The Deerfield Massacre : a surprise attack, a forced march, and the fight for survival in early America
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 261-289) and index.

On February 29, 1704, a cold, snowy night, hundreds of native Americans and their French allies swept down upon an isolated frontier outpost and ruthlessly slaughtered its inhabitants. The sacking of Deerfield led to one of the greatest sagas of adventure, survival, sacrifice, family, honor, and faith ever told in North America. 112 survivors, including their fearless minister, the Reverend John Williams, were captured and led on a 300-mile forced march north, into enemy territory in Canada. Any captive who faltered or became too weak to continue the journey--including Williams's own wife and one of his children--fell under the knife or tomahawk. Survivors of the march willed themselves to live and endured captivity. Ransomed by the King of England's royal governor of Massachusetts, the captives later returned home to Deerfield, rebuilt their town and, for the rest of their lives, told the incredible tale. The memoir of Rev. Williams, The Redeemed Captive, published a few years after his liberation, became the first bestselling book in America and remains a literary classic. Finally, this legendary event is brought to vivid life by popular historian James Swanson. Adapted from book jacket.