(The source of the following information is “Chronicles of America, Plymouth and New England Colonies, King Phillip’s War” July 17, 2008 http://www.chroniclesofamerica.com/pilgrims-puritans/king_phillips_war.htm
King Phillip’s War is named for Philip, or Metacom, the second son of Massasoit. He became the head of the Wampanoags Indian tribe in 1662, "with his seat at Mount Hope, a promontory extending into Narragansett." Philip believed his people had been wronged by the English, particularly by those of Plymouth colony, and could foresee that "he and his people were to be driven step by step westward into narrower and more restricted quarters." For that reason, he began organizing other Indian tribes for a campaign to exterminate the colonists of New England. On June 24, 1675, Indians attacked "the town of Swansea, on the eastern side of Narragansett Bay, and killed nine people and wounded seven others. Following that, other towns were attacked, inhabitants slain, cabins burned and prisoners captured. As time passed, more tribes joined in the campaign, including the Narragansetts.
Colonists declared a war against the Narragansetts on November 2, 1675 "and a force of a thousand men and horse from Plymouth and Massachusetts was drawn up on Dedham plain, under the command of General Josiah Winslow and Captain Benjamin Church. On December 19, the greater part of this force, aided by troops from Connecticut, fell on the Narragansetts in their swamp fort, south of the present town of Kingston, and after a fierce and bloody fight completely routed them, though at a heavy loss. The tribe was driven from its own territory, and Canonchet [chief of the Narragansetts] fled to the Connecticut River, where he established a rallying point for new forays.” Eventually, Canonchet was captured and executed. Philip was slain on August 12, 1676 and the remaining hostile Indians dispersed and sought refuge with northern tribes.
During this war, probably more than 600 whites were slain or captured, hundreds of houses and a score of villages were burned or pillaged, crops were destroyed, and cattle were driven off.
"A Massachusetts act of November, 1675, ascribed the war to the judgment of God upon the colony for its sins, among which were included an excess of apparel, the wearing of long hair, and the rudeness of worship, all marks of an apostasy from the Lord 'with a great backsliding.' "
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