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 18
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Shortly afterwards the British officers arrived, one from each of the defeated vessels, and as they advanced with the hilts of their swords extended to Perry for his acceptance, it was with great difficulty that they picked their way across the deck, strewn as it was with the wreck- age and carnage of the fight. Commodore Barclay could not appear. He was too grievously disabled. Lieut. O'Keefe of the Forty-first Royal Regiment represented the wounded Commodore and carried his sword. Commodore Perry received the humbled officers graciously and with be- coming dignity, requesting them to retain their side arms; and inquired with deep solicitude after Com. Barclay and the wounded officers, ten- dering them every assistance at his command, but regretting his inability to furnish a medical officer as he had not one to send.
In the evening, as the sun was set and the western sky still tinged with the crimson glory that distinguishes the early gloaming in this lake country, there was a solemn ceremony performed; the burial of the brave lads whose lives had gone out in the fierce fire of that conflict. Each was lashed in his hammock, with a shot at his feet, and while the burial service of the Episcopal Church was being read by the chaplain, they were lifted overboard and sank to their eternal rest.
On the morning of Sunday. the 12th, the funeral of the officers of both squadrons took place on the shore at Put-in Bay. In this solemn ceremony those who had before been enemies joined, in the presence of death become comrades and messmates. Both squadrons had been sailed into the bay of the island, and anchored together, and when the cere- mony was about to be entered upon the flags of both nations were displayed at half-mast. The bodies of the dead officers were each placed in a boat, and then with measured stroke the crews rowed them ashore, while the bands of both fleets joined, played a funeral dirge, minute guns being fired alternately from the Lawrence and the Detroit. Arrived at the shore, the crews of both the American and the British ships-the latter for the time being losing their character of prisoners of war- massed and formed in procession to the spot chosen as the burial place of the dead. There the Episcopal Church service was read, and the military salute was fired over the graves and, honored as became heroes who had died in line of their loyal duty, they were at rest, surrounded by that inland sea upon which they had nobly put forth their best and given their all for what to them had seemed to be the right. There were three buried from each squadron: Lieut. Brooks and Midshipman Laub of the Lawrence ; Midshipman Clark of the Scorpion ; Capt. Finnis and Lieut. Stokes of the Queen Charlotte, and Lieut. Garland of the Detroit.
From the dead Com. Perry now turned to the living. First, he was required to dispose of the prisoners of war now on his hands. Nearly a hundred of these were wounded; many of them seriously. Among those badly wounded was Commodore Barclay unable to leave his bed
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on the Detroit. Toward him the American Commodore exercised the tenderest solicitude and care, the due of one brave man to another. No military hero ever bore into battle a nobler badge of valor than that Com. Barclay carried into the Battle of Lake Erie-an empty sleeve. It was a mark of distinction he obtained at Trafalgar, under Lord Nelson But, unhappily, his bravery in the battle of Lake Erie, bestowing another badge of the same kind, totally disabled him for the rest of his life. He gave his remaining arm. No wonder that Perry entertained such tender feelings for the stricken commander of the fleet that had opposed him. For his use the flagship of the British squadron was reserved.
Of the other wounded there was a sorting out. Those but slightly injured duly cared for then became as ordinary prisoners of war, and with the prisoners were turned over to Gen. Harrison, who dis- patched them under escort to Chillicothe, Ohio. Meanwhile the Lawrence had been carefully overhauled and put in a passable state of repair. To the Lawrence were moved all the badly wounded of both fleets, save Com. Barclay, and the gallant old craft was dispatched to Erie. It was on the 23d of September that she was discovered rounding the eastern end of the peninsula. The entire populace turned out to witness her arrival. Slowly the badly battered brave old boat limped the few remaining fathoms of her journey and at length cast anchor just outside the entrance. There was a disposition to cheer, for she was the first of the ships that had gone out from Erie to meet the enemy, to return-the first tangible evidence to the people that there had been a battle and a victory won. But there was also a strong disposition to shed tears, when the awful story of the fight was read from the scarred hull. The true errand of the Lawrence was at once communicated, and there were immediate preparations to receive and properly care for the charge that had been given to the people of Erie. Hospitals in Erie were a long, long way in the future, but such as they were every facility the town possessed, was placed at the disposal of the invalids, and no distinction was paid. The appeal of suffering humanity to duty went not disre- garded. The citizens did nobly for the wounded out of that great battle.
Perry's duties were not yet at an end. He had been assigned to support and act in conjunction with General Harrison and in the dis- charge of this duty there was still much to do. He now proceeded to reorganize his fleet. Having sent his old flagship to Erie, he transferred his flag to the Ariel and set about making the necessary arrangements for transporting Gen. Harrison's army to the Canadian mainland. His victory over the British squadron had given the Americans command on the lake, but the work was not complete until the army had done its part. A fleet of transports was therefore organized, which consisted of the Niagara, Caledonia, Somers, Ohio, Trippe, Scorpion, Ariel, Tigress and Porcupine of the American squadron, and the Hunter, Lady Prevost,
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Little Belt and Chippewa of the British, and with this fleet, after having dispatched the Lawrence to Erie, he sailed on the 19th for Camp Portage.
General Harrison's army had been strongly reinforced. He had called upon the "Veteran of King's Mountain," the venerable Gov. Shelby of Kentucky, for volunteers, and the redoubtable hero, though in his sixty-sixth year, responded with alacrity, placing himself at the head of a force of 3,500 mounted men that the patriotic state, alive with enthu- siasm had promptly put in the field. With such men as Henry, Desha, Allen, Caldwell, King, Childs, R. M. and J. Johnson, Trotter, Adin, Crit- tenden. McDowell, Walker and Barry as subordinates, Gov. Shelby set out to join Harrison. At Tiffin they heard the news of Perry's victory, and this put spurs in their sides, and they hastened their pace, arriving at Camp Portage Sept. 15. Four days later transportation was in readiness. All with the exception of Col. R. M. Johnson's regiment, which was to proceed around the head of the lake, took the boats. In due time they were landed in the vicinity of Malden which post it was found had been evacuated by Gen. Proctor. Perry, at this juncture, finding there were no activities to engage him with the ships, volunteered under Harrison, and with the army hastened in pursuit of the British, who were overtaken at length. The battle of the Thames was the result, in which Gen. Proctor was defeated and Tecumseh, his chief Indian ally, was killed. Detroit had also fallen into the hands of the Americans, and the victory was now complete. Returning to Detroit a reorganization was again effected. Gov. Shelby's volunteers were disbanded. A portion of the squadron was made ready to transport the remainder of the army to the lower end of Lake Erie to assist in the operations on the Niagara frontier, and the Ohio, Somers, Scorpion, Tigress and Porcu- pine were left under the supervision of Col. Cass, in command of the De- partment of Michigan to transport prisoners to Camp Portage.
At Detroit Perry found letters from the Secretary of the Navy, highly complimenting him upon his splendid services, and announcing his promotion to the rank of Post Captain; also granting him leave of absence to visit his family in Rhode Island. There being nothing now to detain him, Perry took Harrison and his staff on board the Ariel, and set sail. A call was made at Put-in Bay where Perry found Barclay much improved and able to be moved. The meeting was most cordial, and the American officer with pleasure informed Barclay of his success in obtaining a parole for him to return home. The wounded officer with his attending surgeon were then taken on board the Ariel, when she set sail for Erie. Being a fast sailer, she passed the rest of the squadron, which had preceeded her, and as the Ariel came into view off the point of the peninsula, a throng of citizens assembled and fired a salute of welcome. Perry and Harrison were received with great enthusiasm at the landing place. The invalid British officer was assisted up the hill by Perry and Col. Gaines, and was accommodated as his guest at the shore
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quarters of Perry. In the evening there was such a demonstration as the village of Erie had never seen before. There was a torch-light proces- sion, with, suitable transparencies, and the wildest cheering was kept up incessantly. But "the bravest are ever the tenderest." Perry had always in mind his invalid guest, and requested that the demonstrations near his quarters should be characterized as much as possible by quiet- ness, and the appeal was not in vain. Next day Perry sailed away from Erie, not, however, without paying a farewell to the brave Lawrence. At every point on the way to his home the gallant young hero was feted, and Perry's name became a synonym of valor throughout the land. He never returned to Erie.
Some time afterward a board of officers from Lake Ontario, assisted by Henry Eckford, naval constructor, made an appraisement of the prizes taken by Perry, their valuation being. $255,000. Of this amount one-twentieth went to Com. Chauncey, $12,250; Perry and Elliot were each awarded $7,140 (as no part of the prize could be awarded Perry for his general command, Congress made him a special grant of $5,000) ; $2,295 was awarded to each commander of a gunboat, lieuten- ant, sailing master and captain of marines; the midshipmen got $811 each; the petty officers $447 each, and each marine and sailor received $209.
The two principal ships of the enemy wintered at Put-in Bay. They were too badly crippled to be moved eastward during the stormy weather of Autumn. Of those left at Detroit with Col. Cass, the Ohio came to Erie to winter, the Somers, Scorpion, Tigress and Porcupine taking up winter quarters at Put-in Bay. Of those that went east with the troops, the Ariel and the Hunter were driven ashore at Buffalo and wrecked; the Trippe and the Little Belt, laid up at Black Rock were burned by the British when they invaded Buffalo that winter. The Niagara, Cale- donia, Hunter and Lady Prevost were brought to Erie, so that there were, with the Lawrence and the Ohio, six vessels that spent the winter at this port. The harbor of Erie then was not as the harbor of Erie is now; not even as it was a few years subsequently to the year of the great victory off Put-in Bay. There were no docks nor other works of shelter for ships. Even the navy yard was useless as a shelter ; it was but a collection of sheds on a piece of beech at the mouth of Lee's run. The only good anchorage that offered shelter was the small deep bay that made into the peninsula from its southern shore and near its eastern end. It was then nameless. This little bay was made the anchorage of the portion of the American squadron that was to winter here under the command of Capt. Elliot, and during the winter the lack of a name was supplied. From their bitter experience, isolated in what in summer time is a charming bit of water, but in winter is the reverse, it was called Misery Bay, and by that name it has been known ever since.
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Now there was a bitter controversy that grew out of the engagement of September 10, 1813. It was the general opinon, freely expressed, that Elliot had failed in his duty by not supporting his commander during the engagement. Perry himself accused Elliot of something very near to treachery for holding the Niagara back, instead of supporting the Lawrence in accordance with the plan agreed upon before the battle was begun. So heated did the controversy become that it almost led up to a courtmartial of Elliot. At this late day the circumstances of that fight viewed in the dispassionate light now possible, there certainly does appear to be something that would call for a better explana- tion than ever was given, why the Niagara held aloof. even refusing to engage the Queen Charlotte, so that the latter ship was permitted to join the Detroit in its attack upon the Lawrence. It is therefore not strange that at the time contention between partisans ran high. During the winter a dispute, growing out of this matter led to a dual between Midshipman George Senat, who commanded the Porcupine, and Acting Master McDonald, which resulted in the death of young Senat. The fight took place near the corner of Third and Sassafras streets. Young Senat was a social favorite in Erie, and was engaged to marry an Erie lady.
But the war was not yet over, nor had rumors of war died out. In December the British crossed the Niagara and burned Black Rock and Buffalo, and it was reported, that flushed with victory they were pur- suing the fleeing Americans and intended to move on Erie, burn it, and destroy the vessels in the harbor. This called the militia into renewed activity. Gen. Mead, with a force of 4,000 men established a garrison here, occupying barracks in Stumptown-west of Peach street and north to the bank of the bay. Happily there was no British invasion back of the rumor. Most of the citizen soldiers remained through the winter, but there were no other alarms at Erie, for rumors of British invasion of American territory had ceased. The only interest Erie had in the war with Great Britain from that time forward was in connection with the movements of the naval vessels.
In April Capt. Elliot was detached from his command at Erie and or- dered to Sacketts Harbor, Capt. Arthur Sinclair being assigned to the com- mand of the Lake Erie squadron, with instructions to prepare an expedi- tion with the expectation of recapturing Mackinaw. In the meantime Mr. Dobbins, relieved from cruising duty was ordered to proceed with the Ohio and stores. to Put-in Bay, to assist in refitting the prizes Detroit and Queen Charlotte, and to navigate them to Erie. This duty was accomplished when they arrived here on May 1, and were afterwards taken across the bar and moored in Misery Bay. On the 25th of June, Capt. Sinclair sailed with his fleet of eight vessels for Mackinaw. But it was a bootless cruise. The fort was judged to be too strong, and the Captain decided it best to be discreet rather than valiant. On the return
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the schooners Scorpion and Tigress, left behind to watch the enemy, eventually fell into British hands. The rest of the squadron continued down, intending to proceed to Buffalo. But the Lawrence was too badly crippled to continue to the end of the lake. A bad storm on Lake Huron had well nigh sunk her. So she was dropped at Erie and found at last a resting place in Misery Bay. At Buffalo the Somers and Ohio were left after Capt. Sinclair returned to Erie with what remained of his squadron. A little later these vessels were captured by the British while they lay off Fort Erie.
This brings the narrative to the point where the characters must be disposed of before the action comes to an end. Of the ten vessels that composed Perry's original squadron, at the end of the war but four remained. The Ariel was driven ashore and lost at Buffalo; the Trippe was burned by the British at Black Rock; The Scorpion and Tigress were taken by the British on Lake Huron, and the Somers and Ohio suffered a like fate at Fort Erie. Of the others, the Caledonia became a merchantman; the Porcupine entered the revenue marine service; the Niagara became a receiving ship for a time, but at last, found a place of rest at the bottom of Misery Bay, not far from where the Lawrence had been sunk. The ownership of these vessels changed from time to time. They were sold when the navy yard at Erie was abandoned, in 1825, to a Mr. Brown, and there were other transfers, until in 1857 they became the property of Leander Dobbins. On the 10th of September, 1875, what remained of the Lawrence was sold to Capt. John Dunlap and Thomas J. Viers. The latter raised the hulk early in 1876, and removed it to Philadelphia to exhibit it in a sideshow of the Centennial. But the enterprise was a disastrous financial failure. There was nothing showy in the few ribs and planks that were all that remained for exhibi- tion, and besides, in the year of the Centennial it was a difficult matter to convince even the few who went to see the pitiful remains, that they represented in any degree whatever the flagship of the squadron that had won so famous a victory. It was a most unfortunate speculation ; chiefly unfortunate to the city of Erie which should ever have possessed and cherished a relic with which its name has been so prominently linked, and connected it with a historic event that for a second time placed its name prominent in the history of the world. There remains today one other relic of that gallant fleet. The Niagara still rests upon the bottom of Misery Bay. At times there is a suggestion made that steps shall be taken to preserve it, and convert it into a sort of patriotic shrine. Thus far, however, nothing more has been done than to indulge in patriotic platitudes that pass, like the gale, and a great calm succeeds. The Niagara lies undisturbed.
Out of the activities at Erie during the war of 1812, there have grown, naturally, more than one romance. The meetings and the part-
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ings that were inaugurated at the time the battle flag of the Commodore was being made grew into romances of the usual sort, while that of poor Midshipman Senat ended in a tragedy. But there was another "tragedy," that, getting itself into the then popular form of a ballad enjoyed for more than half a century a considerable degree of popularity. It was "The Mournful Tragedy of James Bird."
The true story of Bird is this: He came to Erie with a brigade of volunteers from the interior of the State, and was detailed with a squad of men (he was the sergeant) to guard stores in a small blockhouse at the Cascade, where the larger vessels of the fleet were being built. Though in command, he sanctioned the pilfering of the stores he was sent to protect, and when information was given to the military commander, he, with his party, made mutinous demonstrations, but soon were con- quered. Lieut. Brooks of the marines was at the time recruiting for the squadron and Bird, being a man of pluck, Brooks wished to secure him. Under the pressure of the situation (recruiting for the navy being very discouraging) Bird, with the others, was told that the offense would be overlooked provided they enlisted as marines. They did so, and Bird served gallantly on board the Lawrence during the action and was wounded. At the time the squadron was preparing for the Mackinaw expedition, Bird was placed with a file of marines to guard the govern- ment store, whence he deserted, taking John Rankin, one of the guard, with him. Soon afterwards Charles M., a son of R. S. Reed, while on his way returning to school at Washington, Pa., on horseback, after a vacation, stopped at a tavern at Butler, and there saw and recognized the deserters. Resuming his journey young Reed soon met Sailing Master Colwell with a draft of seamen destined for Erie to join the squadron. Reed knew Colwell, and gave him information regarding the deserters the result being they were apprehended and taken back to Erie. While on the passage of the squadron to Detroit, they, with a sailor named John Davis, who had deserted a number of times and committed other offenses, were tried by court martial on board the Niagara. They were all three condemned to death. Efforts were made to have Bird's sen- tence commuted to imprisonment in consideration of his gallantry in the battle of Lake Erie, but without success. The President decided that, "having deserted from his post while in charge of a guard, in time of war, he must therefore suffer as an example to others." All three were executed on board the Niagara while at anchor in the roadstead at Erie in: October, 1814, and were buried on the "Sand Beach."
The story that was current as tradition was to the effect that having obtained a furlough to visit his sweetheart, he had overstaid his time; and one version of the tale, which locates his lady love at Dunkirk, furnishes details of his efforts to return, efforts that included riding a borrowed horse until it fell exhausted, when he pushed forward on foot double-quick, but all in vain. He was arrested for desertion, tried and
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condemned. The narrative then relates the particulars of an effort to obtain a pardon, which was successful, but the messenger arrived on the ground only in time to hear the report of the volley before which he fell.
The ballad, however, would seem to have been written by someone familiar with the true story, and, doubtless, of Bird's home. That there was wide sympathy felt for Bird, chiefly because of his service on the fleet, there can be no doubt. The tenacity with which the popularity of the ballad endured is proof of this. It is now rare; rare enough to excuse its appearance as part of the history of the region in which it was so long a popular feature of nearly every entertainment or public gathering.
The Mournful Tragedy of James Bird. Sons of Freedom, listen to me, And ye daughters, too, give ear ; You a sad and mournful story As was ever told shall hear.
Hull, you know, his troops surrendered, And defenceless left the West ; Then our forces quick assembled The invaders to resist.
Among the troops that marched to Erie Were the Kingston Volunteers; Captain Thomas then commanded, To protect our west frontier.
Tender were the words of parting, Mothers wrung their hands and cried ; Maidens wept their love in secret, Fathers strove their tears to hide.
But there's one among the number, Tall and graceful is his mien ; Firm his step, his look undaunted, Scarce a nobler youth was seen.
One sweet kiss he stole from Mary, Craved his mother's prayers once more, Pressed his father's hand and left them, For Lake Erie's distant shore.
Mary tried to say "Farewell, James !" Waved her hand but nothing spoke, "Good-bye, Bird, may Heav'n protect you" From the rest at parting broke.
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Soon they came where noble Perry Had assembled all his fleet ; There the gallant Bird enlisted, Hoping soon the foe to meet.
Where is Bird ?- the battle rages, Is he in the strife, or no? Now the Cannons roar tremendous, Dare he meet the hostle foe?
Aye,-behold him! there with Perry, On the self-same ship they fight ; Though his messmates fall around him, Nothing can his soul affright.
But, behold a ball has struck him! See the crimson current flow. "Leave the deck!" exclaimed brave Perry ; "No," cried Bird, "I will not go!"
Here on the deck he took his station ; Ne'er will Bird his colors fly ; "I'll stand by you, my gallant captain, Till we conquer or we die!"
Still he fought, though faint and bleeding, Till our Stars and Stripes arose, Victory having crowned our efforts, All triumphant o'er our foes.
And did Bird receive a pension ? And was he to his friends restored? No, nor never to his bosom Clasped the maid his heart adored.
But there came most dismal tidings From Lake Erie's distant shore ; Better if poor Bird had perished Midst the cannons' awful roar.
"Dearest Parents," said the letter, "This will bring sad news to you, Do not mourn your first beloved, Though it brings his last adieu.
"I must suffer for deserting From the brig Ni-ag-a-ra, Read this letter, brothers, sisters,- 'Tis the last you'll have from me!"
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Sad and gloomy was the morning Bird was ordered out to die. Where's the breast, not dead to pity, But for him would heave a sigh ?
Lo! he fought so brave at Erie, Freely bled and nobly dared, Let his courage plead for mercy, Let his precious life be spared.
See him march and hear his fetters, Harsh they clank upon his ear ; But his step is firm and manly, For his heart ne'er harbored fear.
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