Battle of Sideling Hill
The Battle of Sideling Hill was an engagement between Pennsylvania colonial militia and a band of Native Americans that had recently attacked Fort McCord and taken a number of colonial settlers captive. On April 1, 1756, a band of Delawares, probably under the command of either Captain Jacobs or Shingas, stormed Fort McCord in western Pennsylvania, where they captured or killed 27 settlers. In response to the raid, three bands of militia were sent in pursuit. Captain Alexander Culbertson's company, numbering about 50, caught up with the Delawares three days later. In a two-hour engagement, both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the colonists were driven off by the arrival of reinforcements. Captain Culbertson was killed and his unit suffered 80 percent casualties.
Battle of Sideling Hill | |||||||
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Part of the French and Indian War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Delaware Indians | Great Britain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Captain Jacobs? Shingas | Alexander Culbertson † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
about 100 | about 50 militia | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown, but heavy | 20 Killed and about 20 wounded |
The precise location of the Battle of Sideling Hill, and hence the burial site of the militia lost in the battle, has not been determined. It is postulated that the Battle of Sideling Hill took place near Maddensville at the confluence of Little Aughwick Creek and Sideling Hill Creek at a place now known as Anderson's Grove.