by James C. Fulmer | NMLRA Past President
The Monument Honoring the Memory of those who fought and died at the Battle of Bushy Run.
This year is flying by. It seems I am just finishing one event and then I am getting ready for another. From the time I wrote my last article until you read this, I will have attended the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run, Whispering Pines, Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters State Championship Shoot, Blue Ridge Rifles, Blue Mountain Rifles, Carlisle Sports and Outdoor Nationals, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association’s National Championship, National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation Eastern Primitive Rendezvous, plus a dozen work parties for the Fort Roberdeau 18th Century Marketfaire and Rifle Frolic.
The Fort Roberdeau event will take place Oct. 11-12. Gates for this event open Oct. 10 at noon and close Oct. 13 at noon. For more information, go to www.marketfaireandfrolic.com. I hope if you live in the area, you will attend this event—if for no other reason than to check us out. Many people have never been to the Altoona Rifle and Pistol Club where the shooting events will be held or the historic reconstructed 18th century Fort Roberdeau next door.
It is a great site. There will be shooting for all types of muzzleloaders. There will also be woodswalks set up for pre- 1780, which is when Fort Robereau was last in official use by the military. When you are in the area, stop by the town of Arch Springs. There you will find a rock arch carved out since nearly the beginning of time over a spring at the site where the town began. Also, the sign over the gate to the Arch Springs Cemetery says it all—“That Which is so Universal as death Must be a Blessing.” I can’t go without writing a little bit about the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run. It was a great event. It began Friday night, Aug. 2, and ended Sunday, Aug. 4th. The actual battle was fought Aug. 5-6, 1763, in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania. I am glad I had the opportunity to set up the NMLRA’s 18th century rifling machine at the event. A big thanks to Jack Giblin for keeping me on track and making sure the NMLRA attended this event. What made it so special was that it wasn’t just the 250th anniversary, but it was the unveiling of a new monument at the Bushy Run Battlefield.
What makes Bushy Run Battlefield so unique is that it is the only historical site and museum that deals specifically with Pontiac’s War. Pontiac was an Ottawa leader who realized that the signing of the Treaty of Paris on Feb. 10, 1763, ended the French & Indian War between Britain and France, and that the Native American’s world had changed forever. Pontiac addressed a council of Native Americans near Detroit at the end of April, and by May 9, 1763, Pontiac’s War began with an attack on Fort Detroit.
By the end of June 1763, the only forts remaining in British control were Fort Detroit and Fort Pitt, and both were under siege by the Native Americans.
Col. Henry Bouquet was sent with a relief column of 500 British soldiers with flour and other supplies to Fort Pitt. His movement was detected by the Indians and they decided to suspend the siege at Fort Pitt in order to attack the British relief force. The attack took place one mile east of Bushy Run Station, at Edge Hill. Here the British held their own until sunset when the natives withdrew. The next day the British were able to lure the Native Americans in close enough for a close volley and a bayonet attack. The native warriors fled and were unable to rally.
Bouquet and his men, food and supplies made it to the relief of Fort Pitt.
On this same site 250 years later, the unveiled. It is probably one of the best monuments I have seen made to commemorate a conflict. The inscription reads “Honoring the Memory of the Men who fought and died here August 5th and 6th, 1763” One side lists the British who fought and the other side the Native Americans. For that battle, the Delaware, Mohican, Miami, Ottawa, Seneca, Shawnee and Wyandot nations were united in a struggle against the 42nd Regiment of Foot, 60th Regiment of Foot, 77th Regiment of Foot, Captain Barrett’s Rangers, and the pack horse drivers.
When you see the monument, you immediately notice all the detail—the look on the Native American as he rushes in against the kneeling British soldier and the look on the soldier’s face.
By the looks on the two faces, you can tell that no quarter will be asked and no quarter will be given. As you walk up, from a distance you will notice they are both using the typical military flintlock smoothbore musket of that day. You think at first the British soldier doesn’t stand a chance because it looks like he is priming his musket. As you get close, you notice his hand isn’t on a cartridge but that he is drawing his bayonet. Looking closer, you see that the last 4 inches of the bayonet is still in the scabbard. They will stand for all eternity just feet apart.
Bushy Run Battlefield is a great park. In fact, the entire battle took place on the grounds that the park owns. Very few parks can say that. It is a site you need to visit someday. Learn more at: bushyrunbattlefield.com.
There are many muzzleloading rifle matches and living history events all over this country. They are out there in every state. Many of them are in your backyard. Attend these events and support them. Take a friend—your attendance will make a difference.
