Assault on Backmetack Marsh

Assault on Backmetack Marsh (HM1DGX)

Location: Thamesville, ON N0P 2K0 Chatham-Kent Division
Country: Canada
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N 42° 33.844', W 81° 55.847'

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Inscription

Tuesday, October 5, 1813, 4:00 p.m.

— Tecumseh Parkway —

As Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson's horsemen were charging the British front line, his brother, Colonel Richard Johnson led an attack against the First Nations warriors in Backmetack Marsh. The mounted infantry charged the Native left flank led by 20 riders, called "The Forlorn Hope," who were intended to draw the warriors' fire and empty their guns. Tecumseh's allies fired a devastating volley at close range that cut down 15 of the riders. The casualties included Colonel Johnson who was wounded five times but was able to shoot a Native chief just as the warrior was about to strike him with a tomahawk. The horseman became so entangled in the growth of the marsh that they had to dismount and fight on foot.

On the First Nations' extreme right, General Desha's infantry division attacked but was driven back by Oshawana and his warriors who fought gallantly and effectively for 30 minutes. Additional Kentucky Militia were sent in, and this, combined with the collapse of the British lines and the circulating news that their leader had been killed, devastated the warriors' spirit and they slowly dispersed into the forest. General Harrison reported 33 Native dead on the battlefield, including Wahsikegaboe. There were 12 American fatalities, including Lieutenant Colonel Whitley, and 17 wounded, including both Johnson brothers.
Details
HM NumberHM1DGX
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Placed ByTecumseh Parkway
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Thursday, October 9th, 2014 at 5:12am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)17T E 423598 N 4712826
Decimal Degrees42.56406667, -81.93078333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 42° 33.844', W 81° 55.847'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds42° 33' 50.64" N, 81° 55' 50.82" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)510, 415
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 14249-14431 Regional Rd 2, Thamesville ON N0P 2K0, CA
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