The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-06-06

F;sn6 in which the power Of the
NarrSgansett Indians was forever
broken in New England. In order to
bolieve that history is literally true
one should visit the swaWi, in the
winter. At this season it is entirely
covered With water which together
with the briers snd underbrush maker
passage way into it almost impossi-
bic. It's then that one gets an idea
Of the strength Of the position tie
Indians had selected as a st!ong-
hold. -. .. ..l.-' >.. -.
The GTeat Swamp is about eight
miles in extent, stretching along the
Usquepaugh River through the town
ship Of South Kipgstown, Rhode Is-
land, 1t was once q shallow lake,
formed by the glaciers which pushed
across this section Of the country from
the North East. The quaint little
village Of Kingston is on the neighbor-
ing hill, while Narragansett Pier and
Newport srs only about twelve miles
awey. r.. ~ + .I?s,s; .<rs,
twill be remembered that upon the
ousbresk Of King Philips War, the
Narragansetts were suspected Of SO.
oretly aiding and abetting the Wam-
! ponoszs in their attacks upon the
white settlements: With the horrors
Of Indian msssaores full upon them
the colonies Of Plymouth and Massa-
ehusets had little time 20 assume the
offensive and it was notaunsil late in
che fall Of 1876 after. tho warriors Of
Philip had been driven back from the
frontier settlements, that preparations
were made for an invasion Of the hos
t.le country. ...., j. i. ,.>....-... !
!: According to historical accounts,
upon suspecting the invasion of the
white men, the Narragansetts had
quilted their hunting grounds and had
erected . strong fort upon an island in
the midst Of this swamp. It was in
deed . typical place for a strong de-
fensive position. Flanked on both
sides and in the rear for miles by =.
quagmire OF mud, the only ACCESS to
the leland was BY means Of a, huge
tres trunk which had been felled
across TO- the mainland at narrow:
place lin front. b The Indians had
built . palisade Of tree trunks over q
rod III thickness completely around
the island with rude block houses sta
toned ct regular intervals. These
block houses were 80 arranged that 9
rakine Gre ennld be: maintained ::.a==:::.=; id
against an attaoking party either on
the ebridge or along the whols line of
defenaaas. Il addition they had snr.Ss
rounded Che island with q deep ditch
. which was now filled with water.
Here:they thought themselves quite!
secure and had collected together all
Of their women and children with
provisions enough for. the winter.
Twas against this fort that stho
| settlers: decided to. strike e decisive
bioo.5 5looH. Thousand men were raised.
y Massachusetts sent 527 Plymouth 1853
and sConnect ectiontE 315. g These zftrcops'
vera She flower of the colonial forces:
4 and had alIS seen service in former
campaigns: against the red men,. COL
4 Winslow of Plymouth was appointed:
i Command er-in:phisf bnt the 8 most.
j mot, worthy .chasaetsr 81 this sexpedi.
u ton was Cap Bsnjamin Church. who
acsolnpanied Col. IinsloW 5as sn mid,
Il Tho Fstroops endaeayoussa tsss. the
8garrison aho honsa ioffs tlf 4 ichard ssnith al.
q Wexford soDs odD, Inc Hsstern shore %:
4 Narrag agsnastt Bay and Esmsined these
suntit December 18th Having been
q joined 81 spme friendly dians and
by spme Yolnnssera from pmh Rhode Islaad
they then sfset ont upon ssheir msfeh. {
q Their Intention Ras To- march down
the waatsrn ShQre 1 81 q by so Me
Z zgsrriaon hsusa os ,Jiyshs 81 uIl, Oh Tower
3 HILL nearSt Sth he Ilattsg assntt Riyer,
Where they sxpecte te Ind pro- visions
ind shaltsr q for; 81 the ii but when
they arrived sat shei iban, ia sos \
hquAmsapts 81; ;fouya that ths; I'M
s aiaDs HID Attaek kspds stll l sp,IacS the whit;
ssfore. aud hadE ia; So lid il % B ; ors and
eutohs ca stha arsssss garris q. 6s's lSSsss
The sxaes locs 90 ssi ion 80 s'this S9tbii iiock|
aeuse. firsk houss;