June of 1675 was the last month where peace, of a kind, could exist among the peoples of New England. The end of the month saw the dam burst and sullen rage turning to searing anger as the town of Swansea became the first community to suffer as her neighboring tribe, the Pokanoket of Metacom, took up the tomahawk to avenge injuries longstanding and ultimately the deaths by hanging of three of their Sachems. Click here for an 18-minute video about the first days of the War by Stan Svec of Fishing Historic Places posted on July 31, 2025.

(Above) Svec notes that this was also the greatest chance the English colonies had of ending the Red King’s Rebellion quickly, before it could spread to the other disaffected tribes of Southern New England. July, 1675 was a critical month! Following the first attacks in Swansea, colonists fled to the Myles Garrison and the Bourne Garrison several mile away from their farms.

From the start, Philip/Metacom (above left) would have his work cut out for him, having to control his young warriors, then conduct a degree of skirmishing and finally escape from his own homeland, Montaup, that had become a trap leading his elderly, and other non-combatants to safety.

(Above) Svec provides a series of maps that show (left) the movement of troops from Mass Bay Colony to Swansea after the first outbreak of hostilities, (middle) the movement of Philip from Montaup to Tiverton to escape English troops, and (right) Philip’s escape from Tiverton to Central Massachusetts where he joined up with the Nipmuc Tribe to spread the hostilities.