The ancient historical records of Norwalk, Conn ... - Hay genealogy

THE'SWAMP FIGHT.' 67
supplies, on account of the deep and pathless snows,
and the exposures of the whiter and the wilderness, besides
the danger from the Indians. But dreadful necessity
compelled them to make the attempt.
Massachusetts furnished 527 men, Plymouth 15S>
and Connecticut 300 men, and 150 Mohegan and Pequot
Indians. The Connecticut troops had marched from
Stonington to Pettysquamscot. Here they expected
shelter, hut the Indians had burned the buildings and
killed the inhabitants only a day or two before. This
was on the 17th December. The weather was cold and
stormy. The next day they marched, and formed a
junction with the Massachusetts and Plymouth forces.
Here again they were obliged to spend the night uncovered
in the open field. The next morning, at break
of day, the army marched towards the Narragansett
fort, which was in a deep tangled swamp, fifteen miles
distant. The snow was deep, and the weather extremely
cold. At one o'clock they reached the enemy's fort.
It was on rising ground, in the midst of the swamp,
surrounded with palisades, and, outside of these, with
a hedge of brush a rod thick. The only entrance
which appeared practicable, was over a log which lay
five or six feet from the ground ;
and this entrance was
defended in front by a fortress of logs, " and on the
left by a flanker." The Massachusetts troops, who
were in front, mounted the log and rushed on. A few
entered the fort. The fire [from the loghouse and
flanker was so hot, that a sufficient number could not
force their way through to support them, and those who
had entered were cut down. The deep snow, and the
tangled thicket, rendered it impossible for the whole
body of troops to come up at once ; and it was a considerable
time before all could be brought into action.
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