Battle of the Thames Ontario Canada

The nominally pro-British Tecumseh, after receiving a commission as a brigadier general at the outbreak of the War of 1812, had begun harassing America’s northwestern frontier with two thousand warriors.

As the Americans went to war with the British, Tecumseh had found British allies in Canada.

Canadians will subsequently remember Tecumseh as a defender of Canada, but his actions in the War of 1812—which cost him his life—are a continuation of his efforts to secure Native American independence from outside dominance.

Tecumseh’s forces have engaged the Americans at Frenchtown, Raisin River, Fort Meigs, and Fort Stephenson.

General William Henry Harrison overtakes the British forces retreating from Detroit in October and defeats Tecumseh’s confederacy of Shawnees, Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Ojibways and Kickapoos at the battle of the Thames at Chatham, Ontario; Tecumseh, clad in Shawnee-style deerskin, dies leading his troops into the battle.

His brother the Prophet removes to Canada, where he will live as a British pensioner.