Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-14
WHY UNcAs PRESENTED NOR.
 WIcH TO THE ENGLISH

Soon after the destruction of the Pequots by Captain Mason, the Mar l ragansetts of Rhode Island who were l the most numerous tribe in New Eng of the respect the English paid to him and because of the small power with which they were vested.
 1 Without giving Uncas warning and without any proclamation of war they raised an army of one thousand men and marched against him; but the willy Uncas. having his spies out who dis covered their approach, received warn ing. Uncas was unprepared but get ting together 500 picked men he ad- | marched three or four miles the Mo- hegans met the enemy on an extensive plain. When within bowshot Uncas resolved on stratagem which he had previously arranged with his warriors. He desired a barley, which being gallantly advanced in front of his men and addressed the Narragansett sachem, Mintinomi. to this effect:-
 You have a number of stout men with you; so have I with me. It is a great pity that so many warriors Gerstsnding between you and me. Come, like a. brave man you profess to be and let us decide this dispute alone. If you kill me my men shall be yours; if kill you your men shall me mine."
 "No," replied Mintinomi. My men have come to fight and they shall fight. Upon which, Uncas f1inging himself upon the ground, his men dis charged shower of arrows, and rush. ing upon the Narragansetts with hideous yells put them to flight. The Mohegans pursued them with great fury. They drove them before them like the doe before the huntsman' down rocks and precipices. Many to escape the fury of their pursuers plunged into the river from rocks nearly sixty feet high.
 Mintinomi was hard pushed by Un- cas- men who twisted him into a cir cle till Uncas could come up and cap ture him himself. Uncas who was a nIan> of great bodily strength, rushed forward like a lion greedy for the prey; and seized Mintinomi by the shoulder; when giving the warwhoop he called his men to his assistance.
 IL was a complete victory; about 50 Narragansetts were killed and as many more made prisoners. Uncas conducted Mintinomi to the English in Hartford and consulted with them what to do with his prisoner, who begged to be placed in the custody of the English; but as it was proved that he had formed a conspiracy to ex- all the COlOIll6S, ne was Qe- livered back to Uncas who executed him near the spot where he was cap tured. He was buried under a pile of stones and the place was given the name of 'Sachems Plains" which is situated in the eastern corner of
 The Narragansetts were very an- GrE over the loss of their chief and continually invaded Uncas' territory. Ky lying il ambush they killed many of his best warriors. The English sen, g ne: aGa to them stating that unless they ceased to moiest Uncas they would sGlad tn army against them. But tceE repl,ed That nothing would saI.@EE them but the head of Tncas an0 5h&t they would kill any Eng lishman ar Mohrean who came within their reach ifdI when the NarTa- gansetts found that the English were raising an army to project Cna&& they Were ready to sue for peace CT 2!,| terms the English were pleased 10 GlanL The English rC%3!ted t1Cm t0 re uTI all the CapiiVes and canoes they had taken from Cncas and co pay him an annual tribute O. 2.0G0 fAtilollS of waEaDTm. This was q hard blow to tn" <frI@G Gan&etia for they were also tp l,"g" pC>petuai peace with both the English and the Mohagaus: but the memory Of the PeqUot war was too clear to refuse, so peace was made and kept.
 r. uas during these wars with the NarTanga nsetts that Uncas was be- stigeG for q long time by the enemy. They soon found themselves facing cithes' death hy the tomahawk or by starvation. EnCas managed to send his spies to SaynrcoIl and so acquaint the English of his necessity. He set forth the fact before them that if the MohoganS should be conquered the English would be in great danger: but just at that time the troops were en- ployed in an expedition abroad: and so a MT. Thomas Leffngweil loaded canoes with provisions and under cover of night padded up the river from Saybrook keeping we'll in the middle of the river on their eIiard of mercy and succeeded in landing iii the forest where they were met hy Uncas' spies who received the provisions
 Thus relieved UnCas was able to drive away the enemy. And in return for this service he presented Thomas Leffingwell with what is now the whole town of Norwich but which was not settled until the spring of 1860, when James Fitch lead his congrega- tion into the wilderness.
 For many years the new town of Norwich was protected by Uncas who moved his village near to protect his friends, the English. So again did this wonderful savage establish his high character for faithfulness to the white man.
 SUSAN JEWETT HOWE.