words: _"Captain Wadsworth being departed from
us, whose face we shall see here no more."_

Capt. Samuel Brocklebank, of Rowley, was born in England, and was also
about forty-six years of age at the time of his death. In November,
1675, he informed Governor Leverett that he had impressed twelve men
for the war. Of these, seven returned to Rowley. His correspondence
with the Council shows him to have been a man of respectable attainments.

As then the colonies and the town shared a common grief in the loss of
these devoted men, so now it is appropriate that the State and town
should unite in the erection of this unpretending memorial of their
names and virtues.

In April, 1676, Philip's power was at its height. But his successes
had weakened him. His warriors were slain or scattered all over the
country, his provisions and ammunition were exhausted, and Canonchet,
his most valuable ally, had planned his last ambuscade, and rallied
his Narragansets for the last time. The rapidity of Philip's
movements, and the fierceness of his attacks, had deprived his
warriors of the moral power to withstand reverses. His operations for
two months had been those of a desperate man; and when desperation is
followed by misfortune there is no hope of recovery.

The winter campaign of 1675-6 was opened and conducted with great vigor
on the part of the colonies.

The second of December was appointed and set apart as a day of solemn
humiliation for the imploring of God's special grace and favor to
appear for his poor people. Then the treasurer was clothed with
unlimited power to borrow money, and authorized to pledge the public
lands acquired and to be acquired for the payment of the war debt; one
thousand stands of arms and a corresponding quantity of ammunition
were ordered; men were impressed for active service in the field, for
the erection and defence of garrisons, and for the tillage of the soil;
the women and children of the frontier towns were sent towards the
coast; the Indian trading houses were abolished; and even the members
of Harvard College were required to pay their proportion of rates, and
to serve in the army either personally or by substitute.

The Council were instructed to use their "utmost endeavors, with
promise of such rewards as they judge meet, to get the Mohegans and
Pequots" to cut off the Indians of Philip. Governor Winslow was
commander-in-chief, and was instructed by "care, courage, diligence,