Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-06-01
From the Portsmouth Journal
LOVEWELL'S FIGHT

/. This memorable battle was fought in
that part of Pigwacket which is now
Fryeburgh, on the 9th of May, old style,
(now l9th) 1925. Capt Lovewell, who
had set out from Dunstable on the 10Th
ofApriI, with foriy-six men under his
command, passed up on the banks of the
Merrimack to Contoocook, (now Bosca-
wen) and thence directed his course
northeast towards Ossipee. His design
was to attack the Indians at Pigwacket,
who, under the command Of Paugus, a
noted Sachem. were making continual
excursions against the frontier settle
ments. Paugus was distinguished
warrior; and such was the terror in
spired by his achievements, that our SIM
pie ancestors verify believed him to be
an evil spirit in human form. We re-
member 10 have seen many years ago
an edition of Groue on The Sacrament,
printed at Dover, in the advertisement
to which it is not obscurely intimated,
that Paugus was the Arch Fiend himself
who, though killed ia battle by Cham
berlaio. was still to be combatted, but,
with different weapons, by every good
Christian.
On his arrival at Ossipee. Capt. Love-
well found it necessary TO build small
fort, and TO leave there his sick, and the
greater part of his provisions.-With
only thirty-four men he marched forty
miles further in the wilderness to Pig
wacket. On Saturday the 9th of May,
ll9thJ while they were at prayers in
the morning, his men were alarmed by
the firing of a gun, and, presently after
wards, they saw an Indian standing on a
point of land that runs into Saco. pond.
Surprising the enessy TO be in front of
them, they Immediately laid down their
packs and advanced. After marching
about mile and half, they espied an
Indian coming towards them, upon which
they concealed themselves in the bush
es till he came very near, when they
fired upon him. He Immediately re-
turned The fire and MORALLY wounded
Capt. LovewelI. Upon this, Ensign
Wyman fred and killed him, and Mr..
Frye (the Chaplain of the company
scaIped him.
Unfortunately, the enemy was in their
rear, and not in front, as they supposed
and their packs which fell into the hands
of the Indians sufficiently indicated the
small number of their company.-After
killing the Indian as above related, they
returned 10 the place where they had
left their packs at the northeast end oil
Saco Pond, and reached it about ten
O'Clock, when they were suddenly al
tackled both in front and rear by two
parties of Indians who were lying in
ambush for them. After two or three
rounds, Lovewell himself being killed
and eight of his men, and three othera
dangerously wounded, the remainder
retreated to the edge Of the pond to
avoid being surrounded, leaving theil
dead on the field.
The contest continued with great fury
ana various success through the zchOlt
ofthe day. Itresembled one of Homer's
battles. The champions on both sides
singled out each his foe and dared him
to the fight /; and, more than once, a
long conversation between them pre-.
coded the final struggle.-Paugus ant
John Chamberlain of Groton were well
known TO each other, and finding theiI
guns foul from frequent firing, they re.
paired to the pond at the same moment
10 wash and cleanse them.-While pre-.
pairing their guns, Paugus said to Cham
berlain-"I 1T is you, or l." ID loading
his gun, the bullet of Paugus lodged fol
moment in the barrel, and obliged hin
to draw out his ramrod. While doing
this, Chamberlain completed his load
ing, and fired first. Paugus fell deat
OIL the spot.
After sunset, the Indians who wer,
about eighty in number retired, carry
ing off their dead and wounded, bu
leaving the field to Lovewell's men.