The Battle of Thames, sometimes called the Battle of Moraviatown, was a decisive American victory in the War of 1812.
Harrison Stalks His Prey
After being defeated at the Battle of Lake Erie, British General Henry Proctor, deprived of supplies, retreated north. American General, and future president, William Henry Harrison, followed him into upper Canada, where the two armies met along the Thames River.
Defective Cannons and the Death of a Great Warrior
Harrison’s army of about 3,500 greatly outnumbered Proctor’s combined British and Native force of about 1,300. The British planned to trap the Americans along the banks of the Thames River with cannon fire. The cannons, however, failed to shoot, enabling the Americans to attack the British front lines. British forces were forced to retreat through the region’s thick swamps causing many to surrender. During the retreat, the great Native chief Tecumseh was killed, demoralizing the British even more and resulting in the end of Native resistance. Following the Battle of Thames, the Americans had regained control of the Northwest Territory.
War of 1812 Battles |
| November 7th, 1811 - Battle of Tippecanoe |
| July 17, 1812 - Battle of Fort Mackinac |
| August 15, 1812 - Massacre at Fort Dearborn |
| October 13, 1812 - Battle of Queenston's Heights |
| January 22, 1813 - Battle of Frenchtown |
| March 30, 1813 - Battle of Lacolle Mills |
| April 27, 1813 - Battle of York |
| May 1-9, 1813 - Siege at Fort Meigs |
| August 15-16, 1813 - Surrender of Fort Detroit |
| September 10, 1813 - Battle of Lake Erie |
| October 5, 1813 - Battle of Thames |
| 1813-1814 - Creek War |
| July 5- 1814 - Battle of Chippawa |
| July 25, 1814 - Battle of Lundy's Lane |
| August 24, 1814 - Battle of Bladensburg |
| August 25, 1814 - The Razing of Washington |
| September 6-11, 1814 - Battle of Plattsburgh |
| September 12-14, 1814 - Siege of Baltimore |
| November 11, 1814 - Battle of Crysler's Farm |
| January 8, 1815 - Battle of New Orleans |
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