USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, from the close of the revolutionary war to July, 1880 > Part 7
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To these scenes, then, let us with each returning anniversary come up for our instruction. Let us here re-kindle the beacon-fires of patriotism. which Perry left. on yonder cliff, with a fervent prayer that they burn forever. Let us bring honors this day for the noble dead who perished in the fight: and let the laurel and the cypress be kept forever fresh and green upon the lonely graves where their ashes are enshrined. In a word, let us seek our great practical lesson of public duty and patriotic daring in the contemplation of the exploits and sacrifices of that dauntless band, who near this spot, perited their lives for their country. But above all, let us this day signalize our grateful appreciation of their glorious deeds by efficient measures for the erection of a monument on yonder "Gibraltar Rock." to the memory of Perry and his noble companions-there to stand forever, a perpetual memorial of our convictions of the unmeasured benefits conferred upon the western states by their patriotic and heroic valor.
At no distant day upon that consecrated spot, where sleep the ashes of the brave who fell in the conflict. "with solemnities suited to the occasion. with prayer to Almighty God for His blessing," and in the midst of a cloud of witnesses like these which surround me. let the corner stone of that monu- ment be laid. There let it rise. There let it stand as long as the blue waters of Erie shall continue to dash against its rock-bound base. to mark the spot which must be forever dear to us, to our children and to our children's children, down to the last syllable of recorded time.
The lapse of forty-five years has laid down in the dust most of the brave men who participated in the victory. The illustrions chief himself. who on that proud day, amid the roar and smoke and storm of battle. inscribed his name upon the shield of immortality, has been compelled to yield to the only foe he could not conquer: but all. thank Heaven, are not yet gone. . \ little remnant of that immortal band still linger among the living, to reap
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the rich reward of their labor and perils, in the affections and benedictions of their countrymen; and four of these have kindly yielded to the earnest invitation of the committee, and are now present, to receive an expression of the gratitude of the country, for which they put their lives at hazard, and to which they devoted the flower of their youth.
Fortunate should we esteem ourselves that we have been permitted to behold this spectacle: a spectacle, the like of which in thrilling interest and imposing grandeur. was never before vouchsafed to the present generation. Happy indeed that God has granted us the sight of these veteran survivors under circumstances so novel and affecting. Soon, alas, too soon. shall we seek in vain for one survivor, and the last of the heroic band will be seen on earth no more forever. Let us then bring fresh honors, this day Ito those who still remain to link the living with the dead, 'ere the grave shall have closed upon them forever.
Gallant and venerable men! with grateful hearts we bid you welcome. thrice welcome to these island shores, and to these bright scenes of your early glory. We thank the God of mercy for having prolonged your lives that we might thus greet you, and that you might behold this deeply earnest demonstration of your grateful countrymen.
On revisiting the memorable spot where you linked forever your own fame with the glory of your country, after the absence of nearly half a century. it is not strange that the stirring incidents of the victory in which you so honorably shared, should come down upon your memory like an avalanche from the past, and agitate you with conflicting emotions.
How changed the scene since last your eyes beheld these lovely shores! Trne, the same lake which you then saw wreathed in smoke of battle and eherimsoned with the blood of your companions, still continues its ceaseless funeral wail over the shimbers of the buried brave. or chants its loud anthems to the praise of your gallant deeds. The same sm, which then looked down from its mid-day throne and fired your young hearts to deeds of glorions daring, still smiles npon your return to this renowned theater of your youthful courage and patriotism. But in other respects how great the change! The haughty foe is gone-the din of war is hushed, and instead of the thunders of hostile cannon, and the shrieks of your dying comrades, you have heard to-day the shouts of a new generation, who have come ont from all the borders of the lovely land you defended; to greet yon with the lond acclaim of an overflowing and nuiversal gratitude.
Forever. hereafter, the 10th of September. 1813, shall be saered to our hearts, as it has long been glorious to our country. It was your good fortune. most honorably. to participate in the dangers of that day. Imminent were the perils you encountered: glorious the deeds you performed, and great the sacrifices you made for your country. I will not attempt their enlogy. They have already found their place with those of your departed compatriots, among the solemn archives of our country, where they can never die: and the history which records them is but an imperishable transcript of your claims upon our gratitude.
You have come to most of the thousands before yon as from a distant age, to revive recollections and recount incidents around which the mists of tradition have begun to cluster, and yon find yourseives to-day in the midst
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of a generation now in the full vigor and meridian strength of manhood. who had not seen the light of heaven when you had nobly bared your breasts to the shafts of death in defense of the rights and honor of your country.
You are now where you stood forty-five years ago, with trailed banners. at the funeral of your valiant dead. Like myself. you belong to a former generation. Yon look around yon in vain for your youthful companions-in- arms and brothers in peril. They have been gathered to their fathers. But you look around you not in vain for the evidences of your country's happi- ness. and for the rich rewards of your patriotic sacrifices and toils; you look around you not in vain for the joy and gratitude of the living thousands who surround you, and who have been made happy-most happy-to bid you welcome, thrice welcome. on this consecrated day.
We forbear further to betray our emotions, for eulogy belongs less to the living than to the dead. and there is not a heart throughout this vast assem- bly that does not frequently pray that we may long be spared the duty of granting to you our last and highest honors. Distant, far distant, be the day which shall mark your setting sun. May the same God who shielded yon in battle, and guided and preserved you in after-life, still smile upon your declining years, and cover them with his richest and choicest blessings.".
Thereupon Mr. Cooke introduced Capt. Stephen Champlin to the crowd. He was the last surviving commander of the Perry squadron. who led the Scorpion in the front line of battle, and who fired the first and last gun in the conflict. He was received with tremendous cheers. Thereupon Gov. Chase read the Captain's speech, as follows:
"MR. PRESIDENT :- U'nacenstomed to speak in public, and having no confidence in my voice. I ask the favor of yon to read the following reply to the flattering sentiments just offered:
Falloir-Citizens :- I cordially thank you for the distinguished honor paid to the memory of my old commander. Commodore O. H. Perry, and the gallant officers and men under his command in the battle on this lake, and also the flattering notice of my services on that occasion. Yon have amply rewarded me for the toil and exposure of life on that eventful day. Next to a con- seionsness that 1 performed my duty faithfully, is the approbation of so vast a multitude of my fellow-citizens. I renewedly thank you. and beg leave to offer the following sentiment: . The thirty-six volunteers of Gen. Harrison's army, who came to us in our greatest need, to whom we were much indebted for their valuable services.""
Six rousing cheers were given for Capt. Champlin.
Mr. Cooke next introduced the venerable William Blair, of Leving .. ton, Richland county, Ohio, as one of the thirty-six volunteers of Gen. Harrison's army, just referred to, and exhibited to the audience, from the neck of the old veteran, a rich and massive silver medal, bearing the impress of Perry, with appropriate inscription, which had been voted to him, with the thanks of the commonwealth, by the state of Pennsylvania, of which he was then a citizen, in testimony of his
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patriotism and bravery at the battle of lake Erie. The old hero was too much affected to say one word, but amidst a storm of applause acknowledged the kindness shown him by a modest bow and a flow of tears.
Thomas Brownell, of Newport, R. I., was then next introduced. He commanded the schooner Ariel in the battle. He was greeted with rousing cheers, and responded by thanking the crowd for the flattering and cordial expression of feeling, and assured them that it was all ,gratefully appreciated by him.
Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence, R. I., the surgeon of the flag-ship Lawrence at the time of the battle, was then introduced, and gave a detailed and thrilling account of the engagement. His address was listened to with the most intense interest, and was frequently interrupted with cheers that made the welkin ring. Dr. Parsons said:
MR. PRESIDENT. AND CITIZENS OF THE LAKE SHORE:
The survivors of the battle of Lake Erie here present have listened with intense interest to the eloquent address just delivered, and thank you most sincerely for the cordial reception you have given to its friendly and compli- mentary allusion to our services on the day we are now assembled to commemorate.
Forty-five years ago we were here as spectators and participants in the battle, and now, in advanced years, are invited to join a vast number of patriotic citizens, gathered from the beautiful and flourishing cities bordering this lake, to celebrate the victory then gained by our squadron:
We have come hither, my friends, to honor the memory of those who fell in that glorious conflict. and are sleeping under the soil near where we are How gathered. We have come, also, to pay a grateful tribute of respect to the memory of Commodore Perry, and his associates in the battle, who have since passed away in the ordinary course of human life. And you. citizens of the lake shore, have sought out and invited here a little remuant of survivors to bless our eyes with evidences of your prosperity and happiness. and to warm our hearts with tokens of assurance that our toil and peril of life on that eventful day are not forgotten. Would to God that more had been spared to participate with us in these generons demonstrations of gratitude and respect. But they have passed away, and in a very brief period of time no spectator will be left to tell the story of "Perry's Victory."
That victory derives a general interest from the fact that it was the first encounter of our infant navy, in fleet or squadron. In contests with single ships we had humbled the pride of Great Britain. The Guerrier, Java and Macedonia had surrendered to our stars and stripes. But here, on yonder waves, that nation was taught the unexpected lesson that we could conquer them in squadron. But this battle derives a particular interest from its bearing on the war of 1812, and from the relief it brought to your shores-in wrenching the tomahawk and scalping knife from savage hands; shielding a frontier of three hundred miles from the assaults and conflagrations of a combined British and savage foe; opening the gates of Malden to Gen.
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Harrison's army, that enabled it to pursue and capture the only army that was captured during the war, and in restoring to us Detroit and the free ยท navigation of the upper lakes.
My friends, you have read, and your fathers have told you, the story of this victory. Yet from the interest you still manifest by coming here in thronging multitudes, as well as by the expressed will of some present, and of the press, it is apparent that you wish the story to be repeated, probably with the desire that you may hereafter relate it to your children as coming from a spectator of the scene. Iwill therefore give a brief sketch of the battle.
I shall not detain you with a description of the construction and equip- ment, but commence with our arrival here, twenty-five days before the action, and our cruising in that time between Malden and Sandusky, and receiving near the latter place a visit from Gen. Harrison and suite, prepar- tory to an attack on Malden.
Early in the morning of the 10th of September, 1813, while we lay at anchor in the bay, a cry came from the mast-head-"sail, ho!" All hands leaped from their berths, and in a few minutes the cry was repeated, until six sails were announced. Signal was made to the squadron: "Enemy in sight: get under way." And soon the hoarse sound of trumpets and shrill pipe of the boatswain resounded throughont our squadron, with "all hands np anchor, ahoy!"
In passing out of this bay it was desirable to go to the left of yonder islet, but on being notified by sailing-master Taylor that adverse winds would prevent, the Commodore replied: "Go, then, sir, to the right; for this day I am determined to meet and fight the enemy."
There were nine American vessels, carrying 54 guns and 400 men. and six British vessels, carrying 63 guns and 511 men.
At the head of our line were the Scorpion, Capt. Champlin, and Ariel. Lient. Packet: next, the flag-ship Lawrence, of 20 guns, to engage the flag- ship.Detroit. the Caledonia to fight the Hunter: the Niagara, of 20 guns, to engage the Queen Charlotte: and lastly, three small vessels to fight the Lady Provost, of 13 guns, and Little Belt, of 3 guns. Our fleet now moved on to attack the enemy, distant. at 10 o'clock. about five miles.
The Commodore now produced the burger, or fighting flag, hitherto con- realed in the ship. It was inseribed with large white letters, on a blue ground, legible throughout the squadron: "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP."- the last words of the expiring Lawrence, and now to be hoisted at the mast head of the vessel bearing his name.
A spirited appeal was made to the crew, and up went the flag to the fore- royal, amid hearty cheers throughout the squadron, and the drums and fifes struck up the thrilling sound, "all hands to quarters."
The hatches, or passage-ways to the decks, were now closed, excepting a small aperture ten inches square, through which light was admitted to the surgeon's room, for receiving the wounded, the floor of which was on a level with the surface of the lake. and exposing them to cannon ball as much as if they were on deck.
Every preparation being made, and every man at his station, a profound silence reigned for more than an hour-the most trying part of the scene.
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It was like the stillness that precedes the hurricane. The feet moved on steadily till a quarter before twelve o'clock, when the awful suspense was relieved by a shot aimed at us from the Detroit, about one mile distant. Perry made more sail, and coming within canister distance, opened a rapid and destructive fire on the Detroit. The Caledonia, Capt. Turner, followed the Lawrence in gallant style; and the Ariel, Lient. Packet, and the Scor- pion. Capt. Champlin, fought nobly and effectively.
The Niagara failing to grapple with the Queen, the latter vessel shot ahead to fire upon the Lawrence, and with the Detroit aimed their broadsides exclusively npon her, hoping and intending to sink her. At last they made her a complete wreck; but, fortunately, the Commodore escaped without injury. and stepping into a boat with his fighting flag thrown over his shoulders, he pushed off for the Niagara amid a shower of cannon and musket balls, and reached that vessel unscathed.
He found her a fresh vessel, with only two, or at most three, persons injured. and immediately sent her commander to hasten up the small vessels. Perry boarded the Niagara when she was abreast of the Lawrence, and further from her than the Detroit was on her right. The Lawrence now dropped astern and hauled down her tlag. Perry turned the Niagara's course towards the enemy, and crossing the bow of the Lawrence bore down headforemost upon the enemy's line, determined to break through it and take a raking position. The Detroit attempted to turn, so as to keep her broadside to the Niagara, and avoid being raked; but in doing this, she fell against the Queen, and got entangled in her rigging, which left the enemy no alternative but to strike both ships. Perry now shot further ahead, near the Lady Provost, which. from being crippled in her rudder, had drifted out ont of her place to leeward, and was pressing forward towards the head of the British line to support the two ships. One broadside from the Niagara silenced her battery. The Hunter next struck, and the two smaller vessels. in attempting to escape, were overhauled by the Scorpion, Capt. Champlin. and the Trip. Mr. Holdup; and thus ended the action, after 3 o'clock.
Let us now advert for a moment to the scenes exhibited in the flag-ship Lawrence, of which I can speak as an eye-witness. The wounded began to come down before she opened her battery. and for one. I felt impatient of the delay. In proper time, however, as it proved. the dogs of war were let loose from their leash, and it seemed as though heaven and earth were at loggerheads. For more than two hours little could be heard but the deaf- ening thunder of our broadsides, the crash of the balls dashing through our timbers, and the shrieks of the wounded. These were brought down faster than I could attend to them, farther than to stay the bleeding. or support a shattered limb with splints, and pass them forward upon the berth-deck.
When the battle had raged an hour and a half. I heard a call for me at the small sky-light, and stepping towards it. I saw the Commodore, whose contenance was as calm and placid as if on ordinary duty. "Doctor." said he. "send me one of your men," meaning one of the six stationed with me to assist in moving the wounded. In five minutes the call was repeated and obeyed, and at the seventh call I told him he had all my men. He asked if there were any sick or wounded who could pull a rope, when two or three crawled up on deck to lend a helping, but feeble, hand in pulling at the last
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guns. The hard fighting terminated about three o'clock. As the smoke cleared away, the two fleets were found mingled together, the small vessels having come up to the others. The shattered Lawrence, lying to the wind- wanl. was once more able to hoist her flag, which was cheered by a few feeble voices on board, making a melancholy sound compared with the boisterous cheers that preceded the battle.
The proud, though painful, duty of taking possession of the conquered ships was now performed. The Detroit was nearly dismantled, and the destruction and carnage had been dreadful. The Queen was. in condition. a little better. "Every Commander, and second in command," says Barclay. in his official report. "was either killed or wounded." The whole number killed in the British fleet was forty-one, and of wounded ninety-four. In the American fleet. twenty-seven were killed and ninety-six wounded. Of the twenty-seven killed, twenty-two were on board the Lawrence; and of the ninety-six wounded. sixty-one were on board this same ship-making eighty- three killed and wounded out of 101 reported fit for duty on the Lawrence on the morning of the battle. On board the Niagara were two killed and twenty-three wounded-making twenty-five; and of these, twenty-two were killed or wounded after Perry took command of her.
About 4 o'clock a boat was discovered approaching the Lawrence. Soon the Commodore was recognized in her, who was returning to resume com- mand of his tattered ship, determined that the remnant of her crew should have the privilege of witnessing the formal surrender of the British officers. It was a time of conflicting emotions when he stepped upon the deck. The battle was won, and he was safe: but the deck was slippery with blood, and strewed with the bodies of twenty officers and men, some of whom sat at table with us at our last meal, and the ship resounded with the groans of the wounded. Those of us who were spared, and able to walk, met him at the gangway to welcome him on board, but the salutation was a silent one on both sides-not a word could find utterance. And now the British officers arrived-one from each vessel-to tender their submission, and with it their swords. When they approached, picking their way among the wreck and carnage of the deck, with their sword-hilts towards Perry, they tendered them to his acceptance. With a dignified and solemn air, and with a low tone of voice. he requested them to retain their side arms; inquired with deep concern for Commodore Barclay and the wounded officers, tendering to them every comfort his ship afforded, and expressing his regret that he had not a spare medical officer to send them: that he had only one on duty for the fleet, and that one had his hands full.
Among the ninety-six wounded, there occurred three deaths. A result so favorable was attributable to the plentiful supply of fresh provisions sent off to us from the Ohio shore; to fresh dor-the wounded being ranged under an awning on the deck until we arrived at Erie, ten days after the action: and. also, to the devoted attention of Commodore Perry to every want.
Those who were killed in the battle were that evening committed to the deep, and over them was read the impressive Episcopal service.
On the following morning the two fleets sailed into this bay. where the slain officers of both were buried in an appropriate and affecting manner. They consisted of three Americans-Lientenant Brooks, and midshipmen
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Lynch and Clark; and three British officers-Captain Finis, and Lieutenant Stokes, of the Queen, and Lieutenant Garland. of the Detroit. Equal respect was shown to the slain of both nations, and the crews of both fleets united in the ceremony. The procession of boats, with two bands of music: the slow and regular motion of the oars, striking in exact time with the solemn notes of the dirge; the mournful waving of flags, and sound of minute guns from the ships, presented a striking contrast to the scenes of two days before, when both the living and the dead, now forming this solemn and fraternal train, were engaged in fierce and bloody strife, hurling at each other the thunderbolts of war.
On the eighth day after the action, the Lawrence was dispatched to Erie with the wounded, where we received a cordial welcome and kind hospitality.
The remainder of the vessels conveyed Harrison's army to Malden, where they found the public stores in flames, and Proctor, with his army, in hasty retreat. Perry joined Harrison as a volunteer aid, who, with our troops, chiefly from Ohio and Kentucky, overtook and captured the army. Perry then accompanied Harrison and Commodore Barclay to Erie, where they landed amid peals of cannon and shouts of the multitude, and from thence proceeded to Rhode Island.
Commodore Perry served two years as commander of the Java, taking with him most of the survivors of the Lawrence. He after this commanded a squadron in the West Indies, where he died, in 1819.
Possessed of high-toned morals, he was above the low dissipation and sensuality too prevalent with some officers of this day, and in his domestic character was a model of every domestic virtue and grace. His literary acquirements were respectable, and his taste refined. He united the graces of a manly beauty to a lion heart, a sound mind, a safe judgment, and a firmness of purpose which nothing could shake.
But this intelligent audience already know and appreciate his noble virtues and honor his glorious achievements. The maps of your shores and inland towns and counties are inscribed with his name: and the noble State of Ohio, and the United States are about to decorate the walls of their respective capitols with splendid representations of the battle we are this day commemorating.
My friends, in the name and behalf of the citizens of Rhode Island, I tender you their grateful acknowledgements for the honor done that little State on this interesting occasion. She sent hither the commander of the squadron, and a majority of the officers and men. She glories in the victory gained, and regards the name and fame of her gallant son as one of her choicest jewels, and will ever cherish grateful sentiments towards those who respect and honor his memory. You have come hither, my friends, for this holy purpose from all the cities of the lake shore, and are about to lay the corner stone of a monument to perpetuate his memory and fame. Though his name will ontlive structures of marble, or of bronze, yet rest assured that the citizens of Rhode Island will hail with delight the report of this day's transactions, and in their future western pilgrimages will linger about this spot and invoke Heaven's choicest blessings on you in return for your generous magnanimity.
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