SEPTEMBER 14, 1763

PONTIAC’S REBELLION–SENECA ROUT BRITISH IN BATTLE OF DEVIL’S HOLE ROAD

Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-65) brought several Great Lakes & Northwest tribes into a pan-tribal confederation to counter British control of access to the lakes and rivers. Deemed part of that effort by historians, a band of 300–500 Seneca warriors ambushed a wagon train and armed escort en route from Fort Schlosser to Fort Niagara as it passed down Devil’s Hole Road. Caught by surprise, animals were driven into the ravine along with wagons & drivers. A fight at close quarters left only 3 from the wagon train alive. Two companies of the British 80th Regiment of Light Armed Foot camped nearby at Fort Gray tried to rescue the wagon train. Attacked by the Seneca from a hill commanding the trail, the British retreat was cut off by the Seneca. The British losses–81 dead, 8 wounded. The Seneca had 1 man wounded. The British eventually reinforced their position in Niagara and forced the Seneca to cede a strip of land on each side of the Niagara River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, called the Mile Reserve.

Sources: 

“Battle of Devil's Hole Road,” 1066.co.nz.  Retrieved 11/8/2023, Battle of Devil's Hole Road (1066.co.nz)

Wikipedia

Painting:  John Mix Stanley (1814-1872), pre-1872.  Painting of Chief Pontiac. Public Domain.