Pontiac's War

Pontiac's War. Bushy Run Battlefield. In the heart of the French and Indian War British emissaries attempted to persuade the Native Americans in the Ohio Valley to abandon their support of the French. In exchange, the British promised to leave the land west of the Allegheny Mountains after the French were defeated. However, when the war ended on the frontier, the British maintained their presence by constructing Fort Pitt and settlers continued to enter the region. When the British limited gifts to the various tribes and severely restricted trade, including such critical items as weapons and powder, the Natives understood the relationship was changing. In a vision, the “Master of Life” told the Delaware prophet Neolin, that his people should return to the old ways, make war, and drive the British from the land. In the spring of 1773 the Natives attacked Fort Detroit. The war quickly spread to western Pennsylvania, the Indians laying siege to Fort Pitt., (Time line at the bottom of the marker) , 1763-May 9-Siege of Fort Detroit; , May 16-Fort Sandusky falls; , May 25-Fort St. Joseph falls; , May 27-Fort Miami falls; , May 29-Siege of Fort Pitt; , June 1-Fort Ouiatenon falls; , June 2-Fort Michilimackinac falls; , June 2-Fort Ligonier attacked; , June 4-Fort Pitt’s help request reaches Col. Bouquet; , June 12-Amhearst orders the 42nd and 77th to Bouquet; , June 16-Fort Venango falls; , June 18-Fort Le Boeuf falls; , June 22-Fort Pesque Isle falls; , July 15-Bouquet leaves Carlisle; , July 25-Bouquet arrives at Fort Bedford; , August 2-Bouquet arrives at Fort Ligonier; , August 4-Bouquet leaves Fort Ligonier; , August 5-Natives attack Bouquet relief forces; , August 6-British defeat the Natives at Bushy Run; , August 10-British arrive at Fort Pitt.