USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Erie County, Pa., for 1873-4 > Part 5
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two squadrons drew slowly ahead, the Lawrence necessarily falling astern and partially out of the combat. At this moment the Niagara passed to the southward and westward, a short distance to windward of the Law- rence, steering for the head of the enemy's line, and the Caledonia followed to leeward.
"The vessels astern had not been idle, but, by dint of sweeping and sailing, they had all got within reach of their guns, and had been gradually closing. . though not in the prescribed order. The rear of the line would seem to have inclined down towards the enemy, bringing the Trippe, Lieutenant Holdup, so near the Caledonia, that the latter sent a boat to her for a supply of cartridges.
"Captain Perry, finding himself in a vessel that had been rendered nearly useless by the injuries she had received, and which was dropping ont of the combat, got into his boat, and pulled after the Niagara, on board of which he arrived at half-past two. Soon after the colors of the Lawrence were hauled down, that vessel being literally a wreck.
"After a short consultation between Captains Perry and Elliott, the latter volunteered to take the boat of the former, and to proceed and bring the small vessels astern, which were already briskly engaged, into still closer action. This proposal being accepted, Captain Elliott pulled down the line, passing within hail of all the small vessels astern, directing them to close within half pistol-shot of the enemy, and to throw in grape and cannister. as soon as they could get the desired positions. He then repaired on board the Somers, and took charge of that schooner in person.
"When the enemy saw the colors of the Lawrence come down, he con- fidently believed that he had gained the day. His men appeared over the bulwarks of the different vessels and gave three cheers. For a few minutes, indeed, there appears to have been, as if by common consent, nearly a general cessation in the firing, during which both parties were preparing for a desperate and final effort .. The wind had freshened, and the position of the Niagara, which brig was now abeam of the leading English vessel, was commanding; while the gun-vessels astern, in conse- quence of the increasing breeze, were enabled to ciose very fast.
"At 45 minutes past2, or when time had been given to the gun-vessels to receive the order mentioned, Captain Perry showed the signal from the Niagara, for close action, and immediately bore up, under his foresail, topsail, and topgallantsail. As the American vessels hoisted their an- swering flags, this order was received with three cheers, and it was obeved with alacrity and spirit. The enemy had attempted to ware round, to get fresh broadsides to bear, in doing which his line got into confusion, and the two ships for a short time, were foul of each other, while the Lady Prevost had so far shifted her berth, as to be both to the westward and to the leeward of the Detroit. At this critical moment, the Niagara came steadily down, within half pisto !- shot of the enemy, standing between the Chippeway and the Lady Prevost, on one side, and the Detroit, Queen Charlotte and Hunter on the other. In passing she poured in her broad- sides, starboard and larboard, ranged ahead of the ships, luffed athwart their bows, and continued giving a close and deadly fire. The shrieks from the Detroit, proclaimed that the tide of battle had turned. At the some moment, the gun-vessels and Caledonia were throwing in close dis- charges of grape and canister astern. A conflict so fearfully close, and so deadly, was necessarily short. In fifteen or twenty mimites after the Niagara bore up. a hail was passed among the small vessels, to say that the enemy had struck, and an officer of the Queen Charlotte appeared on the taffrail of that ship. waving a white handkerchief, bent toa boarding-pike.
"As soon as the smoke cleared away, the two squadrons were found partly intermingled. The Niagara lay to leeward of the Detroit. Queen Charlotte and Hunter; and the Caledonia, with one or two of the gun- vessels, was between the latter and the Lady Prevost. On board the Niagara, the signal for close action wasstill abroad, while the small vessels were sternly wearing their answering thays. The Little Belt and Chippe- way were endeavoring to escape to leeward, but they were shortly after brought-to by the Scorpion and Trippe ; while the Lawrence was still lying astern and to windward, with the American colors again flying The battle
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had commenced about noon, and it terminated at 3, with the exception of a few shots fired at the two vessels that attempted to escape, which were not overtaken until an hour later.
"In this decisive action, so far as their people were concerned, the two squadrons suffered in nearly an equal degree, the manner in which the Lawrence was cut up, being almost without an example in naval warfare. It is understood that when Captain Perry left her, she had but one gun on her starboard side, or that on which she was engaged, which could be used, and that gallant officer is said to have aided in firing it in person -the last time'it was discharged. Of her crew, 22 were killed, and 61 were wounded, most of the latter severely. When Captain Perry left her, taking with him his own brother and six of his people, there remained on board but 14 sound men. The Niagara had 2 killed, and 25 wounded, or about one- fourth of all at quarters. This was the official report ; but, according to the statement of her surgeon, her loss was 5 killed, and 27 wounded. The other vessels suffered relatively less. The Caledonia, Lieutenant Turner, though carried into the hottest of the action, and entirely without quar- ters, had 3 men wounded ; the Trippe, Lieutenant Holdup, which, for some time, was quite as closely engaged, and was equally without quarters, had 2 men wounded; the Somers, Mr. Almy, the same; The Ariel, Lieutenant Packett, had 1 man killed, and 3 wounded; the Scorpion, Mr. Champlin, had two killed, one of whom was a midshipman; the Tigress, Lieutenant Conklin, and Porcupine. Mr. Senatt, had no one hurt. The total loss of the squadron was 27 killed, and 96 wounded, or altogether 123 men ; of whom 12 were quarter deck officers. More than a hundred men were unfit for duty. among the different vessels. previously to the action, cholera morbus and dysentery prevailing in the squadron. Captain Perry himself was laboring under debility, from a recent attack of the lake fever, and could hardly be said to be in a proper condition for service, when he met the enemy; a circumstance that greatly enhances the estimate of his personal exertions on this memorable occasion. Among the Americans slain, were Lieutenant Brooks, the commanding marine officer, and Messrs. Laub and ('lark, midshipmen, and among the wounded, Messrs. Yarnall and For- rest, the first and second lieutenants of the Lawrence, Mr. Taylor, her inaster, Mr. Hambleton, her purser, and Messrs. Swartwout and Claxton, two of her midshipmen. Mr. Edwards, second lieutenant of the Niagara, and Mr. Cummings, one of her midshipmen, were also wounded.
"For two hours the weight of the enemy's fire had been thrown into the Lawrence: and the water being perfectly smooth, his long guns had com- mitted great havoc, before the carronades of the American vessels coukd be made available. For much of this period, it is believed that the efforts of the enemy were little diverted, except by the fire of the two leading schooners, a gun of one of which (the Ariel) had early bursted, the twolong guns of the large brigs, and the two long guns of the Caledonia. Although the enemy undoubtedly suffered by this fire, it was not directed at a single object, as was the case with that of the English. who appeared to think that by destroying the American commanding vessel they would con- quer. It is true that carronades were used on both sides. at an earlier stage of the action than that mentioned, but there is good reason for thinking that they did but little execution for the first hour. When they did tell, the Lawrence, the vessel nearest the enemy, if the Caledonia be excepted, necessarily became their object, and, by this time, the efficiency of her own battery was much lessened. As a consequence of these peculiar circumstances, her starboard bulwarks were nearly beaten in ; and even her larboard were greatly injured, many of the enemy's heavy shot passing through both sides; while every gun was finally disabled in the batteries fought. Although much has been justly said of the manner in which the Bon Homme Richard and the Essex were injured, neither of those ships suffered, relatively in a degree proportioned to the Lawrence, Distinguished as were the two former vessels, for the indomitable resolu- tion with which they withstood the destructive fire directed against then. it did not surpass that manifested on board the latter; and it ought to be mentioned that throughout the whole of this trying day, her people, who
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had been so short a time acting together, manifested a steadiness and a discipline worthy of veterans.
"Although the Niagara suffered in a much less degree, 27 men killed and wounded, in a ship's company that mustered little more than 100 souls at quarters, under ordinary circumstances, would be thought a large proportion. Neither the Niagara nor any of the smaller vessels were injured in an unusual manner in their hulls, spars, and sails, the enemy having expended so much of his efforts against the Lawrence, and being so soon silenced when that brig and the gun-vessels got their raking positions, at the close of the conflict.
" The injuries sustained by the English were more divided, but were necessarily great. According to the official report of Captain Barclay, his vessels lost 41 killed, and 94 wounded, making a total of 135, including twelve officers, the precise number lost by the Americans. No report has been published, in which the loss of the respective vessels was given; but the Detroit had her first lieutenant killed, and her Commander, Captain Barclay, with her purser, wounded. Captain Finnis, of the Queen Charlotte, was also slain, and her first lieutenant was wounded. The commanding officer aud first lieutenant of the Lady Prevost were among the wounded, as were the commanding officers of the Hunter and Chippe- way. All the vessels were a good deal injured in their sails and hulls ; the Queen Charlotte suffering most in proportion. Both the Detroit and Queen Charlotte rolled the masts out of them, at anchor at Put-in Bay, in a gale of wind. two days after the action.
"It is not easy to make a just comptrison between the forces of the hostile squadrons on this occasion. In certain situations the Americans would have been materially superior, while in others the enemy might possess the advantage in perhaps an equal degree. In the circumstances under which the action was actually fought, the peculiar advantages and disad- vantages were nearly equalized, the lightness of the wind preventing either of the two largest of the American vessels from profiting by its peculiar mode of proficiency, until quite near the close of the engagement, and particularly favoring the armament of the Detroit; while the smoothness of the water rendered the light vessels of the Americans very destructive as soon as they could be got within a properrange. The Detroit has been represented on good authority, to have been both a heavier and a stronger ship, than either of the American brigs, and the Queen Charlotte proved to be a much finer vessel than had been expected : while the Lady Prevost was found to be a large, warlike schooner. It was, perhaps, unfortunate for the enemy, that the armaments of the two last were not available under the circumstances which rendered the Detroit so efficient. as it destroyed the unity of his efforts. In short, the battle, for near half its duration, appears to have been fought, so far as efficiency was concerned. by the long guns of the two squadrons. This was particularly favorable.to the Detroit and to the American gnin-vessels; while the latter fought under the advantages of smooth water, and the disadvantages of having no quarters. The sides of the Detroit, which were unusually stout, were filled with shot that did not penetrate.
"In the number of men at quarters, there could have been no great dis- parity in the two squadrons. Mr. Yarnall, the first lieutenant of the Lawrence, testified before a court of inquiry, in 1815, that the brig to which he belonged had bnt .131 men and bors, of every description,' on board her. and that of these but 103 were fit for duty in the action. The Niagara was nearly in the same state. A part of the crews of all the vessels belonged to the militia. Indeed, without a large proportion of volunteers from the army, the battle could not have been fought. The British were no better off, having a considerable proportion of soldiers on board their vessels. though men of that description were probably as efficient in smooth water, and under the actual circumstances, as ordinary sailors.
"Captain Perry, in hisreport of the action, enlogised the conduet of his second in command, Captain Elliott ; that of Mr. Turner, who commanded the Caledonia ; and that of the officers of his own vessel. He also com- mended the officers of the Niagara, Mr. Packett of the Ariel, and Mr Champlin of the Scorpion, It is now believed that the omission of the
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names of the commanders of the gun-vessels astern, was accidental. It would seem that these vessels, in general, were conducted with great gal- lantry. Towards the close of the action, indeed, the Caledonia, and some of the gun-vessels, would appear to have been handled with a boldness, considering their total want of quarters, bordering on temerity. They are known to have been within hail of the enemy, at the moment he struck, and to have been hailed by him. The grape and canister thrown by the Niagara and the schooners, during the last ten minutes of the battle, and which missed the enemy, rattled through the spars of the friendly vessels, as they lay opposite to each other, raking the English ahead and astern.
"Captain Perry was criticised, at the time, for the manner in which he had brought his squadron into action, it being thought he should have waited until his line was more compactly formed, and his small vessels could have closed. It has been said, that ' an officer seldom went into action worse, or got ont of it better.' Truth is too often made the sacrifice of antithesis. The mode of attack appears to have been deemed by the enemy judicious, an opinion that speaks in its favor. The light- ness of the wind, in edging down, was the only circumstance that was particularly adverse to the American vessels, but its total failure could pot have been foreseen. The shortness of the distance on the lake rendered escape so easy, when an officer was disposed to avoid a battle, that no commander, who desired an action, would have been pardonable for permitting a delay on such a plan. The line of battle was highly judicious, the manner in which the Lawrence was supported by the Ariel aud Scorpion being simple and ingenious. By steering for the head of the enemy's line. the latter was prevented from gaining the wind by tacking, and when Captain Elliott imitated this manœuvre in the Niagara, the American squadron had a very commanding position, of which Captain Perry promptly availed himself. In a word, the American commander appears to have laid his plan with skill and judgment, and. in all in which it was frustrated, it would seem to have been the effect of accident. There has never been but one opinion of the manner in which he redeemed his error, even admitting that a fault was made at the outset ; the united movements of the Niagara and of the small vessels, at the close of the action, having been as judicious as they were gallant and decisive. The personal deportment of Captain Perry, throughout the day, was worthy of all praise. He did not quit his own vessel when she became useless, to retire from the battle, but to gain it; an end that was fully obtained, and an effort which resulted in a triumph.
"The British vessels appear to have been gallantly fought, and were surrendered only when the battle was hopelessly lost. The fall of their different commanders was materially against them, though it is not probable the day could have been recovered after the Niagara gained the head of their line and the gun-vessels had closed. If the enemy made an error, it was in not tacking when he attempted to ware, but it is quite probable that the condition of his vessels did not admit of the former manœuvre. There was an instant when the enemy believed himself the conqueror, and a few minutes even, when the Americans doubted; but. the latter never despaired; a moment sufficed to change their feelings, teaching the successful the fickleness of fortune, and admonishing the depressed of the virtue of perseverance.
"For his conduct in this battle, Captain Perry received a gold medal from Congress. Captain Elliott also received a gold medal. Rewards were bestowed on the officers and men generally, and the nation has long considered this action one of the proudest achievinents on the water.
"On the 23d of October, the squadron transported the army of General Harrison to Buffalo ; and on the 25th, Captain Perry resigned the command of the upper lakes to Captain Elliott, repairing himself to the sea-board. November 20th, this gallant and successful officer received the commission of a captain, which was dated on the day of the victory, and soon atter he was appointed to the command of the Java 44, a new frigate, then fitting for sea at Baltimore."
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'For the better defense of Erie a block house was built on Garrison Hill and another on the point of the pennisula, in the winter of 1813 and '14. Ten vessels of war were stationed in the harbor, and a large body of militia quartered upon the town. Several false alarms of the approach of the enemy was issued but no action was had at this post. In the fall of 1814, three men were executed for desertion, Bird and Rankin, marines. were shot, and Davis, a seaman, hung at the yard-arm of the Niagara.
The government vessels on Lake Erie were disposed of as follows : "The Lawrence was repaired, and after making a cruise to Lake Huron, was suuk in Misery Bay for better preservation. The Niagara lies under water near the Lawrence. The Caledonia was sold in 1815, called the General Wayne, and finally broken up at Erie. In 1814 the Ohio and Somers were cut out by the British at Fort Erie. The Scorpion and Tigress were taken the same year on Lake Huron ; the Little Belt and Trippe were destroyed when Buffalo was burned ; the Ariel went ashore and was wrecked in Buffalo Bay, and the Porcupine was transferred to the revenue department. The Detroit was sunk in Misery Bay near the Lawrence. She was raised in 1835 and rigged a bark by Captain Miles, and navigated the Jake some years ; lastly she was sent over the Niagara Falls for a spectacle, and probably a speculation too on the part of the hotel keepers. The Queen Charlotte was sunk in Misery Bay and afterwards fitted out for the lake trade; the Lady Prevost was sold to a Canada merchant in 1815."-[ Miss Sanford's "History of Erie County."
During the late four years of civil warfare, Erie bore her proportionate share with her sister counties in the great sacrifice which that contest involved. The S3d and 111th Regiments of Pennsylvannia troops were organized at Erie, and detachments were also merged in other regiments and companies. Of means the County contributed with liberality, and her sons were found on every battle field of the Union, firm in their defense of the sovereignty of constitutional law. So does she, like adjacent counties, have a claim on the public gratitude now, in the aftertime, when the blessings of peace are so widely felt and so thoroughly appreciated.
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AMITY.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNSHIPS.
AMITY was formed from Union in 1826. It is an eastern township, bounded on the north by Venango and the State of New York, on the east by Wayne, on the south by Union and on the west by Waterford. Its surface is undulating. The soil is a gravelly loam in the valleys, and on the hills, clayey, and is well adapted to grazing. It is drained by French Creek and its tributaries in the north and west part, and by Beaver Dam Run in the south-east part.
French Creek is a very rapid stream and affords a valuable water power, a small portion only of which is improved. The timber of this township is principally pine, hemlock, beach, maple, cherry and cucumber.
The population of the township in 1870 was 924, of whom 901 were native, 23 foreign and all white. Its area is 16,022 acres. The number of schools, according to the report ending June 3d, 1872, was Ss, employing 15 teachers. The number of children attending school was 109 males and 91 females; the average attendance was 150, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year was $1,070.98.
MILLERTON (Lake Pleasant p. o.) is a hamlet in the north- east part, on the outlet of Lake Pleasant, near its junction with French Creek, and contains two saw mills, three shingle mills, one wagon shop, one fork and broom handle, and rake- tooth factory, two blacksmith shops, one grocery store and 58 inhabitants.
Charles S. Cox's Shingle Mills, at Lake Pleasant, have a capacity for cutting 1,000,000 per year. Wm. A. Donaldson's Mills have a capacity for cutting 2,000,000, and Franklin W. Titus' Mills are capable of cutting about the same quantity of shingles per year.
HATCH HOLLOW (p. o.) is located in the southern part of the township, near the center.
The Pump Works of Hannibal E Ladd, situated in the north part, on French Creek, and formerly operated by L. W. Olds, have a capacity for manufacturing 10,000 pumps per year, which find a ready market in this county and elsewhere.
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AMITY-CONCORD.
The Amity Creamery, built in 1872, and under the management of Walter R. Palmer, uses the milk of 500 cows in the manufacture of butter and cheese. In 1872, from 150 cows, 150 pounds of butter and 450 pounds of cheese were made daily. Three men and two women are employed.
The first settlement of the township is a matter of dispute. Berj. Hinkston says that his father, Benj., came from Corinth, Vt., and settled in this County in 1816, and after moving to Greene, finally located in Amity in 1818, on the farm where his son now resides. James McCullough came Nov. 7, 1820. at the age of 29, and located on the farm where he is now living. IIe believes John Carron was the first settler, but does not give the date of coming. Charles Capron, with his father and mother, moved into the township from New Hampshire in 1819. Seth Shepardson came about the same time ; Captain James Donald- son, of Cumberland Co., settled in the north-west part, on the present sight of Lake Pleasant village, in May 1822, on land obtained of Seth Reed, of Erie. Capt. Donaldson moved his family on in the spring of 1825. He had at the time, ten children, nine daughters and one son, Wm. A. Donaldson, then but four or five years old, and now the proprietor of the grocery and shingle mill at Lake Pleasant. Jabez C. Hubbell, from Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., with his wife and two sons, Hiram and David, settled in the east part in 1829, where he still lives. Royal D. Mason and Jacob Rouse, settled in 1829. Mr. Rouse was a soldier in the war of 1812, and still lives in the township. Pliny Maynard settled in 1830, and William B., his son. in 1831; the latter still lives at the old homestead. Elias Patter- son, from Dunkirk, N. Y., came in 1830; he died in 1856, leaving nine children. Geo. W. Baldwin settled in 1833, in the woods, on the farm where he now resides. Timothy Reed located in the north part, in 1819, he being at the time 23 years of age. He cleared a farm of 150 acres, the one now occupied by - - Tanner.
CONCORD was formed from Broken Straw in 1820. Part of Corry was taken off in 1866. It is the south-east corner township of the County, and is bounded north bv Wayne and the city of Corry, east by Warren County. south by Crawford County, and west by Union. The surface is undulating. The soil in the lowlands is a sandy loam, and oa the hills a gravelly loam. It is well adapted to grazing, andl dairving and stock raising is the chief pursuit of the farmers.
The township is watered principally by the South Branch of French Creek and tributaries. The northern part is crossed by the Philadelphia & Erie R. R., and nearly parallel, south of that line, by the Atlantic & Great Western R. R. The Oil Creek R. R., between Corry and Titusville, crosses the township
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CONCORD.
about two miles west of the east line. The area af the town- ship is 20,316 acres.
The population of the township in 1870 was 1,436, of whom 1.303 were native, 133 foreign, and all, except 11, white. The number of schools during the year ending June 3, 1872, was 10. employing 3 male and 17 female teachers; the number of children attending school was 204 males and 162 females ; the average attendance was 181, at a cost per pupil of 74 cents per month. The amount expended for school purposes was $2,226.63.
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