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Battle of Bushy Run
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The Battle of Bushy Run which happened during Pontiac's Rebellion was fought between a British relief column under the command of Colonel Henry Bouquet and a combined force of Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron warriors.
In July 1763, a British relief column consisting of 500 British soldiers, including the 42nd Highlanders, 60th Royal Americans, and 77th Highlanders, was sent to relieve Fort Pitt, then under siege. Under the command of Bouquet, the column left Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On August 5 at about 1PM , while passing through present-day Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the column was ambushed by a large force of Native Americans 25 miles east of Fort Pitt .
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The Battle of Bushy Run which happened during Pontiac's Rebellion was fought between a British relief column under the command of Colonel Henry Bouquet and a combined force of Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron warriors.
In July 1763, a British relief column consisting of 500 British soldiers, including the 42nd Highlanders, 60th Royal Americans, and 77th Highlanders, was sent to relieve Fort Pitt, then under siege. Under the command of Bouquet, the column left Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On August 5 at about 1PM , while passing through present-day Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the column was ambushed by a large force of Native Americans 25 miles east of Fort Pitt . The British managed to hold their ground until after sunset when the natives withdrew, and then Bouquet ordered a redoubt constructed on Edge Hill placing their wounded and livestock in the center of the perimeter.
The following morning, the evening sentries were relieved, and when the allied tribes attacked, they found themselves ambushed by the relieved sentries. As the tribal forces were flanked, the warriors fled in a disorganized retreat. With troops under Bouquet, the column dispersed 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 fighting taking place in Edge Hill. Bouquet then marched to the relief of Fort Pitt. The battle had been costly with 50 British soldiers killed, 29 of the 42nd Highlanders dead, 7 of the 1/60th Royal Americans dead, 6 of the 77th Highlanders dead, and 8 Civilians and volunteers dead) . The confederacy of the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron also suffered an unknown number of casualties including two prominent Delaware chieftains (though one total offered was around 60 dead) .
The site of the battle is now Bushy Run Battlefield Park.
External links
- (article originally from Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine)
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