King Philip's War was a general Indian uprising in 1675-1676 to resist continued expansion of the English colonies in New England. It was the bloodiest of the Indian wars in terms of relative casualties, and several tribes were virtually or totally eliminated. The war proved a critical turning point by destroying the interdependent world constructed jointly by white colonists and Native Americans and replacing it with a new culture in which native peoples were marginalized and the white settlers were dominant. Six hundred colonists were killed, which included about one-fifth of all the men fit for military service. Philip was the Christian name assigned to Metacomet, the sachem of the Wampanoag Indians. Massachusetts colonial settlers frequently referred to the Native chiefs as Kings. Events January 5 - The Battle of Turckeim August 10 - Building of the Royal Greenwich Observatory began November 11 - Guru Gobind Singh becomes the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs. ... // Events January 29 - Feodor III becomes Tsar of Russia First measurement of the speed of light, by Ole Rømer Bacons Rebellion Russo-Turkish Wars commence. ... UK redirects here. ... Modern New England, the six northeastern-most states of the United States, indicated by red The New England region of the United States is located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... Metacomet (died August 12, 1676), also known as King Philip or Metacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philips War. ... The Wampanoag are a Native American people. ...

Background

Tensions between the European settlers and American natives ebbed and rose, but were constantly present. All the Indians in the area were trapped in a decreasing area between the expanding colonies along the coasts and the even more hostile Iroquois and Mohican tribes to the west. The smallpox epidemics and Pequot War of the 1630s had reduced native population and brought 40 years of relative peace. The Iroquois Confederacy (Haudenosaunee, also known as the League of Peace and Power) is a group of First Nations/Native Americans. ... The Mohicans were, during the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century, a functional confederation of several branches of Native Americans. ... The Pequot War in 1637 saw the virtual elimination of the Pequot Indians as a tribe. ...

Philip had become chief in 1662 and he increased the contact between the Wampanoag and the colonists. By 1670 the entire area from the Atlantic west to the Connecticut River Valley was still partially wilderness, but had 40 or 50 colonial towns and villages scattered through it. These were matched by a similar number of interspersed Indian settlements, sometimes side by side. After several incidents, the court in Plymouth forced Philip's band to turn over many of their firearms to the colony in 1671. But this only increased tensions. Events March 18 – Short-timed experiment of the first public buses holding 8 passengers begins in Paris May 3/May 2 - Catherine of Braganza marries Charles II of England – as part of the dowry, Portugal cedes Bombay and Tangier to England May 9 - Samuel Pepys witnessed a Punch and Judy... 1670 was a common year beginning on a Saturday in countries using the Julian calendar and a Wednesday in countries using the Gregorian calendar. ... The Connecticut River as seen from the French King Bridge in western Massachusetts The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire, along the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, through Western Massachusetts and central Connecticut into Long Island... The Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 until 1691. ... Events May 9 - Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. ...

Also, as this involved the Puritan colony of Massachussetts, attempted conversion of the natives was a source of tension. Many settlers were attempting, and sometimes succeding, to convert the Indians to Puritanism. Those who were converted were called "praying Indians". Some natives were killed when they attempted to resist the conversion.

The spark that started the war was a report from a "praying Indian" named John Sassamon of an Indian conspiracy to attack the European settlements. Before the charges could be investigated, John Sassamon was found murdered in a pond, allegedly by Wampanoag angry at his betrayal. The settlers arrested three Indians from the area, convicted them of his murder, and hanged them on June 8, 1675 at Plymouth. The Wampanoag believed the trial and sentencing was an insult, and the incident inflamed tempers further. June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Events January 5 - The Battle of Turckeim August 10 - Building of the Royal Greenwich Observatory began November 11 - Guru Gobind Singh becomes the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs. ...

In response to the previous incident, a band of Pokanoket, probably without Philip's approval, looted several homes at Swansea on June 20. After a siege of 5 days, the town was destroyed. The colonists from Plymouth and Boston were quick to respond, and on June 28 they sent an expedition that destroyed the Wampanoag town at Mount Hope (modern Bristol, Rhode Island). The Pokanoket were one of the tribes that made up the Wampanoag peoples. ... Swansea is a town located in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts. ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... Nickname: Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe), Athens of America Location in Massachusetts Founded  -Incorporated  September 17, 1630  1820, as a city County  Suffolk County Mayor  Thomas Menino (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water  232. ... (Some entries on this page have been duplicated on August 1. ... Bristol is a census-designated place and town in Rhode Island and the county seat of Bristol County. ...

The war

Early engagements

The war quickly spread, and soon involved the Podunk and Nipmuch tribes. During the summer of 1675 the Indians attacked at Mendon (July 14), Brookfield (August 2), and Lancaster (August 9). In early September they attacked Deerfield, Hadley, and Northfield. The New England Confederation declared war on the Indians on September 9, 1675. The next colonial expedition was soundly defeated in the battle of Bloody Brook (near Hadley) on September 18. The attacks on frontier settlements continued at Springfield (October 5) and Hatfield (October 16). Mendon is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. ... July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... Brookfield is a town located in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut. ... August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... Lancaster is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. ... August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. ... Deerfield is a town located in Franklin County, Massachusetts. ... Hadley is a town located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. ... Northfield is a town located in Franklin County, Massachusetts. ... Mercator projection: New England Confederation in yellow The United Colonies of New England, commonly known as the New England Confederation, was a political and military alliance of the British colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven. ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Nickname: City of Homes Location in Massachusetts Founded  -Incorporated  May 14, 1636   County  Hampden County Mayor  Charles Ryan (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water  86. ... October 5 is the 278th day of the year (279th in Leap years). ... Hatfield is a town located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ...

The next expansion to the war came from the colonists. On November 2, Josiah Winslow led a force from Plymouth to attack the Narragansett tribe. 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. Several Indian towns were burned, and in December the Narrargansett stronghold near modern South Kingstown, Rhode Island was taken. About 300 Indians were killed and winter stores destroyed, but most of the warriors escaped into the swamp. Facing a winter without food and shelter the Narragansett joined the uprising. November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... The Narragansett tribe, or more accurately Nahahiganseck Sovereign Nation, controlled the area surrounding Narragansett Bay in present-day Rhode Island, and also portions of Connecticut, and eastern Massachusetts. ... South Kingstown is a town located in Washington County, Rhode Island. ...

The Indian victories

Throughout the winter of 1675-1676 more frontier settlements were destroyed by the Indians. Attacks came at Andover, Bridgewater, Chelmsford, Groton, Lancaster, Marlborough, Medfield, Medford, Portland, Providence, Rehoboth, Scituate, Seekonk, Sudbury, Warwick, Weymouth, and Wrentham. Andover is a town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. ... Bridgewater is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. ... Chelmsford is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts located 32 miles from Boston. ... The First Parish Church is a landmark on Main Street in Groton. ... Lancaster is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. ... Marlborough is a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. ... Medfield is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. ... Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. ... Location in Maine Founded  -Incorporated 1786  {{{incorporated}}} County Cumberland County Mayor Area  - Total  - Water 136. ... Motto: What Cheer Nickname: Beehive of Industry Location in Rhode Island Founded  -Incorporated  1636  1832 County  Providence County Mayor  David N. Cicilline (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water  53. ... Rehoboth is a town located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. ... Scituate is a small seacoast town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod Bay midway between Boston and Plymouth. ... The Town of Seekonk is a suburban community on the Rhode Island border. ... Sudbury is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. ... Warwick is a city located in Kent County, Rhode Island. ... Weymouth is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. ... Wrentham is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. ...

The high-water mark for the combined tribes came in the spring of 1676. They reached and attacked Plymouth Plantation itself on March 12. Even though the town stood the assault, they had shown that they could attack anywhere. All but five of the outlying settlements were deserted, and the colonists were thrown back on the seacoast. 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. At dawn on May 14 they attacked the sleeping camp, and killed about 200 Indians. But they hadn't considered their withdrawal. Surrounding camps closed in, and half the force, including Captain Turner, never made it home. To compound this, in their absence, some braves got into Springfield and burned substantial parts of the town. March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (72nd in Leap years). ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (135th in leap years). ...

The Colonial Tide

But now the tide of war began to turn. This had become a war of attrition, and both sides were determined to eliminate the other. The Indians had nearly succeeded in driving their enemy into the sea, but their supplies were running out. The colonists continued to be supplied by sea, and although the war ultimately cost them over £100,000, they would emerge victorious.

The Indian hopes for supplies from the French were not met, except for some ammunition in Maine. The colonists now allied themselves with the Mohican tribe to the west, and King Philip found his forces surrounded. With the help of the Mohicans, the colonists won at Hadley on June 12, and scattered the survivors into the wilds of New Hampshire. Later that month, a force of 250 Indians was routed near Marlboro. The Mohicans were, during the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century, a functional confederation of several branches of Native Americans. ... June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... State nickname: The Granite State Other U.S. States Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Governor John Lynch Official languages English Area 24,239 km² (46th)  - Land 23,249 km²  - Water 814 km² (3. ...

The colonial militia had asked for aid from Britain. Britain went to protect its colony and investment.

Philip's allies began to desert him. By early July, over 400 had surrendered to the colonists, and Philip himself had taken refuge in the Assowamset Swamp, below Providence, Rhode Island. He was ultimately defeated when he was tracked down by Rangers lead by Captain Benjamin Church at Mt. Hope where he was shot and killed by an Indian member of the group named John Alderman August 12. Motto: What Cheer Nickname: Beehive of Industry Location in Rhode Island Founded  -Incorporated  1636  1832 County  Providence County Mayor  David N. Cicilline (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water  53. ... In general, a ranger is a keeper, guardian, or soldier that ranges over a region to protect the area or enforce law. ... Captain Church Born: c. ... Praying Indian who shot and killed King Philip in 1676 as part of an expedition lead by Captain Benjamin Church. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Aftermath

With Metacomet's death, the war in the south was largely ended. Over 600 colonists and 3,000 Indians had been killed. Several hundred more natives who had surrendered or been captured were sold as slaves in the Caribbean. Members of the sachem's extended family were placed for safekeeping among colonists in Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. In Stonington, Connecticut, selectman John Starkweather married his Christianized captive. Other survivors were forced to join more western tribes, mainly as captives. The Narragansett, Wampanoag, Podunk, Nipmuch, and several smaller bands were virtually eliminated, while the Mohicans were greatly weakened. The Town of Stonington, Connecticut, in the southeastern corner of the state, includes the communities of the Borough of Stonington, Mystic, Old Mystic, Pawcatuck and Wequetequock, the site of the first European settlement in 1649, in lands that had belonged to the Pequots. ...

Sporadic raids continued on the far northern frontier in Maine and New Hampshire. These were finally ended when Sir Edmund Andros negotiated a treaty with the northern bands on April 12, 1678. Sir Edmund Andros (December 6, 1637 - February 24, 1714), an early American colonial governor, was the son of Amice Andros, Seigneur of Sausmarez. ... April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... Events August 10 - Treaty of Nijmegen ends the Dutch War. ...

After the war, the British soldiers were remained throughout New England, due to the cost of shipping the soldiers back home. Thus, the salutary neglect of enforcement of the Navigation Acts decreased. Modern New England, the six northeastern-most states of the United States, indicated by red The New England region of the United States is located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... The English Navigation Acts were a series of laws which, beginning in 1651, restricted foreign shipping. ...

Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island were now fully open to European colonization, although western settlements would face raids until the American Revolution.

See also

• British military history