The Battle of the Thames

In this week in military history, we look back at the War of 1812 to explore the Battle of the Thames. This American victory against Tecumseh's Confederacy and their British allies took place on October 5th, 1813 in Upper Canada, near Chatham.

Following the Battle of Lake Erie Major General Henry Proctor, commander of the British and Canadian forces, ordered a retreat along the Thames River since the British/Canadian forces were short of supplies and ammunition.

However, Tecumseh and his warriors challenged the retreat, fearing that the British would leave the native settlements west of Detroit vulnerable and instead, eagerly pushed for direct engagement with the Americans.

President Madison had two objectives in engaging in battle; first and foremost was the recovery of Detroit – which had been surrendered to the British/Canadians a few months earlier in August. His secondary objective was to attack Upper Canada.

Proctor persuaded his ally Tecumseh to join in the retreat, assuring that he would engage the Americans. After a disorderly withdraw, he eventually made true on that promise at Moraviantown, which was situated on the Thames River.

Proctor placed his single battalion on his left, across the road, between the river and the smaller swamp and Tecumseh’s and his forces were situated on his right; a single brass 6-pound field gun positioned on the road.

American General William Henry Harrison concentrated his men in a center column, with Kentucky mounted riflemen riding hard and charging from the woods to the cannons before overrunning the starved British artillerymen in devastating effect.

As the British surrendered, the American soldiers dismounted to confront the warriors in the swamp, meeting stiff resistance. Fighting in the swamped waged on, eventually resulting in the death of Tecumseh and the warrior chief Stiahta.

Without Tecumseh's charismatic and tactical leadership, morale broke and many began to follow Proctor in his retreat. The retreat and American victory secured Detroit and the North West frontier in American hands.

Join us next time for another segment of This Week in Military History with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library!