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

65
scarcely completed, however, when a heavy shower fell and wet
down their combustibles, so that they would not readily burn, and
in the mean time Major Willard and his force arrived, and so intent
were the Indians about the machines, that his company, coming
about an hour after dark, gained the yard of the garrisoned house
before the enemy perceived them. There was a large body of Indians
posted about two miles away, on the road by which the Majors
company had come, and another party of over one hundred
in a house nearer the garrison. The outpost had let the company
pass unharmed, depending upon those nearer to strike the blow ;
and these latter depending upon the others for an alarm, which either
was not given or else, in the excitement of building the machines,
they did not hear, both missed the opportunity of attack. As soon
as they saw their mistake they attacked the Major's party with
fury, but without much avail, and all were soon safely within the
house. The Indians seeing their devices defeated and the garrison
reinforced, set fire to the barn and meetinghouse, and in the early
morning of August 5th withdrew.
Such is Capt. Wheeler's account in brief of the famous fight near
Wickaboag Pond, and the subsequent defence of Brookfield. And
I have followed his account thus fully and at some length, because
most of the published accounts that I have seen have either conflicted
with his or have been otherwise misleading.
On August 7th fresh forces arrived from Boston, and all remained
at the garrison till the 10th day, when Capts. Hutchinson and
Wheeler, with all of their company that were able to travel, came
away and arrived at Marlborough on August 14th. Capt. Hutchinson
died there of his wounds on the 19th, and was buried the next
day. Capt. Wheeler and the remnants of his company remained
there until the 21st, when they returned home to Concord.
Of those who were engaged in this affair, the following
credit for military service under Capt. Thomas W
received
T
heeler :
Sept. 15, 1675