JOHN CARVER, November, 1620, to April, 1621.
CAPT. MYLES STANDISH was the first military officer of New England, and, as long as he lived, the chief military leader of Plymouth colony. Came in the "Mayflower" to Plymouth with wife Rose, who died January 29, following the landing. By his second wife, Barbara, he had the five children mentioned in his will of March 7, 1656. Four sons, Alexander, Myles, Josiah, and Charles survived him, his daughter Lora already deceased. Through these sons a numerous posterity followed. He was one of the chief of the Pilgrims, and besides being always commander-in-chief of the military, was treasurer for twelve years, and assistant for some eighteen years. He died Oct. 3, 1656, and is buried in Duxbury, according to the request in his will. Upon the hill which formed a part of his Duxbury estate, known as "The Captain's Hill," stands the noble "Standish Monument," of granite, surmounted by a fine statue of Capt. Standish. He was regularly chosen as captain, February, 1621, though he was understood to be captain from the compact, Nov. 11, 1620.
In the year 1643 an official canvass of every town in Plymouth Colony was made, to find the men, between the ages of sixteen and sixty years, who were able to bear arms. These lists are preserved in the Plymouth Records, but I have not thought best to insert them here, as the men were not properly soldiers.
In 1643, a more compact and responsible military organization was established in the three towns, Plymouth, Duxbury, and Marshfield. While a careful canvass of the colony was made that year, and account taken of every man "able to bear arms," this company was made up of chosen men, and was independent. None were received unless they were freemen, honest, and of good repute, and by the election of the members of the company. Training exercises were begun and ended with prayer. Strict order was enjoined, and any infringement of rules was punished with dismission from the company. Each man, upon election, must provide himself with a musket or sword, rest, bandoleers, etc. Only one third of whole company were allowed to carry pikes. The following rules were in force:
"All who are elected chief officers in this military company shall be so titled and forever afterwards so reputed, except he obtain a higher place. That every man enlisted in this company shall pay sixpence a quarter for the use of the company. That when any one of this company dies, the company shall come together with their armes, upon warning, and 'interr his corps' as a soldier, and according to his place and quality. All must take the oath of fidelity before admission to the company. All postures of pike and muskett, motions rankes and files, &c., messengers, skirmishes, sieges, batteries, watches, sentinells, &c., must be always performed according to true military discipline."
The officers appointed over this company were,
Capt. Myles Standish
The entire militia of Plymouth Colony, in 1658, was organized into a regiment, of which Josiah Winslow, of Marshfield, was chosen Major-Commandant, and he held that office until his election as governor of the colony, in 1673, when Mr. William Bradford was chosen to that place. A cavalry company was organized in the colony in 1659, with William Bradford, of Plymouth, Captain, John Freeman, of Eastham, Lieutenant, and Robert Stetson, of Scituate, Cornet; but for neglecting the requirements of the Court in procuring carbines, was disbanded by a general order June 1, 1675.
ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE
Upon active military operations, officers and men were selected from the various towns by military committees for the special service. The first actual Indian war, after the earlier skirmishes, was the war with the Pequods, the story of which has been told above. The following document shows the action taken by the Court of Plymouth:
At the General Court held in Plymouth June 7, 1637,
It was enacted that the colony send forth a company to aid Massachusetts and Connecticut in their war against the Pequod Indians, in revenge of the innocent blood of the English which the Pequods have shed.
Thirty persons shall be sent for land service, and as many others as shall be sufficient to manage the barque.
Leiftenant William Holmes is elected as leader of the company.
Mr. Thomas Prence is elected to go with the company and to be for the "Counsell of War."
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