The Captivity of Benjamin Gilbert

The story was originally published in 1784,[1] and has since been republished numerous times under varying titles.

In a minor action in the American Revolution a war party from the British base at Fort Niagara, under the overall command of Colonel John Butler, swept through the area.

The attack was probably in retaliation for the destruction of native towns by the Sullivan Expedition the previous year.

The war party took the Gilbert family and some neighbors captive, fifteen people in all: The group made the trek from Pennsylvania to Fort Niagara on foot and horseback, a journey of about a month.

The remaining captives were adopted by Indian families and spent time in Niagara and Buffalo Creek.