A Short NARRATIVE Of MISCHIEF done by the French and Indian Enemy, ON THE Western Frontiers Of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; From the Beginning of the French War, proclaimed by the King of France March 15 th 1743, 4; and by the King of GREAT BRITIAN March 29 th 1744, to August 2 d 1748.
Drawn up by the Reverend Mr. DOOLITTLE of Northfield in the County of Hampshire; and found among his Manuscripts after his Death.
And at the Desire of some, is now Published, with some small Additions, to render it more perfect.
BOSTON: Printed and Sold by S. KNEELAND, in Queenstreet. MDCCL.
A Short NARRATIVE, &c.
MY Purpose is only to relate Facts, as near as I am capable, from the best Information I could get: But it is probable there may be some Mistakes from Misinformation, arising from the different Apprehension Men have had concerning Facts, and the different Interests Men have in View: Some having a Desire to render their own, and the Actions of their Friends better than they were, and the Actions of others worse than they ought to appear: Which makes it difficult in every Case to obtain an impartial Account.
On the 15th of March 1743, 4, France being instigated by Spain (which was in open War with England) declared War with Great Britain: France had in Concert with Spain long laid this Scheme; hoping hereby to bring down England to their Will: And the aspiring young French Monarch hop'd to make himself great; and render his Neighbours low. The King of Great Britain soon had the News; and on the 29th of the same Month declared War against France.
[Page 2] What has been done by the Nations in Europe, on the Seas, or Continents, I am not about to relate; [...] what was done in these Western Frontiers of the Massachusetts.
1744.
The first Year of the War passed without any Mischief; and was spent in putting our selves into a Posture of Defence.
1745.
But in the Year 1745, July 5th, the Indian Enemy came to a Place called the Great Meadow on Connecticut River about sixteen Miles above Fort-Dummer; and took one William Phips as he was hoeing his Corn. The two that took him led him near half a Mile from the Place and stopt: Upon which (as we have heard from the Indians) one went down a steep Hill to fetch something they had left: on his Return Phips catch'd hold of one of their Guns, shot him down, and then fell upon the other with his Hoe, which he had carried with him; struck him down, and chop'd him very much, and then attempted to run away: But three Indians coming up at that Instant, shot him down, kill'd & scalp'd him, & mangled his Body very much: and we have heard, the Indian which he wounded with his Hoe, died afterwards of his Wounds.
July 10. The same, or some other Party of Indians, came to a Place called the Upper-Ashuelot, kill'd and scalp'd Deacon Josiah Fisher, as he was driving his Cows to the Pasture, about half a Mile from the Garrison.
October 11. A considerable Party of French & Indians, came to a Place called the Great Meadow; and made an Attempt on the Fort, but did not succeed: But took Mr. Nehemiah How Captive, and carried him to Quebec, where he died in Prison above a Year after he was taken. As these Enemies went off they kill'd and [Page 3]scalp'd one David Rugg, who with another Man was coming down the River in a Canoe; the other Man made his Escape: and they kill'd a Number of Cattle.
1746.
April 19. The Enemy came to the uppermost, and most Frontier Place in Connecticut River called Number Four; where they took three Men as they were going to Mill about half a Mile distant from the Garrison; viz. Capt. John Spafford, Isaac Parker, and Stephen Fainsworth. They were Prisoners some time in Canada; but are since returned to their Homes.
April 22. A Man was shot upon between Northfield and Deerfield; but only shot thro' the Brim of his Hat.
April 23. About fifty of the Indian Enemy came to a Place called the Upper-Ashuelot early in the Morning, and designed to have rush'd into the Garrison just after the People went out: But one at a little Distance from the Garrison saw them, and gave Warning to the People.—They pursued those that were out of the Garrison, and took one Nathan Blake Captive, who after a long Imprisonment is returned to his Friends. The Enemy approached near the Garrison-Gate, shot down one John Bullard, who soon died; and stab'd one Daniel McKenny's Wife in the Back with a long Knife, who soon died. Soon after which, the Enemy burnt seven Buildings, not only to devour the Peoples Substance, but to conceal their Dead; for humane Bones were found in the Ashes: They kill'd also twenty three Cattle.
April 26. It is probable some of the same Indians Way-laid the Road between Lunenburg and Northfield, and kill'd and scalp'd one Joshua Halton of Northfield; who was returning from Boston with a considerable Sum of Money for billeting of Soldiers.
[Page 4] May 2. The Enemy came again to Number Four; and as a few Men went out in the Morning about 50 or 60 Rods from the Fort, the Enemy lay in a Barn, fired on them; and kill'd one Seth Putnam: as the Enemy were scalping of him, Major Josiah Willard, with two Men, ran near to them, fir'd upon them, and made them immediately retreat in Confusion: and we hear by the Captives that two of the Enemy were kill'd as they were scalping Putnam.
May 6. A Party of Indians came to Lower-Ashuelot, and lay about the Garrison, till they observing Deacon Timothy Brown and Robert Moffet going out of the Garrison towards Upper-Ashuelot, Way-laid them, and fir'd upon them. Moffet shot on them and broke the chief Indian's Arm: They were both taken Captive, and carried to Canada; but are since returned.
At the same Time, a Party lay about the Garrison at the Upper-Ashuelot; and as one of them ventur'd to come up to the Fort, and shook the Gate in the Night, the Watch shot at the Gate, and shot the Indian thro' the bottom of his Belly: who died before he reach'd Crown Point.
May 9. A considerable Party of Indians came to Fall-Town; with a Design to rush into the Fort in the middle of the Day, when the Men were Abroad: but a Soldier a little distant from the Fort discovering them, alarmed the Fort; but he himself could not recover the Fort. There being but three Men in the Fort, defended themselves; the Women assisting in charging the Guns. The Enemy approached near the Fort; but were soon repulsed; did no Mischief, except slightly wounding John Buck, burning one House, and killing ten Cattle. The chief Indian had his Arm broke, and one or two more were wounded.
[Page 5] The same Day Serjeant John Hawks and John Mihils, being a little distant from Fort-Massachusetts, riding on a Horse; two Indians Way-laid them, fir'd upon them, and wounded both of them. Mihils made his Escape to the Fort. Serjeant Hawks falling from the Horse, the Indians ran to scalp him; but he soon recovering, presented his Gun: One Indian jump'd down the Bank, the other got behind a Tree: one being a little distant from his Gun, the other discharged; in their Language, as we have since heard, called for Quarter; but he not understanding them, continued hallowing to the Fort to come and help take them; but they not hearing, the Indians made their Escape.
May 10. Some of the Indians, that were the Day before disappointed at Fall-Town, turned off to Colerain, about ten Miles North West from Deerfield, and Way-laid the Road; and as one Matthew Clark with his Wife and Daughter, and three Soldiers, were going from the Garrison to Clark's House, they fir'd upon them: they kill'd and scalp'd said Clark, and wounded his Wife and Daughter: one Solider play'd the Man, fir'd several Times—defended and bro't off the Woman and her Daughter to the Fort, who are recovered of their Wounds.
May 24. There came a large Body of the Enemy to Number Four. Capt. Pain with his Troop arriving there while the Enemy lay in Ambush; about twenty Men went out of the Fort to view the Place where Putnam was kill'd: the Ambush rose, fir'd upon them, and endeavour'd to run between them and the Fort. Capt. Stevens and a Number of Men issued out of the Fort for their Relief: a Skirmish began, in which Aaron Lion, Peter Perrin, Joseph Mercy of Capt. Pain's Troop; Samuel Fainsworth, and Elijah Allen, belonging to the Fort, were killed: Quarter-Master Bacon [Page 6]wounded, and Ensign Obadiah Sartle taken Captive, who is since returned Home: He says, he saw five of the Enemy dead after the Fight: They left thirteen Blankets, five Coats, a Gun and other Things.
June 11. A considerable Number of Indians came to Fort-Massachusetts; fell upon some Men who were at Work some Distance from the Fort; kill'd, and scalp'd Elisha Nims; wounded Gershom Hawks: An Ambush arose near the Fort, and endeavoured to intercept those who were running to the Fort, but were repulsed by a brisk firing from the Fort: They took Benjamin Tainter Captive, who is since returned Home. They kill'd near One Hundred Creatures belonging to the English and Dutch. A few Days after, one of the Indians was found buried in the Side of the Bank of the River; and also some long Leading-Lines bro't to lead Captives Home in Triumph, were found.
June 19. A large Body of the Enemy came again to Number Four; and as Capt. Stevens and Capt. Brown, with about fifty Men were going into the Meadow perceived by the Dogs with them, that there was an Ambush by the Causey; which put them into a Readiness for an Engagement: One of Capt. Stevens's Men saw one of the Enemy, and fired at him: Upon which, the Ambush arose, and a sharp Engagement ensued: the Enemy were forced to retreat, drawing off their dead Men, as was known by the Signs afterwards discovered: None of our Men were kill'd on the Spot: Jedidiah Winchel was wounded, and died of his Wounds a Fortnight after: David Parker, Jonathan Stanhope, and Cornet Heaton, were wounded, but are recovered: a Scalp was drop'd by the Indians, supposed to be a French Scalp: one Gun, eight Blankets, and other Things left by the Enemy.
[Page 7] June 24. A Party of the Enemy came near to a Fort called Bridgman's-Fort, about two Miles below Fort-Dummer: fell upon some Men at Work in the Meadow, kill'd William Robbins, and James Bar [...]r: and took one Daniel How, and John Beaman Captive, who just before he was taken shot an Indian and kill'd him; they are since returned from Captivity: they also wounded Michael Gilson, and Partrick Ray, who are recovered of their Wounds.
July 3. A small Party of the Enemy laid an Ambush at Col. Hinsdell's Mill. Col Willard with about twenty Men went to get some Grinding: when they set the Mill a going, went to search round the Mill to see whether there were not an Ambush: and some of the Men happening to go where the Ambush was, the Enemy fired upon them: our Men engaged, and pursued them a little Way, and recovered of the Enemy the most of their Packs: one Wright was slightly wounded.
July 28. David Morrison of Colerain, a young lad, seeing a Hawk light on a Tree a little distance from his Father's Fort, went to shoot him: there happened to be about twelve Indians at the Place, who took him Captive: We have no certain News what became of him.
August 3. A large Body of the Enemy came to Number Four. The Dogs gave Information that the Enemy were about them: Early in the Morning some went out near to a Nursery, and were fir'd upon by some Indians who lay there. One Phillips was kill'd: the Enemy run off: our Men charg'd their Guns and returned to the Fort. Some time after, when they went to fetch Phillips into the Fort, the Ambush arose, and fired about an Hundred Guns at them: the Men fired some time, retreating to the Fort. The Enemy [Page 8]continued firing 'till the next Day: then burnt the Buildings, kill'd the Cattle, and drew off.
August 6. About thirty Indians came to Winchester; Way-laid the Road: and as six of our Men were passing, they fir'd on them, kill'd and scalp'd one Joseph Rawson, and slightly wounded Amasa Wright.
August 11. A small Party of Indians came to Northfield: Shot upon Benjamin Wright a young Man, as he was riding after Cows to bring them out of the Woods; but his Horse brought him into Town, and he died the following Night.
August 15. A Number of Indians shot upon four Men near Shattuck's-Fort, but hurt none. A few Days before, they hung up white Flag in Sight of the Fort.
August 17. Some Indians came to a Place called Pequalog; kill'd and scalp'd one Ezekiel Wallingford, who was alone out at some Distance from the Fort.
August 20. About seven or eight Hundred of French and Indians came to Fort-Massachusetts, and laid Seige about twenty-four Hours. After which, they desired to speak with the Officer; who admitted the Messenger into the Fort, who said in the Name of the General, that if they would surrender, they should be well used. Our Men consulted together, finding they had not Ammunition to stand them many Hours, tho' they had been sparing in firing; and considering the Number of Sick they had in the Fort, tho't it their wisest Method to make the best Capitulation they could: accordingly resigned themselves Prisoners of War into the Hands of the French; with the General's Promise, that none of them should be given into the Hands of the Indians; and that the Sick, and such as could not travel should be carried. Yet notwithstanding, He the next Day delivered one Half of our People into the Hands of the Indians; who the next Night kill'd one [Page 9]of our Men, who was sick, rather than carry him. The French treated our Men civilly and tenderly: So also did the Indians those with them according to their Manner. Thirty-two Men, Women and Children surrendred; many of whom died in Canada.
The Reason of this Garrison's being lost, was, it's want of Ammunition; which had they been well supply'd with, they might have defended the Fort, and done much greater Spoil on the Enemy than they did: yet we have had Intelligence that near fifty of the Enemy were kill'd before the Fort surrendered.
By whose Neglect the Fort was lost, we know not; but it's probable had the Officer been deficient, he would have been disgraced. But want of Ammunition was not only the Calamity of that Fort; but also of the greater Part of our Garrisons at that Time.
There was one Man kill'd in the Fight, and many died in Prison at Canada: Some are returned Home. And the Fort was burnt down; which it cost the Province many Hundreds to re-build.
August 22. As about ten of our Men were going from Deerfield to Colerain, two or three Indians lying by the Road, fired on them; shot down one Constant Bliss a Connecticut Soldier: the rest made off as fast as they were able: The Indians scalp'd Bliss: and finding some Rum our Men left; the Indians took it, got very merry with it, and (as they told afterwards) the next Morning when they awak'd, they were near one of the Garrisons at Colerain: The Rum had lik'd to have proved as fatal to them as to our Men.
August 25. Thirty of this Army came to Deerfield; not being satisfied with what was done at Fort-Massachusetts; and fell upon some People in the South Part of the Meadow: They kill'd and scalp'd Samuel Allen, Eleazer Hawks, Jun. Oliver Amsden, Simeon Amsden, of [Page 10] Deerfield, and Adonjah Gillet, a Soldier: they wounded Eunice Allen; and took Samuel Allen, a Child of about nine Years old: Allen kill'd one of the Enemy just before he was kill'd; and it is supposed another was kill'd by some other Person.
☞ Had there not been a continual firing in the Town from Day to Day; the People would have took the Alarm, and might have been upon the Enemy before ever they could have got out of the Meadow: Which shews the great Necessity of Order and Discipline in Frontier Towns.
This Summer a Proclamation was issued for inlisting Soliders for an Expedition against Canada: and a great Number freely inlisted, hoping the Time was coming, that God would deliver us out of the Hands of our Enemies in Canada: and the Soldiers especially inlisted out of the Garrisons; some in order to be freed from the Province Service, which they were weary of; others with some more generous Views for the public Good: and all Endeavours to put a Check to the Fury of the Enemy were stopt: the whole Concern was to get ready for the expected Expedition: but how this turned out, we all know: great Numbers of Men kept in Pay and Idleness 'till disbanded, to the Ruin of many of them, and the great Hurt of the Country.
1747.
March 30. About thirty or forty Indians came to a Fort called Shattuck's- Fort between Northfield and Col. Hinsdel's, with a Design to burn it: they had made Faggots of dry Spruce & Pitch Pine; dipt the Ends of them in Brimstone; brought Fire in a Kettle covered with a Blanket; and coming silently to the Fort in the Night, set it on Fire; which burnt down that Part of it which stood on the South-Side of the [Page 11] Brook: but presently after the Fire began, the Wind which was Southerly, turning to the Northward, and the Soldiers getting into the other Part, by help of the Brook and Wind, prevented the Progress of the Fire to the North-Side: and then the Enemy with Surprize observing the sudden Turn of the Wind, in our Favour, drew off without doing any other Mischief. The English fired at them, & broke the Leg of one of them.
March 31. Capt. Eleazer Melvin with some of his Company who were then at Northfield, pursued them to the Great Meadow, shot a-cross the River at them, and kill'd one of them. They burnt the Fort which the English had deserted.
April. 7. An Army of French and Indians came to Number Four, and laid Siege to the Garrison. Capt. Stevens being there with about thirty Men, made all necessary Provision for their Defence; especially by digging Trenches from under the Fort, about a Yard outwards in several Places, at so near a Distance to each other, as by throwing Water we might put out the Fire, in Case the Enemy by their four Wheel Carriages loaden with Faggots shoul'd set any outward Part of the Fort of Fire. They continued shooting, and throwing their Fire-Arrows for near two Days: and then desired to speak with the Captain, who admitted three of them into the Fort; three of our Men going out to the Enemy at the same Time: they demanded the Fort; & promis'd our Men to carry them safe to Mount-Real, to their Friends, if they would surrender: but the Captain assured them he should not resign the Fort.— After which they continued firing, and made some Preparation to Storm the Fort, till the next Day; and then they requested the Captain to sell them some Corn; he told them he would grant them five Bushels of Corn for every Hostage they should send into the [Page 12]Fort, to be kept till the Enemy should bring and deliver so many of our Captives from Canada. But on the third Day they drew off, having done no Mischief, except slightly wounding Joseph Ely and John Brown. Governour Knowles was so pleased with Capt. Stevens's Conduct, as to make him a Present of a very costly Silver-hilted Sword.
April 14. This or another Army came to Northfield, with a Design to have taken Part of the Town. The next Day a little after Sun-set, they kill'd and scalp'd Nathaniel Dickinson and Asahel Burt, as they were bringing Cows out of the Woods; and then drew off in the Night to Winchester, and the two Ashuelots, & burnt down those three Towns; which a little before had been deserted by the Inhabitants, because the Soldiers were all drawn off without any Orders to assist the Inhabitants in removing or carrying off their Substance:
☞ Such little Concern has there been to the poor People in the Frontiers at other Times as well as this.
May. 25. As Col. William Williams with a considerable Body of Canada-Soldiers were by Order of the Government re-building Fort-Massachusetts; an Army of the Enemy came upon them with a Design to frustrate them. Major Williams of Stockbridge had been to Albany for Stores; and was now on his Return with a Number of Waggons near the Fort: He sent a few Men this Morning to mend the Way, and give Notice to the Fort that they were a coming: when they had got within fifty or sixty Rods of the Fort, they saw the Enemy creeping towards the Fort: They fired upon them; which made them discover themselves, and fire at our Men who were on the Guard, and at Work; and pursue those who were coming from Major Williams: Our Men fired from the Fort, and pursued them at some distance from the Fort; [Page 13]'till the Enemy seemed to aim to get between them and the Fort, and then they retreated. The Enemy kill'd one Stockbridge-Indian, and wounded three more of our Men, who are since recovered. What Mischief was done upon them is uncertain.—But we have the following Account by the Way of the Indians—The Enemy discovered our Men when they went over, and immediately carried News to Canada: They sent out an Army of six Hundred: when they came near to Hoosuck, finding Part of our Men were gone to Albany, three Hundred went to Way-lay them; but falling in the Rear, supposed, by the Waggons and Signs of Men, there was a great Army gone from Albany, they therefore sent away a Post to them at the Fort, to give them Information: Who coming in the Time of the Engagement, was the Cause of their drawing off as they did; and that they lost Ten in the Engagement.
July 15. About thirty or forty Indians came to Fall-Town, and shot upon Eliakim Shelden as he was hoeing Corn in the Field: the escaped to the Fort, but died the Night after.
August. A Party of Indians went to Ashuelot, and kill'd three Cattle: Our Men went out after them, shot at them, and they at our Men, but no Mischief was done them.
August 26. A Party of the Enemy came to a Village South-West of Northampton: and kill'd and scalp'd Noah Clark as he was thrashing in his Barn.
October 1. Peter Boovee, a Soldier at Hoosuck, or Massachusetts Fort, went out a Hunting: A Party of the Enemy discovering him, took him Captive, and carried him to Canada: He is since returned.
October 16. As Major Willard, Captain Alexander, and others, were coming from Ashuelot to Northfield; in Winchester they met some Cattle running, as tho' [Page 14]pursued: Captain Alexander being foremost, saw a French Man in the Path coming towards him: When he saw our Men, he jumped out of the Path behind a Tree. Captain Alexander shot at him, and shot him in the Breast: The French Man came up to him, saluted him handsomely; but he soon grew faint, and as our Men supposed, was dying: They being afraid the Indians were near, made haste and left him: After our Men were gone, the Indians came to him, and he revived; they carried him some Way; but fearing the English would pursue them, left him; and a few Days after he came into Northfield, and resigned himself Prisoner to Captain Alexander. After he was healed of his Wound, he was carried to Boston; where he was kindly entertained. And in the Month of February following, was conducted back to Canada; and has been since out with the Indians, and done Mischief on our Frontiers.
October 19. As John Smead, who was taken at Fort-Massachusetts, and had just returned from Canada, was travelling from Northfield to Sunderland, was Way-laid by a small Party of Indians, and kill'd and scalp'd.
October 22. About forty of the Enemy came to a Place called Bridgmans-Fort, and took one Jonathan Sartle, as he was going from Col. Hinsdel's-Fort into the Woods. After which they burnt Capt. Bridgmans-Fort, House and Barn.
November 14. As twelve of our Men were drawing off from Number Four, a considerable Party of the Enemy Way-laid them within half a Mile of the Garrison; shot upon them, kill'd and scalp'd Nathaniel Goold and Thomas Goodale: Oliver Avery was wounded, John Henderson was taken Captive. It is observable; that the Night before; this Goodale, when he met with some Difficulty to obtain Liberty of his Officer to [Page 15]come off, said ‘he would come notwithstanding all the Powers above & below.’
March 15. The Snow being very deep, and our Men not fearing a small Party of sculking Indians, about eight of our Men went out about 60 Rods Distance from Number Four to get Wood: The Enemy about ten in Number come within 30 Rods of the Fort; run to meet our Men, fired upon them, killed Charles Stevens, wounded one Andreas, and took Eleazer Priest Captive. Our Men not having Snow Shoes could not run out of the Path and make their Escape: Nor had the Men in the Garrison Snow Shoes to pursue them, which the Enemy were informed of by the French Prisoner the Month before: For some of the Garrison told him as he went along, ‘they would gladly accompany him Part of the Way, but they had neither Indian Shoes nor Snow Shoes.’ Thus poorly have our Garrisons been stored; whilst many Hundred Pair of Snow Shoes lie on Spoil some where or other, which the Province have paid for.
1748.
March 29. About twelve or fifteen Indians Way-laid the Scout-Path from Fort Dummer to Colerain: Lieutenant Sergeant and four more went out in this Path to get some Timber for Oars and Paddles: About a Mile from Fort Dummer they were fired upon; Moses Cooper was mortally Wounded the first Shot, and made his Escape to the Fort as fast as he could; he died the next Night: Lieutenant Sergeant, his Son and Joshua Wells engaged the Enemy, fighting on a Retreat; Wells was soon killed; Sergeant encouraged his Son; said they should have Help from the Fort: They charged many Times: Sergeant shouted as often as the Enemy did, and called upon them to come out [Page 16]and fight boldly. These two fought on a Retreat half a Mile; but Lieutenant Sergeant was killed, and his Son taken: They could not have any Help from the Fort; there being but a few Men there, and some of them sick with the Measels, and others not having Snow-Shoes in Readiness, could not go on the Snow.
April 16. One Badcock was taken at Paquoig as he was at Work in his Field.
May 8. About twelve Indians lay in Ambush near an House at South Hampton, and killed one Noah Pixley.
May 21. About thirty Indians lay in Ambush near Fort-Massachusetts, to take our Men as they should come out towards Deerfield. Serjeant Elisha Chapin going out from Deerfield, with a Number of our Men, went silently along the Road, and came within a few Rods of them. One of the Enemy standing up looking towards the Fort discovered them: Chapin suspecting they might be Stockbridge Indians, called to them: Upon which the Ambush jump'd up and ran: Chapin and one or two more next to him fired at them and killed one of them, and got his Scalp: They left a Gun, the most of their Blankets, and many other Things.
May 25. Capt. Melvin with eighteen Men, who went out after the Enemy, came to the Lake a little South of Crown-Point; saw two Canoes about 50 or 60 Rods from the Shore, going to Crown-Point (these doubtless were the Indians who were drove from Hoosuck the Week before) Capt. Melvin and his Company shot 50 or 60 Guns: The Indians made a great Lamentation whilst they were shooting at them: Crown-Point immediately took the Alarm; fired their Cannon: And that Night our Men perceived the Enemy had got before them in their Way Home. Capt. Melvin took a contrary Course, when he come a-cross their Track, so that he escap'd them, 'till he came on [Page 17] West-River on the 31st of May; they laid an Ambush on the Bank of the River, where they were satisfied Capt. Melvin would come between them and the River: Providence so ordered it that Capt. Melvin stop'd within a few Rods of the Muzzles of the Enemies Guns; they fired on him: Our Men jump'd up the Bank, and fired at them; some of our Men that were in the Rear made up the River; our Men fired some Time at them, and suppose they killed several of the Enemy. Six of our Men were killed, viz. Joseph Petty, John Howard, John Dod, Daniel Man, Isaac Taylor, & Samuel Severance. Capt. Melvin and his Men came in, all but Six, at different Times at Fort Dummer. This was a surprizing Stroke, and struck a great Damp into the Spirits of our Men who had Thoughts of going into their Country; when they found how far the Indians would pursue them to get an Advantage upon them.
June 16. A large Body of the Enemy Way-laid the Road between Col Hinsdell's Fort and Fort Dummer: Thirteen of our Men going from Col. Hinsdell's to Fort Dummer, were shot upon; three were killed on the Spot. Some Time after, the Bones of a Man were found where they lodged the first Night: Joseph Richardson, Nathan French, and John Frost were killed on the Spot. The Man that was kill'd where they Lodg'd the first Night is supposed to be William Bickford; the rest were taken Captive, except three who made their Escape in the Fight.
June 26. As Capt. Humphrey Hobbs was passing with a Scout of forty Men from Number Four to Fort Shirley, they were pursued by One Hundred and fifty of the Enemy: and West of Fort Dummer, as our Men stop'd to eat some Victuals, their Guards being out, and the Man set to watch their back Track discovered the Enemy, who gave the Alarm. There immediately [Page 18]began a very hot Fight: The Enemy rushed on very violently; but our Men stood their Ground and gave them a warm Reception: The Fight lasted four Hours, in which Time three Men were killed, viz. Samuel Gunn, Ebenezer Mitchel & Ely Scot; & three very dangerously wounded, viz. Samuel Graves, who was shot in the Head, and some of his Brains came out; Daniel Mc'Keney had his Thigh broke; and Nathan Walker had his Arm broke, and the Bullet lodged between the Bones of the Arm: Ralph Ryce was slightly Wounded: Capt. Hobbs shot the last Gun at the Enemy, and is supposed to have killed the chief Indian who encouraged them in the Fight. After the Enemy were drawn off, Capt. Hobbs brought off his dead and wounded Men; came about half a Mile, and buried his Dead as well as he could in the dark: The next Day he bro't his Wounded into Fort Dummer, and the next Day to Northfield. The Enemy doubtless lost many; they went off without Shouting, and when some Captives saw them about a Week after, they looked very sorrowful. This was a very manly Fight; and all will grant our Men quitted themselves like Men, who Need not to be ashamed.
July 8. A Number of Indians came to the Upper-Ashuelot, and kill'd eleven Cattle. About the same Time a Fort of ours was taken at Lunenburg; two Soldier were killed; a Man & Woman & five Children were taken Captive, but are since returned.
July 14. The Enemy that fought with Capt. Hobbs having been as far as West River, and left Part of their Company, returned and Way-laid the Road between Col. Hinsdell's-Fort & Fort-Dummer; and as seventeen Men were going to Fort-Dummer, were shot upon. Serjeant Thomas Taylor commanded the Men to fight them; but the Enemy rushed upon them, killed two [Page 19]Men on the Spot, and wounded two more whom they carried about a Mile and killed. The Men killed were Joseph Rose, Asael Graves, — Billings, and — Chandler: Nine were taken Prisoners, viz. Serjeant Thomas Taylor, Thomas Crisson, John Henry, — Lawrence, — Walker, Daniel How, Jun. — Edghill, Daniel Farmer, & Ephraim Powers. Four escaped; one of whom was badly wounded, but is since recovered.
July 23. A small Party of the Enemy came to Northfield, and Way-laid the Town-Street; and as Aaron Belden was going from one Fort to another a little before Sun rise, they shot him down and scalp'd him; and run off into the Woods before any Body was really apprized what was the Matter. Thus bold and daring had the Enemy grown, before the Cessation of Arms.
August 1. A Large Body of the Enemy came to Fort-Massachusetts, and laid an Ambush: The Dogs made a Rout, which made the Men sensible that the Enemy were there. Capt. Williams and the Officers were consulting how to go out, and come upon them in their Ambush; but a few Soldiers ran out without Orders near where the Dogs bark'd: The Enemy arose some few of 'em and fir'd, which caused the Captain and his Men to rush out; one of the Enemy call'd to the Captain to come along: Our Men went so far, that the Ambush arose partly behind them nearer the Fort: Our Men stood and fired several Times a-piece without any Thing to shelter them from the Bullets; and retreated firing, to the Fort: In the Fight Lieutenant Hawley was shot thro' the Legg, Ezekiel Wells had his Thigh broke, but is almost recovered; one Abbot was shot thro' the Body, who died in a Day or two; we have heard considerable Spoil was done upon the Enemy. A Cessation of Arms being heard of in Canada, put a stop to the Enemy's coming out.
REMARKS. The following Remarks are easy and natural from the preceeding H [...]y.
1st. WHAT a great Difference there is between our managing a War, and our Enemies: The most we do is to defend our selves at Home; but they are for an offensive War. And it is true if they have any, they must have this; for a defensive War they can have none with us: For not a Man of ours has seen a French Settlement all this War, except such as were carried Captive or went with a Flagg of Truce.
2ndly. It is a rare thing we can obtain an Indian Scalp, let us do what Spoil we will upon them; so careful are they to carry off and conceal their Dead. For at Fort-Massachusetts, where it is probable near sixty have been killed, never have been found more than three Scalps; which shows us that our Men will not venture out after the Enemy on any Scalping Act whatsoever: Our Men will not venture their Lives and Service, on such uncertain Encouragements; if they should be much greater than ever they have been. The like is demonstrated at Number Four, where they have killed so many of the Enemy, never a Scalp could be recovered.
3dly. We may observe, Of how much Importance the Enemy judge those two Forts at Number Four and Hoosuck, to be to us, Hence their repeated Endeavours to destroy them; which they would not do, were they not advantageous to us, and in their Way in coming upon us.— And it shows how much it must encourage our Enemies, for us to give up either of them.
4thly. We may observe, How safely the Enemy can draw off, when they have done Miscief. I think but one Instance has there been all this War of our pursuing, and overtaking the Enemy to do any Spoil on them, and there are many Reasons for it: One is, that no Body may move 'til an Account is sent to the chief Colonel; and then Men must be mustered, which takes so long a Time that there is no possibility of our taking them. Another Reason is, that we never have Men near, equipp'd to pursue them in the Woods; and when they have gone a few Miles in the Woods, they are discouraged and return Home.
[Page 21] 5thly. It is observable, That the continual changing of Schemes renders all Measures for the War unsuccessful. Before any one single Scheme is tried, it is flung up, and nothing ever prosecuted to Advantage: There is scarce any one Scheme of more than six Months continuance.
6thly. We may observe, That when the Province have voted any Number of Men for a particular Service; by that Time the Commissary can furnish the Men with their Provisions, their Time is expired; and this was the Case the Summer past: It took the greater Part of the Summer to supply the Garrisons with Provisions; they were so scarce: And the Soldiers who were designed as Scouts towards Crown-Point, were a good Part of their Time employed in guarding Provisions to the Forts.
7thly. It is observable to all who know the State of these Frontiers, That there is not due Provision made to furnish Men out on any Occasion after the Enemy. There is neither Bread nor Meat, Shoes, Blanketts, &c, that a Number of Men may take on any sudden Occasion. They have their Bread to bake, their Meat to cook, and other Things to get; when they should be on their March: And so long as this is the Case, the Enemy never need fear our annoying of them when they have distressed us.
8thly. It is observable, That all this War we have never kept Men in the Woods towards Crown-Point to discover their large Bodies coming down upon us, and give Notice of an approaching Enemy: So that they come securely Week after Week upon us; yea, we have since found that the Enemy have camp'd several Months within thirty or forty Miles of Fort-Dummer.
9thly. Another Thing observeable, Is the great Temptation Soldiers have to be unfaithful in the Service. For there is no Distinction made, as to their Wages, between a Soldier posted in an Old Town, one in a Garrison, and one marching in the Woods; who when he is in the Woods, wears out as many Cloths as his Wages will procure, besides all his Hardships and Sufferings. Soldiers therefore choose to Lodge in the Garrison; and think hard if they must be kept in the Woods, when others have as much Pay in Old Towns, who eat and lodge well.
10thly. We differ much from the French with Respect to the War. They will not give Men Commissions, 'till they have been out in the War and done some Spoil on their Enemies. If the like Method was pactised with us; there would be fewer Commissions, [Page 22]and more its probable would be done on the Enemy, in order to obtain them: But so long as no Regard is had to this in promoting of Men, we can't expect Men will exert themselves as they ought to do.
11thly. The Reader may observe, How much the People in the Western-Frontiers, must be distress'd by the War; and how falsely they judge, who think the War is an Advantage to them. Their Case is most distressing: The repeated Alarms take them off from their Business Day after Day for forty or fifty Miles together. And the Reader is to observe, that in the preceeding History there is no mention of great Numbers of Times of the Enemy being seen and shot at, both in the Night and Day Time; and of their setting open Gates, and turning Creatures into Fields to devour Crops. It was not the Design of the Author to give you an Account of the People's Losses; but of the Mischief done: If any envy the Inhabitants in the Frontiers their Portion, they may come and take their Lot with them.
12thly, It ought to be observed, That great Injustice is done the Inhabitants in the Frontiers in pressing them out of their Business, into the Province Service, either to follow the Enemy or convoy Stores, and not rewarding them suitably. They are sent out Day after Day with their Horses, and have not half so much per Day as they must give a Man to labour for them in the mean Time.
Lastly, We may observe, Than in this War, as we encreased our Number of Men in our Forts or Scouts, the Enemy have increased their Numbers; and the longer the War continued, the oftner they came, and the more bold they grew. Which shows us, what we must expect, if the War breaks out a-new: Especially at this Time, when there is no Provision made for Men in our Frontiers.