On October 5, 1813, Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee Indians was killed at the Battle of the Thames. This battle was a decisive American victory over the British in the War of 1812. Fought near Chatham, Ontario, Canada, the Battle of the Thames led to the destruction of Tecumseh's Shawnee Indian force.

British Major General Henry Procter planned to trap American General William Henry Harrison on the banks of the Thames River. Tecumseh's Shawnee force was to flank the Americans to prevent against retreat. After looking over the battlefield, General Harrison ordered James Johnson to attack the British regulars. Johnson overtook the British force, causing most of them to surrender or flee.

Facing defeat, the Shawnee warriors continued to fight. Chief Tecumseh was killed in the fighting that resulted. Revolutionary War veteran William Whitley is credited with the fatal wound to Tecumseh, but it cannot be confirmed.

The American victory at the Battle of the Thames solidifed their control over the Northwest frontier for the remaineder of the war. General Harrison would use his growing popularity to gain election to the office of President of the United States.