The American Army Closes the Gap
The landscape around the mouth of the Thames River, where it empties into Lake St Clair, is quite flat and given over to wet, marshy areas; hardly suitable for travel on foot even at the best of times. In October of 1813, while the birds wing their way south and the trees slowly change colour, continuous rain makes travel on foot even more difficult. The ragged British army, up to its knees and axles in the mud; women and children, dresses and clothing sodden with mud, make slow progress. General Harrison, unencumbered with baggage, in contrast, makes good time. He has every reason to be cheerful. He is amazed that Proctor did not defend Amherstburg and that he left the bridges intact. His army of 3,500, more than three times the number of British and Natives, is quickly closing the gap. Twelve hundred of his troops are mounted Kentucky riflemen, all itching for a chance to take down Tecumseh and Proctor. They are under the command of Colonel Richard Johnson, 32, a Kentucky congressman who comes from a long line of Indian fighters. The most improbable addition to Harrison’s army is Commodore Perry, winner of the recent naval Battle of Lake Erie (see issue #89), who wishes to be included! Equipment, stores and munitions come up the Thames by naval vessels, namely the Scorpion, Tigress and the Porcupine. On the Night of Sunday, October 3, 1813, the American army camps for the night at the Drake Farm (Riverview Line and Drake Road) with the three ships anchored in the Thames beside the farm. One can imagine Mrs. Drake’s consternation at having to put the kettle on for 3,500 visitors! Dolsen’s Farm, which the British vacated only yesterday, is only 4 miles further up the Thames. Harrison decides not to take the vessels much further up the Thames owing to the shallowness and the higher riverbanks that invite native sharpshooters. In the morning, Johnson asks permission to take a troop ahead, which Harrison grants with the proviso that the Na -
tives can be dangerous to untried troops. No doubt he is remembering what happened to Dudley’s men (see issue #86). John - son’s troop catches up to Tecumseh, who is trying to destroy the bridge over McGregor’s Creek at the fork of the Thames in Cha - tham. Tecumseh’s braves can’t burn the bridge due to the soggy wood so they try to dismantle the deck- ing. The two-hour skirmish ends when Major Eleazer Wood, of Fort Meigs fame (see issue #85), brings up two six-pounder can- non. Visiting Tecumseh Park at 89 William Street North, Chatham, gives you a sense of the drama that unfolded here. By the evening of October 4, the American army reaches the Traxler Farm
(10655 River Line Road), where they enjoy the fireworks as the ammunition explodes on the nearby British vessels Mary and Ellen, torched to keep them out of American hands. Tomorrow the gap will close. (To be continued)
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