Bouquet, Henry, 1719-1765

British colonel.

From the description of Speech at Fort Pitt, 1764 Sept. 20. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70974526

Henry Bouquet was a colonel in the Southern Brigade of British forces in the United States in 1765.

From the description of The Henry Bouquet papers, 1765. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 50140401

British army officer.

From the description of Henry Bouquet papers, 1765-1788. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79453412

Famous British army officer Henry Bouquet (1719--1765) gained notoriety as a brilliant military strategist on the western frontier during the French and Indian War and Pontiac’s War. Bouquet was born in Rolle, Switzerland, and entered the Swiss Regiment of Constant in the army of the Netherlands at age 17. He climbed through the ranks of the Swiss Guard until 1755, when he was recruited by the British as a lieutenant in the Royal American Regiment. Upon arriving in America in 1756, Bouquet was initially employed training new corps in western Pennsylvania, and first distinguished himself with the First Battalion in a skirmish with civilian Philadelphians over quartering troops. Bouquet commanded a number of frontier expeditions and was stationed at various western outposts between 1758 and 1763, including Fort Ligonier, Fort Bedford, and Fort Pitt. One of his most celebrated victories was the Battle of Bushy Run near Fort Pitt, during Pontiac's Rebellion. Bouquet led 438 British relief soldiers against a force of Delaware, Huron, Mingo, and Shawnee, and successfully overtook them after two days of fighting. Much of the success of the battle is attributed to Bouquet's leadership and military tactics.

In October 1864, under orders from the Commander-in-Chief, Major General Thomas Gage, Bouquet mustered a small force and traveled from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to western Ohio, where they negotiated the return of over 300 white captives from the Indians and signed a treaty that forced peace between English settlers and a number of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio tribes. He was rewarded by a promotion to brigadier-general and commandant of the British troops occupying the southern colonies in 1765. On his way sailing from Cape May, New Jersey, to Pensacola, Florida, to assume his command, Bouquet was stricken with a fever. He died on shore in Pensacola on August 15, 1765. Bouquet was remembered by British and Americans alike for his brilliant military strategies, which greatly influenced how the British deployed battles in the wilderness, as well as for his skill as a diplomat and negotiator.

From the guide to the Bouquet’s Expedition against the Indians, 1764, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)