Year: 1861

In regard 10 the position OF the Zoe
The Innian was but lone hunter, while
the main body of the tribe--eighty in
number-under their chief, Paugus, CON-
ing upon this trail from an opposite quar-
ter, followed IL to the packs, and counting
these, found the number of the whites 30
far below their own, that they determined
at once to fight them. Removing the
packs, they found an ambush, and waited
for the intruders upon this wild domain.
II was 10 o'clock when Lovewell and his
men, having slain the Indian first discov-
cred, came on their return looking for
their packs. The Indians rose and rush
ed upon them with loud yells, aud hur-
ried fire. A well directed volley from
the whites, checked them for q time,
but the savages were more than two to
one of the heroic band. Lovewell, and
with him eight men, had fallen at the
first fire, and to prevent being surround
ed, the survivors retrested to the pond.
With this in their rear, . brook and
flooded morass on their right, and rocky
point covering in part their left, they
kept the savages at bay, and during the
whole day maintained the unequal fight
with unsurpassed coolness and heroism.
Again and again the Indians asked them
to surrender, holding up ropes, intima.
ting that they would receive them as
csptives, but they preferred death to
captivity, and determined to fight to the
last. "And So" in the language of an
early historian, "the fight continued very
furious and obstinate till towards night;
the Indians roaring and yelling, and
bowling like wolves, barking like dogs,
and making all sorts of hideous noises
the English frequently shouting and
huzzaing as they did after the first round.


A more desperate conflict than this
can hardly be imagined. Cooped up as
the white men we're, not morsel of food
and no relief for their wounds, it is sur.
prising that they were not cut off to q
man. That this was not tho case, was
owing to their indomitable resolution,
and in part to the death of Paugus, the
master spirit Of the tribe.


This stalwsrt savage, and Chamberlin,
a noted hunter of Groton, met at the
waters edge, whittier both had repaired
to wash out their guns, grown foul with
frequent firing. They agreed to cleanse
their pieces quietly, and then by rapidity
of loading, see who should secure the
first fire. The bullets were sent home at
the same instant, but Chamberlain prim.
ing his gun by smart blow upon the
breach, shot his antagonist through the
heart. This decided the conflict. AS
night set in, the Indians drew off from
the hardfought field, leaving the victory
to the whites. But what victoryl


"Ah! many wife shall rend her hair,


And many o child cry 'wo is MOI


When messengers the news shall bear


or LovewelPs dear bought victory"


Only nine Of the company were left
unhurt, and as they gathered in council
in the chill air of the spring evening,
how gloomy was the prospect before
them. More than one hundred miles
from their homes, in the heart of the
wilderness with the savage foe, beaten,
indeed, but familiar with the ground, and
able ut any moment to cut them off. 1t
must be remembered that by the loss Of
their packs they were left without NOR
sci OF food. They had fought tho whole
day with only the morning meal. Their
nearest supplies were at the fort forty
miles distant through the forest. Eleven
Of their number werc severely wounded,
but thought themselves able to travel
OF three others mortally wounded, one
expired during the consultation. Nine
lay with their brave commander in death,
and must be left unburied.


About midnight, as the rays Of the
rising moon stole over the dark forests
and lighted up the peaceful waters of the
pond, the little band took last look at
the scene of their dreadful encounter,
and bidding their dying comrades fare
well, set out on their hazardous journey
homewards. Many interesting incidents
Of their sufferings on the march are pre-
served, but our space will not allow the
recital here. Early in June, Col. Tying,
with small company, went to the place
Of action and buried the dead, and there,
with no other monument than the dark
pines beneath which they fell, have these
brave men slept for nearly century aud
\ half.


"with footsteps slow shall travellers 20,


Where Lovowell's Pond shines clear and bright,


And mark the place where those sre laid,


Who fell in LovswelPs bloody fight"