Blackwell Reference Online

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(Mass.) In 1676 Indians almost wiped out Deerfield and the survivors abandoned the settlement. In 1694 the town repulsed a French and Indian raiding party. On 29 February 1704, Hertel de Rouville's 50 French and 200 Indians captured half the townspeople and burned 17 of the 41 houses, but failed to take 140 people who held out in fortified houses. English losses: 48 killed, 112 captured (of whom 16 were killed and 2 starved en route to Canada). French losses: 3 French and 8 Indians killed in the attack, and 30 casualties under pursuit by Mass. militia. The captives returned after their relatives paid ransom. Deerfield was the worst civilian massacre of Q ueen A nne's W ar , and its loss of civilian lives was exceeded only by the S chenectady raid during the French and Indian Wars. ... log in or subscribe to read full text