The many attempts on the life of Captain John Smith
and attacks to the colony
Smith prevented the ambushes and showed forbearance in retaliation, more than anyone I can recall in all of history.
No other leader treated the Indians as well as Smith. Smith tortured no Indians, executed none, and actually saved Indians when others wanted to slay them.
Here is what Smith said about the ambushes.
"We maie thought verie patient to endure all thise injuries. Yet onlie with fearing them, we got what they had: whereas if we had taken revenge, thn by their losss, we whou,d have lost our selves." Smith
Smith was always ready to defend himself against attack. Smith wrote " The Warres in Europe, Asia and Africa, taught me how to subdue the wilde Savages in Virginia and New England, in America" (3:269).
The Indians were peaceful in nature. Not!
April 26th, 1607 Indians attacked the colonists at their first arrival date at Cape Henry
April 26th, 1607. The first recorded attack after arriving at Jamestown Island by the natives was the evening upon first making a landing at Cape Henry (the attack is generally attributed to the Powhatan tribe Chesapeake's who had inhabited that land.). An exploring party (probably without Smith) was returning to their boat after sunset when attacked by savages who crept up and attacked right in their faces. Two were wounded. [p123 TWCJS].
It is amusing the many ploys Chief Powhatan tried to use to disarm and surprise the colonists in attempt to destroy them. Powhatan had directed all to kill the colonists when they had the chance.
Smith would later say about the Powhatan's "their chief attempts are by Stratagems, trecheries, or susprisals" (2:119)
Two weeks after the arrival at the site to be JamesTown there is an attack.
May 26th, 1607. 200-400 warriors (probably the Paspaha's, the closest tribe to Jamestown) attacked the unarmed tent fort of Jamestown and were scared off by cannon shot from the Susan Constant. Two were killed and a dozen wounded. It was then decided to unpack the matchlock guns from the "fat".
Numerous almost daily attacks
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December 10th, 1607- Captured by Powhatan's brother Opechancanough and 200 warriors 40 miles up-river on the Chickahominy when exploring and looking for new trading partners. Two men with him lost their life. One he left in the larger boat defied orders and went ashore and wa skinned alive and roasted.
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December (last week) 1607 Smith was taken to Powhatan's village Werowocomoco and came a moment from having his head bashed in by clubs. He was saved by Pocahontas.
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Early 1608. Captain John Smith leads a trading part on a food gathering expedition to visit Powhatan and his brother Opechancanough. Both attempt to kill Smith and his men.
When visiting with Powhatan the following discourse took place:
Powhatan said ,"Let this therefore assure you of our loves, and everie yeare our friendly trade shall furnish you with corne; and now also if you would come in friendly manner to see us , and not thus with your gunnes and swords, as to invade your foes."written by R. Wiffen and W. Phettiplace
To this Smith replied "we strive to make you knowe out thoughts by our deeds", As for your promise I find it every day violated by some of your subjects", " for your sake only we have curbed our desire for revenge", "that had we intended you anie hurt, long this we could have effected it". Your people coming to James towne are entertained with their bows and arrows without exception." written by R. Wiffen and W. Phettiplace
Powhatan said ,"I never used any of my Werowances so kindlier as yourself", "if you intend to be as friendly as you say, send hense your arms that I may believe you ; for you see the love I bare you, doth casuse me thus nakedlie [to] forget my self." written by R. Wiffen and W. Phettiplace
Powhatan, leaving 2 or 3 of his women talking to the Captain, slipped away . Soon his men secretly surrounded the house to ambush Smith, Smith, discovering the ambush pushed his way through the the savages with his target and pistol in hand causing them to flee one way and another so that without hurt he made his way to his Corps de Guard. and Powhatan, to excuse is flight, sent Smith a great bracelet and chain of pearl and men to carry corn down to the boat.
After a failed ambush by Powhatan and the typical apology and gifts from Powhatan, Smith goes upriver to see Opechancanough.
While in the lodge with Opechancanough, warriors to the number of 600 or 700 surrounded Smith's 15 soldiers in the lodge.
Now this was a near panic situation for Smith's men seeing such numbers. The possibility of escape seemed dismal to his men. Smith rose to the threat and to calm his men said, " Worthy countrymen, were the mischiefes of my seeming friends no more then the danger of these enemies, I little cared, were they as many more". But this is my torment, if I escape them, our malicious council, (Ratcliff) with their open- mouthed minions (Gabriel Archer), will make me such a peace-breaker (in their opinions) in England, as will break my neck. I wish those here, that make these seem Saints, and me an oppressor".
Smith extracts he and his men from this ambush by grabbing Opechancanough by the hair lock, holding a gun up to the chest of Opechancanough to force those Indians attempting the ambush up to drop their weapons .
to diffuse the situation Smith announces to the multitude of Indians who are now disarmed and gathered about," if as friends you will come and trade, I once more promise not to trouble you , except you give me the first occasion".
as Smith sleeps in a lodge, a group of 40 or 50 of their choice men with swords seconded by 200 or 300 others attempt to enter . Awakened by the noise and haste of their movement Smith grabbed his sword and target and with several soldiers also in the lodge charged repelling those entering back out the door. An apology for this intrusion (ambush) is delivered by a lengthy speech by Opechancanough.
the next day another ambush is attempted by it is perceived and a warning alarm given in time to prevent it at alarm which the warriors sneaking up fled.
staying for the next five or six days thereafter, Opechancanough's guests (Smith and his men are poisoned). "It made them sick but expelled itself".
Attack during Smith's mapping of the Chesapeake
During the second voyage
25th of July , the 2nd day into second voyage of exploration, "wee in countered 7 or 8 Canowes-full of Massawomecks. We seeing them prepare to assult us, we left our oares and made way with our saile to incounter them; yet we but five (with our Captain) [that] could stand; "the rest, were sick almost to death, we put under our tarpawling, and put their hats on sticks by the barge side to make us seem many." Steering his boat toward the approaching canowes, "They fled with all possible speed" .
August 1608 - while mapping the Rappahannock River, Smith and party was attacked several times
1st attack by the Rappahannocks "fired more than a thousand Arrows"
2nd attack , the next day, arrows started striking the boat "the Rappahannocks, which presently we espied to be the bushes" were beat off this second ambush.
3rd attack , at the falls (near modern day Fredericksburg) a guard saw an arrow fall near him, then about one hundred Mannahoacks attacked. During this fight, Smith tells how a wounded Mannahoacsk warrior named Amoroleck was captured, ordered taken aboard the boat by Smith and treated for his wounds. It turns out that that this kind treatment paid off because this turned out to be brother of the King of the mannahoacks who the next day informed those attacking of his kind usage. The attacks stopped. There was exchange of gifts, singing, dauncing and making merry.
Spring 1609 The Kind of the Paspahegh encounters Smith on the path alone, notches an arrow in his bow and tries to shoot Smith. After wrestling the half clothed Indian on the beach, then in the water, Smith subdues him. Smith does not kill him but takes him to the fort where he is confined. This King will escape. When Smith goes to the village to collect his prisoner, he is told by a village member that of the attack on Smith, the King was "compelled to it".
Fall 1609 - Ratcliff falls for Powhatans pleading to join him and does not take proper guard. he and most all his men are captured and killed.
Numerous attacks
1622 Massaacre -350 colonists killed
1644 Massaacre -500 colonists killed
New page under construction
updated each week
come back soon
Attacks on the colonists not involving Smith
Ambushes attempted on Captain John Smith .
Who Shot JR ?Who was Jr? ----we don't know yet who shot him but JR's identity is revealed .
Questions about Captain John Smith .