Battle of Bushy Run 6 August 1763

The Battle of Bushy Run, which took place during Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763–66), was fought between 400 British troops, under Colonel Henry Bouquet, and 100–500 Native Americans. In spring 1763, Native American warriors besieged British settlements in Pennsylvania, as part of a general uprising of Native American tribes against British colonists. British Lieutenant General Sir Jeffrey Amherst, frustrated by several reversals against the Native Americans, insisted that Bouquet’s troops mobilize near Bushy Run, an area of grassland in western Pennsylvania, and rout the Native Americans in the region. The Native Americans attacked the British supply column, having learned of the British advance. After this initial skirmish, the British dug in for the night by creating a circular fort made of flour bags. The following morning they were again attacked by Native Americans and pretended to retreat, luring their enemy through a gap in the perimeter. The Native Americans charged into the gap, where they were dispersed by two British light infantry companies, who had fallen back.