1S13. The enemy were peaceable spectators of the scene.
The next day he sailed in pursuit of them, and returned
to port on the Sth. without accomplishing his object. The
day following he was re-enforced by several officers and
eighty seamen under Lieutenant Elliot, vdhch ofave his
squadron a full complement. He as'ain sailed on the
12th, on a cruise, and on the L5th arrived at Sandusky
bay, in front of an encampment of the American army,
commanded by General Harrison. Thence he proceeded
to cruise oif ]\Ialden, and the British commander thou2"ht
proper to hug his force for protection, close under the
gims of the British fortifications. The inhabitants were
filled with terror and consternation at the sight of the
American squadron, and the astonished Indian allies of
the British crown, urged the British squadron to put to
sea, and give battle. They, however, were not disposed
to risk an engagement : and Perry returned to Sandusk}^
bay.

Nothing of moment happened until the morning of the
10th of September. The American squadron was then



OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. 451

lying- at anchor in Put-in-Bay, and consisted of brigs Law-
rence, Commodore Perry, 20 guns ; Niagara, Captain El-
liot, 20 do. ] Caledonia, Purser M'Grath, 3 do. : schooners
Ariel, liientenant Packet, 4 do. ; Scorpion, Sailing-Master
Champlin, 2 do. ; Somers, Almy, 2 do. and 2 swivels ;
Tigress, Lieutenant Conkhn, 1 do. ; Porcupine, Midship-
man G. Senat, 1 do. ; sloop Trippe, Lieutenant Smith, 1
do. ; in all 54 guns.

At sunrise they discovered the enemy, and immediately
got under way and stood for him, with a light wind at
south-west. The British force consisted of ship Detroit,
19 guns, 1 on pivot, and 2 howitzers ; Queen Charlotte,
17 do. 1 on pivot ; schooner Lady Prevost, 13 do. t on
pivot ; brig Hunter, 10 do. ; sloop Little Belt, 3 do. ;
schooner Chippeway, 1 do, 2 swivels ; in all 63 guns.

At 10, A. M. the wind hauled to the south-east, and
brought our squadron to windward. Commodore Perry
then hoisted his luiion jack, having for a motto the d^'mg
words of the valiant Lawrence, '-Don't give up the ship !"'
It was received with repeated cheerings by tlie officers
and crews. And now, having formed his line, he bore for
the enemy ; who likewise cleared for action, and hauled
up his courses. As the hostile squadrons approached
each other, suddenly a bugle was sounded from on board
the enemy's ship Detroit, and loud huzzas imm.ediately
burst forth from all their crews.

As soon as the Lawrence came vnthin the reach of the
enemy's long guns, they opened a heavy fire upon her,
which, from the shortness of her guns, she was unable to
return. Periy. v/ithout waiting for his schooners, kept on
his course, which induced the enemy to suppose it was
his intention to board. In a few minutes, having gained
a nearer position, he opened his fire. The length of the
enemy's gims, however, gave them, greatly the advantage,
and the Lawrence was excessively cut up without being
able to do any great damage in return. Their sliot pierc-
ed her sides in all directions, killing the men on the berth
deck and in the steerage, where they had been taken
down to be dressed. One shot had nearly produced a fa-
tal explosion ; passing through the light room, it knocked



452 GLORY OF AMERICA.

the snuff of the candle into the magazine ; fortunately
the gunner happened to see it, and had tlie presence of
mind to extinguish it immediately with his hand.

Their heaviest tire was directed at the Lawrence, and
Perry finding the hazard of his situation, made sail, and
directed the other vessels to follow for the purpose of clo-
sing with the foe. The tremendous fire, however, to
which he was exposed, soon cut away every brace and
bowline, and the Lawrence became unmanageable.

Even in this disastrous plight, she sustained the action
for upwards of tvv'o hours, witinn canister distance, though
for a great part of the time the Lawrence could not get
more than three guns to bear upon her antagonist. It
was admirable to behold the perfect order and regularity
that prevailed among her valiant and devoted crew,
throughout this scene of horror. No trepidation, no con-
fusion occurred, even for an instant ; as fast as the men
were wounded, they were carried below, and others stept
mto tlieir places ; the dead remained where they fell until
after the action. At this juncture the fortune of ttie battle
trembled on a point, and the enemy believed the day their
own. The Tiawrence was reduced to a mere wreck : her
decks were streamiiiof with blood, and covered with man-
gled limbs and the bodies of the slain : nearly the whole
of her crew was either killed or wounded ; her gims were
dismounted, and the Commodore and his officers helped
to work the last gun that was capable of beiii^ used.

Finding the Lawrence was incapable of further service,
he gave his vessel in charge to Lieutenant Yarnall, who
had already distinguished himself by his bravery, and
hauled down his union, bearino- the motto of Lawrence,
and taking it under his arm, ordered it to be put on board
of the Niagara, which was then in close engao-ement. In
leaving the LawTenoe, he gave his pilot choice either to
remain on board, or accompany him : the pilot replied,
' he"d stick by him to the last," and jumped into tlie boat.
Perry went off from the ship standing up in the stern of
the boat, until the crew absolutely pulled him down
among them. Broadsides were levelled at him, and small
arms discharged by the enemy, two of whose vessels were



OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. 453 *

within musket shot, and a third one nearer. His ship-
mates who remained behind, stood watching him, in anxi-
ety ; the balls struck around hinj and flew over his head
in every direction ; and they beheld with transport his
flag hoisted at the mast-head of the Niagara. No sooner
was he on board, than Captain Elliot volunteered to put
off in a boat and bring into action the schooners which
li^id been kept astern by light wind ; the offer was accept-
ed, and Elliot left the Niagara to put it in execution.

About this time the flaof of the Lawrence came down.
The event was unavoidable ; she had sustained the ^vhole
fury of the enemy, and w^as rendered incapable of de-
fence ; and further show of resistance Avould but have
proved most useless and cruel carnage among the relics
of her brave and mangled crew. The enemy, hov.'ever,
were not able to take possession of her, and subsequent
circumstances enabled her again to hoist her flag.

Commodore Perry now made signal for close action,
and the small vessels put out their sweeps and made all
sail. Finding that the Niagara was but little injured, he
determined, impossible, to break the enemy's line. He ac-
cordino^ly bore up, and passed ahead of the two ships and
briof, sfiving- them a rakino- fire from his starboard g"uns,
and also to a Ipd'ge schooner and sloop from his larboard
side, about half pistol sbot distance. Having passed the
whole squadron, he luffed up and laid his ship along side
the British Commodore. The smaller vessels, under the
direction of Captain Elliot, having, in the mean time,
come within grape and camster distance, and keeping up
a well-directed fire, the whole of the enemy struck, except-
ing two small vessels, which attempted to escape, but were
afterwards taken.

The eno^ao^ement lasted about three hours, and never
was victory more decisive and complete. The captured
squadron, as has been shown, exceeded ours in weight of
metal and number of guns. Their crews were also more
numerous ; the Americans were a motley collection,
where were some g-ood seamen, but mixed with soldiers,
volunteers, and boys, and many were on the sick list.
More prisoners were taken than we had men to giiard.



454 GLORY OF AMERICA.

The loss on both sides was severe. Scarcely any- of the
Lawrence's crew escaped unhurt. Among those slain,
was Lieutenant Brooks of the marines, a gpy and elcsrant
young officer, full of spirit, of amiable manners, and re-
markable for his personal beauty. Lieutenant Yarnall,
though repeatedly wounded, refused to quit the deck, du-
ring the whole of the action. Commodore Periy, not-
withstanding he was continually in the most exposed
situations of the battle, escaped uninjured ; he wore an
ordinary seaman's dress, which, perhaps, prevented him
from being picked off by the enemy's sharp-sliooiers. He
had a vouns-er brother with him on board the Lawrence,
as midshipman, who was equally fortunate in receiving
no injury, though his shipmates fell all around him.
Two Indian chiefs had been stationed in the tops of the
Detroit, but when the action became warm, so panic
struck were they with the terrors of the scene, and the
strange perils that surrounded them, that they fled preci-
pitately to the hold of the ship, where they were found
after the battle in a state of utter consternation. The bo-
dies of several other Lidians were said to have been found
the next day on the shores of the lake, supposed to have
been slain during the engagement and thrown overboard.
The loss of the British in killed and wounded, was esti-
mated at one hundred and sixty, and that of the Ameri-
cans at one hundred and twenty-three. On board the
British fleet, the Captain and first Lieutenant of the Queen
Charlotte were killed. Commodore Barclay, of the Lady
Prevost, was severely wounded, and lost his hand. He,
however, did himself honour by the brave and obstinate
resistance which he made. He was a fine looking otlicer,
then about thirty-six years old. He had seen much ser-
vice, having been desperately wounded in the battle of
Trafalgar, and afterwards losing an arm in another en-
gagement with the French. Li the present battle he was
twice carried below, on account of his wounds, and had
the misfortune to have his remaining hand shot away.
"\^Tiile below, the second time, his officers came down and
told him that they must strike, as the ships were cut to
pieces, and the men could not be kept to their guns. Com-



OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. 455

modore Barclay was then carried on deck, and after taking
a view of their situation, and finding all chance of success
was over, reluctantly gave orders to strike.

In the course of the action. Perry noticed a prime and
favourite sailor, who was Captain of one of the guns, very
much embarrassed with his piece, which, in consequence
of the firelock beino; broken, was rather unmanas^eable and
rebounded. Perry approached him, and in an encourag-
ing manner, asked him, ' what is the matter ?" The
honest tar, who had been showing signs of great vexa-
tion, turned round, and, as if speaking of a mistress, ex-
claimed reproachfully, " Sir, my gun behaves shameful-
ly !" He then levelled, and having taken aim, raised up
and squared himself, when suddenly a cannon ball struck
him in the breast, passed through him, and he fell dead
without a groan !

Lieutenant Yarnall, of the Lawrence; behaved through-
out with g-reat braverv and coolness. He was dressed as
a common seaman, a red bandana handkerchief was tied
round his neck, and another round his head, to stanch
two wounds which he had received. From these, the
blood trickled down his face ; and asplinter having passed
through his nose it had swelled to a hideous magnitude.
In this frightful plight, looking like the very genius of
carnage and ill-luck, he came up to Perry, in the hottest
" and bloodiest of the fight, and announced to him that all
the officers of his division were killed. Perry ordered
others into tlieir places. Shortly after, Yarnall returned,
with a repetition of the dismal tidings that all the officers
were shot down ! Then, sir, said Perry, you must en-
deavour to make out by yourself, I have no more to fur-
nish you.

Soon after the victoiy on Lake Erie, the President of
the United States appointed Oliver H. Perry to the rank of
Captain in the Navy.

The Commodore was presented with the freedom of the
' cities of New York and Albany.

The thanks of Congress were voted to the Commodore,
Lis officers, seamen, and marines ; and medals were pre-
sented to him and his officers.



456 GLORY OP AMERICA.

The thanks of the Senate of Pennsylvania, with medals,
also were voted to the Commodore, and those brave men
who served under him.

Rejoicings, ihuminations, and bonfires, were exhibited
through all parts of the United States.

The capture of the British fleet removed the chief ob-
struction to the capture of 3Ialden ; and General Harrison
made dispositions to avail himself of it. Boats were col-
lected, and troops assembled. Governor Shelby arrived
on the 17th of September, at the mouth of Portaofe river,
yrith about four thousand volunteers. General M-Arthur
joined the army within three days after, with his brio-ade
from fort 31eigs. On the 21st, the embarkation of troops
commenced. Put-in-bay Island was the place of rendez-
vous. Commodore Perry's fleet, including the captured
vessels, were engaged in protecting and assistins: the men
and boats, as well as in conveying stores and'bas-o:ao;e.
The army again embarked on board the fleet and^ boats
at Put-m-bay, on the 25th, and arrived the same evenino-
at the Eastern Sister, a small island about sixteen miles
from Maiden. Here the expedition vv'as detained some
time by bad weather, during which time, a reconnoisance
of the enemy's coast was made by General Harrison, and
Commodore Perry : a despatch was also sent to apprize
Colonel ^ Johnson of their movements, who, with his
mounted rangers, Avas to co-operate in the reduction ol
^lalden.

On the 27th, the army embarked at the Eastern Sister,
and landed near ^lalden, in excellent order. The enemy
having previously evacuated the town, it was entered by
the Americans VvUthont opposition.

_ After the capture of Maiden, Perry acted as a volunteer
aid to Genera] Harrison, in his pursuit of the British, on
the river Thames, and was present at the battle of Mora-
vian town, on the fifth of October. When the British
presented a formidable force for the invasion of 3Iar\dand
and Virginia, and proceeded to the conflagration of tlie
public yvorks, at the city of Washington, he commanded a
body of seamen and marines on the Potomac. He was,
afterwards, appointed to command the Java frigate, built



OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. 457

at Baltimore ; and after the conclusion of peace with
Great Britain, sailed, in 1815, as one of the squadron un-
der Commodore Decatur, sent to the Mediterranean to set-
tle afFau's between the United States and Algiers. While
in that sea, some difference arose between him and Mr.
Heath, commandant of marines on board his sliip. This
difference resulted in a duel, in Avhich Commodore Deca-
tur was second to Commodore Perry, though convinced
that his principal was the aggressor.' After'an exchano-e
of shots, Decatur interposed, and prevented farther hosti-
lities. But the aflair led to a court-martial, the result of
which subjected both these officers to a private repriniand
from Commodore Chauncey. Captain Heath not being
appeased, laid his grievances before the public in a pam-
phlet, after his return to the United States, and was about
the same time appointed to a Consulate by the govern-
ment. Perry returned with the squadron to the "United
States.

Not long after the close of the contest with Great Bri-
tain, the Commodore sailed as commander of a squadron
to cruise in the West Indian seas. Before entering a port,
he died on board his ship, of the prevailing fever. He
was honourably interred on shore. By order of our go-
vernment, his remains were disinterred, brought to Rhode
Island, and again interred, at Newport, the place of his
birth. A plain monument is erected to his memory, with
a smiple inscription. Having written in vain for 'the in-
formation relative to more minute particulars, this sketch
is closed by that which supersedes both eulogy and epi-
taph that which will descend to posterity long as the
victory on Lake Erie shall be remembered his laconic
despatch after that event " We have7net the enemy ^ and
they are oursr

39 .



458 GLORY OF AMERICA.



JACOB JONES.



Jacob Jones was born in Kent county, Delaware,
about the year 1770. His father was a respectable far-
mer. His mother, whose maiden name was Jones, was
an amiable and interestins: Avoman. She died while he
was vet an infant. His father asfain married with a
youno; lady, named Holt, grand daughter to the honoura-
ble R^wes' Holt, formerly Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of Delaware. Shortly after this second marriage,
his father died, when this his only child was scarcely four
years of age. It was his good fortune to be left under the
care of a kind step-mother. By her he was imrtured from
infancy to manhood, with maternal care and tenderness.
At an early age, he was placed at school, and his profi-
ciency in learning was equal to her most anxious wishes.
After becomino: well acquainted wdth the general branch-
es of an English education, he was transferred to a gram-
mar school at Lewes, in Sussex county, conducted by
Doctor x>Iatthew "Wilson. Under liis direction he read
t?jfe classics with much a.ssidnity, and becap:c well ac-
quainted with the La.tin and Gree]v languager. In the
geographical lessons he continual!;/ bore off the pc"vim, and
received repeated proofs of approbation from his precep-
tor. At the age of eighteen, he left Lewes Academy, and
commenced the study of physic and surgery, under L^cc-
tor Sykes, an eminent physician and surgeon of Dover,
in Kent county. With him he dihgently prosecuted his
studies during four years, after which he attended the
usual courses of medical lectures of the University of
Pennsylvania, and then returned to Dover to commence
the exercise of his profession.

He did not, hov.^ever, continue long in the practice.
Discouraged by the scanty emplo\aT!ent which is com-
monly the lot of the young physician, and impatient of an



JACOB JONES. 459

inactive life, he determined to abandon the profession, and
seek some more productive occupation. This resolution
was a matter of much regret among the elder physicians.
They entertained a high opinion of his medical acquire-
ments, and considered him as promising to become a dis-
tinguished and skilful member of their body. Governoi
Clayton, who v\^as an eminent physician, seeing that he
was fixed in his determination, conferred on him the
. clerkship of the Supreme Court of Delaware for Kent
county.

In this office he continued for some time, but the seden-
tary nature of its duties was uncongenial with his health
and habits ; he lono-ed to mins^le in more active scenes,
and, consequently entered a midshipman, in the year
1799, when the disturbance with France took place. He
was then almost twenty-nine years of age, highly respect-
ed for the solidity of his understanding, and his varied ac-
quirements. His friends were dissatisfied at seeing him
take a retrograde step in life, and accepting a grade which
is generally allotted to boys and striplings. It was in vain,
however, to remonstrate against his resolve, from which,
once formed, he never deviated. Deterjiiined on embra,-
cing the profession, he had weighed all its inconveniences
and sacrifices, and had resolved to encounter and sur-
mount them all. His friends could only console them-
selves Vv^ith the reflection, that, if courage, activity, and
hardihood, could ensure naval success, Jones was pecu-
liarly fitted for the life he had embraced.

The first cruises which he made, Vv^re under the late
Commodore Barry, from whom he derived much instruc-
tion in the theory and practice of his profession, and ex-
perienced the utmost kindness and civility. He was a
midshipman on board the frigate United States, when she
bore to France Chief Justice Ellsv/orth and General Da-
vie, as Envoys Extraordinary to the French Republic.
He was next on board of the Gan.ges as midshipman, and
" durhig the whole intervening period between his appoint-
ment and the war with Tripoli, he vv^as sedulously em-
ployed in obtaining that nautical skill for which he was
celebrated.



460 GLORY OF AMERICA.

On the breaking out of tlie war with Tripoh, he was
stationed on board of the frigate Philadelphia, under the
command of Commodore Bainbridge. Twenty months
of severe captivity among a barbarous people, neither
broke his spirit nor impaired his constitution. When re-
lieved from bondage by the bravery of his countrymen, he
returned home full of life and ardour. He was soon after
promoted to a lieutenancy. This grade he had merited
before his confinement in Tripoli, but older warrant offi-
cers had stood in the way of his preferment.

He was now for some time employed on the New Or-
leans station, where he conducted himself with judgment
and propriety. He was shortly afterwards appointed to
the command of the brig Argus, stationed for the protec-
tion of our commerce on the Southern maritime frontier.
In this situation he acted with vigilance and fidelity, and
thous^h at one time insidious suo:o:estions were circulated
to the contrary, it has appeared that he conformed to his
instructions, promoted the public interest, and gave entire
satisfaction to the government.

In 1811, Captain Jones was transferred by the Secreta-
ry of the Navy to the command of the sloop of war Wasp,
mounting eighteen twenty-four pound carronades, and
was despatched, in the spring of 1812, with communica-
tions from our government to its ministers at the courts of
St. Cloud and St. James. Before he returned, war had
been declared by the United States against Great Britain.
Captain Jones refitted his ship with all possible despatch,
and repaired to sea on a cruise, in which he met with no
other luck than the capture of an inconsiderable prize.
He again put to sea on the 13th of October, and on the
18th of the month, after a long and heavy gale, lie fell in
with a number of strongly armed merchantmen, under
convoy of his Britannic Majesty's sloop of war the Frolic,
Captain Whinyates.

As this engagement has been one of the most decidedly
honourable to the American flag, from the superior force
of the enemy ; and as the British writers, in endeavouring
to account for our successes, and to undervalue our vic-
tories, have studiously passed this battle in silence, and



JACOB JONES. 461

seemed anxious to elbow it into oblivion, this occasion is
taken to republish a full and particular account of it,
which we have every reason to believe is scrupulously-
correct :

A heavy swell was in the sea, and the weather was
boisterous. The topgallant-yards of the Wasp were taken
down, her topsails were close reefed, and she was pre-
pared for action. About 11 o'clock, the Frolic showed
Spanish colours, and the Wasp immediately displayed the
American ensign and pennant. At thirty-two minutes
past eleven, the Yv'^asp came down to windward on her
larboard side, within about sixty yards, and hailed. The
enemy hauled down the Spanish colours, hoisted the Bri-
tish ensign, and opened a fire of cannon and musketry.
This the Wasp instantly returned ; and coming nearer to
the enemy, the action became close, and without intermis-
sion. In four or five minutes, the maintopmast of the
Wasp was shot away, and, falling down with the main-
topsail-yard across the larboard fore and fore-topsail bra-
ces, rendered her head yards unmanageable during the
rest of the action. In two or three minutes more, her
gaft and mizen-topgallant-sail were shot away. Still she
continued a close and constant fire. The sea was so
rough that the muzzles of the Wasp's guns were frequent-
ly in the water. The Americans, therefore, fired as the
ship's side was going down, so that their shot went either
on the enemy's deck or below it, while the English fired
as the vessel rose, and thus her balls chiefly touched the
rigging, or were thrown away. The Wasp now shot
ahead of the Frolic, raked her, and then resumed her po-
sition on the Frolic's larboard bow. Her fire was now
obviously attended with such success, and that of the
Frolic so slackened, that Captain Jones did not wish to
board her, lest the roughness of the sea mi^ht endanger
both vessels ; but, in the course of a few minutes more,
every brace of the Wasp was shot away, and her rigging
so much torn to pieces, that he was afraid that his masts,
being unsupported, would go by the board, and the Frolic
be able to escape. He thought, therefore, the best chance
of securing her was to board, and decide the contest at
39*



462 GLORY OF AMERICA.

once. "With this view he wore ship, and running down