History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

342 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1076.
field, intending to lay in for one week." Previous to the
11*'', Lieut. Leffingwell with "40 or 45 horse," was ordered
to Windsor to bring up what bread could be obtained of
Dea. Moore, a baker at that place. Major Talcott awaited
the tardy movements of Capt. Henchman and the Massa-
chusetts troops for about one week, sending messenger af-
ter messenger to hurry them forward. During this interval
he reports no movements against the enemy, no attempt
to ascertain whether the statements of his prisoners were
true or false. He did not apparently employ his time in ef-
forts to obtain intelligence of his foes, but remained in
camp, quiet and inactive.
The Plans of the The Indians were undoubtedly aware of the
English undoubt- movemcuts of the troops. Both Talcott
the Indians, and and Hcuchman had encountered parties of
they assume the them, had slaiu and captured some, while
ggresbive.
others had escaped. From these they must
have learned enough to surmise that the two detachments
were intended for united action when they reached the val-
ley. Knowing that the English forces had not yet effected
a junction, they devised an attack upon the town of Hadley,
hoping no doubt to inflict serious damage before the
concentration of the troops.
T h e Attack upon Ou the momiug of June 12"', the enemy
Hadiey. appeared in force before Hadley, and made
a vigorous attack upon the place. Capt.
Swain was in command. About seven hundred ^ Indians,
in two divisions, invested the town on opposite sides. They
were discovered about an hour after sunrise. Three unarmed
soldiers, who went outside the fortifications on the
south side of the town, contrary to orders, were slain. A
detachment was immediately sent out against the enemy,
who fled on the approach of the soldiers.
1 This seems to have been the stock number of Indians in all these attacks. Seven
hundred was reported as the number engaged in the attack on Hatfield, May 30, and
again seven hundred in this raid on Hadley. Mr. Judd says : " there may have been
250 Indians engaged in this enterprise. * * * There were not at this time 700 hos-
tile Indian warriors in Massachusetts."—History of Hadley, pp. 178, 179, note.