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

ARTICLE. XVI. The Memorable Action at Wells.

A Vessel, the Name whereof I know not, [Reader, Let it be, The Charity,] being immediately dispatched unto Sagadehock ▪ by the Charitable Compassions of the more Southward Neighbours, with Effects to accomplish it, happily Effected the Redemption of many that were taken Captives at York. But the rest of the People in that Broken Town, talking of Drawing off, the Government sent Captain Convers and Captain Greenleaf, with such Encouragements unto them, to keep their Station, as prevailed with 'em still to Stand their Ground. In February Major Hutchinson, was made Commander in Chief, & Forces under the Command of Captain Convers, Captain Floyd, and Captain Thaxter, were by him so prudently posted, on the Frontiers, that by maintaining a continual Communication, it became a Difficult Thing for the Enemy to make any more Approaches. Lieutenant Wilson particularly hearing of a man Shot at, in Quochecho-Woods, went out with a Scout of about Eighteen men, who came upon the Indians that had shot at the man; and killed and wounded all but one, of the whole Company. But now, Reader, the Longest Day in the Year is come on, and, if I ⟨p. 88⟩mistake not, the Bravest Act in the War, fell out upon it. Modockawando is now come, according to his Promise a Twelve-Month ago. Captain Convers, was lodged in Storer's Garrison at Wells, with but Fifteen men; and there came into Wells, Two Sloops, with a Shallop, which had aboard Supplies of Ammunition for the Soldiers, and Contribution for the Needy. The Cattle this Day came Frighted, and Bleeding out of the Woods, which was a more certain Omen of Indians a coming, than all the Prodigies that Livy reports of the Sacrificed Oxen. Convers immediately issued out his Commands unto all Quarters, but especially to the Sloops just then arrived. The Sloops were Commanded by Samuel Storer, and James Gouge, and Gouges being Two miles up the River, he wisely brought her down undiscovered, unto Storer's, by the advantage of a Mist then prevailing. A careful Night, they had on't! The next Morning, before Day-Light, one John Diamond, a Stranger that came in the Shallop on a Visit, came to Captain Conver's Garrison, where the Watch invited him in; but he chose rather to go aboard the Sloops, which were little more than a Gun-shot off;