Tecumseh, Shawnee War Chief

A small Ontario town, not too far from the United States border and the city of Detroit, today carries his name.

Tecumseh was a Shawnee chief and leader of a large tribal confederacy that opposed American territorial expansion.  He is most well-known for his early role in the War, when he joined the British commander of Upper Canada, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock in the battle to capture Detroit on August 16, 1812. His support helped Brock secure this British victory. Legend has it that they rode together as they entered Detroit and that Brock gave him his sash as a mark of respect.

Over the course of the War of 1812, he led over 2,000 warriors and fought at the sieges of Fort Meigs and Fort Stephenson. His last battle would be the Battle of the Thames in Chatham-Kent, Ontario in 1813.  There, clothed in traditional Aboriginal deerskin garments, he was killed in a final stand against the invading Americans.

Here are some of the ways that his historic efforts are being remembered:

• A monument is being developed near Chatham-Kent, Ontario.
• Canada Post issued stamps in 2012 illustrating Tecumseh and Major-General Isaac Brock, War of 1812 allies.

Want to know more? Here are some useful links:

• Tecumseh, Shawnee War Chief, (1768-1813)
• The Onset of War - The 1812 Campaign
• Aboriginal Contributions to the War of 1812: Theatres of War Map
• War of 1812 Postcards