Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-14
LOVEWELL'S FIGHT.

Tho following account of the famous
"Lovewelfs Fight" and death ot the
Indian chief Paugus, which took place in
the early history OF this County, is copied
from Cot. VARSEY's "YoUNG PEoPLE's 5
IlIsroEY or MAINE published by DREs-
SER MCCLELLAN * Co., Portland.
In December, and again in February,
Captain Loyewell made successful excur.
sions into the region north and east OF
Winnipcsaukee Lake; and in April, 1925.
he set out on the expedition which ter
minated in the famous "LoyGTell's
Fight II was on the sixteenth OF April
that Captain Lovcwell, with forty.six
volunteers set out from Dunstabc Massa-
chusClls TO hunt for Indians about the
head waters of The Saco River, which was
the home OF Sokokis. The chief pilot
was an Indian named Toby; but he was
obliged to return on account Of lamencss.
After marching about one hundred miles,
another of the party became disabled by
reason OF an old wound; and his kinsman
was sent with him back TO the settlement
By the time the force reached Ossipee
Pond, in New Hampshire, another man
fell seriously i'll. and the whole company
stopped there and built q small stockadc
font. Here they lett the sick man, with
the surgeon and eight of the most weary
ones; 20 that there now remained only
thirty four men. including the captain, to
continue the march. About twenty two
miles TO the northeast lay the body OF
water now known rs Lovewel's Pond in
Frycburg; and thither this brave little
band took its way.
On the night of the seventh of May
they cncamped by brook that runs into
the pond near the northwest corner;
while only two miles northward, oil the
bank of the Saco. was Pigwacket, the
principal village OF The Sokokis. The
next morning while they were at
prayers the report of GIN was heard.
Passing another small brook, they came
upon level plain at the north OF the
pond, and discovered an Indian standing
on point that ran into the pond on the
east. 1t was now believed that the
savagcs had discovered them, and that
this lone Indian was decoy to draw
them into an ambush. Captain Love.
well inquired of his little company
whether it was prudent to venture an
engagement with the enemy in bis own
county. or TO make speedy retreat.
One of them answered boldly and firmly:
I'VE came out 10 meet the enemy we
have all along prayed God we might
meet them; and we had rather trust
Providence with our lives, yea, die for
our country, than try TO return without
seeing them, if we way,-and be called
c0rards for our pains" To this the rest
willingly and fully assented.
Therefore. leaving their packs among
the brakes in the midst of the plain, they
went cautiously forward, crossing on
their way another stream, since known
as Battle Brook In n short time they
met the Indian returning toward the vii
lage. Several fired upon him, when he
instantly fired in return, wounding Cap.
tain Loyewell and one OF the men; but
Ensign Wyman fired and killed him. In
the meantime, party OF savages led by
Paugus and lyahwa, going, or returning
between the village and the pond, had
come upon the packs which were left on
the plain; and, counting them, they found
themselves three times as strong as the
English.
1t was now about ten o'clock; and
Lovcwell's patty turned back in the way
they came. They passed over tho brook
and were crossing The plain to resume
their packs, when the savages rose in
frcnt and rear, and rushed toward them
with guns presented, and yelling like
demons. Lovewell and his men with
determined shouts ran to meet them. In
the volley that followed many Indians
fell, andthey were driven back several