Soldiers in King Philip's war. Containing lists of the soldiers of ...

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riage, Dec. 8, 1656, aged sixteen), he had John, Major Isaac, Oli-
ver and Joanna. He was chosen deputy to the General Court in
1668, under the title Lieut. ; also in 1669 to 1671, in company
with his brother Capt. John, and again by himself in 1673 and
1675.
I have not been able to find the exact date on which Capt. Appleton
marched from the Bay up towards Hadley, but infer that it was
about the first of September, and Mr. Hubbard relates that when
Major Treat (on Sept. 6th) marched down from the rescue of Northfield,
bringing the garrison, he met Capt. Appleton going up, who
strongly urged him to turn back and pursue the Indians ; but the
Major overruled his wishes, and all marched back to the headquarters
at Hadley. The course of events from this time to September
18th has been previously related. In the assignment of troops for
the defence of the various towns, Capt. Appleton seems to have remained
at Hadley, and to have been in close relation with Major
Pynchon in the conduct of affairs. His Lieutenant John Pickering,
and doubtless a part of his company, were with Capt. Mosely
in the fight succeeding Lathrop's defeat, and when a few days after
it was decided to abandon Deerfield, and the garrison and inhabi-
tants were removed to Hatfield, Capt. Mosely was stationed there
with his force, Major Treat and his men quartered at Northampton
and Northfield, and Capt. Appleton remained at Hadley busily
employed in reorganizing the Massachusetts forces, caring for the
wounded, and preparing for the next attack of the enemy.
Although Capt. Appleton had been in this service several weeks,
his commission as " Capt. of a company of 100 men " was not is-
sued by the Council until September 24th. (He already held the
rank of Captain of the local company in Ipswich ;
commission for active service.")
this was a special
By the heavy losses under Capts.
Lathrop and Beers, the Massachusetts forces were greatly reduced,
and the survivors of their companies were much demoralized by the
loss of the captains, and gloom and discouragement prevailed throughout
the colony. It was therefore with great difficulty that the Council
filled the quota of three hundred assigned by the commissioners.
Secretary Rawson wrote to Major Pynchon, September 30th, " The
slaughter in your parts has much damped many spirits for the war.
Some men escape away from the press,
they are impressed."
and others hide away after
It will be seen by the following orders, that the Council was using
every endeavor to push forward troops to repair their losses.
Mass. Archives, vol. 67, p. 265.
The Council do order & appoint Capt. John Way to to conduct the 120
men appointed to rendevooze at Marlborough the 28 th day of this instant
99 By his position he now ranked as Major, but military officers were regularly elected
by the people ami confirmed by the Court, tie was appointed Sergeant-Major ot the South
Essex regiment in October, 1632, shortly after the death o!' Major General Denison.