Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-09-10

This brave commander was born at New
port, Rhode Island, in August, l7S5, and en-
tered the naval service IN 1873. He was
early distinguished for his intrepidity and
great energy of character; and in 1878 he
was appOinled By Commodore Chauncey to
take command ofthe squadron on Lake Erie,
and superintend the building of additional
vessels, preparatory TO an expected encoun-
ter with the British feet, then cruising on
LaRe Erie. The position now given to Perry
was one of great responsibility. In a few
months he built two additional vessels at the
town of Erie, and in August Of the same
year set sail in search Of the enemy. His
heet consisted OF two large brigs, the Law
renee and Niagara, Of twenty guns each, and
seven smaller vessels, having IN all hity-tour
guns, and six hundred men, a large number
Of whom were backwOodsmen, who had
never before seen a ship. The British fleet
consisted Of six large vessels, amounting in
all to sixty-three heavy guns, and eight hun
dred men. Il was commanded by COmmO-
dOre Barclay, a veteran officer, who had lost
an arm at Trafalgar. Commodore Perry,
who commanded the American feet, was at
this time but twenty-eight years Of age, and
had never fought or seen a battle. The Brit
ish feet was represented to be invincible;
but that question remained to be discussed
With powder and ball.
On the morning Of the 10th of Sept, 1872,
Com modore Perry deserted the enemy, and
CALAMITY bore down upon him. His flag ship,
the Lawrence, led the van, with her banner
flung 10 the breeze, and inscribed "DOn't Give
up the Ship" The other vessels of his feet
being too lar in the rear to do service, the
Lawrence poured her broadsides into the
British feet, and received the return batter
les of the entire fleet for nearly two hours, in
iearfully exposed position. The conse-
quence was, the Lawrence was cut to pieces,
her guns dismounted, and scarce dozen of
her men remained who were not either killed
or wounded. Yet Perry would not surrender,
but at this crisis entered his boat with some
half dozen of his men, who were stillUnin-
| jured, and bearing his flag on his shoulder,
/ passed under the fire of the enemy's guns,
| over TO the Niagara, brought her at once into
the action, and breaking through the British
| line of ships, raked them at pistol shot with
both broadsides. The effect on the British
fleet was terrible. Commodore Barclay
struck his colors and surrendered. The
| American loss in killed and wounded was
/ l23, and that of the British 200; while Geo
British that survived were taken prisoners.
| The victory was a glorious achievement for
Perry, and for his country. 1t saved the
then Western frontier Of pillage, and its in
habitants from indiseriminate massacre; and
| gave 10 the United States the free commerce
Of the great chain Of Northern Lakes.
We cannot forbear re-printing here that
memorable dispatch to General Harrison
which every school-boy knows by heart-it
is 50 characteristic Of Perry:
"DEAR GENERAI-We have met the enemy,
aud they are ours. Two ships, two brigs,
one schooner, and one sloop.
"Yours, with great respect and esteem,
80. II. PERRY"
It is impossible 10 over-estimate the value
Of this conquest TO the future Of the Repub-
I lie; and surely no one is more worthy Of
having his deeds Of valor celebrated than
Commodore Perry.
i is not alone, however, as q hero that he
ranks high, and takes distinguished place.
He was man Of high intellect, and exalted
moral character, and his private and domes-
tic life was as beautiful as his conduct in
battle was brave.
THE STATUE
After the grand Union Celebration at Put
in-Bay, Sept. 10, 1858, the project Of a Perry
Monument to be erected in Cleveland was
broached. It met with general favor, and
ere long, a Perry Monument Committee was
appointed by the City Council, consisting
of the following gentlemen Harvey Rice,
o. N. oviatt, ]. N. Cofinberry, C. D. Will
Jams, N. D., J. Kirkpatrick.
The Committee engaged themselves &C.
lively in the matter, subscription was
started among the citizens and the estimated
cost of the work, $4,000, was pledged. VIII
liam Walcutt, a native Of Ohio, who had
studied in Europe and had won for himself
e high reputation, was commissioned as
the artist. In July, 1859, Mr.. Walcutt ar
rived in Cleveland and immediatsly eonl-