USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 16
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The summer began to wane. In the course of time the fleet was sufficiently manned, the ships had been floated over the bar and the brave little American fleet had set out to meet the enemy. It was not the end of the care and anxiety. On the contrary, the sailing of the fleet pro- duced an intensity of the feeling of concern. It even amounted to ap- prehension. For weeks at a time absolutely nothing was heard from Perry. Apprehension became keener. One day a sail was sighted in the offing. All eyes were strained to make her out. Slowly she approached and at length it was possible to identify the vessel. It was the schooner Ohio, commanded by Capt. Dobbins.
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Was she the bearer of evil tidings? Had she come back to report that there had been an engagement and that she herself was all that remained of that proud little fleet of vessels that had gone forth to offer battle to the enemy? Anxiously the eyes ashore continued to study the approaching ship, and endeavored to read the story she was coming to tell. As she approached nearer it could be noticed that she was still trim and intact. There were no torn nor punctured sails. Every spar was in perfect condition. There was no damage to her hull. At length she came to anchor, and it was learned that all was well with the fleet. The Ohio had returned for necessaries. The rest of the vessels under Perry's command were in first-class shape. They were looking for the enemy.
One day early in autumn, the people, as usual alert and eager for intelligence of the fleet, were astir as had become the custom, and were scanning the horizon in every direction for some sign of a sail. It was a calm and pleasant day, the 10th of September. It seemed like summer, and there was a sound in the west that betokened a storm. A low rumb- ling as of distant thunder was heard. And yet it was not like thunder either. There were no intervals of silence. Besides, the weather condi- tions in the west did not favor. The rumbling continued, but it did not become louder as it would have if a thunder storm were approaching. Nor was there any accession to the clouds in the direction whence the sounds proceeded. What was the cause of the phenomenon? For what seemed a long time the sounds continued. At length they ceased. Was it the noise produced by a battle? If so, how had it resulted?
The noise produced by that engagement on September 10, 1813, was as though it were a proclamation of emancipation to this entire region. One who actually heard it stated that the cannonading on that day was distinguishable, as distant thunder, as far east as Dunkirk. It suggested thunder, but yet was unlike thunder, for it was continuous.
Perry had met the enemy, and he had lowered the ensign of his proud enemy. The little fleet built out of the forest that surrounded Erie had gone forth to meet the flower of the greatest navy on the earth and rebuked the arrogance of a power that sought to destroy the young republic. "We have met the enemy and they are ours," was his dispatch, but the thunder of his guns had sent the proclamation in advance to all the lake region. The people of Erie quickly learned the news and at last people felt free to seek their nightly repose assured it would not be disturbed by the cannonading of an enemy.
Out at the little farm on the Buffalo road there was even greater re- joicing than in the village of Erie. The long and painful task was at an end, and the full reward of patriotism had come. Perhaps the pewter bullets had not been necessary to decide this issue, but a loyal woman's will and wish were moulded into every one. And there was more than
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that which entered into the bullets. There was part of the courage and fortitude of that wife who, sending her husband to the front, took up a man's place on that homestead in the woods and there did as true and efficient work in her country's behalf as though she had been a man and with rifle on shoulder had stepped in time to the fife and drum on the march to meet her country's enemies on the battlefield. It was not only her caring for hier brood of little ones and keeping the farm business going ; it was not only her ready sacrifice of her husband's services; it was not only her moulding bullets for the recruits who passed that way. It was the splendid example of patriotism she presented that undoubtedly imbued her husband and the stranger recruits who passed that way with a heroism such as made the victory of Perry possible and kept the flag of liberty in the sky of freedom.
That heroic mother was Mrs. Lowry; she was the ancestor of a numerous progeny. Her sons and daughters numbered nine, and all were characteristically prolific. They were of leading families in this portion of the country. Senator Morrow B. Lowry was of that line. The Barrs were connections-four Lowry brothers married four Barr sisters, and inany relatives survive still in Erie and vicinity.
In the year 1813 there stood where Walther's block now stands, at the corner of Eighth and State streets, a house of logs which was the Laird residence, and all the land, from about where the Olds block now stands, south to Ninth street was part of the Laird homestead. A hos- pitable home was that of the Lairds and they were widely acquainted. The home was, however, isolated. It was beyond the pale of Erie, out in the country, and away from such sources of information as were avail- able at that period. It was a time of intense anxiety at Erie. There was a state of war, and Erie was a scene of activity in connection with that war. There was a fleet of vessels under construction and the people were in a state of apprehension and dread, living in constant fear of an attack by the Birtish who had a large fleet upon the lakes and who were known to be disposed toward employing the savage Indians to aid them in their land forays. As a matter of fact their system of intrigues with the In- clians was one of the express causes for the declaration of war in June, 1812.
The people of Erie were fearful that the British, who knew the ships for Perry's fleet were being built here, would land a large force above or below Erie and, approaching from east, west or south, would attack the little town, murder the inhabitants and destroy it. Many expected nothing less, knowing the custom of the British of enlisting the aid of the red men. It is true there was a force of militia at Erie, but the people here knew how inadequate it was, if the British did not, and this knowl- edge of the exact condition of affairs added to, or gave grounds for, the apprehension that prevailed.
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One day in the summer of 1813 Mrs. Laird was standing before her door, no doubt considering in her mind the troublous state of the times and the dangers that seemed to menace, when she heard, proceeding from the woods to the south, a yelling that could not be mistaken for anything else than the cry of the savages. She waited, however, for a few mo- ments to be sure she heard aright. Again the horrid yell was repeated and this time it sounded nearer. They were approaching, and rapidly. What could she do? This was the thought that first took possession of her, for there were two duties that instantly rose before her mind: She ought to give notice of the approach of the Indians, and she ought to save her own life. Self-preservation is the first law of nature. But she was a brave woman, and no doubt was ready to take great risks for the benefit of the people in Erie. She resolved upon performing the higher duty, and with this purpose in view advanced to look up the road to see what her chances were of getting to the settlement in advance of the savages.
Too late. They were already in view. There was a large company of them and many were mounted. They were painted in grotesque fash- ion and wore their feather head-dresses and as they proceeded their yells were accompanied by wild gesticulations and the flourishing of weapons, and Mrs. Laird's blood froze in her veins with the fear the dreadful sight produced. She quickly recovered, turned, and almost flew to her house, which she entered, having barred the door behind her, waited in the keenest apprehension for the attack she was sure the Indians would make upon her unprotected home.
Attentively she listened as they approached, nearer and nearer. At length she could see them. Onward they proceeded until they were oppo- site the house in the road. But they did not stop. They did not even look toward the house, but gesticulating and wildly shouting they passed away toward the village.
Fear began to give place to curiosity as they disappeared from view, and she at length summoned courage to emerge and follow, seeking it- formation. It did not take long to learn that the band was composed of friendly Indians : that it was Chief Cornplanter and a company of his braves come to Erie to offer his services to General Mead in defense of the American cause.
It was a happy relief from what had been a period of terror, for Mrs. Laird was sure for a time that there was nothing in store for her but a cruel death at the hands of the savage Indians.
But not all of the dwellers in Erie were panic-stricken when wars and rumors of wars were rife. Even when the British fleet temporarily blockaded the port and seemed to be threatening the town, there were many who yet had the courage and faith to remain at the post of duty. Not alone the men. There were women as well who seemed to be fear-
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less ; at any rate had faith to believe that the defenders of the American cause who had gathered here would be able to successfully defend the place and its inhabitants. It is a tradition that there were even gay times during that period, especially among the young people; that there were gatherings in the evening and modest social functions, for the youth of that date differed not greatly from the youth of any other age, and a uniform was attractive to a girl in 1813 as at any other period, and the boys of the town of Erie were jealous then just as they are now when the uniform enters upon the scene.
It will therefore be apropos to speak of another leading incident of these stirring times, an incident that has to do with the pioneer families of Erie and of the house that in its day was an historical landmark. This incident is the construction of the flag which became the fighting standard of Commodore Perry.
When it came time to christen the two brigs that were to be the principal ships in the Lake Erie fleet, one was called the Niagara and the other the Lawrence, in honor of the gallant commander of the Chesapeake. Perry having decided to make the Lawrence his flag-ship, a party of Erie ladies organized to make a suitable flag and hit upon the appropriate design of a blue standard bearing the words of Lawrence's dying orders to his brave but defeated crew: "Don't give up the ship." The ladies were organized and the work directed by Mrs. Margaret Foster Steuart, who was assisted by Dorcas Bell, wife of Captain William Bell, an officer of the revenue service, and his two daughters and by the three daugh- ters of Captain Thomas Forster. The work was done in one of the large rooms of the house of Thomas Steuart. This house stood on Fourth street between French and Holland. It was built of logs, and was the largest dwelling house of its construction in Erie, with considerable architectural pretentions. The room in which the work was done was quite spacious, and like all such rooms in those pioneer times was provided with a wide-mounted fire-place in which great logs were burned. Though it was summer time, the cheerful glow of the wood fire at night lent its charm to the scene, for it is tradition that there were merry times at that flag making. The young officers of the fleet were regular callers, osten- sibly to see how the work progressed and offer suggestions. That romance was not foreign to these gatherings is proved by the fact that all the young girls of that happy party subsequently married naval officers, thus laying the foundation of Erie's reputation, justly earned by subse- quent events, of being the mother-in-law of the American navy.
That flag saw heroic service. It floated over the grave young com- mander of the American fleet until the Lawrence, becoming disabled in the fierce fight of September 10, it was hauled down and carried to the Niagara, where it was again hoisted to the main truck and floated until it became the standard of victory-until another terse message was writ- ten to adorn its page in history: "We have met the enemy and they are
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ours." The original flag is now in the museum of the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Some four or five years ago a replica of the original Lawrence flag was made for the Perry Day celebration by the daughters of Frank H. Steuart, great-granddaughters of Margaret Foster Steuart, who made the flag of 1813, and it is now to be seen in the museum of the public library.
The old Steuart log house has passed away, having given place to aid in making a path for modern progress. Though homely in aspect, and a true representation of the pioneer in America life, its contribution to the history of this nation,
"In the brave days of old,"
was neither insignificant nor without interest even in these modern times. It furnished a chapter in the story of Erie's patriotism, that has been il- lustrated upon every occasion of demand by prompt response when the country called for service.
CHAPTER XVI .- PERRY MEETS THE ENEMY.
THE GREAT FIGHT .- THE FLAGSHIP LAWRENCE KNOCKED OUT .- THE SHIFT TO THE NIAGARA .- THE VICTORY WON.
Perry had gotten his squadron safely over the bar, but it was not without hazard. As a matter of fact there was for a time, while the work was in progress, extreme peril. The Lawrence was the first of the ships to be lightered across the shallow part of the channel. Her guns had been taken out and placed upon the beach, disposed in such a manner that they could be handled with facility when the time came to return them to their places on the vessel. It was of the utmost importance to keep in mind the fact that contingencies might arise, and the sagacious young commander never lost sight of the possibilities. As it turned out, just such a contingency as was regarded possible actually happened except that the attack did not take place ; but the failure of the enemy to make the attack, as afterwards learned, being due entirely to conditions of the weather. It all came about in this way :
The Lawrence having gained the outer water and been equipped again with her armament, the smaller vessels-all but the Niagara-were navigated through and anchored, close in-shore around the Lawrence. The Niagara had been kedged up to the edge of the bar, and her guns were being removed to the beach, when, right in the midst of this work, the ships of the enemy were seen to be approaching. It was a hazy morn- ing, early, and the wind was from the southeast. From the top of Gar- rison Hill the British ships could be seen standing in toward Erie, not distinctly as if the weather had been clear, but plainly enough to be made out. Immediately the intelligence was communicated to Perry. There was hurry and bustle. Perry expected an attack ; he felt sure that his movements had become known, and the enemy, understanding the exact situation, had come with the intention of utterly destroying his squadron. He therefore made hasty preparations to give them as warm a reception as possible. If necessary he would run the Lawrence ashore under the guns of the battery on Garrison Hill, where a field battery had also been planted, and thus save her. He had also mounted on the beach many of the Niagara's guns, which had been landed, and the heavy guns of the smaller vessels. Undoubtedly, whatever the result, there would have been a warm time. After standing off and on, reconnoitering for an hour or
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more, the British fleet bore off and headed across the lake. This was so unexpected a result that Perry called Mr. Dobbins to make inquiries as to what the appearance of the coast from the offing would be. The reply was that in the hazy condition of the weather the shore line would, at the distance the enemy were, show very indistinct. It satisfactorily ex- plained the circumstance, but the incident put spurs in the side of the active young commander, and "hurry up" was the order of the day.
Perry, however, was too sagacious to let the British fleet sail away without learning something about it. Therefore he dispatched the Ariel, Lieut. Packett, to follow at a distance and learn if possible their desti- nation. On the return of the Ariel Packett reported that they had gone to Long Point. It was afterwards learned that this was true, and after landing a courier, they bore up the lake, and did not appear outside the Detroit river until September 10. It was also learned, in the course of time, that the enemy had been deceived by the haze at the time that reconnoitre was made, and also, that, observing they were followed by the Ariel, the landing at Long Point was made more for the purpose of deceiving the American scout than of landing the courier. But at the time both sides were deceived.
The work of preparation, stimulated by that early morning call of the enemy, went on without abatement, so that by evening of the 5th of August the American commander had his ships ready, and, determined' not to be idle while waiting for officers and men, and concluding he could cope with the enemy before they got out their new ship, made ready to sail for Long Point, where he believed he would be able to find his foe. His vessels being but half-manned he accepted a supply of volunteers from the army, and at 4 o'clock on the morning of August 6, set sail. The squadron on this initial cruise comprised the Lawrence, Com. Perry ; Niagara, Lient. Daniel Turner ; Caledonia. Purser Humphrey McGrath ; Ariel, Acting Lieut. John Packett; Scorpion, Sailing Master Stephen Champlin : Somers, Sailing Master Thomas Almy; Tigress, Master's Mate A. McDonald; Porcupine, Midshipman George Senat. The Ohio and Trippe were left behind for the want of crews. The Amelia was condemned as unseaworthy. The course taken was to Long Point, and nothing being seen of the enemy there, the cruise was continued to Port Dover, and along the coast as far as Grand River, without making any discoveries, so the squadron returned to the anchorage at Erie.
Immediately preparations were made for another cruise, the 7th and 8th being occupied with the work of taking on provisions and stores. But Perry hesitated upon entering on a cruise up the lake. The re- sponsibility of encountering the enemy with his ships but half-manned was one too grave to be accepted off-hand, especially as the probabilities were the British squadron was now reinforced by the new ship Detroit, and he was earnestly discussing the situation with Purser Hamilton at his headquarters ashore, when Midshipman John B. Montgomery reported
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at his door and handed him a letter from Lieut. Jesse D. Elliot, then on his way to join the squadron with a number of officers and ninety men. This intelligence was as welcome as sudden and unexpected. Im- mediately he proceeded aboard his ship and despatched Lieut. Packett with the Ariel down the coast to meet the reinforcing party and hasten their arrival. The Ariel returned on the 10th, and the officers and men were at once distributed among the ships of the squadron. Perry's heart was light. The force of seamen was not yet altogether adequate, but he was now supplied with competent and reliable officers and the men were greatly superior to any he had yet recevied. At the same time new com- missions were received, through Commodore Chauncey. Perry and Elliot were made of the grade of Master-Commander. ( Perry has been alluded to in these chapters as Commodore. He did not, in fact, attain to that rank until some time later, but, known universally since the great sea- fight as Commodore Perry, it seemed proper, even while alluding to ear- lier events, to identify him with his historic title.) Messrs. Holdup, Pack- ett, Yarnell, Edwards and Conkling were promoted to the rank of Lieu- tenant, all having previously acted as such.
Mr. Dobbins, being ordered to engage pilots, selected Azial Wilkinson, James Lee and one other whose name is not of record, and on the morn- ing of August 12, the squadron set out for the head of the lake. The squadron consisted of the following vessels: Lawrence (flagship) eigh- teen 32-pound carronades and two long 12-pounders, Com. O. H. Perry ; Niagara. same armament. Capt. Jesse D. Elliot ; Caledonia, three long 12-pounders, Purser Humphrey McGrath; Ariel, four long 12- pounders, Lieut John Packett ; Trippe, one long 32-pounder. Lieut. Joseph E. Smith; Tigress, one long 32-pounder, Lieut. A. H. M. Conkling ; Somers one long 24-pounder and one long 12-pounder. Sailing Master Thomas C. Almy ; Scorpion, one long 24-pounder and one long 12-pound- er, Sailing Master Stephen Champlin ; Ohio, one long 24-pounder, Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins; Porcupine, one long 32-pounder, Midshipman George Senat.
On the 16th the squadron arrived off Kelly's Island, without having scen the enemy, and the next day anchored off Sandusky, when Perry dis- patched an officer to Lower Sandusky to inform Gen. Harrison of his arrival. On the 17th Gen. Harrison and staff, accompanied by twenty Indian chiefs, visited the squadron, the Indians being greatly impressed, as was the purpose, by the show of strength. The result of the con- fcrence was a decision to make Put-in Bay the rendezvous of the squad- ron, and in that safe harbor the vessels lay until the 25th when a cruise to Malden was made, with a hope of tempting the enemy to come out. But it could not be done. The new ship Detroit was not ready. The ships could be seen by the Americans, but because of the powerful bat- tcry on Bar Point, it was decided imprudent to make an attack on the British then.
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A new danger now menaced the American fleet. Sickness set in, consisting of bilious fever, dysentery and chills, affecting mostly those from the seaboard, and being due to the change of fresh water, as well as to the bad quality of the provisions. Perry was himself taken down, and a number of his officers, including Surgeons Barton and Parsons, the latter however, with wonderful fortitude, continuing his work though it was necessary to carry him on a cot to visit the sick.
On the 31st a welcome reinforcement of fifty volunteers including several officers and a surgeon, W. T. Talliaferro, was received from Harrison's army. They were mostly Kentuckians, and had been boat- men on the western rivers, and soon made excellent marines. The force now numbered 490, all told, and the work of drilling proceeded with assiduity, resulting in an excellent degree of proficiency. Perry became convalescent after confinement for a week, and as soon as he was able to take the deck again, became impatient to bring on action. For a second time he visited Malden, and although it was discovered that the Detroit was now fully equipped, the American challenge was not ac- cepted.
Perry then sailed for Sandusky to communicate with Gen. Harrison and there found letters from the Department that contained so much of rebuke and censure that on the first impulse of the mortification he felt, he wrote a letter applying to be detached from the command on Lake Erie. However, on sober second thought, he laid his first letter aside and lie wrote vindicating his conduct and rebutting the charges of extrava- gance and unreason that had been brought against him. Some changes of officers now took place. Lieut. Smith was ordered to the Niagara and Lieut. Turner to the Caledonia ; McGrath was also sent to the Niagara in his legitimate capacity as pursuer, and Lieut. Holdup was placed in com- mand of the Trippe. On August 22, the Ohio had been sent to Erie for provisions, and returned on September 3, but was immediately dispatched on a similar trip as the stock of provisions was not only inadequate, but having been hastily cured, soon became putrid in the unusually warm weather that then prevailed. She did not return until after the fight.
And now the events of a tedious though busy campaign were rapidly approaching a culmination, although the impatient and impetuous Perry was almost of the opinion that the summer would end without bringing about the meeting he was so eager for. Projects for forcing mat- ters were discussed, and abandoned because of the lateness of the season, and there was perplexity in the problem however it was considered. But a change came almost with startling, certainly with unexpected, sud- denness. Three men, friendly to the Americans, made their escape from Malden, and sought an opportunity to communicate with Perry. Their story was a thrilling one. The forces at Malden, he was told, were suffering from lack of provisions, a condition of affairs that had brought
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