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The Indians were warrior societies. Despite the imbalance of arms since they lacked cannon, and depended upon the English or French for muskets and powder, they were effective against European military formations. Colonial militia, which quickly adopted the Indiansıs style of combat, what we call guerrilla or insurgency warfare, were better able to deal with Indian tactics.
Indian warfare often involved surprise raids on isolated settlements as a way of evening the odds. In King Philipıs war (1675-1676), the Indian attacks left:
"In Narraganset not one House left standing.
"At Warwick, but one. At Providence, not above three.
"At Potuxit, none left. ...
"Besides particular Farms and Plantations, a great Number not be reckoned up, wholly laid waste or very much damnified.
"And as to Persons, it is generally thought that of the English there hath been lost, in all, ..., above Eight Hundred." This is followed by a claim that fearful atrocities were worked on the survivors, and the women raped. (N. S. "A New and Farther Narrative of the State of New-England, July 22, 1676," p. 29 in William Graebner and Leonard Richards, ed., The American Record, Images of the Nation's Past, vol. 1 (New York: McGraw Hill, 1995).)
Dr. John Davenport notes that his many times great uncle, Thomas Davenport, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, died in the Great Swamp Fight at the end of this war. (Comment to the Webmaster, 22 January 1997.)
Captured, King Philip was "taken and destroyed, and there was he (like as Agag was hewed in pieced before the Lord) cut into four quarters, and is now hanged up as a monument of revenging Justice, his head being cut off and carried away to Plymouth, his Hands were brought to Boston." (Increase Mather, A History of King Philip's War, p. 31 in William Graebner and Leonard Richards, ed., The American Record, Images of the Nationıs Past, vol. 1 (New York: McGraw Hill, 1995).)
We should not be surprised that the colonists, often hard pressed to win these all-out assaults, developed not only a fear of Indians but a hatred as well. Treating with the Indians as equals, or even as psuedo-equals was quite beyond their comprehension or in most cases their abilities. This problem conflicted with the general imperial policy to improve relations, especially in peace time.
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For more information, contact the webmaster, Joe Fitzharris, jcfitzharris@stthomas.edu, at 612.962.5734.
URL: http://milkweed.econ.stthomas.edu/hist/courses/Mods113/KingPhilip.html
Updated 2 January 1997