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The following may show somewhat of the "naval" power of that day, and the methods and means of transporting supplies.
Andrew Belcher, of Cambridge, a prominent merchant, with vessels operating between Boston and Connecticut ports, was active in these affairs, but his accounts doubtless fall into a later Ledger. In the State Archives, in some Bills of Benjamin Gillam against the colony, I find the item, Jan'y 10, 1675: To charges on men to cut out Andrew Belcher's Sloop to go to Narragansett, 14s. Mr. Church speaks of the arrival of Andrew Belcher as opportune in saving the army; Mr. Dudley says Goodale. Mr. Hubbard's reference to the vessels "frozen in at Cape Cod," causing distress, was, I think, to a later time.After the return of the army to Mr. Smith's Garrison, the burial of the dead and removal of their wounded to Rhode Island, they spent several weeks parleying with the enemy, watching and recruiting. Major Treat withdrew with his Connecticut forces, against the wishes, it appears, of the General and the other officers, and was later called to account for insubordination. Additional troops were sent down from Boston, and Massachusetts and Plymouth held the field for a month longer; but their operations and the closing part of this winter campaign, and the new forces engaged, must fall into the next chapter. Massachusetts afterwards redeemed the promise made to the soldiers at Dedham Plain, and granted to eight hundred and forty claimants, including those of Plymouth, the seven Narraganset townships. Connecticut to her volunteers in the Narraganset wars granted the township of Voluntown. |
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