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

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course of the war, though there is no doubt that he was a very brave
and very able Indian fighter, and one of the most successful of all
who led our soldiers against the Eastern Indians in later wars. His
story deals mostly with operations carried on in Plymouth colony,
by himself and a few scouts gathered at his call. By the revival of
interest in our national and local history, the first authentic histories
and contemporary records and documents have been brought to light
and published, so that we may more clearly study the course of the
events of the war from reliable data. But most of the early writers
are so strongly prejudiced against the Indians that, unconsciously,
they weaken the authority of their accounts by their evident unfairness
toward their enemies.
A brief statement, from the side of the Indians, of their movements
and plans so far as can be judged by the evidence we have, may
help us to a better knowledge of the war than any of the histories
afford. All know that Metacom or Pometacom, second son of the
great chief Massasoit, whom the English named Philip, and who is
known in history as King Philip, was the recognized instigator and
leader in the great Indian war which has always been designated by
his name.
Massasoit's eldest son Wamsutta, called by the English Alexander
succeeded to the dignity and possessions of his father inlGGl, but,
lived only about a year in the enjoyment of his inheritance. His wife
was Weetamoo (her name best known), who seems to have been
not only an hereditary princess, but a very able and energetic woman.
She was called the " Squaw Sachem of Pocasset," and derived that
title either from her father or an earlier husband. She claimed to
own all the country around Pocasset in her own right, and also the
disposal and rule of her tribe. Weetamoo was a personage of
importance and influence in the war, as after the death of Wamsutta
she returned to her people and retained her title and power amongst
them ; and it would appear that just before the breaking out of the
war she had some three hundred fighting men under her authority.
There is good evidence that Queen Weetamoo and Petonowowett,
whom the queen married after the death of Wamsutta, were both
opposed to the war, but could not control the young warriors who
were attracted to Philip's war-dances, and were there inflamed with
the war-passion of the chief. Weetamoo was the sister of Wootonekanuske,
it is said, and as she was doubly sister-in-law of Philip,
it is not strange that she followed the inclination of her warriors and
yielded to the craft and power of Philip, thus greatly strengthening
his hands. Petonowowett would not join Philip, but withdrew to
the English side and followed their fortunes throughout the struggle.
Weetamoo further assisted the cause of Philip by renouncing her
recreant husband, and marrying Quinapin, a Narraganset chief, a
near relative of Canonchet, and second in command at the great
" fort-fight ;" he was prominent in the attack upon Lancaster,