Column: Tribes fought English settlers in bloody King Philip's War

King Philip’s traditional hunting and farming ground was declining, and his young men were restless and uncertain about the future. King Philip justifiably feared poverty for his people.

He began to plan for war, hoping to bring other tribes into the conflict. The sachem wanted to take back land he had sold to whites and was under tremendous pressure to do something about the declining prestige of his tribe. King Philip believed he could win if he didn’t delay too long.

Many things triggered the bloody King Philip’s war in 1675, including the execution of two Pokanoket braves accused of murdering one William Sassoman. Old resentments and suspicions were coupled with broadening conflict. War spread through Plymouth Colony, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and even parts of Maine.

The Pokanoket were soon joined by the Nipmucks and, later, by the much larger Narraganset tribe. As the struggle progressed, more tribes were drawn in by loyalty, alliance, or grievance. Whites in the area responded with their own militia. Certain advantages were held by both sides.

The war raged for months. Villages on both sides were burned. Crops were destroyed and livestock slaughtered. Some areas of southern New England were virtually depopulated by whites who fled to the security of larger towns or fortresses, abandoning their homes and becoming refugees.

There were ambushes, executions, mutilations, and destruction on a massive scale. Pent up fears exploded into brutality on both sides.