A British column led by Colonel Henry Bouquet engaged a force of Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron warriors in the Battle of Bushy Run on August 5 and 6, 1763, in western Pennsylvania (near present-day Harrison City, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania) . During the Pontiac Rebellion, this deed was committed. Despite suffering significant fatalities, the British defeated the tribesmen and effectively relieved the garrison of Fort Pitt.
Who was Henry Bouquet ?
During the French and Indian War and Pontiac's War, Swiss mercenary Henry Bouquet rose to prominence in British service. The besieged Fort Pitt during Pontiac's War was lifted thanks to his victory against a Native American force at the Battle of Bushy Run.
The expense of the Run
500 British soldiers from the 42nd Highlanders, 60th Royal Americans, and 77th Highlanders formed a rescue column that departed Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in July 1763 to relieve the besieged Fort Pitt.
The escalation of Bushy Run
Indian scouts saw Bouquet's army traveling west along Forbes Road and informed the Indians encircling Fort Pitt of the observation. The natives didn't start to leave until after dusk when the British were still able to retain their position. The British positioned their wounded and cattle in the middle of the perimeter after Bouquet gave them the directive to establish a redoubt on Edge Hill("Colonel Henry Bouquet a biographical sketch:",p22).
One story claims that the allied tribes launched an early-morning attack but were ambushed by the sentries who had been freed of their overnight duties. The outnumbered Indians fled in a disjointed retreat as a result of the sentries' flanking surprise attack and the main British column's frontal assault.
According to a second tale, the warriors assaulted early in the day and "redoubled their efforts to break the British line.". The native warriors charged forward when they noticed a weakness in the enemy defenses. Instead, the British soldiers fired a volley in their faces and "made terrible havock" with the bayonet. The warriors who were still alive fled and failed to unite. This account is consistent with what Richard Cannon wrote in 1845 in his history of the 42nd Highlanders Regiment, which states that the regiment's colonel called in his posts as if he was about to retreat, and the Indians, thinking they had won, rushed forward from their cover, becoming completely exposed(Brumwell, pp 220-221).
The aftermath of the Battle
50 British soldiers lost their lives in the engagement, including 29 from the 42nd Highlanders, 7 from the 60th Royal Americans, 6 from the 77th Highlanders, and 8 volunteers and civilians. There were countless numbers of losses among the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron confederacy, including two notable Delaware chiefs; estimations made by contemporaries put the number of Indian casualties at around 60. Sir William Johnson was later informed by the warrior Killbuck that just 110 Indians were involved(Warren and son, p. 24.).
Unique Significance of Bushy Run in American History
Pontiac's War, one of the most important Native American wars in American history, is exclusively covered by Bushy Run Battlefield, which is the only historical location or museum that does so. The topography of the battlefield remains untouched today. The positions and movements of the combatants may be "seen" and understood, and the 90 acres of forested land help recreate the battle's original setting. Visitors are transported back to the time of the fight through self-guiding paths, escorted tours, and interpretive programs. Visitors can only experience this particular sense at historical locations, particularly battlefields. A sixth sense informs you that something special and significant occurred here, changing both people's lives and the course of history(Profiles in American History,Pg. 149).
An insight through a video
References
Profiles in American History: Exploration to Revolution; Joyce Moss and George Wilson; UXL, 1993; Pg. 149
Cannon, Richard. (1845). Historical record of the Forty-second, or, the Royal Highland Regiment of Foot : containing an account of the formation of six companies of Highlanders in 1729 ... and were regimented in 1739 and of the subsequent services of the regiment to 1844. p. 60
Profiles in American History: Exploration to Revolution; Joyce Moss and George Wilson; UXL, 1993; Pg. 149
https://bushyrunbattlefield.com/battle-of-bush-run-history/
"Colonel Henry Bouquet a biographical sketch:" Lieut-General Sir Edward Hutton Warren and son 1911. p 22.
Warren and son, p. 24.
Brumwell, pp 220-221