The photo of Benjamin Franklyn Finnell, likely an early tin type, shows him carrying a tomahawk in his lap, which was obviously an object of some importance to him. An accompanying note linked to the photo , indicates that Mr. Finnell obtained the tomahawk after defeating an Indian in battle during the War Of 1812 at the - quote “ Tems River in Kentucky”. Please note, I have reason to believe the place name may be a mis-spelling of the actual name which was most probably the “Thames River”, located not in Kentucky, but rather in lower Ontario Canada where a significant battle of the War Of 1812, did, indeed, take place in October of 1813. Despite it’s significant distance from Kentucky, the Battle of the Thames, or Battle of Moraviantown, as it is sometimes known, did involve some 3000 Kentucky volunteer soldiers who took part in it. Those troops under the overall command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, later President, & were also accompanied into lower Canada by their own state Governor,, Issac Shelby.
Opposing the Americans at this battle ,was a mixed force of British regular soldiers, and their Native American allies which were under the leadership of the Shawnee Indian Chieftain Tecumseh. Tecumseh, though highly respected by friend and foe, alike, was killed during this battle.while opposing the Americans.
Some 25,000 volunteer soldiers (aka militia) from Kentucky served during the War Of 1812 despite the fact that not a single battle is known to have occurred within state borders specifically during the War Of 1812., Most Kentucky soldiers served outside the state in places like Ohio, Indiana, Michigan , and lower Ontario Canada. They also served in the Deep South under the command of Gen. Andrew Jackson in Alabama, and at New Orleans.
Such was the state’s commitment to the War that some sources suggest Kentuckians may have suffered up to 64% of all casualties sustained by the American side during the entire course of the War Of 1812..
