The Battle of the Thames, also called the Battle of Moraviantown, was a victory for American forces against British troops and Tecumseh's Confederacy during the War of 1812. The battle happened on October 5, 1813, in Upper Canada, which is now near Thamesville, Ontario. After this battle, the British no longer controlled the Western District of Upper Canada. Tecumseh, a leader of the Native American confederacy, was killed during the battle. His confederacy ended as a result.

Overview

In August 1812, British soldiers led by Major General Isaac Brock, along with Indigenous warriors guided by Tecumseh, captured the city of Detroit. Detroit remained under British control until American forces gained control of Lake Erie in September 1813, which cut off the British supply line. The British group led by Major General Henry Procter left Detroit, as well as the towns of Amherstburg and Sandwich in Upper Canada. Procter and his forces moved east along the Thames River toward Burlington Heights, located at the northern end of Lake Ontario. Tecumseh and his followers followed the British during their retreat.

Procter and Tecumseh made a final stand a few miles west of the Christian Delaware community of Moraviantown. American forces led by Major General William Henry Harrison attacked the British and fought Indigenous warriors. After Tecumseh was killed, the Indigenous warriors withdrew. American control of Detroit and the Michigan Territory was restored, and the towns of Amherstburg and Sandwich were taken by American forces. Later, Procter was tried in a military court for his poor leadership during the battle.

Background

In August 1812, two months after the United States declared war on the United Kingdom, Brigadier General William Hull surrendered Detroit to British and Indigenous forces led by Brock and Tecumseh. In September 1812, General William Harrison was given command of the American Army of the Northwest and began planning to retake Detroit and move into Upper Canada. In January 1813, despite orders to wait for Harrison at the Maumee Rapids, Brigadier General James Winchester advanced to the River Raisin and recaptured Frenchtown, 33 miles (53 km) southwest of Detroit.

The British Right Division, led by Colonel Henry Procter and supported by Indigenous allies led by the Wyandot war leader Roundhead, defeated Winchester at the Battle of Frenchtown on January 22, 1813. About 400 American soldiers were killed, and 547 were captured, including Winchester. The heavy loss forced Harrison to cancel plans for a winter campaign to retake Detroit. Procter was later promoted to brigadier general and, a few months later, to major general.

The British relied on a steady supply of food, weapons, and other goods transported from Fort Erie to Amherstburg by the Provincial Marine’s ships. Although the British controlled Lake Erie since the war began, the American capture of the west side of the Niagara River after the Battle of Fort George in May 1813 forced supplies to be moved overland from Burlington Heights to Long Point.

To gain control of Lake Erie, the United States built a naval yard at Erie on Presque Isle Bay and constructed six ships, including two brigs. In March 1813, Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry arrived to lead the effort. Four other ships trapped at Black Rock on the Niagara River joined Perry’s forces at Presque Isle Bay in early June.

At Amherstburg, the Provincial Marine’s ships were transferred to the Royal Navy. Commander Robert Heriot Barclay arrived in June to lead the British squadron. Barclay kept Perry’s ships trapped in Presque Isle Bay but briefly left to resupply in early August. Perry used this opportunity to move his ships across the bay’s sandbar and into open lake waters.

With the supply line from Long Point at risk, Barclay’s squadron of six ships left Amherstburg on September 9 to confront Perry’s fleet near Put-in-Bay. The next day, Perry defeated and captured all six British ships in the Battle of Lake Erie. He quickly sent a message to Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” This victory gave the Americans control of Lake Erie and cut off Procter’s supply line. Much of Fort Amherstburg’s heavy artillery was lost, as the guns had been placed on British ships. Also captured were soldiers from the 41st Regiment and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment assigned to Barclay’s squadron. Most became prisoners of war.

Harrison immediately launched a two-part plan to retake Detroit and capture Amherstburg. Colonel Richard Mentor Johnson led a group of mounted infantry north from Fort Meigs toward Detroit, while Harrison’s regular soldiers and militia traveled by boat and ship from Sandusky Bay across Lake Erie to Amherstburg.

Procter's retreat

After learning about Barclay's defeat, Procter chose to leave the Detroit area and move east along the Thames River toward Burlington Heights without asking his senior officers for their opinions. Tecumseh understood that a retreat would likely cause the British to stop supporting his alliance, so he tried to convince Procter to stay and fight.

Procter knew Harrison was planning an attack and could not defend Amherstburg or Detroit because supplies were low, and much of his artillery had been moved onto Barclay's ships. Using three transports and two gunboats, Procter sent supplies, equipment, luggage, and 229 military dependents across Lake St. Clair to the mouth of the Thames River, then upriver to the Forks of the Thames (Chatham). Fort Detroit, Fort Amherstburg, and the naval yard were set on fire. On September 27, 880 British soldiers left Sandwich, followed by Tecumseh and 1,200 warriors and their families.

The British retreat up the Thames River was slow because of poor roads and heavy rain. Procter was often far ahead of his troops, scouting the area, and did not share his plans with his second-in-command, Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Warburton. British soldiers became more discouraged, and Tecumseh's warriors grew frustrated with Procter for not fighting. Procter's Indigenous allies had been told the Forks were fortified and that the British would defend there. However, Procter believed the terrain was not suitable and thought Moraviantown, 20 miles east, would be a better place to fight. Since the river east of the Forks was too shallow for large ships, supplies were placed on bateaux and sent forward with the gunboats. All three transports were then sunk and burned.

On the afternoon of September 27, Harrison's main force landed three miles below Amherstburg. They reached Sandwich the next day. Johnson's mounted infantry arrived at Detroit on September 30 and crossed the Detroit River to Sandwich on October 1. On October 2, Harrison left most of his troops behind to guard Detroit, Amherstburg, and Sandwich and pursued Procter and Tecumseh. He moved quickly because Procter had not destroyed the bridges between Sandwich and the mouth of the Thames, which allowed Tecumseh's followers to move easily. On October 3, Harrison's forces captured a small British group destroying a bridge. On October 4, the Americans reached the Forks of the Thames.

Tecumseh's warriors became disillusioned when Procter did not fight at the Forks. Half of them left, and Tecumseh and the remaining warriors briefly fought Johnson's mounted infantry but withdrew after Harrison brought his artillery.

Harrison continued moving quickly and captured two British gunboats and most of the bateaux carrying Procter's supplies, ammunition, and tools, along with 144 soldiers, on the morning of October 5. He caught up with Procter west of Moraviantown in the afternoon of October 5.

Forces

In his report to John Armstrong, the Secretary of War, Harrison wrote that he had 3,000 soldiers on the day of the battle, but later changed that number to 2,500. His group included 120 regular soldiers from the 27th U.S. Infantry, five brigades of Kentucky militia led by Major General Isaac Shelby, and 1,000 soldiers from Johnson's mounted infantry. Harrison also had an artillery unit with two six-pound cannons and 260 Indigenous warriors. However, neither the artillery unit nor the Indigenous warriors fought in the battle. All the soldiers were determined to seek revenge for the loss at Winchester during the Battle of Frenchtown on the River Raisin.

Procter’s soldiers were mainly from the 41st Regiment, but smaller groups also came from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the 10th Royal Veteran's Battalion, the Canadian Light Dragoons, and the Royal Artillery. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the 41st had been in Canada since 1803 and had suffered many losses at Frenchtown, Fort Meigs, and Fort Stephenson. In addition, 179 soldiers who had been on Barclay’s ships were lost during the Battle of Lake Erie. Although recently joined by soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, the 41st Regiment had struggled with a lack of tents, blankets, and proper food. Their uniforms were in poor condition, and many had not eaten a full meal in several days.

Procter started the retreat with 880 regular soldiers, but only 450 were present at the battle. The sick and wounded, along with their helpers, had been sent far behind the lines, as had most of the artillery. Many soldiers were captured when Harrison caught up with Procter’s gunboats, boats, and wagons on the morning of October 5. Two days earlier, Procter had lost 14 soldiers when a group sent to destroy a bridge was captured. Some soldiers had also left the army.

Only about 500 Indigenous warriors remained with Tecumseh. The largest groups were from the Shawnee and Odawa tribes, but warriors from the Ojibwe, Wyandot, Potowatomi, and other tribes were also present.

Battle

Due to the closeness of the American forces, Procter ordered his troops to stop one and a half miles west of Moraviantown. His soldiers lined up in two rows in an open forest area between the riverbank and a swamp called the Backmetack Marsh. A single cannon was placed across the road. Without proper tools, the British could not build barriers like an abatis to stop Harrison’s horse-mounted troops. Tecumseh’s remaining followers positioned themselves in the Backmetack Marsh, hoping to attack from the side when the Americans attacked Procter’s lines. Tecumseh is said to have ridden along the British line, shaking hands with each officer before joining his warriors. Ensign James Cochran noted, "The attack was expected in silence, with each soldier ready to do their duty, though few believed the outcome would favor them."

Harrison arranged his forces so that his right side faced the British, and his left side faced the direction where an Indigenous attack was likely. Instead of using infantry with bayonets, Harrison agreed to Colonel Johnson’s plan to attack the British with horse-mounted troops. Johnson later changed the plan so that Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson’s group would attack the British lines, while the second group would move through a small swampy area before attacking Tecumseh’s warriors. At the same time, 120 regular soldiers would advance along the heavily wooded riverbank to seize the British cannon.

James Johnson’s riders charged forward, shouting "Remember the Raisin!" The British fired scattered shots, but the cannon failed to fire before being overrun. The Americans attacked the British line, forcing them to retreat. Procter tried to regroup his men, but Johnson pushed through the second line and attacked from behind. The strength of the attack caused most British soldiers to surrender, while Procter barely escaped capture.

After moving through the swamp, Richard Johnson formed a "forlorn hope" of 20 men and attacked Tecumseh’s left side, drawing fire away from the rest of his troops. In the battle that followed, Tecumseh was killed, and Johnson was seriously wounded. The rest of the second group advanced but had to dismount and fight on foot because of the thick, tangled vegetation in the Backmetack Marsh. Meanwhile, Harrison ordered Shelby’s infantry to attack the Indigenous forces on the right side. Tecumseh’s followers held their ground for about 30 minutes before stopping the attack and retreating deeper into the marsh.

Although Warburton and most British soldiers surrendered, about 50 others escaped, including Procter. Nearly all soldiers who had been at Moraviantown or further upriver also avoided capture. However, Procter’s carriage, along with his belongings and papers, including letters from his wife, were taken.

Casualties

In his report to Armstrong, Harrison said that 7 soldiers were killed and 22 were injured. Five of those injured later died from their wounds. He believed that only 3 of the wounded were hurt by the British; the rest were injured by Tecumseh's warriors. In a letter to his wife, Major General Isaac Shelby wrote that 7 or 8 soldiers were killed immediately, 4 were fatally wounded, and about 20 were injured. Captain Robert Breckenridge McAfee, a leader in the Kentucky Mounted Volunteers, wrote in his journal that 10 soldiers were killed and 35 were injured.

Harrison also reported that his forces killed 12 British soldiers, captured 601 prisoners (including 23 officers), and that 22 prisoners were injured. His numbers included prisoners taken before, during, and after the battle. A few months later, Lieutenant Richard Bullock of the 41st Regiment wrote that 12 British soldiers were killed and that 36 prisoners were injured. More than a year after the battle, Lieutenant Colonel Warburton and Lieutenant Colonel William Evans both stated that 18 soldiers were killed and 25 were injured.

The British reported that 16 Indigenous people, including Tecumseh, were killed. Harrison, however, said that 33 bodies were found after the battle.

Aftermath

Harrison burned Moraviantown and then returned to Detroit because the militia members' enlistments were about to end. His victory allowed the Americans to regain control of Detroit and the Michigan Territory. They also occupied Amherstburg and Sandwich for the rest of the war. Upper Canada's Western District remained relatively quiet for the rest of the war, except for small battles like the Battle of Longwoods and a large attack led by American Brigadier General Duncan McArthur, which led to the Battle of Malcolm's Mills on November 5, 1814.

Tecumseh's death was a major loss for the Indigenous alliance he formed, and the alliance ended after the battle. Harrison signed a truce at Detroit with representatives from several tribes, though some continued fighting until the war ended. Harrison then traveled with Perry to Buffalo, bringing 1,200 regular soldiers and leaving 400 regulars and 1,300 militia behind to guard the area. A later disagreement with the Secretary of War caused Harrison to resign his military position. He remained popular and was elected the ninth President of the United States in 1840. Harrison died in office one month after taking the presidency.

Richard Mentor Johnson is usually credited with killing Tecumseh, though other people, including William Whitney, have also been suggested as possible killers. After the war, Johnson represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He served as the ninth vice president of the United States from 1837 to 1841 under President Martin Van Buren. In his political campaigns, Johnson used the belief that he had killed Tecumseh, with supporters chanting, "Rumpsey Dumpsey, Rumpsey Dumpsey, Colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh."

Procter gathered the remaining members of the Right Division at the Grand River before moving to Burlington Heights. On October 17, the Right Division had 246 soldiers in total and was later combined with Major General John Vincent's Centre Division. Some soldiers from the 41st Foot's 1st Battalion were added to the 2nd Battalion and fought in battles at Fort Niagara and Buffalo in December 1813, at Lundy's Lane in July 1814, and at Fort Erie in August 1814.

British soldiers captured during the war were first taken to Detroit and then marched overland to Fort Meigs. Some officers were sent by boat to Fort Stephenson, where they joined other prisoners from the Battle of Lake Erie. Both groups were then marched to Chillicothe and eventually to Frankford, Kentucky. Enlisted soldiers were housed in a fortified camp outside the town, while officers faced retaliation from the United States and Britain and were held in close confinement at Frankford Penitentiary for several months. All officers and soldiers were returned to their home countries in the summer of 1814.

Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, the Governor General of the Canadas, criticized Procter's actions during the retreat. In a report to Lord Bathurst, the Secretary of State for War and Colonies, Prevost blamed Procter for the defeat at the Battle of the Thames and for the loss at the Battle of Lake Erie by Barclay. Bathurst ordered a court martial, but the trial was delayed because many officers who could testify were still prisoners of war. A court martial finally took place in Quebec from December 21, 1814, to January 28, 1815. Procter, despite defending himself strongly, was found to have made poor decisions and lacked energy. He was ordered to be publicly reprimanded and suspended from his rank and pay for six months. The Prince Regent later reduced the punishment to a reprimand but required the findings to be announced to every military unit in the Army. This conviction ended Procter's military career.

Legacy

The 1st, 2nd, and 4th Battalions of the 6th Infantry Regiment, United States Army carry on the history of the 27th Infantry Regiment. A group from the 27th Infantry Regiment fought with Harrison during the Battle of the Thames.