Bacon's Rebellion

fear of want of Provisions Bacon addresseth himself to the
Army and Speakes to them after this manner:

That hee feared the badnesse of the weather (which was like
to continue) would much hinder their expectations of meeting with
the enemy soe soone as otherwise they might the weather being good,
which would cause a second losse not to be helped or prevented at
present which hee feared would be in the want of Provisions. To
help which in tyme, and to lett them all know, for the future hee
would order but allowances, soe that (being not far out of the reach
of the settl’d Plantations) all those he gave full leave to returne, the
heate of whose courage and resolutions for the Suppressing of the
heathen, and revenge the Bloods of their Friends and acquaintances
they had shed, were not above and more than the particular regard
and care they had for theire Belly. Bidding them draw forth if any
such were, and be gone, for I am sure (said hee) where there shal be
occasion for such a fright, I shall find them the worst of cowards,
serving for number but not for service, and starve my best men,
who would beare the Brunt of all, and dishearten others of half
mettle from freely engaging etc.

Amongst which onely 3 withdrew, soe they were disarm’d
and sent in.

      The bad weather abating he proceeds on his march and in
a short time falls into a Path of the Indians which lead to a
maine one which made him imagine himself to be neere their
main camp; but by the Scouts sent out for discovery, hee found
nothing more yet, than a continued large Path and woods,
which made them break the order of marching, and for expe-
dition and convenieney to march at randome, soe continuing
all along till this Path brought them to a Point, on each Side
whereof and before it was a swamp; upon which Point the
Pamunkey Indians had severall cabbins.

      Some Indian Scouts were sent out before for discovery (w’ch
were about 10 Indians for the service of Bacon’s army) who
being espied by the contrary Party of Indians they lett them
come up soe nigh as to fire at them, which gave the alarme t0

though but twenty-four years old, and accompanied him on his first expedition
against the Indians. Afterward, however, he withdrew with his body of four
hundred men and returned to the plantations. There he raised a force of a
thousand men and marched to Berkeley’s assistance when besieged at Jamestown.