Chatham in Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Skirmish at the Forks

Monday, October 4, 1813

— Tecumseh Parkway —

Skirmish at the Forks Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

1. Skirmish at the Forks Marker

View of the historical marker, looking west, with a view of The Fork of the Thames River in the background.

Inscription. Robert McAfee, a member of Colonel Johnson's Kentucky Mounted Regiment, described the skirmish in his journal. He wrote:

Oct 4: …a woman … informed us that about six miles above the River forked, that there was a large bridge across the mouth of the Right hand fork and a mill and a bridge about about about a mile and a half up the fork where the Indians were encamped [sic] and she expected that they would make a stand and fight … about twelve o'clock the firing commenced on our left and our cannon opened at the Bridge at the mouth of creek … we got in sight of the Creek, which when we approached the firing became general along our lines which we immediately formed in order of battle and my company came up directly at the Bridge and Indian Camp which a few fires soon routed … several of my company narrowly escaped being killed or wounded, but half an hour put us in possession of the Bridge and whole Indian Camp … In this fight Captain Rice and Combs of our Regiment each had a man killed and Sergeant-Major Dickison was shot thro [sic] the thigh and had his horse killed under him. Captain Craig was wounded in the shoulder ...

Erected by Tecumseh Parkway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War of 1812.

Location. 42° 24.399′ N, 82° 11.067′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent. It can be reached from the intersection of William Street North and Murray Street, on the left when traveling north. The historical marker is located in Chatham, at the point of "The Forks" of the Thames River, in Tecumseh Park, situated along a park walkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 89 William Street North, Chatham ON N7M 1E2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Casualties of the Skirmish (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Skirmish at the Forks (here, next to this marker); British Encampment: Forks of the Thames (here, next to this marker); The Forks (here, next to this marker); Tecumseh (within shouting distance of this marker); Chatham Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Kent Regiment (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Chatham Armoury (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

2. Skirmish at the Forks Marker

Close-up view, looking west, of the English text side of the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

3. Skirmish at the Forks Marker

Close-up view, looking east, of the French text side of the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

4. Skirmish at the Forks Marker

View, looking east, of the historical marker, with a distant view of Tecumseh Park in the background

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

5. Skirmish at the Forks Marker

View of the park walkway that leads to "The Forks" of the Thames River, where several Tecumseh Parkway historical markers are located.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

6. Skirmish at the Forks Marker

View of "The Forks" of the Thames River, where several Tecumseh Parkway historical markers are located.

View of The Forks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

7. View of The Forks

View of the cannon situated at "The Forks" of the Thames River.

Tecumseh Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

8. Tecumseh Park Sign

View, looking north on William Street North, of the sign for Tecumseh Park, where the historical marker is located, and a distant view of the Tecumseh Parkway sign used to alert motorists of the presence of these historical markers.

The Forks of the Thames Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

9. The Forks of the Thames Sign

View, looking north on William Street North, of the Tecumseh Parkway sign used to alert motorists of the presence of these historical markers in Tecumseh Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 863 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 20, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.