One of my grandfathers, Capt. Thomas Pittman, was a "ringlearder' in Bacon's Rebellion. Family study indicates he and his brothers for against the king in England 4 out of 7 brothers were hanged while the others escaped to the colonies. After Bacon's Rebellion he swore never to take up arms against the crown again and was pardoned. I am guessing had this affair really been bloody, he would have hanged also.
GP