Attack on Springfield
Encyclopedia
The Attack on Springfield (October 1675) was an Indian attack on the settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts
during King Philip's War
. It was the second major New England
settlement burnt to the ground in the war. (The first major settlement burned was Providence, Rhode Island
.) King Philip's War permanently ended the harmonious relations that had existed between Springfield's settlers and the region's natives.
rather the Connecticut Colony
, (see: Springfield, Massachusetts
,) many Natives had grown distrustful of New England's English settlers. In 1675, the leader of the Eastern Massachusetts Wampanoag Indian tribe, Wamsutta
, died shortly after being questioned at gunpoint by Plymouth Colonists
. Wamsutta's brother, Chief Metacomet
(known as "King Philip") who had long been friendly and helpful to European settlers, took revenge. Initially inciting only his own tribe to rebel against the English colonists, he later toured around New England, seeking support from other tribes to rise against the English settlers.
Until this point, the Connecticut River
settlers at Springfield had enjoyed one of New England's most mutually advantageous and peaceful relationships with area natives. The Agawam Indians (of the Pocomtuc
tribe) had been accommodating to Springfield's settlers since their first meeting with its scouts from Roxbury, Massachusetts
in 1635. Likewise, Springfield's settlers - following the peaceful and business-minded example set by the settlement's founder, William Pynchon
- had been equally accommodating to the area's Natives. Unlike settlements to Springfield's near south - such as Hartford, Connecticut, which had fought the Pequot War
s, and often treated Natives as opposition - during its first 39 years of existence, Springfield had never suffered an "Indian raid." Until 1675, it had been very common to see Natives walking through Springfield's streets, visiting with English settlers and patronizing local businesses.
) Indians, at their fort on what is now Longhill Street in Springfield's South End
. After King Philip met with the Agawams in their fort, hundreds of Agawam Indians moved to the area of Springfield now known as "King Philip's Stockade," (currently a large city park bordering Longmeadow, Massachusetts
.) There, King Philip was reported to incite the Agawam Indians to rebel against the English settlers of Springfield and burn the town to the ground. Luckily, Springfielders received advanced warning of this treacherous attack from a native from Windsor, Connecticut
named Toto, who in history books is often called "The Windsor Indian." Currently, a bronze statue of Toto, the Windsor Indian, stands in King Philip's Stockade as a tribute to his bravery.
's block-house became Springfield's fortress. Many of the town's survivors lived there throughout the Attack on Springfield.
Under the cover of night, Morgan sent one of his paid Indian servants to Hadley, where Massachusetts Bay Colony troops under the command of Major Samuel Appleton
were stationed. After alerting Appleton to Springfield's plight, his troops marched to Springfield and raised the siege. Unfortunately, Miles Morgan's young sons were killed in the war, fighting to save the settlement at Springfield.
. The peace that had enabled the settlement at Springfield to flourish in its early years was forever broken.
As mentioned above, the hilltop from which the Attack on Springfield was planned is currently known as King Phillip's Stockade. It is a Springfield city park offering excellent views of the Connecticut River Valley, picnic pavilions, and a statue depicting Toto, the famous Windsor Indian, who warned the residents of Springfield of impending danger.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
during King Philip's War
King Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
. It was the second major New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
settlement burnt to the ground in the war. (The first major settlement burned was Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
.) King Philip's War permanently ended the harmonious relations that had existed between Springfield's settlers and the region's natives.
Background
After years of encroaching upon the native New Englanders' land, decimating the Native population with European diseases, and perpetuating violence against natives, such as in the Pequot Wars in Connecticut, and also in the famous incident that resulted in Springfield siding with the Massachusetts Bay ColonyMassachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
rather the Connecticut Colony
Connecticut Colony
The Connecticut Colony or Colony of Connecticut was an English colony located in British America that became the U.S. state of Connecticut. Originally known as the River Colony, it was organized on March 3, 1636 as a haven for Puritan noblemen. After early struggles with the Dutch, the English...
, (see: Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
,) many Natives had grown distrustful of New England's English settlers. In 1675, the leader of the Eastern Massachusetts Wampanoag Indian tribe, Wamsutta
Wamsutta
Wamsutta , also known as Alexander Pokanoket, as he was called by New England colonists, was the eldest son of Massasoit and a sachem of the Wampanoag native American tribe. His sale of Wampanoag lands to colonists other than those of the Plymouth Colony brought the Wampanoag considerable power,...
, died shortly after being questioned at gunpoint by Plymouth Colonists
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
. Wamsutta's brother, Chief Metacomet
Metacomet
Metacomet , also known as King Philip or Metacom, or occasionally Pometacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War, a widespread Native American uprising against English colonists in New England.-Biography:Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit...
(known as "King Philip") who had long been friendly and helpful to European settlers, took revenge. Initially inciting only his own tribe to rebel against the English colonists, he later toured around New England, seeking support from other tribes to rise against the English settlers.
Until this point, the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
settlers at Springfield had enjoyed one of New England's most mutually advantageous and peaceful relationships with area natives. The Agawam Indians (of the Pocomtuc
Pocomtuc
The Pocumtuck, also Pocomtuc or Deerfield Indians, were a Native American tribe formerly inhabiting western Massachusetts, especially around the confluence of the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers in Franklin County. Their territory also included parts of Hampden and Hampshire County, as well as...
tribe) had been accommodating to Springfield's settlers since their first meeting with its scouts from Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and became a city in 1846 until annexed to Boston on January 5, 1868...
in 1635. Likewise, Springfield's settlers - following the peaceful and business-minded example set by the settlement's founder, William Pynchon
William Pynchon
William Pynchon was an English colonist in North America best known as the founder of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. He was also a colonial treasurer, original patentee of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the iconoclastic author of the New World's first banned book...
- had been equally accommodating to the area's Natives. Unlike settlements to Springfield's near south - such as Hartford, Connecticut, which had fought the Pequot War
Pequot War
The Pequot War was an armed conflict between 1634–1638 between the Pequot tribe against an alliance of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies who were aided by their Native American allies . Hundreds were killed; hundreds more were captured and sold into slavery to the West Indies. ...
s, and often treated Natives as opposition - during its first 39 years of existence, Springfield had never suffered an "Indian raid." Until 1675, it had been very common to see Natives walking through Springfield's streets, visiting with English settlers and patronizing local businesses.
King Philip visits Springfield
This harmony ended in 1675, when King Philip himself visited Springfield's Agawam (PocomtucPocomtuc
The Pocumtuck, also Pocomtuc or Deerfield Indians, were a Native American tribe formerly inhabiting western Massachusetts, especially around the confluence of the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers in Franklin County. Their territory also included parts of Hampden and Hampshire County, as well as...
) Indians, at their fort on what is now Longhill Street in Springfield's South End
South End, Springfield, Massachusetts
South End is the smallest of the seventeen neighborhoods of the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. It is located immediately south of Metro Center. It contains of land, plus streets and railroads...
. After King Philip met with the Agawams in their fort, hundreds of Agawam Indians moved to the area of Springfield now known as "King Philip's Stockade," (currently a large city park bordering Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,633 people, 5,734 households, and 4,432 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 5,879 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.42% White, 0.69% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.90%...
.) There, King Philip was reported to incite the Agawam Indians to rebel against the English settlers of Springfield and burn the town to the ground. Luckily, Springfielders received advanced warning of this treacherous attack from a native from Windsor, Connecticut
Windsor, Connecticut
Windsor is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, and was the first English settlement in the state. It lies on the northern border of Connecticut's capital, Hartford. The population was estimated at 28,778 in 2005....
named Toto, who in history books is often called "The Windsor Indian." Currently, a bronze statue of Toto, the Windsor Indian, stands in King Philip's Stockade as a tribute to his bravery.
Attack
Despite the advanced warning, 45 of Springfield's 60 houses were burned to the ground, as were its grist and saw mills, which belonged to village leader John Pynchon. Indeed, much of the town became smoldering ruins, and there was considerable thought given to abandoning it entirely. This idea was rejected, and the residents of Springfield endured the winter of 1675 under siege conditions. During that winter, Captain Miles MorganMiles Morgan
Miles Morgan was an English colonist of America, a pioneer settler of what was to become Springfield, Massachusetts...
's block-house became Springfield's fortress. Many of the town's survivors lived there throughout the Attack on Springfield.
Under the cover of night, Morgan sent one of his paid Indian servants to Hadley, where Massachusetts Bay Colony troops under the command of Major Samuel Appleton
Samuel Appleton
Samuel Appleton was an American merchant and philanthropist, active in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Great Britain. The city of Appleton, Wisconsin was named in his honor by Amos Lawrence.-Biography:...
were stationed. After alerting Appleton to Springfield's plight, his troops marched to Springfield and raised the siege. Unfortunately, Miles Morgan's young sons were killed in the war, fighting to save the settlement at Springfield.
Aftermath and legacy
During King Philip's War, over 800 settlers were killed and approximately 8,000 Natives were killed, enslaved, or made refugees. The war ended in the summer of 1676, when colonists shot Metacomet twice with a musket, leading to the Native Americans' surrender. Following the war, Springfield Natives - who had been frequently seen around town in the years preceding the war - were rarely seen; however, in the times that were seen, they generally raided Springfield's livestock and otherwise "behaved treacherously." Thereafter, the fighting between the Connecticut River Valley's originally peaceful native inhabitants and the English colonists continued for over 100 years, sometimes aided and abetted by New FranceNew France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
. The peace that had enabled the settlement at Springfield to flourish in its early years was forever broken.
As mentioned above, the hilltop from which the Attack on Springfield was planned is currently known as King Phillip's Stockade. It is a Springfield city park offering excellent views of the Connecticut River Valley, picnic pavilions, and a statue depicting Toto, the famous Windsor Indian, who warned the residents of Springfield of impending danger.