Battle of Bushy Run

The Battle of Bushy Run was fought during Pontiac's Rebellion between a British relief column under the command of Col. Henry Bouquet and the combined forces of the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron tribes.

In July 1763, a British relief column of consisting of 500 British soldiers was sent to reinforce Fort Pitt (thought to be under siege). Under the command of Col. Henry Bouquet, the column left Carlisle, Pennsylvania and on August 4, while passing through present day Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the column was ambushed by a large force of Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron 25 miles east of Fort Pitt. The British managed to hold their ground and, after the tribes withdrew after sunset, Bouquet ordered a redoubt constructed on Edge Hill placing their wounded and livestock in the center of the parimeter.

The following morning, after the evening sentries were being relived, the allied tribes attacked only to be ambushed themselves by relived sentries. As the tribal forces were flanked, the warriors fled in a disorganized retreat. With troops under Bouquet, the column dispursed the attackers before heading to Bushy Run, where there was badly needed water, about a mile from Edge Hill. The battle has since been attributed to this location despite the main fightig taking place in Edge Hill. Upon reaching Fort Pitt, Bouquet found the situation was not as serious as had been reported. However the battle had been costly with 50 soldiers killed. The confederacy of the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron also suffered an unknown number of casulties including two prominant Delaware chieftains.

References

• Keenan, Jerry. Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars, ABC-CLIO Inc.: California, 1997.