Bushy Run, near where the city of Irwin now stands, was the site of one of
the “best contested actions ever fought between Indians and white men.”
According to George Thornton Fleming, Pittsburgh historian, the battle of Bushy
Run on August 1, 1763 both for its military conduct and its political. results
deserves a place among the memorable battles in America. It not only saved the
besieged Fort Pitt from sure disaster, but it turned the tide of Indian feeling
so that the tribes came to terms with Bouquet.
In 1764, when the village of Pittsburgh was being rebuilt, Colonel Bouquet
erected a five-sided blockhouse which still stands today as the only surviving
part of Fort. Pitt.
Just as in our modern Western thrillers, Colonel Bouquet and his kilted
Highlanders arrived in the “nick of time” to save the people at Pittsburgh
and we owe much to him for his courage and daring.
Vivien Richman
Listen to a Schmertz clip (at Smithsonian Folkways site)
I’ll sing you the Battle of Bushy Run,
A smart little battle that truly won
All the Western Pennsylvania territree,
For the likes of you (and) for the likes of me.
REFRAIN:
Oh, Hi-o, ka-did-dle-um-dee,
For the likes of you and for the likes of me.
It happened in seventeen sixty three
When Colonel Bouquet and his company
Came all the way across the deep blue sea
For to teach a lesson to the Indianry.
(REFRAIN)
Oh, Colonel Bouquet’s brave company
Were kilted Scots from the Old Countree
And their bagpipes blew with such ferocious glee
That they scared the feathers off the Indianry.
Now Colonel Bouquet’s brave company
Were far outnumbered by the Indianry
“If it’s Injun fightin’ we must do” said he
“We will use a little Injinuity!”
(REFRAIN)
So Colonel Bouquet in the dark of night
Sent flanks to the left and flanks to the right
And so clever was his strategy
That caught in the midd1e were the Indianry.
Those Highland Scots from the Old Countree
They hiked their kilts with a one, two, three,
And aimed their muskets, very carefully
And shot the feathers off the Indianry.
(REFRAIN)
Now what was left of the Indianry
Ran like the devil had set them free -
Left the Western Pennsylvania territree
For the likes of you and for the likes of me.
So Colonel Bouquet came marching down
For to save all the people at Pittsburgh town
And the likes of you and all the likes of me
Should thank the Colonel and his company!
(REFRAIN)
