Battle of Bloody Brook facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Bloody Brook
Part of King Philip's War
19th century depiction of the battle
Date September 18, 1675 OS (September 28, 1675 NS) Location South Deerfield, Massachusetts 42°28′59″N 72°36′13″W / 42.4831°N 72.6037°W / 42.4831; -72.6037 Result Nipmuc victory
Belligerents
Nipmuc	Massachusetts Bay Colony
Commanders and leaders
Muttawmp	Thomas Lathrop  †
Strength
700	84
Casualties and losses
	at least 40 militia killed at least 17 civilians killed

The Battle of Bloody Brook was a surprise attack that happened on September 28, 1675. It was part of a bigger conflict called King Philip's War. This battle was fought between English colonists and Native American warriors.

The Native American fighters were led by a Nipmuc leader named Muttawmp. They ambushed a group of colonists. These colonists were moving wagons full of harvested crops. They were going from Deerfield to Hadley. During the attack, at least 40 English soldiers and 17 wagon drivers were killed.

The Pocumtuc tribe, who were friends with the Nipmuc, were upset. They felt the Deerfield colonists were taking over their lands. This tension led to the battle.

The Battle Begins

At the time of the battle, Deerfield was a new settlement. It was on the edge of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Pioneers from Dedham, Massachusetts had settled it only two years before.

Most of the colonists were armed guards. They were led by Captain Thomas Lathrop. His soldiers were mainly from Essex County, a coastal area north of Boston.

The Ambush

As the wagons returned from Hadley, the soldiers made a mistake. They put their guns down to pick grapes by the trailside. This happened in a place now known as South Deerfield.

Suddenly, a large group of Native Americans attacked them. These were Nipmuc and Pocumtuc warriors. Reports say there were about 700 attackers. Almost all the colonists were killed, including Captain Lathrop. Only about 10 colonists survived the ambush. Among the survivors were Rev. Hope Atherton and John Stebbins.

Another group of soldiers heard the gunshots. They were from Deerfield and led by Major Treat and Captain Mosely. They arrived to help the surviving colonists.

What Happened After

Soon after this battle, the village of Deerfield was attacked again. It was burned down, and the colonists left the area. They did not resettle the village for another two years.

The Pocumtuc tribe suffered greatly during King Philip's War. Many of them were killed or scattered. The remaining members of the tribe moved to Canada.

Remembering the Battle

In August 1838, a tall monument was built. It stands 25 feet high in South Deerfield. The monument remembers the battle and the people who died.

It has an inscription that tells the story: "On this Ground Capt. THOMAS LATHROP and eighty four men under his command, including eighteen teamsters from Deerfield, conveying stores from that town to Hadley, were ambuscaded by about 700 Indians, and the Captain and seventy six men slain, September 18th 1675. (old style)

The soldiers who fell, were described by a contemporary Historian, as a choice Company of young men, the very flower of the County of Essex none of whom were ashamed to speak with the enemy in the gate."

The monument helps people remember the brave soldiers who fought there.