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The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Mount Hope dated October 14, 1776, describes the exchange of prisoners taken in battle, who are not to serve during the war. Allied Indians refused to execute captured enemy Indians despite orders from Burgoyne, instead treating them kindly and sending them home. Enemy Indians agreed to withdraw if allied ones do. American forces at Crown Point expect an imminent attack but are well-prepared with recruiting men and ample supplies.
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"All the prisoners which were taken were sent in by a Flag of truce and are not to serve during the war. There was a party of our indians with their Lieut. who was likewise an indian man, put in irons immediately after they were taken, and after our men were sent in by the enemy were delivered up to the savages to be butchered, but contrary to Burgoyne's expectations the savages refused them immediately and sent them home, after treating them very kindly: perhaps such an instance as this never was known before, and you may depend on it as fact, as I was in company with the captain of the indians yesterday, who informed me of it: and finally the enemy's indians have agreed to return home if ours do, which a number did yesterday, the rest will follow this day.
We are in daily expectation of an attack from the enemy, who are within 16 miles of us (Crown Point) but we are well prepared to receive them, and I hope in God's name no man's courage will fail in that day, as the cause of Liberty and America depend intirely on the Northern army. Our men recruit daily: we are not in the least want of provision or ammunition."
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Mount Hope
Event Date
October 14, 1776
Key Persons
Outcome
prisoners exchanged by flag of truce and exempted from war service; allied indians refused to execute captured enemy indians, treated them kindly, and sent them home; enemy indians agreed to return home if allied indians do, with some already departing.
Event Details
Prisoners taken were sent in by flag of truce. A party of allied Indians with their Indian lieutenant were captured, put in irons, and offered to enemy 'savages' for execution after American prisoners were returned, but the savages refused, treated them kindly, and sent them home. The writer's companion, the captain of the Indians, confirmed this. Enemy Indians agreed to withdraw if allied ones do. American forces near Crown Point expect attack from enemy 16 miles away, are prepared, recruiting daily, and have sufficient provisions and ammunition.