Only a Stone Marker Remains from this Narragansett Village Destroyed by Colonists in 1675

Great Swamp Fight, Rhode Island

The Narragansett thought their island fort was safe.

Thick swamp, winter cold, natural barriers everywhere. Then 1,000 colonial soldiers showed up in December 1675 with muskets and torches.

Here’s the story behind this quiet Rhode Island landmark.

Narragansett Neutrality Broken

The Narragansett tribe stayed neutral when King Philip’s War began in June 1675.

Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island and maintained good relations with the tribe, helped them sign a peace treaty with Massachusetts Bay Colony in October.

Problems arose when the Narragansett sheltered Wampanoag women, children, and wounded men. Colonial leaders demanded they hand over these refugees. Canonchet, the Narragansett leader, refused.

He would not give up “a Wampanoag, nor the pairings from a Wampanoag’s nails” to the English.

Colonial Militia Mobilization

The United Colonies of New England declared war on the Narragansett on November 2, 1675.

They viewed the tribe as Wampanoag allies despite their official neutrality. Plymouth Colony Governor Josiah Winslow led the attack force.

Their army included 1,000 English soldiers plus 150-200 Pequot and Mohegan Indian allies, who were traditional enemies of the Narragansett. Massachusetts sent 527 men under Samuel Appleton.

Plymouth contributed 159 soldiers led by William Bradford. Connecticut provided 300 men commanded by Robert Treat.

Narragansett Winter Fortress

The Narragansett built a strong fort on dry land within the Great Swamp. This wetland normally kept enemies away, but winter freezing would change that. The fort covered 4-5 acres and housed about 1,000 people.

The walls consisted of wooden posts driven into the ground, forming a barrier 16 feet thick. A Narragansett engineer named Stonewall John helped design it. Two fallen trees served as the only bridges into the fort. Inside stood homes containing winter food, supplies, and shelter for families.

Jireh Bull Blockhouse Attack

Four days before the main battle, on December 15, Narragansett warriors attacked Jireh Bull’s Blockhouse after peace talks failed.

This fortified house near present-day Wakefield served as an English outpost in their territory.

The attack killed at least 15 colonists. A teenager named James Eldred escaped despite being chased by warriors.

He survived a tomahawk thrown at him and hand-to-hand fighting. This blockhouse attack strengthened colonial resolve to strike the Narragansett main settlement.

Winter March to the Swamp

Colonial forces gathered at Richard Smith’s trading post in Wickford to prepare.

They chose Sunday for their attack, thinking the Narragansett wouldn’t expect fighting on the Christian holy day. Soldiers marched 15 miles through a snowstorm in bitter cold.

Over two feet of snow covered the ground, causing frostbite among many troops. The severe cold froze the normally impassable swamp, creating solid ground for the army.

A captured Narragansett guide named Peter revealed the hidden fort’s location after being tortured.

Initial Colonial Assault

Two companies of soldiers attacked before the main army was ready. Narragansett defenders drove them back with heavy losses.

Captain Benjamin Church then led a better-planned second attack across the frozen swamp. His scouts found a weak spot in the wall and broke through.

Narragansett warriors fired arrows that killed many colonial officers right away. Half the company captains fell in the opening minutes, showing how fiercely the Narragansett fought to protect their people.

The Fort Burning

After breaking through the walls, colonial forces set fire to the Narragansett homes inside.

Flames spread quickly through the crowded wooden structures. Captain Church opposed burning the fort because night was coming and wounded soldiers needed shelter from the cold.

Other commanders ignored him and ordered everything destroyed. The fire killed many women, children, and elderly people who couldn’t escape.

All food stores burned too, ensuring survivors would face starvation in the harsh winter.

Casualty Count

Between 300 and 1,000 Narragansett died, including at least 97 warriors killed in fighting. Many victims were non-fighters who died in the flames or while trying to escape.

Those who fled into the surrounding swamp faced death from wounds, freezing temperatures, and hunger.

Colonial forces lost about 70 men with nearly 150 more wounded. Massachusetts units suffered most heavily, with 110 of Appleton’s men killed or wounded. Several key officers died leading charges against the fort.

Aftermath and Retreats

The surviving colonists gathered their dead and wounded after the battle. They began the difficult march back to Smith’s trading post through deep snow.

Without shelter they had destroyed, 22 wounded soldiers died during this retreat from blood loss, cold, and lack of medical care.

Forty dead colonists were buried in a mass grave at Smith’s property. Narragansett leader Canonchet escaped with many warriors.

Joshua Tefft, an Englishman living among the Narragansett, fought alongside them and killed several colonists.

Narragansett Retaliation

The massacre turned the Narragansett from neutral bystanders into determined enemies of the English. Canonchet gathered 1,000-2,000 warriors in spring 1676 to join King Philip’s forces.

Narragansett fighters attacked Rhode Island settlements that had stayed out of the early fighting. They burned 100 houses in Providence in March 1676, including Roger Williams’ home.

Despite his friendship with Williams, Canonchet couldn’t stop his warriors from raiding colonial towns. Warwick lost all but one house, while many buildings burned in East Providence.

Canonchet’s Last Stand

Canonchet led effective raids through spring 1676, fighting in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Colonial forces focused on capturing him, knowing his importance to the Native alliance.

Colonial militia finally caught him near present-day Cumberland in April 1676 during a mission to collect seed corn for planting. English authorities executed him immediately.

Queen Quaiapen tried to continue the resistance but drowned during an ambush in July 1676.

Her death effectively ended organized Narragansett fighting in the war.

Visiting the Great Swamp Fight Monument

You can find the Great Swamp Fight Monument in the Great Swamp Management Area near West Kingston, Rhode Island.

To reach the monument, park at the Great Swamp Management Area lot off Liberty Lane and follow the marked hiking trail about a half-mile through wooded terrain.

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