Fairfield Swamp Fight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Great Swamp Fight |
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| Part of the Pequot War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Pequot people | English colonists | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sassacus | Capt. Israel Stoughton Capt. John Mason |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 100 warriors | 120 under Stoughton | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Nearly all Pequot warriors present | Several wounded, none killed | ||||||
The Fairfield Swamp Fight (also known as the Great Swamp Fight) was the very last battle of the Pequot War. This fight marked the defeat of the Pequot tribe. After this battle, they were no longer recognized as a political group in the 1600s. The main groups involved were the Pequot people and the English colonists. The English were helped by their allies, the Mohegan and Narragansett tribes. The Fairfield Swamp Fight happened on July 13–14, 1637. It took place in what is now Fairfield, Connecticut. The town of Fairfield was actually started in 1639, after this important battle.
Contents
Before the Battle Begins
After a major event called the Mystic massacre in May 1637, the English and their allies (the Narragansett and Mohegan) forced the Pequot people from their homes. The Pequot tribe fled west along the Connecticut coastline. They eventually reached Sasqua Village, which is now Fairfield. Here, they found safety with the Sasquas Indians, a tribe of about 200 people.
The government in Hartford sent Captain Israel Stoughton and his 120 soldiers to southern Connecticut. Their main goal was to end the Pequot War. They also wanted to capture Sassacus, who was the chief leader, or sachem, of the Pequot. As the English moved west, they met some Pequot people who had fallen behind. From them, the English learned where Sassacus and his group were hiding.
When the English forces got close to Sasqua Village, some Pequot warriors on a nearby hill accidentally showed their location. Realizing this, they tried to run away. The English followed them to see what was happening. The Pequot warriors rushed up the hill, and the English followed closely behind. The Pequot then sought shelter in a swamp, which was later named Sadque. The English continued to search the empty village and then surrounded the swamp where the Pequots had gone. Lieutenant Davenport tried to push his way into the swamp, but a shower of arrows stopped him.
The Fight in the Swamp
Some important people in this battle included Captain John Mason. He was known for his role in the Mystic massacre. Also present was Roger Ludlow, a leader from Wethersfield. The English forces worked together to surround the swamp. They fired their guns into the thick bushes. They hoped this would make the Pequot leaders want to talk. They wanted to get the women, children, and elderly people out safely.
Day 1 – July 13th
The English soldiers formed a circle around the Pequot warriors. They stood about four yards apart from each other. Thomas Stanton, who knew the Indian language and customs very well, was sent into the swamp. He was there to talk to the Native Americans. Stanton was able to make a deal with Sassacus. About 180 elderly men, women, and children agreed to surrender to the English. The 200 Sasquas Indians, who had given the Pequot shelter, were also allowed to leave.
About 100 Pequot warriors stayed with Sassacus in the swamp. These warriors refused to give up. So, the fighting started again and lasted all through the night. The English went into the swamp and shot the Pequot warriors. Some warriors were later found drowned in the swamp. The Pequot warriors held their ground all night. The fighting continued until the fog rolled in the next morning.
Day 2 – July 14th
The English soldiers, especially Captain Patrick's group, had a clear advantage. They used "small shot" during the fight. This meant they fired multiple musket bullets at once. This was very effective against the Pequot forces. At first, the Pequot warriors used the English's slow movement to their advantage. Sassacus and his warriors found a weak spot in Captain Patrick’s defenses. The Pequot then tried to break through the English lines by attacking. This allowed Sassacus to escape to the Mohawk lands in New York.
The English colonists had very few injuries. John Winthrop said that the Pequot came very close to the English soldiers. They shot many arrows into their hats, sleeves, and clothing. Yet, he said, "not one of ours was wounded," which he called "a very miracle." Mason's report agreed, saying that "several were found slain," meaning they were injured.
What Happened After the Battle
Most, if not all, of the Pequot warriors were killed during this battle. The 180 Pequot non-combatants were captured. They were then divided among the English and their allies. Many of these captives did not stay captive for long. They found it hard to adapt to their new roles. Some of those captured were sent to the West Indies.
The soldiers took Pequot wampum (beads used as currency) and other items like kettles as their spoils. In the weeks after the battle, the Mohawk Indians of New York found Sassacus and the Pequot warriors with him. The Mohawk killed Sassacus. They sent his head to Hartford as proof of his capture.
On September 21, 1638, the Treaty of Hartford officially ended the war. This treaty removed the Pequot's political and cultural identity. The survivors were not allowed to live on their tribal lands. Any places named after the Pequot were changed. For example, the Pequot River was renamed the Thames. Pequot Village was renamed New London.
Roger Ludlow, who fought in the swamp fight, later asked the government to start a settlement there. He was "charmed with the landscape." Under his leadership, the Uncos plantation was founded in 1639. This place later became the town of Fairfield.
Protecting the Battlefield
The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center applied to the National Park Service in 2007. They wanted to create a plan to study, protect, and save the sites from the Pequot War. The Fairfield Swamp area was one of these important sites. Kevin McBride, an archaeologist and professor from the University of Connecticut, is leading this project.
Researchers from the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center used old stories and records to find study areas. They looked at accounts from people like Philip Vincent, John Mason, and John Winthrop. They also used old Connecticut records and local land deeds. They used special tools like metal detectors to find interesting spots without digging. This helped them figure out where old items might have come from.
Much of the original swamp and its surrounding areas have changed a lot. New homes and businesses have been built there. The building of Interstate 95 filled in about half of the swamp. Because of this, many historical items are thought to be lost.
One of the main goals of these efforts is to find the exact location of the Pequot Swamp. Once found, they hope to get permission from landowners to study the land more. Early findings from their work have given new information about Pequot weapons. Researchers are now thinking that the Pequot might have had firearms and "Mohawk Hammers."
