The British Fort That Nearly Fell to Native American Warriors in Pennsylvania’s Longest Colonial Siege

The Siege of Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania

In 1763, Fort Pitt became a powder keg when Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandot, Ottawa, and Ojibwa warriors laid siege to the British outpost.

For months, soldiers inside ate rats and prayed for rescue while arrows flew overhead. Colonel Henry Bouquet finally broke through with reinforcements.

Here’s the story of this frontier standoff and where to visit the museum that commemorates it.

Pontiac’s Rebellion Spreads to Pennsylvania

Ottawa chief Pontiac began attacking British forts near Detroit in May 1763. His actions started what became known as Pontiac’s War.

A Delaware spiritual leader named Neolin helped inspire the uprising. He told Native people to reject European ways and return to their traditions.

British General Jeffrey Amherst had stopped giving yearly gifts to tribal allies. Native leaders saw this as disrespectful.

By June, warriors began raiding settlements in western Pennsylvania, killing settlers and burning farms near Fort Pitt.

Early Warnings and Tribal Delegations

Four Shawnee messengers came to Fort Pitt on June 16, 1763. They warned trader Alexander McKee and Captain Ecuyer that many tribes had joined Pontiac’s fight against the British.

They hinted that the fort should be abandoned, saying even they felt “afraid to refuse” joining the rebellion. Ecuyer ignored these warnings.

The Shawnee returned the next day with worse news. All nearby tribes had now taken up arms against the British, but Ecuyer still refused to leave.

The Siege Begins

Warriors from four tribes—Shawnee, Delaware, Mingo, and Seneca—attacked Fort Pitt from all sides on June 22. This marked the start of the formal siege.

Captain Ecuyer used the fort’s cannons to keep attackers back. Fort Pitt’s stone walls stood strong against attacks, unlike wooden frontier forts that fell easily.

About 600 scared settlers packed inside with the soldiers. Families sought safety behind the fort’s walls as their farms burned in the distance.

Deteriorating Conditions Inside the Fort

Smallpox spread among the crowded refugees inside Fort Pitt. The disease moved quickly through the packed, dirty living spaces.

Captain Ecuyer wrote to Colonel Bouquet that he expected more attacks. He worked constantly on defenses, noting he did “not sleep” while preparing the fort.

Food became scarce as the siege continued. Hundreds of people trapped inside faced harsh conditions with limited water and medicine.

Despite these challenges, Ecuyer kept strict order among his troops while organizing civilians to help with defense.

Failed Negotiations with Delaware Leaders

Delaware chiefs approached Fort Pitt under a white flag on July 26. Leaders named Shingas, Wingenum, and Grey Eyes came to speak with Captain Ecuyer.

Chief Turtleheart spoke clearly: “You marched your armies into our country. This land is ours, not yours.” They demanded the British leave their territory.

The Delaware warned they would fight until they “burnt Philadelphia” if needed. They saw the British as invaders of their homeland.

Ecuyer refused to leave. He falsely claimed they had enough supplies for three years and that help was coming.

Delaware and Shawnee Raids on Frontier Settlements

Delaware and Shawnee war parties attacked deep into Pennsylvania during July. They struck isolated farms and small settlements beyond the fort.

Many settlers died in these raids while others were taken captive. Some captives faced death, while others were adopted into tribal families.

News of the attacks caused panic. Scared families abandoned their farms and fled east toward Philadelphia.

Colonial leaders couldn’t protect the wide frontier. Pennsylvania lacked enough troops to defend remote settlements against the coordinated attacks.

Colonel Bouquet’s Relief Expedition

Colonel Henry Bouquet organized a rescue mission from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His force left on July 18, 1763, heading west to Fort Pitt.

Bouquet led about 500 men from elite British units. The 42nd Highlanders, 60th Royal Americans, and 77th Highlanders made up his force.

They carried vital supplies including flour, bullets, and medicine. Pack horses moved these goods along rough wilderness trails.

Native scouts watched Bouquet’s column advance and reported back to the warriors at Fort Pitt. This set up a coming battle.

Native Warriors Break the Siege

Most Native fighters left Fort Pitt on August 1, 1763. After keeping the fort surrounded for forty days, they moved to stop Bouquet’s approaching soldiers.

The warriors made a smart choice. They saw Bouquet’s force as more dangerous than the fort itself.

Tribal leaders believed stopping reinforcements would eventually force the fort to surrender. Their main force headed east to set up an ambush.

This move marked a turning point after six weeks of siege. A smaller group stayed to watch the fort while most warriors left.

The Battle of Bushy Run

Native fighters ambushed Bouquet’s column on August 5, 1763. The attack happened at Edge Hill, about 25 miles from Fort Pitt.

Fighting lasted all afternoon until sunset. Bouquet used flour bags to build a circular wall that protected his wounded men and pack animals overnight.

When fighting started again the next morning, Bouquet used a clever trick. He weakened part of his line on purpose, then ambushed the warriors who rushed in.

The British won but lost many men. Fifty soldiers died and sixty were wounded—almost one-fourth of Bouquet’s force fell in the two-day fight.

Fort Pitt Finally Relieved

Bouquet’s wounded column reached Fort Pitt on August 10, 1763. Their arrival ended the siege after nearly two months.

Fresh troops and supplies saved the fort’s defenders and refugees. New soldiers strengthened the fort while food restored hope to the hungry.

This relief marked a turning point in Pontiac’s Rebellion. The British victory at Bushy Run showed that Native forces couldn’t stop determined military movements.

Communication between frontier forts and eastern settlements opened again. Bouquet’s mission restored British confidence and began to shift the war in their favor.

Visiting Fort Pitt Museum

Fort Pitt Museum stands in Point State Park at 601 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. You can visit Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

Admission costs $9 for adults and $5 for children (3-17). The museum offers guided tours focusing on the 1763 siege every Saturday at 11 AM.

Bushy Run Battlefield is located at 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeannette, PA 15644, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh via Route 376. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

The annual Siege Weekend reenactment happens the first weekend of August.

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