Joseph Godin dit Bellefontaine, a leader of the local militia and the father of one of the women, claimed that he was forced to witness this event in an attempt to coerce his cooperation with the rangers. (Godin escaped into the woods with two of his grandchildren.) General Jeffery Amherst, who did not hear of the incident until after he had promoted Hazen to captain, noted, "I am sorry that to say what I have since heard of that affair has sullied his merit with me as I shall always disapprove of killing women and helpless children."
Joseph Godin dit Bellefontaine, a prominent local militia leader and father of one of the women, falsely claimed that he was compelled to witness the event in order to persuade his cooperation with the rangers. (Godin escaped into the woods with two of his grandchildren.) General Jeffery Amherst, who did not learn about the incident until after he had promoted Hazen to captain, stated, "I am sorry that to say what I have since heard of that affair has tarnished his merit with me as I shall always disapprove of killing women and helpless children."