New Ulm weekly review., 1879-12-17
Historical Rem t,eiscc,,ces.
The Battle Of Bloody Brook.

sembled at the town Of Hadley, on
the banks Of the Connecticut River,
to defend that place and the neigh
boring hamlets from the attacks of
the Indians, who, banded togeth.
er under the command of the brave
Philip, had committed many and
serious depredations along the val
ley of the river. Among other towns
which had suffered from the ma
|lignant hate Of the savages, was
Deerfield, a few miles above Hadley.
This place had been partially burned
and the inhabitants scattered during
the previous summer, and there yet
remained in the fields some three
thousand bushels of wheat, in stacks,
just as the husbandman had left it
when driven from his home. 1t was
desirable not only to obtain this for
the use Of the little army and the
numerous families who had assem-
bled at Hadley for protection, but
also to keep it from falling into the
hands of the Indians, and it was
decided to send party to
thresh it out and transport it to
head quarters. Capt. Lathrop was
appointed to command the detail of
sixty-six men and eighteen teams.
ters, who had been selected for the
expedition. It was made up of
young men, the very ''fower of the
country who burned to distinguish
themselves in aid of the cause which
they were assembled to defend, the
sanctity of their homes and firesides.
Many cheek was wet as they
took up their march towards their
destination, and many maiden
heaved deep drawn sigh as her lover
disappeared from her sight; for, al
though no immediate danger was
apprehended, yet none knew in.
those troublous times when the
storm might break upon their devot.
ed heads, and overwhelm them in
its fury. The departure of so con.
siderable body Of their choicest
men, therefore, gave cause OF uneas.
mess to all, and unnumbered prayers
were offered to Heaven for their safe
return.
Arriving in safety at Deer6eld,
the men commenced with will the
performance of their work, and the
grain was threshed out, the teams.
loaded, and with light hearts they
started to return to their expectant
friends. The savage enemy had,
however, through their numerous
spies, obtained intelligence Of the
expedition, and determined to cut it
off. Collecting a body of between
six and seven hundred warriors,
Phillip narrowly watched the move
ments of Capt. Lathrop and his
party, and when they started to re-
turn, he planned an ambuscade at a
spot which in every way was suited to
his purpose.
After leaving Deer6eld, for some
three miles the road run nearly par
allel with the Connecticut River,
through a level country; it then di.
verged, and for half mile ran
along the edge of a morass, which it
crossed, and took a southerly direct.
ion towards Sugar loaf Hill, across
what are now the ''home lcts," to
the eastward of the Village of South
Deerfield. The morass was covered
with thick growth of underbrush,
which afforded concealment for the
savage foe, who, with nostrils dilat-
ed and eyes cleaning with deadly
hate, lay in waiting, like couchant
tiger, trembling in their eagerness,
spring upon their unsuspecting vic
tins. Little dreaming of the dan.
ger which lurked in their path, the
little company of brave hearts came
onward to their fate. With lament.
able carelessness, Lathrop failed to
throw out Aankers on his front and
hanks, but marched blindfold into
the snare laid for him by the cum
ming Phillip. Crossing the morass,
without suspecting the proximity of
their foe, the little band reached
the banks of small stream, or ri.
vulet, which crossed the road, near
which, tradition informs us, grew
great quantities of the luscious wild
grape, which were ripening in the
sun, and the tempting punches hung
in profusion from among the branch.
es Of the surrounding trees. While
waiting for the teams to draw their
heavy loads through the morass,
they carelessly piled their arms and
hastened TO partake of the tempting
repast 80 bountifully spread.
Now was the opportunity for the
savage foe, and ''quick as fire from
smitten STEEL" a volley was poured
upon the devoted youths which lay
low many a promising form. Cool
and calm under all circumstances,
and as brave as cool, they rallied at
the word, and seizing their arms,
dealt back upon their fend.like enc.
my shower of balls which made
many warrior bite the dust. A
second, and a third, aimed with
clear eye and steady nerves, told so
we'll that the savages began to W .ver.
| A CLEAN of Hope broke through the
fearful prospect, and for a moment
they dreamed Of Victory. But now
appears the savage form Of the Wam-
panoag chief, and in thunder tones
he cheers on his band. The dusky
warriors rally at the sound of his
thrilling voice, and surrounding the
brave pale.faced youths, they deal
death on every side. With half
their number slain, the heroic little
band perceive now the hopelesness
of their situation and the certainty
of their fate. Not a nerve thrilled