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Procter, Henry (1763-1822)

British Officer, War of 1812. Born in Ireland in 1763, Procter served in the British Army during the American Revolution and became lieutenant colonel of the 41st Regiment in 1800. In Canada he transformed his unit into a combat ready force and at the outbreak of the War of 1812, Procter was sent to challenge the American invasion lead by William Hull. Procter quickly joined with TECUMSEH to encourage the Indians to attack Hull's supply lines to Ohio and he led the regular forces during the operations that resulted in the surrender of Detroit.

Procter's mission was to defend against a new American army commanded by William Henry Harrison. In January 1813, Procter attacked the Americans at Frenchtown where his force of regulars, militia, and Indians defeated and captured almost the entire US force. Procter earned the wrath of Americans for failing to safeguard prisoners and leaving American wounded at the mercy of vengeful Indians who killed them during the River Raisin Massacre.

In May 1813 he unsuccessfully besieged Harrison and his main army at Fort Meigs, Ohio. However, his overall success defending Upper Canada resulted in his promotion to major general in June 1813. Procter conducted a final offensive against Fort Stephenson in August 1813 that resulted in his defeat. Procter then supported Robert Barclays' attempt to engage the US naval forces on Lake Erie commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry. Perry's victory on 10 September 1813 completely reversed the strategic situation and enabled Harrison to conduct an amphibious invasion into Canada. On 6 October 1813 Harrison defeated Procter's army at the Battle of the Thames.

Procter was court-martialed and found guilty of poor judgment. He was sentenced to suspension of rank and pay, but reduced to a public reprimand that ended his career. Following the war, Procter attempted to salvage his reputation by criticizing senior leaders for strategic failure. Procter died in 1822 in Bath, England. Demonized by the American's and humiliated by his own country, Procter's military performance could not match the overwhelming determination, logistics and mass of the American forces.

Steven J. Rauch

Further Reading:

• Sudgen, John. Tecumseh's Last Stand. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1985.
• Antal, Sandor. A Wampum Denied: Procter's War of 1812. Ottawa: Carlton University Press, 1997.
• Lauriston, Victor. "The Case for General Procter." In Morris Zaslow, ed., The Defended Border: Upper Canada and the War of 1812. Toronto: Macmilian, 1964.

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