Vital allies: The colonial militia\u27s use of Indians in King Philip\u27s War, 1675--1676

This study examines the role that Indians played in King Philip\u27s War. It argues that Indians and Indian fighting tactics saved the colonies from destruction. This contention relies heavily on the assertion that February 1676 was the turning point in the war. Chapter I reexamines the role that Indian spies and informants played in King Philip\u27s War, and argues that they saved the colonies from surprise attacks on major settlements. Chapter II argues that friendly Indians played a significant role as counterinsurgents against a common enemy. Additionally, they provided extra numbers at a time when the colonial militias suffered from impressment derelictions. Finally, Chapter III shows that only after the colonial militia adopted Indian skulking tactics did they successfully repel Philip\u27s forces. In summation, this thesis argues that colonial authorities organized English-Indian companies after a complete economic collapse in February 1675/6. It was this Indian alliance that led them to victory