Decennium luctuosum An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath…

EPITAPH. Bonus non est, qui non ad Invidiam usque Bonus est. [A Digression.]

Reader, since we can give no better an Account, of the Last English Expedition to Canada, why may we not for a Minute or Two, Refresh our selves, with a Story of an Old one.

REader, since we can give no better an Account, of the Last English Expedition to Canada, why may we not for a Minute or Two, Refresh our selves, with a Story of an Old one.

In the very year, when the Massachusett-Colony began, the English Attempted the Conquest of Canada, and though the First Attempt miscarried, the Second prospered. The Story of it, makes a Chapter, in Father Hennepin's Account of the Vast Country lately discovered, betwixt Canada, and Mexico: and this is the Sum of it.

In the very year, when the Massachusett-Colony began, the English Attempted the Conquest of Canada, and though the First Attempt miscarried, the Second prospered. The Story of it, makes a Chapter, in Father Hennepins Account of the Vast Country lately discovered, betwixt Canada, and Mexico: and this is the Sum of it.

Accordingly, on July 19. 1629. in the Morning, the English Fleet appeared again, over against the Great Bay of Quebec, at the point of the Isle of Orleans; which Fleet Consisted of Three men of War, and Six other Vessels. Admiral Kirk sending a Summons formed in very Civil Expressions, for the Surrender of the Place, the miserable State of the Country, which had been by the English Interceptions, hindered of Supplies from France, for Two years together, obliged the Sieur Champelin to make a softer Answer, than he did before. He sent Father Joseph Le Caron, aboard the Admiral to treat about the Surrender, and none of his Demands for Fifteen Days, and then for Five Days, Time to Consider on't, could obtain any longer Time, than till the Evening, to prepare their Articles. Upon the Delivery of this Message, a Council was held, wherein some urged, that the English had no more than Two Hundred men, of Regular Troops aboard, and some others which had not much of the Air of Soldiers; and that the Courage of the Inhabitants was much to be relied upon, and therefore it was best for to run the risk of a Siege: But Monsieur Champelin, apprehending the Bravery of the English, remonstrated unto the Council, that it was better to make a Surrender on Good Terms, than be ⟨p. 64⟩all out in pieces by an unreasonable Endeavour to Defend themselves. Upon this, the Articles regulating all matters, were got ready, and Father Joseph had his Commission, to carry them aboard the English Admiral, where the Signing of them was defe•r'd until To Morrow. On July 20. the Articles of Capitulation were Signed, on both sides, and the English being Landed, were put in possession of Canada, by the Governor of it. The French Inhabitants, who were then in the Country, had twenty Crowns a piece given them, the rest of their Effects remained unto the Conquerors, but those who were willing to stay, were favoured by the English with great Advantages. The Fleet set Sail again for England, Sept. 14. and arrived at Plymouth, Octo. 18. in that year.

Accordingly, on July 19. 1629. in the Morning, the English Fleet appear'd again, over against the Great Bay of Quebeck, at the point of the Isle of Orleans; which Fleet Consisted of Three men of War, and Six other Vessels. Admiral Kirk sending a Summons form'd in very Civil Expressions, for the Surrender of the Place, the miserable State of the Country, which had been by the English Interceptions, hindred of Supplies from France, for Two years together, oblig'd the Sieur Champelin to make a softer Answer, than he did before. He sent Father Joseph Le Caron, aboard the Admiral to treat about the Surrender, and none of his Demands for Fifteen Dayes, and then for Five Dayes, Time to Consider on't, could obtain any longer Time, than till the Evening, to prepare their Articles. Upon the Delivery of this Message, a Council was held, wherein some urged, that the English had no more than Two Hundred men, of Regular Troops aboard, and some others which had not much of the Air of Souldiers; and that the Courage of the Inhabitants was much to be relied upon, and therefore it was best for to run the risk of a Siege: But Monsieur Champelin, apprehending the Bravery of the English, remonstrated unto the Council, that it was better to make a Surrender on Good Terms, than be

ARTICLE. IX. Casco Lost.

When the Indians at last perceived that the New Englanders were upon a Likely Design to Swallow up the French Territories, the Prospect of it began to have the same Operation upon them, that the Success of the Design, would have made Perpetual; that is, to Dispirit them, for giving the New Englanders any further Molestations. Nevertheless, Before and Until, ⟨p. 65⟩they were thoroughly Advised of what was a doing, and likely to be done, they did molest the Country with some Tragical Efforts of their Fury. Captain James Convers was Marching through the vast Wilderness, to Albany, with some Forces, which the Massachusetts Colony were willing to send by Land (besides what they did send by Sea unto Quebec,) for the Assistance of the Army, in the West, that was to go from thence over the Lake, and there fall upon Mount Real: but unhappy Tidings out of the East required the Diversion of those Forces thither. About the Beginning of May, the French and Indians, between Four and Five Hundred, were seen at Casco, in a great Fleet of Canoe's passing over the Bay: but not Seeing or Hearing any more of them, for Two or Three Weeks together, the Casconians flattered themselves with Hopes, That they were gone another way. But about May 16 those Hopes were over; For one Gresson, a Scotchman, then going out Early, sell into the mouths of these Hungry Salvages. It proved no kindness to Casco, tho' it proved a great one to himself, that a Commander so qualified, as Captain Willard, was called off, Two or Three Days before. But, The Officers of the place, now concluding, that the whole Army of the Enemy, were watching for an Advantage to Surprise the Town, Resolved that they would keep a Strict watch, for Two or Three days, to make some further ⟨p. 66⟩Discovery, before they Sallied forth. Notwithstanding this, one Lieut. Clark, with near Thirty of their Stoutest young men, would venture out, as far as the Top of an Hill, in the Entrance of the Wood, half a mile distant from the Town. The out-let from the Town to the Wood, was through' a Lane, that had a Fence on each side, which had a certain Block-house at one End of it: and the English were Suspicious, when they came to Enter the Lane, that the Indians were lying behind the Fence, because the Cattle stood staring that way, and would not pass into the Wood as they use to do.

WHen the Indians at last perceived that the New Englanders were upon a Likely Design to Swallow up the French Territories, the Prospect of it began to have the same Operation upon them, that the Success of the Design, would have made Perpetual; that is, to Dispirit them, for giving the New Englanders any further Molestations. Nevertheless, Before and Until,

This mettlesome Company, then ran up to the Fence, with an, Huzzah! thinking thereby to discourage the Enemy, if they should be lurking there: but the Enemy were so well prepared for them, that they answered them with an horrible Vengeance, which killed the Lieutenant, with Thirteen more upon the Spot, and the rest escaped with much ado unto one of the Garrisons. The Enemy then coming into Town, beset all the Garrisons at once, Except the Fort; which were manfully Defended, so long as their Ammunition lasted; but That being spent, without a prospect of a Recruit, they quitted all the Four Garrisons, and by the Advantage of the Night, got into the Fort. Upon this, the Enemy Setting the Town on Fire, bent their whole Force against the Fort, which had hard by it, a deep Gully, that contributed not a little unto the Ruin ⟨p. 67⟩of it: For, the Besiegers getting into that Gully, lay below the Danger of our Guns. Here the Enemy began their Mine, which was carried so near the Walls, that the English, who by Fighting Five Days and Four Nights, had the greatest part of their men killed and wounded, (Captain Lawrence mortally, among the rest,) began a parley with them. Articles were Agreed, That they should have liberty to March unto the Next English Town, and have a Guard for their Safety in their March; and the French Commander, lifting up his Hand, Swore by the Everlasting God, for the performance of these Articles. But the Agreement was kept, as those that are made with Huguenots use to be: The English being first Admonished, by the French, that they were all Rebels, for proclaiming the Prince of Orange their King, were Captived, and many of them cruelly Murdered by the Indians: Only some of them (and particularly, Major Davis,) were Carried unto Canada, where the Gentry, very civilly Treated them. The Garrisons at Papoodack, Spurwink, Black Point, and Blue Point, were so disanimated at these Disasters, that, without Orders they drew off immediately, to Saco, Twenty miles, within Casco, and from Saco in a few Days also they drew off to Wells, Twenty miles within the said Saco; and about Half Wells drew off as far as Lieut. Storer's.

This mettlesome Company, then ran up to the Fence, with an, Huzzab! thinking thereby to discourage the Enemy, if they should be lurking there: but the Enemy were so well prepared for them, that they answered them with an horrible Vengeance, which kill'd the Lieutenant, with Thirteen more upon the Spot, and the rest escaped with much ado unto one of the Garrisons. The Enemy then coming into Town, beset all the Garrisons at once, Except the Fort; which were manfully Defended, so long as their Ammunition lasted; but That being spent, without a prospect of a Recruit, they quitted all the Four Garrisons, and by the Advantage of the Night, got into the Fort. Upon this, the Enemy Setting the Town on Fire, bent their whole Force against the Fort, which had hard by it, a deep Gully, that contributed not a little unto the Ruin

But the Arrival of Orders and Soldiers from the Government, stopped ⟨p. 68⟩them from Retiring any further, and Hope Hood, with a party that staid for further mischief, meeting with some Resistance here, turned about, and having first had a skirmish with Captain Sherborne, they appeared the Next Lords day at Newichawannick, or, Berwick, where they Burnt some Houses, and Slew a man. Three Days alter, they came upon a Small Hamlet, on the South side of Piscataqua River, called, Fox Point, and besides the Burning of several Houses, they Took Half a Dozen, and killed more than a Dozen, of the too Securely Ungar•isoned People: which it was as easy to do, as to have Spoiled an ordinary Hen Roost. But Captain Floyd, and Capt. Greenleaf, coming upon those Indians, made some Slaughter among them, Recovered some Captives, with much Plunder, and bestowed a Good wound upon Hope-Hood, who left his Gun, ¹(which was next his Life) in this Action.

But the Arrival of Orders and Souldiers from the Government, stopt ⟨p. 68⟩them from Retiring any further, and Hope Hood, with a party that staid for further mischief, meeting with some Resistence here, turn'd about, and having first had a skirmish with Captain Sherborn, they appear'd the Next Lords day at Newichawannick, or, Barwick, where they Burnt some Houses, and Slew a man. Three Dayes alter, they came upon a Small Hamlet, on the South side of Piscataqua River, called, Fox Point, and besides the Burning of several Houses, they Took Half a Dozen, and kill'd more than a Dozen, of the too Securely Ungar•isoned People: which it was as easy to do, as to have Spoiled an ordinary Hen Roost. But Captain Floyd, and Capt. Greenleaf, coming upon those Indians, made some Slaugh•er among them, Recovered some Captives, with much Plunder, and bestow'd a Good wound upon Hope-Hood, who left his Gun, ¹(which was next his Life) in this Action.

1. 1

All that shall further belong to this Paragraph of our Story, is, That when the Indians were got into the Woods, they made one Goody Stockford their messenger, to her Neighbours, whose Charity she so well Solicited, that she got a Shallop full of it unto Casco, where the Indians permitted us to Redeem several of the Prisoners.

All that shall further belong to this Paragraph of our Story, is, That when the Indians were got into the Woods, they made one Goody Stockford their messenger, to her Neighbours, whose Charity she so well Sollicited, that she got a Shalop full of it unto Casco, where the Indians permitted us to Redeem several of the Prisoners.

ARTICLE. X. Harm Watched, and Catched by the Indians, and several Rare Instances of Mortal wounds upon the English, not proving Mortal.

ARTICLE. X. Harm Watch'd, and Catch'd by the Indians, and several Rare Instances of Mortal wounds upon the English, not proving Mortal.

That memorable Tiger, Hope-Hood, (called also, Wohawa,) finding the Coast hereabouts too hot for him, went away with his Crew, a great way to the West-ward, with a Design to Bewitch another Crew at Aquadocta into his Assistance. Here a party of French Indians, by a strange Mistake, supposing Hope Hood, & his Wretches, to have been the Indians, who had lately done some Spoil upon them at Canada, furiously fell upon them, and in their Blind Fury slew him, and a considerable part of his Company. So, we have now done with him! •n the mean Time, some other Indians came upon an Helpless place, called, Spruce Creek, and killed an old man, and carried a Woman into Captivity; but tho' Captain Convers pursued 'em Three Days, they were too Nimble for him. On July, 4 Eight or Nine persons working in a Field, at a place called, Lampereel River, the Scythe of Death, unhappily mowed them down, in that Field of Blood: The Indians by Surprise, killed 'em all, and carried a Lad Captive. About this Time, a Council of War, was called, at Portsmouth, by which 'twas thought advisable, to ⟨p. 70⟩send out Captain Wiswel, with a considerable Scout for to Scour the Woods, as far as Casco: and it being Resolved, That one of the other Captains with about Fourscore Stout men should accompany Captain Wiswal in this Action, they All with such a Generous Emulation offered it, that it was necessary to determine it by a Lot, which fell upon Captain Floyd. On July 4. assisted with Lieut. Andrews, and a Detachment of Twenty Two men from Wells, they took their March from Quochecho, into the Woods. But the Day following, the Enemy set upon Captain Hilton's Garrison in Exeter, which Lieut. Bancroft, then posted at Exeter, with the loss of a few of his men, Relieved. At this Time, there happened a Remarkable Thing. I know not whether the Story told by Plato be true, That one Herus Armenius (whom Clemens will have to be Zoroaster) being Slain in War, lay Ten Days among the Dead, and then being brought away, and on the Twelfth Day laid on the Funeral Pile, he came to Life again. But it is true, that one Simon Stone being here wounded with Shot, in Nine several places, lay for Dead, (as it was Time!) among the Dead.

THat memorable Tygre, Hope-Hood, (called also, Wohawa,) finding the Coast hereabouts too hot for him, went away with his Crue, a great way to the West-ward, with a Design to Bewitch another Crue at Aquadocta into his Assistence. Here a party of French Indians, by a strange Mistake, supposing Hope Hood, & his Wretches, to have been the Indians, who had lately done some Spoil upon them at Canada, furiously fell upon them, and in their Blind Fury slew him, and a considerable part of his Company. So, we have now done with him! n the mean Time, some other Indians came upon an Helpless place, called, Spruce Creek, and kill'd an old man, and carried a Woman into Captivity; but tho' Captain Convers pursued 'em Three Dayes, they were too Nimble for him. On July, 4 Eight or Nine persons working in a Field, at a place call'd, Lampereel River, the Scythe of Death, unhappily mow'd them down, in that Field of Blood: The Indians by Surprize, kill'd 'em all, and carried a Lad Captive. About this Time, a Council of War, was called, at Portsmouth, by which t'was thought adviseable, to

The Indians coming to Strip him, attempted, with Two several Blows of an Hatchet at his Neck, to cut off his Head, which Blows added, you may be sure, more Enormous wounds unto those Port-holes of Death, at which the Life of the poor man, was already running out, as fast ⟨p. 71⟩as it could. Being charged hard by Lieut. Bancroft, they left the man, without Scalping him; and the English now coming to Bury the Dead, one of the Soldiers perceived this poor man to fetch a gasp: whereupon an Irish Fellow then present, advised 'em, to give him another Dab with an Hatchet, and so Bury him with the rest. The English detesting this Barbarous Advice, lifted up the wounded man, and poured a little Fair Water into his Mouth, at which he Coughed; then they poured a little Strong Water alter it, at which he opened his Eyes. The Irish Fellow was ordered now to hale a Canoe ashore, to carry the wounded men up the River, unto a Chirurgeon; and as Teague was foolishly pulling the Canoe ashore, with the Cock of his Gun, while he held the Muzzle in his Hand, his Gun went off, and broke his Arm, whereof he remains a Cripple to this Day: But Simon Stone was thoroughly cured, and is at this Day a very lusty man, and as he was Born with Two Thumbs on one Hand, his Neighbours have thought him to have at least as many Hearts as Thumbs!

The Indians coming to Strip him, attempted, with Two several Blows of an Hatchet at his Neck, to cut off his Head, which Blows added, you may be sure, more Enormous wounds unto those Port-holes of Death, at which the Life of the poor man, was already running out, as fast ⟨p. 71⟩as it could. Being charged hard by Lieut. Bancroft, they left the man, without Scalping him; and the English now coming to Bury the Dead, one of the Souldiers perceived this poor man to fetch a gasp: whereupon an Irish Fellow then present, advised 'em, to give him another Dab with an Hatchet, and so Bury him with the rest. The English detesting this Barbarous Advice, lifted up the wounded man, and poured a little Fair Water into his Mouth, at which he Coughed; then they poured a little Strong Water alter it, at which he opened his Eyes. The Irish Fellow was ordered now to hale a Canoo ashore, to carry the wounded men up the River, unto a Cheirurgeon; and as Teague was foolishly pulling the Canoo ashore, with the Cock of his Gun, while he held the Muzzle in his Hand, his Gun went off, and broke his Arm, whereof he remains a Creeple to this Day: But Simon Stone was thoroughly cured, and is at this Day a very lusty man, and as he was Born with Two Thumbs on one Hand, his Neighbours have thought him to have at least as many Hearts as Thumbs!

Reader, Let us Leave it now unto the Sons of Aesculapius, to Dispute out the Problem, What Wounds are to be Judged Mortal? The Sovereign Arbiter of Life and Death, seems to have determined it, That no Wounds are Mortal, but such as He shall in His Holy Providence Actually make so. On the one side, Let it be Remembered, ⟨p. 72⟩That a Scratch of a Comb has proved Mortal; That the Incomparable Anatomist Spigelius, at the Wedding of his Daughter, gathering up the Relics of a Broken Glass, a Fragment of it scratched one of his Fingers; and all his Exquisite Skill in Anatomy, could not prevent its producing an Empyema, that Killed him: That Colonel Rossiter, cracking a Plumbstone with his Teeth, broke his Tooth, and Lost his Life; That the Lord Fairfax, cutting a Corn, in his Foot, Cut asunder the Thread of his Life; That Mr. Fowler, a Vintner, playing with his Child, received a little scratch of a Pin, which turned unto a Gangrene, that Cost him his Life. And, Reader, Let the Remembrance of such Things, cause thee to Live, preparing for Death continually. But then, on the other side, That nothing may be Despaired of, Remember Simon Stone. And besides him, I call to Remembrance, That the Indians making an Assault upon Deerfield in this Present War, they struck an Hatchet some Inches into the Skull of a Boy there, even so deep, that the Boy felt the Force of a Wre•ch used by 'em to get it out. There he lay a long while Weltering in his Blood; they found him, they Dressed him, considerable Quantities of his Brain came out from time to time, when they opened the Wound; yet the Lad Recovered, and is now a Living Monument of the Power and Goodness of God. And in our Former ⟨p. 73⟩War, there was one Jabez Musgrove, who tho' he were Shot by the Indians, with a Bullet, that went in at his Ear, and went out at his Eye, on the other side of his head; and a Brace of Bullets, that went in to his Right Side, a little above his Hip, and passing through' his Body within the Back Bone, went out at his Left Side; yet he Recovered, and Lived many years after it.

Reader, Let us Leave it now unto the Sons of Aesculapius, to Dispute out the Problem, What Wounds are to be Judged Mortal? The Sovereign Arbiter of Life and Death, seems to have determined it, That no Wounds are Mortal, but such as He shall in His Holy Providence Actually make so. On the one side, Let it be Remembred,

ARTICLE XI. A Worthy Captain Dying in the Bed of Honour.

ON July 6. Lords Day, Captain Floyd, and Captain Wiswell, sent out their Scouts, before their Breakfast, who immediately returned, with Tidings of Breakfast enough provided for those, who had their Stomach sharp set for Fighting: Tidings of a considerable Track of the Enemy, going to the Westward. Our Forces vigorously followed the Track, till they came up with the Enemy, at a place called Wheelright's Pond; where they Engaged 'em in a Bloody Action for several Hours. The manner of the Fight here, was as it is at all times, with Indians; namely what your Artists at Fighting do call, A la disbandad: And here, the Worthy Captain Wiswel, a man worthy to have been Shot (if he must have been Shot,) with no Gun interior to that at Florence, the Barrel whereof is ⟨p. 74⟩all pure Gold, behaving himself with much Bravery, Sold his Life, as dear as he could; and his Lieutenant Flag, and Sergeant Walker, who were Valiant in their Lives, in their Death were not divided. Fifteen of ours were Slain, and more Wounded; but how many of the Enemy, 'twas not exactly known, because of a singular care used by them in all their Battles, to carry off their Dead, tho' they were forced now to Leave a good Number of them on the Spot. Captain Floyd maintained the Fight, after the Death of Captain Wiswal, several Hours, until so many of his Tired and Wounded men Drew off, that it was Time for him to Draw off also; for which he was blamed perhaps, by some that would not have continued at it so long as he. Hereupon Captain Convers repaired, with about a score Hands to look after the Wounded men, and finding seven yet Alive, he brought 'em to the Hospital, by Sun-rise the next morning. He then Returned with more Hands, to Bury the Dead, which was done immediately; and Plunder left by the Enemy at their going off, was then also taken by them. But the same Week, these Rovers made their Descent as far as Amesbury, where Captain Foot being Ensnared by them, they Tortured him to Death; which Disaster of the Captain, was an Alarm to the Town, and an Effectual Word of Command, causing 'em to Fly out of their Beds into their Garrisons; otherwise ⟨p. 75⟩they had all undoubtedly before the next morning Slept their last: their Beds would have been their Graves. However, the Enemy Killed Three Persons, Burnt Three Houses, Butchered many Cattle; and so, that Scene of the Tragedy being over, away they went.

ON July 6. Lords Day, Captain Floyd, and Captain Wiswell, sent out their Scouts, before their Breakfast, who immediately returned, with Tidings of Breakfast enough provided for those, who had their Stomach sharp set for Fighting: Tidings of a considerable Track of the Enemy, going to the Westward. Our Forces vigorously followed the Track, till they came up with the Enemy, at a place call'd Wheelrights Pond; where they Engaged 'em in a Bloody Action for several Hours. The manner of the Fight here, was as it is at all times, with Indians; namely what your Artists at Fighting do call, A la disbandad: And here, the Worthy Captain Wiswel, a man worthy to have been Shot (if he must have been Shot,) with no Gun interior to that at Florence, the Barrel whereof is