The War of 1812

The Battle of Moraviantown (The Battle of the Thames)

Further Reading

An Overview of the Battle of Moraviantown

First Nations Retreat From Amherstburg To Moraviantown

The First Nations at Moraviantown

British Retreat From Amherstburg To Moraviantown

The British at Moraviantown

William Henry Harrison, American Officer

The Americans at Moraviantown

The U.S. Army under William Henry Harrison moves quickly once it crosses the Detroit River. The US troops manage to cover the distance to Moraviantown in less than half the time it takes the British. In one day, the three thousand Americans gain 25 miles. The foot soldiers have to almost run in order to keep up with the cavalry.

The rapid US advance has been prepared by Oliver Hazard Perry’s defeat of the British squadron at Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie. The Americans have cut off Procter’s main supply line and have complete mobility on the water. The US troops outnumber their enemy three-to-one and sense Procter’s vulnerability.

The Kentucky volunteers are so eager to fight the British, that Harrison has trouble convincing some of them to stay behind to garrison Fort Detroit. The rugged frontiersmen can’t wait for an opportunity to avenge the previous winter’s massacre at the River Raisin. Many of Richard and James Johnson’s volunteers are from the same counties as those killed at the Raisin. “Remember the Raisin” is the recruiting slogan, which inspired them to join the army. It will soon become their battle cry as they charge the British lines.

Tecumseh and some of his warriors try to slow down the US advance near Chatham. The Indians stand little chance against the bulk of Harrison’s army and are quickly overwhelmed. The Americans capture all the British reserve ammunition as well as an important arms store.

On October 5, Procter turns to make his stand. After surveying the ground Procter has chosen to defend, Harrison makes an unconventional decision; James Johnson’s mounted troops will charge the British line in a frontal attack.

Before the battle gets underway Colonel John Calloway addresses his men. “Boys, we must either whip these British and Indians or they will kill and scalp every one of us,” he says. “We cannot escape if we lose.” The British threat that they cannot control the Indians backfires; the American troops feel they have no choice but to win, if they surrender they can expect no quarter from the enemy.