Devastation of the Susquehannock

The treaty the Susquehannock had signed earlier with Maryland ended any lingering hostility with the English. The Maryland colonists continued to supply the Susquehannock with firearms and ammunition because they were afraid of the Dutch-allied Iroquois.

With the support of Maryland, the Susquehannock continued their bitter battle with the Iroquois. By the fall of 1669, the Susquehannock were down to only 300 warriors and they were forced to ask the Iroquois for peace. The Iroquois responded to their request by torturing and killing the Susquehannock warrior who brought the request. The fighting continued and in 1675, the Iroquois finally defeated the Susquehannock.

The governor of Maryland offered the Susquehannock refuge in the area of the upper Potomac River. The local colonists were not very happy. They assembled an army under Colonel John Washington, George Washington's great-grandfather, and attacked the Susquehannock. The Susquehannock convinced the colonists that they were peaceful and even offered them six hostages as proof. The English took the hostages and left, but when they learned that the Susquehannock had made other attacks, the hostages were killed.