"
The reentry of the militia into Stockbridge was made with screaming
fifes, and resounding drums, while nearly one hundred prisoners graced
the triumph of the victors. The poor fellows looked glum enough, as
they had reason to do. They had scorned the clemency of the government
and been taken with arms in their hands. Imprisonment and stripes was
the least they could expect, while the leaders were in imminent danger
of the gallows. But considerations other than those of strict justice
according to law determined their fate, and made their suspense of
short duration. It was well enough to use threats to intimidate
rebels, but in an insurrection with which so large a proportion of the
people sympathized partly or fully, severity to the conquered would
have been a fatal policy. As a merely practical point, moreover, there
was not jail room in Stockbridge for the prisoners. They must be
either forthwith killed or set free. The upshot of it was that
excepting Hubbard and two or three more they were offered release that
very afternoon, upon taking the oath of allegiance to the state. The
poor fellows eagerly accepted the terms. A line of them being formed
they passed one by one before Justice Woodbridge, with uplifted hand
took the oath, slunk away home, free men, but very much crestfallen.
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