USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, from the close of the revolutionary war to July, 1880 > Part 6
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The following finely equipped and disciplined companies assembled on the island on the evening of July 3, 1852:
Bay City Guards, Capt. R. R. McMeens, of Sandusky.
Sandusky Yægers, Capt. Louis Traub, of Sandusky.
Sandusky Artillery, Capt. L. A. Silva, of Sandusky.
Washington Guards, C'apt. William Lang, of Tiffin.
Tiffin Artillery, Capt. T. H. Bagley, of Tiffin.
C'apt. McMeens was chosen commander for the occasion. The weather was delightful. The green and rocky fringe around the bay; the broad, blue lake: the presence of a host of happy men, women and children: the imposing martial appearance and strict discipline of the military: "the army" passing in grand review before Gen. Isaac A.
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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION ON PUT-IN-BAY.
Mills, and his aid, Col. A. A. Camp, and the eloquent sermon delivered by the Rev. E. R. Jewett made that Fourth of July Sunday on Put-in- Bay a fixture in the memory of all who were there.
This was the first military celebration ever held on the island. In the evening of the third day, when the camp was about to break up, the tents being struck and everything packed to get on board, the artillery under Capt. Bagley, were firing their farewell gun. As the last shot was being fired, and Frederick Roller was "sending home" the last cartridge, it exploded and threw Mr. Roller a great distance. He fell near the edge of the water, being badly burnt in the face, losing one eye and having a crippled hand for life. He, however, gradually recovered, and is still aniongst the living. This sad occurrence was the only circumstance that marred the pleasures of that ever-memorable Fourth of July celebration.
During the first trip of the steamer Arrow from Sandusky to the islandaa preliminary meeting was held on board for the purpose of organizing a monumental association, and with a view of erecting, at some suitable place on the island, a monument to the memory of Com- modore Perry.
The Rev. Dr. Bronson was chosen chairman, and Mr. Henry D. Cooke secretary. On motion of Pitt Cooke a committee of five was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting in reference to the erection of a "monument on Gibraltar rock, Put- m-Bay, commemorative of Perry's victory on lake Erie, and in honor of the dead who fell in that memorable engagement."
Messrs. J. A. Camp, W. F. Stone, Wm. S. Mills. H. D. Cooke and Rev. W. Pitkin, were appointed such committee. Mr. Stone was appointed to lay the proceedings of the meeting and the resolutions before the assembled crowd at Put-in- Bay.
When, on Monday afternoon, the masses assembled, the proceedings and resolutions of the preliminary meeting were approved, and a com- mittee appointed to draft a constitution for the organization, Rev. Jewett in the chair. The committee having withdrawn, returned and reported a short constitution. It provided that any person paying one dollar to the treasurer should thereby become a member. A board of managers was appointed, and an executive committee.
Gen. Lewis Cass was chosen President.
Col. J. J. Abert, U. S. Topographical Engineer, Washington City: Hon. Elisha Whittlesey. Commodore R. F. Stockton, Gen. Cadwalader, Philadelphia: Hon. Reuben Wood, Ohio: Mayor John G. Camp, San- dusky: Capt. Stephen Chamberlain. Buffalo: J. A. Harris, Cleveland.
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and Judge Burnett. of Cincinnati, were appointed vice-presidents. My lamented friend Dr. R. R. McMeens was secretary, and took a very active part in the movement. Some funds were collected, and so the matter rested until 1858. when the executive committee, consisting of E. Cook, Wm. S. Pierson, F. S. Thorpe, J. A. Camp and R. R. McMeens issued a card dated Sandusky, Ohio, September 1, 1858, calling a mass meeting for the 10th of September, 1858, to renew the proceedings instituted on the 4th of July, 1852. "This was the most glorious and thrilling spectacle witnessed on lake Erie since the day of Perry's victory. The cities and towns along the shores of the lake poured out large delegations of people. The bay itself presented a most grand and glorious pageant, crowded with a fleet of magnificent steamers, sail vessels and yachts. all decorated with gaily colored banners, streamers and pendants, while a battery of fourteen brass cannon waked the echoes of old Erie with a welcome that made the old rocks of Gibraltar tremble with their reverberation." says Dr. McMeens.
Some of Perry's old veterans were there, old men who had heard the firing during the battle, statesmen, soldiers, women, children-all animated and inspired with the soul-stirring scene.
Ten steamers, three yachts, and twenty other sailing vessels anchored in the bay.
Eight thousand people gathered in groups about the shore.
Governor Chase was chosen president of the day. A number of vice-presidents and secretaries were appointed; also, a committee on exercises. Gen. J. W. Fitch, of Cleveland, (now Lieutenant-Governor ) was marshal of the day. Mr. Elutherus Cooke, of Sandusky, delivered the oration.
Four of the survivors of the battle were present: Captain Stephen Champlin, who fired the first and last gun in the conflict; William Blair. of Lexington, Richland county, Ohio; Thomas Brownell, of Newport. Rhode Island, who was second in command of the schooner Ariel, and Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence, R. I., the surgeon of the flag-ship Lawrence at the time of the battle, were introduced to the vast assem- blage in the order named, and were greeted with wild applause. They each made short speeches, expressing their gratitude for their kind reception, and Dr. Parsons gave a highly interesting description of the battle, the treatment of the wounded, and incidents of the surrender of the enemy. It is a pity that the odes, poems and songs that were read and sung can not find room here. One-only one of these gems -- must not be overlooked, however. It is the production of my oldl. lamented friend, Dr. R. R. McMeens, the secretary of the monumental
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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION-POEM.
association, whose friendship is cherished still, though he has long since passed away. A short sketch of the life of the doctor will be found in Chap. XXVIII.
THE ISLANDS OF ERIE. By R. R. McMEENS, M. D.
The Islands of Erie arrayed in full dress, Eurobe the lake scene with strange loveliness. As gorgeously decked in bright verdure they lie, In the soft mellow haze of the still autumn sky. No more brilliant gems, though landed they be.
Ever gleamed 'mid the groups of the old Grecian sea. They circle the'storm-brewing gates of the west To soothe the "mad spirit" of Erie to rest. And lend their slight forms to the rage of the spa To shelter the storm-tossed in snccoring lec : Or, like sentinels, seem to be pointing the way To the harboring arms of bold "Put-in-Bay."
When the winds breathless sleep in their caverns of peace. . How sylph-like they sit on the lake's Incent face. Or mirrored in beauty on crimson dyed wave When the sun silent sinks in her gold-tinted grave. And the purple horizon depends as a shroud. Of a tapestried mantle, in folds of rich cloud. Then deep'ning so gently upon the pale glow. So sombre and sad, scarcely seeming to know When the last flitting ray of fading twilight Merges in darkness and death gloom of night.
Oh! Islands of Erie, how many a scene Of shipwreck and battle around you have been ! How many a gallant young hero went down When Perry and sailors won glorions reuown ! Yon stand as proud monuments over the dead. Who sleep at your feet in their coffinless bed. While the winds shriek or whisper a requiem sigh. And the waves join in murmuring a fond lullaby. And the mariner, gliding along by your side, Recounts all their deeds with emotions of pride.
Oh! Islands of beauty, on Erie's broad breast That smile in the sunshine like havens of rest : Or when the storm-god in his wrath wildly raves. Like "sisters" of merey hang over the waves. E'er bloom in your freshness as lovely as now. To enrapture the eye and make the heart glow.
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Governor Chase. the chairman, opened the meeting with a few brief remarks of welcome. Thereupon, Mr. W. S. Pierson, chairman of the committee, reported the following list of permanent officers of the association, viz:
President-Hon. Lewis Cass, of Michigan.
Vice-Presidents-Hon. Isaac Toncey, of Connecticut: Dr. Usher Parsons, of Rhode Island; Sidney Brooks, of Rhode Island; Thomas Brownell, U. S. N .: Gov. Elisha Dyer, Rhode Island; Wm. Wetmore. Esq., Rhode Island: Hon. Edward Everett, Massachusetts: Hon. W. H. Seward, New York: August Belmont, Esq., New York; Hon. Millard Fillmore, New York; Capt. Stephen Champlin, New York: Gov. W. F. Packer, Pennsylvania: Wm. G. Moorehead, Esq., Pennsylvania: Gov. S. P. Chase, Ohio; S. Starkweather, Cleveland, Ohio; Elutherus Cook. Sandusky, Ohio; L. Collins, Toledo, Ohio: Ross Wilkins, Detroit. Michigan: John Owen, Detroit, Michigan; Col. Todd, Kentucky: Col. John O'Fallon, St. Louis, Mo .: J. Y. Scammer, Esq., Chicago, Illinois: Hon. John Wentworth, Chicago, Illinois: Capt. J. P. Mckinstry. U. S. N .: Commodore Jos. Lanman, U. S. N .; Lieut .- Gen. Winfield Scott, C. S. A.
On motion, Wm. S. Pierson, of Sandusky, was chosen treasurer, and Dr. R. R. Mc Meens, of Sandusky, corresponding secretary.
A committee of management was then also appointed. Thefollowing letters were then read by Mr. Pierson:
WASHINGTON Crry, Sept. 6. 1858.
DEAR SIR :- Your invitation to me. to form one of the numerous assem- blage which will meet at Put-in-Bay on the 10th inst., has just been received. an, while I thank you for remembering me in connection with that interesting occasion, I regret that it will be out of my power to avail myself of your kindness, as I shall be necessarily detained here by my public duties. But though absent. I shall not the less participate in the feelings of gratitude and exultation which the event, you propose to commemorate, is so well calculated to inspire in every American breast. The victory of Perry upon Lake Erie. not far from the place of your convocation, on the 10th of September, 1813. was one of the most glorious, as well as one of the most important achievements recorded in our military annals.
I was with the army, then encamped in your region of country during that hard-fought battle, where we were all awaiting, with anxious solicitude. the operations of the fleets. as the command of the lake was essential to our movements, and now, after the elapse of almost half a century, it would rejoice me to hear my fellow citizens to recall and recount the glories of that memorable day, 'mid the scenes where they were gained, and which they will ever illustrate. It is good for the American people to assemble together in the time of their strength to commemorate the deeds of patriotism and valor which. in the time of their weakness, enabled our country to pass
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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION-LETTERS READ.
safely through the trials to which she was exposed. Such a tribute of departed worth is the object of the proposed convocation, and I beg leave to express my deep sympathy with the feelings which have prompted it.
With much regard I am, dear sir.
Yours truly, LEWIS CASS. DR. R. R. MOMEENS.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Sept. 6. 1855.
DEAR SIR :- I have the honor to acknowledge the invitation through you. of the executive committee, to be present on the 10th inst., at the inauguration of laying of the corner stone of a monument to be erected on Gibraltar Rock, Pnt-in-Bay Island, in commemoration of Perry's victory.
I regret to state that my engagements will deprive me of the pleasure of participating with you on the interesting occasion.
I am with much respect
Your obedient servant. ISAAC TOUCEY. R. R. MOMEENS, M. D.
PORTSMOUTH. VA., Sept. 3, 1858.
MY DEAR SIR :- I have received your esteemed favor of the 27th ult., requesting my presence and participation in the ceremonies at the contem- plated inauguration of the monument on Gibraltar Rock, in commemoration of our glorious naval triumph under the gallant Perry on the 10th September. 1×13.
As one of the tive surviving officers whose fortime it was, together with our brave tars, to be present on that glorious occasion. I thank you for your kind remembrance of me.
I regret that present indisposition prechdes the pleasure of being with you, to join yon in doing honor to whom honor is due-the brave dead-and renders imprudent at this time an absence from home.
I am, sir, your obedient servant.
R. R. MCMEENS, M. D.
IL. N. PAGE. Captain U. S. Navy.
CINCINNATI. O., Sept. 9. 1858.
U'SHER PARSONS. M. D .:
MY DEAR DOCTOR :- Yours of the Ist inst. arrived before my return from the "Yellow Springs," which afforded me no little pleasure to hear you intend to be at the glorious celebration at Put-in-Bay. I am denied the pleasure of participating with you in consequence of sickness. I confidently flattered myself, twelve days ago, I would be enabled to be present and unite with the few survivors in celebrating the most brilliant achievement of the memorable battle of Lake Erie, on the 10th of September, 1813, in which battle I was. Shortly after Col. Croghan's victory where I was on the morning after the British made good their retreat, I volunteered at Camp Seneca, and was lead by Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison to Perry's fleet.
I pray the good people who have been instrumental in promoting the celebration may continue it annually for all time to come.
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. May the blessing of Heaven guide and preserve all who attend the celebra- tion, truly and sincerely is my prayer.
Most sincerely your friend,
. W. T. TALIOFERRO.
NEW YORK, August 25, 185%. MR. F. T. BARNEY, SANDUSKY CITY, O .:
MY DEAR SIR :- In answer to your favor of the 21st ult .. on the subject of the erection of a monument on the little Island of Gibraltar, I have to say: That if said monument be to the memory of Commodore Perry, as I suppose it is, I will be too happy to contribute to it, not only by the free gift of the land requisite, but by procuring subscriptions in New York and one or two other places, which I think I can do. I accordingly hereby confer upon you and my friend, Simon Fox, power to grant a sufficient part of said Island of Gibraltar, in perpetuity. for the erection of said monument. with such reservation as you may deem necessary to prevent any sort of injury to my property in the group of islands. It would please me if I and my successors after me were appointed keepers of the ground ceded. and of the monument. Respectfully yours. RIVERA ST. JAGO.
After the reading of these letters, Gov. Chase introduced Hon. E. Cooke, of Sandusky, who spoke as follows:
Ladies, Gentlemen, Follow-Countrymen:
I rise as the organ of the executive committee to bid you welcome to these classic shores, immortalized by American valor and rich in the associations of a nation's glory. But how can I find language suitably to express my congratulations of the assembled thousands who surround me. and whose presence this day gives the lie to the reproach that "Republies know not how to be grateful?" If I could hope to be heard by an audience so immense. I would thank you in the name of our common country for having come up in such vast numbers from the beautiful cities of the lake and the interior, to this patriotic consecration. But with a voice impaired by the wasting power of many years. I hope to say but little else than to offer up my fervent thanksgiving to Almighty God for those evidences of enthusi- astie gratitude and patriotic devotion which the occasion has inspired, and which your presence this day proclaims.
We have met to commm morate one of those rare and signal events, which. considering the vast interest it involved. the glory it achieved and the benefits conferred, has few parallels in history. We shall find it difficult. however, justly to appreciate the importance of Perry's victory, without ralling to mind. for a moment, the peculiar condition of our country which preceded and followed its achievements. A sanguinary war had for more than a year been raging between Great Britain and the I'nited States. How it was sustained on the land and on the ocean, history has recorded. It must be admitted. however, that its commencement on the Niagara and in the north-west was characterized by defeat. disaster and disgraer. Whether the inglorious surrender of the fortress of Detroit and the consequent uncontrolled possession of the vast north-western territory by the enemy, were chargeable to treachery or cowardice, it is not now necessary to inquire.
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The event smote the heart of the nation with dismay and covered the whole land with conscious humiliation. Our whole vast frontier, from Buffalo to Arkansas, was at once thrown open to the stroke of the tomahawk. and exposed bare and defenseless to the merciless incursions of the savage for. The authority and protection of the United States had ceased within its borders. The course of the enemy, leagued with their savage ally. was everywhere marked with rapine, massacre and devastation. The heart- rending and bloody tragedy of the river Rasin, and other doomed localities. followed in succession. Consternation and alarm everywhere prevailed. Thousands "without distinction of age or sex" were expelled from their peaceful abodes by the invading foe, and the face of Heaven was insulted by the murder of men, women and children. and by the wanton conflagration of defenceless cabins aud villages. The flower and chivalry of the land were ent off in their glory, and their bones whitened the face of the wilderness. Deeds of cruelty and unutterable horror were enacted. which filled the whole land with lamentation and wrung drops of agony from the heart of the uation. A dark cloud hung over our devoted country, throwing down from its frowning armory the paleness of death upon her cheek, and its coldness upon her bosom. True the assaults upon the defences of Harrison and Croghan on the Maumee and Sandusky had been gallantly and gloriously expelled. but these exploits, brilliant as they were, availed little to the relief of the frontiers, while the entire possession of the lake, by a well-manned fleet of veterans, remained in the undisputed control of the foe, with power to descend at any moment with their combined forres upon any portion of war exposed frontier. The crisis demanded action, vigorons action. com- bined with valor and talent to direct it. The command of the lake had become to ns indispensable. In view of this, the creation of an American fleet, the timber for which was then growing in the wilderness, was ordered by our government, as well for the purposes of protection as invasion. In March. 1813. the charge of its construction and command was assigned to Oliver H. Perry, of Rhode Island. who, in spite of almost superhuman obstacles and difficulties. in less than three months completed his work and launched his vessels at the harbor of Erie. But although he frequently songhit to engage the enemy he was unable to bring them into action until the ever-memorable and ever-glorions day we meet to commemorate.
Of the battle and its thrilling incidents I have no time to speak. I am not here with a tougne of fire to relight and emblazon the splendors of the achievement. That office innst be left for a more elaborate address. and to others better fitted for the task. And I rejoice to say that some of its tonching details will be given you to-day. in burning words, from a living and honored actor in the scene. On this point. therefore. I need ouly add. that although between single ships on the ocean. the trial had been before sigually glorious to our flag, yet this was the first American squadron that ever made battle with an enemy. and this "was the first English fleet. since England had a navy, that ever had been captured." And if any thing further were wanting to heighten the brilliancy and achievement. it may be found in the fact that our fleet was inadequately and unequally provided with men and canyou-manned mostly by raw recruits muinnred to battle. and commanded by young men withont experience in naval warfare. While
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on the other hand, that of the British was fully armed-furnished with men who had encountered many conflicts on the ocean, and commanded by the experienced and veteran Commander Barclay, who had won rich laurels muader Nelson, at the immortal battle of Trafalgar.
Such was the tremendous contrast between the opposing forces. Shut now the volume that records the event, and tell me, thou man of naval and military science, upon what principle of human probability can the triumph of our arms, in a conflict so unequal, be predicted?
The contrast was great, but to the dauntless Perry by no means appalling. After the line of battle had been set and all was made ready, an hour-a silent hour-was occupied in advancing to the coufliet; an hour in which the lives of the squadron, the fate of the north-west and the honor of the nation were suspended upon the talents and collected valor of one man. How appalling the responsibility! How terrible the probation! How vast the interest involved: How intense the gaze of millions upon the issue! At such a moment, men of the present generation, picture to yourselves the solemn spectacle, the sublime pageantry of two hostile armies watching the movements from the opposite shores of the lake: of defenceless thousands throughout the unprotected region of the north-west, whose lives and homes were at stake; yea, of millions of two great nations, whose final triumph linng upon the issue-all, all awaiting with breathless anxiety, the result of the conflict, and tell me if it was not an hour in which the stoutest heart of the hero, charged with such a battle, might have justly trembled. Yet the heroic Perry remained nnagitated. unshaken and invincible. He had no fear but for the safety and honor of his country; no ambition but to conquer or die in her defence.
A quarter before 12 o'clock the solemn suspense was broken and the conflict began. At 3 o'clock the battle ended. Its thunders were hushed. Their echoes had died away upon the distant shore of the lake, and the deep "silence of nature" succeeded, broken only by the eries of the wounded and the dying. As the smoke of battle rolled away, it revealed a victory, which shed undying glory upon the Republic, and gave immortal renown to the victors; a victory which wiped from our escutcheon the disgrace of Hull's surrender, avenged the insulted honor of our flag, and dissolved forever the spell of boasted British maratine invincibility. THE PUPIL OF NELSON had struck to the youthful Perry, and the country rang with acclamations of joy.
In estimating the immediate and momentons, results of this victory, it should not be forgotten that it at once opened a pathway for Gen. Harrison, to the subjugation of Malden, to the re-conquest of Detroit, to the restoration of peace and safety of our whole extended frontier, and to the crowning glory of his campaign, by the capture of the entire British army, at the battle of the Thames. It changed at once the entire theatre of the war in this region, and transferred it, with all its dread pageantry of death and devastation, from our own soil to that of the bewildered, astonished and panic-stricken foe. And. it is no exaggeration to assert, that from the moment of this victory, the ambitious schemes of the enemy upon our western borders were forever blasted, and that the last vestige of British
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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION-SPEECH OF HON. E. COOKE. 59
domination in the north-west practically expired with the last expiring notes of the last cannon, whose thunder closed the battle of Lake Erie.
In view of these grand and glorious results-connected with the direct influence they exerted to revive the public spirit; to restore fresh vigor to the American arms; to awaken the national confidence: to sustain the national credit and to strengthen the arm of the government, at that gloomy period of the war, it is no wonder that the news of the victory flew on the wings of the wind, electrifying the whole nation with joy, and filling the heart of every patriot with gratitude and exultation. No wonder that the bells of every church throughout the Republic rang ont their merry peals as the news traversed the interior, and that every city and hamlet in the land blazed forth with bonfires and illuminations and other manifestations of the high-wronght publie rejoicings.
And shall we, who are now in the peaceful enjoyment of the full fruition of these results; shall we. standing here in sight of the spot where the great battle which secured them was fought and won: shall we, who have fixed onr homes and set up our household gods in the midst of the territory thus resened and defended, remain indifferent to an event which conferred such priceless blessings, which cost so much blood and peril to achieve it, which added so much wealth to the fame of the nation, and which still commands the applause and admiration of the world? No, never, never. .
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