The Mystic River Massacre
A brutal colonial attack on a Pequot village in 1637 reveals just how violent coexistence in the New World became.
Forming Trading Alliances
The tensions between the English colonizers and the Pequot tribe can be traced back to the early 17th century. As European settlers expanded their presence in the region, conflicts arose over land ownership, trade, and cultural differences. These tensions were further exacerbated by acts of violence and mistrust on both sides.
The English weren’t the only ones who tried to settle North America in the 1600s. There were other foreign powers looking to establish a foothold on the continent, namely the Spanish and the French.
In order to survive, the New England colonists relied heavily on trade with local indigenous tribes. They found success establishing trade with the Mohegan, Narragansett, and Pequot tribes. However, things were about to get much more complicated. And it would result in one of the darkest chapters found in colonial history.
Trading Partners Become Warring Partners
The Pequots were the dominating tribe in the then southeastern Connecticut Colony. Long before English settlers arrived, the Pequots had been enemies of the Mohegan and Narragansett tribes.
When the Dutch made an alliance with the Pequots, the Mohegans and Narragansetts aligned themselves more closely with the New England colonists. Soon thereafter, violence started to erupt.
In the spring of 1637, Pequot warriors looted an English trading ship. Reeling from damage caused by a hurricane in 1635, food supplies were scarce. Competition for food supplies increased. During the raid, they murdered a well-known trader named John Oldham. This set off a chain reaction of retaliatory raids.
This series of skirmishes erupted between the Pequot tribe and English settlers in the Connecticut River Valley. These clashes, known as the Pequot War, fueled an atmosphere of fear and hostility.
A Dark Plan on the Mystic River
After the attack on Wethersfield, resulting in the deaths of colonial men and women, the conflict turned a dark corner. Settlers had not experienced conflicts that resulted in the killing of civilians. Support for a greater engagement against the Pequots grew.
Towns in Connecticut pulled together a militia. Commanded by Captain John Mason, the militia featured colonists and Mohegan and Narragansett allies. Mason’s plans were simple. He would take his force and march on the fortified Pequot village near the Mystic River.
Captain Mason, recognized that the village only had two exits. They surrounded the village and attempted a surprise attack. Though they caught the Pequot inhabitants by surprise, they met stiff resistance.
In response to the resistance, Mason issued his next order. The exits were to be fully blocked off and the village set ablaze. Anyone seen trying to escape or climb the fortifications were to be shot. The tactic was horrifically effective. This slaughter would become known as the Mystic River Massacre.
The Aftermath
The village was left smoldering. It was reported only five Pequot occupants escaped and another seven survivors taken prisoner. In all, between 400 and 700 Pequot men, women, and children were killed. The death toll was so significant that it effectively broke the Pequots.
The Mystic River Massacre had a profound impact on the course of colonial history in North America. In the immediate aftermath, the Pequot tribe was severely weakened. The surviving Pequot people faced displacement and the loss of their ancestral lands.
The massacre also had broader implications. It escalated the violence and distrust between European colonizers and Native American tribes in the region. The Pequot War continued for several more years, resulting in further bloodshed and suffering for both sides.
The Mystic River Massacre became a rallying cry for Native American tribes. It fueled a deep-seated resentment towards the English colonizers. It set a precedent for future conflicts and acts of violence. It reinforced a cycle of retaliation and hostility that persisted throughout the period.
History for the Hurried:
June 28, 1919: The signing of the Treaty of Versailles formally ended World War I. Germany was assessed sole blame for the war and ordered to pay reparations of $15 billion. The treaty also prohibited German rearmament.
June 28, 1862 - During the American Civil War, the siege of the Confederate city of Vicksburg began. The siege continued over a year.