, whilst it was a Land not sown.

As for the Grounds, Justness, and Necessity of the present War with these Barbarous Creatures which have set upon us, my design is not to intarge upon that Argument, but to leave that to others whom it mostly concerns, only in brief this. The irruption of this flame at this time was occasioned as followeth.

In the latter end of the Year 1674. An Indian, called John Sausaman, who had submitted himself unto, and was taken under the protection of the English, perceiving that the profane Indians were hatching mischief against the English, he faithfully acquainted the Governor of Plymouth, with what he knew, and also what his fears were, together with the grounds thereof, withal declaring; that he doubted such and such Indians belonging to Philip the Sachem of Pokanoket, or Mount-hope, would murder him; which quickly happened accordingly: For soon after this, John Sausaman was barbarously murdered by an Indian, called Tobias (one of Philip 's chief Captains and Counfellors) and by his Son, and another Indian, who knocked him on the head and then left him on the Ice on a great Pond. Divine providence, which useth to bring Murder to light, so ordered, as that an Indian unseen by those three that killed Sausaman, beheld all that they did to him, and spake of it, so as that a Praying (and as there is cause to hope) a godly Indian, William Nabauton by name, heard of it, and he forth with revealed what he knew to the English. Whereupon the three Indians who had committed the murder were apprehended, and the other Indian testified to their faces, that he saw them killing Sausaman. They had a fair T • yal for their Lives, and that no appearance of wrong might be, Indians as well as English sat upon the Jury, and all agreed to the condemnation of those Murderers, who were accordiugly Executed in the beginning of the 4th Month called June, Anno 1675. They stoutly denied the Fact, only at last Tobias 's son confessed, that his Father and the other Indian killed Sausaman, but that himself had no hand in it, only stood by and saw them do it.

No doubt but one reason why the Indians murdered John Sausaman, was out of hatred against him for his Religion, for he was Christianized and babtiz'd, and was a Preacher amongst the Indians, being of very excellent parts, he t • anslated some part of the Bible into the Indian language, and was won • to curb those Indians that knew not God, on the account of their debaucheries; but the main ground why they murdered him seems to be, because he discovered their subtle and malicious designs, which they were complotting against the English. Philip perceiving that the Court of Plymouth had Condemned and Executed one of his Counselors, being (as is upon strong grounds supposed) conscious of the murder committed upon John Sausaman, must needs think that ere long, they would do to him (who had no less deserved it) as they had done to his Counselor: Wherefore he, contrary to his Covenant and Faith engaged to Plymouth Colony, yea, and contrary to his promise unto some in this Colony (for about five Years ago, Philip made a disturbance in Plymouth Colony, but was quieted by the prudent interposition of some in our Colony, when he engaged, that if at any time hereafter he should think the English among whom he lived did him wrong, he would not cause any Disquietment before such time as he had acquainted the English of Mattachusets, but contrary to these solemn engagements he) doth call his Men together and Arm them, and refused to come when sent for, by the Authority of Plymouth, unto whose Government he had subjected himself.

Hereupon the English in Plymouth Jurisdiction, sent a small Army to those Towns next Mount-hope, in order to reducing Philip to his obedience, and for the security of those places which were in great danger, and in no less fear, by reason of the insolency of the Heathen.

June 24. (Midsummer-day) was appointed and attended as a day of solemn Humiliation throughout that Colony, by fasting and praying, to entreat the Lord to give success to the present Expedition respecting the Enemy. At the conclusion of that day of Humiliation, as soon as ever the People in Swanzy were come from the place where they had been praying together, the Indians discharged a volley of shot, whereby they killed one man, and wounded others. Two men were sent to call a Surgeon for the relief of the wounded, but the Indians killed them by the way: And in another part of the Town, six men were killed, so that there were Nine Englishmen murdered this day.

Thus did the War begin, this being the first English blood which was spilled by the Indians in an Hostile way. The Providence of God is deeply to be observed, that the Sword should be first drawn upon a day of Humiliation, the Lord thereby declaring from Heaven, that he expects something else from his People besides Fasting and Prayer.

Plymouth being thus suddenly involved in trouble, send to the other united Colonies for aid, and their desires were with all readiness complied with.

Soldiers marched out of Boston towards Mount-hope, June 26th, and continued marching that night, when there happened a great Eclipse of the Moon, which was totally darkened above an hour. Only it must be remembered, that some days before any Soldiers went out of Boston, Commissioners were sent to Treat with Philip, that so if possible, engaging in a War might be prevented. But when the Commissioners came near to Mount-hope, they found divers Englishmen on the ground, weltering in their own blood, having been newly murdered by the Indians, so that they could not proceed further. Yea, the Indians killed a man of this Colony as he was travelling on the road before such time as we took up Arms: In which respect no man can doubt of the justness of our Cause, since the Enemy did shed the blood of some of ours who never did them (our Enemies themselves being judges) the least wrong before we did at all offend them, or attempt any act of hostility towards them.

June 29th was a day of public Humiliation in this Colony, appointed by the Council, in respect of the War which is now begun.

This morning our Army would have engaged with the Enemy. The Indians shot the Pilot, who was directing our Soldiers in their way to Philip's Country, and wounded several of our Men, and ran into Swamps, rainy weather hindered a further pursuit of the Enemy. An awful Providence happened at this time: For a Soldier (a stout man) who was sent from Water-town, seeing the English Guide slain, and hearing many profane oaths among some of our Soldiers (namely those Privateers, who were also Volunteers) and considering the unseasonableness of the weather was such, as that nothing could be done against the Enemy; this man was possessed with a strong conceit, that God was against the English; whereupon he immediately ran distracted, and so was returned home a lamentable Spectacle.

In the beginning of July, there was another Skirmish with the Enemy, wherein several of the Indians were killed, amongst whom were Philip's chief Captain, and one of his Counselors.

Now it appears that Squaw-Sachem of Pocasset, her men were conjoined with the Womponoags (that is Philip's men) in this Rebellion.

About this time they killed several English at Taunton, and Burnt divers Houses there. Also at Swanzy, they caused about half the Town to be consumed with merciless Flames. Likewise Middlebury and Dartmouth, in Plymouth Colony, did they burn with Fire, and barbarously murdered both men and women in those places, stripping the slain, whether Men or Women, and leaving them in the open Field, as naked as in the day wherein they were born. Such also is their Inhumanity, as that they flay off the skin from their Faces and Heads of those they get into their hands, and go away with the hairy Scalp of their Enemies.

July 19. Our Army pursued Philip, who fled unto a dismal Swamp for refuge: The English Soldiers followed him, and killed many of his men, also about fifteen of the English were then slain. The Swamp was so Boggy, and thick of Bushes, as that it was judged to proceed further therein would be but to throw away Men's lives. It could not there be discerned who were English, and who the Indians. Our Men when in that hideous place if they did but see a Bush stir would fire presently, whereby 'tis verily feared, that they did sometimes unhappily shoot English Men instead of Indians. Wherefore a Retreat was sounded, and night coming on, the Army withdrew from that place. This was because the desperate Distress which the Enemy was in was unknown to us, for the Indians have since said, that if the English had continued at the Swamp all night, nay, if they had but followed them but one half hour longer, Philip had come and yielded up himself. But God • awe that we were not yet fit for Deliverance, nor could Health be restored unto us except a great deal more Blood be first taken from us: and other places as well as Plymouth stood in need of such a Course to be taken with them. It might rationally be conjectured, that the unsuccessfulness of this Expedition against Philip would embolden the Heathen in other parts to do as he had done, and so it came to pass. For July 14. the Nipnep (or Nipmuck) Indians began their mischief at a Town called Mendam (had we amended our ways as we should have done, this Misery might have been prevented) where they committed Barbarous Murders. This day deserves to have a Remark set upon it, considering that Blood was never shed in Massachusetts Colony in a way of Hostility before this day. Moreover the Providence of God herein is the more awful and tremendous, in that this very day the Church in Dorchester was before the Lord, humbling themselves by Fasting and Prayer, on account of the Day of trouble now begun amongst us.

The news of this Blood-shed came to us at Boston the next day in Lecture time, in the midst of the Sermon, the Scripture then improved being that Isai. 42. 24. Who gave Jacob to the spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned?

As yet Philip kept in the Swamp at Pocasset, but August 1. (being the Lord's day) he fled. The English hearing that Philip was upon flight pursued him with a party of Monhegins, i. e, Unkas (who approved himself faithful to the English almost forty years ago in the time of the Peguod Wars, and now also in this present War) his Indians, They overtook Philip's Party and killed about thirty of his men, none of ours being at that time cut off. Had the English pursued the Enemy they might easily have overtaken the Women and Children that were with Philip, yea and himself also, and so have put an end to these tumults: but though Deliverance was according to all Human probability near, God saw it not good for us as yet. Wherefore Philip escaped and went to the Nipmuck Indians, who had newly (as hath been intimated) done Acts of Hostility against the English. In the mean while endeavors were used to keep those Indians from engaging in this War, and that those persons who had committed the Murder at Mendam might be delivered up to Justice. Captain Hutchinson with a small party was sent to Quabaog, where there was a great Rendezvouze of Nipnep Indians. They appointed time and place of Treaty to be attended, August 2. Accordingly Captain Hutchinson rode to the Place fixed on to Treat in. But the Indians came not thither according to their Agreement, whereupon Captain Hutchinson resolved to go further to seek after them elsewhere, and as he was riding along, the Perfidious Indians lying in Ambuscado in a Swamp, shot at him and wounded him, of which Wounds he after died, and eight men that were with him were struck down dead upon the place. Captain Wheeler who was in that Company was shot through the Arm, his dutiful Son alighting to relieve his Father, was himself shot and sorely wounded, willingly hazarding his own life to save the life of his Father. The English were not in a capacity to look after their dead, but those dead bodies were left as meat for the Fowls of Heaven, and their Flesh unto the Beasts of the Earth, and there was none to bury them.

Captain Hutchinson and the rest that escaped with their lives, hastened to Quabaog, and the Indians speedily followed, violently set upon the Town, killed divers, burning all the Houses therein down to the ground, except only one unto which the Inhabitants fled for succor, and now also (as since we have understood) did Philip with his broken Party come to Quabaog. Hundreds of Indians beset the House, and took possession of a Barn belonging thereunto, from whence they often shot into the House, and also attempted to fire it six times, but could not prevail, at last they took a Cart full of Flax and other combustible matter, and brought it near the House, intending to set it on fire; and then there was no appearing possibility, but all the English there, Men and Women, and Children must have perished, either by unmerciful flames, or more unmerciful hands of wicked Men, whose tender Mercies are cruelties, so that all hope that they should be saved was then taken away: but behold in this Mount of Difficulty and Extremity ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) the Lord is seen.

For in the very nick of opportunity God sent that worthy Major Willard, who with forty and eight men set upon the Indians and caused them to turn their backs, so that poor People who were given up for dead, had their lives given them for a prey. Surely this was a token for good, that however we may be diminished and brought low through Oppression, Affliction, and Sorrow, yet our God will have compassion on us, and this his People shall not utterly perish. And this Salvation is the more remarkable, for that albeit the Indians had ordered Scouts to lie in the way, and to give notice by firing three Guns, if any English came to the relief of the Distressed; yet although the Scouts fired when Major Willard and his Soldiers were past them, the Indians were so busy and made such a noise about the House that they heard not the report of those Guns; which if they had heard, in all probability not only the People then living at Quabaog, but those also that came to succor them had been cut off.

Things being brought to this state, the Tumult of those that are risen up increaseth continually: For August 22. being the Lord's Day, the Indians about Lancaster killed a Man and his Wife and two Children in the afternoon Exercise. And we hear that Philip and the Quaboag Indians are gone more Westward, not far from North-hampton, Hadly, Deer-field, &c. Whereupon Forces are sent from hence under the command of Captain Lothrop, Captain Beers, and after that Captain Mosely, to relieve those distressed Towns, and pursue the enemy. Also our Brethren at Connecticut afforded their Assistance, Major Treat being sent to Hadly with a party of English, and some of Unkas his Men. The Indians inhabiting about Connecticut River pretended great fidelity to the English, and that they would fight against Philip, who it seems had been tampering with them in the Spring before the War broke out, endeavoring by money ( i. e. Wampampeag which is the Indians Money) to engage them in his bloody design against the English.

At first they were so far credited as to be Armed by the English, hoping they might do good service as the Monhegins and Natick Indians had done. But within a while their Treachery was justly suspected. Whereupon Soldiers were sent (on or about August 25.) to demand their Arms. They were then gone out of their Forts, our Men searching after them, they suddenly shot out of a Swamp, and after that an hot dispute continued for some hours. How many Indians were slain we know not, but nine English fell that day: wherein this Providence is observable, that those nine men which were killed at that time belonged to nine several Towns; as if the Lord should say, that he hath a controversy with every Plantation, and therefore all had need to repent and reform their ways.

Now the English have a multitude of open enemies more than when this trouble began, so that greater desolations are now expected.

Wherefore September 1. the Indians set upon Deerfield (alias Pacomptuck ) and killed one man, and laid most of the Houses in that new hopeful Plantation in ruinous heaps. That which addeth solemnity and awfulness to that Desolation, is, that it happened on the very day when one of the Churches in Boston were seeking the face of God by Fasting and Prayer before him. Also that very day the Church in Hadly was before the Lord in the same way, but were driven from the Holy Service they were attending by a most sudden and violent Alarm, which routed them the whole day after. So that we may humbly complain, as sometimes the Church did, how long hast thou smoaked 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 against the Prayers of thy People? Not long after this Captain Beers with a considerable part of his men fell before the Enemy. Concerning the state of those parts at this time until September 15. I received information from a good hand, whilst things were fresh in memory, which I shall here insert, as containing a brief History of the Transactions which happened within the time mentioned; those parts being then the Seat of the War: the Letter which I intend is that which followeth.

Not many days after this Letter was written, the English received a sadder rebuke of Providence, than anything that hitherto had been. For September 18. Captain Lothrop (a godly and courageous Commander) with above seventy men were sent to be as a Guard to some that were coming from Deerfield with Carts loaden with Goods and Provision, to be removed to Hadly▪ for security: But as they were coming, the Indians, whose cruel Habitations are the dark corners of the Earth, lurked in the Swamps, and multitudes of them made a sudden and frigh • full assault. They seized upon the Carts and Goods (many of the Soldiers having been so foolish and secure, as to put their Arms in the Carts, and step aside to gather Grapes, which proved dear and deadly Grapes to them) killed Captain Lothrop, and above threescore of his men, stripped them of their Cloths, and so left them to lie weltering in their own Blood. Captain Mosely who was gone out to range the Woods, hearing the Guns, hastened to their help, but before he could come, the other Captain and his men were slain, as hath been expressed. Nevertheless he gave the Indians Battle, they were in such numbers, as that he and his company were in extreme danger, the Indians endeavoring (according to their mode of fighting) to encompass the English round, and then to press in upon them with great numbers, so to knock them down with their Hatchets. In the nick of time Major Treat, with above an hundred men, and threescore of Unkas his Indians came in to succor those that were so beset with the Enemy, whereupon the Enemy presently retreated, and night coming on, there was no pursuing of them. In this fight but few of Captain Mosely 's men were slain. How many Indians were killed is uncertain, it being their manner to draw away their dead men, as fast as they are killed, if possibly they can do it; yea they will venture their own lives for that end, which they do out of policy, that so their enemies may think, that few or none of them are killed, when nevertheless they have lost many. I am informed that some of the Indians have reported that they lost ninety six men that day, and that they had above forty wounded, many of which died afterwards. However, this was a black and fatal day, wherein there were eight persons made Widows, and six and twenty Children made Fatherless: all in one little Plantation, and in one day; and above sixty Persons buried in one dreadful Grave. And this was the state of the Western parts in respect of the War with the Heathen.

We must now take a step backwards, and a little consider the Eastern Plantations. For in the Month of September did the flame break out there. Some who had their hearts exercised in discerning things of that nature, were from the beginning of the War, not without sad apprehensions concerning the Inhabitants in those parts of the Country, in that they were a scattered People, and such as had many of them scandalized the Heathen, and lived themselves too like unto the Heathen, without any Instituted Ordinances, also the Indians thereabouts were more numerous than in some other places. They began their outrages, at the House of one Mr. Purchase, who had been a great Trader with the Indians. After that they came to the House of an old Man in Casco-Bay▪ whose name was Wakely. Him with his Wife, Son, and Daughter in law (who was great with Child) and two Grandchildren, they cruelly Murdered, and took three Children alive, and led them into Captivity.

This old Wakely was esteemed a godly Man. He would somet • mes say with tears, that he believed God was angry with him, because although he came into New-England for the Gospels sake, yet he had left another place in this Country, where there was a Church of Christ, which he once was in Communion with, and had lived many Years in a Plantation, where was no Church, nor Instituted Worship. If a Faithful Minister of Christ happened to Preach in Casco▪ he would with much affection entertain him, saying, Blessed is he that come • th in the Name of the Lord. After this good man was murdered by the Indians▪ they quickly did more mischief: So that in Falmouth there were five Houses burnt, four Men, two Women, and two Children killed, and three Children carried away Captive. After this, they set upon Sacoe, where they slew thirteen Men, and at last burnt the Town. A p • incipal Actor in the destruction of Sacoe was a strange Enthusiastical Sagam • re, called Squando, who some years before, pretended that God appeared to him, in the form of a tall Man, in black Clothes, declaring to him that he was God, and commanded him to leave his Drinking of strong Liquors, and to pray, and to keep Sabbaths, and to go to hear the Word Preached; all which things the Indian did for some years, with great seeming Devotion and Conscience observe. But the God which appeared to him, said nothing to him about Jesus Christ; and therefore it is not to be marvelled at, that at last he discovered himself to be no otherwise than a Child of him, that was a Murderer and a Lyar from the beginning. Also these enraged Barbarians, being animated with their success at Falmouth and Sacoe, they went to Black-Point. and there killed six Men and a Woman, and burnt two and twenty dwelling Houses. In the mean time, the English at Kenebeck, endeaveured that the Indians in those parts might be kept from joining in this Insurrection whereto they were tempted and solicited by their N • ighbours. The prudent endeavors of the English proved happily successful, insomuch as the Sachems there, brought Presents with great Protestations of Amity and Fidelity, and desired that no more Liquors might be so • d to the Indians, professing that that was a principal cause of the mischiefs that had been done, and that they were not able to keep their Men in subjection, when once they were become mad with Drink.

After these things, the Indians killed two men at Kittery, and stripped them. Lieutenant Playster, with twenty two English, went out to fetch off the dead Bodies, and to bury them; as they were putting one of them into the Cart, suddenly a small party of Indians shot out of a Swamp. And the greatest part of the English did unworthily forsake their Leader in that hazard, only seven remained with him. He thinking his Men had been near at hand, faced the Enemy, killed and wounded many of them; but the Indians perceiving that all but seven of the English were fled, took courage and killed Mr. Playster (who was a good and useful man) and one of his Sons, and another man: The other four seeing that, ran for their lives, and so escaped until they came safe into a Garrison, which was not far off.

Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. This fire which in June was but a little Spark, in three Monthis time is become a great Flame, that from East to West, the whole Country is involved in great trouble; and the Lord himself seemeth to be against us, to cast us off, and to put us to shame, and goeth not forth with our Armies. Wherefore the Magistrates of this Jurisdiction, earnestly called upon the Inhabitants thereof, to humble themselves before the Lord, and to confess and turn from transgression. Inasmuch as the expressions contained in that Paper, which was at this time published by the Councils Order, for a day of Public Humil • ation, to be observed through this Jurisdiction, are most serious, and gracious, and greatly expressive of the sinful Degenerate Estate of the present Generation in New-England, and that Declaration will turn for a Testimony to our faithful Rulers, both now and hereafter; considering also, that it is in but few hands, I shall therefore here insert, and republish it. 'It is that which followeth.

October the 7th. This day of Humiliation appointed by the Council, was solemnly observed: Yet attended with awful testimonies of Divine displeasure. The very next day after this Fast was agreed upon by those in Civil Authority, was that dismal and fatal blow, when Captain Lothorp and his Company (in all near upon fourscore souls) were slaughtered, whereby the Heathen were wonderfully animated, some of them triumphing and saying, That so great slaughter was never known: And indeed in their Wars, one with another, the like hath rarely been heard of. And that very day when this Fast was kept, three Persons were killed by the Indians near Dover, one of them going from the public Worship. Also that very day at the close of it, the sad tidings of Springfields Calamity came to us here in Boston. And inasmuch as this news came at the conclusion of a day of Humiliation, surely the solemn voice of God to New-England is still as formerly, Praying without Reforming will not do. And now is the day come wherein the Lord is fulnlling the word which himself hath spoken, saying, I will send wild Beasts among you, which shall rob you of your Children, and destroy your Cattle, and make you few in number, and if you will not be reformed by these things, I will bring your Sanctuaries to Desolation, and I will not smell the sweet Savor of your Odours. The Providence of God is never to be forgotten, in that Churches have been signally spared for so long a time. Although some Plantations wherein Churches have been settled were in most eminent danger, and the Enemy might easily have swallowed them up, yet God so ordered that they received little or no detriment, when other places were laid utterly waste, the Lord manifesting how loath he was to disgrace the Throne of his Glory, but now he begins with the Sanctuary. As for Springfields misery, it thus came to pass: Whereas there was a body of Indians that lived in a Fort near to that Town of Springfield, and professed nothing but Friendship towards the English; they treacherously brake in upon the Town, when a party of our Soldiers who had been there, were newly gone to Hadly. They killed several, amongst others their Lieutenant Cooper was most persidiously Murthered by them, without the least occasion or Provocation given. They burnt down to the ground above thirty dwelling-houses; and above twenty out-houses: amongst others, Mr. Pelatiah Glover, Teacher of the Church there, is a great sufferer, his House, and Goods, and Books, and Writings being all consumed in one hour. Nevertheless there was a great mixture of mercy in this dark and dismal dispensation. For God so ordered, as that an Indian who knew what was designed the next day, ran away in the night, and acquainted the English therewith, whence they had time and opportunity to escape to an house that was Fortified; otherwise in probability the Inhabitants had surely had their lives as well as their dwelling places cut off.

October 13. The General Court sat in Boston, during this Session, a Committee was with the concurrence of both Houses appointed in order to a Reformation of those Evils which have provoked the Lord to bring the Sword upon us, and to withdraw from our Armies from time to time. The Assistance of the Teaching Elders in the Churches was desired, as in a case of that nature, it was proper for them to advise and help according to God.

There was a gracious presence of God with them in their consultations, all that were there with one voice agreeing in many particulars, in respect whereof Reformation should be, and must be: e. g.

October 19. The Conclusions of the Committee, respecting Reformation of provoking evils were signed, and delivered into the General Court, who voted acceptance thereof, and appointed another Committee to draw up Laws in order to the establishment of the things agreed on. Now as I remember that famous Martyrologist Mr. Fox (in Acts and Monuments, vol. 2. pag. 669.) observes, with respect to the Reformation in K. Edward VI. his days, that that very day and hour when the Act for Reformation was put in execution at London, God gave the English a signal victory against the Scots at Muscleborough; so it was proportionably with us. For that day when there was a vote passed for the Suppression and Reformation of those manifest evils, whereby the eyes of God's Glory are provoked amongst us, the Lord gave success to our Forces, who that day encountered with the Indians at Hatfield. The English lost but one man in the fight (albeit some that were sent forth as Scouts were killed or Captivated) the Enemy fled before them, and ran into the River, many of them being seen to fall, but night coming on, it was in vain to follow them further. And after that day, the Western Plantations had little or no disturbance by them, but lived in quietness all the Winter. All this notwithstanding, we may say as sometimes the Lord's People of old, the Harvest is past, the Summer is ended, and we are not saved. The Sword having marched Eastward, and Westward, and Northward, now beginneth to face toward the South again. The Narragansets, who were the greatest body of Indians in New-England; there being no less then six Sachims amongst them; having not as yet appeared in open Hostility. Nevertheless Philip's and Squaw-Sackims men, when routed by the English Forces, were harboured amongst the Narragansets. When the Commissioners of the united Colonies sat at Boston, in the latter end of September, one of the Narraganset Sachims, and Messengers from other Sachims there, made their appearance in Boston; they pretended nothing but good-will to the English, and promised that those Enemies of ours, who had burnt so many houses, and committed so many Murders, and had fled to them for refuge, should be delivered up by the latter end of October. But when the time prefixed for the surrendry of the Wompanoags and Squaw-Sachems Indians was lapsed, they pretended they could not do as they had engaged at present, but after Winter they would do it. In the mean while, when the English had any engagement with the Indians, wounded Indians came home to the Narragansets, especially after the fight at Hatfield, Octob. 19. about forty wounded men were seen crossing the woods towards the Narragansets: also some (at least two Indians ) from amongst themselves, came to the English, and told them that the Narragansets were resolved (if they could) to destroy the English: but they were loath to begin to fall upon them before Winter, but in the Spring when they should have the leaves of trees and Swamps to befriend them, they would do it: wherefore it was judged necessary to send out Forces against them, and preparartions were made accordingly.

There was some agitation amongst those whom it did concern, where a person suitable for so great a trust might be found as General; and that worthy Gentleman Josiah Winslow Esq; who succeeds his Father (of blessed memory) as Governor of Plymouth, was pitched upon for this Shrvice.

Under his conduct therefore, an Army consisting of at first a thousand, and at last about fifteen hundred men, were sent forth to execute the vengeance of the Lord upon the perfidious and bloody Heathen. But before they set out, the Churches were all upon their knees before the Lord, the God of Armies, entreating his favor and gracious success in that undertaking, wherein the welfare of his people was so greatly concerned. This day of Prayer and Humiliation was observed Decemb. 2. when also something happened intimating as if the Lord were still angry with our Prayers; for this day all the houses in Quonsickamuck were burnt by the Indians.

Decemb. 8. The Army set out from Boston. Whilst they were upon this march, an Indian whose name was Peter, having received some disgust among his Country-men, came to the English, and discovered the plots of the Indians, told where they were, and promised to conduct the Army to them. They were no sooner arrived in the Narraganset Country, but they killed and took captive above forty Indians. Being come to Mr. Smiths house, they waited some days for Connecticut Forces. In the mean while a party of the enemy did treacherously get into the house of Jerem. Bull (where was a Garison) burned the house, and slew about fourteen persons.

Decemb. 18. Connecticut Forces being come, a March toward the enemy was resolved upon: Peter Indian having informed that the Body of Indians (only Ninnigret being one of their old crafty Sachems, had with some of his men withdrawn himself from the rest, professing that he would not engage in a War with the English, therefore did he go into a place more remote) was in a Fort about eighteen miles distant from the place where our Army now was. The next day, although it were the Sabbath, yet, provisions being almost spent our Soldiers, waiting so long for Connecticut Forces, the Council of War resolved to give Battle to the enemy. The English Soldiers played the men wonderfully; the Indians also fought stoutly, but were at last beat out of their Fort, which was taken by the English, There were hundreds of Wigwams (or Indian houses) within the Fort, which our Soldiers set on fire, in the which men, women and children (no man knoweth how many hundreds of them) were burnt to death. Night coming on, a Retreat was sounded.

Concerning the number of Indians slain in this Battle, we are uncertain: only some Indians which afterwards were taken prisoners (as also a wretched English man that apostatized to the Heathen, and fought with them against his own Country-men but was at last taken and executed) confessed that the next day they found three hundred of their fighting men dead in their Fort, and that many men, women and children were burned in their Wigwams, but they neither knew, nor could conjecture how many: it is supposed that not less than a thousand Indian Souls perished at that time. Ninnigret whose men buried the slain, affirmeth that they found twenty and two Indian Captains among the dead bodies. Of the English there were killed and wounded about two hundred and thirty, whereof only eighty and five persons are dead. But there was a solemn rebuke of Providence at this time, in that six of our Captains were slain, viz. Captain Johnson of Roxbury, Captain Gardner of Salem, Captain Davenport of Boston (son to that Captain Davenport who did great Service in the expedition against the Indians in the Pequod War, Anno 1637.) Captain Gallop of New-London, Captain Marshal of Windsor, Captain Seily of Stratford, who died of his wounds some days after the fight was over. The three Captains first mentioned, belonged to Mattachusets Colony, the three last to Connecticut, of Plymouth Colony Captain Bradford (one of their faithful Magistrates, and son of him that was many years Governor there) was sorely wounded, but God had mercy on him, and on his people in him, so as to spare his life, and to restore him to some measure of health, albeit the bullet shot into him is still in his body. Also Captain Goram of Barnstaple in Plymouth Colony fell sick of a fever whereof he died.

Thus did the Lord take away seven Captains out of that Army. Also four Lieutenants were wounded in that Fort-fight, so that though the English had the better of it, yet not without solemn and humbling rebukes of Providence. At night as the Army returned to their quarters a great Snow fell, also part of the Army mist their way, among whom was the General himself with his Life-guard. Had the Enemy known their advantage, and pursued our Soldiers (and we have since heard that some of the Indians did earnestly move that it might be so, but others of them through the over-ruling hand of Providence would not consent) when upon their retreat, they might easily have cut off the whole Army: But God would be more gracious to us. Here then was not only a Victory, but also a signal Preservation, for which let the Father of mercies have eternal glory.

After this God seemed to withdraw from the English and take part with the Enemy. The next day the Indians finding but few English men dead in the Fort among their three hundred Indians that were slain, were much troubled and amazed, supposing that no more of ours had been killed; this blow did greatly astonish them, and had the English immediately pursued the Victory begun, in all likelihood there had been an end of our troubles; but God saw that neither yet were we fit for deliverance. Wherefore Connecticut forces withdrew to Stonington, and there being so many killed and wounded amongst those that remained in the Narraganset Country, also bread for the Soldiers being wanting, by reason the extremity of the weather was such, as that the Vessels laden with Provision could not reach them, therefore the Army lay still some weeks.

In this interval of time the Town of Mendam (which before that had been forsaken of its Inhabitants) was burnt down by the Indians.

Now doth the Lord Jesus begin solemnly to fulfil his word, in removing Candlesticks out of their places, because of contentions and loss loss of first love. Surely when those places are destroyed where Churches have been planted, Candlesticks are removed out of their places. But to proceed, when the Army was just upon the resolve to return home, because Provisions were spent, God so ordered, as that a Vessel laden with Victuals arrived, whereupon it was determined (g=f) to pursue the Enemy. Only it was thought necessary to desist from this pursuit until Connecticut forces could return and join with ours. In the interim, a strange sudden Thaw happened in the midst of January (when in New-England the season is wont to be extreme cold) that the snow melted away in a little time: the like weather hath rarely been known in this Land at that time of the year, albeit some of the first Planters say it was so above fifty years ago. However this made wonderfully for the Indians advantage, for now they fled out of the Narraganset Country, and whereas they had been sorely straightened and distressed for victuals, now the snow being wasted, they lived upon Ground-nuts.

In fine, the Army pursued them several days, overtook some of them, killed and took about seventy persons, were in sight of the main Body of them, and could they have held out to have pursued them but one day longer probably this unhappy War had then been ended: but the Soldiers were tired with eight days March, and (having spent much of their provision whilst waiting for our Connecticut Brethren) their bread failed, so as that they were forced to kill horses and feed upon them.

We have often carried it before the Lord as if we would Reform our ways, and yet when it hath come to, we have done nothing: So hath the Lord carried toward us, as if he would deliver us, and yet hath deferred our Salvation, as we ourselves have delayed Reformation.

So then February 5. The Army returned to Boston, not having obtained the end of their going forth. It was easy to conjecture that the Narraganset, and River Indians, being all come together, and the Army returned, they would speedily fall upon the Frontier Towns. And some of the Praying Indians who had been sent out as Spies, and had been with the Indians beyond Quabaog, brought intelligence, that a French Man that came from Canady had been amongst them, animating them against the English, promising a supply of Ammunition, and that they would come next Summer and assist them; also the Indian Spies declared, that there was a design, within such a time to burn Lancaster, which came to pass both as to the time and manner accordingly.

For upon the 10. day of February some hundreds of the Indians fell upon Lancaster, burnt many of the Houses, killed and took Captive above forty persons. Mr. Rowlandson (the faithful Pastor of the Church there) had his House, Goods, Books, all burned; his Wife, and all his Children led away Captive before the Enemy. Himself (as God would have it) was not at home, whence his own person was delivered, which otherwise (without a Miracle) would have been endangered. Eight men lost their lives, and were stripped naked by the Indians, because they ventured their lives to save Mrs. Rowlandson.

As this good Man returned home (having been at Boston to intercede with the Council that something might be done for the safety of that place) he saw his Lancaster in flames, and his own house burnt down, not having heard of it till his eyes beheld it, and knew not what was become of the Wife of his bosom, and Children of his Bowels. This was a most awful Providence, and hath made me often think on those words, though Noah, Job and Daniel were in it, they should deliver but their own souls, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, they only shall be delivered, but the Land shall be desolate. And this desolation is the more tremendous, in that this very day the Churches Westward were humbling themselves before the Lord. Within a few days after this, certain Indians did some mischiefs at Malbury, Sudbury, Chelmsford.

February 21. The Indians assaulted Medfield, and although there were two or three hundred Soldiers there, they burnt half the Town, killed several Men, Women and Children (about eighteen in all) amongst others their Lieutenant Adams was slain. And soon after he was killed, his Wife was casually slain by an English-man, whose Gun discharged before he was aware, and the Bullet therein passed through the Boards over-head, and mortally wounded Lieutenant Adams 's Wife. It is a sign God is angry, when he turns our weapons against ourselves.

February 23. A day of Humiliation was attended in the old Meeting-house in Boston, but not without much distraction, because of an Alarm, by reason of rumors, as if the Indians were doing mischief within ten miles of Boston.

February 25. This night the Indians fired seven Houses and Barns in Weymouth.

In the beginning of March, another small Army was sent out from Boston, under the conduct of that expert Soldier and Commander Major Savage, to seek out the Enemy. Connecticut Forces met with ours at Qu • baog, and they marched together, but not following the direction of the ( Natick) Praying Indians, who were sent as Pilots, the Army mist their way, and was bewildered in the Woods. On a sudden when they thought on on such thing, a party of Indians fired upon them and killed one man, and wounded Mr. Gershom Bulkly, who is Pastor of the Church in Wethersfield; whereupon those Indians were immediately pursued, who hastened towards Northampton. The Army following them thither, mist of the main body of Indians. Nevertheless, there was a singular Providence of God ordering this matter, for the relief of those Western Plantations, which otherwise in probability had been cut off.

For upon the fourteenth of March a multitude of Indians fell upon Northhampton, broke through their Fortification in three places, burnt five houses, and five barns, and killed four Men and one Woman: but the Town being full of Soldiers, the Enemy was quickly repulsed, with the loss of many of their lives.

March 10. Mischief was done, and several lives cut off by the Indians this day, at Groton and at Sudbury. An humbling Providence, inasmuch as many Churches were this day Fasting and Praying.

March 12. This Sabbath eleven Indians assaulted Mr. William Clark 's house in Plymouth, killed his Wife, who was the Daughter of a godly Father and Mother that came to New England on the account of Religion, (See July 6.) and she herself also a pious and prudent Woman; they also killed her sucking Ch • l • , and knocked another Child (who was about eight years old) in the head, supposing they had killed him, but afterwards he came to himself again. And whereas there was another Family besides his own, entertained in Mr. Clark 's house, the Indians destroyed them all, root and branch, the Father and Mother and all the Children: so that eleven persons were murdered that day, under one roof; after which they set the house on fire. The Leader of these Indians was one Totoson, a fellow who was well acquainted with that house, and had received many many kindnesses there, it being the manner of those brutish men, who are only skillful to destroy, to deal worst with those who have done most for them.

March 13. The Indians assaulted Groton, and left but few houses standing. So that this day also another Candlestick was removed out of its place. One of the first houses that the Enemy destroyed in this place, was the House of God, h. e. which was built and set apart for the celebration of the public Worship of God.

When they had done that, they scoffed and blasphemed, and came to Mr. Willard (the worthy Pastor of the Church there) his house (which being fortified, they attempted not to destroy it) and tauntingly said, What will ye do for a house to pray in, now we have burnt your Meeting-House? Thus hath the Enemy done wickedly in the Sanctuary, they have burnt up the Synagogues of God in the Land; they have cast fire into the Sanctuary; they have cast down the dwelling place of his name to the ground. O God, how long shall the Adversary reproach? shall the Enemy blaspheme thy name forever? why withdrawest thou thine hand, even thy right hand: pluck it out of thy bosom.

March 17. This day the Indians fell upon Warwick, and burnt it down to the ground, all but one house.

March 20, Some of them returned into the Narraganset Country, and burnt down the remaining English Houses there.

We are now come to the conclusion of the year 1675. which hath been the most troublesome year that ever poor New England saw. What ending the present year shall have, is with God, but it hath a most doleful beginning.

For March 26. 1676. being the Sabbath-day, the Indians assaulted Malbury, and consumed a great part of the town; after which the Inhabitants apprehended themselves under a necessity of deserting that place, which was done accordingly; so that here is another Candlestick removed out of his place. This day also, Captain Pierce of Scituate, with a party of about fifty English, and twenty Indians, who were Friends to the English, pursued a small number of the Enemy, who in desperate subtlety ran away from them, and they went limping to make the English believe they were lame, till they had led them into a snare: for suddenly a vast body of Indians did encompass them round; so that Captain Pierce was slain, and forty and nine English with him, and eight (or more) Indians who did assist the English, and fought bravely in that engagement.

How many of the Enemy fell we know not certainly, only we hear that some Indians, which have since been taken by the English, confess that Captain Pierce, and those with him killed an hundred and forty of them before they lost their own lives.

Upon this Lord's-day another sad thing likewise happened; for near Springfield, there were eighteen English men riding to the Town, to attend the solemn Worship of God on his Holy-day, And although they were Armed, there were seven or eight Indians, who lying in Ambuscado, were so bold as to shoot at them. They killed a Man and a Maid that rode behind him, the English being surprised with fear, rode away to save their lives: in the mean while the Indians seized upon two women and children, and took them away alive, so that here we have cause to think of Joshuas words, who said, O Lord, What shall I say when Israel turns their backs before the Enemies? What shall be said when eighteen English men well armed, fly before seven Indians? This seems to argue something of a divine forsaking, and displeasure in Heaven against us. The next day those Indians were pursued, but when the English came in sight those barbarous wretches hasted to run away, but before they knocked the two Children on the head, as they were sucking their Mothers breasts, and then knocked their Mothers on the head: Nevertheless one of them was alive when the soldiers came to her, and able to give an account of what the Indians had told her. Amongst other particulars, they did affirm to her that there was a Body of about three thousand Indians (no doubt but in that they did hyperbolize) near to Deerfield, and that they had newly received a great supply of powder from the Dutch at Albany: men that worship Mammon, notwithstanding all prohibitions to the contrary, will expose their own and other men's lives unto danger, if they may but gain a little of this worlds good.

March 27. Some of the inhabitants of Sudbury, being alarumed by what the Indians did yesterday to their neighbors in Malbury, apprehending they might come upon the enemy unawares, in case they should march after them in the night time, they resolved to try what might be done, and that not altogether without success. For towards the morning whilst it was yet dark, they discerned where the Indians lay their Fires. And such was their boldness, as that about three hundred of them lay all night, within half a mile of one of the garrison houses in that Town where they had done such mischief the day before. Albeit the darkness was such as an English man could not be discerned from an Indian, yet ours being forty in number, discharged several times upon the enemy, and (as Indians taken since that time do confess,) God so disposed of the bullets that were shot at that time, that no less than thirty Indians were wounded, of whom there were fourteen that died, several of which had been principal actors in the late bloody Tragedies. They fired hard upon the English, but neither killed nor wounded so much as one man in the Skirmish.

March 28. The Indians burnt about thirty Barns, and near upon forty dwelling Houses in Rehoboth, so that thereby the dissipation and desolation of that Church is greatly threatened.

The next day they burnt about thirty houses at the Town called Providence.

In the beginning of April they did some mischief at Chelmsford and Andover, where a small party of them put the Town into a great fright, caused all the people to fly into Garison-houses, killed one man, and burnt one house. And to show what barbarous creatures they are, they exercised cruelty towards dumb creatures. They took a Cow, knocked off one of her horns cut out her tongue, and so left the poor creature in great misery. They put an Horse, Ox, &c. into an hovil, and then set it on fire, only to show how they are delighted in exercising cruelty.

April 9. This day being the Lord's day, there was an alarm at Charles -Town, Cambridge, and other Towns, by reason that sundry of the enemy were seen at Billerica, and (it seemeth) had shot a man there. This week we hear from Connecticut, that a party of their Soldiers went with many of the Pequods, and Monhegins, and some of Ninnegrets Indians, to seek after the enemy, and they killed and took captive forty and four Indians without the loss of any of ours: amongst whom were several of their Chief Captains, and their great Sachem called Quanonchet, who was a principal Ring-leader in the Narraganset War, and had as great an interest and influence, as can be said of any among the Indians. This great Sachem was pursued into a Rlver by one of Ninnegret his men, and there taken. Being apprehended he was carried away to Stonington, where the English caused the Pequods and Monhegins, and Ninnegrets Indians, to join together in shooting Quanonehet, and cutting off his head, which was sent to Hartford. And herein the English dealt wisely, for by this means, those three Indian Nations are become abominable to the other Indians, and it is now their interest to be faithful to the English, since their own Country-men will never forgive them, on account of their taking and killing the Sachem mentioned: So that there was a gracious smile of providence in this thing, yet not without matter of humbling to us, in that the Sachem was apprehended not by English but by Indian hands.

April 19. The Indians killed a man at Weymouth, and another at Hingham. And they burnt down the remaining deserted houses at Malbery.

April 20. A day of Humiliation was observed in Boston. The next day sad tidings came to us. For the enemy set upon Sudbury, and burnt a great part of the Town, and whereas Captain Wadsworth (a prudent and faithful man) was sent out for their relief with about seventy armed men, a great body of Indians surrounded them, so as that above fifty of ours were slain that day, amongst whom was Captain Wadsworth and his Lieutenant Sharp. Also Captain Brattlebanck (a godly and choice spirited man) was killed at the same time. Also they took five or six of the English and carried them away alive, but that night killed them in such a manner as none but Salvages would have done. For they stripped them naked, and caused them to run the Gauntlet, whipping them after a cruel and bloody manner, and then threw hot ashes upon them; cut out the flesh of their legs, and put fire into their wounds, delighting to see the miserable torments of wretched creatures. Thus are they the perfect children of the Devil. What numbers the Indians lost in this fight, we know not, only a Captive since escaped out of their hands, affirms that the Indians said one to another, that they had an hundred and twenty fighting men killed this day,

The same day (as is judged fifty) Indians burnt nineteen houses and barns at Situate in Plymouth Colony, but were notably encountered and repelled from doing further mischief by the valor of a few of the inhabitants.

April 24. Skulking Indians did some mischief in Braintry, but the inhabitants received not any considerable damage by them.

April 27. A small number of them near Woodcocks who keeps the Ordinary in the Road to Rehoboth, watched their opportunity and killed his son, and another man, and greatly wounded another of his sons, and shot himself through the arm, and then burnt his sons house.

At Boston there is a Press in order to sending forth another Army to pursue the enemy; for we hear there is a great body of them near Malbury, (as tis apprehended) of many hundreds.

About this time, in Connecticut Colony, Capt. Dennison with sixty six Volunteers, and an hundred and twelve Pequod-Indinas, pursuing the common enemy, took and slew seventy and six Indians. Amongst the slain was the Sachem Pomham his Grand-child, who was also a Sachem, and another Sachem called Chickon, and one great Counselor. They took and spoiled an hundred and sixty bushels of the Indians Corn. None of ours either English or Indians that did engage with and for the English, were lost when this exploit was done.

In the month of April, many of the Eastern Indians having been sorely distressed, and fain to wander up and down for meat, so as that they lived for some time upon no other food then the skins of wild creatures, which they soaked in water till they became soft and eatable, notwithstanding the outrages and murders (for they have shed the blood of about forty seven persons) by them committed, they did in confidence of favor from the English come and submit themselves, alleging that the injuries done by them were grounded upon a mistake. For when a party of English came in a Warlike posture upon some of their Webbs (as they call them) i. e. Women as they were gathering Corn, an Indian seeing it, ran to the other Indians and told them that the English had (though it were not at all so) killed all those Indian women, and therefore they took up arms to revenge that supposed injury. Also they plead for themselves, that a Fisher-man told one of them, that the English would destroy all the Indians, and when inquiry was made of another English man (thought to be more discreet than the former) he confirmed what the other had said, and that some rude English did purposely over set a Canoo wherein was an Indian Lad; and that although a Squaw dived to the bottom of the River and fetched him up alive, yet that the Lad never came to himself again. It is greatly to be lamented that the Heathen should have any ground for such allegations, or that they should be scandalized by men that call themselves Christians.

May 3. Was the day of Election for Governor and Magistrates in the Mattachusets Colony. This day the Lord by a wonderful hand of providence, wrought Salvation for Mrs. Rowlandson and returned her to Boston, after she had been eleven weeks in Captivity amongst the Heathen. This is a Token for good, being a great answer of Prayer. For by reason of her near relation to a Man of God. much Prayer had been particularly made before the Lord on her behalf. Nevertheless did the Lord manifest his holy displeasure, inasmuch as at Haveril and Bradford, a small company of Indians killed two men and carried a way a man and a woman, and five children alive.

May 6. Our Forces which are abroad met with a party of Indians, and killed about thirteen of them, and had probably destroyed many more of them, had not an English man unhappily sounded a Trumpet, whereby the enemy had notice to escape. The Praying Indians did good Service at that time, insomuch as many who had hard thoughts of them all, begin to blame themselves, and to have a good opinion of those Praying Indians who have been so universally decried.

May 8. About seventeen Houses and Barns did the Indians fire and destroy at Bridge-water. About this time they killed four men at Taunton, as they were at work in the field, by whose death about thirty Children were made Fatherless. But the Lord in the nick of time, sent Thunder and Rain, which caused the Enemy to turn back.

May 9. A day of Humiliation by Fasting and Prayer, was attended in the Town-house at Boston, by the Magistrates, and Deputies of the General Court, with Assistance of so many Teaching Elders as could be obtained. Although many such solemn occasions have at times been attended in former years, yet it hath been observed by some, that God did always signally own his Servants, upon their being before him in such a way and manner: And so it was now; for the very next day after this, a Letter came from Connecticut to Boston, informing, that God had let loose the Mohawks upon our Enemies, and that they were sick of Fluxes, and Fevers, which proved mortal to multitudes of them. And whereas a special request left before the Lord this day, was, that he would (as a token for good) cause our poor Captives to be returned to us again, and particularly those that were taken from Haveril the last week, God gave a gracious and speedy Answer, bringing home those very Captives in particular, and many other, yea at least sixteen of our poor sighing Prisoners, who were appointed to death, did the Lord loose and return unto us, within eight weeks after this day, and divers of them within three days after this solemn day of Prayer. There are who have dated the turn of Providence towards us in this Colony, and against the Enemy in a wonderful manner, from this day forward: yet some lesser and more inconsiderable devastations happened soon after in Plymouth Colony. For,

May 11. A company of Indians assaulted the Town of Plymouth, burnt eleven Houses and five Barns therein: ten English men were going to seek after the Enemy, and having an Indian with them, who was true to the English, he spied a party of Indians lying in Ambush, who in probability had otherwise cut off many of them, but the English having the opportunity of the first shot, struck down several Indians, one of which had on a great Peag Belt. But he and the other that fell were dragged away, and the Indians fled, when they saw themselves pursued, though but by a few. Nevertheless two days after this, they burnt seven Houses and two Barns more in Plymouth, and the remaining Houses in Namasket.

May 18. This day that happened which is worthy to be remembered. For at North-hampton, Hadly, and the Towns thereabouts, two English Captives escaping from the Enemy, informed that a considerable body of Indians, had seated themselves not far from Pacomptuck, and that they were very secure; so that should forces be set forth against them, many of the Enemy would (in probability) be cut off without any difficulty. Hereupon the spirits of m • n in those towns were raised with an earnest desire to see and try what might be done. They sent to their neighbors in Connecticut for a supply of men, but none coming, they raised about an hundred and fourscore out of their own Towns, who arrived at the Indian Wigwams betimes in the morning, finding them secure indeed yea all asleep without having any Scouts abroad; so that our Soldiers came and put their Guns into their Wigwams before the Indians were aware of them, and made a great and notable slaughter amongst them. Some of the Soldiers affirm, that they numbered above one hundred that lay dead upon the ground, and besides those, others told about an hundred and thirty, who were driven into the River, and there perished, being carried down the Falls, The River Kishon swept them away, that ancient River, the River Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. And all this while but one Englishman killed, and two wounded. But God saw that if things ended thus, another and not Christ would have had the Glory of this victory, and therefore in his wise providence he so disposed, as that there was at last somewhat a tragical issue of this Expedition. For an English Captive Lad, who was found in the Wigwams, spake as if Philip were coming with a thousand Indians: which false report being famed ( Fama bella stant ) among the Soldiers, a panic terror fell upon many of them, and they hasted homewards in a confused rout, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . In the mean while a party of Indians from an Island (whose coming on shore might easily have been prevented, and the Soldiers before they set out from Hadly were earnestly admonished to take care about that matter) assaulted our men; yea, to the great dishonor of the English, a few Indians pursued our Soldiers four or five miles, who were in number near twice as many as the Enemy. In this Disorder, he that was at this time the chief Captain, whose name was Turner, lost his life, he was pursued through a River, received his fatal stroke as he passed through that which is called the Green River, and as he came out of the Water he fell into the hands of the Uncircumcised, who stripped him (as some who say they saw it affirm) and rode away upon his horse, and between thirty and forty more were lost in this retreat.

Within a few days after this, Captain Turner 's dead Corps was found a small distance from the River, it appeared that he had been shot through the thigh and back, of which it's judged he died speedily without any great torture from the Enemy. However it were, it is evident that the English obtained a victory at this time, yet if it be as some Indians have since related, the Victory was not so great as was at first apprehended: For sundry of them who were at several times taken after this slaughter affirm that many of the Indians that were driven down the Falls, got safe on shore again, and that they lost not above threescore men in the fight: also that they killed thirty and eight English men, which indeed is just the number missing. There is not much heed to be given to Indian Testimony, yet when circumstances and artificial arguments confirm what they say, it becometh an impartial Historian to take notice thereof, nor is it to be doubted but the loss of the Enemy was greater than those Captives taken by our Forces abroad did acknowledge. Some other Indians said, that they lost several hundreds at this time, amongst whom there was one Sachem. I am informed that divers Indians who were in that battle, but since come in to the English at Norwich, say that there were three hundred killed at that time, which is also confirmed by an Indian called Pomham, who saith that of that three hundred there were an hundred and seventy fighting men. Whatever the victory or success of that engagement might be, it was the Lord's doing, and let him alone have all the Glory.

May 23. Some of our Troopers fell upon a party of Indians (about fifty in number) not far from Rehoboth, and slew ten or twelve of them, with the loss of only one English man. The Indians betook themselves to a River, and had not some Foot-Soldiers on the other side of the River, too suddenly discovered themselves, probably there had been a greater slaughter of the Enemy, who hasted out of the River again, and fled into a Swamp where there was no pursuing of them.

May 30. The Enemy appeared at Hatfield, fired about twelve houses and barns without the Fortification, killed many of their Cattle, drave away almost all their Sheep, spread themselves in the meadow between Hatfield and Hadley. Whereupon twenty five active and resolute men went from Hadly to relieve their distressed Brethren. The Indians shot at them ere they could get out of the Boat, and wounded one of them. Ours nevertheless charged on the Enemy, shot down five or six at the first volley near the River. Then they made hast toward the town fighting with a great number of the Enemy, many falling before them. And though encompassed with a numerous swarm of Indians, who lay in Ambush behind almost every tree, and place of advantage, yet the English lost not one man, till within about an hundred rod of the Town, when five of ours were slain; among whom was a precious young man, whose name was Smith, that place having lost many in losing that one man. It speaketh sadly to the rising Generation when such are taken away. After this the Enemy fled, having lost five and twenty in this fight.

In these two last months of May and April, besides the Sword of War, in respect of the Heathen, the Sword of the Lord hath been drawn against this Land, in respect of Epidemical Diseases, which sin hath brought upon us; Sore and (doubtless) Malignant Colds prevailing everywhere. I cannot hear of one Family in New England that hath wholly escaped the Distemper, but there have been many Families wherein everyone in the House was sick and ill disposed. So as that there have been many sick and weak, and some are fallen asleep, yea some eminent and useful Instruments hath the Lord removed, and made breaches thereby upon divers of the Colonies of New England.

Connecticut is deprived of their worthy and public-spirited Governor Winthrop. This Colony of Mattachusets hath been bereaved of two, ( viz. Major Willard and Mr. Russel ) who for many years had approved themselves faithful in the Magistracy. And the death of a few such is as much as if thousands had fallen; yet many other righteous and useful ones are gone, leaving us behind in the storm. And amongst the common people, not a few have been carried to their Graves in these two last Months. We have heard of no less than eight in one small Plantation buried in one week, wherein also twenty persons died this Spring. And in another little Town nineteen persons have died within a few weeks. We in Boston have seen (a sad and solemn spectacle!) Coffins meeting one another, and three or four put into their Graves in one day. In the month of May about fifty persons are deceased in this Town. By which things, God from Heaven speaks to us and would give us to understand, that if the Sword will not reform us, he hath other Judgments in store, whereby he can suddenly and easily bring us down. The Lord help us to apply our hearts unto Wisdom, and make us thankful, in that he hath been entreated graciously and wonderfully to restore health unto us again.

In the latter end of May and beginning of June, the Indians have been less active in the pursuit of their mischievous designs against the English. One reason whereof hath been, in that it was now their planting and fishing time: for at this time of the year, they supply themselves with fish out of the Ponds and Rivers wherewith this good Land doth abound, and dry it against the Sun, so as that they can lay up in store, for to serve them the year about. But it would have been no wisdom for the English to suffer them so to do. Wherefore about four or five hundred Soldiers were sent out of this Colony, and as many ( English and Indians together) of Connecticut, to seek out and disrest the Enemy.

June 7. Our Forces now abroad came upon a party of Indians, not far from Lancaster, and killed seven of them, and took nine and twenty of them Captive; some of which not long since had English Captives; under them. Thus did they that had led into Captivity, go into Captivity; and they that killed with the Sword were themselves killed with the Sword.

Also Connecticut Forces, whilst upon their march, killed and took above fifty Indians: and not long after that, a small party of Connecticut Soldiers with the afsistance of a few of those Indians who have been friends to the English, slew and took forty and four of the Enemy in the Narraganset Country; all these exploits being performed without the loss of any of ours.

June 12. T • e Enemy assaulted Hadly, in the morning, Sun an hour high three Soldiers going out of the Town without their Arms; were dissuaded therefrom by a Serjeant, who stood at the Gate, but they alleging that they intended not to go far, were suffered to pass, within a while the Serjeant apprehended, that he heard some men running; and looking over the Fortification, he saw twenty Indians pursuing those three men who were so terrified, that they could not cry out; two of them were at last killed, and the other so mortally wounded as that he lived not above two or three days; wherefore the Serjeant gave the Alarm. God in great mercy to those Western Plantations had so ordered by his providence, as that Connecticut Army was come thither before this onset from the enemy. Besides English, there were near upon two hundred Indians in Hadley, who came to fight with and for the English, against the common enemy, who was quickly driven off at the South end of the Town, whilst our men were pursuing of them here, on a sudden a great Swarm of Indians issued out of the Bushes, and made their main assault at the North end of the Town, they fired a Barn which was without the Fortifications, and went into an house, where the inhabitants discharged a great Gun upon them, whereupon about fifty Indians were seen running out of the house in great haste, being terribly frighted with the Report and slaughter made amongst them by the great Gun. Ours followed the enemy (whom they judged to be about five hundred, and by Indian report since, it seems they were seven hundred) near upon two miles, and would fain have pursued them further, but they had no Order so to do. Some in those parts think, that as great an opportunity and advantage as enemy to them, and there being English and Indians enough to pursue them: But others supposing that then they should impede the design of coming upon them at the Falls, nothing was done until it was too late, only the Towns in those places were eminently saved, and but few of ours that lost their lives in this Skirmish, nor is it as yet known how many the enemy lost in this fight. The English could find but three dead Indians: yet some of them who have been taken Captive, confess that they had thirty men killed this day. And since we have been informed by Indians, of that which is much to be observed, viz. that while the Indian men were thus fighting against Hadley, the hand of the Lord so disposed, as that the Mohawks came upon their Head-Quarters, and smote their Women and Children with a great Slaughter, and then returned with much plunder. If indeed it was so (and the Indians are under no temptation to report a falsehood of this nature) it is a very memorable passage.

June 15. This day was seen at Plymouth the perfect form of an Indian Bow appearing in the air; which the Inhabitants of that place (at least some of them) look upon, as a Prodigious Apparition. The like was taken notice of, a little before the Fort Fight in the Narraganset Country. Who knoweth but that it may be an Omen of ruin to the enemy, and that the Lord will break the bow and spear asunder, and make wars to cease unto the ends of the ea • th? Nor is this (may I here take occasion a little to digress, in order to the inserting of some things, hitherto not so much observed, as it may be they ought to be) the first Prodigy that hath been taken notice of in New-England. It is a common observation, verified by the experience of many Ages, that great and public Calamities seldom come upon any place without Prodigious Warnings to forerun and signify what is to be expected. I am slow to believe Rumors of this nature, nevertheless some things I have had certain Information of.

It is certain, that before this War brake out; viz on Sept. 10. 1674. In Hadley, Northampton, and other Town thereabouts was heard the report of a great piece of Ordinance, with a shaking of the earth, and a considerable Echo, when as there was no Ordinance really discharged at or near any of those Towns at that time. Yea no less than seven years before this war there were plain prodigious Notices of it. For,

Anno 1667. There were fears on the spirits of many of the English, concerning Philip and his Indians, and that year, Novemb. 30. about 9. or 10. ho. A. M. being a very clear, still, Sun-shine morning, there were divers Persons in Maldon, who heard in the air on the South-east of them, a great Gun go off, and as soon as that was past, they heard the report of small Guns like musket shot, discharging very thick, as if it had been at a general Training; but that which did most of all amaze them, was the flying of the Bullets that came singing over their heads, and seemed to be very near them, after this they heard drums passing by them and going Westward. The same day, at Scituate, (and in other places) in Plymouth Colony, they heard as it were the running of troops of horses.

I would not have mentioned this relation, had I not received it from serious, faithful and judicious hands, even of those who were ear-witnesses of these things.

And now that I am upon this Digression, let me add, that the monstrous births which have at sundry times happened, are speaking solemn providences. Especially that which was at Woburn, Febru. 23. 1670. When the Wife of Joseph Wright was delivered of a Creature, the form thereof was as followeth.

There are judicious persons, who upon the consideration of some relative circumstances, in that monstrous birth, have concluded that God did thereby bear witness against the Disorders of some in that place. As in the days of our Fathers, it was apprehended that God did testify from heaven against the monstrous Familistical Opinions that were then stirring, by that direful Monster which was brought forth by the wife of William Dyer, Octo. 17. 1637. a description whereof may be seen in Mr. Welds his History of the Rise and Ruin of Antinomianism. p. 43, 44. and in Mr. Clerks Examples vol. 1. p. 249.

Certainly God would have such providences to be observed and recorded; He doth not send such things for nothing, or that no notice should be taken of them. And therefore was I willing to give a true account thereof, hoping that thereby mistakes and false Reports may be prevented.

To go on then with our History.

June. 16. Our Forces marched towards the Falls, ours on the East and Connecticut on the West side of the River. when they were about three miles out of the Towns, a vehement storm of rain, with thunder and lightening overtook them, yet continuing but a while, they passed on till they came to the Falls, but the enemy was then gone. The next day it rained again, and continued a cold Euroclydon, or, North-east storm all that day and night, so that our Soldiers received much damage in their arms, ammunition and provision; and the next day (being Lord's day) returned to the Towns, weary and discouraged, the Lord having seemed to fight against them by the storm mentioned. Thus doth the Lord in Wisdom and Faithfulness mix his Dispensation towards us.

June 19. A party of Indians set upon Swanzy and burnt down the remaining houses there, except five houses whereof four were Garrisons.

June 20. Connecticut Forces returned home in order to a recruit, intending to meet with ours the next week at Quabaog.

June. 21. was kept as a day of solemn Humiliation in one of the Churches in Boston, so was the next day in all the Churches throughout the Colony of Plymouth, After which we have not received such sad tidings, as usually such days have been attended with; ever since this War began (as the precedent History doth make to appear) but rather such Intellegince from divers parts of the Country as doth administer ground of hope, and of rejoicing, the Lord seeming to return with mercy to his people, and to bring the enemy into greater distresses then formerly.

June 28. About thirty of ours adventured to go up the River towards the Falls at Deer field, to see what Indians they could espy thereabouts, but coming they found none. They went to an Island where they found an hundred Wigwams, and some English plundered Goods, which they took, and burnt the Wigwams. Also they marched up to a Fort which the Indians had built there, and destroyed it. Digging here and there they found several Indian Barns, where was abundance of Fish, which they took and spoiled, as also thirty of their Canoos, so that it appears that the Heathen are distressed and scattered, being no more able to continue together in such great Bodies as formerly.

June 29. Was observed as a day of public Thanksgiving to celebrate the praises of that God, who hath begun to answer Prayer. And although there is cause for Humiliation before the Lord, inasmuch as the Sword is still drawn against us, nevertheless we are under deep engagement to make his praise glorious; considering how wonderfully he hath restrained and checked the insolency of the Heathen. That Victory which God gave to our Army, December 19. and again May 18. is never to be forgotten: also in that divers Indian Sachims (especially their great Sachim Quanonchet ) have fallen before the Lord, and before his Servants. And in that things have been no worse with us, since the year of trouble hath been upon us, that no more Indians have been let loose upon us, but many of them have been our friends, that no more Plantations have been made desolate, which nothing but the restraining gracious providence of God hath prevented, for the Enemy might easily have destroyed ten times as many Towns as they have done, had not he that sets bounds to the raging of the Sea, restrained them; yea, one whole Colony hath been in a manner untouched, saving that one small deserted Plantation therein was burnt by the Indians; also sundry Towns that have been fiercely assaulted by the Enemy, having obtained help from God, to continue to this day, as brands plucked out of the fire, and as monuments of the sparing mercy of God, although they have been in the fire they are not consumed. And God hath returned many of our Captives, having given them to find compassion before them who led them Captive; and caused the Enemy to entreat them well, in the time of affliction, and in the time of evil, and by strange ways at last delivered them. He hath also sent in a supply of Corn from beyond Sea, this Spring and before winter, without which we could not easily have sent out such Armies (however small and not worthy of the name of Armies in other parts of the World; yet with us they are Armies) as have been pursuing the Enemy. Its wonderful to consider, how that the Lord hath visited his People in giving them Bread, when a Famine was expected. And this Summer, God hath caused the shower to come down in its season, there have been showers of Blessing when some beginnings of a Drought were upon the Land. And sore Diseases hath the Lord rebuked; whereas the small Pox and other Malignant and Contagious Distempers have been amongst us since this War began, God hath been entreated to have compassion on us, and to restore health unto his people. Moreover, we are still under the enjoyment of our Liberties, both Civil and Spiritual: for such causes as these, the day mentioned was observed (by order of the Council) as a day of public Thanksgiving throughout this Colony: And behold when we began to sing and to praise the Lord whose mercy endureth forever, he hath as it were set Ambushments against the Enemy, and they were smitten, yea they have since that been smiting and betraying one another.

There are two things here observable:

1. Whereas this very day of the Moneth ( viz. June 29.) was kept as a day of public Humiliation the last year, being the first Fast that was observed in this Colony on the account of the present War, God hath so ordered, as that the same day of the month was in the year after set apart to magnify his Name on the account of mercies received, being the first public day of Thanksgiving, which hath been attended throughout this Colony since the War began.

2. The Lord from Heaven smiled upon us at this time; for the day before this Thanks-giving, as also the day after, he gave us to hear of more of our Captives returned; particularly Mr. Rowlandsons Children are now brought in as answers of Prayer. It is not a small mercy, that the mother and children (only one child was killed when the other were taken) should all of them be saved alive, and carried through the Jaws of so many deaths, and at last brought home in peace, that so they and all that ever shall hear of it, might see and know, that the Lord Jehovah, is a God that heareth prayer Also the night after this Thanksgiving, intelligence came to Boston, that a chief Narraganset Sachim is now suing to the English for peace, and that an Indian was come in to the English near Rehoboth, who informed that Philip was not far off, and that he had but thirty men (besides Women and Children) with him; and promised to conduct the English to the place where Philip was lurking, and might probably be taken; Moreover, the Indian affirmed, that those Indians who are known by the name of Mauquawogs (or Mohawks, i. e. Man-eaters had lately fallen upon Philip, and killed fifty of his men. And if the variance between Philip & the Mauquawogs came to pass, as is commonly reported & apprehended, there was a marvelous finger of God in it. For we hear that Philip being this winter entertained in the Mohawks Country, made it his design to breed a quarrel between the English and them; to effect which divers of our returned Captives do report that he resolved to kill some scattering Mohawks, and then to say that the English had done it: but one of those whom he thought to have killed, was onl wounded, and got away to his Country-men, giving them to understand, that not the English but Philip had killed the Men that were Murdered, so that instead of bringing the Mohawks upon the English, he brought them upon himself. Thus hath he conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood, he made a pit and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he hath made, his mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. The Heathen are sunk down into the pit that they made, in the net which they had hid, is their own foot taken; the Lord is known by the Judgment which he executeth, the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

June 30. This day Soldiers marched out of Boston towards the place, where Philip was supposed to be. But when they came thither, they found that he was newly gone. We hear that he is returned to Mount-hope, and that a considerable body of Indians are gathered to that place, where the War began, and where (it may be) way must be made towards an end of these troubles. Yet who knoweth how cruelly a dying Beast may bite before his expiration? Also Plymouth Companies being abroad under the conduct of Major Bradford, the Lord went forth with them, this day causing the enemy to fall before them. They were in danger of being cut off by a party of Indians who lay in Ambush for that end, but some of the Cape-Indians, who have been faithful to the English, discovered the Stratagems of the Adversary, whereby their intended mischief was happily prevented. Divers of them were killed and taken, without the loss of so much as one of ours. And whereas, three Messengers from Squaw Sachem of Sakonet, were gone to the Governor of Plymouth, offering to submit themselves, and engaging Fidelity to the English for the suture, if they might but have a promise of life, and liberty; before the Messengers returued from their treaty, that Squaw-Sachim with about ninety persons, hearing that Plymouth Forces were approaching to them, came and rendered themselves to Major Bradford; wholly submitting to mercy, so that this day were killed, taken, and brought in no less then an hundred and ten Indians. And the providence of God herein is the more observable, in that the very day before this, the Lord's People in Plymouth did unanimously consent to renew their Covenant with God, and one another, and a day of Humiliation was appointed for that end, that so a work so sacred and awful might be attended with the more solemnity; also in the week before these signal smiles from Heaven upon that Colony, most of the Churches there, had renewed their Covenant, viz. on the day of Humiliation which was last attended throughout that jurisdiction. God then saith unto us, that if we will indeed hearken unto his voice, the haters of the Lord shall soon submit themselves.

July 1. Whereas the Council at Boston had lately emitted a Declaration, signifying, that such Indians as did within fourteen days come in to the English, might hope for mercy, divers of them did this day return from among the Nupmicks. Amongst others, James an Indian, who could not only read, and write, but had learned the Art of Priuting, notwithstanding his Apostasy, did venture himself upon the mercy and truth of the English Declaration which he had seen and read, promising for the future to venture his life against the common Enemy. He and the other now come in, affirm that very many of the Indians are dead sicne this War began, and that more have died by the hand of God, in respect of Diseases, Fluxes, and Fevers, which have been amongst them, than have been killed with the Sword.

July 2. This day Connecticut Forces being in the Narraganset Country met with a party of Indians, pursued them into a Swamp, killed and took an hundred and fourscore of them (amongst whom was the old Squaw-Sachem of Narraganset ) without the loss of one English-man. Only an Indian or two that fought for the English, was killed in this engagement. The English would gladly have gone further, and have joined with Boston and Plymouth Companies to pursue Philip at Mount-hope, but the Connecticut Indians would by no means be persuaded thereunto, until such time as they had returned home with the booty they had taken. And as they were on their march homeward, they took and slaughtered threescore more Indians. In the mean while the other Colonies are sending out soldiers towards Mount-hope, where Philip with a multitude of Indians lately flocked thither is reported to be, designing speedily to fall upon the neighbouring Towns.

July. 6. Five or six Indian Sachems did make peace with the English in the Eastern parts of this Colony. They have brought in with them three hundred men besides women and children. One of the Sachims did earnestly desire, that the English would promise that no more liquors should be sold or given to the Indians, that so they might not be in a Capacity of making themselves drunk, having fouud by woeful experience, that that hath been a ruining evil to many of them. This week also about two hundred Indians more came and submitted themselves to mercy, in Plymouth Colony, being partly necessitated thereeuto by the distresses which God in his holy providence hath brought them into, and partly encouraged by a promise from the Government there, that all such Indians as would come in and lay down their arms should have life and liberty granted to them, excepting only such as had been active in any of the murders which have been committed. When these Indians were in the hands of the English, a certain Squaw amongst them, perceiving that it would be pleasing to the English, if the murderers were discovered, she presently told of one who had had a bloody hand in the murders which were done in Mr. Clerks house March the twelfth, the Indian immediately confessed the Fact, only said that there was another who had as great a hand therein as he, which other Indian being examined confessed the thing also, and he revealed a third Indian Murderer, who upon Examination owned the thing, whereupon they were all three forth with executed, thus did God bring upon them the innocent blood which they had shed. Also the Indians who had surrendered themselves, informed that a bloody Indian called Tuckpoo (who the last summer murdered a man of Boston at Namasket ) with about twenty Indians more, was at a place within 16 miles of Plymouth, and manifested willingness to go and fetch him in, whereupon eight English with fourteen Indians, marched out in the night, and seized upon them all, none of ours receiving any hurt at this time. Justice was speedily executed upon the Indian, who had been a murderer; the other having their lives granted them.

July 7. A small party of our Indians having some English with them, took and killed seven of the Enemy in the Woods beyond Dedham, whereof one was a petty Sachem. The two Indians which were then taken Prisoners, say that many of their men who were sent to Albany for a supply of Powder, were set upon in the way by the Mobawks, and killed,. It is is certain that about this time, some of those Indians who are in Hostility against the English (amongst whom the Sachim of Springfield Indians, was one) came to Albany to buy Powder, and that they might effect their design, they lied and said, that now they had made peace with the English, and desired Powder only to go an hunting in the Woods: we hear, that the other Indians were very desirous to have slain them, but the Governor of New-York secured them, and gave notice to the Council at Hartford: since that we have Intelligence that many of our enemies, yea and such as have been notorious Murderers, are fled for refuge to those about Albany.

July 11. A Party of Indians ('tis conjectured that there were about two hundred of them) assaulted Taunton. And in probability, that Town had at this time been brought under the same desolation other places have experienced, had not the Lord in his gracious providence so ordered, that a Captive Negro, the week before escaped from Philip, and informed of his purpose speedily to destroy Taunton; whereupon Soldiers were forth with sent thither, so that the enemy was in a little time repulsed, and fled, after they had fired two Houses: but not one English Life was lost in this Engagement. What loss the enemy sustained is as yet unknown to us. There was a special providence in that Negroes escape, for he having lived many years near to the Indians, understood their Language, and having heard them tell one another what their designs were, he acquainted the English therewith, and how Philip had ordered his men to lie in Ambuscadoes in such places, to cut off the English, who by means of this intelligence escaped that danger, which otherwise had attended them.

About this time we hear that there are three hundred Mohaugs, who have armed themselves, as being desirous to be revenged upon those Indians who have done so much harm to New-England (if they receive no discouragement as to their designed Expedition) And that they purpose to colous their heads and make them yellow, that so they may not upon their approach to any of our Plantations, be mistaken for other Indians.

There is another thing which though it do not concern the Warr, yet happening this week, it may not be amiss here to take notice of it. At Saconesset in Plymouth Colony, a female Child was born with two heads, perfectly distinct each form other, so that it had four eyes, and four ears, and two mouths and tongues, &c.

July 22. Some of our Companies returned from Mount-hope to Boston, And albeit they have not attained that which was the main end proposed in their going forth, sc. the Apprehension of Philip, nevertheless God was in a gracious measure present with them; for they killed and took about an hundred and fifty Indians in this expedition, with the loss of but one English man. One night they lodged very near unto Philip, but he kept himself private and still in a Swamp, ours not imagining that he had been so near, as afterwards (by Indian Captives) they perceived he was: after this an Indian that was taken Prisoner engaged that if they would spare his life, he would forthwith bring them to Philip, but our Soldiers were not able to go the nearest way towards him, yet in about two hours space, they came whither the Indian conducted them, and found that a great many Indians were newly fled, having for hast left their Kettles boiling over their fires, and their Belts, and Baskets of Wampampeag, yea and their dead unburied. At that time did the English take and kill about feventy persons: since an Indian that came into Rhode-Island, informeth, that Philip is gone to a Swamp near Dartmouth: and that when our Forces were pursuing of him, he with a few hid himself in Squanakunk Swamp, till our Soldiers were past, and then with one Indian in a Canoo crossed the river to Pocasset. It seems the body of the Indians belonging to him, went over on two Rafts, in which passage they lost several Guns, and wet much of their Ammunition. The reason why Philip fled to this place, was because if he went Northward, the Mohawks would be upon him, if Southward he was in danger of the Monbegins, and he durst not hide himself any longer about Metapoisit, because the Woods thereabouts were filled with Soldiers. This week also, Captain Church of Plymouth, with a final party consisting of about eighteen English, and two and twenty Indians, had four several engagements with the Enemy, and killed and took Captive seventy nine Indians, without the loss of so much as one of ours; it having been his manner, when he taketh any Indians by a promise of favor to them, in case they acquit themselves well, to set them an hunting after more of these Wolves, whereby the worst of them, sometimes do singular good service in finding out the rest of their bloody fellows. In one of these Skirmishes, Tiashq, Philip's chief Captain, ran away leaving his Gun behind him, and his Squaw, who was taken. They came within two miles of the place where Philip hideth himself, and discerned at a distance about fifty Indians with Guns, thought to be Philip's Hunters for provision, and were desirous to have engaged with them, but being loaden with Captives and plunder, they could not thenattend it. Also a Sachim of Pocasset hath submitted himself with forty Indians more, to the Governor of Plymouth, So that there is of late such a strange turn of providence (especially in Plymouth Colony, since the Churches in that Colony (being thereunto provoked by the godly advice and Recommendation of the civil Authority in that Jurisdiction) did solemnly renew their covenant with God and one another ) as the like hath rarely been heard of in any age. Whereas formerly almost every week did conclude with sad tidings, now the Lord sends us good news weekly. Without doubt, there are in the World who have been praying for us, and God hath heard them. If our poor prayers may be a means to obtain mercy for them also, who have prayed for us, how shall we rejoice, when we meet together before Jesus Christ at the last and great day?

July 25. Thirty and six English-men who went out of Medfield and Dedham, having nine of the Praying Indians with them, pursued and overtook a party of the Enemy, killed and took alive fifty of them, without the loss of any of ours. The nine Indians stored themselves with plunder when this exploit was done: For besides Kettles, there was about half a bushel of Wampampeag, which the Enemy lost, and twelve pound of Powder, which the Captives say they had received from Albany but two days before. At this time another of the Narraganset Sachims was killed, whose name was Pomham, and his Son was taken alive, and brought Prisoner to Boston. This Pomham after he was wounded so as that he could not stand upon his legs, and was thought to have been dead, made a shift (as the Soldiers were pursuing others) to crawl a little out of the way, but was found again; and when an English-man drew near to him, though he could not stand, he did (like a dying Beast) in rage and revenge, get hold on that Soldiers head, and had like to have killed him, had not another came in to his help, and rescued him out of the enraged dying hands of that bloody Barbarian, who had been a great promoter of the Narraganset War.

July 27. One of the Nipmuck Sachims (called Sagamore John ) came to Boston, and submitted himself to the mercy of the English, bringing in about an hundred and fourscore Indians with him. And that so he might ingratiate himself with the English, he apprehended Matoonas and his Son, and brought them with him to Boston, which Matoonas was the beginner of the War in this Colony of Massachusetts; for it was he that committed the murders which were done at Mendam, July 14. 1675. Being thus taken and examined before the Council, he had little to plead for himself, and therefore was condemned to immediate death. Sagamore John was desirous that he and his men might be the Executioners; wherefore Matoonas was carried out into the Common at Boston, and there being tied to a Tree, the Sachim who had now submitted himself, with several of his men, shot him to death. Thus did the Lord (a year after) retaliate upon him the innocent blood which he had shed, as he had done so God hath requited him: And inasmuch as Matoonas, who began the War and Mischiefs which have followed thereon in this Colony of Massachusetts is taken, and Justice glorified upon him, it seems to be a good Omen, that ere long Philip who began the War in the other Colony, shall likewise be delivered up unto Justice. In due time his foot shall slide, and the things which shall come upon him seem to make haste.

July 31. A small party of Soldiers, whose hearts God had touched, marched out of Bridgewater, in order to pursuing the Enemy. And (about 3 h. p. m. ) not far from Tetignot River, they unexpectedly to themselves, and undiscerned by the Enemy, came upon a company of Indians, amongst whom Philip himself was, though his being there was not known to our men, until the engagement was over. They shot down ten Indians, they were well armed, and at first snapped their Guns at the English, but not one of them took fire; wherefore the terror of God fell upon the Indians, that fifteen of them threw down their Guns, and submitted themselves to the English, the rest fled; Philip himself escaped very narrowly with his life. He threw away his stock of Powder into Bushes, that he might hasten his escape, albeit some of his men the next day found it again. Our Soldiers took above twenty pound of Bullets and Lead, and seven Guns, five of which were loaden and primed: yea they took the chief of Philip's Treasure, not being able to carry away all their Plunder that day, for they found much English goods which Philip had stolen. Philip made his escape with three men, one of which was killed. And although he himself got clear, yet his Uncle, whose name was Uncompoen, being one of his chief Counselors, was slain, and Philip's own Sister was taken Prisoner: not so much as one English-man received any hurt at this time. Thus did God own Bridgewater, after the People therein had subscribed with their hands, and solemnly renewed their holy Covenant with God, and one another, that they would reform those evils which were amongst them, and endeavor for the future to walk more according to the will of God in Jesus Christ.

August 1. Captain Church with thirty English-men, and twenty Indians following Philip and those with him, by their track took twenty and three Indians. The next morning they came upon Philip's head Quarters, killed and took about and hundred and thirty Indians, with the loss of but one English-man. In probability many of the English Soldiers had been cut off at this time, but that an Indian called Matthias, who fought for the English, when they were come very near the Enemy, called to them in their own Language with much vehemency, telling them they were all dead men if they did but fire a Gun, which did so amuse and amaze the Indians, that they lost a great advantage against the English. Philip hardly escaped with his life this day also. He fled and left his Peag behind him, also his Squaw and his Son were taken Captives, and are now Prisoners in Plymouth. Thus hath God brought that grand Enemy into great misery before he quite destory him. It must needs be bitter as death to him, to lose his Wife and only Son (for the Indians are marvelous fond and affectionate towards their Children) besides other Relations, and almost all his Subjects and Country too.

August. 3. This day the Lord smiled upon this Land by signal favor, in another respect which concerns not the present War. For whereas in the Month of July, there had been a sore Drought, which did greatly threaten the Indian Harvest, God opened the bottles of Heaven, and caused it to rain all this night, and the day after, so as that the Indian corn is recovered to admiration, the English Harvest being already gathered in, and more plentiful than in some former years, insomuch that this which was expected to be a year of Famine, is turned to be a year of plenty as to provision.

Whilst I am writing this, good information is brought to me, that in some parts of Connecticut Colony, the Drought was sorer than in this Colony, inasmuch as the Trecs began to languish, and the Indians to despair of an Harvest; wherefore Uncas (for although he be a friend to the English, yet he and all his men continue Pagans still) set his Powaws on work to see if they could by powawing (i. e. conjuring) procure rain, but all in vain; He therefore sent Westward to a noted Powaw, to try his skill, but neither could that Wizzard by all his hideous and diabolical howlings obtain showers. Whereupon he (i. e. Uncas ) applied himself to Mr. Fitch (the Faithful and able Teacher of the Church in Norwich ) desiring that he would pray to God for rain. Mr. Fitch replied to him, that if he should do so, and God should do so, and God should hear him, as long as their Powaws were at work, they would ascribe the rain to them, and think that the Devil whom the Indians worship, and not God, had sent that rain, and therefore he would not set himself to pray for it, until they had done with their vanities and witcheries. Uncas and his Son Oweneco declared that they had left off Powawing, despairing to obtain what they desired. Mr. Fitch therefore called his Church together, and they set themselves by Fasting and Prayer, to ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain, and behold! that very night, and the next day, He that saith to the small rain, and to the great rain of his Strength, be thou upon the earth, gave most Plentiful Showers, in as much as the Heathen were affected therewith, acknowledging that the God whom we serve is a great God, and there is none like unto him.

August 6. An Indian that deserted his fellows, informed the Inhabitants of Taunton that a party of Indians who might be easily surprised, were not very far off, and promised to conduct any that had a mind to apprehend those Indians in the right way towards them, whereupon about twenty Soldiers marched out of Taunton, and they took all those Indians, being in number thirty and six, only the Squaw-Sachem of Pocasset, who was next unto Philip in respect of the mischief that hath been done, and the blood that hath been shed in this Warr, escaped alone; but not long after some of Taunton finding an Indian Squaw in Metapoiset newly dead, cut off her head, and it happened to be Weetamoo, i. e. Squaw-Sachem her head. When it was set upon a pole in Taunton, the Indians who were prisoners there, knew it presently, and made a most horrid and diabolical Lamentation, crying out it was their Queens head. Now here it is to be observed, that God himself by his own hand, brought this enemy to destruction. For in that place, where the last year, she furnished Philip with Canooes for his men, she herself could not meet with a Canoo, but venturing over the River upon a Raft, that brake under her, so that she was drowned, just before the English found her. Surely Philip's turn will be next.

August. 10. Whereas Potock a chief Counselor to the old Squaw-Sachem of Narraganset, was by some of Road-Island brought into Boston, and found guilty of promoting the War against the English, he was this day shot to death in the Common at Boston. As he was going to his execution, some told him that now he must dy, he had as good speak the truth, and say how many Indians were killed at the Fort-Fight last winter. He replied, that the English did that day kill above seven hundred fighting men, and that three hundred who were wounded, died quickly after, and that as to old men, women and Children, they had lost nobody could tell how many; and that there were above three thousand Indians in the Fort, when our Forces assaulted them, and made that notable slaughter amongst them.

August. 12. This is the memorable day wherein Philip, the perfidious and bloody Author of the War and woeful miseries that have thence ensued, was taken and slain, And God brought it to pass, chiefly by Indians themselves. For one of Philip's men (being disgusted at him, for killing an Indian who had propounded an expedient for peace with the English) ran away from him, and coming to Road-Island, informed that Philip was now returned again to Mount-Hope, and undertook to bring them to the Swamp where he hid himself. Providence so disposed, as that Capt. Church of Plymouth was then in Road-Island, in order to recruiting his Soldiers, who had been wearied with a tedious march that week, But immediately upon this Intelligence, he set forth again, with a small company of English and Indians. It seemeth that night Philip (like the man in the Host of Midean ) dreamed that he was fallen into the hands of the English, and just as he was saying to those that were with him, that they must fly for their lives that day, lest the Indian that was gone from him should discover where he was; Our Soldiers came upon him, and surrounded the Swamp (where he with seven of his men absconded) Thereupon he betook himself to flight; but as he was coming out of the Swamp, an English-man and an Indian endcavoured to fire at him, the English-man missed of his aim, but the Indian shot him through the heart, so as that he fell down dead. The Indian who thus killed Philip, did formerly belong to Squaw-Sachim of Pocasset, being known by the name of Alderman. In the beginning of the war, he came to the Governor of Plymouth, manifesting his desire to be at peace with the English, and immediately withdrew to an Island, not having engaged against the English nor for them, before this time. Thus when Philip had made an end to deal treacherously, his own Subjects dealt treacherously with him. This Woe was brought upon him that spoiled when he was not spoiled. And in that very place where he first contrived and began his mischief, was he taken and destroyed, and there was he (like as Agag was hewed in pieces before the Lord) cut into four quarters, and is now hanged up as a monument of revenging Justice, his head being cut off and carried away to Plymouth, his Hands were brought to Boston. So let all thine Enemies perish O Lord! When Philip was thus slain, five of his men were killed with him, one of which was his chief Captains son, being (as the Indians testify) that very Indian, who shot the first gun at the English, when the War began. So that we may hope that the War in those parts will die with Philip.

A little before this, the Authority in that Colony had appointed the seventeenth of this instant to be observed as a day of public Thanksgiving throughout that Jurisdiction, on the account of wonderful success against the Enemy, which the Lord hath blessed them with, ever since they renewed their Covenant with him; and that so they might have hearts raised and enlarged in ascribing praises to God, he delivered Philip into their hands a few days before their intended Thanksgiving. Thus did God break the head of that Leviathan, and gave it to be meet to the people inhabiting the wilderness, and brought it to the Town of Plymouth the very day of their solemn Festival: yet this also is to be added and considered, that the Lord (so great is the divine faithsulness) to prevent us from being lifted up with our successes, and that we might not become secure, so ordered as that not an English-man but an Indian (though under Churches influence) must have the honor of killing Philip. And the day before this, was attended with a doleful Tragedy in the Eastern parts of this Country; viz. at Falmouth in Casco-bay, where some of those treacherous and bloody Indians who had lately submitted themselves, and promised Fidelity to the English, killed and took Captive above thirty Souls. The chief Author of this mischief, was an Indian called Simon; who was once in the hands of the English, and then known to have been active in former Murders, having bragged and boasted of the mischief and murders done by him: we may fear, that God, who so awfully threatened Ahab, when he had let go out of his hand a Blasphemous Murderous Heathen, whom the Lord had devoted to destruction, was not well pleased with the English for concluding this, and other bloody Murderers, in the late Eastern peace. What the issue of this new flame thus breaking forth, shall be, or how far it shall proceed, is with him whose wisdom is infinite, and who doth all things well.

Thus have we a brief, plain, and true Story of the War with the Indians in New-England, how it began, and how it hath made its progress; and what present hopes there are of a comfortable closure and conclusion of this trouble; which hath been continued for a whole year and more. Designing only a Breviary of the History of this war; I have not enlarged upon the circumstances of things, but shall leave that to others, who have advantages and leisure to go on with such an undertaking.

There is one thing admirable to consider; I mean the providence of God in keeping one of these three United Colonies, in a manner untouched all this while: For Connecticut Colony hath not been assaulted by this Enemy, only a few houses in one deserted Plantation were burnt; and it is possible that one Indian alone might do that. Whether God intends another trial for them, or for what reason he hath hither to spared them, no one may as yet determine. Christ said unto Peter, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter: even so, although we do not at present fully perceive the meaning of this providence, yet hereafter it will be manifest. And albeit the same sins and provocations have been found with them that are to be charged upon others, nevertheless it must needs be acknowledged (for why should not that which is praise-worthy in Brethren be owned, that so God may have the glory of his grace towards and in his Servants?) they have in the management of this affair, acquitted themselves like men, and like Christians. It was prudently done of them, not to make the Indians who lived amongst them their Enemies, and the Lord hath made them to be as a Wall to them, and also made use of them to do great service against the common Enemies of the English. The Churches there have also given proof of their charity and Christianity, by a liberal Contribution towards the necessity of the Saints impoverished by this War in the other two Colo • ies, having collected and transported above a thousand Bushels of Corn, for the relief and comfort of those that have lost all through the Calamity of War; God will remember and reward that pleasant fruit. Nor have some of the Churches in this Colony (especially in Boston, which the Grace of Christ hath always made exemplary in works of that nature) been unwilling to consider their poor Brethren according to their Ability.

To Conclude this History, it is evident by the things which have been expressed, that our deliverance is as yet perfected; for the Nipmuck Indians are not yet wholly subdued: Moreover, it will be a difficult thing, either to subdue, or to come at the River Indians, who have many of them withdrawn themselves, and are gone far westward, and whilst they and others that have been in hostility against us, remain unconquered, we cannot enjoy such perfect peace as in the years which are past. And there seems to be a dark Cloud rising from the East, in respect of Indians in those parts, yea a Cloud which streameth forth blood. But that which is the saddest thought of all, is, that of late some unhappy scandals have been, which are enough to stop the current of mercy, which hath been flowing in upon us, and to provoke the Lord to let loose more Enemies upon us, so as that the second error shall be worse then the first. Only God doth deliver for his own Names sake: the Lord will not forsake his people for his great Names sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make us his people. And we have reason to conclude that Salvation is begun, and in a gracious measure carried on towards us. For since last March there are two or 3000. Indians who have been either killed, or taken, or submitted themselves to the English. And those Indians which have been taken Captive; & others also, inform that the Narragansets are in a manner rnined, there being (as they say) not above an hundred men left of them, who the last year were the greatest body of Indians in New-England, and the most formidable Enemy which hath appeared against us. But God hath consumed them by the Sword, and by Famine, and by Sickness, it being no unusual thing for those that traverse the woods to find dead Indians up and down, whom either Famine, or sickness, hath caused to dy, and there hath been none to bury them. And Philip who was the Sheba, that began and headed the Rebellion, his head is thrown over the wall, therefore have we good reason to hope that this Day of Trouble, is near to an end, if our sins do not undo all that hath been wrought for us. And indeed there is one sad consideration, which may cause humble tremblings to think of it, namely in that the Reformation which God expects from us it not so hearty and so perfect as ought to be. Divines observe, that whereas upon Samuel's exhortations, the people did make but imperfect work of it, as to the Reformation of provoking evils, therefore God did only begin their deliverance by Samuel, but left scattered Philistines unsubdued, who afterwards made head and proved a sore scourge to the Children of Israel, until David's time, in whose Reign there was a full Reformation, and then did the Lord give unto his people full deliverance. Nevertheless a sad Cantstrophe will attend those that shall magnify themselves against the people of the Lord of Hosts. It hath been observed by many, that never any (whether Indians or others) did set themselves to do hurt to New-England, but they have come to lamentable ends at last. New-England hath been a burthensome stone, all that have burdened themselves with it, have been cut in pieces. The experience of the present day, doth greatly confirm that observation, and give us ground to hope, that as for remaining enemies, they shall fare as others that have gone before them, have done. Yet this further must needs be acknowledged, that as to Victories obtained, we have no cause to glory in anything that we have done, but rather to be ashamed and confounded for our own ways. The Lord hath thus far been our Savior for his Names sake, that it might not be profaned among the Heathen whither he hath brought us. And God hath let us see that he could easily have destroyed us, by such a contemptible enemy as the Indians have been in our eyes; yea he hath convinced us that we-ourselves could not subdue them. They have advantages that we have not, knowing where to find us, but we know not where to find them, who nevertheless are always at home, and have in a manner nothing but their lives and souls (which they think not of) to lose; every Swamp is a Castle to them, and they can live comfortably on that which would starve English-men. So that we have no cause to glory, for it is God which hath thus saved us, and not we ourselves. If we consider the time when the enemy hath fallen, we must needs own that the Lord hath done it. For we expected (and could in reason expect no other) that when the Summer was come on, and the bushes and leaves of trees come forth, the enemy would do ten times more mischief then in the winter season; whenas since that, the Lord hath appeared against them, that they have done but little hurt comparatively. Had there not been, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a divine hand beyond all expectation manifested, we had been in a state most miserable this day. Also if we keep in mind the means and way whereby our deliverance hath thus been accomplished, we must needs own the Lord in all. For it hath not been brought to pass by our numbers, or skill, or valor, we have not got the Land in possession by our own Sword, neither did our omn arm save us, But God hath wasted the Heathen, by sending the destroying Angel amongst them, since this War began; and (which should always be an humbling consideration unto us) much hath been done towards the subduing of the enemy, by the Indians who have fought for us, sometimes more then by the English. And no doubt but that a great reason why many of them have of late been desirous to submit themselves to the English, hath been, because they were afraid of the Mohaugs who have a long time been a Terror to the other Indians. I have received it from one who was returned out of Captivity this Summer, that the Indians where he was, would not suffer any fires to be made in the night, for fear lest the Mohaugs should thereby discern where they were, and cut them off.

Now, as the Lord, who doth redeem Israel out of all his troubles, hath graciously and gloriously begun our Salvation, so let him perfect it, in such a way, as that no honor at all may come unto us, but that great glory may be to his own blessed Name forever. Let him bring health and cure unto this Jerusalem, and reveal the abundance of peace and truth: And it shall be unto him a Name of joy, a Praise and an honor before all the Nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that he will do unto us, and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness, and for all the prosperity that he will procure. If we hearken to his voice in these his solemn Dispensations, it surely shall be so. Not unto us O Lord; not unto us, but unto thy Name give Glory, for thy mercy and for thy Truths sake, Amen!