his men and a large number of the townspeople, started for Hoar's house, " which stood about the midst of the town, and very nigh the town watchhouse." 1 Arrived there, the captain counted the Indians and left a corporal's guard, Hoar vigorously protesting against all his proceedings as illegal and unwarranted. The next day the captain came, and, upon Hoar's refusal to recognize his authority, broke in the door and carried off the Indians to partake of the discomforts of Deer Island. These events occurred February 21, 1676.

There was some talk made by the magistrates and deputies about this affair, but the fact that Mosley went unrebuked is sufficient evidence that his action was not looked upon with any general disfavor.2

It appears from Gen. Gookin's report, made November 10, 1676, that the Nashoba Indians, about fifty in number, had then returned to their plantation and were living there quietly and unmolested. In 1684, the Nashoba Plantation, four miles square, was

1 Gookin. In 1638, the town was fined five shillings "for want of a paire of stocks & a watchhouse; " and the following year a like fine was imposed "for not giveing in a transcript of their lands," and ten shillings "for neglecting their watch." In 1641, there was another fine of ten shillings" for neglecting watch & not appearance." Mass. Records, i. 267, 284, 317.

Stocks were usually placed near the meeting-house, and in some places that building was used as a watch-house.

2 For additional details, see Gookin's History, and Hoar's petition, both printed in the Transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, vol. ii. The original of Hoar's petition is among the Shattuck papers in the library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

said to be "inhabited by a parcell of Indians, but for many yeares hath been deserted all dead except some few yt are dispersed."1

In the return made to Governor Leverett, June 13, 1676, by Constable John Heywood, we have an amusing account of the escape of three Indian women and a child from military custody.2 The anxious official thus deprecates the wrath of his superiors, and at the same time shows the uneasiness that prevailed:

CONCORD this 13th: June 1676.

Honord Gouernor Leuert

"Inasmuch as heare has bin a sad accident befallen us through the ocation of nedglegent persons; which had trust Imposed to them; to keep sentery over three old squas & one papoose, these watchmen fell all asleep, and in the meanetime ye squas made theire escape; from them; which may produce a great deale of damage to us yt are resident in Concord; because we are affraid they are aquainted with ye Condition of or towne, & what quantyty of men we have gon out; & which way they are gone; which may prove very obstructive to or army in their design; we had a Capt: appoynted over the magaseine; which I thought to be suffitient to give a Charge to 12 men; to keep senternalls over three old squas; I hope yor honor will be pleased to take it into Consideration & send us some more strength to suport us from or enemies; for we are in dayly fear; yt they will make an asault on or towne ; So hopeing yor honor Cannot Impute any Blame to him; who wish to yor honor ye best yt may be; by yor honors most Humble Servant

JOHN HAYWOOD;

Constall"

1 Mass. Archives, v. 113, p. 193.

2 Ibid., v. 30, p. 203.

66 to

Two days after the receipt of this petition, General Gookin ordered a draft of twenty men, march up to Concord for the security of the [word garrison erased] magizen there." 1

1 Mass. Archives, v. 69, p. 95.

OUR study of the colonial times would justly be deemed incomplete, if we failed to touch more particularly upon the military side of colonial life, to give a glimpse, at least, of the Puritan as a soldier.

In 1636, Sergeant Willard was appointed "to exercise the military company at Concord,"1 and the town has never been without a military organization since that day.

Every man of military age, except the magistrates, ministers, and deacons, was required to be furnished with arms and ammunition, to appear at stated times for exercise in military duties, or to go on short

1 Winthrop, ii. 423. Addenda.

expeditions, for service in the outlying garrisons or scouting from town to town.

1

Sometimes persons were excused from military duty by reason of age, or other infirmity; but it was necessary to apply to the County Court for the privilege of exemption. For this reason, John Smedly was released "from all ordinary trainings," and Sergeant William Buttrick was excused "from all ordinary trayneings, watchings & wardings."" But William Frizzell was exempted on condition of his "paying 2s. 6d. anno to the use of the military company of the Towne where He lives." 3

A regiment had but one field officer, who was called sergeant-major, and the whole force was under the command of a major-general. The officers of a company were a captain, lieutenant, ensign, and four sergeants. The commissioned officers carried swords, partisans or leading staves, and pistols; and they were elected by the members of the company and approved by the General Court. The sergeants bore halberds. The common soldiers were armed with matchlock or firelock muskets, each with a pair of bandoleers or pouches for powder and. bullets. A forked stick was carried, to be used as a rest to assist the aim.5

1 County Court Records, June 20, 1676.

2 Ibid., June 19, 1683. Buttrick's petition, not, as I judge, in his hand-writing, is among the Shattuck papers.

3 County Court Records, June 25, 1661.

4 Hutchinson, i. 396.

5 Palfrey, ii. 49, 50.