History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

512 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1787.
was falling, the paths were soon filled up, the men became fatigued,
they were in a part of the country where they could not be covered in
the distance of 8 miles, and the cold was so intense that they could not
halt in the road to refresh themselves. Under these circumstances they
were obliged to continue their march. ." ^
The thirty miles that lay between Hadley and Petersham
were traversed withont a halt. Self preservation demanded
that the men should keep moving. When the storm abated
the cold increased, and the "greater part of our men were
frozen in some part or other." The advance guard
reached Petersham at nine o'clock on Sunday morning,
while yet the main body was five miles away.
" We approached this town nearly in the center where Shays had
and had we not been prevented by the steepness of
covered his men ;
the hill, and the depth of snow, from throwing our men rapidly in to
it, we should have arrested very probably one half of his force, for
they were so nearly surprised as it was. that they had no time to call in
their out parties, or even their guards. About 150 fell into our hands,
and none escaped but by the most precipitate flight in different direc-
tion ; but most of their men fled to Athol." -
The Victory Com-
TMs march of the raw militia in such tem-
piete. pestuous Weather, and the quick dispersion
of the insurgents, were the most notable fea-
tures of the rebellion. The rebel army, safely housed at
Petersham, never dreamed that the government forces were
nearer than Hadley, nor did they believe them able to move
for many days. Shays, while undoubtedly congratulating
himself upon the clever ruse by which he had duped Gen.
Lincoln, with difficulty escaped his clutches. The sur-
prise, therefore, was all the more complete.
Beginning of the End
of the Rebellion.
This rapid movement put an end to the
army of Shays. Those who escaped were
most effectually scattered. Three days
after, only three hundred men remained with him at
Winchester, Vt. The rest were in Vermont, New York
and New Hampshire. The rebellion was not over, but its
backbone had been dislocated. There were gatherings
under other leaders, particularly in Berkshire County, and
1 Gen. Lincoln's Official Dispatch.
3 Ibid.