The Battle of Lake Erie

O M M O R E O uV ER H Z R D P RY B T 1 8 1 5 C OD A A ER , A OU The Battle o fLake E rie

A C o e ct o n o f D o cum e nts ch e ﬂ b C o m m o ll i , i y y d o re PE R R Y : including th e C o urt—m a r tia l o f C o mm an de r B A R C L AY 5? th e C o urt o f E nqui ry o n C ap tain E LL I O T T e dite d wit n ro d uct o n A n , h I t i , 9 n o ta tio n s Biblio ra h & , g p y, A na t ca I nd e x b ly i l , y

C H A R L E S O S C A R PA U L L I N

' ' l té or tr a z ts a crimil es a nd ma p ,f , p

Th e R O W FA N T Club ct 1 1 8 O ober , 9 D A T 1 8 1 CO M MO DO R E O LIV ER HAZAR BOU 5 Th e Battle o fLake E rie

A C o e ct o n o f D o cum e n ts ch e fl b C o m m o ll i , i y y d o re PE R R Y : i n c luding th e C o urt- m a r ti a l 9 o f C o mm and e r B A R C LAY 6 th e C o urt o f E n qui ry o n C ap tai n E LL I O T T e dit e d with n t ro duct o n A n , I i , 9 n o ta tio n s Biblio ra h 5 , g p y, A n a t ca l nd e x b ly i l , y

C H A R L E S O S C A R PA U LL I N ll

' ' ‘ s té ar t r a z z r a csimil es a nd ma p ,f , p

Cl e vela n d : Th e R O W FA N T Club ct 1 1 8 O ober , 9 I GHT I I 8 B Y C O PY R , 9 , R O WFA NT CLUB C ONTE NTS PREFACE INTRODUCTION 1 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY To M AJ OR G H H S ENERAL WILLIAM ENRY ARRI ON , SEPTEM B E 1 1 1 R 0 , 8 3 2 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY S 1 0 OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONE , SEPTEMBER , 1 8 1 3 3 LIEUTENANT GEORGE INGLIS TO COMMANDER ROB 1 H 1 0 , 1 8 3 ERT ERIOT BARCLAY, SEPTEMBER

X D D R . S S S 4 E TRACT FROM THE IARY OF U HER PAR ON , 1 0 1 8 1 SEPTEMBER , 3 5 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO M AJ OR G H H S ENERAL WILLIAM ENRY ARRI ON , SEPTEM 1 1 1 8 1 BER , 3 6 COMMANDER ROBERT H ERIOT BARCLAY TO COM M ODOR E S Y EO 1 2 1 8 1 SIR JAME , SEPTEMBER , 3 7 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY Y S 1 OF THE NAV WILLIAM JONE , SEPTEMBER 3 , 1 8 1 3 8 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY To SECRETARY S 1 OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONE , SEPTEMBER 3 , 1 8 1 3 9 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERR Y To M AJ OR G H H S ENERAL WILLIAM ENRY ARRI ON , SEPTEM 1 8 1 BER I 5 , 3 I o COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY S 1 OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONE , SEPTEMBER 7 , 1 8 1 3 8 CO NTENTS I I COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY S 1 8 OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONE , SEPTEMBER , 1 8 1 3 I 2 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY Y A S 20 OF THE NAV WILLI M JONE , SEPTEMBER , 1 8 1 3 1 3 SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONES TO COM M ODOR E O HA A 2 1 LIVER Z RD PERRY , SEPTEMBER , 1 8 1 3 1 4 SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONES TO COM M ODOR E O HA D 22 LIVER ZAR PERRY, SEPTEMBER , 1 8 1 3

1 5 D R . S A S S A A S S U HER P R ON TO WILLI M P R ON , SEP 2 2 1 8 1 TEMBER , 3 1 6 SECRETARY OF THE NA VY WILLIAM JONES TO COM M ODORE O H 2 LIVER AZARD PERRY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1 8 1 3 I 7 COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY S O 1 6 1 8 1 OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONE , CTOBER , 3 I 8 COURT- MARTIAL OF COMMANDER ROBERT H ERIOT B 1 8 1 ARCLAY , SEPTEMBER , 4 1 SS D 9 Q . COURT OF EN UIRY ON CAPTAIN JE E ELLIOTT , 1 8 1 APRIL , 5 A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE BATTLE OF LAK E ERIE ANALYTICAL INDEX I LLU STRA TI O N S

A D H A D A 1 8 1 PORTR IT OF COMMO ORE AZ R PERRY, BOUT 5 m n e I n th o n Fro m a p o rtrait by R e bra dt P al e . e co ll ecti o f the N ew Yo rk Hi sto ri cal S o ci ety M A P OF THE BATTLE OF LAK E ERIE REDUCED FACSIMILE OF A DIS PATCH OF COMMODORE Y S 1 0 1 8 1 3 PERR TO SECRETARY JONE , SEPTEMBER , Fro m the o rigi nal manuscr i p t in the U nite d State s

N e men c e s s n o n D C . avy D p art t Ar hiv , Wa hi gt , PORTRAIT OF M AJ OR-GENERAL WILLIAM H ENRY HAR S 1 8 1 RI ON , 5 F o m Po rt o lz o e se r e s r the f ( Philad l p hia, third i , l v o . v , 3 0 5 REDUCED FACSIMILE OF THE LETTER OF COMMODORE O LIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY OF THE NAVY JONES Fro m the o rigi nal manuscrip t in the Unite d State s

N e me n c e s s n o n D C . avy D p art t Ar hiv , Wa hi gt , GLORIOUS NEWS s m f nn n r m Fac i ile O a bro ad sid e a o u ci ng the vi cto ry . F o the o rig inal in the co ll ecti o n o f the Ne w Y o rk Hi sto ri cal S o ci e ty PORTRAIT OF COMMANDER ROBERT H ERIOT BARCLAY R N . . A 1 8 20 , BOUT o m a o o in r U Fr p h t grap h the Libra y o f the nite d State s

N e me n s n o n D C . The o n n avy D p art t, Wa hi gt , rigi al p ai t in i i M r s n o sse ss o n O f s. eo do e C c g the p i Th r . Bar lay, Edinburgh

P R E FA C E

PREFACE The documents selected fo r publication in this O f O fi volume a re chiefly an f ci al character , and are those of greatest interest and p robative value . s There are other documents , to be u re , which the futu re historian of the battle will wish to read , ’ ’ such as the affidavits of Perry s Officers and Perry s un charges against Captain Elliott , but these are ffi l in o ci a b . and are iased M o reover , to have cluded them would have swelled the book beyond

A O f its p rescribed limits . bout one half the docu ments he re p resented have not been p reviously pub l ish e d , and many of those that have been published are now issued in a mo re comp lete and p recise form . The editor wishes to thank the Officials O f the United States N avy Dep artment and the Lib rary O f Congress in Washington and O f the Public Reco rd Office in London fo r the facilities afforded him in collecting materials fo r this volume . He O is under special bligations to M r . Charles West O f Stewart, superintendent the Lib rary and N aval R ffi R War eco rds O ce , to Cap tain icha rd Thom as O f M ulligan , assistant to the Bu reau Navi

atio n . g , and to M r Goodloe Earle Yancey, chief 1 4 PREFACE cle rk of that b ureau ; all O f the United States N avy D C Dep artment , Washington , . C HARLES O SCAR PAU LLI N

. . 2 1 1 8 Washington , D C , M arch 5 , 9

INTRO DUCTI ON

The p rima ry theater O f war in ou r second con

- ﬂic 1 8 1 2 1 8 1 . t with Great B ritain , 5 , was the St Lawrence water - system and the adj acent territory O f on each side O f it . One the two secondary the ate rsO f war was the maritime frontier and A tlantic seaboard , stretching from M aine to Louisiana

O f (with the excep tion Flo ri da ) and the other , the A ﬁ I n deep sea , including the tlantic , Paci c , and f dian Oceans . The B attle O Lake E rie was fought O f in the western p art of the p rima ry theater wa r , 1 0 1 8 1 on Septembe r , 3 , mi dway in time between O f 1 8 1 2 the commencement the conﬂict in June , ,

1 8 1 . and its close in Feb ruary, 5 This battle was the turning point O f the war in A . O f the west Previous to it , the merican fensive camp aign in that quarter had been unifo rmly un f 1 1 . O 8 2 successful In the summer , General Isaac

b e Hull , who had advanced into Canada and had sieged M alden abandoned the siege , retreated to u Detroit , and there s rrendered that p ost and his A a rmy to the B ritish . bout the same time Fo rt M ich il imackinac O f Hu , near the junction Lake O f ron with Lake Michigan , fell into the hands the enemy ; and Fo rt Dearbo rn , on the p resent site of A Chicago , was abandoned . The merican military I 8 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE boundary in the N o rthwest was pushed southward to the line of the Wabash and M aumee Rivers . L ake Erie was held by the enemy by reason O f his naval sup eriority on that water . Having Obtained p ossession O f a considerable O f A p art the merican No rthwest, the B ritish car ried the wa r south and southwest of Lake Erie . 1 8 1 2 In Sep tember , , they sent an expedition against 1 8 1 b e Fo rt Wayne , Indi ana . I n May, 3 , they R sieged Fo rt M eigs on the M aumee iver , and in A ugust they attacked Fo rt Step henson on the S an dusky River . Each of these movements failed . 1 8 1 Early in 3 , with a View to recovering the ground lost in the p revious yea r, General William

Henry H arrison , who had succeeded Hull as com O f A m ander the me rican army in the west, assumed the O ffensive . In J anuary a division of his army R R reached the aisin iver in southern Michigan , an d was there defeated and cap tu red by the B rit ish . H arrison was compelled to abandon his plan ’ of advancing into the enemy s territory by l and , and to app ly himself to the defense O f his military R frontie r on the M aumee and S andusky ivers . H aving successfully defended Fo rts Meigs and

Stephenson , he made p rep arations to advance into b r I n Canada y way of Lake E i e . the summer O f 1 8 1 Of 3 , he collected an army along the line the S andusky Rive r and established his headquarters S e ne cato wn at o r Fo rt Seneca , ten miles up the

Sandusky f rom Fo rt Step henson , which was sit uate d about ten miles from the mouth of the river INTRO DUCTIO N 1 9

at Sandusky B ay . Some fo rty miles across the O f R lake , on the Canada side the Detroit iver , near A its mouth , was mherstburg, where the B ritish e had a naval depot , and Fo rt M ald n , which was occup ied by B ritish troop s . These were H arri ’ son s objectives . His p assage across the lake , how eve r, was blocked by the B ritish ﬂeet , which was in s O f O f posse sion that water . The outcome his sec ond plan fo r O ffensive Op erations fo r 1 8 1 3 depend ed upon a trial at arms between the B ritish and A A merican naval forces on the lake . By ugust his p rep arations were nearing completion , and he anxiously awaited the coming O f the A merican squad ron , with whose commander he had been in co rresp ondence fo r several months . A When the war began , the mericans ha d no A s naval fo rce on Lake E rie . the enemy soon as sembled a small ﬂeet there , he held undisp uted sway over that great natural highway which fo rmed a most important p art of his line O f com municatio n between Lower and Upper Canada , and along which he transp o rted troops and mili O tary supplies . On his possession f Lake Erie depended his ability to hol d Upper Canada (west R t of the N iagara iver) , M ichigan , and the No r h ih west . Early the war the A mericans had recog niz e d O f the need a naval force on Lake Erie , and 1 8 1 2 on Sep tember 7 , , Commodo re Isaac Chaun - in- O f cey, the commander chief the naval forces on b the lakes , with headquarters at S acketts Har o r,

- New Yo rk , sent Master commandant J esse Duncan 20 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE Elliott to B uffalo to select a Site fo r building ves O f sels . Here in the fall that year a small ﬂeet was 1 f a . a O ssembled On Feb ru ry 7 the following year , 1 r Commodore Oliver H azard Pe ry, who had been R stationed at N ewp o rt , hode Island , in command O f of a ﬂotilla , was assigned to the command the

ﬂeet intended fo r service on Lake Erie . On M arch 2 7 , he arrived at Erie , Pennsylvania , not fa r from the eastern end of the lake , where he found under construction the two sister - ship s Lawrence and

- O f Niagara . They were brig rigged , and fou r hund red eighty tons burden . In J une he removed to Erie the ﬁve vessels that had been collected at TO Buffalo . these he added th ree other small O f c raft, making a ﬂeet ten vessels , all but one of which p articip ated in the battle O f Sep tember 1 0 .

Small as these vessels were , it was necessary to remove the guns from the larger ones befo re they would p ass over Erie B ar , which lay outside Erie O f b ar Harbo r . The existence this made it pos sible fo r the B ritish ﬂeet , which was blockading ’ Erie , to pen up Pe rry s fo rces and rende r them use

1 e w as o n in o u n s o n R o e s n o n u us 2 P rry b r S th Ki g t , h d I la d , A g t 3 s is so e n u us 20 and u us [thi date al giv A g t A g t 1 7 8 5 . D uri ng th e R e o u o n h is e n s o e R mo n e v l ti ary War fath r, Cap tai Chri t p h r ay d P rry , se e o o n n and se a and o m 1 8 to 1 80 1 in th e n o f rv d b th la d at , fr 79 avy e Th so n n e th e n th e U nite d Stat s. e e ter d avy as a mid shi p man o n 1 8 and ec me e u e n n o n nu 1 1 80 and Ap ril 7 , 79 , b a a li t a t Ja ary 5 , 7 , a

- m s e co mm n n o n u us 2 8 1 8 1 2 . He se e in th e n a t r a da t A g t , rv d aval wa r w nce and in th e o n and e th e e ith Fra Tri p lita War, aft r latt r struggl e h e co mmande d se v e ral v e sse l s d etail e d fo r d uty o n th e A t n o in th e o f 1 8 1 2 h e was ce in m n la ti c c a st. Early War p la d co ma d h Ne e n o n e co mm n e o f th o f t e wp o rt ﬂo tilla . Wh ap p i t d a d r e squadro n E h as e n -se e n and e s o f a o n e e e w w e . Lak ri , t ty v a half y ar g INTRO DUCTIO N 2 1 m s. les Fortunately , at an opportune mo ent , the b B ritish commander relaxed the lockade , and A t Perry was able to reach the O p en lake . nine ’ O e ve nI n O f A clock in the g ugust 4, the day on which he succeeded in this undertaking , Perry O f wrote to the secretary the navy , dating his lette r ﬂ a - O f from his g ship , Lawrence , at ancho r outside E rie B ar

I have gre at pl e asure in i nfo rmi ng y o u that I have succe e d e d afte r almo st i ncre dibl e lab o ur and fatigue to

the me n in e n the esse s e e e n e to man , g tti g all v l I hav b abl

o e th e iz w e e v . nc C e o n e v r bar , La r , Niagara , al d ia , Ari l ,

co o n me u e o s ess and o c n . e are S rp i , S r , Tigr , P r p i Th y

ne e we o ﬂi ce re d o r m nne but as th e e e nc o f ith r ll a d , xig y

Ge nr so n and h e o h e e l . Harri t wh l e o f t West rn Co untry

is suc e e e m ne o o cee o n e M t s ce . h , I hav d t r i d pr d rvi y

o e nme n s o u be unsucce ssfull us w us y g v r t , h ld I , I tr t ill j tl ap p re ciate th e mo tive s whi ch have go ve rne d me in this 2 e e m n o n d t r i ati .

Shortly after reaching the op en lake , Perry Vis ’ ite d Long Point , the enemy s naval station opp osite

Erie . Of this visit he wrote thus to the secretary on A ugust 8 :

I have the h o no r to i nfo rm y o u I have re turne d fro m Lo ng P o i nt with o ut havi ng se e n the e ne my ; we are no w

us e m o e in e n in s o s o ns and ro b ily p l y d g tti g balla t , p r vi i , p

cu n o un e e s f o m th e o o ri g v l t r r militia . I p r p se saili ng this

e e nin in u su o f th e e ne m y g p r it y .

e n so n w es me — h e G l . Harri rit t e ne my launch e d th e ir ew s o n h e 1 l n t u t. I f she is e u e e w be hip 7th q ipp d , th y ill co ns e su e o in un i id rably p ri r g s to us. It s much to be re

2 ’ M aste rs Co mma nda nt Le tte rs Un e e s N e me n , it d Stat avy D p art t

c es 1 8 1 no . . Ar hiv , 3 , 93 22 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

g re tte d that o ur fo rce co uld no t have b een go t o ut b e fo re ; no thi ng but th e ho pe o f mee ting the ir fl ee t be fo re the new 3 s is e co u n uce me to s s me o fli ce red hip r ady ld i d ail at thi ti , 4 u o n is and manne d as this sq adr . A few days later Perry was j oined by M aster commandant Jesse Duncan Elliott, with one O fi m e n A 1 2 hundred f cers and , and on ugust he p roceeded westward , writing as follows to the sec re tar o ff ° y nine days thereafter , from Sandusky B ay I have th e h o no r to i nfo rm y o u I sail e d fro m Erie o n h e 1 n t 2th s . and e o ff s ce o n the l 6th and i t , arriv d thi pla , imme diate ly to o k ste ps fo r co mmunicating with Gene ral Harriso n ; o n th e l gth I had the pl e asure o f rece ivi ng him

He f o n o is no et e n e . e e o e b ard . t y r ady to adva c I shall th r r

s fo r M e n mme e o e h e e ail ald i diat ly and ff r t e e n my battl . I chace d o n th e 1 7th with the squadro n o ne o f the small esse s Of war o f th e e nem She esc e n co m n v l y . ap d by ight i g o n and unn n mo n the sm s n s w en we we e r i g a g all i la d , h r 5 e r n arly up with h e . Perry established his headquarters at Put -in

B ay, an indentation on the northern coast of South

B ass Island , which lies some twenty miles north O f O f west the p resent city S andusky , Ohio . Here he was in exce l l e nt ' p o sitio n to watch the move ments o f the B ritish ﬂeet , which had reti red to its A headquarters at mherstbu rg, some thi rty miles - in- no rthwestward of Put B ay . He was also con ve nie nt - to H arrison , who was at Seneca town , thi r t - ﬁve A y miles to the southward . notion of his movements during the last days of A ugust and the

3 o Th e D etr it. ’ 4 M asters Co mma nd ant Letters 1 8 1 no . , 3 , 1 01 . 5 — i . n 1 1 1 I b d o . . ,

2 4 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

- tro it . , was his largest vessel She was ship rigged , and of fou r hundred ninety tons burden . When was A Perry sailed from Erie , she at mherstbu rg unde r construction . The addition of this vessel to the B ritish naval fo rces , and thei r u rgent need of supplies , caused thei r commande r to reach the deci sion to leave his headquarters and contest with

Pe rry the p ossession o f the lake . A B a rclay left mherstbu rg on Sep tembe r 9, and at sunrise on the following day his ﬂeet was sighted

A - in- in the No rthwest by the mericans in Put B ay , who at once sailed out to meet thei r antagonist .

The wind , however, was light , and it was almost 8 noon befo re the two squad rons were in range of ’ A each other s guns . t a quarter befo re twelve ﬁ B arclay began the action by ring a few long guns , r and several minutes later Pe rry returned the ﬁ e . ' The place of e nco unte r was some ten miles about

- - in- o ff west no rthwest of Put B ay, West Sister IS land . The battle lasted a little mo re than three ’ hou rs , that is until about th ree o clock , when the

3 Th e Ame ri can s quadro n co nsi ste d o f th e fo ll o wi ng ve sse l s : brig s w e nce ( ﬂ a -s ) 20 uns o mmo o e O e e La r g hi p , g , C d r liv r Hazard P rry ; N 20 s e -co mm n n e sse unc n E o ; e o n 3 iagara , , Ma t r a da t J D a lli tt Cal d ia, , e u e n n n e u ne sc o o ne s — e e u e n n o n Li t a t Da i l T r r ; h r Ari l , 4, Li t a t J h c e co o n 2 n - m s e e e n m n o me s 2 Pa k t ; S rp i , , Saili g a t r St p h Cha p li ; S r , , - m e 1 n u n m s e o m s . e u en o m s o Saili g a t r Th a C Al y ; Trip p , , Li t a t Th a H ld p l n . n i e e ns e ss 1 e u e n . . Co ck n and o cu ne St v ; Tigr , , Li t a t A H M g ; P r p i , - Th s s u o n n s o 1 n m s e e o e e n . e co s e f , Saili g a t r G rg S at Briti h q adr i t d th e o o w n e sse s : s p s - e o ( ﬂ a -s p ) 1 9 uns o mm n e f ll i g v l hi D tr it g hi , g , C a d r

o u e n o e 1 C o mm n e R o e . R o e e c ; e , b rt H ri t Bar lay Q Charl tt 7 , a d r b rt A — nn s sc o o ne s e o s 1 e u e n n E w . uc an Fi i ; h r Lady Pr v t, 3 , Li t a t d ard W B h ; ’ m e e w o r e w 1 s e s e . Chip p a ( Chi p p ay) , , Ma t r Mat J Ca p b ll ; brig e 1 0 u n n o e ne an s o o e e u un e e e ; d p e , 3 , H t r, , Li t a t G rg Big ll l Littl B lt Li te nant R o be rt Irvi ne .

BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

h i ~ r e d t ro it was . s i , his la rgest vessel She was p gg ,

and O f fou r hund red ninety tons burden . When A Perry sailed from Erie , she was at mherstbu rg

unde r construction . The addition O f this vessel to s the B ri tish naval fo rce , and thei r urgent need of

supplies , caused thei r comm ander to reach the deci sion to leave his headquarters an d contest with

Pe rry the possession of the lake . A B arclay left mherstbu rg on September 9, and at sunrise on the following day his ﬂeet was sighted

the b A - in- in No rthwest y the mericans in Put B ay,

who at once sailed out to meet thei r antagonist .

The wi nd , howeve r , was light , and it was almost noon befo re the two squad rons 8 were in range of ’ each other s guns . A t a quarter before twelve ﬁ B arclay began the action by ring a few long guns , r and several minutes late r Pe rry returned the ﬁ e . The place of encounter was some ten miles about

- - in- O ff I s west no rthwest of Put B ay, West Siste r a l and . The battle l sted a little mo re than three ’ is b u O hou rs , that until a o t th ree clock , when the

8 Th e Ame ri can s quadro n co ns i ste d o f th e fo ll o wi ng v e sse l s : brig s w n -s 2 0 uns o mmo o e a e ce ( ﬂa ) , O e e La r g hi p g , C d r liv r H zard P rry ; N 20 M aste r~ co mmand ant e sse uncan E o ; a e o n iagara , , J D lli tt C l d ia, 3 , e u e n n n e urne ; sc o o ne s ~ r e e u e n n o n Li t a t Da i l T r h r A i l , 4, Li t a t J h c e co o n 2 a n - mas e e e n m n o me s 2 Pa k t ; S rp i , , S ili g t r St p h Cha p li ; S r , , - m e e n m s e o m s . 1 u e n n o m s o u Saili g a t r Th a C Al y ; Trip p , , Li t a t Th a H ld p

e e ns e ss 1 e u e n n . . . Co ncklin and o cu ne St v ; Tigr , , Li t a t A H M g ; P r p i , - ' 1 n maS e r e o e e n . Th e s s u o n co ns s e o f , Saili g G rg S at Briti h q adr i t d th o n se s s — o i ﬂ a - s 1 uns o mm n e e o w e s : s e ( ) 9 , d f ll i g v l hip D tr t g hip , g C a r

R o e e o c ue e n o e 1 o mm n e R o e . b rt H ri t Bar lay ; Q Charl tt , 7 , C a d r b rt A — nn s sc o o ne s e o s 1 e u e n n E w . uc n Fi i ; h r Lady Pr v t, 3 , Li t a t d ard W B ha ; ’ t m e e w ( o r ew ) , 1 s e s e . p ; Chi p p a Chi p p ay , Ma t r Ma J Ca b ll brig nan ne an s o o e u un e 1 0 e u e t e o e ; d p e , 3 , e H t r, , Li t G rg Big ll l Littl B lt Li te nant Ro be rt Irvi ne .

INTRO DUCTIO N 2 7

A B ritish su rrendered . d ramatic event , which

b - de ﬁne d divides the attle into two well p arts , was Perry’ s transferring of his ﬂag from the Lawrence b two to the N iagara , a out half p ast in the after noon . Up to this time the Niagara had rendered her consorts comp aratively little assistance . The reasons why she was not b rought into closer action b 9 have long been a su j ect of controversy . For the details of the battle , the account of Colonel Theo R do re oosevelt , an autho rity on the naval histo ry of 1 8 1 2 b e the War of , may quoted

e n ne esse s th e s w e nce P rry had i v l , brig La r , Niagara ,

and C e o n th e sc o o ne s e co o n o me s Po r al d ia , h r Ari l , S rpi , S r ,

cu ne and e ss an th e l O e d . e o pi , Tigr , p Tripp Th ir t tal

o nn e was 1 6 1 and e o c ews mo un e to t ag 7 , th ir t tal r a t d 5 3 2 me n ; but sickness had bee n so pre val e nt that o nly i - abo ut 4 1 6 we re ﬁt fo r duty . I n h s vesse ls ﬁfty fo ur guns we e mo un e fo u e e n Of w c we e o n o I n s. r t d , rt hi h r piv t th e acti o n his bro adsid e we ight Of me tal was 896 po unds ;

wn m n n The L awr 2 88 o f which we re thro fro l o g gu s.

e nce and w e e e me n-o f-war s me in Niagara r larg brig , ar d

h nne e - r o n e t e usua ma w e e n 2 . c s and l r ith ight 3 p arr ad , ’ e e Th e sm e e sse s in o n to two o n 1 z s c . l g ap i all r v l , additi ’ ’ two o r e e c o n es c e o n 2 s 2 s and thr light arr ad , arri d l g 3 , 4 , ’ ’ 1 B c s s u o n co ns s e o f six esse s the s s z s . ar lay q adr i t d v l , hip

D e o and ue e n C o e th e un e th e tr it Q harl tt , brig H t r ,

9 ’ n o s s e . R o uns s J a me Fo r an acco unt o f thi s co tr v e r y e T . L bury s Fe nimo r e Co o e r me c n M e n o f e e s se e s 20 8 -2 30 us n p (A ri a L tt r ri ) , ; J ti ’ me rica - nso s N a r ra tiv e a nd Critica l Histo r o A v o l . 2 Wi r y f , vii , 43 43 3 ; ’ and N n o o e and nc s n s H a r m J a n Huid e ko e r 1 8 8 i a M r Fra i Tiffa y p , “ ” n m e so th e o th e e d o f s o u e . R e 1 89. S e al Bibli grap hy at thi v l ar admiral Alfre d Th ay e r Mahan ( S e a P o we r in its R e latio n to th e l 6- e e s to th e ume n s o f o o e wh o [Va r o 1 8 1 2 v o . f , ii , 7 99) r p li arg t C p r, ’ n e s e c in o o f w as Elli ott s abl e st d e fe nd e r . Maha giv a v rdi t fav r

e w c a e e s wo u se e m w th e e e n o n o n P rry, hi h gr , it ld , ith xp rt aval p i i e n me o f th p re se t ti . 2 8 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

sc o o ne s e o s and C ew and th e s o o h r Lady Pr v t, hipp ay, l p

e B e The e e o nn e was 1 60 th e a re Littl lt . aggr gat t ag 4 gg n Th e gate o i th e crews summe d up to ab o ut 440 me .

- o num e o f uns was s e e ﬁve e n o n o s. t tal b r g ixty thr , b i g piv t

Th e o o s e we was o un s o f w c 1 t tal br ad id ight 45 9 p d , hi h 95 ’ we re fro m l o ng guns ; fo r many o f Barclay s guns we re ’ ’ ’ o f ve sm c e nc u n o n 2 s s and 6 s and ry all alibr , i l di g l g , 4 , ,

- 1 r ca o n e . 2 p . rr ad s

' Th e diffe re nce in numbe r O f men b e twee n the two

o ns no e e ws s u was t m . o h ad sc c c e q adr v ry at rial B th rat h r ,

m e u o f e u se me n o f e se men o f s re ad p r g lar a , lak a , Briti h g ’ ul ars and few n ns in c s s u o n and me , a I dia Bar lay q adr , A r ’ n m n e o e n I n o nn e i ca ilitia a d a few n gr s i Pe rry s . t ag Pe rry was supe rio r by j ust abo ut wh at wo uld be i ndicate d

The e s e by the po ssessi o n o f thre e e xtra sch o o ne rs. d ci iv

ffe e e a n h e m me I n we o f o s e di r nc w s i t ar a nt . ight br ad id th e supe ri o rity o f the Ame ricans in l o ng-gun me tal was

ne as ee to two and in c o n e me was arly thr , arr ad tal it

e n n Th e s e o mo un e c e f gr ate r tha two to o e . hip D tr it t d hi

l o n uns and was o n the w o e o e su e y l g g , h l pr bably rath r p ’ The ue e n o e ri o r to e ith e r o f Pe rry s big brigs. Q Charl tt

w e nfe o e e The sm esse s c e as gr atly i ri r to ith r . all v l la k d the l o ng guns whi ch mad e th e small Ame rican vesse ls fo r

i I n smo o w e and s nce the o n uns m dabl e . th at r at a di ta l g g ’ o f Pe rry s small e r vesse ls gave his squadro n a ve ry marke d advantage ; in a brisk bre ez e his two big brigs sh o uld have e m f r he n o b e n almo st a atch o t e tire British squadr n. en o n e em e l o th e disco v Wh , at daylight S p t b r , P rry ’ e e c s s u o n h e was nc o Put- I n- r d Bar lay q adr at a h r at Bay .

A s so o n as th e s s we e m e o ut e o t un e wa hip r ad , P rry g d r y

w em n h e and o e o wn o t we e e . b r d t ard th , havi g ath r gag

c to in c o se co umn th e C ew e fo l Bar lay lay l l , hipp ay ah ad ,

o we the D e o the un e th e uee n C o e l d by tr it , H t r , Q harl tt , h th e e o s and t e e e t. e we n o wn Lady Pr v t , Littl B l P rry t d

w th e w n o ff his o e m and m e the c in ith i d p rt b a , ad atta k

e Th e e and co o n l ed he co lumn ah e ad o bliqu ly . Ari l S rpi t

3 0 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

ec use o f the o n n e ec use the me partly b a l g ra g , partly b a A r icans in thi s acti o n se eme d to sh o w a te nd e ncy to o ve r

o e o n e o n e in th e l ad th ir carr ad s. Th e re was a carr ad S co rp io n whi ch up se t d o wn th e hatchway as so o n as it

o t ho t and o ne o f h e o n n O n g t l g gu s o f th e Arie l burst .

th e o e s e th e D e o he r o wn diﬂi culties. e e th r id , tr it had Th r

we e no o c s fo r h e r uns n s to the u r w r l k g , tha k h r y ith w c sh e ee n e e and e to be dis hi h had b pr p ar d , th y had

c e s n o h - Ne e r he harg d by ﬂa hi g p ist l s at t e t o uch h o l es . v t

ess B c fo u h e r to e fe c o n and th e ne l , ar lay ght p r ti , trai d artill e rists amo ng his se ame n and so ldi e rs aime d th e guns

so we e hi n s f Th e e o n ll that P rry had s ha d ull . Cal d ia

c me o wn es e th e w e nce e n to e th e a d b id La r , h lpi g div rt attenti o n o f th e Hunte r and th e Que e n Charl o tte fro m r H he . But o n e the o o e Elli tt ha dl d Niagara p rly . did

no t fo o w e to c o se u e s but e n e the ll P rry l q art r , gag d Que e n Charl o tte at a distance whi ch re nd e re d th e car

r des o f o esse u e ess I h n o na s s . n f c t e o e ffe c e b th v l l a t , ly tiv ﬁghti ng at th e re ar o f th e li nes was that d o ne by th e fo ur

me n un— es e e h f A ri ca g v s ls ast rn o f t e Niagara . Each o

ese o n 2 o r 2 o f w c o n suc smo o se s th had a l g 3 4, hi h , h th a ,

sh e co u m e o o use ns th e e o s ld ak g d agai t Lady Pr v t , ue e n C o e and un e th e e n an ah Q harl tt , H t r ; latt r havi g surd armament o f littl e guns which threw a bro adsid e o f

mm n e n e o un s o . o Co n s o f th thirty p d all t ld B th a d r Fi i ,

ue e n C o e and his s eu e n n o m s o o e Q harl tt , ﬁr t li t a t , Th a St k ,

we e e in th e He e c o n. r ne in co mm n r kill d arly a ti xt a d , th e C n n eu e n n ne n n h e co u a adia Li t a t Irvi , ﬁ di g that ld make no e ffective answe r to th e l o ng guns o f the scho o n

e rs e w fo w and o ne in th e c o n the L awr , dr r ard j i d atta k The wa e f e nce at cl o se quart e rs. Niagara s l t p racti cally

w o u an n o n s and th e e nd o f the ne the ith t y a tag i t , , at li ,

e c me o ne o n n e e we e n th e o me s ﬁght b a at l g ra g b t S r , Ti

ess o cu ne and e o n th e One s e and the gr , P r p i , Trip p id ,

B e n h e e h e e o s and e o t o . T Lady Pr v t , Littl lt th r Lady ’ - e o s s m me n o ns s e c e o f I r . o n Pr v t ar a t c i t d hi ﬂy z p carr ad es. INTRO DUCTI O N 3 1

She m e no e but suc an m me n o n ad a bl ﬁght , h ar a t at l g range in smo o th wate r was utte rly use l ess agai nst th e

e uns o f h e n r m n e Lie ute n t sc o o e s. He co m h avy g h r a d r , ant uc n and h e r s eu e n n nc s o e e B ha , ﬁr t li t a t , Fra i R l tt , we e o se o us wo un e and sh e was e cut u r b th ri ly d d , gr atly p an e n e e d b ga to fall to l ward . Th e ﬁght at th e h e ad o f the li ne was wage d with o o o s n c e we e n th e co o n e w e nce bl dy b ti a y b t S rpi , Ari l , La r , and C es e e C e o n o n th e o ne n and th e h ap ak [ al d ia ha d , C e o n C ew D e o uee n C o e and al d ia [ hipp ay tr it , Q harl tt ,

n e h e ns e o f n Chip p eway [ Hu t r o n t e o th r . I t ad pairi g in co u es th e s s o n e c e seeme to c o o se the pl , hip a h Sid d h

e Th me n o n larg st o p po ne nts as sp ecial targe ts. e A rica s c ce ntrate d e ﬁre o n th e ue e n C o e and D e o th ir Q harl tt , tr it ; whil e the British d e vo te d th e ir atte ntio n mainly to the

w e nce w c e suffe e se e e w e La r , hi h had alr ady r d v r ly hil wo n w e n e o f h e r n e rki g d o n to g t within ra g carro ad s. h e e o Th e T Quee n Charl o tt was s o n almo st disabl e d .

D e o w as so o un e c c to s n s suf tr it al p d d pra ti ally a ta d till , fe ri e h h ng sp ecially fro m t e raking ﬁre o f t e gunbo ats. Barclay was ﬁghti ng h e r himse lf with th e utmo st gal lantry ; but h e was so badly wo und e d that h e was at last

His e u e n n o n o e to u th e ec . s blig d q it d k ﬁr t li t a t , J h Gar n was so wo un e mo ; but e u e n n e o e la d , al d d rtally Li t a t G rg n s to w o m th e co mm n was u ne o e co n nue I gli , h a d t r d v r ; ti d th e ﬁght as game ly as e ve r . M e anwhil e th e Lawrence was kno cke d to pieces by

h e m ne o f he r e e O f th e o ne un e t co bi d ﬁres adv rsari s. h dr d and thre e me n wh o had be e n ﬁt fo r duty wh e n sh e be gan

h e n e - e e we e e o w un e A the t c o r o . s a ti , ighty thr r kill d d d

esse was so s o w th e w - o o m w c was use as v l hall , ard r , hi h d th e co c n o w c the wo un e we e e n was kpit i t hi h d d r tak , m n o e w e and the s o s c me o u co n ai ly ab v at r , h t a thr gh it in ll M n o f th e wo un e we e e o r m me t ua y . a y d d r kill d ai d

u e The e whil e und e r th e hands o f th e s rg o ns. ﬁrst li u

e n n n was e e mes but e fuse to e e t a t , Yar all , hit thr ti , r d l av 3 2 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

the ec and fo u th e s to th e as . Th e o n o e d k , ght hip l t ly th r

eu e n n o n o o o s o f the m nes was mo r li t a t b ard , Br k , ari , e ce and o w ne was s o tally wo und e d . Ev ry bra b li h t

w and the u was so e o o e e a ay, h ll riddl d that it l k d lik a O ne o ne th e uns o n th e e n e s e We e sie ve . by g gag d id r

smo un e w e the me n we e s o o wn un e di t d , hil r h t d til th y

co u no t man e e n th e uns we e e f . o we e ld v g that r l t H v r , the slaughte r o f fo ur-ﬁfths o f his crew be fo re his e yes did

n h e e n e e we e no me n no t daunt Pe rry i t e l ast . Wh th r r

e f to se e th e s e e o r fo u uns h e c e o wn l t rv la t thr r g , all d d ’ h e thro ugh th e skylight fo r o ne o f t e surg o n s assistants.

Th e c was e e e and o e e un o se o fﬁce s all r p at d b y d , til all th r “ e n h o u e wn a ee n use u . e s o C n an o f had b d p Th h t d d , y ” th e wo und e d pull a ro pe ? and three o r fo ur o f them ho b

e u o n e c to e him th e s uns n bl d p d k h lp lay la t g . Fi ally, Pe rry himse lf was l e ft with o nly th e purse r and chap

n and e he e n s o and mme e lai , by th ir aid ﬁr d a ﬁ al h t , i diat ly f e w s t h e un w c he use th e o n o ne e f a t r ard , g hi h had d , ly l t ,

was disable d .

M e nw e M . u ne in the C e o n n ut a hil r T r r al d ia , havi g p

his e m u sse the w ence and run n o the h l p , had pa d La r i t

B s ne w e e h e e n e f s o -s o s nce riti h li , h r gag d at hal pi t l h t di ta ,

h e tho ugh is littl e brig was abso lut ly witho ut quarte rs. ’ e s esse an unm n e e u o n th e w e P rry v l lay a ag abl h lk at r ,

w e th e s o e o u h e r s es and e e was no t hil h t ripp d thr gh id , th r a gun that co uld be fire d in re turn ; but Pe rry had no t the

He slighte st i nte ntio n o f givi ng up th e fight . had go ne ’ n o th e e n o n his w e nce s n wo s i t battl flyi g flag La r dyi g rd , “ ’ ” D o n t give up th e ship ; and h e i nt e nd e d to live up to the

The w s e text . Niagara a at that tim a quarte r o f a mil e to

w n w o f th e w e nce o n he r o - e m h e was i d ard La r p rt b a . S ’ s ee n fo r th e e o f c s ne and was mo s um t ri g h ad Bar lay li , al t

n u e n e n e e in the co m and i j r d , havi g tak v ry littl part bat , ne ve r having be e n withi n a distance that re nd e re d he r e n n carro nad es o f any use . P rry i sta tly d ecid e d to shi ft

r e a n n o his bro ad pe nnant to h e . L pi g i t a bo at with his INTRO DUCTIO N 3 3

o e and fo u se me n h e o we to th e f es br th r r a , r d r h brig , havi ng lite rally b een hamme re d o ut o f the Lawre nce by th e po unding which he had rece ive d fo r two ho urs and a f A s so o n as h e e c e the he se nt o hal . r a h d Niagara , Elli tt aste rn to hurry up the three re armost scho o ne rs ; fo r the s o o e o n h e r o wn cco un s ee e s fo r l p Tripp , a t , had t r d traight The the s ne and was e ne the C e o n . Briti h li , v ry ar al d ia w e nce a n but fo u e e n so un me n e f s uc h e r La r , h vi g rt d l t , tr k co l o urs ; but the actio n be gan again be fo re po ssessio n co uld

be en o f he r and she f e s e n o ut o f th e . tak , dri t d a t r ﬁght

u e to ee th e sc o o ne s c ose and e At a q art r thr h r had l d , P rry ’ o e u to e c s ne the o we fu to b r p br ak Bar lay li , p r l brig whi ch h e had shifte d his bro ad pe nnant be i ng practically

- un me as n e e we e his e mo s un esse s. har d , i d d r r ar t g v l The British ships had fo ught until the y co uld ﬁght no

o n e The two sm e s th e ew and e B e . C l g r all t , hipp ay Littl lt , we re no t much damage d ; but th e o the r fo ur we re to o dis abl e d e ithe r to ﬁght o r manmuvre e ffe ctive ly so as to o e e n w e p po s fresh antago nists. H owe ve r th y a s e r d as

es e co u w e uns and mus e as the i b t th y ld , ith gr at g k try, N

s o o o wn and o e th e B s ne n h e r agara t d d br k riti h li , ﬁri g o e n o th e C ew e e and p rt batt ry i t hipp ay , Littl B lt , Lady e o s and he r s o e n o the D e o Pr v t , tarb ard batt ry i t tr it ,

he ue e n C o e and un e n o n o s es. T Q harl tt , H t r , raki g b th id D e o and C o e ee n so cut u o f mo s tr it harl tt had b p al t , al t e e ce and s e n s o w e co u no t v ry bra tay b i g h t a ay, that th y ld

c and e to we but e fe fo u o f o ne no e ta k, tri d ar ; th y ll l a th r, and the uffe w e o ws n uninte r Niagara l d ath art th ir b , ﬁri g ru te dl w e un e e s e ns th e C e o n and th e p y , hil , d r th ir t r , al d ia scho o ne rs statio ne d th emse lves so cl o se that so me o f th e ir

e -s o ss n o e the B s esse s e o u grap h t , pa i g v r riti h v l , rattl d thr gh ’ e s s s Th e e o s s e to eew P rry p ar . Lady Pr v t had agg d l ard , an unm n e e e c o ne e a ag abl wr ck . Bar lay had d ev rythi ng in

h o e o f o o The s ri seco n in m t e p w r man t d . ﬁr t a d d co mand o f e ve ry o ne o f his six vesse ls had been e ith e r kill e d ’ o r wo un e and e e o c o c his was s uc d d ; at thr l k ﬂag tr k . 3 4 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

Th e C ew and e B e e to esc e but we e hipp ay Littl lt tri d ap , r

o e e n and o u to th e e and th e co o n v rtak br ght by Tripp S rpi , h e mm n e o f the e M e e n m n t co . C a d r latt r , r St ph ha p li ,

n the s s o o f th e e as h e ew se e firi g la t h t battl , had lik i fir d m e the first o n th e A e rican sid .

o ne o f the me c n s s suffe e se e e N A ri a hip had r d v r ly ,

e ce n th e w e nce to w o se s e o e two - s x pti g La r , h har v r third

o f th e o o ss f e n. I n e n th e ne h o w t tal l had all br aki g li ,

e e th e suffe e so mew and the C e v r , Niagara had r d hat ; al

o n e co o n and e co me in fo r so me d ia , Ari l , S rpi , Tripp had

o we n - e e n me n e en o f th e o un n . s p di g All t ld , t ty v had b

- i n e e Th e e and n ne s x wo u e mo . kill d i ty d d , thr rtally Brit ish l o ss amo unte d to fo rty-o ne kille d and nine ty- fo ur 1 0 wo un e c e in the D e o and ue e n C o e . d d , hi ﬂy tr it Q harl tt The effects of this decisive victory were m any

- A and fa r reaching . The mericans were left in O f complete control Lake Erie , which they main d taine until the end of the wa r . H arrison was able at once to take the O ffensive . Befo re the end of Septembe r Perry had transported the A merican a rmy across the lake , and the B ritish had evacuated A M alden , mherstburg, and Detroit , had aban do ne d Michigan and the N o rthwest (with the ex ce tio n M ich il imackinac p of ) , and we re ﬂeeing eastward th rough Upp er Canada . H arrison pu r sued the enemy, overtook him , and on October 5 defeated him and cap tu red his a rmy in the B attle 1 1 A l l of the Thames . the western p art O f U pper A Canada fell into the hands of the mericans . The

’ “ 1 0 o o R o o s s Fro m Co l . Th e d re eve lt chap te r Th e War wi th th e ’ U e s 1 8 1 2 - 1 in m Clo we s s Th e R o a l n e , 5 , y N av it d Stat Willia Laird y , - vo l . 1 20 1 2 6. vi , 1 1 e o o in th e e as an e -d e -c m o f so P rry t k p art battl aid a p Harri n. INTRO DUCTIO N 3 5

’ results O f Perry s Victory were not alone of a mili 1 8 1 tary character . They were felt at Ghent in 4 when the treaty of peace was being negotiated . They greatly strengthened the A merican negoti ato rs and co rrespondingly weakened the B ritish , who attempted but failed to limit the sovereignty

of the United States over a p art of the N o rthwest . 1 2 Perry remained in command O f the squadron b 2 b . until Octo er 5 , when he was succeeded y Elliott On his retu rn home he was everywhere received A with great hono r . l ready the p resident had p ro 1 3 moted him to a cap taincy , the highest rank in the 1 4 navy known to the law . Several cities voted him

swo rds , Boston gave him a service of plate , and

1 2 ss n six s e h is e r n u P e rry live d l e tha y e ar aft r gr at vi cto y . O J ly 1 1 8 1 h e was o e e to o ce e o m Ne w o to mo e and 7 , 4, rd r d p r d fr p rt Balti r e c e o f th e e e n un e co ns uc o n th e te tak harg frigat Java, th d r tr ti at lat r w as m o in ss n s c . we e s e h e e e s u o n ity Six k lat r p l y d hara i g a Briti h q adr , w c w as e e n o wn th e o o m c me ns o f so me e e s hi h r tr ati g d P t a , by a batt ri

- w c h e e e c e n n e n . I n 1 8 1 6 1 8 1 h e w a s in hi h r t d at I dia H ad , Maryla d 7 , co mm n o f th e e in th e e e ne n w e e we we e a d frigat Java, M dit rra a , h r r as u n s o u o f ut havi ng tro ubl e with th e Alge ri ne s . It w d ri g thi t r d y that diffe re nce s aro se b etwe e n h im and h is cap tai n o f mari ne s that cu m n e n I n 1 8 1 8 h is co n o e s w n E o i ue . l i at d a d l , tr v r y ith Captai lli tt n h mm o f 1 1 e e ne to e to due ] w o fﬁce . I t e su e 8 thr at d l ad a ith that r r 9, e was se n o n an m o n m ss o n to o u me c w se v P rry t i p rta t i i S th A ri a, ith r- n i s n n h w e wa s s . o o n e r e c h s e o e e ral hip S aft r a hi g d ti ati , f ll ill ith th e e o w e e and o n u us 2 h e e o o f n s n y ll f v r, A g t 3 di d at P rt S p ai , I la d r no f th s n R Wo o dfo r cl o f n . Th e o e o e T i idad g v r r i la d , Sir alp h , sh o we d h im e ve ry p o ssibl e ho no r and acco rd e d h im a military fune ral ’ Nil s R i te o l 1 I n 1 8 26 h is o was o u to e e s r v . ( g , xvii , 7 b dy br ght h is n e n th e U n e e s s o o -o f-w ar e n o n and was ativ la d by it d Stat l p L xi gt , - I c n e e w muc ce e mo n N e w o R o e s n . i t rr d ith h r y at p rt, h d I la d 1 3 Se e D o cume nt 1 6. 1 4 Th e rank o f co mmo d o re was no t sp eciﬁcally cre ate d by statute

until 1 862 . 3 6 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

Newp ort p resented him with a similar token O f 1 5 rega rd . He was dined and toasted at B altimore ,

Washington , and Boston , and the legislatures of Pennsylvani a and Geo rgi a thanked him fo r his A 1 8 1 8 1 great Victo ry . On p ril , 4, Congress autho r iz e d the p resident to purchase the vessels cap tured by Perry fo r two hundred fifty - five thousand dol lars , and divide that sum among the cap to rs as p rize money ; and it gave Perry an additional sum 1 6 fi e n v . 6 of thousand dollars On J a ua ry , it passed the following resolution

the n s o f Co n ess be and the s me are e e That tha k gr , a h r esen e to C n e z e and o u by pr t d aptai Oliv r Ha ard P rry , thr gh

him to the o ﬂi ce rs se me n m nes and nf n se n , a , ari , i a try rvi g

as suc c e to th e s u o n un e his co mm n h , atta h d q adr d r a d , fo r the ec s e and o o us c o ne o n e E ric d i iv gl ri vi t ry gai d Lak , o n th e e n o f e em e in th e e o ne o us n e t th S p t b r , y ar th a d , ight

un e and een o e s s u o n o f su e o h dr d thirt , v r a Briti h q adr p ri r f o rce .

1 5 Th e i nhabitants o f ue b ec p re se nte d Barclay with a sup e rb p i e ce Q “ o f e o n w c th e o o w n nsc o n was e n e : Pre p lat , hi h f ll i g i ri p ti grav d ’ se n e to n R o e e o c o f h is e s s o n t d Cap tai b rt H ri t Bar lay, Maj ty r yal avy, the n n s o f ue e c in e s mo n o f th e se nse e us e n by i habita t Q b , t ti y th y j tly te rtain o f th e e e co u e and e o c o u s e h im and xalt d rag h r i val r di p lay d by , th e o fi ce s se me n so e s and m ne s o f the o un e h is by f r , a , ldi r , ari fl tilla d r co mm n in an c o n w e a su e o e e o f th e e nem u o n a d , a ti ith a gr tly p ri r fl t y p e E ric o n th e ro th o f e p e m e 1 8 1 3 ; w e n th e e se nce o f Lak , day S t b r, h p r a fe w additi o nal se ame n was o nly wanti ng to have e ffe cte d th e to tal disco mfit r o f th o s s u o n O f n ma u e e h tile q adr . Cap tai Barclay it y mo s u b e s t o u h e co u no t co mm n c o h e t tr ly aid , hat alth gh ld a d vi t ry, ” — s did mo re h e no bly d e se rve d it. Barclay re ce ive d al o a p i e ce o f p late fro m th e Canada me rchants re sidi ng in Lo nd o n ( Na tual Ch r ani cl l nn in h is o no e n e v o . 8 u c e , xxxv, 3 7 At a p bli di r h r, giv at e e o nne n in 1 8 1 c e th e o o w n o un e e T rr b , Ca ada, 4, Bar lay gav f ll i g v l t r “ ” ’ o s : o mmo o e e th e n and e ne o us e ne m Nile s t a t C d r P rry, galla t g r y ( R is e l e t r v o . g , vi , 1 6 Un e e s S ta tutes a t Lar e v o l . 1 0 . it d Stat g , iii , 3

DOCU M ENTS

D I SPATCH OF COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY TO M AJ OR - GENERAL WILLIAM H ENRY HARRI SON

Fro m a co py ( pro bably o f th e o riginal ) fo rme r

l in h e o s e o n o f M e e n t s ss . m e B y p i r Willia K y ixby,

i n n e e o f o u o . w w . s M ss u s no t o St L i , i ri It k h th r

h e n i s in e e n e M r B en t o rigi al dispatch s till xist c . . so n Jo hn Lo ssing in his Picto rial Field -B o o k of the

War o 1 8 1 2 e 0 u s es F cs m e o f f , pag 5 3 , p bli h a a i il ’ ” h e e s D s c w o u t e e and ss. P rry i pat h , ith t dat addr ’ Lo ssi ng says that Pe rry s two disp atch es o f S e ptem be r 1 0 we re carri e d to th e ir d esti natio n by Lieute n

ant D u ne o es who o o w him to s la y F rr t , t k ith Wa h

o e s e n e ingto n the capture d British ﬂags. F rr t ar d

e ee o cume n 1 0 . the ﬂags but no t the dispatch s. S D t

C O LI P Y I . OMMODORE VER HAZARD ERR TO MAJOR -GENERAL WILLIAM HEN RY HARRI SON

B N R ff U . S . o RIG IAGA A , the Western Sisters , Head — m. 8 1 . L . 1 0 1 of ake Erie Sept , 3 4 p

D G N : EAR E L We have met the enemy , and they — r are ou rs two ships , two b igs , one schooner and 1 9 one sloop . You rs with great respect and esteem

O . H . PERRY

1 8 A n s n ne th e we s e n e nd o f e E e o u m e s i la d ar t r Lak ri , ab t thirty il ‘ no we s o f n us O o and te n m e s so u wes o f M iddl e Siste r rth t Sa d ky , hi , il th t n s n a d Ea st Si te r I sla d s. 1 9 Th e c u e e e co ns s e o f two s s two sc o o ne s o ne ap t r d ﬂ t i t d hip , h r , an o n s o o e e s th e s co e c in h is o e te brig d e l p . P rry giv li t rr tly ffi cial l t r ( se e D o cume nt

REDUCED FACSIMILE O F THE DIS PATCH O F COMMODORE PERRY To S I O 1 8 1 SECRETARY JONE , SEPTEMBER , 3 o m the o n m nusc in th e U n e t s N me n Fr rigi al a rip t it d Sta e avy D e p art t

c e s s n o n . . Ar hiv , Wa hi gt , D C O V Z P 2 . CO M M D ORE OLI ER HA ARD ERRY TO SE CRETARY O F THE NAVY WI LLIAM JONE S

. B U . S N R O ff RIG IAGA A the Western Sister , Head - m O f S e r 1 0 1 8 1 . . Lake Erie p , 3 4 p

SIR : I [ t] has pleased the A lmighty to give to the arms of the United States a signal Victo ry over thei r enemies on this l ake - the B ritish Squad ron consisting of two ship s , two b ri gs , one schooner and one sloop have this moment surrendered to the

co nﬂict. fo rce under my command , after a sharp I have the hono r to be , Si r

e . very respectfully you r O bdt . s rvt

O . H . PERRY

V 2 . CO M M O DO RE O LI ER HAZARD PERRY TO SE CRETARY O F THE NAVY WI LLIA M JON ES

B U . S . RIG N IAGARA O ff the Weste rn Sister Head — m L S e r 1 0 1 8 1 . . of ake E rie p , 3 4 p

S IR : I [ t] has pleased the A lmighty to give to the a rms of the United S tates a signal Victo ry over thei r en emies on this lake — the B ritish S quadron two consisting of two ship s , b rigs , one schooner and one Sloop have this moment su rrendered to the fo rce under my command , after a sha rp conﬂict .

I have the hono r to be , Si r

e r . very respectfully you r O b dt . s vt

O . H . PERRY

LI U N N G G IN GLI S 2° 3 . E TE A T EOR E TO COMMANDER ROBERT HERI OT BARCLAY

’ HIS M AJ ESTY S LATE S H I P D ETROIT r 1 8 1 1 th S e t . 0 p , 3

SIR , I have the hono r to transmit to you an account of the termination of the late unfortunate ’ action with the enemy s squadron .

- On coming on the quarter deck , after you r being ’ 21 wounded , the enemy s second brig , at that time on r ou r weather beam , sho rtly afte wards took a posi

tion on ou r weather bow , to rake us , to p revent which in attempting to wear to get ou r starboard O f b roadside to bear upon her , a number the guns O f the l arboard b roadside being at this time dis

abled , fell on board the Queen Charlotte , at this

time running up to leewa rd of us , in this situation

the two ships remained fo r some time , as soon as

we got clea r of her , I o rdered the Queen Charlotte s to hoot ahead of us i f possible , and attemp ted to

back ou r fo re topsail to get astern , but the ship lay

ing completely unmanageable , every b race cut

20 n s was seco n in n o n o a th e e o t . e n c I gli d ra k b rd D tr i Wh Bar lay, o n e n wo un e w n o e e w o u m. n . s succe e e to b i g d d , t b l , ab t p , I gli d d th co mm H n e and . e give s a acco unt o f th e battl e fro m thi s time until its s cl o e . 21 Th e N iagara . 5 4 INGLIS TO BARCLAY ff away, the mizen topmast and ga down , all the b other masts adly wounded , not a stay left fo rward , hull shattered very much , a number of the guns ’ disabled , and the enemy s squad ron raking both ships , ahead and astern , none of ou r own in a situa tion to support us , I was under the p ainful necessity of answering the enemy to say we had struck , the

Queen Charlotte having p reviously done so . N S I . . G I have the hono r to be , etc EORGE GLI IV EXTRACT FROM TH E D IARY OF

D R USH S N S . ER PAR O

This do cument is re printe d fro m th e Rho d e s an s o c o c e u c o ns new se e s I l d Hi t ri al S i ty P bli ati , ri ,

m - i n e in in s o u e 2 2 6. s v l vii , 45 4 It p ri t d part Tri ’ - tam u es s B attl e o L ake E rie 8 8 . I ts B rg f , 4 5 ’ phraseo l o gy is that o f a ship s l o g and Of a se aman

e Bu e and no t that o f a diary and o f a surg o n. rg s says that it is an extract fro m th e l o g o f th e L awr e nce th e e n in th e l o was m e n , that try g ad by Saili g m e o w n we n - fo u o u s f e ast r W . V . Tayl r ithi t ty r h r a t r the c o n and th e e n was co e in th e a ti , that try pi d diary

f e he e o ne o f he o s o f o n th e day a t r t battl . N t l g ’ P e rry s ships are in th e N avy D e partment at Wash in n o ss n in co m n his co un f h gto . L i g pili g ac t o t e battl e use d th e lo g o f th e Lawre nce ( Picto rial Field

B o o k o the War o 1 1 2 f f 8 ,

X C F M DI Y . 4 . E TRA T RO THE AR OF DR U SHER PARSON S

1 0th -in Friday, Sep tember , Put B ay ’ m ’ A t 5 O clock a. . discovered the enemy s squad

W. A se e N W S . t ron bearing . . Wind 7 could all

V iz 2 2 1 of the vessels . ship s , b rigs , schooner, and I A t A 1 0 . Sloop . t called all hands to quarters M e r dn befo re i . the enemy commenced the action at I mile distance . In V2 an hou r we came within ’ A t musket shot of the enemy s new ship Detroit . this time they opened a most destructive ﬁre on the A Lawrence from thei r whole squadron . t p ast one so enti rely disabled we could wo rk the b rig no

A t m . longer . 2 p most of the guns were dis mounted b re ach ing s gone o r carri ages knocked to A 2 pieces . t V2 p ast when not another gun could fi be worked o r red from the Lawrence , Cap t . Perry 22 hauled down the fighting fl ag which bo re this motto D o nt g iv e up th e s h ip and rep ai red on boa rd the Niagara , and there raised it again . In ten min ’ utes afte r we struck to the enemy . Cap t Perry made all sail with the Niagara which hitherto had

22 s was m e E e e nns n ( o ss n Picto r ia l Thi ﬂag ad at ri , P ylva ia L i g, Fie ld -B o o k o th e War o 1 81 2 is no w th e U n e e s f f , It at it d Stat N a c e m nn o s av l A ad y, A ap li , Md .

[ 5 7 ] O 5 8 DIARY O F DR . US HER PARS NS kep t out of the action and in 1 5 minutes p assed in among the B . squad ron , having the Detroit, Queen Cha rlotte and Lady Prevot on the starboard side and the Hunter on the larboard side and silenced them all and I O minutes befo re 3 they hauled down thei r colours . Two small vessels attemp ted to escape but being overhauled struck a few minutes after three . Killed on board the Lawrence , Lieut .

John B rook , M idn . Henry Laub , J ames W .

A . llen , Jos Kennedy, J ohn C . Kelly, John Smith , A f Wm . C ranson , nd rew M ichael , John Ho fman , Po h i Charles g , Nelson Peters , J ames J ones , John

R T . ose , J ames Carty, hos Butler , Wilson M ays , E ath e l d ras Ch ristian M ayo , Charles J ohnes , Sykes , and three others .

23 e u e n n o n o o s o f th e m ne co s H a o f Li t a t J h Br k ari rp . e w s a so n e ne o n o o s o e no o f ss c use ts o m 1 8 1 6 to 1 82 G ral J h Br k , g v r r Ma a h t fr 3 . c nno n- se e e h is le o m th e o th e h i and h e e A a ball v r d g fr b dy at p , di d two o u s e . e e o f e e e e m e 1 2 1 8 1 to th e h r lat r A l tt r P rry, dat d S p t b r , 3 , fath e r anno unci ng th e d e ath o f th e so n will be fo und in th e Ne w E ng an Histo r i cal a nd G en a l o i c i l R er o l . e a e st v . 1 l d g g , xix, 94

C V Z P 5 . O M M OD ORE OLI ER HA ARD ERRY TO MAJO R-GENERAL WI LLIAM HEN RY HARRI SON

1 1 . . 1 8 1 Sep t , 3

S I R : DR . I am this moment informed by Cap t Ho rton 24 that you have commenced your march I o ﬂi ce r have taken the liberty of requesting your , who was bound to Fo rt M eigs , to retu rn with my

— desp atches to you , and the government and have p romised to take the responsibili ty of his devi ating — I from his o rders , on myself hop e my anxiety to im communicate to you , intelligence of so much po rtance will be my excuse — We have a great num b e r O f — p risoners , which I wish to l and will you be ? so good , as to o rder a guard to receive them and inform me O f the p l ace P— Consi derable numb ers have been killed and wounded on both Sides — from the best info rmation , we have more p risoners , than 25 we have men on board ou r vessels .

In great haste , you rs very resp ectfully

O . H . PERRY

2 4 Th r co s o f th e U n e e s tme n o w e e rd it d Stat War D e p ar t sh that n f N e m n o o n and e n m n o o n r . o e w Yo me s B ja i H rt B ja i H rt , J , rk ; Ja o o n o f n and am o o n o f e o se e as H rt , Maryla d ; Willi H rt , G rgia, rv d n h f cap tai ns i t e War o 1 8 1 2 . ’ 25 N se r s s t s cs o f th t S ta tis ica a nd A cco rdi ng to Mr. e e ta i ti e bat l e ( t l

[ 61 ] 62 PERRY TO HARRISO N

M any of the p risoners a re of op inion , that Genl . 26 Proctor has commenced his retreat march - and that the Indi ans , after committing great excesses , have withdrawn

l i a Hi o r h Unit d ta t I h Ch r o no o c l st o t e e S es v o l . I 0 t e g y f , 5 me n o n o th e e s num e e 2 and o n o th e me c n b ard p riz b r d 3 3 , b ard A ri a s m r o n in th ﬁ s n squadro n 48 5 . Th e re i h o wev e r so e va iati e gure give ’ O ne un e and e n - o f e s me n by diffe re nt auth o riti e s . h dr d tw ty three P rry we r e unﬁt fo r duty ( se e D o cume nt 26 o - e ne e n o c e co mm n e o f th e s m Maj r g ral H ry Pr t r, a d r Briti h ar y o n th e e o ne D tr it li .

62 PERRY TO HARRISO N

O f th e h . Many p risoners a re of op inion , t at Genl 26 Proctor has comme nced his retreat m arch - and t ss that the Indians , after commi ting great exce es , have withdrawn .

Ch r o no l o ica l His to r th Unit d ta tes N av I I h e e S o l . t e g y y , v , 50 me n o n o th e r e s num e e 2 and o n o the me c n b ard p iz b r d 3 3 , b ard A ri a a squ dro n 48 5 . Th e re i s ho wev e r so me vari ati o n in th e ﬁgure s give n ’ if O e u e and wen - f by d fe re nt autho riti e s. n h ndr d t ty three o Perry s men ﬁ m o m n we r e un t fo r ay ( se e D cu e t 26 o - e ne e nr roc e co mm n e o f th e s m Maj r g ral H y P t r, a d r Briti h ar y o n th e e o ne D tr it li . VVI L L I A M H E N Y H RR S O N 1 8 1 R A I , 3

C B B C 6. OMMANDER RO ERT HERI OT AR LAY TO COMMODORE SI R JAMES YEO

’ H IS ST S T H P T - in MAJ E Y LA E S I DE ROIT, Put B ay, L 1 2 th 1 8 1 ake E rie September , 3

' SIR : The last letter I had the h o no r O f writing 6th I to you , dated the instant , informed you that unless certain intimation was received of mo re sea O n A mh e rtsbur I men being thei r way to g , should be obliged to sail with the squadron deplo rably ﬁ manned as it was , to ght the enemy (who block ade d the po rt ) to enable us to get sup plies O f p rovi O f sions and sto res every description , so perfectly destitute of p rovisions was the post that there was ’ not a day s ﬂou r in sto re , and the c rews of the squadron under my command were on half allow

ance of many things , and when that was done there was no more ; such were the motives which induced

- instruc M ajo r general P roctor (whom , by you r I I tions was di rected to consult , and whose wishes , was enjoined to execute as fa r as relates to the good of the country) to concu r in the necessi ty O f a battle being risque d under the many disadvantages which I no w labou red , and it remains fo r me , the most melancholy task to rel ate to you the unfortunate issue O f that battle as well as the many untoward

ci rcumstances that led to that event .

[ 67 ] 68 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

N O intelligence O f seamen having arrived I sailed , on the 9th instant fully exp ecting to meet the enemy next mo rning, as they had been seen

— among the islands nor was I mistaken , soon after

- in- day light they were seen in motion in Put B ay, the wind then at south west, and light , giving us

' the weather gage ; I bo re up fo r them in hop es of b ringing them to action among the islands , but that intention was soon frustrated by the Wind suddenly shi fting to the south east, which brought the enemy di rectly to windward .

The line was fo rmed acco rding to a given plan , so that each ship might be suppo rted against the sup erio r fo rce O f the two b rigs opposed to them ; about ten the enemy had cleared the islands and immediately bo re up , unde r easy sail , in a line ab reast, each b rig being also suppo rted by the small vessels ; at a quarter befo re twelve I commenced ﬁ few the action by ring a long guns , about a quarter A p ast the merican commodo re , also supp orted by 1 2 two schooners , one carrying fou r long pound — — - ers the other a long thi rty two , and twenty fou r pounder , came to close action with the Detroit the other b rig O f the enemy app a rently destined to engage the Queen Charlotte , suppo rted in like manner by two schooners , kep t so fa r to Windwa rd ’ 2 as to render the Queen Charlotte s 4. p ounder car ro nade s useless , while she was , with the Lady Pre ﬁre O f vost , exposed to the heavy and destructive the Caledonia and four other schooners , a rmed with long and heavy guns , like those I have already described . BARCLAY TO YEO 69

TOO O f O f soon , alas , was I dep rived the services 27 the noble and intrepi d Cap tain Finnis , who soon O f after the commencement the action fell , and with him fell my greatest sup port . Soon after Lieutenant Stokoe O f the Queen Charlotte was struck senseless by a splinter which dep rived the O f country his services at this very critical period . A s I perceived the Detroit had enough to contend O f with , without the p rospect a fresh brig ; P rovin 28 ci al Lieutenant I rvine who then had charge O f the Queen Charlotte behaved with great courage , but his experience was much too limited , to sup ply O f O ﬁ the place such an f ce r as Cap tain Finnis , hence she p roved O f fa r less assistance than I ex e c e d p t . The action continued with great fu ry until half two p ast , when I perceived my op ponent d rop

astern , and a boat p assing from him to the N iagara

(which vessel was at this time perfectly fresh ) , the A merican commodo re seeing that as yet the day was against him (his vessel having struck soon after O f he left her) , and also the very defenceless state no w the Detroit , which ship was a p erfect wreck ﬁre p rincip ally from the raking of the gun boats , and also that the Queen Charlotte was in such a situation that I coul d receive very little assistance

from her, and the Lady P revost being at this time

too far to leeward , from her rudder being injured ,

2 7 Fo r th e u n me s O f th e O fﬁce s e and wo un e se e f ll a r kill d d d , Bar ’ clay s li st at th e e nd O f thi s d ocume nt. 28 e co n e u e n n R o e ne o f th e n n o nc S d Li t a t b rt Irvi , Ca adia p r vi ial mari ne . 70 BATTLE OF LAKE E R I E

f made a noble and , alas too successful an e fo rt to b regain it, fo r he o re up and supported by his small vessels , p assed within pistol shot, and took a raking b o w p osition on ou r , no r could I p revent it, as the unfortunate situation O f the Queen Charlotte p re us vented from wearing , in attempting it we fell on board her . My gallant first Lieutenant Garland no w was mortally wounded , and myself so severely that I was obliged to quit the deck . M anned as the squadron was with not mo re than fi O f fty B ritish seamen , the rest a mixed crew Cana dians and soldiers , and who were totally unac quainte d with such service rendered the loss O f O fficers more sensibly felt and never in any action Offi was the loss more severe , every cer commanding vessels , and thei r seconds , was either killed , o r wounded so severely as to be unable to keep the deck . Lieutenant Buchan in the Lady P revost behaved most nobly, and did everything that a brave and O fi exp erienced f cer coul d do , in a vessel armed with 1 2 pounder carronades , against vessels carrying long guns I regret to state that he was very severe l B i n l " y wounded . Lieutenant g a ( O f the Dover) f commanding the Hunter displayed the greatest in b ut 2 6 trep idity, his guns being small , 4, and O f pounders , he coul d be much less service than he wished . Eve ry Officer in the Detroit behaved in the most exemplary manner . Lieutenant Inglis , shewed such calm intrepi dity that I was fully convinced

29 ’ Hi s s o o - o n a Maj e ty s tr p ship D ve r. Big e ll w s d etach e d fro m h e r at Que be c. BARCLAY TO YEO 7 1 that on leaving the deck I left the ship in excellent hands , and fo r an account of the battle after that, I

refe r you to his letter which he wrote me , fo r you r information . f f . O M r Ho fmeiste r, purser the Detroit , nobly volunteered his services on deck , and behaved in a manner that reﬂects the highest hono r on him , I

regret to add that , he is very severely wounded in the knee . P rovinci al Lieutenant Purvis and the M ilitary ﬁ L 3 1 R Of ce r ieutenant Ga rden , of the oyal N ew

’ "’ 2 fo undl and Regiment and O Ke e fe O f the 4 I st R egiment, behaved in a manne r which excited my : warmest admi ration the few B ritish seamen , I had , behaved with thei r usual intrepi dity, and as long as I was on the deck the troop s behaved with O f a calmness and cou rage , wo rthy a mo re fo rtunate issue to thei r exertions . The weather gage gave the enemy a p rodigious advantage as it enabled them , not only to choose thei r position , but thei r distance also , which they did in such a manner as to p revent the carronades of the Queen Charlotte , and Lady P revost , from f having much e fect , while thei r long guns di d great execution p articularly against the Queen Char lotte . C aptain Parry has behaved in a most humane Oﬁi and attentive manne r , not only to myself and

cers , but to all the wounded . 3 ° First Li e ute nant Franci s Purvi s o f th e Ca nadian p ro vi ncial a m ri ne . 3 1 Jo h n Camp b e ll Gard e n. 3 2 u ’ K f Arth r O e e e . 72 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

a I trust that, although unsuccessful , you will p p rove O f the motives that induced me to sail under so many disadvantages , and that it may be hereafter O f p roved , that under such ci rcumstances the hono r ’

His M aj esty s ﬂag has not been tarnished . A nd I enclose the list o f killed and wounded . have the hono r to be , Si r, you r most obedient humble se rvant o ma nd e r . m R . C ﬂi r . O ce H BARCLAY , , late Sen .

VI I LETTER OF COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SECRETARY OF TH E NAVY WILLIAM JONES

o m me c n e e s N aval A airs vo l Fr A ri a Stat Pap r , ﬁ ,

- The o n f e e i no ume 2 2 . o s s t i , 95 97 rigi al thi l tt r

in the n e es D e me n c es U it d Stat Navy part t Ar hiv ,

n o n he e e h ee n f e ue n ub Washi gt . T l tt r as b r q tly p ’ lishe d se e fo r ns nce N il es R e iste r o ume ( , i ta , g , v l v , ’ 61 -62 mes s N aval O ccurr e nces en es ; Ja , app dix , pag ’ - wso n s B attl e o t n ted xc xcii ; and H . B . Da s f he U i

S tates o ume 11 2 8 , v l , 7

C 7 . OMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY TO SE CRETARY O F THE NAVY WI LLIAM JONES “ S A - n- U . . H i SC OONER RIEL , Put B ay b 1 1 8 1 Septem er 3 th , 3

SI R : In my last I informed you that we had ’ cap tured the enemy s fleet on this lake . I have no w the hono r to give you the most important p a r ticul ar O f s the action . 1 0 th On the mo rning of the instant , at sun rise , - in- they were discovered from Put B ay, where I l ay at ancho r with the squad ron under my command . W S . . We got under way , the wind light at , and m A t . . S stood fo r them ten a . the wind hauled to . E and b rought us to windward ; fo rmed the line , and A fi . t bo re up fteen minutes befo re twelve , the enemy commenced firing ; at five minutes befo re F twelve , the action commenced on ou r p art . ind fire ing thei r ve ry destructive , owing to thei r long L awr guns , and its being mostly di rected at the ence , I made sail , and di rected the other vessels to

3 4 e ns e e h is to th e e o n th e mo n n o f Se P rry tra f rr d ﬂag Ari l , r i g p o s u o ns e m ne nc o ne th e ce O f e temb e r 1 1 . B th q adr r ai d at a h r ar p la battl m f w e n e s e fo r Put-in- un o u n ne a . o til ab t i that day, h th y ail d Bay, ’ D i Hi t r o t e a ttl o u no o n . o bb ns s s o h B e whe re th e y arriv e d ab t (W W. y f o La k E rie f e , 3 5 Se e D o cume nt 2 . 80 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

w . follo , fo r the pu rpose of closing with the enemy

Every b race and bowline being soon shot away, she became unmanageable , notwithstanding the great exertions of the sailing maste r . In this situation , she sustained the action upwa rds of two hou rs , within caniste r distance , until every gun was ren dered useless , and the greater p art of her crew n either killed o r wounded . Findi g she could no longe r annoy the enemy , I left her in charge of 3 6 Lieutenant Ya rnall , who , I was convinced , from the b ravery al ready displayed by him , would do what would compo rt with the hono r of the ﬂag . A t half p ast two , the wind sp ringing up , Captain

Elliott was enabled to b ring his vessel , the Nia gara , gallantly into close action . I immediately went on board of he r, when he anticip ated my wishes , by volunteering to b ring the schooners , which had been kep t astern by the lightness of the wind , into closer action . It was with unspeakable pain that I saw , soon afte r I got on board the Ni a gara , the ﬂag of the Lawrence come down ; although I was p erfectly sensible that she had been defended to the last, and that, to have continued to make a show of resistance would have been a wanton sac

3 6 Th e name s and titl e s o f th e o fﬁce rs me nti o ne d by Pe rry in thi s

- e e a re as o o ws : e ute n n o n . Y a n s e co mm n n l tt r f ll Li a t J h J r all , Ma t r a da t e sse unc n E o c n e u e n n u ne o e s n -mas J D a lli tt, A ti g Li t a t D la y F rr t, Saili g te r a a m . o e u e n n ( o f m ne s ) o n o o s Willia V T yl r, Li t t ari J h Br k , Mid s m n n m Ham p e u , d s m n o n u se ue hi a H ry La b Mi hip a J h Clark , P r r Sa l e o n s m n o m s o n s m n u us us w o u bl t , Mid hip a Th a Claxt , Mid hip a A g t S art t, e u n n o m e se p E . m e u e n n o n . E w s s p n Li t a t J h S ith , Li t a t J h J d ard , Mid hi a N n m ut n n e so n e s e n e . B re v o o rt o f th e a e e l W b t r, Cap tai H ry B ( r y) , Li a t n e u ne e u e n n o n c e n - m s e e e n m Da i l T r r, Li t a t J h Pa k t, Saili g a t r St p h Cha p lin and u se um e . , P r r H p hr y Magrath

82 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

o M r . Hamblet n , pu rser , who volunteered his i th e serv ces on deck , was severely wounded , late in action ; h il idsh ip me n Claxton and Swartwout of

L y . the awrence , were severel wounded b On oard the Niagara , Lieutenants Smith and

Edwards and Mi dshipman Webster , (doing duty as sailing master) behaved in a very handsome manner . B revo o rt Cap tain . of the army, who acted as a th e fﬁ volunteer in cap acity of a marine o cer , on b O fﬁ oard that vessel , is an excellent and b rave cer, and wi th his musketry di d great execution .

Lieutenant Turner . commanding the Caledonia , b rought that vessel into action in the most able man ﬁ ner , and is an of cer that , in all si tu ations , may be relied on . A The riel , Lieutenant Packet , and S corpion ,

S ailing M aste r Champlin , were enabled to get early into action , and were of great se rvice . Captain Ellio tt sp eaks in the highest terms of

. b M r M agrath , pu rser , who had een desp atched in a boat on service , p revious to my getting on board the Ni agara ; and being a seaman , since the action has rendered essenti al service in taking charge of one of the p rizes .

Of Captain Elliott . already so well known to the b e government , it would almost sup erﬂuous to sp eak . In this action he evinced his characteristic b rave ry and judgment ; and , since the close of the action , has given me the most able and essential assistance . PERRY TO JONES 83

I have the hono r to enclose you a return of the O f killed and wounded , together with a statement the relative fo rce of the squad rons . The cap tain

fi O f u and rst lieutenant the Q een Charlotte , and fi rst lieutenant to the Detroit , were killed ; Cap tain O fi B a rclay, senio r f cer , and the commande r o f the mm . co an Lady P revost, severely wounded The ders of the Hunter and Chipp eway, slightly wounded . Thei r loss in killed and wounded I have not yet been able to ascertain ; it must , however , have b een very great .

Very respectfully, I h ave the hono r to be , si r , you r most obedient se rvant,

O . H . PERRY

3 7 S e e o cume n 6 e nc o su e 2 D t , l r . [EN CLOSURE 3 8 ] LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED ON B D D ’ D UN OAR THE UNITE STATES SQUA RON ,

D C M M D O F . . . ER O AN O H PERRY, ESQ IN THE

C 1 OTH M 1 8 1 V IZ : A TION OF SEPTE BER , 3 ,

b o a r d e a wr e nce ill e d O n th L , k o n B o o s e u en n m nes o se e nne o J h r k , li t a t ari J ph K dy , ditt enr u m s m n C es Po hi se m n H y La b , id hip a harl g , a a

C s o e Bl a h ew u t e o n m se m n hri t ph r y , q ar r J h S ith , a a

m s e m C ns o n o n sea a t r Willia ra t , rdi ary

mes . e n se m n man Ja W All , a a

n e in n ew e e m n o C . e the re M c s J h K lly , privat g A dr i ha l , a a

mcn o n o ffm n o n se m n i t J h H a , rdi ary a a

e so n e e s se m n mes o wn se m n N l P t r , a a Ja Br , a a

ames o nes o e e es n sm n J J , ditt Eth lr d Syk , la d a o n o se o Sh arbl e co o o f ma J h R , ditt Philip y , rp ral ’ me s C t sai m e s m e nes Ja ar y , l ak r at ri o m s u l e se m n esse n e Th a B t r , a a J Harla d , privat ’ YVilso n M s c e n e s m e ne am s t o ay , arp t r at Ab r Willi , dit

n b o a r d h a wr nce wo und e O t e L e , d

o n w o n e m n e e e . n I st e u e n n m D s s s J h J Yar all , li t a t , Willia a , a a , v r ly s es e o nso n o n se a lightly W t rly J h , rdi ary

D u ne o es 2 d o s man se e e la y F rr t , ditt , lightly , v r ly

m V . o s n mas mue S wo o d t o se e e Willia Tayl r , aili g Sa l p y , dit , v r ly

te r s l o e se m n s , light y R b rt Hill , a a , lightly

mue m e o n u se se ancis Cumm n s o n y se a Sa l Ha bl t , p r r , Fr i g , rdi ar

ve rel man se e e y , v r ly

3 8 e se s s it w o u se e m w e re e nc o se w t th e e t e . Th li t , ld l d i h l t r PERRY TO JONES 85

o n mi s m n se o n . B o wn u e unne Tho mas Claxt , d hip a , J h E r , q art r g r , ve rely seve r ely ’ w two u m s l m o nso n o sw n s Augustus S ar t , id hip Wi lia J h , b at ai

man se e e m e se e e , v r ly at , v r ly

o n s o ne c e n e s t mes e n o s J a St , arp t r , ligh ly Ja H la , ditt , lightly ’ m s e ms eo e Co ne c en e s m e m C . e en Willia K , a t r at ar , G rg r ll , arp t r at , slightly slightl y

nc s M aso n u e m s e o m s mmo n mo e Fra i , q art r a t r , Th a Ha d , ar r r , se ve re ly slightl y

o n ewe n o se e e o n B u n m o se e e J h N , ditt , v r ly J h r ha , ditt , v r ly

ose ew s o se e e o n Burdeen o se e e J ph L i , ditt , v r ly J h , ditt , v r ly

z e ie o w e o n ew M t so n o se e e E k l F l r , ditt , Slightly A dr at i , ditt , v r ly

e nr c o e e o n se a e em s e o o o n H y S hr d r , rdi ary J r iah Ea t rbr k , rdi ary man se e e se m n se e e , v r ly a a , v r ly B e no n ce se m n se e e o m s e e o se e e i Pri , a a , v r ly Th a R d , ditt , v r ly

o m s o nso n o se e e C es V n e o n se a Th a R bi , ditt , v r ly harl a dyk , rdi ary e e ns e o se e e man se e e P t r Ki l y , ditt , v r ly , v r ly

n C m n o se e e \Villiam m so n o se e e Natha hap a , ditt , v r ly Si p , ditt , v r ly

o m s o n se m n esse ms o S Th a Hill , rdi ary a a , J Willia , ditt , lightly

se e e mes e o s l v r ly Ja Hadl y , ditt , light y ’ B ne M Cain o se e e mes B m ne se e e ar y , ditt , v r ly Ja ird , ari , v r ly

m o m so n se m n se m B u ne o se e e Willia Th p , a a , Willia r tt , ditt , v r ly

ve rel m B s o se e e y Willia agg , ditt , v r ly

eo e V num o se e e D C s e o se e e G rg ar , ditt , v r ly avid hri ti , ditt , v r ly mes M o ses o se e e en V an o o l e o se e e Ja , ditt , v r ly H ry p , ditt , v r ly

m Ro e o se e e o m s uff n sm n se e e Willia , ditt , v r ly Th a T , la d a , v r ly

o se D enn n o se e e B n o se e e J ph i g , ditt , v r ly Elij ah arli , ditt , v r ly

m D n o se e e o n ms o s Willia ari g , ditt , v r ly J h Ada , ditt , lightly

o n C o se e e C es n o n o s J h lay , ditt , v r ly harl Harri gt , ditt , lightly e en airﬁeld p F o se e e m B . e ins o St h , ditt , v r ly Willia P rk , ditt , Slightly e o e ms o se e e n e e bo se e e G rg Willia , ditt , v r ly Natha i l Wad , y , v r ly nno n use o se e e ew o z o s La H , ditt , v r ly N p rt Ha ard , ditt , lightly

mes n o n o se e e Ja Waddi gt , ditt , v r ly

O f t O f On the morning the action , the Sick lis the L - ﬁ awrence contained thi rty one un t fo r duty . 86 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

b o ar d th e N ia a ra kill e d O n g ,

e e M o e se m n s ac o n se m n P t r r ll , a a I a Hardy, rdi ary a a

b o a rd th e N ia a ra w o und e d O n g ,

enan e n D so n se m n o n . w s eu J h J Ed ard , li t t H ry avid , a a M mm n s m s man o n . e ec o n sea o n . Cu J h L i g , id hip J h Str b k , rdi ary w M n se m n nce man Ed ard arti , a a (Si

e o n e e m n o d ad ) J h Fr a , ditt

C es D so n se m n mes S ansfo rd se m n harl avid , a a Ja , a a

D n e e nne o o m s so n o a i l B t , ditt Th a Wil , ditt ’ o n e o n o sw n s m e e e n lVI as o n m ne J h F lt , b at ai at S rg a t , ari m D s o n se m n Co o co o Willia avi , rdi ary a a rp ral S tt , ditt s nce e o m s M e o ( i d ad ) Th a ill r , ditt

o s u Tra ne l m ne s nce o n um s o J h a p , ari ( i J h R a , ditt

e e o e lVI clVI ano m o d ad ) G rg y , ditt Ro nvell o n r se m n e o e Sco ﬁi e ld o Hall , rdi a y a a G rg , ditt e o e se m n mue Co c n o G rg Platt , a a Sa l hra , ditt as e o n se m n Eli Wil y, rdi ary a a

On the mo rning of the action , the sick list of the Nia - ﬁ gara contained twenty eight un t fo r duty .

O n b o a r d th e Cal e d o nia wo und e d ,

mes us s s c e ns s Ja Art , lightly I aa P rki , lightly mes s s Ja Philip , lightly

b o a d o e rs w o d e O n r th e S m , un d Charl es O rdun Go dfre y B o wman

O n b o a rd h e A r ie l ill e t , k d

’ o n e o sw n s m e J h Whit , b at ai at

Wo und e d

m o ss o n s m n o n uc s n sm n s Willia Sl , rdi ary ea a , J h L a , la d a , lightly

s o e so n se m n lightly R b rt Wil , a a , Slightly PERRY TO JONES 8 7

O n b o a r d th e Tr i e wo und e d pp , s c e e n so e 26th e o n N ail es so e 1 e I aa Gr , ldi r , r gi J h , ldi r , 7th r gi me n men t , badly t , Slightly

O n b o a rd th e P o r cup ine N o ne kill e d o r wo und e d

O n b o a r d th e S co r i o n kil l e d p ,

o n C m s m n o n S lh amame r n sm n J h lark , id hip a J h y , la d a

O n b o ar d th e Tig r e ss

o ne i e r o e N k ll d o w und d . O f Two days p revious to the action , the Sick lists the small vessels contained the names O f ﬁfty - seven men ﬁ un t fo r service .

R e cap itula tio n Kill e d 2 2

2 7

. M ON Purser . S HA BLET ,

. . RR Y Ca tain and Se nio r O ice r . O H PE , p ﬂ [ENCLOSURE 2 ] STATEMENT OF THE FORCE OF THE BRITISH SQUADRON

D e o s 1 uns o ne o n o and two o w z e s tr it , hip 9 g , piv t , h it r

ue en C a o e s 1 do . do . Q h rl tt , hip 7

a e o s sc o o ne do . do . L dy Pr v t , h r I 3

un e 1 0 do . H t r, brig do e e s o o . Littl B lt , l p 3

C ew sc o o ne r do . and two sw e s hipp a , h I iv l

63 guns

— Note The Detroit is a new ship , very Strongly built,

- and mounts long twenty fou rs , eighteens , and twelves .

S ta te me nt o f th e F o r ce o f th e Unite d S ta te s S qua dr o n

w e nce 20 uns. La r , brig g

20 do . Niagara , brig

C e o n a do . al d i , brig 3

e sc o o ne 4 do . o ne u s e in c o n Ari l , h r ( b r t arly a ti )

co o n sc o o ne r 2 do . S rpi , h o m do e s sc o o ne r 2 . S r , h do e s o o . Tripp , l p I

ess sc o o ne do . Tigr , h r I

o cu ne sc o o ne do . P r pi , h r I

5 4 guns

’ The exact number O f the enemy s fo rce has not been asce rtained , but I have good reason to believe that it exceeded ours by nearly one hundred men .

C LI s. OMMODORE O VER HAZARD PERRY To SE CRETARY O F THE N AVY WILLIAM JONES

- A 1 e t . 1 1 U . S . SCI . S r 8 . IR RIEL , Put in B ay, 3 th p , 3

Si r : I have caused the p risoners taken on the h re 1 0 t . inst to be landed at Sandusky , and have quested Genl . H a rrison to have them marched to 3 9 Ch il ico th y , and there wait until you r pleasu re shall be known resp ecting them . b The Lawrence has een so enti rely cut up , it is absolutely necessary , she Should go into a safe har b o r . I have therefo re di rected Lt . Yarnall to p ro ce e d to Erie in her , with the wounded of the ﬂeet, b ar and dismantle and get her ove r the , as soon as possible . It will p robably be impossible to rep ai r her this season in time to be of any service . I have to ask you r di rections as respects the disposal of the two p rizes , the ship s in a heavy sea this day, at ancho r lost thei r masts , being much inju red in the action . I shall haul them into the inner bay, at this place , and moo r them fo r the p resent . The ﬁt fou r other p rizes , I shall out fo r the expedition against M alden , and fo r transpo rting Genl . Ha r

3 9 co e O o t e n c t o f th e s e s ua e o u o ne Chilli th , hi , h ap i al tat , it t d ab t n e f n hu dre d mil s e a st by no rth o C inci n ati . 92 PER RY To JONES

’ ﬁne rison s troops . The Detroit is a remarkably

Ship , sails well and is very Strongly built . The Queen Charlotte is a much sup erio r vessel to what has been rep resented . The Lady Prevost , is a la rge ﬁne schooner . I also beg you r instructions respecting the woun

. ﬁ ded I am satis ed , Si r , that whatever steps , I might take governed by humanity, would meet you r app robation , under this imp ression , I have n taken upo myself to p romise Cap t . B arclay who is very dangerously wounded that he shall be land ed as nea r Lake Ontario as possible , and I had no 4 0 doubt you would allow me to p arole him , he is under the imp ression that nothing but leaving this p art of the country, will save his life . There is also a number of Canadi ans among the p risoners , many who have families .

I have the hono r to be , S i r , d very respectfully you r o b . serv .

O . H . PERRY

4 0 S e o cum n s 1 and x6 e D e t 4 .

C 9. OMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY TO MAJOR -GENERAL WILLIA M HENRY HARRI SON

A S . C R U . S H . 1 1 8 1 . RIEL , Sep t 5 , 3

: O f Si r The very great assistance , in the action the 1 o th inst . derived from those men you were b pleased to send on oard the squad ron , render it a duty to retu rn you my Sincere thanks fo r so timely a “ i . S r reinfo rcement In fact , , I may say , without those men the victo ry could not have been achieved ; O ﬁ and equally to assu re you , that those f cers and men behaved as became good soldiers and seamen .

Those who were under my immediate observation , evinced great a rdo r and b ravery . Cap tain B re 4 2 O f vo rt, the second regiment of infantry , serving on board the Niagara , I beg leave to recommend p articula rly to you r notice : he is a b rave and gal O ﬂi ce r O f lant , and as far as I am cap able judging an excellent one . I am convinced you will p resent the meri t of this Oﬂi ce r to the view of the honorable secretary of wa r, as I shall to the honorable sec re tary of the navy . V Si r ery respectfully, I am , , you r obedient ser vant , OLIVER H . PERRY

4 1 The name s o f th e o fﬁce rs and men se rv i ng with P e rry will b e i - o un in th e me c n e e s Nav a l A a rs v o l . 66 2 . f d A ri a Stat Pap r , ff , i , 5 5 7 4 2 re v o o rt. Cap tai n He nry B . B

C LI I O . OMMODORE O VER HAZARD PERRY TO SE CRETARY O F THE NAVY WILLIAM JONES

t 1 1 8 1 H A . U . S . SC OOR . RIEL , Put in B ay , Sep 7th , 3

4 3 Si r : I send by M r . Fo rrest the ﬂags taken In

l o th . the action of the inst . on Lake Erie

d . e r O b S vt. have honor to si r , you r

4 3 Se e e A cti ng Li e ute nant D ul aney F o rre st. p ag [ 99 ]

LETTER OF COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY TO NAVY WILLIAM

Fro m the U nite d States Navy D e partme nt Ar ’ c es Ca tains L e tters 1 8 1 o ume num e hiv , p , 3 , v l vi , b r

REDU C ED FA C S I lVl I L E O F TH E LETTE R O F CO M t DO R E PER RY TO CR RY O F A V Y M O N P M R 20 1 8 1 3 SE ETA THE N WILLIA J ES , SE TE BE , o m th o r n manusc in th U n e e s N e me n Fr e igi al ri p t e it d Stat avy D p art t

rc e s s n o n D . C . A hiv , Wa hi gt , TO SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WI LLIAM JONE S

' s r i . h i H A L S t s o . U . S . SC OOR . RIE , e p t O ff Por tage Ri ve r

Si r : Still wishing to retu rn to Rh o de I sl and the moment my se rvices can b e sp ared from this lake I hop e I may be hono red with you r p e rmits“ ‘8 s ron to that effect . a e a a I beg leave , Si r , to call you r tt ntion g in to

m " . av a o n the case of Capt, B arclay I h e t ken u p y I in is . n a h self to p romise him , his paro le f ct , Si r , situati on I could not have refused him any thing " although I am sensible I ought to have waited for — I t th e ~ you r o rders trust, Si r , you will estima e mo “ tive s which have governed me in this a ffai r . d O b . . With great respect , I am , Si r , you r s e rt R O . H . PE RY

46 S ee o cum n s 1 6 D e t and 1 7 . 4 7 S e e o cume nts 8 1 , 4 and 1 6 D , REDU C ED FACSIM ILE O F THE LETTER O F CO M M ODO R E PERRY TO CR RY o r VY M ON P M R 20 1 8 1 SE ETA THE NA WILLIA H ES , SE TE BE , 3 o m th o n m n c in th U n e N e me n Fr e rigi al a us ri p t e it d State s avy D p art t

c e s s n o n . . Ar hiv , Wa hi gt , D C

XI I I LETTER OF SECRETARY OF TH E NAVY WILLIAM JONES TO COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY

Fro m the U nite d States Navy D e p artment Ar c es L e tte rs to O i cers o Shi s o War o ume hiv , ﬂ f p f , v l i x . , 93

1 1 4 JONES TO PERRY

Tomo rrow , I trust , will b ring the interesting de b e tails , for which so many hearts are p alp itating tween the lau rel and the cyp ress .

I am , very resp ectfully , you r obedient servant ,

W . JONES NNO N C N V CTO R Y FA CSIM ILE A BROADSIDE A U I G THE I ica Fro m the o riginal in co lle ct i o n o f th e Yo rk Histo r l 1 I 4. JONES TO PERRY

i Tomo rrow, I trust , will b ring the nteresting de b e tails , for which so many hearts are p alp itating tween the lau rel and the cyp ress .

I am , very resp ectfully, you r obedient servant,

W . JONES

XIV LETTER OF SECRETARY OF TH E WILLIAM JONES TO COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY

Fro m th e U nite d States Navy D e partment Ar c es L e tte rs to O cer s o Shi s o War o ume hiv , fﬁ f p f , v l xi - , 94 95

1 20 JONES TO PERRY

O at p resent, only bserve , that you will emp loy such b as may be in condition , in such way as the pu lic

service may requi re , on the contemplated military um expedition ; an d place the remainder in safety, til future measu res be adop ted fo r thei r ﬁnal dis

p osition .

They will , of course , be regularly libelled and

adjudicated , in some of one of the courts of the

United States .

The two ships , I p resume , are too heavy to be got

ove r the B ar of E rie ; and I know not , if the inner f suﬂi cie nt B ay of Sandusky a fo rds shelter , until another mo re secu re and convenient can be found . Should the success of ou r arms place M alden and R O w Detroit ive r in ou r possession , this bject ould be obtained . I hope the military exp edition may not detain the whole of you r fo rce so long as to defeat the in tention of sending a p art into Lake Hu ron , should we be so fo rtunate as to command the p asses .

Upon all these subj ects , and in eve rything relat

ing to you r command , you will communicate with , and receive the instructions of Commodo re Chaun ce y , communicating to this dep artment di rect (in o rde r to save time) , as well as to Commodore suﬂi cie nt Chauncey, whatever may appea r to you of importance to the government .

I am , very resp ectfully, you r obedient servant,

W . JONES XV F D R S S S LETTER O . U HER PAR ON TO WILLIAM PARSON S

Fro m th e Rho d e I sland Histo ri cal S o ci e ty Pub

w e e o ume -2 6 o ns licatio ns ne s s 2 . s , ri , v l vii , 45 4 Par

- was a naval surgeo n o n b o ard the ﬂag ship Lawrence . I n 1 85 2 h e d e live re d a disco urse b e fo re the Rh o de I sland Hist o ri cal S o ci e ty in which h e mad e a co m p l e te stateme nt o f his reco ll e cti o ns o f th e Battl e o f

8 e h e e e e o ence 1 6 s . T s m Lak Eri ( Pr vid , 5 3 , 3 p ag ) a vi ews that h e the n e xpresse d respe cti ng Elli o tt h e h eld a few days afte r th e battl e as may be see n fro m e th e l e tte r h e re publish d .

1 2 4 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

could see us slaughtered in such a manner, but it is equally so to us . No r can the commanders f re of some of them o fer satisfacto ry reasons , fo r maining behind . Unfo rtunately fo r the wound fi ed , the two su rgeons had been con ned fo r some days with fever and could render them but little fa assistance . I t, however , has operated in my vou r, as I have had all the amputating to per form and it affords me the greatest pleasu re to reflect that in no case have I failed of the best success , this has imp ressed the commodo re with so favou rable an opinion toward me that I have not the least doubt of his rende ring me assist fi ance to a better situation . He is the rst wa rm friend I have met with in the service , cap able of assisting me . I am now on my way in the Lawrence fo r E rie , having all the Sick and wounded on board and shall continue with them in the hospital ’ til the most of them recover , and then intend to shape my cou rse fo r Cap e Home . Gen . H arrison was on board the Lawrence this mo rning, and his a rmy was on an island within half a mile of the vessel , consisting of about seven thousand . Tomorrow “2 they cross to M alden a distance of about eighteen miles . Since the loss of the B ritish fleet the In dians have deserted Detroit after bu rning the place massacre in and (as is repo rted ) g the inhabitants . I had some na rrow escapes fo r my li fe ; during the action five cannon balls p assed th rough the room in which I was attending to the wounded . Two

5 2 Th e mo ve me nt o f th e army that culmi nate d in th e Battl e o f th e

me s o n O c o e 1 8 1 . Tha t b r 5 , 3 USHER PARSONS TO WILLIAM PARSONS 1 2 5 that I had dressed and lai d aside were afterwards ’ killed during the action . The enemy s squadron mounted mo re guns than ours and carried at least one fou rth mo re men . In the cou rse of a year I to O hope btain a little p rize money . I have enjoyed very bad health du ring this c ruise and am reduced to a skeleton , and will never cross this o r any other lake again .

A . I have lately received a letter from D r . Hall A J r and one from Charlotte Parsons , dated ugust h 2 8t . ff Remember me to enqui ring friends . Your a e c tio nate son U SHER PARSONS ] S am . is steady and well .

C 1 6. SE RETARY OF THE NAVY WILLIAM JONES TO COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY

P T . NAVY DE ARTMEN [Washington , D . C ] r th 1 8 1 S e t . 2 p 9 , 3

SIR : The P resident has conﬁrmed the senti ments , which I anticip ated , in my lette r to you of 5 3 I the z st inst . in a manner the most ample and ex p ressive .

I have , by his di rection , executed a commission p romoting you to the rank of a captain in the navy of the United States , which I will fo rward to what ever place you shall p lease to di rect . O f I am , this mo rning , favou red with yours the 5 5 20 th and , although there is much of imp ortance b e yet to done upon the Upper Lakes , which I should like you to b ring to maturity , yet , i f you f think the service will not su fer by you r absence , you are at liberty, as soon as the public interest R Shall admit of you r dep artu re , to p roceed to hode

Island and resume your command there , until a

Ship , suitable to you r rank , shall be at the disposal m of the dep art ent .

5 3 S e e o cume n 1 D t 3 . ’ 5 4 mm a e s co ss o n w as e e e m e 1 0 1 8 1 . P rry i i d t d S p t b r , 3 5 5 Se e D o cume nt 1 2 . 1 3 0 JONES TO PERRY In the event of you r resigning the command of the Erie squadron , it will , of course , devolve on

Captain Elliott, who will communicate with , and receive the instructions of Commodo re Chauncey,

- in- the commander chief , who will be furnished with a copy o f this lette r .

Cap t . Elliott will communicate di rect to this dep a rtment (in o rder to save time ) , whatever may be of impo rtance to be Speedily known . The commissary general of p risoners has given the necessary di rections , in relation to those cap ture d an by you , and you will not p a role y p erson , au excep t Captain B arclay, without his special th o rity .

I am , very respectfully, you r obedient servant, S W . JONE

5 6 o mmo o e s c unce co mm n e -ln-c e o f th e me c n C d r I aa Cha y, a d r hi f A ri a o rce s o th e s naval f n lake .

C 1 7 . OMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY To SECRETARY O F THE NAVY WILLIAM JONES

A 6t 1 8 1 . H r h U . S SC OONER RIEL , Detroit , October , 3 SIR : I have the hono r to acknowledge the re ce ip t of you r several letters O f the 2 1 st and 2 2 nd 5 7 ult . I beg you , Si r, to accep t my thanks fo r the very ﬂattering manner you a re pleased to speak O f the conduct of the O fﬁcers and men belonging to the squadron under my command , in the action of l th the o Sep tember . To possess the good opinion O f the government is what we are all ambitious of , and O f I hope , and trust , the future exertions all will be such as to merit , a continuance of that favo r which has been so liberally bestowed in this in

Stance . I should feel a delicacy in accep ting the post ’ 5 8 captain s commission , which it has pleased the

President to o rder to be sent me , if I did not con sider the p recedent long since established , by the appointment of Capt . Decatu r over the heads of 5 9 t e others . Shoul d I be wrong in this op inion , I

5 7 S e e D o cume nts 1 3 and 1 4. 5 3 “ A te rm us e d i nte rchange ably with cap tai n. 5 9 A e e e nce to th e o mo o n o f ec u in 1 80 o e se e r f r p r ti D at r, 4, v r v ral o ﬂi ce rs se n o to h im in n a s e w fo r th e e s uc o n o f th e i r ra k , a r ard d tr ti

e in th e o o f r o . Philad lp hia, harb r T ip li

[ 1 3 3 ] 1 3 4 PERRY TO JONES

quest, Si r, that the commission may be kept back until my right shall entitle me to that hono r with 60 out p assing ove r Capt . Leonard . A S b e long, Si r , as I can of service here , I shall remain , with pleasure . V ery respectfully, I have the hono r to be , Si r,

you r Ob d . sert .

O . H . PERRY

6° s e -co mm n n am e o n s o o n o e Ma t r a da t J e s T . L ard t d e xt ab v e P rry th e e o f th f m s- m n I n o mo n at h ad e li st o aste r co m anda t. p r ti g P e rry to b c n e ap tai it was ne ce ssary to p a ss o ve r L e o nard .

C U - 1 8 . O RT MARTIAL O F COMMANDER B I B CL SE P RO ERT HER OT AR AY , B 1 8 1 TEM ER , 4

A t a Court M artial assembled on board His ’ M ajesty s ship Gladi ator in Portsmouth H arbou r 1 8 1 : on the ninth day of Sep tember, 4, Present

w mes o o e s u e e m o f th e e Ed ard Ja F t , E q ir , r ar ad iral Whit ’ and seco nd Ofﬁ ce r in the co mmand o f His Maj esty s

‘ ships and ve sse ls at Spith e ad and in Po rtsmOtI th Har b o ur Presid e nt

n en i l n mes o Captai B jami n W l m. Captai Sir Ja Ath l Ku e o o t. Pag W d , Geo rge Fo wke David Ll o yd Adam Drummo nd Edward Brace Zachariah Mudge Ri chard Byro n Arthur Farquh ar J o hn Quilliam

me D es eo e nc s e mo u Ja s Richard acr G rg Fra i S y r Pursuant to an o rder from the Right Hono rable Lo rds Commiss [ioners] of the A dmi ralty dated 1 8 1 the eighth day of Septembe r, 4, and di rected to the President setting fo rth that Commodore Si r 6 3 J ames Lucas Yeo , had transmitted to thei r Lord

“ ” 61 Dacre s was co mmand e r o f th e Briti sh frigate Gue rri e re wh en “ ” she was c u e th e U n e d e s e Co nstitutio n in A u ap t r d by it Stat frigat ,

us 1 8 1 2 . g t, 62 o n was co mm n e o f th e s e B e lv id e ra w e n Byr a d r Briti h frigat , h sh e mad e h e r e scap e fro m th e squadro n o f Co mmo d o r e J o h n R o dge rs

in une 1 8 1 2 . J , 63 - - s o n h Co mmand e r in chi e f o f th e B r iti sh naval fo rce t e lake s .

[ 1 3 7 ] 1 3 8 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE ships the copy of a letter which he had received R f rom obert Heriot B arcl ay, Esqui re , commander ’ of H is M aj es ty s late ship Detroit and senio r Ofli cer commanding a squadron of His M aj esty’ s ships and vessels in Lake Erie dated the I z th of Sep tem 1 8 1 ber, 3 , detailing the p articula r ci rcumstances of the cap ture of the said squadron on Lake Erie by a squadron of ships and vessels of the United States A l h of merica on the o t of the same month . The cou rt p roceeded to enqui re into the cause an d ci r ’ cumstance s of the captu re of His M aj esty s late squadron and to try the said Cap tain Robert Heriot O fi b e B a rclay, his su rviving f cers and seamen late longing thereto , fo r thei r conduct on that occasion , and having heard the evi dence p roduced and com l e te d de l ib p the enqui ry, and having matu rely and e rate l y weighed and consi dered the whole , the cou rt is of opinion that the capture of His M aj es ty ’ s late squadron was caused by the very defective means Cap tain B arclay possessed to equip them on fi Lake E rie , the want of a suf cient number of able seamen whom he had repeatedly and earnestly t e quested to be sent to him , the very great supe rio rity of the fo rce of the enemy to the B ritish squadron and the unfo rtunate early fall of th e sup erio r Ofli cers in the action . That it app ears that the greatest exe rtions had been made by Cap tain B a rclay in equipping and getting into o rde r, the vessels under fi his command . That he was fully j usti ed unde r the existing ci rcumstances in b ringing the enemy to action . That the judgment an d gallantry of Captain B arclay in taking his squad ron into action

1 40 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE R Captain obert Heriot B arclay , commander ’ of His M aj esty s late ship , Detroit, his su rviving o ﬂi ce rs and seamen , we re b rought in and audience admitted . The o rde r from the Right Hono rable Lo rds A Commissioners of the dmi ralty, dated the eighth 1 8 1 day of Sep tember , 4 and di rected to the Presi dent, setting forth , that Commodo re Si r J ames Lucas Yeo had transmitted to thei r Lordships the copy of a letter which he had received from Robe rt a Heriot B arcl y, Esqui re , commander of His M aj ’ e st s fﬁ y late ship , Detroit, and senio r o ce r com manding a squad ron of H is M ajesty’ s ship s and

sic 1 2 th vessel [ ] on Lake E rie , dated the of Sep 1 8 1 de tail in th e tember , 3 , g p articular ci rcumstances of " the captu re of the said squadron on Lake Erie by a squad ron of ships and vessels of the United A l o th States of merica on the of the same month , and to enqui re into the cause and ci rcumstances of ’ t the cap tu re of His M ajes y s late squad ron , and to R try the said Cap tain obert Heriot B arclay, his su rviving O ﬂi ce rs and seamen late belonging there to , fo r thei r conduct on that occasion , was read .

6 ’ 4 Barclay s ap p e arance at h is trial h as b e e n thus d e scribe d by an “ ey e witne ss : It was no t p o ssibl e to se e thi s brave o lh ce r b e fo re th e co u and no t be e w m n e e e n s o f r e e and ad rt, agitat d ith i gl d f li g gr t mir atio n w o ne arm m u e th e o e so n e o us wo unde d , ith a p tat d , th r da g r ly as to b e susp e nde d in bandage s in a mo st p articular p o siti o n ; a p art o f h is cut w c nno n s o and w ﬁve o e wo un s thigh a ay by a a h t ; , ith th r d , h e e se n e w e th e se n e nce w as ss n an o no u e ns nce p r t d , hil t p a i g , h rabl i ta o f sufe n e o sm and me n se ns fo r h e was e c e f ri g h r i , tal ibility aff t d at th e e s mo n o ne th e co u to h is co n uc mo s to the s e n t ti y b r by rt d t, al t h ddi g ” — o f e s. Nav a l Chro nicle v o l . 2 . t ar , xxxii , 43 COURT-MARTIAL OF BARCLAY 1 4 1

The President repo rted to the cou rt, that Cap tains Peter H eywood and J ames Black were ab sent o u A dmi ralty leave . advo The members of the court, and the judge cate then in op en cou rt, and befo re they p roceeded to trial respectively took the several oaths enjoined and di rected in and by an A ct of Parliament made and p assed in the twenty- second yea r of the reign t e n of His late M aj es y, King Geo rge the second , “ A n A ct re titled , fo r amending, explaining, and ducing into one A ct of Parliament the Laws re ’ lating to the Government of His M aj esty s Ship s , ”

V . essels , and Fo rces by Sea Then the sai d letter from the said Commodo re Si r J ames Lucas Yeo and the copy of the letter from the said Cap tain Robert Heriot B arcl ay were

read , and are hereto annexed . To Captain B arclay :

Q . H ave you any further narrative to p roduce of the transactions resp ecting the loss of His Maj ’ e sty s squadron on Lake Erie ? narative s ic Captain B arclay p roduced a [ ] , which was read , and is hereto annexed .

Cap tain B arclay being sworn , declared that the contents of the narrative that had be e n read to the cou rt were co rrect and true to the best of his knowl

edge and belief .

Q . H ave you any complaint to make against

65 Me mb e rs o f th e co urt wh o did no t atte nd its sitti ngs . ’ 66 i e i l 1 1 fo r th Fo r th e e tte o f Y e o se e N l s R e s ter v o . 8 e l r , g , vi , ; f a m e e o c se e o cu e n 6. l tt r Bar l y, D t 6 7 - S e e th e te o f s ocume n e s 1 2 1 6 . lat r p art thi d t, p ag 5 5 1 42 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE any of the Oﬂi ce rs o r c rews of the squadron lately under your command on Lake Erie ? A . None . To the Ofﬁcers

Q . H ave either of you any complaint to make against Captain B arclay respecting his conduct on the occasion ? A . None whatever .

Lieutenant Thomas Stokoe swo rn . A re Q . the contents of the narrative of Cap tain B arclay mo re p articularly as to the scarci ty of p rovisions at Lake E rie and the want of seamen on board the squadron co rrect and true as far as came within you r knowledge and to the best of you r b e lief ? A . They are , we were p articularly Short of sea men . H o Q . w many men had you on board the Queen Charlotte that you could call experienced seamen ? A ﬁ . Not more than ten with the p etty of cer . We had on board between one hund red and twenty

o ﬂi ce rs and and one hund red and thi rty men , , all togethe r .

H o Q . w many men had you on board that had been accustomed to work the great guns with a ship in motion ?

A D O . Only the men that came up from the 68 ver th ree days before we sailed , we had Sixteen of

6 3 ’ His e s s o o -s ue e c Maj ty tr p hi p at Q b .

1 44 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

after the commencement of the action . Captain Finnis and Lieutenant Garden of the Royal N ew fo undl and Regiment we re killed immediately on the commencement of the action , befo re a man was hu rt . There were then one p rovinci al lieutenant , one masters mate that had been in the navy, and two p rovincial midshipmen , quite youngsters , and ﬁ two wa rrant of cers , a boatswain and gunner left, this was after I was wounded . A t Q . what distance di d the Niagara engage the Queen Charlotte in the beginning of the action ? A . She engaged us on the quarter out of ca r ro nade distance , with what long guns she had .

Q . Was you r p rincip al injury received from her ? A N O . , from the Caledoni a , who lai d on ou r beam with two long twenty- fou r pounders on p iv O f ets , also out ca rronade shot distance . Captain B arclay asked i Q . H ad p rovincial Lieutenant I rvine e xp e r suﬂi ci e nt ence to such service , as to conduct the Queen Charlotte in action afte r the death of Cap n ? tain Fi nis , and you r own wound A . He was a very b rave young man , a pe rfect ﬂi e r O c . seaman , but not exp erienced as an

P rovinci al Lieutenant Francis Purvis , late of ’ His M ajesty s Ship Detroit , called in and sworn .

' Q . A re the contents of th e narrative O f Cap tain B arclay mo re p articularly as to the scarcity of p rovisions at Lake E rie and the want of seamen on

69 Fo r th e u n me s o f th e o ffice s e men o n s m e e e e o cu en 6. f ll a r h r ti d , D t COURT- M ARTIAL OF BARCLAY 1 45 board the squa d ron co rrect and true as far as came within you r knowledge and to the best of you r b e lief ? A . Yes , they are .

Q . How many exp erienced seamen had you on board the Detroit when the action commenced ? A . To the best of my knowledge not more than ﬂi ce r o s . ten , petty included

Q . How long had the Detroit been in action when Cap tain B arclay unfo rtunately received his wound ? A A . bout two hou rs and a half to the best of my recollection . h e Q . Was every exertion made to defend t ship afte r Captain B arclay was wounded ? A . Yes . a Q . Was she at that time in a very dis bled and unmanageable state ? A V . ery much so indeed . o Q . Can you recollect h w many of those ten seamen were killed and wounded ? A . To the best of my recollection seven o r eight we re killed o r wounded . H o w Q . near were the enemy to you du ring the early p art of the engagement ? e n A . I should suppose in the early p art of the g age me nt the Detroit in engaging the Lawrence was within a musque t shot and within p istol Shot of L awr the Niagara , the latter came down afte r the ence had Struck . O f n Q . Di d you Obse rve any of the shots the e 1 46 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE emy’ s ship to reach the B ritish squad ron when the latters guns di d not reach them ?

A . i I cannot say exactly that I did , be ng em ployed at my gun .

Q . Why di d you not take possession of the Lawrence when she struck ?

A . We had only one boat and that was cut to i pieces an d the Ni agara , another large b r g, being to windwa rd , came down too quickly upon us . i Q . What do you atr bute the loss of the action p rincip ally to ?

A . To the loss of Captain Finnis and the ’ Queen s running up under ou r lee and the Detroits falling on boa rd of them which permitted the ene my ’ s squad ron to lay and rake us and the men con u seq ently got into confusion . ’ Q . Di d the enemy s gun boats do you much damage ? A . Mo re than any of thei r vessels , they had long two and thi rties .

Q . Di d you understand that the enemys vessels we re well manned ? A . Yes , they were remarkably well manned , I believe from the info rmation I received from the A merican o ﬂi ce rs that the Lawrence had mo re able seamen on board than we had in ou r whole squad ron , I was on boa rd the Lawrence about a qua rter of an h o u r and on boa rd the Niagara two o r th ree

7 0 e Th e s o ﬂice rs we e n u s o se A n e xagg rati o n. Briti h r at rally di p d n to mak e o ut as go o d a case as p o ss ibl e fo r th e ir co mma d e r .

1 48 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

The Hunte r 2 4 4 long guns 2 2

2 - 1 2 carronade The Little B elt 1 9 long guns 1 6 The Chippeway 1 9 long gun Cap tain B arclay asked

Q . Di d I cause the men to be exercised at thei r guns not only in my own Ship but in the rest of the squad ron to train them as much as possible to th e use of the guns ? A . Twice a day from the time he a rrived when weather p ermitted from an hou r and a half to two hou rs each time and Cap tain B arclay came fo r wa rd and saw that they were p roperly exercised . ? Q . Were they exercised with powder

A . Yes , they were occasionally .

Q . Were they exercised with powder as often as the reduced state of the ammunition at A mhe rst bu rg the only place from whence I could get a sup ply would allow ? A . Yes , they were , but not to occasion a waste O f powder .

Q . Di d I exert eve ry means in my power not only to rende r the Detroit an effective ship in e v e ry way as well as that of the other vessels ? A . He did every thing that a b rave and e xp e ri e nce d o ﬂi ce r possibly could do not only in ﬁtting

7 1 e se ﬁ u e s e e w o se o f c in h is o ﬂi ci al e e Th g r agr ith th Bar lay l tt r, me n e ce in th se o f th e e . S e o cu x p t e ca Littl B e lt e D t 6.

BATTLE OF LAKE ERI E

The Hunte r 2 4 4 long guns 2 2

2 - 1 2 carronade The Little Belt 1 9 long guns 1 6 The Chipp eway 1 9 long gun Captain B arclay asked th e Q . Di d I cause men to be exe rcised at their guns not only in my own ship but in the rest of the squad ron to train them as much as possible to the use of the guns ?

A . Twice a day from the time he arrived when weather p ermitted f rom an hour and a half to two hou rs each time and C aptain B arclay came ‘ fo r ward and saw that they we re p roperly e xe rcrse d . Owde r? Q . Were they exercised with p A . Yes , they were occasionally .

Q . Were they exercised with powder as O ften as the reduced state of the ammunition at A mhe rst bu rg the only place from whence I could get a sup ply woul d allow ?

A . Yes , they we re , but not to occasion a waste of powder .

Q . Di d I exe rt eve ry means i n my power not only to rende r the Detroit an effective ship in e v e ry way as well as that O f the othe r vessels ? A . He did every thi ng that a b rave and e X p e ri ence d o ﬂi ce r possibly coul d do not only in ﬁtting

7 1 e se ﬁ u e s e e w o se o f c in h is o ﬁc e e Th g r agr ith th Bar lay f ial l tt r,

e ce in th se o f th e . S e o cume n x p t e ca e Littl B e lt e D t 6.

COURT- MARTIAL OF BARCLAY 1 5 1

out the ships , but in speaking to and encouraging the men when we came into action which appeared to me to give the men the greatest conﬁdence .

Q . Was I obliged to take f rom the equipments of the Queen Charlotte sails and other articles to render the Detroit at all ﬁt to take the lake ? A . Yes . ﬁ Q . When I rst saw the enemy clea r of the islands di d I h e ar up and make as much sail as e n abled the rest of the squadron to keep up with me that I might speedily bring them into action ? A . Yes .

Q . Di d I in the disabled state of the Detroit when assailed by a fresh force display an undimin ish e d cou rage and give every encouragement to the crew ? A o ﬂi ce r . You di d eve rything that an possibly could do .

Q . Were the matches and tubes so bad that were sup plied to me from A mherstbu rg that I was obliged to p rime without the latte r and ﬁre pistols at the guns to set them O ff?

A . ﬁ Yes , we red pistols at the guns to set them

O ff du ring the whole of the action .

Lieutenant Stokoe called in again . Captain B arclay asked '

Q . Did I cause the men to be exercised at thei r guns not only in my own ship but in the rest of the squadron to train them as much as possible to the use of the guns ?

A . Yes , he did , he gave a general o rder out that 1 5 2 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE they Shoul d be exercised twice a day, an hour each — time , to the best of my recollection sometimes they were exercised with powde r, but it was not often they coul d be exercised with powde r, as there ﬂi c n was not su ie t to do it .

Q . Was I obliged to take from the Queen Charlotte sto res of various descriptions even to sails , cables and anchors as well as a p roportion of ﬁre O ff e pistols to the guns with , befor I could make the Detroit at all ﬁt fo r the lake ?

A . Yes , you we re .

M r . George Peter M artin Young , surgeon of ’ H is M aj esty s late ship , Detroit, called in and swo rn . The cou rt asked ° A re Q . the contents of the narrative of Cap tain B a rclay mo re p articularly as to the scarcity of p ro visions at Lake Eri e and the want O f seamen on board the squad ron correct and true as far as came within you r knowledge and to the best of you r b e lief ? A . They are .

Q . Were the killed and wounded composed in a great measu re of the better seamen ?

A . There were a great p ropo rtion of the Se a men in the list in comp arison with the other men .

Q . Were many of the men you had from the Dover among them ? A . I cannot recollect .

Q . Do you think the ships were defended to the last ?

1 5 4 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE taking his squadron into action and during the con test were highly consp icuous and entitled him to O f the highest p raise , and that the whole the other O ﬂi ce rs and men of H is Majesty s late squadron conducted themselves in the most gallant manne r . A nd di d adjudge the sai d Captain Robert He riot B arclay his surviving o ﬂi ce rs and men to be most fully and most honou rably acquitted .

The cou rt was again opened . Captain B arclay o ﬂi ce rs ad and his su rviving b rought in , audience mitte d and sentence p assed acco rdingly .

D ud e . H e . J MR GREET AM , py g o a e o l e e A dv c t f th e F t. NARRATIVE OF THE PROCEED INGS DURING THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN BARCLAY OF HIS MAJESTY ’ S SQUADRON ON LAKE ERIE

T MR . PRESIDEN AND GENTLEMEN OF TH E COURT Fe 1 b . 8 1 On my a rrival at B ermuda in y , 3 , Si r 7 3 John B o rl aise [ s ic] Wa rren received an applica tion from Si r George Prevost “ to send some cap tains , lieutenants and seamen to man three co rvettes on Lake Ontario .

I was sent with Captains Finnis and Pring, six lieutenants , and gunners to H alifax fo r the pur pose o f p roceeding with as much expedition as possible to Quebec and from thence to the Lake

Ontario . On my a rrival at Kingston on the lake 7 " I took command of the corvette No . I then called the

a . Wolfe , by ppointment from S i r John B Warren , about three weeks afte r my taking the command I was superseded by the arrival of Si r J ames Lucas o ﬂi ce rs Yeo , with a large detachment of and sea o ﬂi ce r men from England , and app ointed by that

7 3 m o n o se e n co mm n e -in-c e o f th e Ad iral Sir J h B rla Warr , a d r hi f n n Briti sh naval fo rce s o n th e No rth Atla ti c stati o . 7 4 Go ve rno r-ge ne ral o f Canada and co mmande r- ln-chie f o f th e

Briti sh army . 7 5 He co mm n e th e nne C o mmand e r Dani e l Pri ng . a d d brig Li t at 1 1 1 8 1 th e t e o f e m n e e m e , 4. Bat l Lak Cha p lai , S p t b r 7 6 n o Lak e O tari . 1 5 6 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE to the superintendence of the gun boats for the time being . Soon after my app ointment to the gun boats it was j udged necessary to send a naval establish ment to Lake E rie to render the squadron on that f lake e fective , which it was not consi dered to be under the p rovincial marine . This command was Offered to Captain M ul cas 7 7 ter the next in command to Si r J ames Yeo , who co nse to my p ersonal knowledge , declined it in que nce of its ineffective state and S i r J ames Yeo refusing to send seamen . ’ M ul caste r s o r On Captain declining, I was dered to p roceed to that lake with three lieutenants , ’ one surgeon , and p urser , a master s mate , and nine o f teen men , twelve these were Canadians , who had been discharged from his own squadron on Lake n O tario . The others were the most worthless char acte rs that came from England with him , which can be p roved by the evidence p resent, and were sent on board a small coasting Sloop , armed , only 7 8 with a few muskets to p roceed to York on ou r way to Lake E rie . On our arrival at that place from the bad state of health of the master ’ s mate (which had been repo rted by me to Si r J ames

Yeo ) , I was obliged on a rep resentation of the su r geon to send him b ack in the Sloop . From Yo rk I ' p roceeded with about two hund red soldiers in B at ’ 7 9 8 ° te aux s to join General Vincent at Fo rt George

7 7 o mm n e m o we M ulcaste r C a d r Sir Willia H . 7 3 Ne th e we s e n e nd o f e O n o and o n th e no e n s o e . ar t r Lak tari , rth r h r 9 7 e - e ne o n ncen co mm n e o f th e s m Brigadi r g ral J h Vi t, a d r Briti h ar y h n o n t e Niagara li e . 3 ° mo ut o f th N I n O n o n ne th e e R e . tari , Ca ada, ar h iagara iv r

1 5 8 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE reconnoitre the enemies fo rce in Presque Isle which I could not accomplish from variable winds ; and being anxious to j oin the naval fo rce at A m h e rstb e rg I lost no time in going to that p lace . I found on my a rrival there that the info rmation I had received relative to the state of the naval e s tablishme nt pl aced under my o rders was but too true and I wrote immediately to Si r J ames Yeo requesting a re énfo rce me nt of seamen without loss of time and stated to him in that letter the quali ties and condition of the squadron . A s soon as I coul d p rep are fo r sea , I sailed in the Queen Charlotte to reconnoitre P resque Isle with the additional reason , of information having been just received that re énfo rce me nts fo r the e u emies army under General H arrison were coming f rom that p ort by the lake . This info rmation p roved to be unfounded and I p roceeded acco rd ing to my first intention of looking into that port and found the enemies force far advanced , for the — ln p a rticulars I refer the court to letter , no . 7 which they will find I not only p roposed a com bine d attack on that place but still urged the ne ce s si ry of being immediately re énfo rce d by seamen to p revent the enemy having the superio rity on the nd lake . The cou rt will fi also by that lette r that Si r J ames Yeo sent me a cap tain 8 5 with his servant A nd e no one else . I b g leave to state to the cou rt that this letter called fo rth a rep rimand from the

3 4 E e nns n e . ri , P ylva ia 8 5 mm n Co de R o e . nn s a r b rt A Fi i . COURT-MARTIAL OF BARCLAY 1 5 9 commodo re which he Stated as being much too p eremp to ry from a junio r to an ofﬁcer SO much higher in rank . To give time fo r the arrival of seamen and troop s fo r the above desi rable purpose , I cruised b etween Black Rock 8 " and Presque Isle to intercep t the brig and schooners which were coming from that place to join the enemies fo rce at Presque Isle ; but I was unfo rtunate and missed them in a fog , being obliged to return to Long Point for p rovisions and to receive such answe rs to the communications as I had made to Si r J ames V A Yeo and General incent . fter I had waited in vain fo r seamen o r even any letter subsequent to the arrival of Cap tain Finnis except one from 8 7 Lieut . Col . H arvey, I thought it mo re p ru dent to ﬁl l H is M aj estys vessels with p rovisions as well as a transp o rt schooner that I had brought for that purpose and return to A mh e rstb e rg to p re p are the b oats of various kinds fo r ou r intended expedition and to relieve the wants of the army in

ﬂour , which I di d , and found the Detroi t still in a

very backward state , not nea r ready fo r launching , the materials fo r building nearly exhausted and without one gleam O f hop e that the p rospect coul d

b righten , excep t by an assu rance from General Vincent that a fo rce would be sent to co Op e rate

with me on ou r intended attack on Presque Isle , and even then we had to wait the arrival of the small vessels from Lake Hu ron to transpo rt the necessa ry

6 8 N N Yo e uff o e w . ar B al , rk 8 7 u e n n - o o ne o n e Lie t a t c l l J h Harv y . 1 60 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

a rtillery and troops . When these vessels di d a r rive , Still under the imp ression that ai d woul d be affo rded to enable M aj o r General Proctor 8 8 and myself to make the joint attack , every thing was p rep ared even the a rtillery emba rked when I was

Shewn a lette r from the deputy adjutant general , which stated that no assistance could be sent from the army under M ajo r General De Rottenberg 8 9 (wh o had sup e rce e de d General Vincent) which en i l s t re y put and [ ic] end to ou r hop es in that way . I therefo re rep resented the case to Commodo re Si r J ames Yeo ; equipp ed my squadron as well as I could and sailed not only to p revent the enemies squadron from coming over the ba r but to be near er Lake Ontario from whence I still fondly looked nf n fo r re é o rceme ts. On my arrival at Long Point and the failure of getting men from both p arties I thought my situation as well as that of the country so c ritical that I wrote to H is Excellency Si r George P revost (lest Si r J ames Yeo Shoul d be in the Lake) to point out the great necessity of taking this Lake into his serious consi deration as on it de p ended the very existance of the army under the command of General P rocto r , to which letter I beg leave to refer the cou rt . Disapp ointed as I was not only by the non arrival of the seamen but by the generals declining to send troops to destroy

8 8 o - e ne e n o cte co mm nd e o f th e s m Maj r g ral H ry Pr r, a r Briti h ar y h o n t e D etro it li ne . 3 9 o - e ne nc s o n d e Ro t e n u e s e n dm n Maj r g ral Fra i Bar t b rg , p r id t, a i iste r in th e o e nme n o f U n I n e . u 1 8 1 h e suc g g v r t p p r Ca ada J ly, 3 , ce ed e d nce n as co mm n e o f th e s m o n th N Vi t a d r Briti h ar y e iagara li ne .

1 62 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

2 1 letter no . to Si r J ames Yeo that my fears were realized as the enemies fo rce had chaced my look out vessel and by letter 2 5 that they had made thei r e appearance O ff A mh e rstb rg . On my a rrival at A mh e rstb e rg I sent a small schooner to cruize to the eas t ward of the islands to app rize me of the app roach of the enemys squad ron an d was soon satisﬁed that my app rehensions of thei r following me up were but too well found ed as the cou rt will see by referring to my letter to a the commodo re on the subj ect . They di d not p p ear o ff this p ort untill the 24th and I app rized him

. 2 of it again by my letter , no 5 , bearing date the th A b e 2 5 ugust . By this time ou r necessities were coming very u rgent and ou r supplies by the lake enti rely cut o ff. No p ossibility O f obtaining an adequate supp ly by land fo r the numerous people we had to feed . Every attention was turned to the no w naval fo rce which the country looked up to , as the only defence . I now understood that about fi l fty seamen with two ie utts. and one midshipman we re on thei r way from Kingston , not from Com mo do re Si r J ames Yeo , but from Si r Geo rge P re vost through General Procto r, to whom I had p re vio usl fi y applied , nding all applications to Si r A J ames Yeo useless . nxiously indeed did all look forwa rd fo r thei r arrival , few as they were , at th length on the 5 of Septembe r , they di d arrive but instead O f fifty fa r short of th ree hundred the number I hop ed to receive , they counted only thi r - l i t e utts. y six with two , one m asters mate and two COURT- MARTIAL OF BARCLAY 1 63 M gunners b eing the first division that left H . . troop ship Dove r at Quebec . When that division left Quebec there was no i dea of any mo re coming and the letter I received , 91 B i nal L . by Lieut . g ieut of the above troop ship ) tol d me that when Si r J ames Yeo understood that the remainder had come to Kingston he would fo r ward the like number from the squadron . Si r J ames in this communication seems to have enti rely disbelieved the many rep resentations of ou r ap ro ach in p g necessities , when he writes so coolly about sending men by the mode he p roposes . The remainder of the Dovers seamen di d not arrive at Kingston a distance inland f rom A mh e rstb e rg of e n six hundred miles untill after the action . The emy we re in superio r fo rce between him and Kingston SO as to p reclude the possibility of a water communication and it must have taken at least six days to communicate with him by land — twelve mo re must have elapsed befo re men could reach A mh e rstb e rg and at most it was but a faint hope that they woul d come at all . The court will now allow me to revert to our actual state at this time . The re were above four teen thousand Indians to victual wh o had come indul from distant countries , accustomed to every gence , and p rone to quarrel and turn thei r arms against thei r friends as well as foes i f thei r wants were not supplied and liberally too . To this num ber was to be added the whole population of that

91 r e Li e ute nant G e o g Bigne ll . 1 64 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE p art of the country and the regular force attached to General Procto r . To the want of p rovisions must be added the othe r p rivation , of every kind to of military and naval sto res , therefo re , it was be considered that each succe ding day added to our fi dif culties , and I must beg the cou rts attention to fi this ci rcumstance . They were not dif culties that could be surmounted as will appear by a reference ”2 o m to a letter from Deputy C y . General Gilmou r o m r C . . th S e . 1 8 1 . dated s p , 3 to Depy y Genl 93 ' Couche and also by his lette r to me dated M On 1 8 1 treal , 7 June , 4 I felt the necessity of this document and the refo re app lied to him fo r o fli ci al it , having lost all my communications on the subject . One more trial was m ade to remain until seamen might arrive ; at least until we might have a certainty of thei r being on the way, that failing, only two alternatives remained either to join in the retreat of the a rmy after inglo riously burning my sic t vessels , o r risk and [ ] action no withstanding the deplorable m anner in which the squad ron was manned and i f the country was to fall it should not ff Un be without an e ort on my p art to p revent it . der such ci rcumstances what officer coul d hesitate a moment which measure he shoul d adop t . I there fo re instantly decided on that which appeared the most honorable and determined to risk everything rather than abandon my post without a struggle ,

92 Th e re was an assi stant co mmi ssary in Canada name d R ichard

Gilmo re . 93 E w o u e d ard C ch .

1 66 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE able degree is evi dent from the commissarys letters befo re referred to . I must next beg leave to point ’ out the striking difference be tween Si r J ames Yeo s

fi . rst letter to Si r J Warren and his second , written fi O f after receiving my of cial account the action , a copy of which letter I beg leave to p roduce no . [sic] which if I m ay judge from that ci rcumstance he must have felt conscious that he had neglected to send me re énfo rce me nts untill it was too late . My repeated requests to him fo r this assistance may have i rritated him and to save himself from censure he has endeavou red to th rough Obl iquay [ sic] “ O on me . His bservation that I appea red to have sailed under the conviction that I had everything to gain and but little to lose altho most true in the first p art in one sense is evi dently meant f rom the general teno r of the letter to bear another constru e tion . I certainly had much to gain , no less than rescuing the squadron under my o rders f rom im distructio ns p ending , saving General P rocto rs di vision o f the army and p reventing the fall of a country of immense extent and consequence to His t ’ A M ajes y s dominions in North merica , and these were the only considerations that influenced my . conduct . That I had little to lose I neve r can ad mit as I had not only my own characte r as an Offi cer to suppo rt but also to uphol d the hono r of the B ritish navy which on this occasion I felt was committed to my charge and had I not risked and [s i c] action the whole disgrace of the retreat of the d a rmy woul have attached to me , and I shoul d COURT- MARTIAL OF BARCLAY 1 67 have been justly involved in the shocking imputa n tion O f cowardice . A d what did Si r J ames Yeo give me to enable me to gain so great an Object ? In the first place nineteen of the wo rst men of his squadron which I took with me on assuming the

- command , subsequently allowing thi rty six men t l wo ie uts. with , one masters mate and two gunners whom I had p rocu red by u rgent solicitation to Si r e Geo . Prevost to p ass him to join me at so late a p rio d that even this trivi al re énfo rce me nt only reached me th ree days p revious to the action . The letters befo re the court wherein I so repeat e dly u rged the necessity of a body [of] seamen even from the moment of my assuming the com man d will I trust sufﬁciently refute the insinuation of Si r J ames Yeo that I only allowed th ree days fo r thei r arrival . I now beg leave to refer the

. 20 court to a letter from General Proctor , no , wherein he states the absolute necessity of my sail ing and likewise to the general o rders of the com mande r of the fo rces in A merica dated the 24 1 8 1 Novr . , 3 , wherein His Excellency is pleased to say that Captain B arclay and his brave crew have by thei r gallant daring and self devotion to thei r ’ country s cause p reserved its hono r and thei r o wn even in defeat . Situated as I now am and however unwilling I Should be under less imperious ci r cumstance s to obtrude my fo rmer services on this o c court , I feel it a duty incumbent on me on this casion to state that I have b een sixteen years ac ’ tuall y employed in His M aj esty s service , have 1 68 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

been very frequently engaged with the enemy, and e u have been wounded eight times . I have thus de avo ure d to State to the court the whole of the . leading ci rcumstances connected with this case and in the unavoidable absence of living witnesses , I have b een comp elled to have resou rce to auth e nti cate d documents of offici al correspondence which I trust will be sufficient to shew that necessity alone A nd l forced me to seek so unequal a combat . a though unsuccessful , I indulge the hope that the decision O f this cou rt will rescue my character f rom the imputation of rashness , and will be hon o re bl e Ofli ce rs to myself , and to the b rave and c rew under my command . R [OBERT] H [ERIOT] BARCLAY

C 1 9. CO URT OF ENQUI RY ON APTAIN SS U C LLI IL 1 8 1 JE E D N AN E OTT , APR , 5

9“ P T US . SLOO ON ARIO t 6th A 1 8 1 New York , p ril , 5

SIR : In a conversation with some of the Oﬂi ce rs of the service I am informed that in consequence O f an O p inion formed by a court of inqui ry on the loss of the B ritish ﬂeet on Lake Erie on the 1 0 th

S e tr. 1 8 1 p , 3 , my vessel , the Niagara , is reﬂected on by some who are inimical to our service . I wish it understood that early after the action I applied to O f the Navy Dep t . fo r an investigation into the facts the action . It was not granted . J ustice to myself , friends , and the service I have the honor to belong in to , comp els me to ask that the court at p resent qui ring into the losses of P resident , Frolic , and R 95 attlesnake , may be instructed to inform the country of the p art I bore in action of the 1 0 th tr Se . 1 8 1 p , 3 , and whether o r not did the N iagara attemp t to make her escap e from the enemy ( as is stated by the B ritish Cou rt) 9° A large numbe r of

94 Th e O ntari o was co mmand e d by Elli o tt and be l o nge d to a s u o n un e o mmo o e e p e n ec u w c w as Ne w q adr d r C d r St h D at r, hi h at Yo r e n h a k p r p ari g to sail fo r t e Me dite rrane n. 95 Thre e Ame ri can shi p s o f w ar whi ch had b e e n cap ture d by th e enem and w o se o ss w as e n n e s e n co u y, h l b i g i v tigat d by a aval rt. 96 I n a summary o f th e e vid e nce give n be fo re th e Barclay co urt m u s e in th e N ava l Ch r o nicle o n o n o l x , p ( ) v . 2 2 artial bli h d L d , xx ii , 4 , [ 1 7 1 ] 1 72 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE the ofﬁcers that were on board the ﬂeet are at p res ent in this squadron , the investigation will requi re two but a day o r , and I p resume will not delay the sailing of the s quad ron .

With great respect , I have the honor to be

r. you r o b t. serv Signed : J [ESSE] D [UNCAN] ELLIOTT h i l d 97 C ro wn n e . . i s The Hono rable B W .

C I certify this to be a true opy of the o riginal . PB WM . H . CAM ELL

P T T NAVY DE AR MEN [Washington , A 20 1 8 1 . p ril , 5

: no w SIR The court of enqui ry, setting at New

Yo rk , is o rdered to p roceed , immediately, to the investigation requested by you r letter of the t 6th instant .

e t I am , very respectfully, you r ob . s rv . CR WN IN IELD B . W . O SH

. Cap t J esse D . Elliott, Sloop Ontario , New Yo rk . th e state me nt is made that Pe rry was o blige d to l e ave h is flag -shi p “ and o s h is o n o no e e sse w c no t e e n e n h i t flag b ard a th r v l , hi h had b ” e d and was m n w . Th e m nu e s o f th e co u o we e gag , aki g a ay i t rt, h v r, no t us e e c o n th o n f h N 1 e c uc o Se o c m n 8 . did th r fl t d t t e iagara . e D u e t T h e Elli o tt co urt se e ms to have co nfine d itse lf to th e di sp ro vi ng o f th e sse o n m e th s o I m ne e e n un o a rti ad by e Briti h p e ri di cal . t e xa i d s v j i r o fice s two o f th w e nce and fi o f th N Th o m e v e e . e c f r , La r iagara m n e s o f e se e ss s no t s a d r th v e l did te tify . 97 C ro wninsh ie ld was se c e o f th e n o m e ce m e 1 r tary avy fr D b r 9, 1 8 1 un m 1 n e e e 0 8 1 8 . He was me m e o f th e s 4, til S p t b r 3 , a b r di ti uish e d ss c use s m o f t n me and e e se n e th e g Ma a h tt fa ily hat a , r p r t d e m s c in o n e ss o m 1 8 2 to 1 8 1 Sal di tri t C gr fr 3 3 .

1 74 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

A P 2 TH 1 8 1 . RIL 4 , 5

The Cou rt met . Present

P r es id e nt Com . Mu rray, Co m R M e m t. Captain Evans , Lieut odgers , h e s r .

J ud e A dv o ca te . Henry Wheaton , Esqui re , g The cou rt being duly swo rn (together with the judge advocate) p roceeded to enqui re into the facts relative to the conduct O f Captain Elliott in O f ro th 1 8 1 the action the Sep tember , 3 , on Lake

Erie . A The annexed p ap ers marked . and B . were 1 02 read .

Lt . Nelson Webster , late sailing master of the

Niagara , was swo rn .

b h o ur t. . Q . y t e C H aving seen and read Capt ’ Perry s ofﬁcial account of the action of the 1 0th 1 8 1 Septembe r, 3 , on Lake Erie , please to state whether it contains a co rrect statement of facts ? A . I believe it does .

b d e th e ud e a v o ca t . Q . y j g What further do you know respecting the subj ect matter of this enqui ry ? A . 1 0 th . 1 8 1 Just at daylight , on the of Sep t , 3 ,

99 n mue E ns Cap tai Sa l va . 1 0° e u e n n Ge o e s n o n R o e s o e o f Co m Li t a t rg Wa hi gt dg r , a br th r m o r o n e s o d e J h R o dg r . 1 01 e o n wh o i s no w e me m e e as o m and w e Wh at , r b r d a dip l at a rit r o f e o o s w as s me Ne w Yo w e and th e e o l gal b k , at thi ti a rk la y r dit r h a i n v a e m n s o f t e N t o a l A d o c t an o n o n. , ad i i trati rga “ ” “ ” 1 02 is an e c o m o n o n e th e s me as ub A xtra t fr a L d Pap r, a that p lish e d in th e B ritish Na v al Ch r o nicle v o l . 2 2 . See no e 1 1 . , xxxii, 4 t 5 “ ” ’ s O ﬁ sc n th Se e o cu B i a co py o f P e rry s f cial l ette r d e ribi g e battl e . D n me t 7 . COURT OF ENQUIRY ON ELLIOTT 1 75

’ - in we were in Put B ay, and discovered the enemy s A . ﬂeet signal was made by Capt . Perry, and we immedi ately got unde r way , and beat out of the — A bay the wind ahead . fter we got out, the wind being light, it shifted , which gave us the weather

. was gage We made sail in p ursuit, and a signal L awr made fo r each Vessel to take its station . The van ence led the , the Caledonia next, and then the

Ni agara , in close o rder . The smaller vessels were ﬁr astern . The enemy commenced his e upon the ﬁ s headmost vessel at fteen minute before noon , which the Lawrence returned at about noon , at the

distance of one mile and a half from the enemy . d Cap t . Elliott di recte me to commence from my fi 1 2 . division with a long Soon afte r , we red one E l o r two b roadsides from the carronades . Capt . l io tt fi di rected us to cease ring the carronades , as fi the Shot fell Sho rt , and to continue ring the long

i i guns . The enemy were p rincip ally d rect ng thei r

ﬁre . , at this moment , against the Lawrence We were using every exertion to get down . The wind was light . It was at half p ast twelve that we com me nce d ﬁring ou r carronades at long gun shot dis

tance , and we , being to windward , were continual l y nearing the enemy . We continued the action , with light winds , continually bearing down in ou r ’ b O L awr station , until a out two clock , when the b E l ence was disa led . P revious to that , Captain l io tt di rected the Caledonia to bea r up and give

him room to close with the Lawrence . The Cale

donia dropped to leeward of us , and the Lawrence 1 76 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

O f d ropped out the line , nea rly at one and the same time . The wind sp rung up , and Cap t . Elliott made A sail to close with thei r headmost ship . fter we got into close action , I was knocked down , and e ca rried below . When I cam on deck again , found

Cap t . Perry on board . Cap t . Elliott was in the gun boats , and the action still continuing . In about twenty-ﬁve minutes afterwards the enemy struck .

b th e co ur t. Q . y What was the force of our squad ron , as to size of vessels , desc ription , number of guns and men . A 20 . It consisted of the b rig Lawrence of guns , ’ 2 1 z s eighteen 3 pound carronades and two long , the b rig Niaga ra of 20 guns of the same de scrip a 1 0 tion and bout 5 men , of which not more than 1 20 ﬁt t were fo r du y . She was not well manned , Sh e 2 0 as had 5 militiamen and about 3 soldiers , and a great number of blacks , only one of whom was a

. O f 1 z s seaman The b rig Caledonia 3 guns , long

1 88 . 2 o r The schooner Sommers of guns , schooner A riel of 3 guns , one of which burst in the action . ’ I do not remember the Sco rpion s fo rce . The T r n e ss 2 . schooner yg of one gun , a lo g 3 pounder

The Po rcup ine and Tripp , same . I did not con si der the vessels so well manned as ou r vessels gen e rall y a re on the ocean . ’ Q . What was the enemy s force ?

A . In close action , they were not superio r to us in my op inion , but from the lightness of the wind ,

1 78 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

b a t i E ll i o tt at C a n . Q . y p Di d the N iagara any O ff time , during the action , attemp t to make from the B ritish ﬂeet ?

A . . No

Q . What was the distance from the Lawrence to the Niagara when the ﬁring commenced from the enemy ? A . There was the intervening sp ace of the Cal do n e i a . , the three vessels being in close o rder

Q . What was the situation of both ﬂeets when the action commenced on ou r p art ? at what time did I o rder the Caledoni a out of the line ? and how soon afte r di d I place my vessel ahead of the Lawrence ? and what app eared to be the Situation of the B ritish ﬂeet ?

A . We were in line ahead , endeavou ring to get down upon the enemy as fast as p ossible , abaft the ’ enemy s beam with the wind nearly abeam . I t was a little after the mi ddle of the action that the Cale donia was ordered out of the line . The Lawrence was drop ping astern , and we shooting ahead . We had got into p retty close action befo re I went b e l o w. in The B ritish ﬂeet was close o rder, and I think had no sp ars Shot away .

Q . Was not my helm up , and the Ni agara ’ standing di rect fo r the enemy s ﬂeet when Capt . Perry came on board ? A . I was below, and cannot say .

Q . What was the situation of the gun boats h o w when I left the Ni agara , and were they dis COURT OF ENQUIRY ON ELLIOTT 1 79 posed of when I reached the head of the enemy’ s line with them ? A . J ust befo re I went below , they were a long

. O way astern When I came on deck , I bserved the gun b oat Cap t . Elliott was in had got nearly to the ’ head of the enemy s line , and he was in very close ’ action d i recti ng the ﬁre of the boats at the enemy s ships . e ar Q . How di d the Lawrence h of the Niagara when Capt . Perry came on board , and what dis tance was she from the Ni agara ? A . I was not on deck , and befo re I went below , the Lawrence was rather on ou r leeward quarter . 1 03

. e Lieut . Yarnell , late I st Lt of the Lawr nce was sworn . ’ o ﬂi cial Q . Does Cap t . Perry s account of the action of the 1 0 th Sep tember contain a co rrect statement of facts ? A . I think generally as to what I could see it is — 2 d co rrect excep t as to the statement in p age , line

1 2 th 80 [p age , line of the Niagara being b rought into close action . I believe the N iagara was th ree quarters of a mile astern O f the L aw

Sh e rence , and when p assed us to windward , at the time Com . Perry took possession of her, she was half a mile O ff on ou r weather h o w. This was about two hours and forty - eight minutes after the

action commenced . I exp ressed my surp rize to

Cap t . Perry on observing the Niagara in that sit

1 03 Y a o s o n o th e E e e u e n n o n . n wh o w s p Li t a t J h J ar all , l t b ard r in 1 8 1 vi e r 5 . 1 80 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE uatio n , and after the Lawrence was disabled he left her in my p ossession and went on board the Niagara .

Q . What fu rther do you know relative to the subject of this enqui ry ?

A O f I o th . . I n the mo rning the Sept , we dis covered the enemy ’ s squad ron and got under way stood out p ast the islands . The wind veered , and became favou rable soon after we p assed one of the islands . Within about three miles of the enemy ,

Cap t . Elliott in the Niagara bo re down and sp oke Capt . Perry . Cap t . Elliott fell into line next to the Caledonia . The Detroit commenced the action by ﬁring a long 24 pounder . Capt .

Perry di rected me to hail the Sco rp ion , fo r the r O f pu pose engaging the enemy , and at the same time to commence ou r ﬁre with a 1 2 p ounder

. A few on the fo recastle minutes afterwa rds , we r commenced a fi e with the carronades . I t hav ' ing b e e n e nqui re d of me whethe r they told o r not, and I answering in the negative , Capt . Perry o rdered the helm to be put up and bo re down n upon the enemy . The Caledonia and Sco rp ion e gaged . We run down and came within about half ’ O f musket shot, exp osed to the whole the enemy s fire at first and afte rwards to that of fou r of his vessels , the Chippewa , Detroit, Hunte r, and Queen

. O Charlotte We lay pposite the Hunte r , and the

Queen Charlotte was astern of the Hunter . Ou r ﬁ rst division was fought against the Detroit , the second against the Queen Charlotte , and occasion a A t ally guns t the Hunter . several periods du ring

1 8 2 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

The Caledonia had two o r three guns on ci rcles . A 2 — 1 2 The riel had 3 , the Sco rpion guns one a , 1 and the othe r an 8 o r 24 pounder . The rest 1 1 one gun each . The Lawrence had 3 men and 1 0 ﬁt boys , of every descrip tion , of which 3 were

. few fo r duty The squadron had but seamen . We had about 3 0 marines and some militia men .

Q . What command had Cap t . Elliott in the action ?

A . H e commanded the Niagara .

Q . How nea r was he to the enemy when the action commenced ?

A . A two . bout a mile and a half , or miles

Q . Do you believe Cap t . Elliott di d every thing O ﬁ a b rave and merito rious f ce r shoul d have done , in the action ?

A . I am unde r the belief that the Niagara could have been b rought into closer action . The same wind which would b ring the Lawrence into action would likewise b ring the Niaga ra into action . The main top sail of the Lawrence was laying to the mast, foresail hauled up , and top gallant sail fu rled . I think the Ni agara had her main top sail — also to the mast that is , while she was astern .

b a l o . a E l i tt Q y C p t in . Di d the Niagara at any time du ring the action attemp t to make Off from the B ritish ﬂeet ? A 0 . N .

Q . What was the distance from the Lawrence ﬁ to the Ni agara , when the ring commenced from the enemy ? A A . quarter of a mile . COURT OF ENQUIRY ON ELLIOTT 1 83

Q . What was the Situation of the gun boats when I left the N iagara , and how were they dis ’ posed o f when I reached the head O f the enemy s line with them ? A . The gun boats , generally were astern and to saw windwa rd . I Capt . Elliott on board one of

them , and they were coming into action . They in were very much scattered , but all bearing down

to action .

Q . What was the established o rder of battle , 1 06 no w ? and is the sketch , Shewn you , a co rrect one A . The sketch is co rrect .

ie u s. Q . What we re the observations of L t Tu r 1 08 ner and Holdup , when speaking to you of the action ? di sa ro b a io n A . They exp ressed thei r s p t and su rp rise that the N iagara was not b rought into

action .

Q . When I was p assing the Lawrence in the

boat , did you not come to the gangway, and ask me ? to bring the boat along side , as you were sinking 0 ! A . N

Q . Di d you not , on the return of the ﬂeet to E ric b e , discovering that there was an altercation

tween Cap tains Perry and Elliott , meet M idship

man Page on the beach , and say to him that there

’ 1 06 n i R B io ra ical A co p y o f thi s sk e tch will b e fo u d n . Jarvi s s g ph

i D unca n E lli o tt 6. N o t ce o f Co m. J esse , 44 1 07 e u e n n n e u ne co mm n e o f th e e o n . He Li t a t Da i l T r r, a d r Cal d ia b e came a cap tai n in 1 8 3 5 . 1 03 e u e n n o m s o u e e ns co mm n e o f th e Li t a t Th a H ld p ( St v ) , a d r

e He was o mo te to c nc in 1 8 6. Tri p p . p r d a ap tai y 3 1 09 H ec me ca s m n u N. e o f th e e ss. e Mid hip a H gh Pag , Tigr b a a p i tain n 1 8 50 . 1 84 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

was the deuce to p ay about the action , but that as

to you r p art, you had always given each of those ofﬁcers an equal share of c redit ? A o — I n . N do not recollect having any co ver

sation with the young gentleman alluded to . H o w Q . was the wind from the beginning to the end of the action ?

A . a I do not p recisely recollect . I suppose

vessel might go two knots .

b co ur t. Q . y th e In the general su rp rize which you State was exp ressed that the Ni aga ra did not

close faster into action , di d you make any allow ance fo r the lightness of the wind ? A . In my fo rme r answers I have made allow n e i a c s fo r the w nd and the existing state of things .

Q . Was there any di fference in the fo rce of the wind from the commencement of the action until the time when Captain Perry came on board the Niaga ra ?

A . A The wind freshened . bout the time he left the Lawrence there was mo re wind than there

had been . The cou rt adjou rned to to - morrow morning at ’ O half p ast nine clock .

A P 2 TH 1 8 1 . RIL 5 , 5

The cou rt met pu rsuant to adj ou rnment . Present

P r e sid e nt Commodo re M u rray, ; o m R M e mb e rs C t. Cap tain Evans , Lieut . odgers , ; A The Judge dvocate .

Lieut . Webster was reexamined .

1 86 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE and I recollect once backing the topsail to p revent running into her .

b h co ur t t e . b e Q . y H ow long time elapsed tween the Lawrence commencing the action and the Niagara ’ s engaging ?

A . I should say ten minutes .

b a ll o C t. E t. Q . y p i t What was the distance from the Lawrence to the N i aga ra from the com me nceme nt of the action until I o rdered the Cale ’ doni a out O f the line ? and did not the enemy s shot take effect in a few minutes after the ﬁring n ’ began , upo the Niagara s sp ars and rigging . A A . t no tim e du ring that p eriod were they ’ o mo re than tw hundred ya rds ap art . The enemy s ff shot took e ect very soon , and shot away one of the fo re top mast back stays . ’ Q . D i d not the enemy s ﬁre app ear to be di re c ’ ted ar the Ni agara s Sp ars and rigging ? A . I think it was .

Q . What distance was I from the Lawrence when I p assed her gaining the head of the line ?

A . I t di d not , in my opinion , exceed thi rty ya rds .

Q . J ust before you were wounded what was the relative position of the L awrence and the Nia gara ?

A . The Lawrence was a little on ou r larboard e u o r weather quarte r . This placed us nearer the emy than the Lawrence .

Q . What damage did the Niagara sustain in the action ? COURT OF ENQUIRY ON ELLIOTT 1 8 7

A . Ou r main stay, fore top mast back stays , a great deal of running rigging , and two shrouds of ou r fo re rigging , were shot away . Some of ou r sp ars were wounded . There were two men killed from my division , befo re I went below, and a num b e r of men wounded on board .

. Q Was\ the Niagara , at any time during the action , from half to th ree quarters of a mile on the weather h o w of the Lawrence after I o rdered the Caledonia out of the line ?

A . . She was not I wish , also to correct my evi dence of yesterday (page 3 [ Le p age by adding that the A riel and the Sco rpion were on the weather h o w of the Lawrence . ’ Q . Did you observe the enemy s ship Queen Charlotte bear up and run away from the Niagara ? ? and if so , when ’ ﬁre A . She di d bea r up from the Niagara s , in about half an hou r after the Niagara commenced ﬁ ring .

M r . Montgome ry, midshipman late of the

Niagara was sworn . ? Q . Where was your station on board

A ﬁ . . In the rst division , commanded by Lieut

Edwa rds . 3 O ﬁ Q . Does Captain Perry f cial letter contain a co rrect statement of facts as you know or believe ?

A . . Yes

1 1 0 m He was o mo e to b e o n o e . Mid shi p man J o hn B . M tg ry p r t d cap tai n in 1 8 53 . 1 1 1 E He e o f e e E e in u e n n o n . w s. Li e t a t J h J d ard di d f v r, at ri

nu 1 8 1 . Ja ary, 4 1 88 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

Q . State what you know relative to the matter of this enqui ry ? A i . I n the commencement of the action the N agara took a position astern O f the Caledonia in close line , agreeably to a signal made by Com . Per ﬁ r . . y Cap t Elliott, observing that the enemy red p rincip ally at the Lawrence , ordered M r . Turner to keep away, so as to enable us to suppo rt the commodore by taking a position astern of the

Lawrence . The Caledonia took her station astern ac of the Niagara , and continued there du ring the e tion . The lightness of the wind p revent d our get ting as close to the Lawrence as it was supposed , we intended . Cap t . Elliott , observing that the car ro nade ﬁre Shot fell sho rt , ordered them to from the long gun only . When the Lawrence was dis abled , a breeze sp rung up ; we p assed her in com p any with the Caledonia , to windwa rd , at about

- ﬁ twenty ve yards distance . The Caledoni a was then astern of us . We took a position which b rought the Lawrence nearly astern O f us on the lee quarter . Captain Elliott ordered us to make sail , and we had boarded the fo re tack and were in the act of setting top gallant sails , befo re Capt . O Perry came on board . I bserved him come over the weather gangway of the Lawrence , get into a ’ boat, and pass under the Niagara s stern . I went aft , and repo rted it to Cap t . Elliott who was then

f . standing on the ta fel Cap t . Elliott met Com .

Perry at the weather gangway, and Shook hands with him . Some conversation p assed which I di d

1 90 B ATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

N O . A .

Q . What was the distance from the Lawrence ’ to the N iagara when the enemy s ﬁre commenced ? and what distance were the Lawrence , Caledonia , and Niagara from the enemy ’ s ﬂeet ? A . We were as close to the Caledonia as we could fo rm the line . The distance between the

Caledonia and the Lawrence I cannot state . The th ree vessels were not within carronade distance of ’ the enemy, but at long gun shot, when the enemy s ﬁre commenced .

Q . What was the distance from the Lawrence to the Ni agara when we commenced our fire ?and what distance was each of th o sg vessels from the e n emy ’ s fleet ? A n . The distance was at that time from one h u fi two d red fty to hund red yards . The two vessels were at long gun shot . The second o r thi rd Shot fired from the enemy cut away two starboard fo re top mast back stays and fell about thi rty ya rds to windwa rd of us .

Q . What was th e d istance from the Lawrence to the Caledonia and from the Caledonia to the Niagara ?and what distance was each of those y e s ’ sels from th e ~e ne my s ﬂeet when I ordered the Cal ? edoni a to bea r up and let me p ass her ,

A . The Lawrence was at that time eighty o r nine ty yards from the Caledonia ; and the ﬂying gib boom of the Niagara was nearly ove r the taffel of the Caledonia . The th ree b rigs were still at long gun shot from the enemy . COURT OF ENQUI RY O N ELL IOTT 1 91

Q . When I ordered the Caledonia to bear up where di d I place the N iagara ? and where was Sh e when Cap t Perry came on board ? A . Capt . Elliott placed his vessel astern of the

Lawrence , and when Cap t . Perry came on board , the Niagara was ahead of the Lawrence standing down on the enemy . The Caledonia was ordered out O f the line about ten minutes after the com me nce me nt O f L t the action , and we p assed the aw ’ ence at half p ast two o clock . N i Q . When Cap t . Perry came on board the ﬁnd m agara di d he not her hel up , and that vessel standing di rect for the enemy ’ s ship Detroit ? A . We were Standing fo r the enemy , whose line was in comp act o rder .

Q . What was the Situation of the gun boats when I left the Niagara ? and h o w were they dis ’ posed O f when b rought to the head of the enemy s line ?

A . When Cap t . Elliott left the N iagara , they were all astern of us . We had p assed the Sco rpion A and riel . When Cap t . Perry came on board they do were all astern , excep t that I not recollect whether the Sco rp ion and A riel were to wi ndward o r astern . o r Q . When I hailed the gun boats , di d I not der them to make sail and keep close under my Stern ?

A I . . heard Cap t Elliott hail the Po rcupine and o rde r her to take a p osition close under ou r stern , at the commencement of the action . The 1 92 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE Sco rpion was ahead and the A riel on the weather b o w of the Lawrence .

Q . What was the established o rder of battle , and is the sketch now shewn you a co rrect view of the situation of both ﬂeets at the times stated ? A . I n the commencement of the action , the

Sco rpion was the headmost vessel , the Lawrence A next , and the riel on the weather bow of the

Lawrence , the Niagara astern of the Caledonia .

The two lines a re co rrectly stated in the sketch , ex ’ ce p ting that the enemy s schooner Chippewa took he r position ahead O f the Detroi t afte r the com me nceme nt — I of the action p resume , in o rde r to suppo rt the B ritish Commodo re and to engage the small vessels at the head of ou r line .

Q . When Cap t . Perry came on board the N ia gara , was she half a mile on the weathe r bow of the Lawrence ?

A . No ! She was nearly ahead of the L awr ence , a little on her weather bow , p erhaps one hun d red ya rds .

Q . Did the Lawrence and Caledonia at any time in the action bear up , and leave the Niagara with her main top sail aback , o r leave her on a wind ? A . Until the Caledoni a changed her position , the Ni agara was in close o rde r with her . The Lawrence and Caledonia did not bear up and leave the Niagara , as interrogated .

b co u A th e r t. Q . y t what stage of the action di d the Niagara get within musket shot of the enemy ?

1 94 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

them in ten minutes . H e then o rdered them to thei r quarters . A O f M r . dams , late midshipman the Niagara , was sworn . ’ D O fﬁ ac Q . you believe Capt . Perry s o cial count to be correct ?

A . . I think it is ac Q . Di d the Niagara at any time during the tion attemp t to make O ff from the B ritish ﬂeet ? A 0 ! . N

Q . What was the distance from the Lawrence ’ to the Niagara when the enemy s ﬁre commenced ? and what distance were the Lawrence , Caledonia , and Niagara from the enemy ? A f . I should say the distance was thi rty o forty yards between the Lawrence and Ni agara . The three vessels were about half o r three quarters of a mile from the enemy .

Q . What was the distance from the Lawrence to the Caledonia , and from the Caledonia to the Niagara ? and what distance were those vessels from the enemy, when I o rdered the Caledoni a to bear up and let me p ass her ? A . The distance was not then mo re than twenty yards from the Lawrence to the Caledonia , and ’ f A ll ou r gib boom was over the Caledoni a s ta fel . were nearing the enemy, and something less than o ff half a mile .

. N i Q When Cap t . Perry came on boa rd the

1 1 2 m n m H s ue ms. e as o h Mid hip a Sa l W . Ada w dr p p e d fro m t e navy in 1 8 1 5 . COURT OF ENQUIRY ON ELLIOTT 1 95 a ﬁnd gara , di d he not her helm up , and that vessel ’ Standing di rect fo r the enemy s ship Detroit . A e . The helm was up , and we w re bearing down upon the enemy . The fo resail was set fo r that pu rpose .

b h co ur t. t e . Q . y Did Capt Elliott do all in his powe r to close in with the Lawrence when she was overpowered by the enemy ’ s vessels ﬁring into her ?

A . . I believe he did f ? Q . Di d he get up in time to a ford her relief A b ut ﬁ . She was nearly disabled , still ring when he got up . ’ ac Q . Was Cap t . Elliott s conduct , du ring the o ﬂi ce r ? tion , that of a good , in you r j udgment A . It was . inte n Q . Di d you observe any indication of an tion on his p art to withdraw from the enemy at the time the Lawrence was disabled ?

! . A . No he appeared to be anxious to close in

a lli o b t E t. C . t Q . y p Did the Lawrence and

Caledonia , at any time du ring the action , run down th within musket shot of the enemy , and leave Niagara ﬁring at the enemy’ s smaller vessels at a distance ? N O ! A . we were close to the Caledonia du r Sh e ing the whole action , till was o rdered out of the way in o rder to let us p ass to the assistance of the

Commodore . ’ Tatte m N i M r . , master s mate on board the agara was swo rn .

1 1 3 ’ m. Maste r s Mate R o b e rt S . Tate 1 96 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

d A dv o ca te . b th e J u e . Q . y g Di d Cap t Elliott do all in his power to close in with the Lawrence ’ when she Was overpowered by the enemy s vessels ﬁring into her ?

A . He did . f ? Q . Did he get up in time to a fo rd he r relief

A . We were never much out of the way . We ’ m were immediately under the Caledonia s ste , and the L awrence was about the length O f the Cale doni a ahead of the latter . The three b rigs were in comp act line . ’ ac Q . Was Cap t . Elliott s conduct du ring the tion such as merited app robation ? A . I thought at the time that no man could dis play mo re zeal , gallantry, and conduct than he did .

Q . Di d you O bserve any app earance of an l n tention on his p a rt to withd raw from the enemy , when the Lawrence was disabled ? A ! . No far from it .

Q . Di d the Niagara at any time during the ac tion make O ff from the B ritish ﬂeet ? A ! . No

Q . Di d the Lawrence and Caledonia at any time bea r up and p lace themselves within musket

a shot distance of the enemy, leaving the Niag ra ’ O f o ff ﬁ three quarters a mile , ring at the enemy s smaller vessels ? A ! . No Until we p assed the Caledonia we were immedi ately under her stern .

b a t E l li o tt C . . Q . y p What conversation p assed between me and Cap t . Perry when I retu rned on board the Niagara ?

1 98 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

M r . Cummings , acting midshipman on board the Ni agara , was swo rn .

h e co ur t . b t . Q . y Di d Capt Elliott do all in his power to gain a near position to the enemy ?

- A in . . Yes my op inion , every thing he could do

D O . Q . you believe that Cap t Elliott did every thing he ought to have done in the action ?

A . Yes . O ff Q . Di d the Niagara attemp t to make from the enemy ’ s ﬂeet during the action ? A 0 ! . N ’ at Q . Di d the enemy s Ship Queen Charlotte temp t to make O ff from the Ni agara ? A — . Yes the Queen Charlotte attempted to get away from us , and in so doing run foul of the De N i tro it. This was befo re Cap t . Elliott left the aga ra to go on board the gun boats .

Q . Where was the Niaga ra when Capt . Perry ? came on board of her an d was the Lawrence , at

- e n that time , three fou rths of a mile nearer to the emy than the Ni agara ?

A e n . The Ni aga ra was l aying along side the ’ emy s Ships Queen Charlotte and Detroit . I think she was not mo re than two cables length from them . I think we were neare r the enemy than the

Lawrence .

Q . When we p assed the Lawrence how near we re we to her ?

— A . I was not looking at her but the ﬁrst time Sh e I saw her , after we passed her , was not more ff than a quarter of a mile o .

1 1 4 mm n H d e ute n n in 1 8 2 n u s. e e . Mid shi p man J o h L . C i g di a li a t 4 COURT OF ENQUI RY ON ELLIOTT 1 99

Q . Did the Lawrence and Caledonia , at any time during the action , bear up fo r the enemy leaving the N i agara standing on to windwa rd ?

— A . N o not that I saw .

Q . Did Cap t . Elliott order the Caledonia out of the line at any p erio d of the action ?

A ! . . Yes an hou r befo re Cap t Perry came on boa rd .

Lieut . Fo rrest , acting lieutenant on boa rd the

Lawrence , was swo rn . ? Q . Whe re were you stationed

A . In the second division . ’ ﬂi l . o cia Q H ave you read Cap t . Perry s letter , and does it contain a co rrect statement O f facts ?

A . I have just read it, and it is co rrect .

b h e ud e a dv o ca e Q . y t j g t . What else do you know of this enqui ry ? n A . When we got within three miles of the e 1 h 0 t . emy on the of September , Cap t Elliott hailed us concerning the ﬂag that was to be hoisted on A board the Commodore . ﬂag with the motto , ’ D o i e u n t v th e h i . S . g p p , was hoisted Com Perry hailed Cap t . Elliott , and told him that he ( Com .

P . ) intended to engage the Detroit , and wished the

N iaga ra to drop just astern of him . We went into action in that o rde r . Signals were made from the

Lawrence fo r each vessel to engage its opp onent .

Q . Di d the N iagara attemp t to make O ff from the B ritish ﬂeet at any time du ring the action ?

A . N O !

Q . Do you know whether Cap t . Elliott did all in his power to gain a position nea rer to the enemy ? 200 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

A . It is my op inion there might have been more sail set on the Ni agara .

Q . Di d he do every thing becoming a b rave and o ﬂi ce r ? merito rious , in the action A . So far as I saw , I believe he did .

Q . Whe re was the Niagara when Com . Perry went on board ? A . She was to windwa rd of us . I suppose she ff o . was about half a mile , but I cannot be positive

Q . Di d you , du ring the action , exp ress you r su rp ri z e that the Niagara di d not close with the enemy ?

A . . Yes

Q . How far was the Niagara from the enemy at that time ?

A . I do not know . I suppose from th ree

- fou rths to one hal f a mile .

’ Q . Was the Niagara then engaged ?

A . She was ﬁring . H Q . o w nea r was the Lawrence to the enemy at the same time ? A A t . p oint blank shot distance with a ca rron ade .

Q . Did the Caledonia and Lawrence at any time du ring the acti on bear up and run down on the enemy , leaving the Niaga ra standing on ? A . A fte r the action commenced the Niagara uS was standing di rectly after . 1 1 5 A re L ie uts Q . . Edwards and Smith , and M r . 1 1 6 O f ? Macgraw , l ate the Niagara , dead

1 1 5 e u n n o s . e e p E . m He e in n in e cem e Li t a t J h S ith di d Virgi ia D b r,

1 8 1 3 . 1 1 6 u s um H 1 e e . mse in 1 8 P r r H p hr y Magrath e kill e d hi lf 4.

' 202 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

this cou rt that the enemy ’ s Ship Q ueen Charlotte O ff ﬁre bore from the of the Niaga ra , commanded by Cap tain Elliott .

P r e s A . t. MURRAY ,

H T J ud e A d v o ca te HENRY W EA ON , g A CR WN IN SHIELD . . O pp roved , B W A B I B LIOG RA PHY OF TH E BA TTLE OF LA KE ERI E

cco un s o f he e re o nnum e A t t battl a alm st i e rabl . n h e o m o e O ly t m re i po rtant n s are h e re liste d .

206 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

B R N R NRY M R s o f h e e war be CK . o t A E IDGE , HE A IE Hi t ry lat ,

wee n th e n e es and e B n co n n n t U it d Stat Gr at ritai , tai i g a minute Acco unt o f th e vari o us military and naval Ope ra

o ns us e w es seco n e o n mo e ti , ill trat d ith plat , d diti ( Balti r ,

1 8 - 1 8 4 7 .

h e n r ROWN M . u en c s o o f t e co Wa B , SA UEL R A th ti Hi t ry S d

- f r n e en ence e u n 1 0 1 . o tc. u I d p d , (A b r , 4 5 4 h - V ews o f t e C m a ns o f th e o wes e n m e tc. i a p ig N rth t r Ar y, , co mprisi ng Ske tch es o f th e Campaigns o f Gene rals Hull and D e o n m nu e and n e es n cco unt o f th e n arb r , a i t i t r ti g A aval

- Co n c o n e e e tc. e 8 1 02 . ﬂi t Lak Eri , ( Philad lphia , 4 V e n e n u NN D C . s a d es o f D C . BU ELL , A ID Trav l Adv t r avid unne u n wen - ee e s o f a e f n fe co n B ll , d ri g t ty thr Y ar S a ari g Li ,

n n an ccu e cco un o f the e o f e e e tc tai i g a rat A t Battl Lak Eri , . m 1 0 - 1 1 8 ( Pal yra , 9 .

R R M . e o f e e w o ces o f Co m BU GES , T ISTA Battl Lak Eri , ith N ti ’ mo do re Ellio tt s Co nduct in that Engageme nt ( Phil adel 1 es phia , 47 Pag Thi s b o o k co ntai ns many imp o rtant d o cume nts re sp e cti ng th e e o f e E e and th e co n o e s e we e n e and E o t Battl Lak ri tr v r y b t P rry lli t .

e e are s e e e o ns e s e s th e o e . O ne o f e m is Th r v ral diti , b id ab v th

u s e o s o n and no e o e nce . p bli h d at B t , a th r at Pr vid C V R OR N RY o n o n th e cc s o n o f ce e AL E T , GE GE HE . Orati O a i l b ratin the fo e nn e rs o f the e o f e e g rti th A iv ary Battl Lak Eri ,

e e e he en f e e e 1 o n t o m 8 in ew o . . d liv r d t th S pt b r , 5 3 , N p rt , R I ,

se co n e o n o ence 2 es. d diti ( Pr vid , 3 pag Th e ap p e ndix co ntains thre e l etters writte n by Pe rry to C o mmo o e s c unce in th e summe o f 1 1 d r I aa Cha y r 8 3 . h e e C RK OM . s o o f t e n s f o m LA , TH AS Naval Hi t ry U it d Stat , r th e co mmenceme nt o f the Re vo lutio nary War to the prese nt

me e o l - v . 2 1 222 . Ti ( Philad lp hia , i , 7

C Y C M R C . o n o f C ss us M ce us LA , ASSIUS A ELLUS Orati a i ar ll Clay be fo re th e Maumee Vall e y Histo rical and M o nume ntal

sso c o n o f o e o o Put- in- s n e A iati , T l d , Ohi , at Bay I la d , Lak e o n th e l o th o f e em e 1 8 1 the nn e s o f th e Eri , S pt b r , 9 , A iv r ary Cap ture o f the B ritish Fl e e t by Olive r Haz ard Pe rry ( Phila

e 1 es d lp hia , 9 pag . BIBLIOGRAPHY 207

me c n COO P R M E N I M OR E . es o f D s n u s e E , JA ES F Liv i ti g i h d A ri a

- O ﬁice rs e vo l . 1 61 2 2 . Naval ( Philad lphia, ii , 3 ’ e se s e c e s w e e o n n e in Grah a m s M a az ine Th k t h r rigi ally p ri t d g ,

and we re e nlarg e d and imp ro v e d b e fo re p ubli cati o n in b o o k fo rm. e e is so an e o n o f the o o n e u u n New Th r al diti b k p ri t d at A b r ,

Yo in 1 8 6. rk , 4 ’ e z e in Graham s M a az ine a Oliv r Ha ard P rry, g ( Phil

l u - - 8 6 6. e vo . xx 26 2 d lp hia , , 9 7 , 3 3 3 4 w u r e o f e e o r ns e s to M ess s. Bu es D e Battl Lak Eri , A r r rg , ,

and M c e nz e Co o e s o wn 1 1 es. a k i ( p r t , 7 pag

s is e e nse O f n e sse unc n E o t . Thi a d f Cap tai J D a lli t Histo ry O f th e Navy o f th e U nite d States o f Ame rica

- l . e vo 8 0 . ( Philad lphia , ii , 3 5 4 5

e e are s e e su se ue n e o ns o f s o o se R . Th r v ral b q t diti thi b k ( e . W ’ Ne e se r s S ta tistical a nd Ch ro no l o g i cal Histo ry o f th e United S tates

Nav v o l . y , i , D W N N Y B N e o f h e n e es O R R O . s t A S , HE A T Battl U it d Stat by N e l - e an n w o o . 2 2 0 . S a d e tc. v La d , ( Y rk , ii , 74 9 n i ' n Thi s bo o k may b e co sulte d fo r ts re fe re ce s . he an D W O N M O . s o c e o f t C d M A S , SES Hi t ri al Narrativ ivil il

- itar e ce s O f M o ene m . so n etc. y S rvi aj r g ral Willia H Harri ,

- C nc nn 1 1 . ( i i ati , 4 4 4 7

s o f he e e e D O N M . o t o f BBI S , WILLIA W Hi t ry Battl Lak Eri , e em e 1 0 1 8 1 and em n scences o f th e s S pt b r , 3 , R i i Flag hip

w e nce e 6 es. La r ( Eri , 9 p ag

o ns h as use th e e s o f h is e n -m s e n e D bbi d p ap r fath r, Saili g a t r Da i l ’ o ns o ne o f e s o ﬁce s . se co n e o n w as u s e D bbi , P rry f r A d diti p bli h d I n 1 91 3 . ’ e 8 O N O P . s V c o o n e e 1 EAT , J SE H GILES P rry i t ry Lak Eri , es in Pa ers o th e M ilitar Histo r ical S o cie t o M assa pag , p f y y f

h u e t c s ts vo l . no . . , xi , 7 m e e Co . esse unc n El O D N C N . c o f D ELLI TT , JESSE U A Sp h J a e e o 1 m lio tt e e in s wn M . o n o e e , d liv r d Hag r t , d , 4th N v b r ,

1 8 u s e th e Co mm ee O f n eme n o f s 43 , p bli h d by itt Arra g t Wa h in to n Co un M n e 82 es. g ty, aryla d ( Philad lphia , pag ’ Thi s p amp hl e t co ntai ns Elli o tt s acco unt o f h is co nd uct in th e e th e o ce e n s o f th e E o t o ur o f E n u and o e battl , p r di g lli t C t q iry, th r r d o cume nts re lating to th e co ntro ve sy . 208 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

E h n M M ON s OR O R . av o f t e e es e tc. , GE GE F STE N y U it d Stat , - s n o n 20 2 1 . (Wa hi gt , h N RO O N . o o O f t e etc. ew o F ST, J H B k Navy , ( Y rk , - 1 94 2 1 3 .

’ n th fﬁ f e o Thi s b o o k p ri ts e a davits o s ve ral f Pe rry s o fﬁce rs . ’ Th e e o emo N N ON R . s c r m a HU TI GT , WEBSTE P P rry vi t y ri l

o n 1 2 es. (Akr , 7 p ag

R o h e e co n N O C R R . s c e c o f t I GE S LL , HA LES JA ED Hi t ri al Sk t h S d War b e twe en th e Unite d States o f Ame rica and Gre at l 1 - n e tc. e vo . 8 1 . Britai , ( Philad lphia , i , 4 5 7

RV N N O N . o p c M emo o f Co mmo [ I I G , WASHI GT ] Bi gra hi al ir h M l - in e A al e ct c a ne o . 1 o e e t n i a z i v 0 . d r P rry , g , ii , 493 5 ’ ’ Thi s will b e fo und in Autho r s Auto grap h Editi o n o f Irvi ng s N l m un - w n s e w Yo S a a di v o l . 2 1 as we as riti g ( rk , g , ii , 94 3 4 ; ll n n i o th e r e diti o s . u n e co un f h e e f n a M M . a d co c c o t c JA ES , WILLIA F ll rr t A t hi av l O ccurre nces o f the late War b e twee n Gre at Britain and th e me e o n o n - n e es o f c tc. 2 8 2 . U it d Stat A ri a , ( L d , 3 95

B o o ce f o m e e D un V . R c o C . ss A IS , RUSSELL] i grap hi al N ti J can o t co n n n a e ew o f th e Co n o e rs e ween Elli t , tai i g R vi tr v y b t

him and th e e Co mmo o e e and s o o f th e lat d r P rry , a Hi t ry

- u e e o f th e US . e Co ns u o n C z e n Fig r h ad Frigat tit ti , by a iti

f N e o w Yo rk . Th e ap p e ndix o f thi s b o o k co ntai ns th e mi nute s o f th e Elli o tt co u o f e n u fﬁ s and s eme n s o f o us o ﬁce s wh o rt q iry, a davit tat t vari f r

in h o f f . c e t e e c o e e o O . e to p arti i p at d battl , a p y a l tt r H P rry r wninsh ie ld o f u us 8 1 8 1 8 e c e o f th e N . . C o S r tary avy G W A g t , , e e n c e s ns E o and o e o cume n s e n p r f rri g harg agai t lli tt, th r d t r lati g

to th e battl e . o f n o n o n N FOR M . s o C KI GS D , WILLIA Hi t ry a ada ( L d ,

- vo l . 1 0 1 . viii , 3 3 4 e - o o f the o f O N N O N O N . c o o L SSI G , BE S J H Pi t rial Fi ld B k War

- 1 1 New o . 8 2 e tc. 0 , ( Y rk , 5 9 5 43

s o o co n ns muc n e e s n n o m o n so me o f w c Thi b k tai h i t r ti g i f r ati , hi h

must b e use d with cauti o n. o o f th e n e t es New o St ry U it d S at Navy ( Y rk ,

- 1 83 1 95 .

me m O N RY OM YN FOR . s e n o e Co o L U SBU , TH AS RA ES D Ja F i r

2 1 0 BATTLE O F LAKE ERIE

o f M o n e u 1 6 1 8 2 o e nce 6 day, F br ary , 5 ( Pr vid , 3

es pag . i A se co nd e diti o n o f thi s b o o k w a s i ssue d n 1 8 54. R B e f f th e f ce s who we e in R ON . e c es o PA S S , USHE ri Sk t h O ﬁ r r

th e B e o f e e n 1 es. attl Lak Eri ( Alba y , 3 pag Thi s is al so p ri nte d in th e Ne w E ngland Histo r ical a nd Ge n l i i l - ea o cal R e ste r v o . 1 2 . g g , xvii , 7 9 f s e n P -in- e em e eec o D . so s ut Sp h r U h r Par at Bay , S pt b r 1 0 1 8 8 the Ce e o n o f th e th nn e s r o f th e , 5 , l brati 4s A iv r a y

e f e e e n e e Battl o Lak Eri [Pro vid c 4 pag s. Thi s is p ubli sh e d in the N e w E ngland His to rica l a nd G e ne a l o g i i - cal R e ster v o l . 1 1 1 . g , xiii , 7 74 ’ o men e n o RRY M W CA L BRA ITH . D cu s in o t [ PE , ATTHE ] t r lati o e th e Diffe rences b e twe e n the late Co mmo d re O . H . P rry o o 1 82 1 os o n n D . s n n and C . aptai J Elli tt (Wa hi gt , ; B t , 3 8 Pag es ’ o h o f Thi s p amp hl e t co ntai ns 0 . H . P e rry s l ette r t t e S e cr etary h N ro ninsh i l o f u us 1 n t e G . C w e d 8 1 8 8 e e avy W . A g t , , p r f rri g c e s ns E o co o f th e c e s co e s o n e nce b e harg agai t lli tt, a p y harg , rr p d tw e e n Elli o tt a nd P e rry and o th e rs in 1 8 1 8 whi ch thre ate ne d to l e ad

to ue and i s o f o fﬁce s o e to e . a d l , aff davit r fav rabl P rry RRY V Z fe f mmo o n h e R R . o Co e e i t PE , OLI E HA A D Li d r P rry ,

P r t o 1 1 o l - 1 o lio 8 v . 2 1 0 2 . f , 4, i , 7

Y- O R V R Y e ew o f m e ur PERR ELLI TT CONT O E S . R vi a Pa phl t p po rti ng to be D o cuments in re lati o n to th e Diffe re nces which

u s s e e we e n th e e mm o e e s Co o . e b i t d b t lat d r Oliv r H P rry,

d n e o an C sse D . C z e n O f M ss c use s aptai J Elli tt , by a iti a a h tt

o s o n es . ( B t , 5 5 p ag

s is ns o f E n m o n m n s Thi a d e fe e lli o tt. Ma y i p rta t d o cu e t re lat in to h is co n e s g tro v r y with P e rry are p ri nte d . RRY M M OR and e n enn e e o n u s e PE E IAL C t ial C l brati . P bli h d by ’ dire ctio n o f the I nte r-state B o ard o f th e Pe rry s Ce nte nnial

mm ss o ne s C e e n e Co 2 2 s. i i r ( l v la d , pag

Y e o o f fo r e o numen PERR M O N U M ENT . R p rt bill a P rry M t at - - u e S . o se o f e e n e Put in B a th e U . s s Co mm e e y , by H R p r tativ itt

o n th e in U . S . o use R e o rts I st Co n ess s Library, H p , 5 gr , ﬁr t

sess o n no . 2 1 2 . i , 4

o o d Th e bill was fav rably re p rte . B I BLIOGRAPHY 2 1 I

RRY O e o o n o r e o numen PE M NU M ENT . R p rt Bill f a P rry M t a P -i - h e o u e f e ese n es Co m t ut n t U . S. s o Bay, by H R pr tativ

mittee o n h e r 2d Co n ess t in U . S . o use R e o ts Library, H p , 5 gr ,

f ess o n no 1 1 s s . 2 . ir t i , 4

Th e w a s o r bill fav rably re p o te d . R Y n u u o n o f he e ue C e e PE R STATUE . I a g rati t P rry Stat at l v n o n th e en o f e em e 1 860 nc u n th e A d la d , T th S p t b r , , i l di g

esses and o e o ce e n s w e c o f m dr th r Pr di g , ith a Sk t h Willia

cu th e cu o u s e D ec o n o f th e C Wal tt , S lpt r , p bli h d by ir ti ity

Co unc C e e n 1 28 es. il ( l v la d , pag n n m n n n m n n h Thi s co tai s a y i te re sti g d o cu e ts re lati g to t e battl e . mo n o e s e te o f e w s a ss n an cco un o f th e re A g th r , a l t r L i C , givi g a t ’ ti mo s n 2 1 e cep o n o f P e rry s fa us di p atch at S e e ca ( p p . bri f acco unts o f th e battl e by a gunne r and a sail o r wh o p arti cip ate d n c o un f th e n o s s in it ( p p . 8 2 a d a c ts o e r ce p ti o at vari u p lace ’ f h n f 1 o t e e ws o P e rry s victo ry ( p p . 9 Y n u u o f h e e h e RR . n o t ue w t PE STATUE I a g rati P rry Stat , ith f m efﬁe nd h e e m in re e sses o . a t s Addr Willia P Sh ld , R ark cei in th e ue o e no e mo e nd M o F n v g Stat by G v r r W t r a ay r ra k lin e e e w o 6 s . tc. 0 , ( N p rt , pag Thi s p amp hl e t co ntai ns th e addre sse s d e liv e re d at th e inaugura

o n o f th e e s ue New o o n e e m e 1 0 1 88 . I n ti P rry tat at p rt S p t b r , 5 h e m t e n a re se e a o e s s e c n th e o f E . ap p dix v r l p re p ti g battl e Lak e ri e e f e ce o n e fo r a n h e PERRY STATUE . Ord r o S rvi s ap p i t d l yi g t o un o n o ne o f th e e ue in th e c o f N ew F dati St P rry Stat , ity

n e f o e s n N ew o the M . . o o p rt , by W Gra d L dg Rh d I la d (

o 1 es . p rt , 5 pag ’ ’ u s e h e e ic PERRY S VICTORY CENTENARY . P bli h d by t P rry s V o Ce n e nn Co mm ss o n o f N ew o n t ry t ial i i Y rk (Alba y,

3 09 pages. ’ e n u e h e e i PERRY S VICTORY Centennial S o uv ir . P blish d by t d to rial s ff o f th e o u n o f me c n s o New o ta J r al A ri a Hi t ry ( Y rk , e 96 pag s. 1 1 2 un fo m V o f 8 e tc. OO O OR . R SE ELT , THE D E Naval War , , i r - e o n e vo l . 08 0. diti ( Philad lphia , i , 3 3 4

Thi s wo rk ﬁrst ap p e are d in 1 8 8 2 . Th e re a re se ve ral e diti o ns

o f it. 2 1 2 B I BLIOGRAPHY

OO V O OR . War w th e n e es 1 8 1 2 R SE ELT, THE D E ith U it d Stat , ’ - in m o e R o a N av o l 1 1 1 8 . 1 C w s l v . 2 5 , Willia Laird l y y , vi , 7

nn e f th e B e o f e P N F N . s o S ALDI G , RU US PAI E A iv r ary attl Lak

e n us 1 8 es. Eri ( Sa d ky, pag

s co n ns an o o n n e e e o n e e m e 1 0 Thi tai rati by S p aldi g d liv r d S p t b r , 1 8 w e n th e co ne -s o ne o f mo nume n was Put-in- 5 9, h r r t a t laid at Bay,

O hi o . ur o i P R O N N O P . s o o f o f m ts S EA S , J H RA D L H Hi t ry Navy, r

n to the ese n D 1 - 1 8 N ew o Origi pr t ay, 775 97 ( Y rk , l 8 - vo . 2 0 2 . ii , 3 5

FF NY N M OOR and n m H i ekO e r c s. an u d TI A , NI A E Fra i Har J p

m e 1 1 - 1 C 8 0 . ( a bridg , 9

f e R M RM N . M nu o a c cs tc. WA D , JA ES HA A a al N val Ta ti ,

N ew o 6-80 ( Y rk , 7 .

B e o h h M N NJ M N . es o f t e o o r t e es WHIT A , E A I H r N rth , Battl o f e e and e C m n B o s o n Lak Eri Lak ha plai ( t , s o o co n ns two p o e ms o ne o n th e e o f e E e Thi b k tai , battl Lak ri and th e o the r o n th e battl e o f Lak e Champ lain ; and thre e e ng rav

n s two o f th e e o f e E e . e c Ne N , ( w ew i g battl Lak ri by P Mav ri k, ark , f f e r se and o ne o th e e o e m n. J y ) , battl Lak Cha p lai

P R . e e e O es. YA LE , GE GE REID P rry at Eri ( Eri , 3 9 pag

IN DEX

DA M E NRY : wo e 20 n E S c , 5 , : 8 A , H rk it d Barli lij ah 5 ms o n : 8 ne s me s : wo s c e 20 Ada , J h 5 Bar , Ja rk it d , 5 ms mue : 1 94 and fo o t e o f e E e : e e n s e Ada , Sa l W Battl Lak ri v t l ad no te in u to 1 -2 e ne ao g p , 7 4 ; g ral e n me s : 8 8 co un 2 -2 cco un o f R o o se All , Ja W 5 , 4 t, 4 5 ; a t s o n o se e : wo r cit e 2 - cco un s e All t , J p h Blyth k v lt, 7 34 ; a t by P rry

e d 20 - -8 cco un n s , 5 47 49, 79 7 ; a t by I gli , m n -m s e o m s - cco un so ns Al y, Saili g a t r Th a C 5 3 54 ; a t by Par , 5 7 2 o o tno te 8 1 2 -1 2 so ne s en 61 4, f 5 , 3 5 ; p ri r tak , m e s u n : 22 2 62 o o tno te cco un A h r tb rg ( Ca ada) , 4, , f ; a t by Bar 6 1 1 1 1 8 I 1 61 c 6 - c su e s Se c 34. 7 . 5 , 5 7 , 5 , S9. , lay, 7 7 5 ; a alti , 7 5 ; 1 62 1 6 1 6 re tar o f N e s e c n 1 1 , 3 , 5 y avy r p ti g, 3

n e c c ne : c e 20 8 1 1 1 1 - 1 20 n o m o n co n A al ti Magazi it d , 4, 9 ; i f r ati e 2 1 2 o o tno te ce n n 1 1 -1 6 1 -20 1 Ari l , 4, f , r i g, 4 7 , 74 ; bib 2 2 8 - 1 and o o tno te lio r a h o f 20 - 7 , 3 , 34, 7 9 f , g p y , 5 2 1 2

8 2 8 6 8 8 1 1 0 1 0 t e o f e E e e e o n . . . 9 , 9s, 99, 3 , 9, Bat l Lak ri C l brati 1 1 1 82 1 1 m me n 20 3 3 , 47 , , 9 ; ar a t 5 o f e o f e E e en e nn , 74 Battl Lak ri C t ial ms o n o n : wo r c e 20 20 Ar tr g, J h k it d , 5 5 us me s : 86 B e lv id e ra ( s n a s Art , Ja Briti h av l hi p ) 1 o tno t 37 , f o e

B AGGs ILLIA M : 8 e nne n e : 86 , W 5 B t, Da i l

mo e o no s e ne e u . e o e : 2 2 0 and Balti r h r P rry, Big ll , Li t G rg , 7 6 o o tno te 1 3 f , 75 , 63

nc o e o e : wo c e d 20 me s : 8 Ba r ft, G rg rk it , 5 Bird , Ja 5 c o mm n e R o e m e e ne : me n o n Bar lay, C a d r b rt Bixby, Willia K y ti e o : s e c o f e 2 o o t e d 1 o o tno te H ri t k t h lif , 3 , f , 4 , f , 5 9 no te n - c ; 24 a d o otno te 2 , p . me s : 1 1 f , § 3 3 , Bla k Ca t Ja 4 8 2 1 0 1 1 2 I c R o c : se e B u alo 7 s. 3 . 9 . 9, 77 . 9 , 99; Bla k k ff o no s 6 o o tno te e e to o s o n ss : 6 h r 3 , f ; l tt r , B t ( Ma ) 3 5 , 3 1 e e o f 6 6 - o we n e : wo c e 20 5 , 5 3 ; l tt r . 5 , 7 74 ; B , Ab l rk it d , 5 co u -m 1 -1 6 e o wm n G o e : 8 6 rt artial , 3 5 7 ; ap p ar B a , dfr y nce 1 0 o o tn t i c o e n n o f e . E w : 1 1 a , 4 , f ; f di g Bra , Cap t d ard 37 , 39 co u t-m 1 -1 s te c e n e e n e : wo r artial , 5 3 54 ; ta Bra k ridg , H ry Mari rk me n to co u -m 1 - 1 6 c e d 206 t rt artial , 5 5 7 it , 2 1 6 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

B re o o rt e n 0 o t s v . : 8 fo e , : 8 , Cap t H ry B , Chri ti David 5 ’ no te 8 2 s m n o n : 8 0 , , 95 Clark , Mid hip a J h ,

- o o s e u . o n : 2 80 o o t o o tno te 8 e o f 1 2 3 , , f f , ; , 8 8 Br k , Li t J h 7 d ath no te 8 1 s e c o f 8 o o t C o m s : wo c e 20 6 , ; k t h , 5 , f lark , Th a rk it d , no te e o f 8 1 o n o m s : 8 0 o o tno te ; d ath , Claxt , Th a , f , o wn me s : 8 8 wo un e 82 Br , Ja 4 5 ; d d , o wn o n E : 8 ss us ce us : wo Br , J h 5 Clay, Ca i Mar ll rk o wn mue R : wo s c e d c e 20 6 Br , Sa l rk it , it d , 20 6 o n : 8 Clay, J h 5

uff o N . 20 1 o we s m d : uo ed B al ( , 5 9 Cl , Willia Lair q t , uc n w : 2 o o t Wo c 2 1 e u . E f 34 ; e , 2 B ha , Li t d ard 4, rk it d no te 1 o c n mue : 8 6 , 3 » 7 5 C hra , Sa l

unne : wo c e d 20 6 o n n e u . . . : 2 B ll , David C rk it , C kli g, Li t A H M 4, B urdee n o n : 8 o o tno te , J h 5 f

u e s s m : wo C e d o n e ss U . u c se s ca tur B rg , Tri ta rk it , 5 5 , C gr , S ; p r ha p 20 6 20 e d l e e 6 o no s e 6 , 7 f t, 3 ; h r P rry , 3 u ne m : 8 B r tt, Willia 5 3 7 u n m o n : 8 o ns u o n 1 o o t B r ha , J h 5 C tit ti 37 , f u e o m s : 8 8 no te B tl r, Th a 5 , 4 o m mo e : n s o n . R c : 1 and o e e s en e e Byr , Cap t i hard 37 C p r, Ja F i r d f d o o tno te 1 E o 2 o o tno te wo s cit f , 3 9 lli tt, 7 , f ; rk e d 20 20 , 7 , 9

ALEDONIA 2 1 2 o o t o ne G e o e : 8 C , 4, f C r ll , rg 5 no te 2 - 68 8 2 1 1 1 Co uc e E w : 1 6 and o o tno te , 7 34, , , 44, 47 , 74 h , d ard 4 f

1 8 1 8 6- 1 2 1 - 1 6 1 200 C ns o n m : 8 8 4, 9 , 94 9 , 99, ; ra t , Willia 5 , 4 C r ni h i a m me n o f 8 8 w o un e o w ns e ld . . se c e r a t , 7 3 , ; d d , B W ( r tary o n o 8 6 o f th e n : 1 2 and o o tno te b ard , avy ) 7 f , a e Ge o e e n : wo cit 2 0 2 20 8 C lv rt, rg H ry rk , e d 20 6 umm n s nc s : 8 , C i g , Fra i 5

m o n : 2 o tno te umm n s s m n o n p e 4, o , p Ca b ll , J h f , 74 C i g Mid hi a J h L n : 1 8 1 1 0 8 6 e s mo n o f 1 8 - 1 o o t Ca ada , 9, 34, 3 ; t ti y , 9 99, f me s : 8 8 no te Carty, Ja 5 , 4 m n n -m s e e en : Cha p li , Saili g a t r St p h A R A PT A ES R ICHARD : 1 2 o o tno te 80 o o tno te 8 2 D C Es . M 4, f , 34, , f , , C J 37 m n N n : 8 and o o tno te 1 Chap a , atha 5 f , 39 unce o mmo o e I s c : 1 n m : 8 5 Cha y, C d r aa 9, Dari g, Willia 1 20 1 0 and o o tno te 20 6 so n e s : 8 6 4 5, , 3 f , David , Charl unce e e : so n He nfy : 8 6 Cha y, P t r S 45 David , co e O o : 1 and o o t s m : 8 6 Chilli th ( hi ) 9 f Davi , Willia no te wso n e n to n : wo cit Da , H ry Bar rk e w s n sh e d 6 20 Chip p ay (Briti h aval ip ) , 5 , 7 1 1 wso n o ses : wo c e 20 28 8 8 8 7 , , , 7 . 3 , 3 3 , 74. 7 5 . 3 , , 5 Da M rk it d 1 80 1 2 m me n 1 8 wso n m : 84 , 9 ; ar a t, 4 Da , Willia

2 1 8 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

ALL R N V LL n s O E : 8 6 u . e o 1 , , e e : 3 1 7 let H I gli Li t G rg , - r. : 1 2 te r o f 1 Hall J , Dr . A 5 . 5 . 5 3 54

m s : 8 ne e u . R o e : 2 o o tno t e , e 5 , , f e Hadl y Ja Irvi Li t b rt 4 , m e o n mue : 80 o o tno te 0 6 and o o tno te 1 Ha bl t , Sa l , f , 3 , 9 f , 44 Ho f wo un e 8 2 8 8 n . m r ay : wo c e d d , , 4, 7 Irvi g, L rk it d , mmo n o m s : 8 1 0 o o tno te Ha d , Th a 5 3 , f s c : 8 6 n s n to n : wo c e Hardy, I aa Irvi g, Wa hi g rk it d , n e sse : 8 20 8 Harla d , J 4 n o n e s 8 Harri gt , Charl , 5 n m n A M ES ILLIA M : wo c e r so G e n. e : Har i , Willia H ry J , W rk it d , 77 , mo e me n s o f 1 8 - 1 and 20 8 v t , 9, 34 o o tno te 2 1 22 2 s c e s s Russe : wo c e 1 8 f ; , , 3 ; di p at h Jarvi , ll rk it d , 3, to 1 e e s to 6 - 6 o o tno te 20 8 , 4 , 4 3 ; l tt r , 5 9, 3 4, f , 1 1 2 1 3 20 o ne s e s : 8 9 . 93 » 9S. 4. 5 . 7 J h , Charl 5

u - Co l o nso n e s e : e e . . o n : 1 8 Harv y, Li t J h 5 9 J h , W t rly 4 Ne w o : 8 o nso n m : 8 Hazard , p rt 5 J h , Willia 5 e 2 0 o ne s me s : 8 8 H ath , Cap t. 5 J , Ja 5 , 4

e n me s : 8 o ne s m sec e o f th e H la , Ja 5 J , Willia ( r tary n e wo o . e e : 1 1 : s c to H y d , Cap t P t r 4 avy ) di p at h , 45 , 49; R o e t : 8 s e c o f e e s to Hill , b r 5 k t h , 45 ; l tt r , 77 , 79 o m s : 8 8 1 - 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 Hill , Th a 5 9. 9 9 . 97 . 99. . 3 . 5 . o m n o n : 8 8 1 0 1 1 1 -1 e e s o f H ff a , J h 5 , 4 9, 3 , 3 3 34 ; l tt r , o me s e 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 - 1 20 1 1 . : 1 , 3 4, 9 , 2 2 H ff i t r, J M 7 , 7 5 7, 9 o o m o 1 1 up e u . s : 2 o t 3 H ld , Li t Th a 4, f no te 1 1 , 8

o EE N ILLIA o n . e n m n : 6 o o t M : 8 H rt , Cap t B ja i 3 , f K , W C 5 no te e o n : 8 8 K lly, J h C 5 , 4

o o n r . e n m n : 6 e nne o se : 8 8 H rt , J , Cap t. B ja i 3 , K dy, J p h 5 , 4

o o tno te n s o m : wo c e f Ki g f rd , Willia rk it d ,

o o n C . me s : 6 o o tno te 20 8 H rt , ap t Ja 3 , f

o o n . m : 6 o o t n s o n n : 1 1 62 H rt , Cap t Willia 3 , f Ki g t ( Ca ada ) 5 5 , no te ns e e e : 8 Ki l y, P t r 5

u G e n. s c : 1 1 8 H ll , I aa 7 ,

un e ( s n s : 2 ADY REVOST s nav al H t r Briti h aval hip ) 3 , L P ( Briti h 2 fo o tno te 2 2 8 0 1 s : 2 2 o o tno te 2 8 0 4. . 7 . . 3 . 3 . 3 3 . hip ) 3 , 4, f , , 3 ,

5 8 , 0 8 1 80 1 8 ma 8 68 0 1 8 2 1 7 , 7 5 , 3 , , 9; ar 3 3 . 5 . . 7 . 7 . 7 s. 3 . 9 . 5 7 .

men o f 88 1 8 1 1 8 1 1 8 m me n o f t , , 4 5 7, , 9; ar a t , 7 3 , un n o n e s e : wo cit 8 8 1 H ti gt , W b t r P rk , 47

e d 20 8 e E e : m mo e m n , Lak ri ilitary v e ts use nno n : 8 ne 1 8 1 1 0 e , 5 , , 9, 34, 3 , fo o tno t H La ar , 1 2 1 3 , 5 6, 1 7 1

NDIA N EAD : o o tno t e u o n ( ) 3 5 , f e : 1 1 20 I H Md Lak H r 7, I n e so e s e : 20 8 e c n 1 g r ll , Charl Jar d Lak Mi higa : 7 INDEX 2 1 9

e O n o : 2 1 -1 M cM ah o ne G e o e : 8 6 Lak tari 9 5 5 5 7 y , rg m n n : 8 80 so n e s e n me s : 1 1 u s p e 5 , , , 3 , La b , Mid hi a H ry Madi Pr id t Ja o o tno te e o f 8 1 8 1 2 1 1 1 f ; d ath , , 4 9, 3 3 , 7 20 2 1 2 u se um e : 80 w e nce , 4, , p , La r , Magrath P r r H hr y o o tno te 2 - 8 o o tno te 8 2 200 and o o tno te f . 9 34. 5 5 . 5 7 . 5 . 7 9 f , , f

8 1 8 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 6 n R e - m e , 7 , , 3 , 4, 45 , 4 , Maha , ar Ad iral Alfr d

1 1 -1 1 8 1 - 1 82 1 8 -200 e : wo c e 2 o o t 47 , 7 5 79, , 4 ; Thay r rk it d , 7 , f

m me n o f 2 88 e no te 1 1 o o tno te 20 ar a t , 7 , 7 3 , ; kill d ; 3 5 , 5 3 , f , 9 and wo un e 8 -8 s c o n e n n : 1 1 2 2 2 d d , 4 5 ; i k Mald ( Ca ada) 7 , 9, , 3 , o 8 2 1 1 20 1 2 b ard , 5 4, 9 , , 4 e o n s e co mm n n n E w : 8 6 L ard , Ma t r a da t Marti , d ard me s : 1 and o o tno te so n nc s : 8 Ja T 34 f Ma , Fra i 5

so n Ge n. o n : 1 1 o o tno t e w s o se p : 8 5 , 9, f e L i , J h Ma J h o o t so n e e n 8 6 e n o n U . . s o o ) : 5 f , L xi gt ( S l p 3 , Ma S rg a t no te so n n e w 8 Matti , A dr , 5 Library o f C o ngre ss ( Washi ng Maume e R ive r : 1 8 to n 1 e c : c e d 2 1 2 , 3 Mav ri k , P it , nne s n : 1 e w s o e : 8 Li t ( Briti h aval brig) 5 5 , Mayh , Chri t p h r 4 o o tno te o s n : 8 f May , Chri tia 5 s e e s n s ) : , so n : 8 8 Littl B lt ( Briti h aval hi p May Wil 5 , 4 in o f e E e 2 o o t c e n w e f , e : 8 8 battl Lak ri , 4, Mi ha l A dr 5 , 4 no te 28 0 m me n o f c n e : 1 , , 3 , 3 3 ; ar a t , Mi higa ( Stat ) 9, 34 n tn t M ich ilima kin 8 8 , 1 48 a d fo o o e c ac : se e F o rt Ill ic/z il

ima ckina c o . 1 1 , : 39 Ll yd Cap t David 37 , o n o n n 2 1 1 e s e s n : o o tn t ) , o e L g P i t ( Ca ada , 5 7 Middl Si t r I la d 43 , f 1 60 1 61 e o m s : 8 6 , Mill r, Th a o ss n o n e nso n : wo s cit s me s o o e : wo c e L i g, J h B rk Mill , Ja C k rk it d , e d 1 20 8 20 . 4 . 45 . 5 5 . 9

o uns ur o m s R ne s o : o n o me s m n o n L b y , Th a ay f rd M tg ry, Mid hip a J h 2 o o tno te wo c e 20 8 : es mo n o f 1 8 -1 1 8 7 , f ; rk it d , B t ti y , 7 94, 7 , uc s o n : 8 6 fo o tno te L a , J h uc s r e s e s w o o : o e ete r : 8 6 L a , Sir Cha l Pr t d M r ll , P wo c e 20 o o n E w Pa So n : wo rk it d , 9 M rt , d ard y rk m n c O n nus : wo c e e , 209 Ly a , li Li rk it d , it d 20 o se s me s : 8 9 M , Ja 5

u e . Z c : 1 M dg , Cap t a hariah 37 , ’ C FEE R OBERT ‘ B RECKB N RIDGE 1 M A , 3 9

wo C e 20 M ulcaste r m o we : 1 6 rk it d , 9 , Sir Willia H 5 cc n ne : 8 and o o tno te M ai , Bar y 5 f M acK e nz ie e n u n R e e : . c o m s , Al xa d r Slid ll M lliga , Cap t i hard Th a 20 wo c e 20 1 7 ; rk it d , 9 3 c E n o n : wo cit u o mmo o e e n e Ma lay, dgar Sta t rk M rray, C d r Al xa d r e d 20 1 1 1 , 9 7 3 . 84. 97 . 202 220 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

NA ILES OHN : 8 so ns o te : 1 2 , J 7 Par , Charl t 5

N o n I n e e nce : e e e nce so ns . U s e : uo o n ati al t lli g r r f r Par , Dr h r q tati to - o m - 8 e e o f , 45 fr diary, 5 5 , 5 7 5 ; l tt r , N c m U S : o o tno te 1 2 1 1 2 -1 2 e . wo s c e 20 aval A ad y, 5 7, f , 3 5 ; rk it d , 9 N o n c e s : c e 2 1 0 aval Chr i l ( Briti h ) it d , 6 o o tno te 1 6 1 0 1 1 so ns m : e e to 1 2 1 3 , f , 5 , 5 , 4 , 7 , Par , Willia l tt r , , o o tno te 1 o o tno te 1 2 - 1 2 f , 74, f 3 5

N e m e : c e 20 e nns n e s u e aval T p l it d , 9 P ylva ia, l gi lat r

N e me n U . S : o cu n s e 6 avy D p art t, d tha k P rry, 3 me n s o m 1 2 1 2 2 e ns s c : 8 6 t fr , 3 , , , 45 , 5 5 , P rki , I aa 8 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 e ns m : 8 77 . 9. 9 . 97 . . 5 . . 3 . P rki , Willia B 5

1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 6 e . . R : 20 o o tno te 7 , 9, 7 , 9, 3 , 3 5 , 9, P rry, Cap t C , f 1 1 e o mmo o e O e 7 P rry, C d r liv r Hazard Ne e se R o e en : me n o ne 20 2 o o tno te 6 o o tno te r, b rt Wild ti d , , 4, f , 3 , 43, f , 6 o o tno te wo C e 20 o o tno te 1 o o tno te 2 1 1 3 , f ; rk it d , 7 , 7 3 , f , 5 3 , f , ; 2 0 s e c o f e 20 o o tno te 9 k t h lif , , f , 3 5 , Newe n o n : 8 o o tno te e mo e men s o n , J h 5 f ; arly v t New E n nd s o c and G e n e E e 20 -2 in e o f gla Hi t ri al Lak ri , 4 ; battl e o lo ical R e s e : c e 2 1 0 Lak E e 6 " 6 g gi t r it d , e ri ) 5 7 s 5 9) 3 4a Ne w o t RI : 20 o no s Pe r 6 2 1 - 1 8 1 uo o ns o m p r ( ) ; h r 9, 7 , 74 ; q tati fr r 6 e e s 2 1 -2 mo e me n s e y . 3 l tt r , 3 ; v t aft r Ne w Yo s o c o c e : e s o o tno te o no s rk Hi t ri al S i ty 45 battl , 34, f , 3 5 ; h r N 20 2 1 2 o o t to - e s c e s o f 1 iagara , , 4, f , 3 5 37 ; d p at h , 4 , 43 ; no te 2 - and o o t e e s O f . 9 34 . 43 . 49. 5 3 f l tt r , 45 , 49s 5 9, 7 7 1 no te 6 80 -82 8 1 - 8 8 1 - 2 . 5 7 . 9. . 7 . 95 . 44 7 9 7 . 9. 9 9 . 93 . 95 . 97 . 99.

1 1 1 1 2 o o tno te 1 20 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2 1 2 - 1 0 1 1 47 , 7 , 7 , f , 74, ; , 3 , 9, 7 , 9 3 , 3 ,

m me n o f 2 8 8 e 1 - 1 20 6 20 8 e e s to ar a t , 7 , 74, ; kill d 3 3 34, , ; l tt r , and wo un e 8 6 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 20 ro d d , , 3 4, 7 , 9 ; p N R e : 1 mo o n 2 o o s and c e s iagara iv r 9 ti , 7 ; b k arti l ’ N e s R e s e : c e o o tno te o n 2 0 6-2 1 2 il gi t r it d , 3 5 , f , , 6 1 6 1 1 e -E o o n o e s : 1 2 3 . 45 . 5 . 5 9. 5 . 7 7 . 93 . 9. P rry lli tt C tr v r y 3 , 7, o o tno te 1 1 20 20 6-2 1 0 o o o n 2 1 0 f , 4 , 9 ; b k , P e rry M e mo rial and C e nte nni a l ’ O EEFE RTH UR : 1 e e o n : 2 1 0 K , A 7 C l brati

O n o 1 1 and o o t e o nume n : 2 1 0 2 1 1 tari 7 f P rry M t , no te 1 2 e ue : 2 1 1 , 7 P rry Stat ’ O rd un e s : 8 6 e s c o e n e n r : 2 1 1 , Charl P rry Vi t ry C t a y ’ P e rry s Vi cto ry C e nte nnial So u ACKET IEUT OHN t e n : 2 1 1 . : 2 o o , 4, f o n te P L J , v ir 80 o o tno te 8 2 e e s Ne so n : 8 8 , f , P t r , l 5 , 4 e e n m n m : e 1 o o t Pag , Cap t. B ja i Willia Philad lp hia 3 3 , f I no t 37 . 1 39 e

e u N : 1 8 s me s : 86 Pag , H gh 3 Philip , Ja

222 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

e w e s e s : 1 me s m-an z wo Cit St art, Charl W t 3 Ward , Ja Har rk m s : 0 6 e d 2 1 o o e e u . o 3 , 9, 7 5 ; , 2 St k , Li t Th a - e s mo n o f 1 2 - 1 1 1 1 2 e n m o n B o r t ti y , 4 44 , 5 5 Warr , Ad iral Sir J h o ne o n s : 8 se : 1 and o o tno te 1 66 St , J a 5 la 5 5 f , e e c o n : 8 6 s n o n o no s Pe r Str b k, J h M Wa hi gt h r w o u s man u us us r 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 S art t, Mid hi p A g t y . 3 . 4 . 45 . 7 7 . 3 . 9. 9. 80 o o tno te 8 wo un e 8 1 1 6 1 , f , 5 ; d d , 9. 7 3 E o r E ath e ld ras : 8 e s e e u N e e . e so e s 5 , , n : 80 fo o t Syk , th lr d W b t r Li t l , 8 no te 8 e s mo n o f 1 -1 4 , 3 ; t ti y , 74 79, 1 84- 1 87

‘ ATE M ROB ERT : e s mo n o f e s s e I s n o r We s e n T , S t ti y , W t Si t r la d ( t r 1 - 1 s e s : 2 and o o tno te 95 97 Si t r ) 4, 43 f , - o n mas e W. V : Tayl r, Saili g t r 5 5 , 49

80 o o tno te 8 1 8 1 e o n e n : 1 and o o t , f , 4, Wh at , H ry 74 f me s e o f : 1 2 o o t no te 1 8 202 Tha , battl 34, 4, f , 4, no te e o n : 8 6 Whit , J h

o m so n m : 8 m n e n m n : wo c e Th p , Willia 5 Whit a , B ja i rk it d , ff n F nc s : wo c e 2 2 1 2 Ti a y, ra i rk it d , 7, o o tno te 2 1 2 e E s : 8 6 f , Wil y, lia n N n o o e : wo c e ms ne : 8 Tiffa y, i a M r rk it d , Willia , Ab r 4 2 o o tno te 2 1 2 Willi ams G e o r e : 8 7 , f ; \ g 5 e ss 2 1 2 o o t ms e sse 8 Tigr , 4, f Willia , J 5

no te 2 2 0 8 1 1 6 so n R o e : . 8 6 . 7. 9. 3 . 7 . 47 . 7 . Wil , b rt 1 8 o o tno te m me n so n m s : 8 6 3 , f ; ar a t 7 3 Wil , Tho a Tr a ne l o s u : 8 6 nso us n : 2 o o tno te p , J h a Wi r, J ti 7 , f e 2 o o tno te 2 o e s co Tri p p 4, f , 7 , W lf (Briti h rv ette ) : 1 5 5 1 1 1 8 o 2 8 6 3 ’ o . me s o : 1 9, 34) 7 ! 47, 7 , W d , Cap t Sir Ja Ath l 37 , o o tno te m me n o f 1 f ; ar a t , 7 3 3 9

u o m s : 8 o o o R : o o t T ff, Th a 5 W df rd , Sir alp h 3 5 , f o o t u ne e u . n e : 2 f no te T r r, Li t Da i l 4, no te 2 80 o o tno te 2 1 8 , 3 , , f , 9 , 3

and o o tno te 1 8 8 YANCEY GOODLOE EARLE f , , : 1 3

Y e G e o e R e : wo c e ap l , rg id rk it d UPPER CA NADA : se e Canada 2 1 2 Y n l e u . o n : 1 80 and ar a l , Li t J h J 3 , A NDY KE HA RLES : 8 o o tno te 8 1 o V , 5 f , 4, ; w un e 8 1 C 9 d d , ; V an o o l e e n : 8 e s mo n 1 - 1 8 p , H ry 5 t ti y, 79 4 num G e o e : 8 Ye o o mmo o e me s Lu Var , rg 5 , C d r Sir Ja

- nce n G e n. o n : 1 6 and o o t cas : e e to 6 6 1 and Vi t, J h 5 f l tt r , 5 , 7 7 5 ; 3 7 no te 1 1 60 and o o tno te o o tno te 1 0 1 1 and o o tno te , 5 9, f f , 4 , 4 f , 1 6-1 6 1 66 1 6 5 3 , , 7 AB ASH R IVER : 1 8 Yo un . e o e e e n W g, Dr G rg P t r Marti n o n me s : 8 e s mo n o f 1 2 -1 Waddi gt , Ja 5 t ti y , 5 5 3 e N n e : 8 Yo n d 1 Wad , atha i l 5 rk ( Ca a a) : 5 6 Pre pare d fo r p ublicati o n p rivate ly printe d

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h o m n T e Arthur H . Clark C pa y C e e n M CM X V l v la d , III