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

218
Sept. 8, 1675, the Council orders Cornet Thomas Brattle with
a party of horsemen under his command, to take fifty soldiers who
are appointed to meet him at Leftenant Thomas Henchman's in
Groton, and distribute them according to his discretion in the towns
of Dunstable, Groton and Lancaster ; and to arrange with the in-
habitants for the support and aid of their garrisons ; also to settle
affairs, so far as possible, with the friendly Indians at Wamesit,
Nashoba and Marlborough, to induce the chief Wannalanset to return
and live quietly at Wamesit, giving his son as a hostage into
the hands of the English, &c. The issue of this affair will appear
in the account of the garrisons. Capt. Brattle was engaged in the
organization and supply of the several expeditions West and South.
He was personally with the forces at Narraganset, in the reorganization
of the army after the Swamp fight. On May 15th, 1676,
in the expedition to Hassanamesit under Capt. Henchman, Capt.
Brattle, with a party of horse, fell upon the Indians between Mendon
and Hassanamesit and killed about twenty, of whom four were
Bquaws. The enemy dispersed into the swamps and the main body
escaped.
On May 24th, Capt. Brattle " with a troope of horse," about fifty,
went in pursuit of the Indians " that had newly done spoyle at Seaconcke."
With a small party of foot, he arrived at the Falls of
" Pocatuck River," being on the Seaconck side. The Indians appeared
on the opposite side in force. Leaving the foot behind, Capt. Brat-
tle led the troopers up the river where they crossed with great diffi-
culty, and soon came down upon the Indians and put them to a
disastrous flight, capturing large store of their fish and other supplies,
killing several. One of the English was killed, and Cornet
Elliot was wounded in the hand. The dead soldier was carried to
Seaconck and buried. An Indian boy was captured who testified
that these Indians were three or four hundred and belonged to
" Nepsachuit." See Col. Records, vol. vii. p. 96, the full letter of
the General Court.
June 30th, 1676, Capt. Brattle is sent on an expedition towards
Mount Hope with instructions as follows :
Instructions for Capt. Thomas Brattle.
You are to take twenty of your Troope with such officers as you shall
see meete, togethar with an officer & ten Troop" of Left. Hassey's Troope
and with them to march with all expedition to Dedkam where are ordered
to be an officer with eighteen foote souldiers mounted from Dorchester,
sixe from Roxbury and twenty from Dedham with an officer. All appointed
to be at Dedham the Rendevous this day at fower of the clock
this afternoone, whom you are to take under your Conduct and the officers
and souldiers are Required to obey you as theire Commander for this Service
of the Country. You are to march with your Troopers & Dragoons
to be at John Woodcocks by midnight where you shall meete with an Indian
Pylot and two files of musketeers which Pylot hath engaged to bring