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ordered to go up to the army.’1 And on the 25th of April, Captain Gookin received instructions as ‘Commander-in-chief of all the forces of horse and foot in this expedition, for the service of the Colony, against the enemy.’2 A letter addressed by him to the Council for the management of the War affords a glimpse of the magnitude of the perils which then beset the Colony, and the spirit in which they were met: ‘Honored sirs, I received your orders after I was retired to rest; but I suddenly got up and issued forth warrants for the delinquents, and sent away the warrant to Capt. Prentice, and also sent warrants to the commanders-in-chief of Charlestown, Watertown, Cambridge, and the Village, Malden, and Woburn, to raise one fourth part of their companies to appear at Cambridge this morning at eight a clock.
But I fear the rain and darkness of the last night hath impeded their rendesvous at the time; but sometime to-day I hope they will appear, or at least some of them.
I judge, if the Captains do their duty in uprightness, there may be about 100 men, or near it. I have written to Capt. Hammond to send up Capt. Cutler to conduct this company; I am uncertain about his compliance; I desire your order, in case of failure, and also directions to what rendesvous to send this company when raised.
It is a very afflictive time to be called off, considering we have planting in hand this week, and our fortification3 pressing upon our shoulders.
But God sees meet to order it so that this rod must smart sharply.
I pray let me have your directions sent away with all speed.
I stay at home on purpose to despatch these soldiers.
So with my dutiful respects to your honored selves, I remain your assured friend and servant, Daniel Gookin, Senr. May the first, 1676.’4 Four days after the date of this letter, May 5, 1676, Capt. Gookin was elected Sergeant-major of the Middlesex Regiment, and at the General Election, May 11, 1681, he became Major-general of all the militia in the Colony, which office he
1 1 Mass. Arch., LXVIII. 114.
2 Ibid., p 228.
3 So imminent was the peril, that on the 27th of March, 1676, ‘at a public meeting of the inhabitants of the town to consider about fortifying the town against the Indians, it was agreed upon by a public vote of the town as followetlh: It is by the inhabitants jointly agreed, that they judge it necessary that something be done for the fencing in the town with a stockadoe, or something equivalent; and in pursuance thereof do nominate and empower the militia of the town and selectmen to set out the place where, and to each one their proportion, and to do whatever shall be necessary for the completing thereof.’ The stockade was commenced; but before it was completed the danger so far diminished that the project was abandoned, and the timber which had been gathered was used for the repair of the Great Bridge.
4 Mass. Arch., LXVIII. 247.
Boston. Houghton and Mifflin. 1877.
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