Butte record., 1854-03-25
NUMBER 20.

ened, the signal for close action was
still flying from the Niagara, and from
every American vessel the answering
signal foated proudly to the wind. In
4 fifteen minntes from the time the first
signal was made, the battle was over
A white handkerchif waving from the
taffrail of the Queen Charlotte announced
her surrender. The firing ceased; the
smoke slowly cleared away, revealing
the two fleets commingled, shattered and
torn and strewed with the dead. The
loss on each side was one hundred and
thirty-fve killed and wounded.
Perry having secured the prisoners
returned to the Laurence, lying wreck
in the distance, whittier she had hope
lessiy drifted She had struck her Aar
before she had closed with the Niagara,
but it was now flying again. Not word
was spoken as he went over the vessels
side ; silent grasp Of the hand was the
only sign of recognition, for the deck
around was covered with dismslnbered
limbs, and brains; while the bodies of
twenty officers and men lay in CHASTITY
groups before him
As the sun went down over the still
lake, his last beams looked on mourn
iul spectacle Those ships, stripped of
their spars and canvas as if they had
been swept by hurricane, while desc
lation covered their decks. At twilight
the seamen who had fallen Oh board the
American feet were committed to the
deep, and the solemn burial service Of
the Episcopal church read over them.
The uproar of the day had ceased,
and deep silence rested on the two
squadrons, riding quietly at anchor, bro
ken only by the stifed groans of the
wounded, that were echoed from ship to
ship As Perry sat that night on the
quarter deck of the Laacrence, convers-
ing with his few remaining officers, while
ever and anon the means of his brave
comrades below were borne to his ear.
he was solemn and subdued. The excl
ting scene through which he had passed
the heavy load taken from his heart
the reflection that his own life had been
spared, and the consciousness that his
little brother was slumbering unhurt in
bis hammock beside him, awakened emo
tions of gratitude to God and he grave
ly remarked, II believe that my wiie's
prayers have saved me-"
1t had been proud day for him and
as he lay that night and thought what a
change a few hours had wrought in his
fortunes, feelings of exultation might
swell in his bosom. Such unshaken COM
posure-such gallant bearing stern res
olutions, and steadiness and tenacity of
purpose IN young man of twenty sew
en-, In the first battle, exhibit marvel
Gus strength of character, and one won
ders more at him than his success.
1t was great victory; and as the
news spread, bonfres, Examinations, the
firing Of cannon, the shonts of excited
multitudes announced the joy and exul-
tation OF the nation. The gallant bear
ing Of Perry-his daring passage in an
open boat-through the enemp's fire.
to the Niagara-the motto of his flag
the mnner in which he carried his yes
sci alone through the enemy's line, in 3
letter to the Secretary of the Navy,
1--WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY, AND THEY
ARE OURS" furnished endless themes Of
discussion and euology, and he suddenly
found himself in the front rank of heroes
The day after the battle the funeral
of the officers of the feet took place
A little opening on the margin of the
bay, a wild and solitary spot was selected
as the place of interment. 1t was
beautiful autumn day, not breath Of
air rufied the surface of the lake, OF
moved the still forest that fringed the
lonely clearing. The sun shone bright.
ly down on the new made graves, and
not sound disturbed the Sabbath still
ness that rested ON forest and lake
The fallen officers, each in his appropri~
ate uniform, were laid on platforms mads
to receive them, and placed, with theis
hands ACROSS their breasts the barees.
As these were laid away, the boats fell
In behind in long procession, and the
whole swept slowly and sadly to the
place Of burial. The flags drooped
mournfully in the still air, the diree TO
which the o2rs kept time rose and fell
in solemn strain over the water. gh;ls
minute guns from the various vessels
blended their impressive harmony with