Geology, ^c, of the Connecticut. 15 



The country around these falls is little cultivated and there 

 are but few settlements on either side of the river. In al- 

 most every direction you see gently rising hills, covered 

 with trees; of which the pine forms a large proportion. For 

 three miles above the falls is a fine spot for a sailing excur- 

 sion. You immediately enter between wooded, and mode- 

 rately elevated hills, exhibiting all their original wildness ; 

 and so placid is the stream, gently curving among these hills, 

 now and then spreading out so as to form coves along the 

 shore, and here and there chequered by small islands, that 

 you fancy yourself to be in the midst of a romantic moun- 

 tain lake. To the coves along the shore, parties frequent- 

 ly resort for taking fish. 



These and other circumstances render Turner's falls and 

 the vicinity an attractive spot to any one who takes an in- 

 terest in the wild and sublime scenes of nature. By a refe- 

 rence to the preceding part of this sketch, it will be seen 

 that the geologist and mineralogist will find here much to 

 awaken and gratify curiosity.* 



Bellows and Turner's falls are in many respects very dis- 

 similar. At the former, the river is narrow and the fall, 

 viewed by itself, is not the principal object of interest ; but 

 at the latter, the Connecticut pours a broad and unbroken 

 sheet of water over a precipice comparatively lofty, produ- 

 cing a roar that is frequently heard at the distance of twelve 

 miles. 



One hundred and fifty six years ago, a party of Philip's 

 Indians, having joined those residing in Hatfield, Deerfield, 

 Sec. all being at war with the white inhabitants, resorted to 

 Turner's falls to take fish, and encamped on the north east 

 shore. On the I7th of May, Capt. Turner from Boston^ 

 marched from Hatfield with one hundred and fifty men, 

 consisting of the garrison and militia from Springfield, 

 Northampton and Hatfield, and came by surprize upon the 

 Indian camp the next morning at day light. The Indians 

 were totally unprepared for the attack, and fled in every di- 

 rection. Some sprang into their canoes, and pushing from 

 the shore without paddles, were hurried over the cataract 



* I am at a loss to account for it, that these falls haTe excited so little at- 

 tention and drawn so few visitors. They are but three miles from the viU 

 lage of Greenfield, the road is good, and the accommodations decent, at a 

 public hoU9e on the bank. 



