Bushy Run Battlefield

Just months after finishing the French and Indian War, in May 1763, the British were faced with another conflict: Pontiac's War, also known as Pontiac's Conspiracy or Pontiac's Rebellion. This conflict was spearheaded by a group of Native American who were unhappy with the British's postwar policies. The native warriors hope to drive the British out of the Ohio, Illinois, and Great Lakes regions.

Fort Presque Isle (in present-day Erie), Fort Venango (near present-day Franklin), and Fort LeBoeuf (in present-day Waterford) were some of the first to fall. Fort Pitt came under siege in July 1763. Colonel Henry Bouqet, who served as General Forbes's second-in-command during the French and Indian War, led an army of about 500 troops from Carlisle to Fort Pitt, along Forbes Road, to lend aid.

Bouquet and his troops stopped briefly at Fort Ligonier before marching on toward Fort Pitt. In an attempt to avoid surprise Indian attack, Bouquet's troops took a shortcut through Bushy Run. The detour did no good, and the men were attacked on August 5, about 25 miles east of Pittsburgh. This became known as the Battle of Bushy Run. Bouquet built a temporary fort out of flour bags carried by packhorses, and he was able to keep his troops from abandoning the field. However, the British still differed heavy casualties.

The next morning, Bouquet's men faked a retreat to lure the Indians into the open, then attacked with musket fire and bayonets. Despite the battle and casualties, Bouquet's men achieved their goal. When they reached Fort Pitt days later, they found that the Indians abandoned the Fort to come fight Bouquet and the men at Bushy Run.

The Bushy Run Battlefield marker was dedicated on Monday, September 14, 1964. It reads: "British and Americans under Col. Henry Bouquet defeated the Indians here, August 5-6, 1763, during the Pontiac War, and lifted the siege of Ft. Pitt."

You, too, can visit Bushy Run Battlefield to explore the museum, take a battlefield tour, and see war reenactments. Visit their website for hours, ticket prices, and more information.