King Philip's War

King Philip's War was a general Indian uprising in 1675–1676 to resist continued expansion of the English colonies throughout the New England region.

The war

Early engagements

The war quickly spread, and soon involved the Podunk and Nipmuck tribes.

Related Topics:
Podunk - Nipmuck

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During the summer of 1675 the Indians attacked at Mendon (July 14), Brookfield (August 2), and Lancaster (August 9).

Related Topics:
Mendon - July 14 - Brookfield - August 2 - Lancaster - August 9

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In early September they attacked Deerfield, Hadley, and Northfield.

Related Topics:
Deerfield - Hadley - Northfield

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The New England Confederation declared war on the Indians on September 9, 1675.

Related Topics:
New England Confederation - September 9

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The next colonial expedition was soundly defeated in the battle of Bloody Brook (near Hadley) on September 18.

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The attacks on frontier settlements continued at Springfield (October 5) and Hatfield (October 16).

Related Topics:
Springfield - October 5 - Hatfield - October 16

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The next expansion to the war came from the colonists.

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On November 2, Josiah Winslow led a force from Plymouth to attack the Narragansett tribe.

Related Topics:
November 2 - Narragansett

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The Narragansetts had not yet been involved in the war, but they occupied desirable land throughout the colonies, and the colonial view was that any Indian was an enemy.

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Several Indian towns were burned, and in December the Narrargansett stronghold near modern South Kingstown, Rhode Island was taken.

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About 300 Indians were killed and winter stores destroyed, but most of the warriors escaped into the swamp.

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Facing a winter without food and shelter, the Narragansett joined the uprising.

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The Indian victories

Throughout the winter of 1675–1676 more frontier settlements were destroyed by the Indians.

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Attacks came at Andover, Bridgewater, Chelmsford, Groton, Lancaster, Marlborough, Medfield, Medford, Portland, Providence, Rehoboth, Scituate, Seekonk, Sudbury, Warwick, Weymouth, and Wrentham.

Related Topics:
Andover - Bridgewater - Chelmsford - Groton - Lancaster - Marlborough - Medfield - Medford - Portland - Providence - Rehoboth - Scituate - Seekonk - Sudbury - Warwick - Weymouth - Wrentham

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The high-water mark for the combined tribes came in the spring of 1676.

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They reached and attacked Plymouth Plantation itself on March 12.

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Even though the town stood the assault, they had shown that they could attack anywhere.

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All but five of the outlying settlements were deserted, and the colonists were thrown back on the seacoast.

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In May a militia force of 200, led by William Turner, set out from Springfield to destroy a camp of the Indians who had raided Hatfield.

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At dawn on May 14 they attacked the sleeping camp, and killed about 200 Indians.

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But they hadn't considered their withdrawal.

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Surrounding camps closed in, and half the force, including Captain Turner, never made it home.

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To compound this, some braves got into Springfield and burned substantial parts of the town while the militia was away.

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The Colonial Tide