Battle of La 
 
 Reminis 
 
 lagships 
 
 461V T 
 
 We Have Met the Enemy and They are Ours 
 


 
 
 
 
 _^ 
 
 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Battle of Lake Erie 
 
 (SEPTEMBER 10, 1813) 
 
 and 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 OF THE FLAGSHIPS 
 "L AWRE NCE" 
 AND "NIAGARA" 
 
 fry 
 CAPT. W. W. DOBBINS 
 
 PIRST EDITION PUBLISHED BY 
 
 ASHBY & VINCENT 
 ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA 
 IN THE YEAR 1876 
 
 SECOND EDITION 
 
 ASHBY PRINTING COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 
 ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, 1913 
 
E 
 
 0,1)58 
 
 Copyrighted 1913 by 
 
 ASHBY PRINTING COMPANY 
 
 KRIE, PA. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 |N offering this pamphlet to the public, 
 it may be deemed necessary to offer 
 some apology. There have been 
 many accounts of Perry s Victory, 
 Sept. 10th, 1813, published. Yet in conse 
 quence of the unfortunate feud existing be 
 tween Perry and Elliott and their friends, the 
 accounts partook somewhat of an ex parte 
 character. This is not a correct way to hand 
 down passing events to posterity. In writing 
 history, facts should be given as nearly as 
 possible, not fiction. 
 
 My father, Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins, 
 was a pioneer in the construction of the 
 squadron, and served actively upon the upper 
 lakes during the war. From conversations 
 during his lifetime, as also memoranda and 
 other papers left by him in connection with 
 the accounts given by McKenzie, Cooper and 
 Lossing, I have compiled this little book. 
 
 I hope the reader will excuse the common 
 place style of composition, as it is the effort 
 of an illiterate sailor. 
 
 W. W. DOBBINS. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 AND REMINISCENCES OF THE 
 
 FLAGSHIPS ^LAWRENCE" 
 AND "NIAGARA" 
 
 I. 
 
 T THE time war was declared with 
 Great Britain in 1812, the Canadian 
 frontier was in advance of us in com 
 merce and agriculture. A goodly portion of 
 our supplies of merchandise, particularly gro 
 ceries, came to us from Montreal. In regard to 
 agriculture, the tory emigration from the United 
 States at the commencement of, and during 
 the Revolution, had accomplished good work 
 in this line, assisted by immigration from the 
 old country, and the Canadian French. Then 
 their military posts were well kept up, and 
 
HIS I DRY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 having something of a Navy in the way of 
 several heavily armed vessels, classed by the 
 British Government as a "Provincial Navy," 
 and not regular. These vessels also trans 
 ported passengers and merchandise. In an 
 other point of view, they were well prepared, 
 viz. : they were on the best of terms with the 
 numerous tribes of Indians, not only in 
 Canada, but many on this side of the line; 
 as the British Government pursued a course 
 calculated to attach the Indians to their 
 interests. Their treaties with their red breth 
 ren were always strictly kept, and no Indian 
 agent was allowed to defraud them; conse 
 quently their supplies were of the best. For 
 one hundred years they have had little or no 
 trouble with their Indians, although the 
 British possessions are full of them. There 
 the trader was safe at his post in the wilder 
 ness, and the Roman Catholic Priest on his 
 mission through their midst. I would say here, 
 how different has been the course and results 
 with us since we have been a Government. 
 The answer might be given thus: badly 
 
 Page six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 kept treaties, corrupt Indian agents, miserable 
 supplies, and a vacillating policy. Thus, the 
 consequence is, bloody Indian wars, at a cost 
 of thousands of lives and millions of money; 
 and, from the present out- look, no likelihood 
 of getting better. 
 
 On the American side of the line, say from 
 Black Rock on the Niagara River, to Sault 
 St. Mary s River, the outlet of Lake Superior, 
 things were in a poor condition to go to war 
 with our neighbor. A sparsely settled coun 
 try, with all the wants and deprivations inci 
 dent thereto, full of wandering tribes of 
 Indians, the object of whom was, with few ex 
 ceptions, to watch the chances, and were ready 
 the moment war commenced, to plunder and 
 massacre. To show how deficient we were 
 in the way of postal communication, the first 
 news of the declaration of war along the fron 
 tier west of Black Rock, N. Y., was through 
 Canadian dispatches to their several posts. 
 When Mackinaw was taken, the first notice 
 of the declaration of war was a heavy force 
 of British and Indians landing upon the 
 
 Page seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 eastern and uninhabited portion of the island 
 in the night, and capturing the post without 
 the firing of a gun. 
 
 But I have digressed from my proposed 
 account of Perry s Victory, and will now begin 
 with a short account of the early work of con 
 structing and fitting out the squadron. In 
 giving this matter, it is, in a measure, neces 
 sary to relate some of the incidents; and as 
 Captain Daniel Dobbins, of Erie, was a 
 pioneer in the construction of most of the 
 vessels, it is well to give his early connection 
 therewith. 
 
 In July, 1812, Captain Dobbins was at 
 Mackinaw in command of a merchant vessel 
 named the Salina, belonging to himself and a 
 merchant of Erie, named R. S. Reed, and 
 (who, together \vith a relative named W. W. 
 Reed, were on board the vessel) was taken 
 at the surrender of that post. His vessel, 
 and one other of the captured, were made 
 cartels to convey the prisoners and non- 
 combatants to Cleveland, Ohio. Upon their 
 arrival at Detroit, they were taken possession 
 
 K h 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 of by General Hull, and again fell into the hands 
 of the enemy, on the surrender of that import 
 ant post. Captain Dobbins now obtained a 
 pass for himself , and the two Reeds through the 
 influence of Colonel Nichols, of his Majesty s 
 service, (an old acquaintance previous to the 
 war) and accompanied Colonel Lewis Cass 
 and Captain Saunders, who were in charge of 
 paroled prisoners surrendered at Detroit and 
 at Van Horn s defeat, including the wounded 
 to be transported across the head of the 
 lakes in open boats, to Cleveland. Passing 
 from island to island, they arrived safely at 
 Cleveland on the third day, after a perilous 
 voyage. Here, Cass and Saunders were in 
 honor bound to destroy the boats, and Capt. 
 D. navigated a small sloop bound down the 
 lake. After alarming the inhabitants along 
 the coast at the sight of a vessel, be she ever 
 so small, after they had heard of Hull s sur 
 render, he arrived safely at Erie. After re 
 maining a few days with his family, he was 
 sent with dispatches to Washington City by 
 General David Mead, who was then in com- 
 
 go nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 mand of that post, and gave the first authen 
 tic information of the surrender of Mackinaw 
 and Detroit at the seat of Government, hav 
 ing passed Colonel Cass, who was the bearer 
 of dispatches from General Hull, sick by the 
 way. Immediately upon his arrival a Cabi 
 net meeting was held, to whom he gave a full 
 account of matters, including the situation of 
 the frontier, and the most suitable point for a 
 naval depot upon the upper lakes. He recom 
 mended Erie, which was adopted. He was 
 then solicited to accept a sailing master s 
 position in the navy, which he accepted, and 
 was at once ordered to Erie with instructions 
 to immediately commence the construction of 
 gun boats, which work he speedily began late 
 in October following. Upon his arrival at 
 Erie, was ordered to report to Commodore 
 Chauncey at Sackett s Harbor, or to the 
 commanding officer at Black Rock, for fur 
 ther instructions; which order he obeyed and 
 received the following reply: 
 
 Page ten 
 
HI STORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 "BLACK ROCK, Oct. 2d, 1812. 
 
 "Sir: Your letter of the 13th ultimo, di 
 rected to Commodore Chauncey or the com 
 manding officer on Lake Erie, I have received, 
 together with its enclosed a copy of your 
 instructions from the Honorable the Secre 
 tary of the Navy, each of which, together with 
 a copy of this letter, I have enclosed to him 
 for his consideration. 
 
 "It appears to me utterly impossible to 
 build gun boats at Presqu ile. There is not 
 a sufficient depth of water on the bar to get 
 them into the lake. Should there be water, 
 the place is at all times open to the attacks 
 of the enemy, and in all probability when 
 ready for action, ultimately will fall into the 
 hands of the enemy, and be a great annoyance 
 to our forces building and repairing at this 
 place. From a slight acquaintance I have 
 with our side of the lake, and with what in 
 formation I have obtained from persons who 
 have long navigated it, I am under the im 
 pression Lake Erie has not a single harbor 
 calculated to fit out a naval expedition; and 
 the only one convenient, I am at present at, 
 which is in between Squaw Island and the 
 Main, immediately in the mouth of Niagara 
 
 g e eleven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 River. I have no further communication to 
 make upon the subject. Probably in a few 
 days I shall be in possession of Commodore 
 Chauncey s impressions, when you shall again 
 hear from me. 
 
 "With esteem, yours, &c., 
 
 "J. D. ELLIOTT, U. S. N. 
 "Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins." 
 
 Mr. Dobbins (that being the modest title 
 applied to sailing master) at once replied as 
 follows, viz: 
 
 "Enm, Oct. llth, 1812. 
 
 "DEAR SIR : Yours of the second inst., is re 
 ceived. In regard to the idea entertained by 
 you, that this place is not a suitable one to build 
 gun boats at, allow me to differ with you. 
 There is a sufficiency of water on the bar to 
 let them into the lake, but not a sufficiency 
 to let heavy armed vessels of the enemy into 
 the bay to destroy them. The bay is large 
 and spacious, and completely land-locked, 
 except at the entrance. I have made my 
 arrangements in accordance with my own 
 convictions, for the purpose of procuring the 
 
 Page twelve 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 timber and other material for their construc 
 tion. I believe I have as perfect a knowledge 
 of this lake as any other man on it, and I 
 believe you would agree with me were you 
 here, viz: That this is the place for a naval 
 station. 
 
 "I remain yours very respectfully, &c., 
 "DANIEL DOBBINS, U. S. N. 
 
 "Lieut. J. D. Elliott, U. S. N." 
 
 This letter from Elliott was the only infor 
 mation Mr. Dobbins got from that quarter; 
 and not being satisfied, he hastened to Black 
 Rock, where he found a Lieutenant Angus in 
 command; and as he (Angus) had not heard 
 from Commodore Chauncey, or from any 
 other source, of the building of gun boats at 
 Erie (Presqu ile) he was at a loss what course 
 to pursue. Mr. Dobbins, however, employed 
 a skillful ship carpenter the only one to be 
 obtained and returned to Erie, determined 
 to urge forward the work with such house 
 carpenters and laborers as he could obtain. 
 Feeling the importance of the occasion, and 
 
 Page thirte 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 not receiving instructions from any quarter, 
 he wrote the Department, asking for such, 
 and for funds, having expended what he had 
 at first received. 
 
 The work was now pushed as rapidly as 
 possible, having received instructions and 
 funds from the Department. The winter was 
 a very severe one, which retarded the work in 
 many respects. It being still urged at the 
 Department that Black Rock was a more 
 suitable place than Erie for a naval station, 
 Mr. Dobbins wrote the Secretary upon the 
 subject, of which the following is an extract: 
 
 , December 19th, 1812, 
 il To Hon. the Secretary of the Navy: 
 
 "SiR: * * * In regard to the vessels 
 cut down, and in an unfinished state at Black 
 Rock, there can be but little confidence placed 
 in their safety. The yard is within reach of 
 the enemy s batteries, and if finished, the 
 vessels could be cut to pieces in passing up 
 the rapids into the lake." * * * * 
 
 Page fourteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 It will be remembered that Commodore 
 Chauncey commanded on Lake Erie, as well 
 as Ontario, and continued in command until 
 after the battle, in fact, until April, 1814. 
 
 II. 
 
 BOUT the 1st of January, 1813, Chaun 
 cey, accompanied by Henry Eckford, 
 (Naval Constructor) officially visited 
 Erie approved the work of Mr. Danl Dob 
 bins and gave instructions to get out timber, 
 and prepare for the building of two "sloops of 
 war;" which additional work was rapidly 
 pushed, and the keels ready to lay, with much 
 of the timber on hand, when Mr. Noah Brown, 
 master ship builder from New York, with a 
 gang of twenty-five carpenters, arrived about 
 the 10th of March. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 In a letter from Mr. Dobbins to the De 
 partment under date of March 14th, 1813, we 
 find the following, viz: * * "The keels of 
 the two sloops of war are ready to lay, with 
 most of the timber on hand the gun boats 
 are ready for calking, and everything looks 
 encouraging in that respect; and yet, I have 
 my fears of the secret incendiary, as well as 
 the prowling spy of the enemy, and in an 
 unguarded moment our labor may be de 
 stroyed. As a substitute for a guard, I have 
 made arrangements with the workmen in the 
 yard to stand guard until I hear from you. 
 Mr. Brown joins me in my opinion in regard 
 to the danger, and the course I intend to 
 pursue." This guard, in connection with a 
 well armed volunteer company commanded 
 by Thomas Forster composed of sixty citizens 
 constituted for some time the only protection 
 of the town and vessels on the stocks. 
 
 Commodore Perry arrived on the 27th from 
 Black Rock, and at once assumed command. 
 The defenceless condition of the vessels and 
 the town at once claimed his attention, and 
 
 Page sixteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 he immediately sent for General Mead, the 
 military commander in that^portion of Penn 
 sylvania; the result of which conference was 
 the calling out of the military force under his 
 command, or sufficient for a guard, and in a 
 short time one thousand militia were in camp, 
 which was ultimately reinforced by several 
 hundred volunteers from the interior of the 
 State. 
 
 Although Erie (Presqu ile) had twice been 
 occupied as a military post first by the 
 French as early as 1760, and subsequently by 
 the United States in 1798, and where the lat 
 ter had a stockade-fort with three small 
 block-houses and other military fixtures yet 
 not a single piece of ordnance remained, and 
 the only thing in the shape of a cannon was a 
 small iron boat howitzer, with which the vil 
 lagers celebrated the Fourth of July, and other 
 occasions, belonging to General Kelso, it hav 
 ing been found by him on the beach of the 
 lake, where probably it had been left by the 
 wrecking of an armed French batteau. Noth 
 ing now remains of the French fort, but por- 
 
 Page seventeen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 tions of some earthworks. The American 
 fortifications, though gone to ruins, were put 
 in condition and occupied. 
 
 In comparison with the great" facilities for 
 ship building of the present day /we can form 
 but a remote idea of the difficulties Commo 
 dore Perry and his compeers had to encounter 
 in building, and equipping, his squadron. 
 All the carpenters and blacksmiths in the 
 country having been employedfby Mr. Dob 
 bins in building the gun boats, land all the 
 stores in the village ransacked! f or ^ iron, and 
 then forced to get the most of it from Pitts 
 burgh, Commodore Perry found but little to 
 work with, the great responsibility resting 
 upon his shoulders, and the gigantic task be 
 fore him. He, however, managed to get a 
 small supply for immediate use from Pitts 
 burgh and Buffalo. But the gallant young 
 hero was equal to the task, and started into 
 the work with all the energy and determina 
 tion his future achievements demonstrated. 
 He at once wrote the Secretary of the Navy 
 what was immediately required, when car- 
 
 page eighteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 penters and * blacksmiths were ordered from 
 Philadelphia. Mr. Dobbins was dispatched 
 to Black Rock for seamen and chests of arms, 
 and such ordnance as he could manage to 
 transport, which was a heavy task, consider 
 ing the bad condition of the roads incident 
 to the breaking up of spring through a new 
 country. 
 
 On the 30th of March, Sailing Master W. 
 V. Taylor, a very skillful officer and thorough 
 seaman, arrivedffrom Sackett s Harbor, with 
 twenty officers and seamen. Perry now de 
 termined to leave him in command and pro 
 ceed to Pittsburgh, to hasten the workmen 
 en route from^Philadelphia, and make further 
 arrangements for supplies. Upon his arrival 
 at Pittsburgh made arrangements for canvas 
 for the sails to be brought from Philadelphia, 
 including cables, anchors and other supplies. 
 He met with a Captain A. R. Woolley, an 
 intelligent ordnance^officer of the army, from 
 whom he received valuable aid and advice in 
 the way of procuring^armament, and matters 
 pertaining to it, and from whom he obtained 
 
 Page nineteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 four small field pieces, and some muskets. 
 Captain Woolley also volunteered to super 
 vise the casting of the carronades and shot, 
 and other requisites. Perry started on his 
 return to Erie on the 7th of April, and on 
 his arrival found the work upon the vessels 
 rapidly progressing; though Mr. Dobbins 
 had been able to get through with but 
 one 12-pounder from Buffalo, and three 
 chests of muskets, floods, sweeping away of 
 bridges, and almost impassable roads having 
 to be overcome. Perry now, in conjunction 
 with General Mead, had a redoubt thrown up 
 at the point where the land lighthouse now 
 stands; and Mr. Dobbins having in the mean 
 time arrived from Buffalo with two long 12- 
 pounders, they were mounted upon it. On 
 Garrison Hill another was thrown up, with 
 the four pieces obtained at Pittsburgh mount 
 ed thereon. Perry also had a rude block 
 house erected upon the bluff overlooking the 
 yard where the large vessels were being con 
 structed, and where a brigade of troops were 
 encamped. There was also another redoubt 
 
 Page twenty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 thrown up on the bluff commanding the yard 
 where the gun boats were still on the stocks, 
 with an encampment of troops to garrison 
 it, and guns mounted as fast as they could 
 be obtained from Buffalo. 
 
 The two sloops of war" were built at the 
 mouth of the Cascade Creek, about one mile 
 above the village, as a greater depth of water 
 could be obtained at this point for launching. 
 The gun boats were constructed upon a wide 
 beach of the bay, at a point now known as 
 "Reed s Dock," near the village. 
 
 Mr. Dobbins having been awarded the task 
 of transporting the heavy ordnance from 
 Black Rock, or the temporary naval station 
 at Gonjaquades Creek, just below that place, 
 to Erie; and after managing to get a few 
 through by land, notwithstanding the almost 
 impassable roads, and then by open boats, as 
 soon as the ice in the lake was out sufficiently 
 for a passage, called forth the best energies 
 of Mr. Dobbins, as it was done in the face of 
 the enemy, they being aware of what was go 
 ing on ; and as soon as the ice permitted, their 
 
 Page twenty-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 spies were constantly on the lookout. As a 
 sample of one of these hazardous trips, he 
 started to bring up two long 32-pounders, 
 weighing 3,600 pounds each. In the way of 
 a craft, he was only able to procure an old 
 "Derham boat," so-called, which had been 
 used to boat salt from Schlosser to Fort 
 Erie; and after fitting her up as best he could, 
 with timbers placed lengthwise in her bot 
 tom, got the guns on board, including a 
 quantity of naval stores. When ready, 
 tracked up the rapids of Niagara River and 
 started for Erie, having a four-oared boat in 
 company. He kept near the American shore, 
 but dare not show his sail except at night. 
 When off Cattaraugus, in the night, it came 
 on to blow heavily from northwest, and in 
 order to keep her off the beach, they made 
 what sail they could with two planks for lea- 
 boards, and, after a struggle, succeeded in 
 getting an offing. But their troubles were not 
 ended; the great steering-oar unshipped, and 
 the boat fell off into the trough of the sea. 
 The heavy rolling soon carried away the step 
 
 Page tweuty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 of the mast before they could get the sail 
 down. But the repairs were soon made and 
 they got sail on again, when it was found she 
 was leaking badly, caused by the heavy roll 
 ing, with so much weight in her bottom, and 
 likely to founder. As the old maxim has it, 
 necessity is the mother of invention," Mr. 
 Dobbins took a coil of rope they had on board, 
 and passing the rope round and round her, 
 from forward to aft, and heaving the turns taut 
 with a gunner s hand spike, thus managing to 
 keep her afloat, with all hands bailing. At day 
 light they found themselves some ten miles 
 below Erie, with two of the enemy s cruisers 
 in sight in the offing to windward. However, 
 the wind had veered more to the eastward, 
 and they made port with a fair wind their 
 consort, having parted company with them 
 in the night, safely made port, and reported 
 Mr. Dobbins boat lost. 
 
 Gangs of additional carpenters, blacksmiths, 
 sailmakers, riggers, &c., soon arrived from 
 New York and Philadelphia and the work 
 went bravely on. 
 
 ge twenty -three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 III . 
 
 N THE 23d of May, Perry suddenly 
 took his departure for Lake Ontario, 
 taking Mr. Dobbins with him, and 
 leaving Sailing Master Taylor in command at 
 Erie. They left that evening in a four-oared 
 boat. At the contemplated sortie upon Fort 
 George, Perry having been offered by Chaun- 
 cey the command of the seamen and marines 
 that might land. After a trip full of discom 
 forts and dangers, they reached Schlosser on 
 the third day. It being impossible to get a 
 conveyance from there, Mr. Dobbins managed 
 to procure an old Canadian pony, and an old 
 saddle, with a rope girth, which the sailors 
 had fitted from the painter of the boat. On this 
 old Rosinaut Perry mounted in full uniform. 
 Mr. Dobbins smiled at the Quixotic appearance 
 of his chief, as also did Perry, and pleasantly 
 remarking, "Any port in a storm, Mr. Dob 
 bins; this is the best we can do." Mr. Dob 
 bins advised him to take the boat s crew with 
 him as a guard, the banks of the river being 
 infested with prowling Indians and spies, but 
 
 Page twent y-f our 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 he refused, however allowing Mr. Dobbins to 
 accompany him on foot for some distance, 
 both being armed. Perry then gave Mr. Dob 
 bins orders to return to Schlosser and procure 
 boats to take up a draft of seamen to Black 
 Rock, which he said would be sent up in a 
 few days, or directly after the affair of Fort 
 George. 
 
 On the 27th of May, Fort George fell. 
 The part Perry bore in this telling capture is 
 a matter of history; and the first twig of the 
 cluster of laurels, soon to adorn his brow. 
 
 On the 28th, the detachment of officers and 
 men arrived at Schlosser, and were imme 
 diately embarked for Black Rock, where they 
 arrived the next day; Perry had already 
 arrived at Black Rock, having gone up by 
 land. After the capture of Fort George, 
 the enemy evacuated the Niagara frontier to 
 a great extent, and Perry at once determined 
 to get the vessels purchased by the Govern 
 ment and prepared for war purposes by Henry 
 Eckford, and blockaded in Gonjaquades Creek 
 by the batteries of the enemy on the opposite 
 
 Page twenty-five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 shore, up to Erie, if possible. At once the 
 guns were dismounted on the batteries, and 
 mounted upon the vessels, and the naval 
 stores got on board. On the 6th of June, the 
 vessels being ready, the tedious work of track 
 ing them up the rapids commenced. This 
 arduous task lasted a week. In addition to 
 ox- teams and sailors, they had the assistance 
 of two hundred soldiers, under the command 
 of Captains Brevoort and Youngs. On the 
 morning of the 13th, the last vessel got 
 safely out of the rapids. The officers and 
 soldiers detailed by General Dearbourn to 
 assist in getting the vessels up the rapids, 
 were, at the request of Perry, allowed to re 
 main on board to assist in navigating and de 
 fending the vessels on their passage to Erie. 
 This little flotilla was composed of the fol 
 lowing vessels, viz: Brig. "Caledonia," (prize) 
 armament two long 24-pounders and one long 
 12-pounder; schooner "Somers," (formerly 
 "Catherine") two long 18-pounders; sloop 
 "Trippe," (formerly " Con tractor") one long 
 24-pounder; schooner "Ohio," one long 24- 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 pounder; schooner " Amelia," one long 24- 
 pounder. 
 
 I have not the names of the commanders 
 at hand, except that the Caledonia" was 
 made the flagship for the time, and of course 
 was commanded by Perry, the "Ohio" by 
 Mr. Dobbins; the rest of the commanders 
 were ordered from Erie, 
 
 On the evening of the 15th they sailed for 
 Erie, but were driven back by a heavy wind 
 the next day. On that evening they sailed 
 again. Great vigilance was necessary in order 
 to elude the fleet of the enemy then cruising 
 at the foot of the lake, and constantly on the 
 lookout for them. The British fleet consisted 
 of the following vessels, viz: Queen Char 
 lotte," armament 17 guns; "Lady Provost," 
 13 guns; "Hunter," 10 guns; "Little Belt," 
 3 guns; schooner "Chippewa," 1 gun. Had 
 they encountered our little flotilla there would 
 have been some warm work, but the disparity 
 of force was too great, consequently, victory 
 would have been with them, and British 
 ascendency on the upper lakes would have 
 
 Page twenty-seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 been prolonged. However, fortune favored 
 the gallant Perry, and he managed to elude 
 them. So near were they to meeting, that 
 when off Dunkirk, the wind being light ahead, 
 and the weather hazy, Perry anchored his 
 vessels close in shore in order not to be seen 
 from the offing. While there, a man made 
 his appearance on the bank of the lake and 
 made signals. Perry sent a boat for him, 
 when he gave the information that the enemy 
 had been at anchor the night before off the 
 20-mile creek below Erie, and sent on shore 
 to get fresh supplies that from an interme 
 diate point he could see both fleets at the same 
 time. But good luck was on our side; Perry 
 with his little squadron entered the harbor 
 of Erie, all safe, on the morning of the 19th 
 of June. Every preparation and precaution 
 had been attended to by the ever vigilant 
 young hero. He had arranged a line of bat 
 tle, when sailing abreast or in line ; also a code 
 of signals, which were as follows: 
 
 Page twenty-eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 "One gun Underway to get. 
 
 Green at the fore Form the order of sail 
 ing ahead. 
 
 Green at the main Form the order of 
 sailing abreast. 
 
 Green at the main peak Form the order 
 of battle on the starboard tack. 
 
 Green in the fore rigging Form the order 
 of battle on the larboard tack. 
 
 Green in the main rigging Close more the 
 present order. 
 
 White at the fore Open more the present 
 order. 
 
 White at the main Tack. 
 
 White at the main peak Follow the mo 
 tions of the flagship. 
 
 Ensign at the main gaff Engage the 
 enemy. 
 
 White at the main, with stop in the middle 
 Chase. 
 
 Ensign in the fore rigging Repair on board 
 flagship, all Commanders. 
 
 Green and white at the main gaff Come 
 within hail. 
 
 ge twenty-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 It is expected Commanders will pay strict 
 attention to the order of sailing. 
 
 No property other than public, or passen 
 gers to be received on board any of the vessels 
 under my command. 
 
 "O. H. PERRY/ 
 
 When at the lower end of the lake, the 
 British squadron usually rendezvoused at 
 what is known as Mohawk Bay" below Grand 
 River. This is an indentation of the main, 
 with a small island in front, and a long reef 
 extending off to the eastward making a fine 
 lea, with sea room inside and good holding 
 ground. From here they would sail to keep 
 watch of the movements on the American 
 side. They were rampant on hearing of Perry 
 arriving safely at Erie with his little fleet, 
 despite their vigilance. 
 
 The vessels to comprise the squadron were 
 now all within the bay at Erie, and the equip 
 ping and arming went on rapidly. The court 
 house had been converted into a sail loft; the 
 sails were nearly completed, while the rig 
 ging was being fitted on board the vessels. 
 
 Pane t h i r 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 It will be remembered that Commodore 
 Chauncey was the senior officer on Lake Erie 
 as well as Ontario; and that everything of 
 importance connected with building and equip 
 ping the squadron had to come through him, 
 instead of coming direct to Perry from the 
 Department. Thus the delay of many mat 
 ters, particularly in procuring crews for the 
 vessels. 
 
 The two "sloops of war" afterward named 
 "Lawrence" and "Niagara" were built after 
 the same models, being 100 feet straight rab 
 bit, 110 feet between the perpendiculars, 30 
 feet beam, and 9 feet hold, flush deck, and 
 pierced for 20 guns with two stern ports. Mr. 
 Brown, the efficient and enterprising master- 
 builder, gave them this shallow depth of hold 
 in order to have a good heighth of "quarters" 
 or bulwarks, and at the same time avoid 
 showing a high side above the water, and also 
 to secure a light draught of water. They 
 were hastily constructed of such timber as 
 came handy, though staunchly built. In the 
 language of Mr. Brown to one of the work- 
 
 Page thirty-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 men, who was somewhat particular in finish 
 ing his job, "We want no extras plain work 
 is all that is required; they will only be 
 wanted for one battle; if we win, that is all 
 that is wanted of them; if the enemy are vic 
 torious, the work is good enough to be cap 
 tured." 
 
 IV. 
 
 [N ERROR has got into some accounts 
 of the old ship s name claiming it as 
 "St. Lawrence," after the river of that 
 name, as the other vessel was named "Niag 
 ara" after the Niagara River. The name 
 was given by the Navy Department in honor 
 of Captain James Lawrence, who fell mortally 
 wounded while in command of the frigate 
 "Chesapeake" in her unfortunate encounter 
 with the British frigate Shannon;" and 
 Perry adopted Lawrence s last words as a 
 
 Page thirty-t 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 motto for his fighting flag, viz: "Don t give 
 up the Ship." 
 
 The schooner " Ariel" (of pilot boat model) 
 and Scorpion" were about 63 tons burden; 
 the "Porcupine" and "Tigress" about 52 
 tons. The tonnage of the vessels brought 
 from Black Rock were as follows, viz: Brig 
 "Caledonia" (captured by Lieutenant Elliott 
 from under the guns of Fort Erie) was 85 
 tons; schooner "Somers," 65 tons; sloop 
 "Trippe," 63 tons; schooner "Ohio," 62 tons; 
 schooner, "Amelia," 72 tons. This latter 
 vessel was condemned on examination after 
 reaching Erie, and sunk in the harbor. 
 
 The gun boats being completed, were 
 launched about the last of April immediately 
 fitted out, armed, and rendezvoused with the 
 other vessels in the vicinity of the yard where 
 the sloops of war were on the stocks, to de 
 fend them in case of an attack. 
 
 There appears some discrepancy between 
 authors and those who should have a correct 
 knowledge of the date when the "Lawrence" 
 
 Page thirty -three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 and "Niagara" were launched. Mackenzie 
 has it "on the 24th of May," and most ac 
 counts have adopted that date. From cir 
 cumstances, and in fact, direct data, as also 
 the opinion of living witnesses who were con 
 nected with their construction, the "Law 
 rence" was launched on or about the 25th of 
 June, and the "Niagara" on the 4th of July. 
 Full crews for the vessels was now the im 
 portant matter, and up to the 25th of June 
 there had been but about one hundred and 
 fifty men and officers received from Lake 
 Ontario, the point they were expected from, 
 and many of these were on the sick list. 
 Perry was every day receiving communica 
 tions from the Navy Department, urging him 
 to hasten the equipment of his squadron, so 
 as to act in conjunction with General Harri 
 son, in a combined movement against the 
 enemy by land and water. This was very 
 perplexing to Perry, as he was short of officers 
 and men; and to make matters worse, the 200 
 soldiers, with Captains Brevoort and Youngs, 
 who had gone up in the vessels from Black 
 
 Page thirty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Rock to Erie, and Perry had made application 
 to retain, and be distributed through the 
 squadron as marines, were recalled to Black 
 Rock. On the 10th of July, Perry had re 
 ceived a letter from General Dearbourn, say 
 ing, "by order of the War Department, the 
 officers and soldiers must return," excepting 
 Captain Brevoort, whom he permitted to re 
 main, as Captain B. had navigated the lakes 
 several years in command of the brig "Adams" 
 under the auspices of the War Department, 
 and would be of great service. The troops 
 were sent off immediately in boats under the 
 command of Captain Youngs. This was a 
 sad blow to Perry. However, after writing 
 urgent letters to Chauncey, he got news of a 
 draft of men and officers being forwarded, and 
 on the 17th dispatched Mr. Dobbins with two 
 boats to be joined by others at Buffalo, and 
 bring them to Erie. The following is the 
 order : 
 
 Page thirty-five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 , July 17th, 1813. 
 
 "Sm: You will repair to Buffalo with the 
 two boats, and there wait until the officers 
 and men destined for the vessels of war at 
 this place, arrive. You will upon your arrival 
 at Buffalo endeavor to collect, in conjunction 
 with Mr. Carter, boats, in addition to the 
 four belonging to the Navy, for the transpor 
 tation of the men, say three or four hundred 
 from that place to Erie. The boats to be col 
 lected at Buffalo Creek. - Great caution will 
 be necessary on your way up, to prevent 
 being intercepted by the enemy. Should 
 they appear off this harbor, I will send an 
 express to Cattaraugus and the 20 mile creek, 
 to give you information. 
 
 "Very respectfully, &c., 
 
 "O. H. PERRY." 
 
 "Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins " 
 
 As an excuse for frequently mentioning the 
 names of Sailing Master Dobbins, will state, 
 that I have his papers and memoranda made 
 at the time ; and as he was actively engaged in 
 getting up and equipping the squadron, and 
 
 Page thirty -six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 in operations on the upper lakes during the 
 war, valuable information is obtained there 
 from; including the fact that he was the only 
 officer at the time who was familiar with the 
 navigation and coast on both sides. Thus, 
 he was invariably detailed for duty on all 
 occasions away from Erie, requiring a knowl 
 edge of the navigation, locality, and people; 
 as also a good proportion of self-reliance and 
 experience. Perry s officers were mostly 
 young, without a knowledge of the lake navi 
 gation and the difficulties incident thereto, 
 though at home upon the deck of a man-of- 
 war at sea. The average age of Perry s 
 officers is given by Dr. Usher Parsons, the 
 medical officer of the flagship * Lawrence, " 
 viz: "The average age of the commissioned 
 officers of Perry s squadron was less than 
 t wen ty- three ; the average age of the warrant 
 officers was less than twenty years." 
 
 * 
 
 P a }? e thirty -seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 V. 
 
 Y THE 25th of July the vessels were 
 completed, and armed, but only par 
 tially officered and manned. At the 
 same time Perry was in frequent receipt of 
 communications from the Department and 
 General Harrison, urging him to a forward 
 movement; and to add still more to Perry s 
 anxiety, Harrison informed him, The enemy 
 would in a few days launch their new ship 
 4 Detroit," and had just received a reinforce 
 ment of experienced officers and prime sea 
 men." This was truly annoying to Perry, as 
 his vessels were not fully manned; however, 
 those he had were being well disciplined. 
 Everything in the way of completion and prep 
 aration was fully attended to. The supplies 
 of ammunition, stores, &c., were stowed 
 temporarily, to get the best trim of the ves 
 sels. This was done that everything could be 
 replaced with alacrity, as they would have to 
 be taken on shore in getting the large vessels 
 over the bar. 
 
 Page thirty-eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 The enemy made frequent visits near the 
 roadstead off the harbor, and sometimes the 
 "Queen Charlotte" would visit alone. At 
 other times the whole squadron would make 
 the menace. On the 21st of July, they made 
 one of these "calls," when the gun boats ran 
 down to the bar at the entrance, and ex 
 changed shots with them, with but little 
 effect, on our side at least, when they bade 
 adieu, and squared away for Canada, prob 
 ably to report. 
 
 Previous to the war the English had upon 
 the lakes what they termed a Provincial Ma 
 rine;" the vessels had a light armament, and 
 were used to transport troops, Indian goods, 
 and frequently individual property, as there 
 were but few merchant vessels at that period ; 
 several of the British squadron were of this 
 class, though they had subsequently been 
 refitted and armed. 
 
 Here again was a lack of knowledge of the 
 frontier on the part of the Government. The 
 naval force upon Lake Erie should at first 
 have been placed under a separate command, 
 as Chauncey had his hands full upon Lake 
 
 Page thirty-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Ontario, and of course could give but little 
 attention to the operations on Lake Erie. 
 Again, the men should have been sent direct 
 from Philadelphia, instead of round by New 
 York and Sackett s Harbor to Erie making 
 nearly double the distance. Many of the 
 carpenters, sailmakers, blockmakers, &c., came 
 from Philadelphia, then why not the seamen? 
 Had this course been pursued, Perry would 
 have been on the lake with his squadron and 
 captured the enemy s fleet before they could 
 have got out their large ship, Detroit;" as 
 also have co-operated with Harrison, and re 
 lieved the western end of the lake of the con 
 tinued harassing they suffered. Once su 
 preme upon the lake, the enemy would have 
 withdrawn his forces to Maiden and the De 
 troit River. Perry having established a re 
 cruiting station on shore to enlist landsmen 
 from the troops, with the permission of the 
 commanding officer, had succeeded in get 
 ting about one hundred. In the meantime, 
 Lieutenant John Brooks, Perry s chief marine 
 officer, had enlisted some forty men as ma- 
 
 forty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 rines. Perry now concluded he had enough- 
 some three hundred, after landing the in 
 valids to cope with the enemy before they 
 got their new ship ("Detroit") out; and a 
 further incentive for a forward move, was 
 that there was a report that the enemy were 
 endeavoring to concentrate a heavy force at 
 Long Point, from whence the troops were to 
 be transported with the fleet to some point 
 near Erie, where the troops and Indians were 
 to be landed and act in conjunction with their 
 fleet in an attempt to destroy the village and 
 vessels. Perry hastily informed the Depart 
 ment that he apprehended no danger of their 
 getting possession of the vessels, provided 
 they did capture the village, as the vessels 
 were off at anchor in the bay, where their 
 fleet could not enter, and he could defend 
 them against an attack from the shore. 
 
 The enemy not being in the offing, and 
 everything being ready for a move, Perry got 
 his vessels under way and moved down to 
 the entrance of the channel, when preparations 
 were immediately made for getting the heavy 
 
 Page forty-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 vessels over the bar. This was on Sunday, 
 August 1st. In the afternoor General Mead 
 and staff visited the Lawrence, and were re 
 ceived with a salute. The General was much 
 pleased with the warlike appearance of the 
 vessels, particularly the "Lawrence" and 
 Niagara." The General had rendered val 
 uable services in various ways in the building 
 of the squadron, and in preparations for their 
 defense; and Perry himself availed himself of 
 this opportunity to tender him hearty thanks, 
 not only on his own account, but in behalf of 
 the Navy Department. 
 
 The "Lawrence" and "Niagara" were twin 
 vessels in every respect built from the same 
 models, fitted and armed alike, and were full- 
 rigged brigs. At the present day they would 
 be considered small, but at that period they 
 were immense. The people from the interior 
 on hearing the report of the guns in firing the 
 salute for General Mead, hastened to the 
 village, expecting that the enemy was mak- 
 
 Page forty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 ing an attack. The large vessels were a 
 great curiosi and looked formidable, in 
 their eyes, in comparison with the small craft 
 they had been accustomed to see; and the 
 big guns were giants of destruction in their 
 estimation. They felt proud of the formidable 
 appearance of our "war ships," and sejoiced 
 that we now had a naval force able to cope 
 with the British fleet, which had so long con- 
 troled the lakes, and menaced us so frequently 
 "Could meet the enemy and make them 
 ours." They felt that there would soon be 
 an end to the frequent alarms, and the 
 imaginary war-whoop of the Indian would no 
 longer haunt their midnight slumbers. They 
 could now go to their homes and feel a se 
 curity they had not felt for the last year. 
 
 Early in the morning of the 2d, Mr. Dob 
 bins took charge of the "Lawrence" as pilot, 
 and kedged her to the entrance of the channel, 
 he having sounded and bouyed it out the 
 day before. The water was found to be 
 quite low, in consequence of the east wind. 
 The Niagara" was then kedged up near the 
 
 Page forty-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 bar and moored with springs upon her cables, 
 her port broadside facing the roadstead. 
 The smaller vessels were then moored in a 
 somewhat similar manner and preparations 
 made to defend the "Lawrence" while on the 
 bar. The work of getting out the guns, bal 
 last, and other heavy matter went on briskly 
 on board the "Lawrence," and in three hours 
 everything was removed to the sand beach, 
 the guns being rolled up on timbers so that 
 they could be quickly reshipped should occa 
 sion require. The fallacious yarn of the guns 
 being "hoisted out with the charges in them 
 and placed in boats which were dropped as 
 tern," is novel in the extreme, and does injust 
 ice to the intelligence of Perry. The absurd 
 ity, if not danger, of rousing loaded guns about 
 in this way, particularly amongst the sand, 
 must be obvious to any one, but more par 
 ticularly to those familiar with handling and 
 practicing with ordnance. This attempt to 
 show extraordinary preparation for an attack 
 condemns itself, as it is well known it takes but 
 a few moments to load a gun with prepared 
 
 Page forty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 ammunition. Again, it has been recorded 
 that a water battery of three long 12-pound- 
 ers had been mounted upon the beach, &c." 
 This is also error; they were mounted in the 
 redoubt on the bank of the lake, where the 
 land lighthouse now stands, some 100 feet 
 above the water, and completely commanding 
 the channel. There was also the "field bat 
 tery" on Garrison hill, directly abreast of the 
 channel. The "camels" were immediately 
 got alongside of the "Lawrence," timbers 
 placed athwart the vessel, with the ends rest 
 ing upon the "camels," and the necessary 
 preparations made for lifting. 
 
 These "camels" were an invention of Mr. 
 Brown; were oblong, with square ends, 90 
 feet long, 40 feet wide, and six feet depth of 
 hold, with a strong deck. They had two holes 
 cut through the bottom, six inches square, 
 with curbs to guide the long plugs to the holes 
 when required. The "camels" were placed 
 on each side, as before stated, the plugs 
 taken out and the "camels" filled, the heavy 
 
 Page forty-five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 timbers thrust through the port-holes, the 
 blocking and lashiug secured, when the holes 
 were plugged up, and the pumps set at work. 
 Thus, as the water was discharged, the vessel 
 was lifted. Owing to continued easterly 
 winds, causing low water, the operations with 
 the "camels" had to be repeated before the 
 "Lawrence" could be floated. After a la 
 borious task, night and day, she was got over 
 on the morning of the 4th, and towed out to 
 her anchorage. As a sample of the never- 
 flagging energy of Perry, by two o clock P. M. 
 everything was replaced, guns mounted, a 
 salute fired, and she was ready for action. The 
 "Niagara" was now towed to the entrance of 
 the channel, and preparations made to lighten 
 her, while the "camels" were being prepared 
 for their work. 
 
 Page forty-six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 i 
 
 VI. 
 
 |N THE meantime, .early in the morn 
 ing, the enemy made their appearance 
 in the offing, and hove- to to reconnoitre, 
 when about eight miles out. The smaller ves 
 sels having been taken over the bar with but 
 little trouble, were all anchored with the 
 "Lawrence;" the wind was from the south 
 east and weather hazy. Perry, expecting 
 them to attack, made hasty arrangements to 
 give them as warm a reception as possible; 
 and, if necessary, to run the "Lawrence" 
 ashore under the guns of the battery on the 
 bank, which, with the field battery on Garri 
 son Hill, and many of the "Niagara s" guns 
 (the balance being still on board) which had 
 been hastily mounted upon the beach, includ 
 ing the heavy guns of the smaller vessels, the 
 enemy would have had their hands full. 
 After reconnoitering for an hour or so, they 
 bore up and stood across the lake. At this 
 moment Mr. Dobbins had arrived alongside 
 with a launch loaded with shot. Perry called 
 
 Page forty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 him aft to make enquiries in regard to the 
 appearance of the coast from the offing, he 
 (Perry) having never had an opportunity to 
 observe. Mr. D. told him "The shore line 
 would show quite indistinct at the distance 
 the enemy were out, in consequence of the 
 hazy weather and the high land in the rear, 
 he then called Perry s attention to the fact 
 that the vessels were all heading the same 
 course of the "Niagara," and she hard aground 
 on the bar. Perry at once exclaimed, "They 
 have been deceived they think the vessels 
 are all over the bar, but not quite ready ; bear 
 a hand sir with the lighters hurry up every 
 thing on the beach," &c. Perry wishing to 
 know the course they would take, dispatched 
 the schooner "Ariel," Lieutenant Packett, to 
 follow them at a distance and ascertain, if 
 possible. On the return of the "Ariel" Pack 
 ett reported that they had gone to Long Point, 
 which was afterwards ascertained to be the 
 fact. It was afterwards known, also, that 
 after landing a courier they bore up the lake 
 for Maiden, and never showed themselves 
 
 Page forty-eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 outside of the mouth of Detroit River until 
 their encounter with our squadron on the 10th 
 of September. 
 
 Some authors have it, that Terry sent out 
 the schooners Scorpion/ Sailing Master 
 Champlain, and "Ariel," Lieutenant Packett, 
 to annoy the enemy at long shot; and keep 
 them at bay," &c. This is error; the above is 
 correct. The absence of the enemy was more 
 to the liking of the gallant Perry than their 
 presence at this particular time. It would 
 have been considered an absurdity to send 
 two small schooners off into the lake to 
 "annoy and keep at bay" the whole British 
 fleet. Should they have got within range of 
 the enemy, they must necessarily be within 
 range of the enemy s long guns ; and a little crip 
 pling of the schooners would be sure to lead 
 to capture, as the wind was ahead to return. 
 Besides, by being delayed, they might have 
 discovered the true position of our vessels; 
 as the sun rose it would clear away the haze, 
 with probably a shift of wind, when the vessels 
 afloat would swing to the wind and show the 
 
 
 Page forty-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 position of the Niagara." This would be 
 poor strategy, and Perry knew his business 
 better than to adopt such. These facts have 
 been stated to the writer by Mr. Dobbins 
 and he has heard other officers conversing 
 upon the subject, including Lieutenant Pack- 
 ett. Besides all this, Mr. D., in a conversa 
 tion with Lieutenant Rollett, a Provincial 
 Officer in his Majesty s service, with whom he 
 was acquainted previous to the war, says he 
 "was attached to the Lady Provost at this 
 time, and that they were deceived precisely 
 in the same relation Perry had conjectured 
 that they well knew the purpose for which the 
 "Ariel" had been sent out, and endeavored 
 to deceive her until she was well out of sight 
 on her return." 
 
 The enemy having made off, the work of 
 lightening on board the "Niagara" went on 
 rapidly in a few hours everything was on 
 the beach, and the "camels" at work. In the 
 meantime the wind had shifted to the west 
 ward, which raised the water, and the next 
 
 Page fifty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 day she was floated, armed, and fully equip 
 ped for battle. The schooners "Ohio" and 
 " Amelia" were left inside for the present, the 
 "Amelia" being condemned as unseaworthy. 
 
 Perry now had his squadron all safely in 
 the lake, and, with the exception of the proper 
 complement of men, was ready to meet- the 
 enemy. 
 
 When the British squadron had made their 
 last visit but one to Erie, they went to Port 
 Dover, on the Main, in the rear of Long Point, 
 where Commodore Barclay and officers had 
 been invited to dine with the inhabitants. 
 In reply to a complimentary toast, Barclay 
 said, "I expect to find the Yankee brigs hard 
 and fast aground on the bar at Erie when I re 
 turn; in which predictment it will be but a 
 short job to destroy them." The result of 
 this "return" I have already stated. How 
 ever, had he made the attempt, he would have 
 found it more of a "job" than he anticipated. 
 
 Page fifty-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 VII. 
 
 HE whole country was in a blaze of glory 
 over the victory of the 10th of Sep 
 tember, and yet Perry was deserving of 
 full as much credit for having got up his 
 squadron under such unfavorable circum 
 stances. Had the Government placed the 
 operations on the upper lakes under a sep 
 arate command, many of the difficulties 
 would have been 6bviated. It is but natural 
 to presume that Chauncey would not send 
 full supplies from Lake Ontario unless there 
 was a surplus over and above a sufficiency to 
 fully arm, equip, officer and man his own 
 immediate command; consequently Perry usu 
 ally received but a scanty share. And, to 
 make matters worse, seamen on the seaboard 
 were averse to this lake service, and volunteer 
 ing was up-hill business. These were some 
 of the many difficulties Perry had to labor 
 under; and frequent appeals to Chauncey 
 had but little effect. Although but twenty- 
 seven years of age, Perry had the decision of 
 
 Page fifty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 character and promptness to act of a veteran 
 to give or obey an order was imperative. 
 Of a sedate and serious turn of mind, he never 
 was addicted to profanity or light levity; of 
 courteous and charitable impulses, his de 
 portment was such as to command respect 
 under all circumstances. 
 
 The squadron being fully armed and equip 
 ped, but only about half manned, and many 
 of those enlisted from the militia, and receiv 
 ing, almost daily, communications from the 
 Department and General Harrison urging him 
 to move and co-operate with Harrison, and 
 those from the Department almost amounting 
 to censure, his state of mind can well be imag 
 ined. Overworked in both body and mind, 
 it is astonishing that he did not break down 
 under his troubles. However, he was de 
 termined to do his duty to his country, and 
 make the best of the circumstances. 
 
 It was now ascertained through General 
 Porter, of;Black Rock, that the enemy were 
 concentrating a force at Port Dover or Long 
 
 Page fifty-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Point, to be moved by, and act in conjunction 
 with, their squadron in a move upon Erie. 
 However, it failed for the want of a sufficiency 
 of troops at the proper time. 
 
 Perry determined not to be idle while wait 
 ing for officers and men, and concluding he 
 could cope with the enemy before they got 
 their new heavy ship out, made ready to sail 
 for Long Point and the Canada shore in pur 
 suit. His vessels being but half manned, he 
 got a supply of volunteers from the army, 
 and sailed at four o clock A. M. on the 6th of 
 August. The commanders of the several ves 
 sels on this short cruise were as follows, viz: 
 Lawrence, (flagship) Commodore Perry ; 
 "Niagara," Lieutenant Daniel Turner; "Cal 
 edonia," Purser Humphrey Margath; "Ariel," 
 Acting Lieutenant John Packet! ; "Scorpion," 
 Sailing Master Stephen Champlin; "Somers," 
 Sailing Master Thomas Almy; "Tigress," 
 Master s Mate A. McDonald; "Porcupine," 
 Midshipman George Senat. The "Ohio" and 
 "Trippe" were left behind for want of crews. 
 
 Page fifty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Upon reaching Long Point, and seeing nothing 
 of the enemy,stood for the mainland, and after 
 sweeping the coast for some distance and mak 
 ing no discoveries returned to their anchorage 
 at Erie and awaited the expected reinforce 
 ments. 
 
 Immediately preparations were made for 
 another cruise, and during the 7th and 8th 
 provisions and stores were got on board. It 
 has been said by some authors, that a large 
 amount of military stores for General Harri 
 son s army at Sandusky were taken on board. 
 This is erroneous; there were but little, if 
 any such at Erie, and furthermore, the vessels 
 had only capacity for their own supplies, and 
 berth-deck room for their crews to say 
 nothing of their expecting to meet the enemy 
 on the cruise up the Lakes; and with the ves 
 sels hampered up with extra stores, of course 
 their efficiency would be very much de 
 creased. 
 
 Perry now hesitated about assuming the 
 responsibility of encountering the enemy with 
 
 Page fifty-five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 his vessels but half manned, particularly as 
 they would be soon reinforced by their new 
 ship "Detroit," and was discussing the mat 
 ter with Purser Hamilton at his lodgings on 
 shore, when Midshipman John B. Montgom 
 ery made his appearance and presented him 
 a letter from Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott, then 
 on his way to join the squadron with a number 
 of officers and ninety men. This was joyful 
 news for Perry, and he immediately repaired 
 on board, to dispatch the "Ariel," Lieutenant 
 Packett, down the coast to meet them and 
 hasten their arrival. The "Ariel" returned 
 on the 10th, and the officers and men were 
 immediately distributed among the squadron. 
 They proved to be a much superior class to 
 those previously received, which was very 
 gratifying to Perry. Elliott immediately su 
 perseded Turner in command of the "Ni 
 agara." 
 
 At this time the commissions, which had 
 been made out for some time, were re 
 ceived via Commodore Chauncey. By these 
 changes, Elliott became Master-Commander, 
 
 Page fifty-six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 (the same grade as Perry) Holdup, Packett, 
 Yarnell, Edwards, and Conkling, were pro 
 moted to the rank of Lieutenant they hav 
 ing been previously acting as such. 
 
 Mr. Dobbins, who had been actively en 
 gaged on general duty while getting the ves 
 sels over the bar, was now ordered to the 
 "Ohio," to "get her over the bar as soon as 
 possible, and to engage three good pilots 
 immediately." The pilots engaged were Azial 
 Wilkinson, James Lee, and one other, the 
 name not remembered. 
 
 The squadron now being ready sailed on a 
 course to the head of the lake on the morn 
 ing of the 12th of August, and consisted of the 
 following vessels, including their commanders 
 and armament, viz: "Lawrence," (flagship) 
 eighteen 32-pound canonades and two long 
 12-pounders, Commodore O. H. Perry; "Ni 
 agara," same armament, Captain Jesse D. 
 Elliott; "Caledonia," three long 12-pounders, 
 Purser Humphrey Magrath; "Ariel," four long 
 12-pounders, Lieutenant John Packett; 
 
 Page fifty-seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 "Trippe," one long 32-pounder, Lieutenant 
 Joseph E. Smith; Tigress," one long 32- 
 pounder, Lieutenant A. H. M. Conkling; 
 "Somers," one long 24-pounder and one long 
 12-pounder, Sailing Master Thomas C. Almy; 
 Scorpion/ one long 24-pounder and one long 
 12-pounder, Sailing Master Stephen Champlin ; 
 "Ohio," one long 24-pounder, Sailing Master 
 Daniel Dobbins; "Porcupine," one long 32- 
 pounder, Midshipman George Senat. The 
 order of sailing, attack, recognition in the 
 night, &c., was fully and ingeniously arranged, 
 much to the credit of so young a commander. 
 On the 16th, the squadron arrived off Cun 
 ningham s (Kelly s) Island, without having 
 seen or heard of the enemy. The wind was 
 ahead, and as the vessels were working up 
 there was a small schooner discovered com 
 ing out of Put-in-Bay, when the "Scorpion," 
 being a fast sailor, gave chase, and would 
 have captured her, but, unfortunately, ground 
 ed on a reef off Middle Boss Island, and the 
 little craft made good her escape to Canada. 
 She proved afterwards to be the "Ottawa," 
 
 Page fifty-eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 previously captured at Maumee, and was 
 cruising among the islands to watch the mo 
 tions of our vessels. 
 
 The next day the squadron anchored off 
 Sandusky, and Perry dispatched an officer 
 with a boat to Lower Sandusky to inform 
 General Harrison of his arrival with the squad 
 ron. On the day following the General and 
 staff, including Colonels Cass, McArthur and 
 Gaines, as also Major Craghan, and some 
 twenty chiefs of the Wyandotte, Shawnee, 
 and Delaware Indians, came down. Among 
 the chiefs were Crane, Blackford, Captain 
 Tommy, and others. The object of bringing 
 down the Indians was that they might see the 
 big canoes" and the "big guns" and then 
 report to those of their tribes who had joined 
 the enemy, what they might expect when a 
 fight took place. The Indians expressed great 
 astonishment, more particularly when the 
 salute was fired in honor of General Harri 
 son s visit. After due consideration it was 
 agreed to make Put-in-Bay the present ren 
 dezvous, to which place Perry moved with 
 his squadron and Harrison and party returned 
 to camp. 
 
 Page fifty-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 VIII. 
 
 |N THE 25th, Perry got underway with 
 his squadron from Put-in-Bay, and 
 stood across the head of the lake for 
 Maiden, to see if he could not draw the enemy 
 out. He discovered them at anchor inside of 
 Bar Point, and directly in the mouth of De 
 troit River, and there being a heavy battery 
 on Bar Point, within range, he concluded it to 
 be not practicable to make an attack at this 
 time. He could see from the offing that they 
 were not yet reinforced by their new ship. 
 
 At this juncture much sickness was in the 
 squadron, consisting of bilious fever, dysen 
 tery, and chills; those mostly affected were 
 from the seaboard. The change from salt to 
 fresh water, coupled with impure salt pro 
 visions and few vegetables, was fruitful of 
 disease, and Perry was taken down himself, 
 and a number of his officers, including Surgeons 
 Barton and Parsons; the latter, with honor 
 able self-devotion, continued his work, though 
 he had to be carried in a cot to visit the sick. 
 
 Page sixty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 On the 31st the squadron received a wel 
 come reinforcement from General Harrison s 
 army, in the way of fifty volunteers, including 
 several officers and one doctor, viz: W. T. 
 Taliaffero. They were mostly from Ken 
 tucky, and many of them had been boatmen 
 on the Western rivers, which, as "watermen," 
 gave them a slight knowledge of the duties 
 they were required to perform. They were 
 immediately distributed throughout the squad 
 ron to serve as "marines," in place of the 
 "marine guard" which had been promised 
 from Lake Ontario. This brought the mus 
 ter-roll up to about 490, all told. Great 
 attention was paid to drilling the men in 
 their various duties, and in making every 
 preparation for battle, as it was daily 
 anticipated. Perry became convalescent after 
 a week s confinement, and was able to take 
 the deck again, and got the squadron under 
 way for a second visit to Maiden. On his 
 arrival off that place he found they had their 
 new ship "Detroit" fully equipped and at 
 anchor with the rest of their squadron. 
 
 Page sixty-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Perry stood off and on all day, but they did 
 not accept his banter, so he bore away for 
 Sandusky again to communicate with Harri 
 son. Upon his return he found letters from 
 the Secretary of the Navy, the contents of 
 which were a source of mortification. It 
 appeared the frequent calls upon Chauncey 
 for reinforcements had prompted that officer to 
 answer with a pungent and sarcastic letter. 
 This so offended Perry that he applied to be 
 "detached from the command on Lake Erie," 
 assigning as a reason that "it was unpleas 
 ant to serve under a commander who had so 
 little regard for his feelings," &c. These let 
 ters from the Secretary, though rebuking him 
 for his frequent calls for officers and men, 
 and also somewhat censuring him for what 
 the Department deemed "extravagant ex 
 penditures," closed with an appeal to his 
 patriotism, and soothed his lacerated feelings 
 with assurances of the confidence the Depart 
 ment reposed in him, and at the same time 
 counseled conciliation with Chauncey. On 
 the same day he answered with a temperate 
 
 Page sixty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 and respectful reply, vindicating his conduct 
 and rebutting the charges brought against 
 him; the effect of which was to not only sat 
 isfy the Secretary, but finally restored kindly 
 relations between Chauncey and himself. 
 
 vSome change of officers now took place; 
 Lieutenant Smith was ordered to the "Ni 
 agara," and Lieutenant Turner to the com 
 mand of the "Caledonia," Magrath to the 
 "Niagara," in his legitimate capacity as Pur 
 ser and Lieutenant Holdup to the command 
 of the "Trippe." Mr. Dobbins had been dis 
 patched to Erie for supplies and armament, 
 as per the following order: 
 
 4t U. S. S. LAWRENCE, 
 "OFF SANDUSKY, August 22d, 1813.: 
 
 "SiR: You will proceed with the "Ohio" 
 to Erie for the purpose of taking on board 
 that vessel provisions and such other articles 
 as are mentioned in the several requisitions 
 you have in your possession. 
 
 "You will use every exertion to return to 
 this place with all possible speed; and on not 
 
 P a s e s i x I y - t h r 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 finding the squadron at this place you will 
 proceed to Put-in-Bay and there await our 
 arrival. 
 
 "Very respectfully, &c., 
 
 "O. H. PERRY." 
 
 "Sailing Master Dobbins, commanding- Schooner 
 Ohio: 
 
 The following signals were to be observed: 
 
 "OFF SANDUSKY, August 22d, 1813. 
 
 "On the appearance of any of the U. S. 
 vessels of war off this place she will hoist her 
 ensign at the main masthead and fire a gun. 
 After an interval of ten minutes she will fire 
 two guns. 
 
 "O. H. PERRY." 
 
 "U. S. Schooner, Ohio: " 
 
 The "Ohio" returned to Sandusky on the 
 3d of September, without meeting with any 
 of the enemy s cruisers or other mishap, and 
 was immediately dispatched in a similar trip, 
 as the stock of provisions was small, and the 
 beef not fit for use. The beef and pork had 
 
 Page sixty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 been put up in haste by the contractors at 
 Erie, and, of course, carelessly, consequently 
 it had nearly all become putrid when exposed 
 to summer weather. (The "Ohio" was at 
 anchor in the roadstead at Erie taking in arm 
 ament and stores on the day of the battle, 
 and Mr. Dobbins distinctly heard the can 
 nonading.) 
 
 The season being too far advanced for a 
 lengthy campaign, and the enemy s squadron 
 showing no disposition for an immediate 
 encounter, the matter was canvassed in re 
 gard to making a combined attack upon 
 Maiden with our naval and military forces. 
 The most favored project was to transport 
 the forces of Harrison to one of the islands 
 near the Canada shore, and from thence, 
 transported in a body, via the vessels of the 
 squadron, including boats, to some point in 
 Pigeon Bay, say twenty miles below Maiden, 
 and move upon that post. After landing the 
 troops the squadron was to stand up to the 
 river and attack their vessels at anchor, pro 
 vided their squadron did not previously come 
 
 a 5 e s i x I j -f i r e 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 out and attack. However, the project was 
 given up as impracticable. 
 
 At this time three men, favorable to our 
 cause, made their escape from Maiden and 
 communicated to Perry much valuable infor 
 mation, viz: That the forces at Maiden were 
 very short of provisions; and that a council 
 of military and naval commanders was held, 
 and determined their squadron should sail 
 and give battle to ours on the lake, or make 
 an attempt to open communication with Long 
 Point, their depot of supplies. These men 
 also gave information in regard to their 
 squadron, armament, &c. Their flagship, 
 "Detroit," Commodore Barclay, was armed 
 with nineteen long guns; the "Queen Char 
 lotte," Captain Finnis, seventeen carronades; 
 "Lady Provost," Lieutenant Commander Bu- 
 chan, thirteen long guns; brig "Hunter," 
 Lieutenant Bignall, ten guns (mixed arma 
 ment;) "Little Belt," three guns; schooner 
 "Chippewa," Master Campbell, one heavy 
 gun; with 32 officers and 490 men, including 
 troops serving as marines and volunteers. 
 
 P a K e sixty- 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 According to this information the number of 
 officers and men of the two squadrons were 
 about equal, though the British had the ad 
 vantage in two respects, viz: their soldiers 
 serving as marines were veterans, and, of 
 course, superior to the raw troops Perry re 
 ceived from Harrison s army and obtained 
 at Erie, Secondly, there were over one hun 
 dred on the sick list in our squadron ; whereas 
 theirs were just out of port, and all in health. 
 In regard to commanders the advantage was 
 decidedly with the British, Here was a young 
 and inexperienced officer, who had never been in 
 even a single engagement ship to ship,much less 
 squadron against squadron ; in fact, had never 
 seen any war service, except in the Mediter 
 ranean during the Tripoli tan disturbance, 
 when a midshipman; and for a short time in 
 command of a flotilla of gunboats at Newport, 
 R. I. With a hastily got up squadron and 
 armament sickness prevailing among the 
 officers and crews of his vessels, and himself 
 but just risen from a bed of sickness he was 
 about to grapple with a veteran who had 
 
 Page sixty-seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 served with distinction under the world-wide 
 renowned Nelson in the battle of Trafalgar, 
 as also in several other naval combats; and 
 now in command of a squadron which, with 
 the exception of one ship and two of the small 
 vessels, had been cruising as war vessels for 
 one year under Captain Finnis, an experienced 
 officer, and now second under Barclay. How 
 ever, the gallant young Perry somewhat made 
 up for his want of experience by his redoubt 
 able energy and courage, counseled by his 
 intuitive wisdom. Such a word as fail was 
 not to be found in his vocabulary. 
 
 On the evening of the 9th of September, as 
 the squadron lay at anchor in Put-in-Bay, 
 Perry summoned his commanders on board 
 the "Lawrence" to receive their final instruc 
 tions. He claimed the honor of fighting the 
 enemy s flagship with the "Lawrence;" the 
 "Niagara" was allotted the "Queen Char 
 lotte," and so on. He also showed them his 
 "fighting flag," which had been prepared be 
 fore he left Erie, and on which was inscribed 
 the last words of the gallant and lamented 
 
 Page si* ty -eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Lawrence, "Don t give up the Ship." When 
 the folds of this flag were thrown to the 
 breeze from the main masthead of the "Law 
 rence," it was the signal, to close with the 
 enemy. He also enjoined upon them the 
 advice of Nelson to his commanders in going 
 into battle, viz: "If you lay the enemy close 
 alongside you can t be out of your place." 
 These officers now returned to their respective 
 vessels to reflect upon coming events, and the 
 duties enjoined upon them by their gallant 
 young chief. 
 
 General Harrison had stationed a few com 
 panies of troops at Put-in-Bay to guard the 
 rendezvous, as also to render assistance to the 
 squadron should the enemy attempt an at 
 tack with their vessels, and troops in boats, 
 by boarding in the night whilst ours were at 
 anchor in this rather small haven. The dis 
 tance from Canada being about forty miles, 
 the project was considered practicable in this 
 summer weather and a dark night, with a 
 moderate, fair wind. 
 
 Page sixty -nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 IX 
 
 |HE evening of the 9th of September 
 was one of those beautiful Autumnal 
 evenings peculiar to the lake region. 
 The moon was at its full; the gentle land 
 breeze was rippling the waters of the beautiful 
 haven and rustling the leaves of the surround 
 ing forest. Occasionally was heard the hum 
 of voices at the camp-fires on the shore, ac 
 companied by the "peep" of the frogs in 
 "Squaw Harbor," a small inlet on the west 
 side of Put-in-Bay; and heaven appeared to 
 smile upon those here gathered for the deadly 
 strife of the succeeding day. The officers 
 were sauntering around the quarter-deck, 
 enjoying social converse, or canvassing the 
 probable result of the coming battle, which 
 they knew must be close at hand, In this 
 circle on board the "Lawrence" none were 
 more jovial and gay than the gifted and gal 
 lant Brooks, the commander of marines on 
 board the "Lawrence." Ever noted for his 
 genial spirit and social qualities, as well as 
 
 Page seventy 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 manly beauty, he was a favorite wherever he 
 went; and yet, alas! so soon to be sacrificed 
 upon the altar of his country. At the other 
 end of the ship, "Jack" was also enjoying 
 himself seated upon a gun-carriage, hatch- 
 combing or forecastle, cracking jokes, spin 
 ning yarns, or discussing the prospects of 
 prize-money. Shortly the scene was changed 
 the announcement, eight bells," followed 
 by the sharp note of the boatswain s call 
 "All hands stand by your hammocks," given 
 in that deep sonorous voice peculiar to his 
 office followed by the shrill fife and rattling 
 drum in the tattoo on shore. The "watch 
 below" were soon quietly sleeping in their 
 hammocks dreaming, probably of distant 
 dear ones, and quiet homes; or, mayhap, the 
 booming of cannon, and slaughter and car 
 nage fretting their slumbers. Alas! too true; 
 many now sleeping so quietly, ere the same 
 hour of the succeeding night, their mangled 
 bodies would be resting upon the bottom of 
 Lake Erie, wrapped in the same hammocks 
 they were now enjoying in the peaceful slum- 
 
 P a g e seventy-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 bers. This is the calm before the storm the 
 human mind at rest ere it is aroused to the 
 frenzy of strife. Yes, such was the scene at 
 Put-in-Bay the night before the battle. 
 
 As the sun rose on the morning of the 10th, 
 "sail, ho!" was shouted from the lookout at 
 the masthead of the "Lawrence." "Where 
 away?" responded Lieutenant Forest, the 
 officer of the deck. "To the northward and 
 westward, in the direction of Detroit River," 
 replied the lookout. The news was imme 
 diately communicated to the Commander, 
 and soon all were astir on board. The vessels 
 of the enemy now began to lift one by one 
 above the horizon, until six were counted. 
 Soon the signal "Underway to get" was fly 
 ing from the main masthead of the "Law 
 rence," and in half an hour the whole squad 
 ron were beating out of the narrow passage, 
 with the wind light from the southwest. 
 Rattlesnake Island lying immediately in front, 
 Perry was endeavoring to weather it, and 
 thereby keep the weather gauge. Much time 
 was taken up in this effort, and Perry, be- 
 
 Page seventy-tvro 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 coming impatient, had given the order to 
 "bear up" and go to the leeward of the island, 
 as he was "determined to fight the enemy 
 that day." Suddenly the wind shifted to the 
 southeast, which enabled them to clear the 
 island to windward, which secured the wind 
 of the enemy. About this time, ten o clock 
 A. M., the enemy seeing our squadron clear 
 ing the land, hove-to on the port tack with 
 their heads to the westward, the squadrons 
 being now about eight miles apart. 
 
 The American squadron had been formed 
 with the "Niagara" in the van, as it was ex 
 pected the "Queen Charlotte" would lead the 
 enemy. It was now discovered their line was 
 formed differently. Perry then ordered the 
 "Niagara" to heave-to until the "Lawrence" 
 came up with he/, when Perry held a conver 
 sation with Captain Brevoort, the acting 
 marine officer of the "Niagara," who was well 
 acquainted with the vessels of the enemy and 
 their armament, all except the "Detroit," 
 and gave the requisite information. The line 
 of the enemy was formed as follows, viz: the 
 
 Page seventy-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 schooner "Chippewa" in the lead; next, their 
 flagship Detroit;" then brig "Queen Char 
 lotte;" then brig "Hunter;" then schooner 
 "Lady Provost;" the sloop "Little Belt" 
 coming last, as named, in close order on-a- 
 wind, with their heads to the westward. 
 
 Perry now changed his line which was the 
 work of only a few moments and arranged 
 it as follows, viz: The "Lawrence" to lead 
 and meet the "Detroit," with the "Scorpion" 
 and "Ariel" on her weather-bow they being 
 fast sailing schooners to act as dispatch ves 
 sels to carry orders, if necessary, and to sup 
 port any portion of the line, should it be re 
 quired; the brig "Caledonia" next, to meet 
 the "Hunter;" then the "Niagara," to meet 
 the "Queen Charlotte;" the other vessels, 
 viz: Schooners "Somers," "Porcupine," "Ti 
 gress" and "Trippe," in line as named, to 
 engage as they came up, without naming 
 their particular opponents. There being a 
 three-knot breeze at this time, 10:30 A. M., 
 and the line being formed they all bore away 
 
 P a c s o v e 11 t y - f o u r 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 for the enemy in gallant style. Perry now 
 brought forth his "battle flag," previously 
 named, and having mustered the crew aft on 
 board the "Lawrence," unfolded the flag, and 
 mounting a gun-slide, addressed them: "My 
 brave lads, the inscription on this flag is the 
 last words of the gallant Captain Lawrence, 
 after whom this vessel is named, viz: l Dorit 
 give up the Ship! shall I hoist it?" "Aye, yie, 
 sir," was the unanimous response; when away 
 it sped to the masthead of the "Lawrence," 
 and when the roll was broken and the folds 
 given to the breeze three hearty cheers were 
 given for the flag and three more for their gal 
 lant commander, the spirit of which was 
 taken up by the different vessels as the flag 
 was descried, and one continuous cheer along 
 the line was the response to the motto, 
 "Dorit give up the Ship!" As the ordinary 
 dinner hour would find them in the midst of 
 deadly strife, Perry ordered the noon-day grog 
 to be served, when the bread bags and kids 
 were procured for lunch. Perry now visited 
 every portion of the deck, examining every 
 
 Page seventy-f 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 gun and fixture. For every one he had a 
 pleasant word of encouragement; for the Con 
 stitutions, the New Porters, the hunting 
 skirted Kentuckian, the gallant boys from the 
 Keystone State, &c., each were kindly and 
 encouragingly greeted. 
 
 For a time a death-like silence prevailed, 
 and the approaching warriors appeared to be 
 absorbed in thought. The lake was smooth, 
 and the gentle breeze wafted the vessels along 
 without apparent motion. This lasted for an 
 hour and a half, as our squadron gallantly 
 approached the enemy, steering for the head 
 of their line, on a course forming an actual 
 angle of fifteen degrees. All necessary ar 
 rangements had been made for the coming 
 strife ; the decks had been sprinkled with sand 
 to give a foot-hold when blood began to flow, 
 and the stillness of this hour was occupied 
 mostly in arranging and interchanging of 
 friendship offerings to be sent to friends in 
 case of death, and such kindly offices for the 
 survivors to execute. 
 
 Page seventy- 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 X. 
 
 (S OUR vessels gradually approached 
 the enemy in the light breeze, it re 
 minded one of two gladiators in the 
 arena, the one standing at bay in his allotted 
 position awaiting the approach of his antag 
 onist, as the latter gradually moved up to the 
 combat. The British vessels presented a fine 
 appearance; their line was compact as they 
 lay hove- to with their heads to the westward, 
 their newly-painted sides, white sails, and 
 bright red ensigns, as they tended to the breeze 
 in the glowing September sun. Their move 
 ments and condition showed that a seaman 
 and master-spirit held them in hand. 
 
 At half -past eleven A. M. the wind had 
 become very light, though our leading vessels 
 were all up in their stations, viz: Within half- 
 cable s-length of each other, but the gunboats 
 were somewhat distant and scattered. The 
 "Trippe," the last of the line, was nearly 
 two miles astern, in consequence of being a 
 poor sailor, particularly in a light wind, and 
 
 I\a ge serenty-sereM 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 yet her gallant commander, Lieutenant Hold 
 up, was using sweeps and other means of get 
 ting his vessel up into her station. 
 
 At a quarter before twelve M. the mellow 
 sound of a bugle was heard from the "De 
 troit" the signal for cheers along their line, 
 and which was followed by "Rule Brittania" 
 from their band. Directly a shot from one of 
 the "Detroit s" long guns was thrown at the 
 "Lawrence," but fell short, the distance 
 being about a mile and a half. Thus the long 
 silence was broken. A few minutes later a 
 second shot was sent from the "Detroit," 
 which took effect upon the "Lawrence," 
 when a fire was opened with all their long- 
 guns upon the "Lawrence;" their line being 
 in compact order, they were all within range 
 of that vessel and the two schooners. Perry 
 now ordered Lieutenant Yarnall](the executive 
 officer) to hail the "Scorpion", and order, her 
 to commence firing with her heavy gun. The 
 order was instantly complied with by Mr. 
 Charnplin, and was soon followed with a shot 
 from the "Ariel." Perry finding these shots 
 
 Page seventy -eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 took effect, the "Lawrence" opened with her 
 chase gun forward, which was followed by a 
 discharge from the "Caledonia." The long- 
 guns of the enemy began to tell heavily upon 
 the "Lawrence," when Perry brought her by 
 the wind, and tried a division of the carro- 
 nades; it was at once discovered the shot fell 
 short. At this moment Elliott ordered the 
 "Caledonia" to bear-up and make room for 
 the "Niagara" to pass to the assistance of the 
 "Lawrence." Perry now bore up and ran down 
 to within half -musket shot of the "Detroit," 
 when he brought his vessel by the wind on the 
 port tack, with her main topsail aback, and 
 commenced with her broadside battery in 
 good earnest. The "Caledonia" having fol 
 lowed the "Lawrence," was closely engaged 
 with the "Lady Provost" the "Scorpion" 
 and "Ariel" having followed the "Lawrence," 
 and keeping their places on her weather-bow, 
 were using their heavy guns to good advan 
 tage. The "Niagara," however, instead of 
 following the "Lawrence" into close action, 
 kept her wind with her maintopsail aback, 
 
 Page seventy -nine 
 
ffl STORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 using her two long 12 s, being completely out 
 of range with the carronades, her broadside 
 battery; consequently the battle, for a time, 
 was mainly by the "Lawrence," "Caledonia," 
 "Scorpion," and "Ariel" fighting the whole 
 British squadron, assisted only by the two 
 long 12 s of the "Niagara," and the distant 
 random" shots from the headmost gunboats. 
 
 At this juncture the "Queen Charlotte" 
 finding her 24-pound carronades (her broad 
 side battery) would not reach the "Niagara," 
 ordered the "Hunter" to make room for her 
 to pass and close with the "Detroit," from 
 which position she could use her short guns 
 to advantage upon the "Lawrence." In this 
 situation the "Lawrence" sustained the fire 
 of these two heavy vessels, as also random 
 shots from the others, for over two hours, and 
 until every gun was dismounted, two-thirds 
 of her crew either killed or wounded, and so 
 badly cut up aloft as to be unmanageable. 
 The gallant Perry finding he could do nothing 
 more with the "Lawrence," ordered the only 
 boat left him alongside, and leaving Lieuten- 
 
 Page eighty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 ant Yarnall to surrender her to the enemy, 
 should it become necessary, took his fight 
 ing flag" under his arm and pulled for the 
 "Niagara," then passing the "Lawrence s" 
 weather-beam on a wind, to gain the head of 
 the enemy s line. In the meantime, the 
 enemy seeing they had rendered the "Law 
 rence" "hors du combat" and in the act of 
 striking her colors, filed away with their 
 heads to the westward cheering along their 
 line, and feeling certain the day would be 
 theirs the while temporarily repairing dam 
 ages, evidently designing to get their vessels 
 upon the other tack, and gaining the weather 
 gauge, or, if not that to get room to wear and 
 thereby bring their starboard sides (which 
 were comparatively fresh) to bear upon our 
 vessels. 
 
 Perry, on reaching the "Niagara," was met 
 at the gangway by Elliott. It is claimed by 
 some of the officers of the "Niagara," that he 
 spoke somewhat despondently, and much out 
 of humor at the gunboats not getting up in 
 time. 
 
 h t y - o n e 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Elliott spoke encouragingly, and, antici 
 pating Perry s wish, offered to take the boat, 
 pull astern, and bring the gunboats up into 
 close action, which proposition was thankful 
 ly accepted by Perry, and Elliott immediate 
 ly started upon his mission. A breeze at this 
 time (quarter past two P. M.) springing up, 
 both squadrons gradually drew ahead the 
 "Lawrence" dropping out of line. By ap 
 parent consent of both parties there was a 
 general cessation of firing, as it would appear, 
 both preparing for the desperate and final 
 struggle. Under the freshening breeze the 
 "Niagara" had obtained a commanding posi 
 tion abreast the "Detroit," with the "Queen 
 Charlotte" following immediately in the wake 
 of that vessel. The gunboats, in the mean 
 time, by using every exertion and with the 
 freshening breeze, were getting up within 
 range with their heavy guns, using round shot 
 and grape upon the enemy s two heavy ves 
 sels, having been ordered to cease firing upon 
 the smaller ones by Elliott, and he taking 
 command of the "Somers," the headmost one, 
 himself. 
 
 Page eighty -two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 At forty-five minutes past two, the gun 
 boats being well up, the Caledonia" in good 
 position on the Niagara s" lee-quarter, and 
 all ready for a final effort, Perry showed the 
 signal for close action from the Niagara," 
 then under fore and main topsails, top gal- 
 lantsails, foresail, jib, and fore and aft main 
 sail, bore up for the enemy s line. The enemy, 
 in the meantime, having discovered the in 
 tention of Perry, viz: to break through their 
 line, the "Detroit" bore up to prevent being 
 raked, and the "Queen Charlotte" attempted 
 to pass the "Detroit" to leeward and meet the 
 "Niagara" broadside-on after she had passed 
 through their line, the "Detroit" to follow, 
 and cross her stern. However, the "Ni 
 agara" came down so rapidly, and reserving 
 her fire, until she got close aboard, jibed over 
 the fore and aft mainsail, and bailed it up, 
 and when she got abreast of the "Detroit," 
 gave her and the "Queen Charlotte" the star 
 board broadside at half pistol shot, and 
 poured the port broadside into the "Lady 
 Provost" and "Chippewa." So rapid was 
 
 
 Page eighty -three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 the movements of the "Niagara" they were 
 taken unawares; the "Queen Charlotte" did 
 not take room enough to pay off, conse 
 quently got becalmed under the lee of the 
 "Detroit," which vessel, in bearing up to pre 
 vent being raked, fell athwart the bows of 
 the "Queen Charlotte," and fouled with her. 
 In this predicament they received the broad 
 side of the "Niagara," as also a heavy fire 
 from the "Caledonia," which vessel had fol 
 lowed the "Niagara" down through the 
 enemy s line. In the meantime the gunboats 
 were seriously cutting them up with their long 
 heavy guns at close range. After passing 
 through the line the "Niagara" rounded-to 
 on the starboard tack under their lee, with 
 her main topsail aback, and kept pouring 
 broadside after broadside into these two en 
 tangled vessels. So fierce was this closing 
 contest, and the destruction so great on board 
 these two vessels in particular, that in fifteen 
 minutes from the time the "Niagara" bore 
 up, an officer appeared on the taff-rail of the 
 "Queen Charlotte" with a white handker- 
 
 Page eighty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 chief fastened to a boarding-pike, and waved 
 it as a symbol of submission they had. 
 struck the "Detroit" followed, the hail was 
 passed from vessel to vessel and the firing 
 ceased. Two of their smaller vessels at 
 tempted to escape, but were promptly pur 
 sued and brought back by the Scorpion" 
 and "Trippe." 
 
 XI . 
 
 S SOON as the smoke cleared away the 
 two squadrons were found to be inter 
 mingled. The "Niagara" lay close un 
 der the lee of the "Detroit," "Queen Char 
 lotte," and "Hunter;" the "Caledonia," 
 "Trippe" and "Scorpion" near the "Niagara," 
 having followed that vessel through the 
 enemy s line; the "Lady Provost" and "Chip- 
 pewa" a little distance to the westward, with 
 the "Somers," "Tigress," and "Porcupine" 
 abreast of the "Hunter;" the shattered and 
 glorious "Lawrence" was drifting with the 
 
 Page eighty -five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 wind some distance to the eastward. Like 
 a wounded warrior, who had fallen in the 
 thickest of the fight, she could only look at 
 the victorious result she had suffered in 
 achieving. At the shout of victory her flag 
 was again hoisted by the remaining heroes 
 upon her bloody deck, there forever to re 
 main. 
 
 At this juncture the gallant Perry wrote 
 his laconic notes to General Harrison, and 
 Hon. Wm. Jones, the Secretary of the Navy, 
 using the back of an old letter for his note to 
 the General, and the blank leaf in that to the 
 vSecretary, with the top of his navy cap to 
 write upon. They were as follows, viz: 
 
 "U. S. S. "NIAGARA," Sept. 10th 4 P.M. 
 
 "DEAR GEN L: We have met the enemy 
 and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one 
 schooner, and one sloop. 
 
 "Yours with great respect and esteem, 
 
 "O. H. PERRY." 
 
 Page eighty -six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 A few moments later, and after reflecting 
 upon his wonderful preservation amid such 
 carnage and destruction, the goodness of that 
 power who controls all things, he wrote to the 
 vSecretary, viz: 
 
 "U. S. BRIG "NIAGARA," OFF THE! 
 WEST SISTER, HEAD OF LAKE }- 
 ERIE, Sept. 10th, 18134 P. M. J 
 
 "SiR: It has pleased the Almighty to give 
 to the arms of the United States a signal 
 victory over their enemies on this lake. The 
 British squadron, consisting of two ships, 
 two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop, have 
 this moment surrendered to the force under 
 my command, after a sharp conflict. 
 "I have the honor to be, sir, 
 
 "Very respectfully your obedient ser 
 vant, 
 
 "O. H. PERRY." 
 
 These hasty, yet admirably worded, dis 
 patches were immediately sent, via schooner, 
 to the mouth of Portage River, then the head 
 quarters of Harrison, and distant some twelve 
 miles. 
 
 Page eighty-seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Now was to be performed the proud but 
 melancholy duty of taking possession of the 
 captured vessels. On board the Detroit" 
 Commodore Barclay was found to be se 
 verely wounded, her First Lieutenant, Gar 
 land, mortally, as also Purser Hoffmeister, 
 severely. On board the "Queen Charlotte/ 
 "Captain Finnis, her commander, and Lieu 
 tenant Gordon, of the marines, were killed, 
 with First Lieutenant Stokes and Midship 
 man Foster wounded. On board the "Lady 
 Provost/ Lieutenant Commandant Bignall 
 and Master s Mate Gateshill were wounded. 
 On board the "Chippewa," Master s Mate 
 Campbell, commanding, was slightly wound 
 ed. The "Little Belt" had little or no casual 
 ties. The "Detroit" and "Queen Charlotte" 
 were much shattered in their hulls, as also 
 badly cut up aloft; and the "Lady Provost" 
 had her rudder shot away. Otherwise their 
 smaller vessels were not materially injured. 
 The list of killed and wounded on board each 
 vessel was never given to the public, only in 
 sum total, viz: forty-one killed and ninety- 
 
 eighty -eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 four wounded, as per Commodore Barclay s 
 report to Sir James Yeo. 
 
 Let us now leave the enemy s vessels and 
 count the casualties in our own squadron. 
 On board the "Lawrence" there were killed: 
 John Brooks, lieutenant commanding ma 
 rines; Henry Laub, midshipman; Christian 
 Mayhen, quartermaster; John W. Allen, Jo 
 seph Kennedy, John Smith, Andrew Michael, 
 Charles Pohig, Nelson Peters, James Jones, 
 John Rose, Thomas Butler, and James Brown, 
 seamen; James Cayst, sailmaker s mate; Wm. 
 Mays, carpenter s mate; Philip Sharpley, 
 corporal marines; Wm. Cranston and John 
 Hoffman, ordinary seamen; Etherid Sykes, 
 landsman; John C. Kelly, private in Kentucky 
 volunteers ; Jesse Harland and Abner Williams, 
 privates of marines 22. 
 
 Wounded John L. Yarnall, 1st lieutenant, 
 Dulaney Forest, 2d lieutenant; W. V. Taylor, 
 sailing master; Samuel Hamilton, purser; 
 Thomas Claxton and Adjutant Swartwout, 
 midshipmen; Jonas Stone, carpenter; Wm. C. 
 Kean, master-at-arms ; Francis Mason, John 
 
 P a K c eight)- -nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Newen, Joseph Lewis, arid Ezekiel Fowler, 
 quartermasters; John E. Brown and James 
 Helan, quarter-gunners; Geo. Cornell, car 
 penter s mate; Wm. Johnson, boatswain s 
 mate; Thomas Hammond, armorer; Wm. 
 Thompson, Geo. Varnum, James Moses, Wm. 
 Rose, Joseph Deming, Wm. Daring, John 
 Clay, Stephen Fairfield, Geo. Williams, Lan- 
 nan Huse, James Waddington, John Burnham, 
 John Burdeen, and Andrew Mattison, sea 
 men; Jeremiah Easterbrook, Henry Schroder, 
 Benone Price, Thos. Robinson, Peter Kinsley, 
 Nathan Chapman, Thomas Hill, Barney Mc- 
 Clair, W r m. Dawson, Westerly Johnson, Sam 
 uel Spy wood, Robert Hill, Francis Cummings, 
 Thos. Reed, Charley Vandyke, Wm. Simpson, 
 Jesse Williams, and James Hadley, ordinary 
 seamen; James Bird, sergeant marines; Wm. 
 Burnett, Wm. Baggs, David Christy, Henry 
 Vandoo, marines; Thos. Triff, Elijah Partin, 
 John Adams, Charles Harrington, and Wm. 
 B. Perkins, landsmen; Nathaniel Wade and 
 Newport Hazard, boys 61. (On the morn- 
 
 Page ninety 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 ing of the battle the sick list of the "Law 
 rence" numbered thirty-one unfit for duty.) 
 
 On board of the "Niagara" the killed were 
 Peter Morce, seaman; Isaac Hardy, ordinary 
 seamen 2. Wounded, John J. Edwards, 1st 
 lieutenant; Acting Master Webster; John C. 
 Cummings, midshipman; John Filton, boat 
 swain s mate; Edward Martin, George Platt, 
 Henry Davidson, James Lansford, Thos. Wil 
 son, Charles Davidson, Daniel Bennett, sea 
 men; Wm. Davis, Ronvell Hall, Elias Wiley, 
 John M: Stribuck, ordinary seamen ;- 
 Mason, sergeant marines; - - Scott, cor 
 poral marines; Joshua Trapnill, Thos. Miller, 
 John Rumas, Geo. McManomy, George Scof- 
 field, and Samuel Cochran, marines 23. (On 
 the morning of the battle the sick list of the 
 "Niagara" contained twenty-eight unfit for 
 duty.) 
 
 On board the "Caledonia," none killed. 
 Wounded, James Artis, Isaac Perkins, James 
 Phillips 3. 
 
 On board the "Somers," none killed. 
 
 Page ninety -one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Wounded, Charles Ordeen and Godfrey Bow 
 man 2. 
 
 On board the "Ariel," killed, John White, 
 boatswain s mate 1. Wounded, Wm. Sloss, 
 Robert Wilson, seamen; John Lucas, lands 
 man. 
 
 On board the "Trippe," none killed. 
 Wounded, Isaac Green, soldier, acting ma 
 rine. 
 
 On board the Scorpion," killed, John 
 Clark, midshipman; John Sylhammer, lands 
 man 2. 
 
 On board the "Porcupine" and "Tigress," 
 none killed or wounded. 
 
 About four P. M. a boat was seen approach 
 ing the "Lawrence" and Perry recognized in 
 it. He was now returning to his shattered 
 and helpless ship to meet the remnant of her 
 gallant crew in this hour of victory, and that 
 they should be witnesses of the formal sur 
 render. Dr. Parsons says: "Those of us who 
 were spared, and were able to walk, met him 
 at the gangway to welcome him on board; 
 
 Page ninety -two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 but the salutation was a silent one not a 
 word could find utterance." 
 
 "The battle o er, the victory won," all 
 offered up a silent prayer for the miraculous 
 escape from injury of their gallant young 
 chieftain; and himself, claiming in a conver 
 sation with Purser Hamilton, that he "believed 
 the prayers of his wife had saved him." 
 
 During the day Perry had worn a round - 
 jacket; he now resumed his undress uniform 
 to receive the officers of the captured vessels 
 in tendering their swords, as a formal sub 
 mission. In coming on board they picked 
 their way among the carnage and wreck, and, 
 on approaching Perry, presented their swords. 
 Perry, in a bland and low tone, requested 
 them to "retain their side arms." Lieuten 
 ant O Keefe, of the Forty-first Royal Regi 
 ment, was charged by Commodore Barclay 
 with the delivery of his sword. It was said 
 he presented a fine appearance, being a large, 
 finely formed man, and in full dress. Perry 
 then inquired, with deep concern, in regard 
 
 Page ninety -three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 to the condition of Commodore Barclay and 
 the other wounded officers, and tendered every 
 assistance within his reach. In the course of 
 the evening Perry visited Barclay on board 
 the "Detroit," and tendered him every sym 
 pathy; also promised to assist in procuring 
 an early parole, as Barclay was anxious to 
 return to England as soon as possible on ac 
 count of his health. 
 
 XII . 
 
 |T BEING deemed inadvisable to try 
 and save the killed for burial on shore 
 more particularly those on board 
 the "Lawrence" at nightfall they were all 
 lashed up in their hammocks, with a 32- 
 pound shot for a companion to anchor them 
 on the bottom of the lake; the surviving 
 officers and men gathered around as wit 
 nesses to the solemn scene; the burial service 
 
 Page ninety -four 
 

 W fti 
 
 w 
 
 81 
 is 
 
 1 1 
 
 f. 
 
 < K 
 u 
 
 "< W 
 
 <j 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 of the Episcopal Church read by the chap 
 lain, " Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," when 
 
 Down, down, they sank, without a 
 
 knell, 
 Yet in their country s cause they fell. 
 
 Such was the burial of the foremost Jacks 
 who fell on the 10th of September. Those 
 on the larger vessels of the enemy were thrown 
 overboard as fast as they were killed, though 
 not so with the smaller ; those remaining were 
 buried with ours. As the mellow rays of the 
 Autumnal sunset were radiating from the 
 western horizon, the blue waters of Lake Erie 
 closed over the remains of these gallant sons 
 of Neptune and Mars, who but a few hours 
 before, were hurling defiance and destruction 
 at each other, but now hushed in death and 
 everlasting peace, their spirits in the presence 
 of their God. The remains of the officers 
 were reserved for burial on shore. 
 
 The night of the 10th of September, 1813, 
 was ever vividly remembered by the sur 
 vivors of both squadrons as the vessels lay 
 
 P a s e n i 11 e t y - f i v e 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 intermingled at anchor in the open lake. 
 The booming of cannon, the crash of timbers, 
 and slaughter of human beings had ceased; 
 but the dreadful havoc remained. The stern 
 order of the officer, and prompt response of 
 the subordinate, in looking after the safety 
 of the vessels was blended with the groans of 
 the wounded. The honor of the two nations 
 had been vindicated by the slaughter of their 
 devoted sons, the wounded of whom were now 
 endeavoring to soothe and comfort each other 
 in their affliction. 
 
 On the morning of the llth Perry removed 
 his flag to the schooner "Ariel," intending to 
 make her the flagship for the present, the 
 "Lawrence" being a complete wreck. At 
 nine A. M., the signal was made to "weigh 
 anchor," and the squadron sailed for Put-in- 
 Bay, where they arrived about noon and an 
 chored, when every effort was made to keep 
 some of the worst injured from sinking and 
 secure the wounded masts. Preparations were 
 now made for the burial of the fallen officers, 
 
 Page ninety 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 which was to take place on the following 
 morning. 
 
 The morning of the 12th (Sunday) was clear 
 and calm emblematic of the day and the 
 solemn duties they were about to perform 
 the calm after the storm. At ten A. M., the 
 colors of both nations being at half mast and 
 all things ready, the bodies were lowered into 
 boats, and then, with measured stroke and 
 funeral dirge, moved in line to the shore, the 
 while minute guns being fired alternately from 
 the "Lawrence" and "Detroit." On landing 
 the procession was formed in reverse order, 
 the corpse of the youngest and lowest in rank 
 first, and so on, alternately American and 
 British, the body of Captain Finnis coming 
 last. As soon as the corpses were taken up 
 by the bearers and moved on, the officers fell 
 into line, two American and two British, and 
 marched to the solemn music of the bands of 
 both squadrons. On reaching the spot where 
 the graves were prepared they were lowered 
 into the earth in the order in which they had 
 been borne, and the beautiful and solemn 
 
 Page ninety-seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 burial service of the Episcopal Church ren 
 dered by the chaplains of the respective 
 squadrons: Earth to earth, ashes to ashes- 
 looking for the general resurrection in the last 
 day." The volley of musketry followed, and 
 all was over; the heroes were at rest. 
 
 O, cruel Mars, thou wicked God! many a 
 husbandless, fatherless, brotherless, and son- 
 less family hath thy votaries made in their 
 devotion to thy cause their adhesion to thy 
 bloody motto, "Seek the bubble reputation at 
 the cannon s mouth." What a time for serious 
 reflection? Why is it that Christian nations 
 will still insist upon settling their difficulties 
 by a resort to arms, as the only healing balm 
 for wounded honor too often only imagin 
 ary? Here were men, scions of the same 
 stock, speaking the same language, worship 
 ing at the same altar men whom would be 
 like brothers under different circumstances- 
 meeting each other in deadly strife; in the 
 most savage manner hastening to destroy 
 each other, and all without animosity, save 
 
 Page n i n e t y - e i g h t 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 in the frenzy of battle; and when the carnage 
 is complete the strife ended taking each 
 other by the hand, and in a spirit of kindness 
 and sympathy rendering every aid in their 
 power to heal, soothe, and comfort the unfor 
 tunate victims of their deadly work. But 
 still more is to be said in regard to this strife. 
 What but a disagreement between a pas 
 sionate and austere mother and her perverse 
 daughter, the latter having left the old home 
 stead and taken a house to herself both for 
 getting the ties of consanguinity which should 
 have bound them in love and harmony ever 
 more. 
 
 On the 13th the "Ohio" returned to San- 
 dusky and found the squadron absent. Mr. 
 Dobbins felt certain a battle had taken place, 
 and, of course, was anxious to know the re 
 sult, as also how to shape his future course. 
 Soon a couple of boats were discovered in 
 shore and he gave chase. He succeeded in 
 cutting one off, which proved to be an Ameri 
 can, and from the men on board learned that 
 there had been a battle, but no details, other 
 
 Page ninety-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 than that the Americans were supposed to be 
 victorious, as all the vessels were taken into 
 Put-in-Bay. Mr. Dobbins immediately bore 
 up for that place, where he found the squadron 
 at anchor with their prizes. The arrival of 
 the "Ohio" with fresh supplies was a God 
 send to the sick and wounded. Soon followed 
 the arrival of a boat from Cleveland and 
 another from Sandusky, with vegetables and 
 fresh meat, adding much to the comfort of 
 the afflicted, as also to the able-bodied. The 
 wounded were still on board their respective 
 vessels; and Commodore Barclay was made 
 as comfortable on board the "Detroit" as cir 
 cumstances would permit. It being neces 
 sary to dispose of the prisoners, all the rank 
 and file, so to speak, including some of the 
 officers, able to travel, were immediately dis 
 patched to Chillicothe, Ohio, under the, au 
 spices of General Harrison. In the meantime 
 the "Lawrence" was being so far repaired as 
 to be able to convey the badly wounded of 
 both squadrons to Erie, and where she safely 
 arrived on the 23d, under the command of 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Lieutenant John L. Yarnall, himself wounded. 
 With what joy the people espied the gallant 
 craft as she rounded the peninsula in her ap 
 proach to the harbor ! She that had gone out 
 staunch and bold was now returning a cripple, 
 but victorious freighted with the wounded 
 of both squadrons. Like the wounded war 
 rior returning to his peaceful home, she was 
 welcomed with tears and smiles. As soon as 
 she was anchored the unfortunates were con 
 veyed on shore in boats, and every attention 
 given by the citizens to make them as com 
 fortable as possible friend and foe alike. 
 The "Lawrence" was immediately got over 
 the bar and moored in Misery Bay, where 
 she was sufficiently repaired to keep her from 
 sinking for the time. 
 
 What food for reflection! But one short 
 month had passed since the gallant young 
 commander had sailed with his hastily gotten 
 up squadron had met and conquered the 
 enemy; and his now maimed and battered 
 flagship was returning for the first time 
 freighted with the unfortunate victims of the 
 
 Page one hundred and one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 deadly strife. What a contrast! But a few 
 days since these brave fellows were hurling 
 the bolts of destruction at each other now 
 they were quietly resting side by side on 
 board the "Lawrence/ exchanging kindness 
 and sympathy with each other. 
 
 We will now give some comments upon the 
 battle, and, in doing so, will be as brief as 
 possible relying upon impartial testimony 
 fully corroborated by circumstances. 
 
 XIII . 
 
 HORTLY after the battle, unfortunate 
 ly, a spirit of crimination and recrimi 
 nation sprang up among the officers in 
 regard to the conduct of Elliott, with his ship 
 "Niagara," during the battle, and finally cul 
 minated in a bitter feud. It was found several 
 years afterwards that it would result in a duel 
 between Perry and Elliott had not the former 
 
 Page o r. e h u n ! re d n n d t \v o 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 been ordered to sea in command of a special 
 expedition to Venezuela, constituted of the 
 sloop of war, "John Adams," and schooner 
 "Nonesuch," and died ere his return to the 
 United States. 
 
 In the first instance, the line, with the 
 "Niagara" in the van, was changed for mani 
 fest reasons, and without the slightest diffi 
 culty or delay. Much stress has been placed 
 upon this evolution by some of the friends of 
 Elliott, without much reason, as we believe, 
 the vessels being a long distance from the 
 enemy at the time. 
 
 When the "Lawrence" was first brought 
 by the wind to try the range of her carronades 
 upon the enemy, the shot of which was found 
 to fall short, the "Niagara" was in her alloted 
 position; and when the order was given, 
 "Engage as you come up, each vessel against 
 her opponent," and the "Lawrence" again 
 bore up to shorten the distance, the "Niagara" 
 did not follow, though Elliott had ordered the 
 "Caledonia" out of her place to make room for 
 the "Niagara" to close up with the "Law- 
 
 n c h u ;i d r e d :i n d t h r e e 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 rence" within the prescribed distance, viz: 
 "half cable s-length," but kept her wind- 
 using only her two long 12-pounders, having 
 shifted the port gun over to the starboard 
 side, occasionally using a division of her car- 
 ronades, but without effect, as the shot fell 
 short. I would ask, was this not breaking the 
 line? The "Lawrence" was the commanding 
 and leading ship, and it was the duty of the 
 "Niagara" to follow her and engage the 
 "Queen Charlotte," her opponent. The ex 
 cuse that there was "little or no wind," is 
 inadmissable ; if there was wind enough for 
 the "Lawrence" to close, there certainly was 
 enough for the "Niagara" to follow. The 
 "Caledonia" on the other hand, when ordered 
 to "bear up for the "Niagara" to pass," kept 
 on down in company with the "Lawrence" 
 and engaged at close quarters. The "Scor 
 pion" and "Ariel" also bore up with the 
 "Lawrence" and kept their stations on the 
 weather-bow of that vessel. The "Niagara" 
 had kept this long-shot distance for some two 
 hours, while the "Lawrence" was closely en- 
 
 P a K c o ii e h n n ri r t3 and f o 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 gaged with the three heaviest vessels of the 
 enemy during the same time. As before 
 stated, the line of the enemy was formed with 
 the schooner "Chippewa" in the van, then 
 "Detroit," "Hunter," "Queen Charlotte," 
 "Lady Provost," and "Little Belt," in line as 
 named. The "Lawrence" to meet the "De 
 troit," "Caledonia" to meet the "Hunter," 
 "Niagara" to meet the "Queen Charlotte," 
 the "Somers" and other gunboats to engage 
 the "Lady Provost" and "Little Belt." 
 
 To show that even the enemy understood 
 these allotments, as arranged by Perry, I will 
 give an extract from Commodore Barclay s 
 letter to Sir George Provost, viz: 
 
 "At a quarter before twelve I commenced 
 the action by a few long guns; at a quarter 
 past the American Commodore, also sup 
 ported by two schooners, one carrying four 
 long 12-pounders, the other a long 32 (24), 
 came close to action with the "Detroit." 
 The other brig of the enemy apparently 
 destined to engage the "Queen Charlotte"- 
 supported in like manner by two schooners, 
 
 Page one hundred and five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 kept so far to windward as to render the 
 "Queen Charlotte s" 20 (24) pounder car- 
 ronades useless." 
 
 The "Queen Charlotte" retained her posi 
 tion abreast of the "Niagara" for some time, 
 and Captain Finnis finding that vessel was 
 not disposed to place herself within reach of 
 his 24-pound carronades, and she being to 
 windward and he not able to close with her, 
 ordered the "Hunter" to bear up and make 
 room for the "Queen Charlotte" to move up 
 to the "Detroit" and open upon the "Law 
 rence," which vessel was within range. It is 
 well known that the range of 24-pound car 
 ronades and that of 32 s is very near the same, 
 the only difference being the weight of metal 
 thrown. Thus, if the carronades of the Queen 
 Charlotte" would not reach the "Niagara," 
 those of that vessel would not reach the 
 "Queen Charlotte," though it is claimed 
 Elliott tried an occasional division to get the 
 range. It is claimed by some officers of ex 
 perience that Elliott might have excused him 
 self, to some extent, by claiming that Perry 
 
 Page one hundred ii n d six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 was impetuous in rushing into close action 
 with only a portion of his force available. In 
 fact, it was stated by skillful officers that 
 "no commander ever went into battle in 
 worse shape and came out of it better" that 
 Terry should have kept off at a distance 
 until all his vessels were up. and then in a 
 compact line have borne up and engaged at 
 close quarters" that "he should have taken 
 pattern by his adversary, who, having seen ser 
 vice in squadron engagements, had his line 
 in compact order." However, Perry, like all 
 young warriors of the right mettle, became 
 impatient when the shot of the enemy began 
 to tell upon his vessel. This, however, does 
 not exculpate Elliott for remaining at a dis 
 tance and allowing the "Lawrence" to be cut 
 to pieces by an overwhelming force without 
 bearing down to her assistance. 
 
 The gunboats lagging astern may be deemed 
 by some as dilatory. It is well known to all 
 nautical men that f ore-and-af ters have not the 
 advantage of square-rigged vessels in light 
 winds, as the latter have their heavy sails 
 
 Page one hundred and seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 aloft, besides have more light canvas. The 
 "Scorpion" and "Ariel" were fast sailors, is 
 the reason they were enabled to keep up with 
 the larger vessels. For instance, the "Trippe," 
 the last vessel in the line, although quite a 
 good sailor in a strong breeze, could not keep 
 her place, much to the chagrin of her gallant 
 young commander, Lieutenant Holdup; but 
 as soon as the breeze sprung up passed several 
 of the others, and was the first of the lagging 
 gunboats to close with the enemy. 
 
 The next matter we will take up is, how 
 the "Niagara" obtained the position she occu 
 pied when Perry boarded her, viz: on the 
 weather-bow of the "Lawrence," distant from 
 fifty yards to half a mile, according to the 
 conflicting testimony given before the Court 
 of Inquiry at New York in April, 1815. The 
 cause assigned by Elliott for passing to wind 
 ward of the "Lawrence" is, that he "was en 
 deavoring to reach the head of the enemy s 
 line and their large vessels, a breeze springing 
 up at the time and the enemy filing away to 
 shoot ahead." We will now have to resort 
 
 Page one hundred and eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 to "cause and effect" in this argument. We 
 will ask the question, why did she not go to 
 leeward of the "Lawrence" and endeavor to 
 draw the fire of the enemy from that over 
 powered vessel, as also to be within canister 
 range with her carronades? The answer is 
 given above, viz: that "it was necessary to go 
 to windward in order to reach the head of the 
 enemy s line," &c. The wind at this time 
 was from southeast, but still quite light, the 
 vessels all heading to the southward and 
 westward. The enemy s vessels being much 
 cut up aloft, would naturally not be very close 
 to the wind; and the "Lawrence" being dis 
 abled, with her sails and rigging all in shreds, 
 would be in poor trim for sailing by the wind, 
 and was rather drifting with it; thus, the angle 
 between her and the head of the enemy s line 
 would be sharpening instead of widening, 
 which latter would have to be the case to ex 
 cuse the "Niagara" for going to windward. 
 But, furthermore, the "Caledonia" passed 
 the "Lawrence" to leeward, or between that 
 vessel and the enemy, in order to keep within 
 
 hundred and 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 range, though her armament was of long guns. 
 Whereas the Niagara passed to windward, 
 and, of course, at a greater distance with her 
 carronade battery. This good reasoning 
 would determine that the policy, if not the 
 duty, of Elliott was to have gone to leeward 
 instead of to windward of the "Lawrence." 
 
 XIV. 
 
 HE statement in regard to the sail the 
 "Niagara" was under at the time Perry 
 boarded her is so conflicting, we will 
 give the statement of Benjamin Fleming, one 
 of her main-topmen, who deceased, but a few 
 years since, and who gave this statement to 
 the writer, viz : 
 
 "When Commodore Perry came on board 
 (I give his own language, as near as possible) 
 we were under topsails, fore and aft mainsail, 
 and jib; the top-gallant-sails and mainsail 
 furled, and foresail hauled up. The main top- 
 
 Page one h ;; n d r c \\ a n d t e 
 
*- 
 
 RAISING COMMODORE PERRY S FLAGSHIP "NIAGARA," IN MISERY BAY, 
 ERIE, PA., MARCH, 1913. 
 
 VIEW OK FLAGSHIP "NIAGARA," SHOWING GUN PpRts IN FOREGROUND. 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 sail, I think, was not aback at this time, but 
 it had been most of the time during the action. 
 He came on board by the weather (port) gang 
 way, and was met by Captain Elliott; they 
 shook hands and had some conversation, which 
 I could not hear from the top. Directly 
 Captain Elliott went over the side into the 
 same boat Commodore Perry came in, shoved 
 off, and pulled for the small vessels astern. 
 Some little time after, and when the gunboats 
 had got pretty well up, and a breeze springing 
 up, Commodore Perry set the signal for 
 "close action," and immediately gave the 
 order to "make sail" "loose top-gallant- 
 sails, board fore-tack, haul in the weather 
 braces, put the helm up, and keep the brig 
 off." I helped to loose the main top-gallant- 
 sail myself. We bore up, gradually, at first, 
 with the wind on our quarter. Just before 
 we got abreast of the "Detroit," to the best 
 of my memory, we were before the wind, when 
 we jibed the fore and aft mainsail and brailed 
 it up at the same time, settled the top-gallant- 
 sails upon the caps, hauled the foresail up, 
 
 Page one hundred and eleven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 and at the same time fired a broadside into the 
 1 Detroit" and "Queen Charlotte" as they lay 
 foul of each other, and our larboard guns into 
 the "Lady Provost" and another schooner; 
 then coming by the wind on the starboard 
 tack, with the main-topsail to the mast, 
 under the lee of the "Detroit" and "Queen 
 Charlotte," kept up a heavy fire until they 
 struck, which could not have been more than 
 fifteen or twenty minutes after we passed 
 their line; the "Caledonia" and one or two 
 of the gunboats followed us." 
 
 It has been conceded that the British ves 
 sels were gallantly fought though laboring 
 under several great disadvantages; the two 
 most important of which were the loss of the 
 services of both the first and second command 
 ing officers, Commodore Barclay being severe 
 ly, and Captain Finnis mortally w r ounded; 
 as also the executive officers of both ships, 
 Lieutenant Garland, of the Detroit" 
 mortally and Lieutenant Stokes, of the 
 "Queen Charlotte," severely wounded 
 both regulars leaving the command of 
 
 Pageone hundred and twelve 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 the "Detroit" to Second Lieutenant 
 Inglis, and the "Queen Charlotte" to Second 
 Lieutenant Irvine, a provincial. Then the 
 American squadron had the weather gauge. 
 Their last evident manoeuvre was well con 
 ceived, and could they have carried it out the 
 battle would, at least, have been prolonged. 
 But the bold, sudden and daring dash of Perry 
 with the "Niagara" completely frustrated 
 and confused them. The manoeuvre was as 
 follows, viz: 
 
 When they noticed the movements of the 
 "Niagara" that Perry was determined to 
 break through their line, the "Queen Char 
 lotte" was to bear up, pass to leeward of the 
 "Detroit," and meet the "Niagara" broad 
 side on as she passed, the "Detroit" to follow. 
 Then as the "Niagara" and "Queen Char 
 lotte" passed down before the wind, exchang 
 ing fires at pistol-shot-range, the "Detroit" 
 to haul up, shoot athwart the stern of the 
 "Niagara" and give her a raking fire from her 
 starboard guns; and taking position upon her 
 quarter, keep up this raking fire upon the 
 
 Page one hundred and thirtee 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 "Niagara" while that vessel was engaged with 
 the "Queen Charlotte" a vessel of equal 
 force the three going off before the wind and 
 separating from the other vessels. As before 
 said, this manoeuvre was frustrated by 
 Perry s sudden and daring dash. The "Queen 
 Charlotte" did not bear up in time to keep 
 from being becalmed by the sails of the "De 
 troit," as that vessel by bearing up in haste 
 to prevent being raked by the "Niagara," fell 
 athwart the bow of the "Queen Charlotte," 
 and fouled with her. As showing their in 
 tention, I will give a short extract from the 
 letter of Lieut. Inglis of the "Detroit," which 
 accompanied Com. Barclay s report to Sir 
 George Provost. 
 
 "H. M. Late Ship "Detroit," 
 Sept. 10th, 1813. 
 
 * * "SiR: After you were wounded, the 
 enemy s second brig, at that time on our 
 weather beam, shortly took a position on our 
 weather bow to rake us; to prevent which, in 
 attempting to wear to get our starboard broad 
 side to bear upon her, a number of our guns 
 on the larboard side being at this time dis- 
 
 Page one hundred and fourteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 abled, we fell on board the Queen Charlotte," 
 at that time running up to leeward of us. In 
 this situation the two ships remained for 
 some time. * * * 
 
 "I have the honor to be, &c., 
 
 "GEORGE INGLIS." 
 
 We will give still further extracts from the 
 report of Commodore Barclay, giving the 
 situation of matters at this critical time from 
 his standpoint, viz : 
 
 * * * "The action continued with 
 great fury until half past two P. M., when I 
 perceived my opponent drop astern, and a 
 boat passing from him to the "Niagara," 
 (which vessel was at this time perfectly fresh.) 
 The American commodore seeing that, as yet, 
 the day was against him, (his vessel having 
 struck soon after he left her) and also the 
 very defenseless state of the "Detroit," which 
 ship was now a perfect wreck, principally from 
 the raking fire of the gun boats * * Made 
 a noble, and alas! too successful, an effort 
 to regain it, for he bore up, and, supported 
 
 Page one hundred and fifteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 by his smaller vessels, passed within pistol 
 
 shot, and took a raking position on our bow." 
 
 * * * 
 
 While giving these extracts we will also 
 refer to the report of the Naval Court Mar 
 tial, convened on board His Majesty s ship 
 Gladiator," at Portsmouth, to inquire into 
 the conduct of Commodore Barclay and his 
 remaining officers in regard to the surrender 
 of the British squadron on Lake Erie, Sep 
 tember 10th, 1813." Some of the statements 
 made in it are not borne out by facts, viz : 
 
 The American force was double the amount 
 of his (Barclay s) in number of ships and guns, 
 and there was no comparison in respect to the 
 quality of the seamen." 
 
 We will give the figures and let them speak 
 the facts : 
 
 AMERICAN SQUADRON. 
 
 BRITISH 
 
 SQUADRON. 
 
 "Lawrence" . . . 
 
 . .260 tons, 20 guns 
 
 "Detroit" 
 
 .300t 
 
 ons, 19 j 
 
 "Niagara" . . . 
 
 . . 260 " 20 " 
 
 "Queen Charlotte" 
 
 .260 
 
 " 17 
 
 "Caledonia" . . 
 
 . . 85 " 4 " 
 
 "Lady Provost". . . 
 
 . 96 
 
 " 13 
 
 "Ariel" 
 
 . . 60 
 
 3 " 
 
 Brig "Hunter" . . 
 
 . 75 
 
 " 10 
 
 "Scorpion" . . . 
 
 . 60 
 
 2 " 
 
 "Little Belt" 
 
 . 60 
 
 3 
 
 "Somers" 
 
 . . 65 
 
 2 " 
 
 "Chippewa" 
 
 . 35 
 
 " 1 
 
 "Trippe" . . . 
 
 . 50 
 
 1 " 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 "Porcupine" . . 
 
 . . 50 
 
 1 " 
 
 Tonnage 
 
 .826 
 
 " 63 
 
 "Tigress" 
 
 . . 50 
 
 1 " 
 
 6 vessels. 
 
 Which shows 9 guns in favor of the 
 
 Tonnage 840 " 54 " British squadron, and 14 tons in favor 
 
 9 vessels. of the American squadron. 
 
 P a g e o n e hundred a 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 It is well known to be better to have a bat 
 tery concentrated on board of one heavy ves 
 sel than in several small ones; and the British 
 had three formidable vessels, as the "Lady 
 Provost" was classed as a regular man-of-war 
 schooner, mounting thirteen guns, most of 
 which were of heavy caliber. She would 
 have been a match for any three of the Ameri 
 can vessels, excepting the "Lawrence" and 
 "Niagara." 
 
 As for crews, the force of each squadron 
 was about equal, viz: 500, all told; though the 
 British had the advantage, as 116 in the Amer 
 ican squadron were on the sick list on the day 
 of the battle, seamen suffering the worst, as 
 the change from salt to fresh water had a bad 
 effect upon them, and many were down with 
 the bilious fever, &c. Whereas, the British 
 had but that day left port, and of course, all 
 in good health. In respect to the number of 
 seamen, say 150, there was but little differ 
 ence; and in regard to the balance of the 
 crews, the American, like the British, were 
 mostly made up of soldiers and landsmen. 
 
 Page one hundred a n <! s eventeen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 There was, however, one other great ad 
 vantage they had, viz: The "Queen Char 
 lotte," "Lady Provost," and brig "Hunter" 
 were regularly built war vessels, and had been 
 cruising for several years but more particu 
 larly since the declaration of war. During 
 the spring and summer of 1813, and while 
 Perry was getting up the American squadron 
 they were constantly cruising off Erie. Thus, 
 you see, they must have been in complete 
 condition, and the crews in a good state of 
 discipline. 
 
 In regard to Elliott leaving the "Niagara" 
 to bring up the smaller vessels, then some 
 distance astern into close action, some of 
 Elliott s enemies claim that he was ordered to 
 do so by Perry. This is evidently error. It 
 would be a matter of great delicacy to say 
 the least of it to order an officer of nearly 
 his own rank from his ship under such cir 
 cumstances to perform such duty. The evi 
 dence of Perry, in his note to Elliott, of the 
 18th of September, at Put-in-Bay gives un 
 doubtedly the truth, viz: "Your anticipating 
 
 Page one hundred and eighteen 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 my wishes to bring up the small vessels into 
 close action, thereby contributing largely to 
 our victory," &c., as also using the same lan 
 guage in substance in his report to the Secre 
 tary of the Navy. Again, it was but charac 
 teristic of Perry to use the language imputed 
 to him by Captain Brevoort, viz: After the 
 action and Captain Elliott returned on board 
 (the Niagara") Captain Perry caught him 
 by the hand, saying, "I owe much of this to 
 you," &c. This was the outpouring of a 
 generous and chivalrous nature. Perry had 
 gained a grand victory, and he felt like em 
 bracing every one who had contributed to the 
 brilliant achievement. Most certainly the 
 volunteering to bring up the distant smaller 
 vessels into close action, and the prompt man 
 ner it was executed, and their efficient ser 
 vices afterwards, (Barclay claiming "the rak 
 ing fire of the gun boats to be terrific on board 
 the Detroit, ") Elliott having ordered them 
 to cease firing on the smaller vessels and direct 
 it at the "Detroit" and "Queen Charlotte." 
 Then, if from any implied improper motives 
 
 Page one hundred and ninetee 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 he had not closed with his antagonist, the 
 "Queen Charlotte," this gallant act should aid 
 in covering up the sin to some extent. 
 
 XV. 
 
 O ERR is human, to forgive is di 
 vine," and that "none of us are in 
 fallible," should ever be uppermost 
 in our minds. Perry, with all his nobleness 
 of character, gallantry and truthfulness of 
 purpose, erred in accusing Elliott of cowardice 
 after mentioning him in the most compli 
 mentary terms in his report to the Secretary 
 of the Navy and subsequent letters, as also 
 in conversations. It should also be borne in 
 mind that the previous and subsequent con 
 duct of Elliott, on Lake Ontario, and captur 
 ing the two vessels under the guns of Fort 
 Erie, as also on Lake Erie, evinced anything 
 but cowardice. The writer, had a con versa- 
 
 o TI c 1; v. n d ret! a n d t \-; 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 tion with a naval officer of high rank, (now 
 deceased) a few years since, who said: "It is 
 a mistake to accuse Elliott of being a coward. 
 I made a cruise with him some years since, and 
 think I know him like a book; cowardice is 
 the last sin that could be laid at the door of 
 "Old Jesse." He was somewhat egotistical 
 and austere, yet a good officer and thorough 
 seaman. He was no coward, I assure you." 
 Then as to the accusation of treachery, 
 made by some of the accusers of Elliott, we 
 will only give the facts and circumstances, and 
 leave the reader to come to his own conclu 
 sions. In the first place, Elliott did not close 
 with his allotted antagonist the "Queen Char 
 lotte," as per order of Perry, and which was 
 expected by not only every intelligent officer 
 in the American squadron, but also the Brit 
 ish, but kept out of carronade-range until 
 Perry boarded her leaving the "Lawrence" 
 to fight the enemy s heavy vessels almost 
 single-handed. In the second place, he should 
 have passed to leeward of the "Lawrence," 
 or, between her and the enemy, when en- 
 
 Page one h u n d r e d a n d t w c n t y - o n e 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 deavoring to reach the head of the enemy s 
 line, and thereby have drawn the heavy fire 
 of the enemy from that crippled vessel. 
 Then, on seeing that the " Lawrence" was 
 silenced, and no signal thrown out from her, 
 presumed the "commanding officer was killed," 
 intended to assume command. These accu 
 sations are vital in their importance, and 
 should be well considered. 
 
 Immediately after the battle the conduct 
 of Elliott with the "Niagara" became the gen 
 eral topic of conversation, and Elliott criti 
 cised. Perry, with all the kindness of his for 
 giving nature, was anxious to stop this cen 
 suring of Elliott, and cautioned the officers to 
 silence on this subject. The strongest de 
 fense Elliott had was the language of Perry 
 himself. In a letter to Elliott at Put-in-Bay, 
 under date of September 19th, in answer to 
 one from Elliott of the previous day, Perry 
 said: 
 
 "I am indignant that any re 
 port should be in circulation prejudicial to 
 your character, as respects the action of the 
 10th inst. It affords me pleasure that I have 
 
 Page one hundred and twenty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 it in my power to assure you that the conduct 
 of yourself, officers and crew, was such as to 
 meet my warmest approbation. I consider 
 the circumstances of your volunteering to 
 bring up the smaller vessels into close action 
 as contributing largely to our victory. I shall 
 ever believe it a premeditated plan of the 
 enemy to disable our commanding vessel by 
 bringing all their force to bear upon her; and 
 I am satisfied had they not pursued this course 
 the engagement would not have lasted thirty 
 minutes. I have no doubt if the "Charlotte" 
 had not made sail to engage the "Lawrence" 
 the "Niagara" would have taken her in 
 twenty minutes. 
 
 "Very respectfully yours, &c., 
 
 "O. H. PERRY." 
 "Capt. J. D. Elliott, U. S. S.> Niagara. " 
 
 It was afterwards claimed by Perry that 
 these letters were given at the time to soothe 
 the wounded feelings of Elliott, but not to be 
 used for publication, which use was made of 
 them. And furthermore, the complimentary 
 matter in the letters was afterwards with 
 drawn, and the conduct of Elliott threatened 
 to be the subject of a court-martial, the charges 
 
 Page one hundred and twenty-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 preferred by Perry. We will also give some 
 extracts from the lengthy letter of the officers 
 of the Niagara" to the Secretary of the 
 Navy giving a detailed account of the bat 
 tle from their standpoint: 
 
 "U. S. S. "NIAGARA," ) 
 13th October, 1813. V 
 "Ax ANCHOR OFF DETROIT. I 
 "RKSPKCTED SIR: We have with regret 
 seen the condensed, and, suffer us to add, the 
 partial statements of the late action on Lake 
 Erie; and, induced by motives of the warmest 
 admiration and great respect for our com 
 mander, Captain J. D. Elliott, we take the 
 liberty of laying before you our combined ob 
 servations on the above late action, and know 
 ing, as we do, your power of discrimination 
 and impartiality of judgment, we commit 
 it to you with full confidence of its universal 
 confidence and consideration. (Here is given 
 a detailed account of the action, which, as said 
 before, is given from their standpoint, but of 
 too great a length for insertion.) * *~ * 
 We are unwilling to quit the subject without 
 expressing our estimation of our noble com 
 mander. We feel it our duty to him and to 
 ourselves to express our opinion of his cori- 
 
 P a x e one hundred and twenty- I" our 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 duct during the action, which was manifested 
 by his cool, brave and judicious deportment, 
 and are firmly of the opinion that his valor 
 could not be surpassed by any; and that in 
 him the American flag has a most zealous, 
 skillful, and heroic defender. We have here 
 endeavored, sir, to give you a succinct and 
 minute account of the action from the com 
 mencement to the close; in doing this we 
 have been actuated by unprejudiced love and 
 respect for Captain Elliott. 
 4 We have the honor to be, sir, 
 
 "Your obedient servants, &c., 
 
 - J. E. SMITH, Lieutenant, 
 "H. MAGRATH, Purser, 
 "J. J. EDWARDS, Lieutenant, 
 "NELSON WEBSTER, A. M., 
 "A. B. BREVOORT, Capt. 2d 
 Reg t U. S. Infantry. 
 
 "Hon. Wm. Jones, Secy of the Navy, Wash 
 ington City, D. C." 
 
 These officers were honorable, high-minded, 
 and patriotic men; therefore, their statements 
 should not, by any means, be ignored; and if 
 treachery or cowardice was manifested by 
 
 Page o n t- It : . n <i r c d and t w c n t y -five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 their commander, if for nothing else, for their 
 own reputations, it is to be presumed, they 
 would not have sanctioned or endeavored to 
 cover up such manifestations of conduct. 
 Some little excuse for these statements may 
 be given thus wise, viz: To treat this grave 
 question with a lighter hand and to some 
 extent illustrate in accord with human nature, 
 we will state that it is proverbial with the 
 officer, as well as Jack, to regard the reputation 
 of his ship, when assailed, with the same feel 
 ing, and defend her with the same spirit, he 
 would his wife. But we will take leave of 
 this unfortunate controversy and revert to 
 more pleasant and interesting incidents of 
 the action. Had all been like the noble and 
 generous Perry, this bad feeling would have 
 been strangled in its infancy, and never have 
 gone out to the public. 
 
 Page one hundred and t v.- e n t y - s i x 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 XVI. 
 
 O SHOW how raged the battle on 
 board the Lawrence," we will give 
 some statements of Dr. Parsons, her 
 surgeon : 
 
 "The wounded began to come down be 
 fore the "Lawrence" opened her battery, and, 
 for one, I felt impatient at the delay. In 
 proper time, however, the war-dogs were let 
 loose from their lash, and it seemed as though 
 heaven and earth were at logger-heads. For 
 more than two hours little could be heard but 
 the deafening thunders of our own broad 
 sides, the crash of balls dashing through our 
 timbers, and the shrieks of the wounded. 
 These were brought down faster than I could 
 attend to them, other than to stay the bleed 
 ing, or support the shattered limbs with 
 splints, and pass them forward upon the 
 berth-deck. Two or three were killed near 
 me after being wounded. Among those early 
 brought down was Lieut. Brooks, son of the 
 late Gov. Brooks of Massachusetts, a most 
 accomplished gentleman and officer, and re 
 nowned for personal beauty. A cannon-ball 
 hit him in the hip; he knew his doom, and 
 
 Page one hundred and twentv- 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 inquired how long he could live; I told him 
 a few hours. He inquired two or three times 
 how the day was going, and expressed a hope 
 that the Commodore would be saved. But 
 new comers from deck brought dismal reports, 
 until finally it was announced that we had 
 struck. In the lamentations of despair among 
 the wounded I lost sight of poor Brooks for a 
 few minutes; but when the electrifying cry 
 was heard that the enemy s two ships had 
 struck, I rushed on deck to see if it was true, 
 and then to poor Brooks to cheer him, but he 
 was no more." 
 
 "When the battle had raged an hour and a 
 half, I heard a call for me at the small sky 
 light, and stepping forward, saw it was the 
 Commodore, whose countenance was as calm 
 and placid as if on ordinary duty. Doctor, 
 said he, send me one of your men, meaning 
 one of the six that were to assist me, which 
 was done instantly. In five minutes the call 
 was repeated and obeyed, and at the seventh 
 call, I told him he had them all. He then 
 asked if any one could pull a rope, when two 
 or three crawled upon deck and assisted at the 
 last guns. When the battle was raging most 
 severely, Midshipman Laub came down with 
 his arm badly fractured; I applied a splint, 
 
 Page one hundred and twenty-eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 and requested him to go forward and lie 
 down; as he was leaving me, and while my 
 hand was upon him, a cannon-ball struck him 
 in the side, dashing him against the other 
 side of the room, which instantly terminated 
 his sufferings. Charles Pohig, a Narragan- 
 sett Indian, who was badly wounded, suffered 
 in like manner. 
 
 * There were some incidents, less painful to 
 witness. Lieut. Yarnell had his scalp badly 
 torn, and came below with the blood stream 
 ing over his face ; some lint was hastily applied 
 and confined with a bandanna, with instruc 
 tions to report for further dressing after bat 
 tle. He at once returned upon deck. The 
 hammocks stowed on deck had been knocked 
 to pieces with the cannon-balls, and let loose 
 the contents of some mattresses filled with 
 flag-heads or cattails, which floated in the 
 air like feathers. These gathered upon Yar- 
 nell s blood-covered head, and made it re 
 semble that of a huge owl. 
 
 1 When the smoke cleared away after the 
 battle was over, the two fleets were found 
 completely mingled. Our own shattered ship, 
 lying to the windward of them, was once more 
 allowed to hoist her colors, which was cheered 
 by the few feeble voices on board making a 
 
 Page one hundred and twentjr-nin 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 melancholy sound to the boisterous cheers 
 that preceded the battle, when Perry s fight 
 ing flag, Don t give up the Ship, was first 
 mastheaded." 
 
 It has been erroneously recorded by some 
 authors that Perry took his little brother 
 (Alexander) with him when he left the "Law 
 rence" for the "Niagara." This is error, I 
 will give the language of Dr. Parsons in re 
 gard to it, and none knew better: 
 
 "After his return to his shattered ship, 
 Perry walked aft, when his first remark was 
 made to his intimate friend, Purser Hamilton, 
 then lying wounded on deck, The prayers of 
 my wife have saved me. Then casting his 
 eyes about, he inquired, Where is my brother? 
 This brother was a young midshipman of thir 
 teen years. He had, during the battle, acted 
 as a sort of aid to Perry in running with orders 
 to different parts of the ship, for you must 
 know that in the din and uproar of battle 
 orders can be heard but a little distance. We 
 made a general stir to look the boy up, not 
 without fears that he had been knocked over 
 board, but he was soon found in his berth 
 asleep, exhausted with the fatigues and ex- 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 citement of the day, as also having received 
 a severe thump from a hammock a cannon- 
 ball had thrown against him." 
 
 The hand of an all-wise Providence had 
 been held over the heads of the two brothers, 
 and they were saved. 
 
 The day of the battle, as some of our officers 
 were conversing with the British on board the 
 Detroit," one of the latter asked his com 
 rade, What has become of the Indians?" 
 Search was made and they discovered snugly 
 stowed away in the cable tier. They were 
 brought upon deck, much alarmed. How 
 ever were soon assured they would not be 
 hurt, and then became quite communicative. 
 When asked how they liked the sport, said, 
 No more come with one-armed captain 
 (Barclay) in big canoe shoot big gun too 
 much. Gemokomon* (American) much big 
 fight." This sort of warfare was not to their 
 tastes. They had evidently been taken on 
 board as "sharp-shooters," to pick off the 
 
 *"Gemokomon," signifying "Long-Knife," or sword, an implement of war 
 fare unknown to them previous to their early wars with the whites. It is 
 the name given to the "Yankees." 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-one 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 officers. They were stationed in the main 
 top of the "Detroit/ and when the bullets 
 began to fly aloft thought they were all aimed 
 at them, and hastily retreated to the deck, 
 where they found it no better, and then to 
 the hold. They were sent to Maiden with 
 some paroled officers who had families there. 
 The trip of Perry from the "Lawrence" to 
 the "Niagara" in a boat, it appears to us, is 
 not properly understood or appreciated; or 
 rather, that the act is eulogized instead of the 
 motive. "If a victory is to be gained I ll gain 
 it," said Perry as he left the shattered "Law 
 rence." Such was his intention, and therein 
 laid the merit. The passing from vessel to 
 vessel had been frequently done where squad 
 rons were engaged, and had been done that 
 same day; and furthermore, Elliott took the 
 same boat, and twice traversed the length of 
 our line, then stopped on board the "Somers" 
 and took command of her in person. As for 
 personal danger, it was everywhere on that 
 occasion, and less, if anything, in a boat than 
 on the deck of a vessel, particularly the 
 "Lawrence." 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 XVI I . 
 
 |HE victory of the 10th gave us the 
 command of the lake, and now Harri 
 son was about to push matters for a 
 victory on land. He had called upon the 
 venerable Gov. Shelby of Kentucky, for vol 
 unteers, and invited the Veteran of King s 
 Mountain" to command them in person, to 
 which he responded in the affirmative, though 
 in his sixty-sixth year. The patriotic state 
 of Kentucky was in a blaze of enthusiasm 
 when the Governor issued his proclamation 
 for volunteers, and twice the number required 
 showed themselves ready for the "warpath." 
 Soon he was on his winding way for the banks 
 of Lake Erie, at the head of 3,500 mounted 
 men, with such men as Henry, Desha, Allen, 
 Caldwell, King, Childs, Trotter, R. M. and 
 J. Johnson, Adin, Crittenden, McDowell, 
 Walker and Barry, as subordinates. At Fort 
 Ball (now Tiffin) they got news of Perry s 
 victory, which hurried them on to Camp Por 
 tage, and where they arrived on the 15th. 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Harrison had some friendly Indians, of the 
 Wyandot, Shawneese, Seneca and Delaware 
 tribes, under their chiefs, as before named. 
 
 The prisoners being disposed of, the wound 
 ed and sick cared for, every exertion was now 
 made to put the available vessels of both 
 squadrons in proper condition, and make the 
 necessary arrangements for transporting Har 
 rison s army, then encamped at Portage River 
 and Fort Meigs, to the Canada shore. The 
 vessels were "Niagara," "Caledonia," "Som- 
 ers," "Ohio," "Trippe," "Scorpion," "Ariel," 
 "Tigress," and "Porcupine," of the American, 
 and "Hunter," "Lady Provost," "Little Belt," 
 and "Chippewa," of the late British squad- 
 dron. Perry made the "Ariel" the flagship, 
 and sailed with her on the morning of the 
 19th for Camp Portage, in advance of the 
 squadron, to counsel with General Harrison. 
 It having been arranged to transport the army 
 to Put-in-Bay first, the embarkation com 
 menced on the 20th and by the 24th the army 
 of 4,500 men were all landed at Put-in-Bay, 
 the horses to be left at Camp Portage, except 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 the regiment of Col. R. M. Johnson, which 
 was to go round the head of the Lake to De 
 troit and join the army there, provided the 
 place could be re-captured. Harrison and 
 staff took passage in the " Ariel." 
 
 On the passage of the Ariel" to Put-in- 
 Bay, a little incident occurred which goes to 
 confirm the saying, viz: "A kind and brave 
 heart are apt to occupy the same breast." On 
 board were a company of young Virginians, 
 one of their number, who was but just recover 
 ing from a fever, approached Maj. Cham 
 bers, with whom he was acquainted, and who 
 was then conversing with Lieut. Packett, 
 commander of the " Ariel," and asked him in 
 a mild and courteous manner "if it could be 
 possible to obtain a cup of coffee from the 
 cabin; that the cold, coarse food they were 
 confined to in accordance with army regula 
 tions, he could not eat." The Major, being 
 but slightly acquainted with Perry, asked 
 Lieut. Packett, who hesitated, as there was 
 such a crowd of officers on board, and the 
 matter was apparently dropped. Perry hap- 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 pened to be seated near by and overheard the 
 conversation, and without saying a word to 
 either party, quietly ordered the steward to 
 prepare supper for the whole squad, and in a 
 short time they were all seated as best they 
 could in the small cabin, enjoying a warm 
 meal, with Perry by their side attending to 
 their wants. 
 
 The next move concluded upon was to 
 transport the army to an island called "Mid 
 dle Sister/ about twenty-five miles from the 
 Canada shore, and where they were all safely 
 landed by the 26th. Arrangements for trans 
 portation and debarkation being complete, 
 on the morning of the 27th, the weather being 
 favorable, the army was again embarked on 
 the vessels and in boats, the vessels taking 
 the boats in tow, and by two P. M. arrived 
 at the point of destination, when the vessels 
 were moored, with springs upon their cables, 
 one-fourth of a mile from the shore, to cover 
 the landing of the troops. The troops were 
 successfully landed; not finding any of the 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 enemy in the neighborhood took up their line 
 of march for Maiden. They soon heard 
 General Proctor had evacuated that post, and 
 was in rapid retreat up the Canadian side of 
 the Detroit River, leaving only a rear guard 
 to destroy the barracks, navy yard, and stores. 
 The squadron immediately moved around 
 into the river, and followed the army as they 
 advanced. On the 29th they reached Sand 
 wich, when some vessels were dispatched with 
 Me Arthur s brigade to take possession of De 
 troit. Colonel Johnson having joined the 
 army, the movement was rapid in pursuit of 
 the enemy. Perry having dispatched several 
 of the small vessels to transport stores and 
 assist with their armament if necessary, and 
 himself volunteered as aid to Harrison. Then 
 followed the battle of the Thames, and the 
 defeat of Proctor and death of Tecumseh. 
 Harrison and Perry now returned to Detroit 
 and issued a joint proclamation, dated Sand 
 wich, October 17th, 1813, saying to the people 
 of Upper Canada, that "all armed resistance 
 having ceased, and the country in the quiet 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty- 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 possession of the Americans, that the laws 
 and customs that existed previous to the con 
 quest were hereby declared in force, and the 
 inhabitants guaranteed protection in person 
 and property so long as the district remained 
 in possession of the United States." Harri 
 son also issued a proclamation, dated Detroit, 
 September 29th, 1813, to the inhabitants of 
 Michigan, establishing the laws in force pre 
 vious to the surrender of Hull, and replacing 
 the officers. After the defeat of Barclay and 
 Proctor, and the death of Tecumseh, the In 
 dians with the British army felt quite humble 
 and disposed for peace. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 |OL. LEWIS CASS was now installed 
 civil and military governor of Michi 
 gan, with his brigade, one thousand 
 strong, as also to hold that portion of Canada 
 just captured. The volunteers under Gover- 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty -eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 nor Shelby, and such portions of the militia 
 as were not needed, were now disbanded. 
 
 A portion of the squadron were now pre 
 pared to transport the remainder of the army 
 to the lower end of the lake, to assist in the 
 operations on the Niagara frontier, and were 
 embarked as soon as possible. The "Ohio," 
 "Somers," "Scorpion," "Tigress," and "Por 
 cupine," were left under the supervision of 
 Colonel Lewis Cass to transport prisoners to 
 Camp Portage, and supplies from Cleveland. 
 
 A letter awaited the gallant Perry, at De 
 troit, from the Secretary of the Navy, couched 
 in flattering terms, announcing to him his pro 
 motion to the rank of Post Captain, and grant 
 ing him leave of absence to visit his family 
 in Rhode Island. Nothing now to detain 
 him, Perry took Harrison and staff on board 
 the "Ariel" and sailed. On his way down, 
 called at Put-in- Bay and found Barclay much 
 improved, and able to be moved. Perry now 
 informed Barclay of his success in obtaining 
 a parole for him to return home. The 
 wounded Commodore, with his attending 
 
 Page one hundred and thirty-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 surgeon, was then taken on board the "Ariel," 
 when she sailed for Erie, the rest of the squad 
 ron having proceeded on their trip; however, 
 the "Ariel" being a fast sailor, arrived at 
 Erie some hours in advance of the squadron. 
 As she made her appearance off the point of 
 the peninsula the citizens assembled on the 
 bank of the bay, when a salute was fired, as 
 it was presumed the Commodore was on 
 board. Perry and Harrison were received 
 with great enthusiasm on landing, and Perry, 
 with Colonel Gaines, assisted the invalid 
 Barclay up the hill to the shore quarters of 
 Perry. In the evening the village of Erie was 
 in a blaze of rejoicing, though Perry requested 
 to have no demonstrations made near his 
 quarters, to annoy his unfortunate guest, 
 which was strictly observed, and which grate 
 ful attention Barclay duly appreciated. Here 
 the intrepid Perry had built. and equipped his 
 vessels, and now he had returned for the first 
 time after sailing with the laurels upon his 
 brow. His ambition had been satisfied he 
 had "met the enemy and made them his." 
 
 Page one hundred and forty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 XIX. 
 
 jFTER making a hasty visit to view the 
 shattered remains of his gallant old 
 "flagship" in Misery Bay, and mem 
 ory taking him back to the stirring scenes of 
 the 10th the still blood-stained deck of his 
 shattered ship, and he, himself, escaping un 
 scathed amid the storm and destruction, he 
 raised his hands and gave thanks to the Pre 
 server of all things. They sailed for Buffalo 
 the next day, Perry bidding a final adieu to 
 Erie, as he never returned. On the 24th the 
 squadron arrived safe at Buffalo, where the 
 troops were landed. Perry now, in an official 
 letter, turned over the command on the Upper 
 Lakes to Elliott, and then pursued his journey 
 east, amid a blaze of rejoicing, to his home in 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 The prizes "Detroit" and "Queen Char 
 lotte" being badly cut up, it was deemed in 
 expedient to try and remove them to Erie, as 
 the season of navigation was far advanced, 
 and storms prevalent, consequently prepara- 
 
 Page one hundred and f o r t y - o n 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 tions were made to winter them at Put-in- 
 Bay, with a force to protect them from ma 
 rauding parties from the Canada shore, when 
 the ice would make. Mr. Champlin, in 
 command of the Tigress," was sent to Put 
 in-Bay to assume command, and where he 
 arrived on the 25th of December. He imme 
 diately made the necessary arrangements for 
 defense, Col. Cass having sent 200 soldiers 
 from Detroit to assist. Lieut. John Packett 
 was sent up late in the winter, and superseded 
 Champlin in command. 
 
 The season of storms being at hand, Elliott 
 ordered a portion of the squadron to Erie, the 
 balance to remain at the lower end of the lake. 
 The "Ariel" and "Chippewa" parted their 
 cables and went ashore at Buffalo, where they 
 went to pieces. The "Trippe" and "Little 
 Belt" were sent to Black Rock to winter, 
 and were burnt by the British when they 
 invaded Black Rock and Buffalo that winter. 
 As soon as the "Ohio" and "Somers" had com 
 pleted their work under Col. Cass the "Som- 
 ers" and others went into winter quarters at 
 
 Page one hundred and forty-two 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Put-in-Bay, and the "Ohio" returned to Erie, 
 where she arrived late in December. The 
 vessels at Erie were all moored in Misery Bay, 
 and preparations made for defense, as it was 
 reported the British, exasperated at their late 
 defeats, were determined to cross as soon as 
 the ice made and destroy the shipping and 
 village. However, they never made the at 
 tempt, and if they had, would have found 
 Elliott with the vessels and Gen. Mead on 
 land with 4,000 troops, ready to receive them. 
 
 XX. 
 
 |UCH has been said by some authors 
 about anarchy and insubordination ex 
 isting at the Erie station during the 
 winter of 1813-14. This is erroneous. There 
 was some little clashing between Perry and 
 Elliott adherents, but not in the slightest de 
 gree interfering with subordination. 
 
 As the spring opened, things were more 
 
 Page one hundred and forty-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 quiet; the danger of the enemy crossing upon 
 the ice having now passed away. Elliott, in 
 order to obtain information of the enemy s 
 movements upon the Canada shore, as soon 
 as the ice in the lake would permit, ordered 
 the "Ohio," under the command of Mr. Dob 
 bins, to cruise between Long Point and Erie, 
 to intercept their supplies moving west by 
 water. In the discharge of this duty Mr. 
 Dobbins frequently landed spies upon the 
 Canada shore, and arranged to take them off 
 at certain times. The adventures of one of 
 these spies were truly marvelous. The name 
 is not at hand, but think it was Prentice. He 
 had lived in Canada and claimed that he had 
 been oppressed, for which he was seeking re 
 venge. His object, if possible, to capture the 
 mails, and thereby obtain valuable informa 
 tion. He never succeeded in getting a mail 
 which was brought to Erie, though he fre 
 quently made captures which he took through 
 the lines to our forces near Fort Erie. 
 
 Early in April Elliott received letters from 
 General Harrison and Commodore Chauncey, 
 stating that Mackinaw was short of provisions 
 
 Page one hundred and f o r t y - f o u r 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 and quite defenseless. Chauncey then or 
 dered Elliott to fit out the squadron and en 
 deavor to recapture it. 
 
 At last the Navy Department had resolved 
 to make a separate command of the Upper 
 Lakes. The change was judicious, though it 
 should have been made a year before. 
 
 "NAVY DEPARTMENT, Apr. 15, 1814. 
 
 "SiR The arduous duties and great increase 
 of force on Lake Ontario together with 
 the interruption of intercourse between the 
 commander-in-chief on that lake and the 
 commander of the squadron on Lake Erie, 
 has rendered it expedient to place the latter 
 under a separate command. Captain Arthur 
 Sinclair is, therefore, appointed to the com 
 mand of the squadron on Lake Erie, to whom 
 you will communicate all the information you 
 possess, and the arrangements you have made 
 for the future operations of the squadron. 
 You will, then, sir, agreeable to your wish 
 expressed in your letter to Commodore Chaun 
 cey, of the 19th December last, proceed to 
 Sackett s Harbor and report yourself to him. 
 
 "I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "WM. JONES." 
 
 "J. D. Elliott, Esq., Commanding U. S. Squad 
 ron, Lake Erie" 
 
 Page one hundred and forty-fire 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Captain Sinclair arrived on the 25th inst., 
 when Elliott, after turning over the command, 
 as instructed, proceeded to Lake Ontario. 
 
 Sinclair was a thorough seaman and meri 
 torious officer. He at once commenced to 
 prepare the squadron for the afore-named expe 
 dition against Mackinaw, though he found it 
 tedious, as the vessels were much damaged 
 and required extensive repairs, particularly 
 the "Lawrence," she being a complete wreck. 
 However, he managed to make her quite 
 seaworthy, but he made the * Niagara" the 
 flagship. Captain Daniel S. Dexter taking 
 command of the "Lawrence." 
 
 Mr. Dobbins was now relieved from cruis 
 ing duty, and ordered to proceed with the 
 "Ohio," and stores, to Put-in-Bay, and assist 
 in fitting out the prizes "Detroit" and "Queen 
 Charlotte," and navigate them to Erie. They 
 arrived about the 1st of May, and after some 
 time were taken over the bar and moored in 
 Misery Bay. The temporary post at Put 
 in-Bay was then broken up and the troops 
 removed to Detroit. 
 
 Page one hundred and forty -six 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 XXI . 
 
 |FTER much difficulty the squadron 
 sailed on the Mackinaw expedition 
 on the 25th of June, and reached De 
 troit on the 4th of July, where they took on 
 board six hundred troops, under the command 
 of Colonel Croghen. When on their passage 
 up they encountered much difficulty in cross 
 ing the St. Clair flats, in consequence of shoal 
 water. On reaching Fort Gratiot they took 
 on board five hundred additional troops, 
 under Colonel Cotgreave and Captain Gratiot, 
 an engineer officer. After visiting several 
 posts on the Canadian side, and finding them 
 abandoned, they sailed for Mackinaw, where 
 they arrived about the 25th of July. Find 
 ing the post well fortified, with plenty of 
 troops and a horde of Indians, they made an 
 attempt to take it by landing upon the east 
 side of the island. After a severe brush, in 
 which the gallant Major Holmes was killed, 
 they retreated to the vessels and abandoned 
 the expedition. The squadron then sailed 
 
 Page one hundred and forty-seven 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 for the lower end of the lake. At Nautawas- 
 saga, a block house was destroyed, and caused 
 the enemy to burn the schooner "Nancy." 
 laden with stores and ammunition for Mack 
 inaw. Lieutenant Worseley, Royal Navy, 
 commanded at this post, who retreated to the 
 interior with his forces. The squadron now 
 sailed on their return, leaving the schooners 
 "Scorpion" and "Tigress," Lieutenant Turner 
 and Sailing Master Champlin in command, to 
 cruise and watch, for the present, the move 
 ments of the enemy. Unfortunately, they 
 were both surprised and captured at anchor 
 one night, by a heavy body of troops and In 
 dians in boats. In this unfortunate encoun 
 ter the gallant young Champlin was severely 
 wounded. 
 
 The squadron proceeded on down to Buf 
 falo, conveying a portion of the troops thither. 
 The "Lawrence," however, being in bad con 
 dition, having nearly foundered in a blow on 
 Lake Huron, was left at Erie, and went into 
 ordinary. The schooners "Somers," Lieu 
 tenant Conklin, and "Ohio," Sailing Master 
 
 Page one hundred and forty-eight 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 Col well, were left at the lower end of the lake, 
 while the rest of the squadron returned to 
 Erie. Shortly after the departure of the 
 squadron, a party of the enemy came down 
 along the Canada shore in the night in boats 
 and captured both these schooners while lay 
 ing at anchor at Fort Erie, thus making four 
 schooners the British had captured since the 
 victory of the 10th of September. 
 
 Much has been said and sung in regard to 
 the execution of Sergeant James Bird. The 
 truth is something like this: The writer hav 
 ing heard frequent conversations between the 
 officers in regard to this affair, as also has 
 heard his father, who was an officer attached 
 to the squadron, relate the same. Bird came 
 to Erie with a brigade of volunteers from the 
 interior of the state, was detailed with a 
 squad of men to guard stores in a small block 
 house at the Cascade, where the large vessels 
 were built. Though in command, he sanc 
 tioned the pilfering of the stores he was sent 
 to protect; and when information was given 
 to the military commander he, with his party, 
 
 Page one hundred and forty-nine 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 made mutinous demonstrations, but soon 
 were conquered. Lieut. Brooks, of the ma 
 rines, was recruiting for the squadron, and 
 Bird being a man of pluck, Brooks wished to 
 secure him. Bird, with others, were told 
 that "the offense would be overlooked, pro 
 vided they would enlist as marines," which 
 they did. Bird served gallantly on board the 
 "Lawrence" during the action, and was 
 wounded. At the time the squadron was 
 preparing for the Mackinaw expedition, Bird 
 was placed with a file of marines to guard the 
 Government stores, and from where he de 
 serted, taking John Rankin, one of the guard, 
 with him. A youngster belonging to Erie 
 was on his way to school at Washington, 
 Penn a, on horseback, having spent his vaca 
 tion at home, and passed the two men at a 
 tavern near Butler. Having seen the men 
 while on duty at the store, he knew them. 
 He pushed on his journey, and soon met Sail 
 ing Master Colwell with a draft of seamen in 
 wagons, destined for Erie to join the squad 
 ron, and to whom the youngster gave the in- 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 formation. Col well sent a party in advance 
 in disguise, captured, and brought them to 
 Erie. They, with a sailor named John Davis, 
 who had deserted a number of times, and 
 committed other offenses, were tried by court 
 martial on board the "Niagara," while on the 
 passage of the squadron to Detroit. They 
 were all three condemned to death. Efforts 
 were made to have Bird s sentence commuted 
 to imprisonment, in consequence of his gal 
 lantry in the action of the 10th of September, 
 but without success. The President claimed 
 that "he had deserted from off his post while 
 in charge of a guard, in time of war, therefore, 
 must suffer as an example for others." They 
 were all three executed on board the "Ni 
 agara" while at anchor in the roadstead at 
 Erie, in October, 1814. 
 
 The enemy having nothing, comparatively, 
 in the shape of a "flotilla," in fact but a few 
 small craft, which seldom ventured beyond 
 their harbors our squadron consequently 
 did but little cruising, making their head 
 quarters at Erie, that, in case of need, it was 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty-o n- e 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 known where they were to be found. The 
 season of storms soon came around, when 
 they went into winter quarters at Erie, late 
 in November. 
 
 XXII . 
 
 IN THE 24th of December, 1814, peace 
 was declared between the United 
 States and Great Britain, and matters 
 began to be quieted down. In July, 1815, an 
 order was forwarded from Washington to 
 dispose of some of the smaller vessels, and 
 sink the "Detroit," Queen Charlotte," and 
 "Lawrence," in some suitable place in the 
 harbor, for preservation. Mr. Dobbins re 
 ceived an order to supervise the sinking, 
 which order was fully complied with, and the 
 three sunk side and side in Misery Bay. The 
 "Niagara" being kept afloat as a sort of re 
 ceiving ship. 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty-t 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 An incident occurred in connection with 
 the sinking which smacked a little of the 
 marvelous, and which was the origin of jokes 
 and comments. The "Lawrence" was moored 
 upon the west or out side of the other two, 
 and notwithstanding her supposed safe moor 
 ings, shifted her berth, though against a cur 
 rent, round athwart the sterns of the other 
 vessels. She was again brought back to her 
 moorings, but shifted back again, though ad 
 ditional security had been added. It was 
 said in commenting, that she was determined 
 to get a raking position, etc. 
 
 In 1820 an order was received from Wash 
 ington reducing the station. In 1825 it was 
 entirely broken up and the property disposed 
 of at auction. The "Lawrence," "Detroit," 
 "Queen Charlotte," and "Niagara" were pur 
 chased by Benjamin H. Brown, of Rochester, 
 and subsequently sold to Captain George 
 Miles, of Erie, in 1836, who raised the three 
 vessels, intending to fit them up for the mer 
 chant service. He found the two prizes in 
 tolerable condition, but the "Lawrence" so 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty-three 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 badly riddled by shot that she would require 
 docking and a thorough repair. Besides, she 
 was too shallow in the hold for a merchant 
 vessel of her size, being but nine feet. The Ni 
 agara" being the same, they were therefore 
 allowed to sink again, where they lay side by 
 side until 1876, when the "Lawrence" was 
 sold and raised, cut in half, and transported 
 on flat cars via railroad to Philadelphia for 
 exhibition at the Centennial. 
 
 She was exhibited immediately outside of 
 the grounds in a small building, where she 
 was being cut up for relics ; the building took 
 fire one night and all that was left of her was 
 consumed The "Caledonia," after being con 
 verted into a merchantman, named the "Gen 
 eral Wayne," was, after some years of ser 
 vice, broken up at Erie. The "Ohio" and 
 "Somers" were captured by the British at 
 Fort Erie; the "Scorpion" and "Tigress" 
 were taken by the British on Lake Huron; 
 the "Little Belt" and "Trippe" were de 
 stroyed when Buffalo was burned; the "Ariel" 
 went ashore and was wrecked in Buffalo bay, 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty-four 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 and the "Porcupine" was transferred to the 
 revenue department. The "Detroit" was 
 raised in 1835 by her owner, Capt. George 
 Miles, rigged into a bark, and navigated the 
 Lakes for some years; and lastly was sent 
 over the falls as a spectacle, by speculators, 
 showmen and hotel keepers. The "Lady 
 Provost" was sold to a Canadian merchant, 
 for the merchant service, in 1815. 
 
 TITLE OF THE PARTIES OWNING. 
 
 Bill of sale from Benjamin H. Brown, of 
 Rochester, New York, to A. Q. D. Leech, 
 (who transferred to George Miles) of "Law 
 rence," "Niagara," "Detroit," and "Queen 
 Charlotte," said bill of sale being made to 
 George Miles separately, bearing date as per 
 acknowledgement, June 20th, 1835. 
 
 (Signed) B. H. BROWN. 
 
 Acknowledgement by Geo. Mumford, Com 
 missioner Deeds. 
 
 Letter of Colonel Thomas Forster, Collector 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty-five 
 
HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
 
 of Customs for the District of Presqu ile 
 (Erie), to the Secretary of the Navy, in re 
 gard to any claim the Government might 
 have to said vessels. The inquiry being 
 made for information enabling the Collector 
 to grant papers to the brig "Queen Charlotte," 
 then to be fitted out for the merchant service, 
 bearing date April 7th, 1835. 
 
 (Signed) THOS. FORSTER, Collector. 
 
 Also answer of Mahlon Dickinson, Secre 
 tary of the Navy, disclaiming any interest of 
 the Government in said. vessels, bearing date 
 April 23d, 1835. 
 
 Also transfer of all right, title and interest 
 of George Miles in said vessels to Leander 
 Dobbins, bearing date December 9th, 1857. 
 
 (Signed) GEO. MILES. 
 
 Also transfer of hulk of "Lawrence" to 
 Thomas J. Viers and John Dunlap, bearing 
 date September 10th, 1875. 
 
 (Signed) LEANDER DOBBINS. 
 
 Page one hundred and fifty-six 
 
PUBLISHERS NOTE 
 
 The remains of the Flagship "Niagara" 
 were raised from the waters of the Erie Har 
 bor in March, 1913, and will be rebuilt for 
 exhibition at the Perry Centennial. 
 

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