From Wikipedia.
William Whitley (1748-1813). Fought in the Revolutionary War with George Rogers Clark in what became the Northwest Territory. Fought Indians and was a Kentucky pioneer. Commanded the 6th Regiment Kentucky Militia under Governor Isaac Shelby.
In 1813, at the age of 64, volunteered with the Kentucky Mounted Infantry. At the Battle of the Thames, Oct. 3, 1813, led the "Forlorn Hope Charge" against Tecumseh. Both Tecumseh and Whitley killed at the battle and there is some evidence that Whitley, not Richard Johnson, killed Tecumseh.
He is buried near the battlefield at Chatham, Ontario. His horse, Emperor, had one eye and two teeth knocked out on the charge. Whitley's powderhorn, strap and rifle were returned to his wife in Kentucky and the rifle is on display at the William Whitley House State Historic Site. In 1818, Whitley County, Kentucky named for him and the county seat is Williamsburg. There also is a Whitley County in Indiana also named for him.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
I just finished the book "Thus Fell Tecumseh" which presents the evidence for Whitley being the man who shot him and there's plenty of evidence for several other possibilities, as well. The book doesn't solve the "who dunnit" mystery but it does contain some pretty good history.
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