Bushy Run Battlefield facts for kids
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Bushy Run Battlefield
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The Battle of Bushy Run Monument marks the site of the "flour bag fort" on Edge Hill
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA |
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| Nearest city | Harrison City, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 218 acres (88 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000696 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
Bushy Run Battlefield Park is a special historical place in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It covers about 218 acres in Penn Township, near Harrison City and Jeannette. This park is managed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and a group of dedicated volunteers called the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society.
This park is famous for the Battle of Bushy Run, which happened on August 5-6, 1763. This important battle took place during Pontiac's Rebellion. The battle was a big win for the British. It helped them keep control of the Ohio River Valley area.
Bushy Run Battlefield Park became a Pennsylvania State Park in the 1920s. In 1960, it was named a National Historic Landmark. The Visitor Center is open from May to October. You can visit Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm. Inside, there's a museum exhibit called "The March to Bushy Run," a theater, a gift shop, and battlefield tours. Bushy Run Battlefield Park is the only place that focuses only on Pontiac's Rebellion. Every year, on the first full weekend of August, they hold battle reenactments.
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The Battle of Bushy Run
The Battle of Bushy Run was a fight between British soldiers and Native American warriors. The British were led by Colonel Henry Bouquet. The Native American forces included warriors from the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron tribes.
In July 1763, about 500 British soldiers were sent to help Fort Pitt. The fort was under siege, meaning it was surrounded and attacked. Colonel Bouquet led his soldiers from Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
An Unexpected Attack
On August 5, as the British column marched through what is now Westmoreland County, they were suddenly attacked. This happened about 25 miles east of Fort Pitt. The Native American warriors ambushed them. The British soldiers managed to hold their ground. After the sun set, the Native Americans stopped fighting for the night.
Colonel Bouquet then ordered his men to build a small fort. They used sacks of flour to create a strong defense on Edge Hill. They placed their wounded soldiers and their animals safely inside this temporary fort.
A Clever Victory
The next morning, the Native American tribes attacked again. But the British had a plan. Some soldiers who had been on guard duty the night before pretended to leave. When the Native American warriors charged, these hidden soldiers surprised them from the sides.
The tribal forces were caught off guard and quickly retreated in a disorganized way. Colonel Bouquet's troops chased them, scattering the attackers. After the battle, the British marched to Bushy Run to get much-needed water. Even though most of the fighting happened on Edge Hill, the battle is known as the Battle of Bushy Run.
Aftermath of the Battle
Colonel Bouquet and his soldiers then continued their march to relieve Fort Pitt. The battle was costly for both sides. About 50 British soldiers were killed. The Native American tribes also suffered losses, including two important Delaware chiefs. The exact number of Native American casualties is not known.
Preserving Bushy Run Battlefield
The state of Pennsylvania bought the battlefield land and made it a state park in the 1920s. In August 2009, some museums run by the PHMC faced closure. This was because of money problems in the state budget. Bushy Run Battlefield was one of the places that might have closed.
Volunteers Keep History Alive
Thanks to the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society, the park's volunteer group, the museum stayed open. These dedicated volunteers helped keep the site running even with budget cuts. On May 5, 2010, the Heritage Society and the PHMC made an agreement. This allowed the volunteers to staff and operate the museum. Their hard work helps visitors learn about this important part of history.
See also
