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

104
their troops. On the other hand were the authority and orders of
the United Commissioners, to which he adhered with inflexible ener-
gy. On November 12th he issued a proclamation (Archives, vol.
68, p. 54) to the inhabitants and soldiers of all those towns under
his charge, forbidding any one to withdraw from his appointed place
without special permission " given under his hand ;" giving his rea-
sons for the step, and asserting the authority of the commissioners.
The Connecticut people were very loud in their complaints against
this measure, but he rigidly held to it, daily expecting the further
directions promised by the Council of Massachusetts, till finally despairing
of such relief he reluctantly yielded to the importunities of
Connecticut, and on November 19th dismissed Major Treat and his
forces at Westfield to march downward to the Connecticut towns,
accompanying the order of permission with an urgent request to the
Council there" that Westfield and Springfield may be regarrisoned
by their forces. On the same day he writes to Governor Leverett,
complaining of the long neglect of the Council at home, and saying
that it has kept him in constant and tedious expectation until obliged
to yield to Connecticut's demands, and now necessity forces him
to dispose of his forces as best he may. He complains of the con-
dition of the horses ; many will soon be unfit for service, and if
put upon "dry meate " (i. e. hay), the cattle of the people must
perish during the winter, as hay is very scarce. They have no certain
intelligence of the enemy, but have received word from Owenequo,
son of Uncas, that Philip boasts himself to be a thousand
strong. He speaks of his proclamation and its results, and encloses
a copy of the same and his correspondence with Connecticut Coun-
cil also, and urges the Governor to send him further directions
speedily. He then proceeds to garrison the several towns with the
forces at his disposal, the details of which will be given in a special
chapter. The following orders of disposal are dated November 19
and 20, and are preserved in full in the Mass. Archives, vol. 68,
pp. 65 and QQ.
Twenty-nine soldiers taken out of the companies of Capts. Mosely
and Poole and Lieut. Upham, are left at Westfield in charge of
Sere. Lamb, and all under the command of Capt. Aaron Cooke.
John Koote is appointed commissary of this garrison, and orders
are drawn upon James Richards, of Hartford, or Mr. Blackleach,
for whatever of clothing is necessary. Thirty-nine men from Capt.
Sill's company are left at Springfield with Lieut. Niles, all to be
under command of Major Pynchon. Twenty-six men are left with
g er