page background

Battle of the Thames

By Maya Cunningham

Battle of the Thames By Maya Cunningham

The Battle of the Thames also known as The Battle of Moraviantown - October 5, 1813

The significance of this battle was that the United States defeated the British and Indian forces. It took place in Ontario, Canada on October 5, 1813.

Who were the KEY PEOPLE involved in this battle? Why are they important?

The key people in this battle include the British Major General Henry Procter, British allies Shawnee war chief Tecumseh and war chief Stiahta (of the Wyandot people), as well as American Major General William Henry Harrison (who later become a U.S. president).
zoom_out_map

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was the Shawnee War Chief who let 500 First Nation warriors during the war of 1812. He was an ally to the British in protecting and fighting for the western penninsula of Upper Canada. He was a loyal leader who supported the British troops, but realized during the Battle of the Thames that the British were not as loyal to his people as he was to them. Unfortunately Tecumseh was killed by the Americans during this battle.
zoom_out_map

British Major General Henry Procter

Major General Henry Procter was a respected general for the British army before the Battle of the Thames. He was in charge of 900 British soldiers. He was blamed for losing the Battle of the Thames because of his decision to retreat up the river Thames which went against Tecumseh's wishes. His soldiers were not prepared and he was not respected as a leader. After the war he went to trial and lost his title Major General.
zoom_out_map

American Major General William Henry Harrison

Major General William Henry Harrison led American troops to victory over the British and First Nation troops in the Battle of the Thames. After the war he became the president of the United States.

What were the major events that occurred during this battle? How did they impact the war?

Before the Battle of the Thames, the Americans has won The Battle of Lake Erie. The First Nations warriors led by Tecumseh and the British General Procter knew that the Americans were going to try to take over the Thames Valley next.


Tecumseh had great trust in the British to take a stand against the Americans and fight to defend the western pennisula of Upper Canada. Instead Major General Procter decided that it would best for them to retreat up the river Thames. Tecumseh knew that it would be a wrong decision to retreat. Procter led 900 soldiers, along with Tecumseh and his 500 warriors up the Thames River. Instead of staying where they were and protecting the land that was west of Detroit, they began a long journey to Moriviantown. When they arrived in Moriviantown they were exhausted they also had no ammunition and the Americans arrived with about 500 soldiers with rifles.


The battle began but the British did not have anything to fight with. The American troops outnumbered the British troops 3 to 1. Tecumseh and his warriors hid in the swamps and did a surprise attack on the Americans. The battle lasted for only about 45 minutes. 246 British soldiers escaped and 606 were killed or captured. 33 First Nations warriors were killed including the great war chief Tecumseh. Only 7 Americans were killed and 22 were wounded. The Americans reported that none of the British troops were responsible for any of the deaths or wounded American soldiers. It was only Tecumseh's warriors that were successful in battle.

What was the role of the First Nations peoples during this battle? What were the names and roles of the people involved?

The First Nations peoples were allies of the British, defending the western penninsula of Upper Canada. Shawnee War Chief Tecumseh led 500 warriors to join with British General Procter's 900 soldiers in defending their land from American takeover.


The First Nation warriors were more equipped and successful in the Battle of the Thames than the British soldiers. They hid in the swamps so they could do a sneak attack on the Americans.


Warrior chief Stiahta of the Wyandot people fought alongside Tecumseh and he was also killed by the Americans during the battle.

What was the significance of this battle on Canadian history?

The significance of this battle is that if Major General Proctor had stuck to his word and stayed with Tecumseh to protect the land west of Detroit, then the battle might have a different outcome. Procter did not listen to Tecumseh and retreated up the River Thames. Since they had walked so far, they did not have enough energy to fight the Americans. If they stayed and defeated the Americans then the land west of Detroit might now be part of Canada instead of the U.S.A. When Procter decided to retreat Tecumseh felt betrayed and began to lose trust in the British. Procter also promised Tecumseh that the First Nations people would have claim to the land that they were defending and they would have their own nation, but after Tecumseh they didn't keep to their word.


War Chief Tecumseh was respected as a great leader by the First Nations peoples and the British. He was the main person who promoted peace and friendship between the First Nations people and the British. When he was killed in battle people believe that this was the beginning of the divide and breakdown of the relationship between the British and the First Nations peoples. Tecumseh brought unity and without him it was destroyed.
The Battle of the Thames
Battle of the Thames | Kentucky Life | KET
1812 - Part 8: The British Retreat and Death of Tecumseh.mp4