Of Plymouth Plantation

Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford
http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/english/coke/bradford.htm



"I shall not take upon me exactly to describe their proceedings in these things, because I expect it will be fully done by themselves who best know the carriage and circumstances of things. I shall therefore but touch them in general. From Connecticut, who were most sensible of the hurt sustained and the present danger, they sent out a party of men, and another party met them from the Bay, at Narragansetts, who were to join with them. The Narragansetts were earnest to be gone before the English were well rested and refreshed, especially some of them which came last. It should seem their desire was to come upon the enemy suddenly and undiscovered. There was a bark of this place, newly put in there, which was come from Connecticut, who did encourage them to lay hold of the Indians’ forwardness, and to show as great forwardness as they, for it would encourage them, and expedition might prove to their great advantage. So they went on, and so ordered their march as the Indians brought them to a fort of the enemy’s (in which most of their chief men were) before day. They approached the same with great silence and surrounded it both with English and Indians, that they might not break out; and so assaulted them with great courage, shooting amongst them, and entered the fort with all speed. And those that first entered found sharp resistance from the enemy who both shot at and grappled with them; others ran into their houses and brought out fire and set them on fire, which soon took in their mat; and standing close together, with the wind all was quickly on a flame, and thereby more were burnt to death than was otherwise slain; it burnt their bowstrings and made them unserviceable; those that scraped the fire were slain with the sword, some hewed to pieces, others run through with their rapiers, so as they were quickly dispatched and very few escaped. It was conceived they thus destroyed about 400 at this time. It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fire and the streams of blood quenching the same, and horrible was the stink and scent thereof; but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice, and they gave the praise thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands and give them so speedy a victory over so proud and insulting an enemy."



Reaction:

The passage above describes how the white men joined with a native american tribe, the Narragansetts, to fight against the Pequouts. I liked the above excerpt because I thought it showed that the white men were able to compromise both with themselves and with the Indians. Another state willingly sending men showed that the nation was strong and ready to support itself. The Indians who had agreed to join with the whites is proof that the two groups could participate in one another's life without being soley destructive. I am proud of the settlers because I think this passage shows the growth in which they accomplished. Previously the natives and whites had misunderstandings but now they are able to communicate with each to be helpful in time of need. The passage also shows that the whites were not ignorant to the Indians. The white men knew that the Natives were more familar with the land and tribes so they took in consideratoin any ideas that the had in battle plans.


Diary:

18 November 1624

It is winter once again. Like when we first arrived at our new country. The journey was long and cold. Most of the time the chilled wind cut across our faces while the rain froze. When we first arrived to the land a few men were sent across to explore the land. They found themselves in a battle with the Natives. Since then we have had many battles. Today, however, there are red men in my house talking to Father. My brother tells me they are going to help us fight against another tribe. I am intrigued by the Indians. They do not talk or dress like we do. When the men leave our house they shake hands and my father looks pleased. I ask him why he is so happy. He says that the Natives are our friends and will help us.


20 November 1624

Today we had a war with the Indians. Our village gathered outside and met our Native friends. Armed with weapons the marched quietly into the woods. We did not hear from them for a while until the night lit with fire and smoke. This is when we heard the cries of men. Hours later the men came back bruised, dirty, and tried but they rejoice with their victory andexchange gifts with our Native friends.