Chapter 2, Part 4 

On the 19th, the Indians in great force fell upon the town, but were soon "beaten off without doing much harm." Just before the fight seven of Mosely's men and three others were sent out to scout, and seven of the number were cut off and killed. The Indians made no further general attack after this repulse, and withdrew to winter quarters. Capt. Mosely's forces, however, still remained in the western towns with other troops, under Major Appleton, until as late as November 20th; for, on the 16th, the Court authorized a letter to Appleton directing the withdrawal of the main force, and urging especially the dismissal of the troops of Capt. Mosely. The United Colonies were now in full preparation for the grand movement against the Narragansets; and the "Privateers" with their dashing leaders were needed. The western and outlying towns were garrisoned as securely as might be, and all available "veterans" hurried in to swell the army of the three colonies to 1000 men, for this special service to Narraganset. Much of great interest in the organization of this army must be passed over here.

The quota of Massachusetts was to be 527 men, Plymouth 158, and Connecticut 325. Rhode Island was not "counted in," for reasons best known to our dear old Puritan fathers. Josiah Winslow, Esq., Governor of Plymouth Colony, was made Commander-in-chief of the army, and under him Major Samuel Appleton commanded the Massachusetts forces, consisting of six companies, viz.: Maj. Appleton's own, Capt. Mosely's, Capt. Joseph Gardner's, Capt. Nathaniel Davenport's, Capt. James Oliver's, and a troop under Capt. Thomas Prentice. Major Robert Treat commanded the Connecticut forces, five companies under Capts. Siely, Gallop, Mason, Wats; and Major William Bradford two Plymouth companies, his own and Capt. John Gorham's. The Massachusetts forces mustered on Dedham Plain, where, on Dec. 9, Gen. Winslow assumed command. There were then "465 fighting men," besides Capt. Prentice's troop. 

It seems, from the Journal, that no settlement had been made with Mosely's and Appleton's troops for the campaign in the west, and on December 10th, twenty-seven pages of the book are entirely devoted to their accounts, and few, if any, other items are given under that date save such as relate to them. The captains had paid out small sums at different times, and the towns of "Hadly," "Malbrow," "Mendam," "Lining" (Lynn), and many constables, merchants and others, are credited by cash, clothing, etc., to these troops; and on that date Treasurer Hull pays them the balance of their accounts. Among the few precious lists of names preserved in the Massachusetts Archives is the "Muster Roll of Capt. Mosely's company, taken at Dedham the 9 of Xber, 1675." I have arranged this list and the credits of December 10-20 and January, alphabetically, and tested them carefully otherwise, and find that the greater part of his company were his "veterans." The following account may be of interest.

The town of Dunstable, per Constable Jona. Tyng, brings in a bill of about œ100 for billeting Mosely's men, ammunition, etc.

Billeting 18 men from 13th August to 10th Sept. 1675 œ16 16 00
Billeting  29 men from 11th Sept. " 17th January 1675-6 47 18 00
Billeting  6 men from 18 Jan'y " 25 may 1676 25 03 00
Billeting 3 men from 3 may " 14 July " 08 08 00
25 Ibs Powder and 250 bullets, &c. 01 15 00
2 horses 3 days to Pennacook 00 01 06

 An Auditing Committee questioned the bill, but he was paid $20 on account, October 11, 1676. (Archives, vol. 68.)

1 Variations not noted above are, Blacke (Wm Blake, jr. for whose release his father, Wm Senr, petitions the Court), Brien, Wesson, Ayrson (for Ireson), Dayer, Leane, Russ, Leigh,Plimton, Dichetto, Stebence, Weals, Stokes, Cousier, McKennyes, Willingston, Canterberry, and other minor changes.