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

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numbers and distance, they grew careless in sending scouts or placing
guards. They had no suspicion of the growing resolution of
the English to take the offensive, nor any information of their pre-
parations. A large body of the Indians were gathered near the
" Upper Falls" of the Connecticut, divided into several parties, one
of which was located on the high ground on the right bank at the
head of the Full, another on the opposite bank, and a third at what
is known now as " Smead's Island," about a mile below, and all
were intent upon their fishing. Hearing, however, that the English
had turned some of their cattle out into Hatfield meadows, a
detachment was sent out upon May 12th, and succeeded in " stampeding"
about seventy head of these cattle, and driving them safely
into the woods. This fresh outrage was carried out with impunity,
and so enraged the English that they urged to be led out against
their enemies at once, and when Reed, abovementioned, came in on
May 15th, and disclosed the carelessness of the Indians, it was resolved
to wait no longer, but to gather the forces and strike a blow,
and on that day Rev. John Russell writes a letter to the Council at
Connecticut, informing them of their situation and giving general
news. He speaks of their "visitation" by the epidemic distemper
or malignant cold which had prevailed at Connecticut (and of which
Mr. Mather wrote that he could not hear of a family in New England
that wholly escaped) ; of the peaceful election at Boston on
May 3d, and the return of Mrs. Rowlandson from captivity on that
day, and letters from Philip, the "Old Queen " and other sachems,
proposing terms of peace. He gives the news from Europe, the
sufferings of non-conformists, and of a great naval battle between
the French and Dutch. Only an extract is here given, being the
closing part which relates to the Indian war. The letter is dated
Hadley, May 15th. The postscript is by the military officers.
. . , . " This morning about sunrise came into Hatfield one Thomas Reede
a soldier who was taken captive when Deacon Goodman was slain. He
relates that they are now planting at Deerfield and have been so these
three or four clays or more, saith further that they dwell at the Falls on
both sides the river, are a considerable number, yet most of them old men
and women. He cannot judge that there are on both sides of the river
above GO or 70 fighting-men. They are secure and scornful, boasting of great
things they have done and will do. There is Thomas Eames his daughter
and child hardly used; one or two belonging to Medfield and I think two
children belonging to Lancaster. The night before last they came down
to Hatfield upper meadow, and have driven away many horses and cattle
to the number of fourscore and upwards as they judge. Many of these this
man saw in Deerfield meadow, and found the bars put up to keep them
in. This being the state of things, we think the Lord calls us to make
some trial what may be done against them suddenly without further delay
and therefore the concurring resolution of men here seems to be to go out
against them tomorrow night, so as to be with them, the Lord assisting,
before break of day. We need guidance and help from heaven. "We hum-
;