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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
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The British Retreat from Amherstburg to MoraviantownProcter has taken his time organizing the withdrawal. This proves to be a big mistake. By the time the British leave Sandwich, the enemy is already ferrying troops over to the Canadian side of the Detroit River. The retreat proceeds agonizingly slowly. It rains continually and the roads are nothing more than rutted, muddy tracks. By now, the British forces are in complete disarray. The men are wet and insufficiently clothed for the autumn weather. Most importantly, the mounted Kentuckians are in close pursuit. Some Indian families lag behind the main body of the retreat. This leads to another costly mistake. The British decide not to destroy the bridges; they don't want to run the risk of alienating the tribes by giving the impression that they are abandoning the warriors' families. Now there is nothing stopping the advancing American cavalry. Procter has promised Tecumseh that the British-Native army will turn and make its stand at Chatham. In order to survey the battle site, Procter rushes ahead of the main body of the retreat. Not happy with the situation he finds at Chatham, he instead orders his men to build defenses at Dolsen's farm several miles downstream. The British commander is still unsatisfied, however, and once again heads off up the Thames. He goes to Moraviantown, which he has heard is the best position to defend against the Americans. The settlement also happens to be sheltering his wife and children. When Captain William Crowther attempts to follow orders and fortify Dolsen's farm he learns that all the entrenching tools have been sent further up the Thames to a clearing called Bowles'. By this point there is no way for Crowther to get the gear back. The British-Indian army is in chaos. Tecumseh and his followers are consumed with fury. They are threatening to kill Matthew Elliot , the British Indian agent and militia colonel. The Indians agreed to the retreat reluctantly. Procter has promised them he will make a stand at Chatham. They have reached the designated battlefield and what do they find? Nothing. No fortifications, no defensive measures and most of the British army across the river at Dolsen's Farm. The general is even further in the rear at Moraviantown. Procter's management of the withdrawal has been a disaster. He has abandoned his troops during his scouting trips upriver and has failed to leave his officers with clear instructions.
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