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The Battle of Bloody Brook Some Seventy Men killed in Lathrop's Massacre September 18, 1675: A bloody battle today has claimed the lives of between sixty and seventy men, leaving widows and fatherless children throughout the county of Essex. Captain Thomas Lathrop, leader of the company of young men was also killed. He had long been active in Salem affairs. Originally intended to be a uneventful delivery of wheat by oxcarts to Hadley, the men apparently took few precautions and were confident that their numbers belied attack. It would have disastrous consequences. It has become apparent that Phillip with his Wampanoags and the Nipmuck bands under Sagamore Same, Mantaup, One-eyed John, Matoonas, Panquahow, and other minor sanchems had crossed Connecticut to lay in wait for the Hadley delivery. Halting by a nameless stream, Lathrop and his men were suddenly attacked and a virtual slaughter ensued. It is said the water turned red with blood, hence, "Bloody Brook." Captain Mosely, who had remained in Deerfield with the inhabitants, rushed to Lathrop's aid, only to find the "savages" stripping the slain and plundering the carts. Outnumbered about ten to one, Mosely fought the "swarming legions" for some four to five hours, gaining little ground. Exhausted and encumbered by his wounded, Mosely was preparing to make his retreat when Major Treat with one hundred Connecticut men and 50 Mohicans arrived. The combat was soon ended, and the united force marched back to Pocomptuck (Deerfield) for night, carrying their wounded and leaving the dead where they lay. The next day, Sunday, Mosely and Treat returned to the grisly scene of carnage and bury the dead "in one dreadful grave." Mather said, " In this black and fatal day. . . six and twenty children made orphans, all in one little plantation."
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