Mayflower Pilgrims and the Pequot War: Accounts from William Bradford
The early history of English settlement in North America is marked by extreme hardship, profound faith, and violent conflict. Through the journals of William Bradford, we gain a firsthand perspective on two pivotal moments: the arrival of the Pilgrims at Cape Cod and the brutal suppression of the Pequot people in 1637.
The Arrival at Cape Cod
After crossing the vast and furious ocean, the Pilgrims finally reached the shores of Cape Cod. Their arrival was met with immense relief and spiritual gratitude, as they knelt to bless God for delivering them from the perils of the sea and returning them to the stability of land.
To illustrate the intensity of their relief, Bradford references the philosopher Seneca, who famously preferred traveling by land for twenty years rather than enduring the dread and tedium of a short sea voyage. For the Pilgrims, however, the physical journey was only the beginning of their trials.
Upon landing, the settlers found themselves in a desperate situation. They possessed no friends to welcome them, no inns for shelter, and no established towns to provide succor for their weatherbeaten bodies. With very little hope of supply or assistance from their brethren in Leyden—who loved them dearly but lacked the power to help—the settlers relied entirely on their faith and the grace of God to survive the wilderness.
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The Pequot War of 1637
By 1637, the relationship between the English colonists and the indigenous populations had shifted toward open hostility. The Pequots initiated attacks on English settlers in the lower parts of the Connecticut River, killing both men and women in their fields. These bold assaults, including an attack on a well-defended fort at the river's mouth, struck fear into the colonists and prompted them to seek urgent aid from their allies in the Massachusetts Bay.
Diplomatic Maneuvers and Alliances
The Pequots attempted to forge an alliance with the Narragansetts, arguing that the English were strangers who would eventually deprive all indigenous people of their land. They suggested a strategy of guerrilla warfare—burning houses and killing cattle—to starve the English into leaving the country.
The Narragansetts were initially wavering. However, the desire for revenge for past wrongs committed by the Pequots outweighed the fear of English expansion. Consequently, the Narragansetts resolved to join forces with the English.
The Assault on the Pequot Fort
A combined force of English soldiers from Connecticut and the Massachusetts Bay, supported by the Narragansetts, launched a surprise attack on a Pequot fort where many of the tribe's leaders were gathered. Approaching in silence before dawn, the forces surrounded the fort to prevent any escape.
The assault was devastating. While some fought with swords and rapiers, others set fire to the dwellings. Because the houses were built close together and the wind was favorable, the fort was quickly engulfed in flames. The fire not only killed many but also destroyed the Pequots' bowstrings, rendering their primary weapons useless.
Bradford records that approximately 400 Pequots were destroyed in the attack. He describes the scene as a "fearful sight," where the streams of blood quenched the fires. The Narragansetts remained on the periphery, ensuring no one escaped while mocking their fallen enemies with the phrase "O brave Pequents!"—a term usually reserved for their own songs of triumph.
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Key Facts
- Arrival: The Pilgrims landed at Cape Cod after a perilous ocean crossing, finding no existing infrastructure or immediate support.
- Leyden Connection: While the settlers had emotional support from their community in Leyden, they had almost no material aid.
- Conflict Start: The Pequot War escalated in 1637 after Pequot attacks on English settlers in Connecticut.
- Strategic Alliances: The English allied with the Narragansetts and Mohegans to defeat the Pequots.
- The Massacre: A surprise dawn attack on a Pequot fort resulted in roughly 400 deaths, primarily through fire.
| Event | Primary Participants | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Landing at Cape Cod | Mayflower Pilgrims | Safe arrival but extreme isolation and hardship. |
| Pequot Attacks | Pequots vs. Connecticut Settlers | English settlers terrified; request for aid sent to Massachusetts Bay. |
| Narragansett Alliance | Narragansetts and English | Narragansetts choose revenge over Pequot diplomacy. |
| Fort Assault (1637) | English and Narragansetts vs. Pequots | Destruction of the fort and approximately 400 Pequots killed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the condition of the Pilgrims upon arriving at Cape Cod?
They were in a "sade condition," possessing no friends, inns, houses, or towns to provide shelter or help, leaving them entirely dependent on their faith for survival.
Why did the Narragansetts decide to help the English instead of the Pequots?
Although the Pequots warned that the English would eventually subjugate everyone, the Narragansetts' desire to avenge previous wrongs committed by the Pequots prevailed.
How did the English and their allies capture the Pequot fort?
They used a strategy of silence and surprise, surrounding the fort before dawn to prevent escape and using fire to destroy the dwellings and the enemy's equipment.
What happened to the Pequots' weapons during the fort attack?
The fire that engulfed the fort burned the Pequots' bowstrings, making their bows unserviceable and leaving them unable to fight back effectively.
How many Pequots are estimated to have died in the fort assault?
According to the account, it was conceived that about 400 people were destroyed during the attack.