For this victory he was highly complimented by President
Madison in his message of December 18, 1811, and was also thanked by the
legislatures of Kentucky and Indiana. On August 25, 1812, soon after war
was declared against Great Britain, was commissioned major-general of
the militia of Kentucky, though not a citizen of that State. On August
22, 1812, was commissioned a brigadier-general in the Regular Army, and
later was appointed to the chief command of the Northwestern army, with
instructions to act in all cases according to his own discretion and
judgment. No latitude as great as this had been given to any commander
since Washington. On March 2, 1813, was commissioned a major-general.
Was in command of Fort Meigs when General Proctor, with a force of
British troops and Indians, laid unsuccessful siege to it from April 28
to May 9, 1813. Transporting his army to Canada, he fought the battle of
the Thames on October 5, defeating General Proctor's army of 800
regulars and 1,200 Indians, the latter led by the celebrated Tecumseh,
who was killed. This battle, together with Perry's victory on Lake Erie,
gave the United States possession of the chain of lakes above Erie and
put an end to the war in uppermost Canada.
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