Climactic battle of the War of 1812 in the Northwest. Also known as Moraviantown, it signified the end of British and Indian influence in the Great Lakes frontier. Following victories at Detroit and River Raisin, the British and Indian allies commanded by Henry Procter and Tecumseh, frustrated efforts by William Henry Harrison to regain U.S. control of the region. The key to American success was control of Lake Erie, which was achieved by Oliver Hazard Perry on 10 September 1813. Harrison then began his offensive to recapture Detroit and invade Canada.
With loss of the waterways and deteriorating logistics, Procter hoped to avoid engaging Harrison's army by withdrawing along the Thames River through Upper Canada. Tecumseh opposed Procter's decision as another abandonment by the British who had promised the Indians their own lands. Eventually the allies reached a compromise to retreat but make a stand somewhere along the route. The march began on 24 September with about 880 troops, almost 1,000 Indians, their families, and encumbered by much baggage.
On 27 September Harrison's army landed in Canada. He had almost 5,000 men, composed of regulars and Kentucky militia. Harrison's mobility was greatly enhanced by mounted Kentucky riflemen lead by Richard M. Johnson. Johnson quickly pursued Procter's army and overtook them on 5 October a few miles from Moraviantown along the Thames.
In a wedge shaped clearing of a beech forest, Procter deployed his regulars in two thin lines about 250 yards apart with their left flank on the river and a 6-pound gun in the road. Tecumseh's Indians held the right flank and made good use of cover near a marsh. Harrison decided to attack the regulars with Johnson's mounted riflemen, who charged with the cry, "Remember the Raisin!" in revenge for the earlier massacre. The Kentuckians quickly drove through the enemy lines, flanked them and attacked them from the rear. The British line crumbled and even Procter was caught up in the chaos pursued by mounted American infantry. The Indians held their ground and Tecumseh led an attack, but was killed. Tecumseh's body was never recovered, but Richard Johnson is generally recognized as the man who killed him.
The whole engagement lasted less than an hour and few casualties were sustained. The British suffered 12 killed and the Indians lost 33 warriors. The American's lost seven killed and 22 wounded, but took over 600 prisoners. Procter was later court-martialed and found guilty of poor judgement for his decisions. Though a relatively minor action, the Thames provided a rare victory for the US and helped renew public support to sustain the war. A sixty-year struggle for control of the Northwest was resolved and territory was opened for American expansion to the Mississippi River.
Steven J. Rauch
Copyright © Decision Games