The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-09-21

TFrom the Life of OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, by John
Miles, Esq. Second Edition. Hartford: Published
by Oliver D. Cooke, 1921
We extract the following circumstantial and
minute account of this action, which was drawn
up by an eyewitness, as being preferable to any
thing which we could write on the subject.
EOn the morning of the 10th of September,
at sunrise, the enemy We're discovered bearing
down from Maiden, for the evident purpose of
attacking our squadron, then at anchor in Put
in-Bay. Not moment was to be lost Per-
ry's squadron Immediately got vi. der way, and
stood out to meet the British feet, which at this
time had the weather gage At 10 A. Nj. the
wind shifted from s. W to S. E., which brought
light-the day beautiful. Not cloud obscured
the horizon. The line was formed at II, and
Commodore Perry caused an elegant flag, which
he had privately prepared, to be hoisted at the
L asst head cf the Lawrence. On this flag was
painted, in characterslegible to the whole fleet,
the dying words of the immortal Lawrence -
"DoN'T GIVE UP THE SHIP" Its effect is not
to be described-every heart was electrified
The crews cheered-the exhilarating can was
passed: Both fleets appeared eager for the con-
flict, on the result of which so much depended
At 15 minutes before II, the Detroit, the head
most ship of the enemy, opened upon the Law
sustain well-directed and heavy fire from the
cneny's two large ships, without being able to
return it with carronades at minutes before
II, theLawrence opened upon the enemy
The other vessels were ordered to support her,
but the wind at this time was too light to ena-
BILE them to come up. Every brace and boW
line of the Lawrence being soon shot away, she
became unmanageable, and in this situation
sustained the action upwards oftwo hours, with
=
dcred useless, and but small part of her crew
left unhurt upon deck.
DAT halfpast two the wind increased, and
enabled the Niagara to come into close action
: the gun boats took nearer position. Com
modore Perry left his ship in charge of Lieu
tenant Yarnel, and went on board the Niagara.
Just as he reached that vessel, the flag of the
Lawrence came down. The crisis had arrived.
Captain Elliott st this moment anticipated the
wishes of the Commodore, by volunteering his
services to bring the schooners into close ac-
ton.
CAT forty-fye minutes past two, the signal
was made for close action. The Niagara being
very little injured, and her crew fresh, the Com
modore determined to pass through the enc
my's line. He accordingly bore up and passed
ahead of the Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and La
dy Provost, pouring terrible raking fire into
them from the starboard guns, and on the Chip
pewa and Little Belt from the larboard side, at
half pistol shot distance. The small vessels at
this time having got within grape and canister
distance, kept up well directed and destruct-
i've fre.-The action now ragged with the great
est fury Tho Queen Charlotte, having lost
her commander and several of her principal of
ficers in moment of confusion got foul ofthe
Detroit. In this situation, the enemy in their
turn had to sustain tremendous fire without
the power of returning it with much effect
The carnage was horrible. The flags of the
Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Provost,
were struk in rapid succession. The brig Hun
ter and schooner Chippewa were soon compelled
to follow the example. The Little Belt at
tempted to escape to Maiden, but she was pur-
sued by two of the gun boats, and surrendered
about three miles distant from the scene of ac-
ton.
seThe writer of this account, in company with
five others, arrived at the head of Putin Bay
island, on the evening of the 9th, and had a
view of the action at the distance of only ten
miles. The spectacle was truly grand and aw-
full. The firing was incessant for the space of
three hours, and continued, at short intervals,
forty-five minutes longer. In less than
hour after the battle began, most of the vessels
of both fleets were enveloped in a cloud of
smoke, which rendered the issue of the action
uncertain, till the next morning, when WIS.,
tied the feet in the harbor, ON the opposite
side of the island. The reader will easily judge
of our solicitude to learn the result. There is
no sentiment more painful than suspense,
when it is excited by the uncertain issue of an
event like this.
s1f the wind had continued at S. w it was
the intention of Admiral Barclay to have board
ed our squadron. For this purpose he had ta-
ken on board of his feet about 200 of the ia