FIRST NAVAL ACTION FOUGHT IN AMERICA
Deposition of John Gallup, Jr., to Governor Winthrop: The Colony
was much disturbed by Indians, and they were unable to determine to what tribe they
belonged; this deposition determined the tribe and was the inauguration of the famous
Pequot War of 1637.
"And most fully by old John Gallup, whose eldest son, John Gallup (who since was one
of the Connecticut Captains and slain at the fight at Narraganset Fort, December 19,
1675), informed me of 'that matter as followeth:
That his father with himself and another of his brethren
(probably Nat.), a lusty young man also, and a strong, stout fellow, who was his father's
servant, sayelinge towards Block Island, to trade thereabouts, not knowing of any mischief
done by those Indians.
As they drew neere to the Island they espied a vessel making off from the shore, but by
they'r contrary handling of they'r sails, they supposed that they were Indians, which had
taken some English vessel and made towards them, and then perceiving it to be so, shot at
them three or four vollies, as they sometimes came neare the villains, and then cleared
off again to make ready, and so after a third or fourth charge upon the Indians, all those
Indians got into the hold, but old John Gallop coming with his vessell close by the other
side, espied a skein hang down, and resolved to hale downe that, and take it with them to
catch Basse withal and then perceived a dead body under it, with the head cut off; he got
up into the vessel, bidding his two sons follow him, and stand by him with their guns
ready charged, which they did; and he taking the bloody head and washing it, knew it to be
Mr. Oldham's, and said:
'Ah! Brother Oldham, is it thee? I am resolved to avenge thy
blood'; and taking his dagger to the scuttle hole in which the Indians were guoyd, as
thick as they could stud, head by head, and he jobd his dagger very often with all his
strength upon them, and then lasht that vessel to his vessel, hoping to tow them along
with them. Upon which one Indian first got out and beg, 'd quarter for his life, and he
would tell how many were in the hold, and who they were, and what they had done; they
granted him that quarter, and took and bound him, and put him down into they'r hold;
presently after, another, a very proper fellow, got out and got to them, and desired like
quarter for himself; but they considering if they spared and bound him also, in they'r
hold, they might in the night unbind each other and do them mischief, being but four
persons, and much tyred, whereupon, without further debate, they chopt off his head, and
heaved his carcass overboard; upon which the other Indian confessed to them that He was
they'r sachem whom they had killed, and that it was he who stirred the Block Islanders to
take that English vessel and cramb [kill] the men, in it. Now the wind waxing higher and
contrary, they could not tow the other vessel any farther, cut they'r rope and let her
drive, and hasted to Saybrook fort with the captive Indian to give them full information
what sort of Indians they were who murthered the English; whereupon that just war was
commenced against the bloody Pequots and they'r associates."
[T. Cobbett's narrative of the deliverance of the Colony's from Indians. New England
Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. vii, P. 211. 1.]
[From Drake's History of Boston, page 198.]
Captain John Gallop, an intrepid mariner of Boston, Mass., being upon a trading
expedition, put into Block Island to traffic with the natives. He had with him his son
John, and another son not mentioned by name, and a servant, who is described as a strong,
stout fellow. As they approached the Island they discovered a vessel making off from the
shore under suspicious circumstances, for those on board of it managed the sail in an
awkward manner. Immediately after they saw that it was full of Indians. Though his men
numbered but four, including himself, Captain Gallop determined to capture the piratical
vessel as he now conceived her to be such. He therefore fired upon her as soon as he was
near enough, and then stood off to ascertain what effect his fire had upon the pirates;
for owing to their numbers he was afraid to board them at once as they stood ready armed
with guns, pikes and swords. To attempt their capture under these circumstances was
certainly desperate; but Gallop had the advantage of being able to manoeuvre his vessel,
while his enemies were such sorry sailors that they appear to have had little or no
control over their craft. Gallop therefore having drawn off to a fair distance made all
sail with the prow of his vessel aimed directly against the quarter of the enemy. There
being a good breeze he struck her with such force that she was almost overset by the
collision, and this so frightened the Indians that six of them jumped into the sea and
were drowned. Yet the English Captain did not care to board her but stood off to prepare
for another broadside of the same kind. His success increased. The next time he drove the
fluke of his anchor through the bows of the pirate and remained fastened to her. In the
meantime he raked her fore and oft with his small shot till every Indian had hid himself
below] The Englishman might now have boarded her, but the Captain concluded to continue
his successful broadsides as his anchor had broken its hold and he was drifting away from
his antagonist. As soon as the Indians saw him hauling off, four or five more of them
leaped overboard and were drowned. Seeing this Gallup came alongside and boarded them. The
Indians by this time, if not before, being satisfied that all was lost, one came out of
the hold and surrendered, and being bound was put into the hold. Then another came up and
he was bound likewise; but not daring to put him into the hold with the other, fearing one
might unloose the other, they threw him bound into the sea. There were two still left in
the hold, and these defended themselves so bravely with swords that Gallup resolved to
secure them there and to sail away with his prize. He therefore made her fast to his own
vessel and proceeded on with her in tow, but in the night the wind came on to blow and he
was forced to cut her adrift, and thus he lost her. He soon after arrived at Saybrook with
the Indian captive and in due time returned with him to Boston. When Captain Gallup got
possession of the enemy's vessel he found the body of Captain Oldham yet warm, and though
the head was dissevered and disfigured he knew him well, and exclaimed:" I [Aye], Oh
brother Oldham, is it thee? I am resolved to avenge thy death." Thus being sure that
he had engaged the murderers of his friend his naturally strong arm was doubly
nerved by the justice of his cause.
COMMISSION
Of Governor Tallcott, of Connecticut, to Captain John Gallup
of Voluntown.
JOSEPH TALLCOTT, ESQ., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's
Colony of Connecticut, in New England.
To John Gallup, Gent., Greeting. You being by the General Assembly of this
Colony accepted to be Captain of the company or train-band in the Town of Voluntown,
reposing special trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct, I do by
virtue of the Letters Patent from the Crown of England to this Corporation, me thereunto
enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said train-band into your care and charge as
their captain, carefully and diligently to discharge that trust, exercising your inferior
officers and soldiers in the use of their arms, according to the discipline of war;
keeping them in good order and government, and commanding them, to obey you. as their
captain for His Majesty's service. And you are to observe all such orders and directions
as. from time to time you shall receive, either from me or from other of your superior
officers, pursuant to the trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my hand and the seal of this Colony, in Hartford, the 24th day of June in the
twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign, Lord George, King of Great Britain, &c.,
Annoque Domini, 1726.
By His Honor's Command, J. TALLCOTT
HEZ. WYLLYS, Secretary.
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