Bacon's Rebellion

halting a while about New Kent to gain some fresh Forces,
and sending to the upper parts of James River for what they
could assist him with.

      Having increased his number to about 300 in all, hee pro-
ceeds directly to Towne, as hee marcheth the People on the
high wayes coming forth Praying for his happiness and railing
ag’t the Governour and his party, and seeing the Indian cap-
tives which they led along as in a shew of Tryumph, gave him
many thankes for his care and endeavours for their Preserva-
tion, bringing him forth Fruits and Victualls for his Soldiers,
the women telling him if hee wanted assistance they would
come themselves after him.

      Intelligence coming to Bacon that the Governour had good
in Towne a 1000 men well arm’d and resolute, “I shall see that,”
saith hee, “for I am now going to try them.” Being told that
there was a party of Horse of the Governors of abt. 60 Scout-
ing out to observe his motion, hee smilingly answer’d hee feared
them not coming soe neere him as to know how he did. But
hee not too heedlesse of all reports nor in him Selfe to sure of
their cowardice, drawes up his men in Green Spring Old Fields,
hee tells them that if ever they will fight they will doe it now,
before (saith hee) “I march up to their workes, having all the
advantages of ground, places retreats, their men fresh and
unwearied and what not advantages” (Saith Bacon) “to us
soe few weake and Tyr’d.

      “But I speake not this to discourage you, but to acquaint
you (as you shall finde) what advantages they will neglect and
loose, which” (sayes he) “if they had the courage to maintain
that which they declare against us as Rebells, Traytors, etc.,
their allegiance would be but faintly Defended to lett us take
that which they might command; come on, my hearts of
gold, hee that dyes in the field lyes in the Bedd of honour.”*

      In the evening Bacon with his Small tyr’d Body of men,
his Forlorne¹ marching some distance before, comes into Pas-
pahayes old Fields and advancing on horseback himselfe on
the Sandy Beech before the Towne comands the Trumpet to

     * September 13th, 1676. The siege of James Towne. Note that Bacon’s
men had march’d that day betwixt 30 and 40 miles to come to James Towne. (Marginal note in original.)

     ¹Vanguard.