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

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swamps and thickets. The commissioners were opposed to this
course, especially those of Connecticut, who insisted that the purpose
of the army in the field was to pursue and destroy the enemy
instead of simply protecting the towns. In this letter of the 8th,
Major Pynchon says they are scouting to find which way the Indians
have gone, and also that on that day Maj. Treat is summoned away
to Connecticut by the news of a large body of the enemy near "VVeth-
ersfield. He then earnestly reiterates his unfitness for the chief
command, and declares that he must devolve the authority upon
Capt. Appleton, with the permission of the Council, unless Major
Treat return, when he will await their orders. The Council had,
however, already granted his former request, and on Oct. 4th had
appointed Capt. Appleton to the chief command in his place. His
commission, together with letters and orders to Major Pynchon, were
sent up by Lieut. Phinehas Upham and his company of recruits,
and did not reach them until October 12th, when he immediately
took command. The commission is as follows :
Capt. Appleton.
The Councill have seriously considered the earnest desires of major Pynchon
& the great affliction upon him & his family, & have at last consented
to his request to dismiss him from the cheefe command over the Army in
those parts, and have thought meet upon mature thoughts to comitt the
cheefe comand unto yourselfe, being perswaded that God hath endeowed
you with a. spirit and ability to mannage that affayre ; and for the Better
inabling you to yo r imploy, we have sent the Councills order Inclosed to
major Pynchon to bee given you ; and wee reffer you to the Instructions
given him for yo r direction, ordering you from time to time to give us
advise of all occurences, & if you need any further orders & instructions,
they shall be given you as y e matter shall require. So comitting you to
the Lord, desireing his presence with you and blessing upon you, wee remaine
: Your friends and Servants
Boston 4 th of October
Capt. Samuel Appleton,
Commander in cheefe at the head quarters at Hadley.
The letter of October 4th, from the Massachusetts Council to
Major Pynchon, in which the orders above referred to were inclosed,
is in the Massachusetts Archives, vol. 67, p. 280, as follows :
Mass. Council to Major Pynchon
Honoured S r
Your letter dat Sept. 29. wee received and although wee could have de-
sired your continuance in that trust committed to you as comander over o r
r
forces in y p t9
e
yet considering your great importunity , y reasons alledged
e
wee cann but greatly simpathize with you in y present dispensation of
Divine Providence towards your family in your absence and have ordered
Capt. Apelton to take the charge as Comander in Cheife over the united
forces whiles in o r Colony, and uppon a removall of the seat of Warr the
Comanders to take place according to (the) appoyntment of y e Commis-
sioners. Wee have considered (that) you will not be wanting to afford the