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

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half a dozen of their aged and blind, whom they considered safe, being
helpless and harmless. After they were gone, these poor
creatures were found and brutally murdered (being burned to death,
as appeared, within their wigwam) by two brutes of the English,
against whom nothing direct could be proved, but who were quite
well known by the public, as they rather enjoyed such notoriety
than feared it among their fellows.
In this retreat of the Wamesits, Sam Numphow their ruler, and
Mystic George, died from exposure and famine. Upon the partial
destruction of Medfield, February 21st, as James and Job had foretold
in their account of the enemies' programme, the popular shame
and spleen raged, not against the stupidity and inefficiency of the
two companies of soldiers mostly asleep in the houses of the town,
without out-posts or scouts, but against the inoffensive Indians at
Deer Island, and a plot was laid by a large number of the most
violent and dissolute of the lower classes gathered in and about
Boston. The plot was to go over to Deer Island from "Pulling
Point" in large boats, and fall upon the defenceless Indians with
indiscriminate slaughter. The horrible plot was discovered, and a
few of the ringleaders summoned before the Court, which frustrated
the cowardly design.
The Nashobah Christian Indians were at Concord in charge of
Mr. John Hoare, and were quiet, peaceful and industrious. The
popular discontent could not bide their peace, and the more hostile
took advantage of the presence of Capt. Mosely, and enlisted his
interference with them. He, with his rough soldiers, came into the
church on the Sabbath, and after the services spoke to the congre-
gation in his haughty and insolent way, declaring his intention to
break up the Indian village and carry all the " heathen " down to
Boston. He carried out his threat the next day without any
authority, and against the remonstrance of that honorable Christian
gentleman, Mr. John Hoare, who held commission from the Court
for their care. He broke into their great house, which belonged to
Mr. Hoare, plundered the poor helpless creatures of all they had,
insulted and abused Mr. Hoare, and sent the Indians, to the number
of fifty-eight, of whom twelve only were able-bodied men, down
to Boston under a guard of some twenty of his rough and brutal
soldiers ; and sent down an insolent letter to the Council in account
of his action. This high-handed breach of authority on the part of
a mere captain stirred the indignation of the whole Court, but
though they denounced his act in the assembly freely, so great was
his popularity among the lower classes that it was not deemed
expedient to reprimand him or interfere with his command. The
Indians were sent down to their countrymen at the Island, robbed
and abused ; and the captain went on his way unrebuked.
But the Corporation in London came to the aid of the friends of the
Christian Indians, and their support greatly encouraged the better