Evening star., 1901-09-21
THE PERRY-ELLIOTT DISPUTE.
Letter of a Naval officer Relating tG
Old Quarrel.


Referring to the interesting sketch which
appeared in a recent number of The Star,
relating to the Perry-Elliott controversy,
growing out of occurrences during the
naval battle on Lake Erie, fought Septem-
Der 10, 1913, 1 inclose you communication
from Lieut.. David Crawford Nichols,
U. S. N, who commanded the brig Somers
in that memorable engagement, which /
think you will find valuable addition to
the history of that incident. 1t will also
explain how questions of the relative value
of services of fleet and ship commanders
must, after all said, depend upon the les-
timony Of the active participants-a matter
which has particular interest at this
time, when the inquiry into the Schley-
Sampson controversy is under considera-
tion In the long run the American people
are eminently fair, and they desire that
credit shall be given where it belongs
The communication which 1 inclose was
found among some family letters recently
discovered, and as it contains testimony of
historical value. it seemed proper to place
1t before your readers at this time. Apart
from personal jealousies or prejudices, 1t
is of first Importance that the fame Of the
reflection upon Its personnel.
ALEXANDER PORTER MORSE.
Lieut.. Nichols Letter.
Capt. Jesse Elliott, U. s. N.
Sir: 1t was with pain for your feelings,
disgust at the motives and contempt for
its author that I yesterday perused an
anonymous pamphlet purporting to be cop
les Of certain documents left by the late
Commander o. H. Perry relative to the
difference which existed between you con-
cerning your conduct on the memorable
10th September, 1918. And as 1 had the
honor of being in the fleet and during part
of the time under your command 1 deem it
a duty and feel great pleasure in stating
all that l know on the subject, for your
satisfaction as well as for the information
of those who may feel interested. AS we'll
as 1 remember we began the action, the
Commodore in front. the Caledonia next,
the Niagara and gunboats in succession,
my vessel Ghe Somers) being next to the
Niagara. l believe the two larger vessels
Of the enemy had the van Of their line.
The wind was light and the Lawrence
reached some distance ahead, and in action
when 1t became perfectly calm, and In this
situation we continued the engagement
some time the Niagara and some of the
gunboats keeping up a fire.. when the
Commodore was seen to be much shatter-
ed. The wind sprung up, the Caledonia
bore up and the Niagara pushed ahead of
the Caledonia) on the starboard quarter;
and just after I saw the commodore board
the Niagara and you. sir Capt. Elliott).
taking his place in the boat, proceeded to
the small vessels, boarded each, as you
passed and urged us on. You soon return
ed, came on board the Somers and ordered
US to cease firing and draw the round shot
out of the guns and replace them with
grape and canister. The quarter gunner
at the 80, being about to fire, did not ap-
pear to pay attention to the order and
persisted in firing, whereupon you struck
him with. trumpet which you held in
It,
where you are made to dodge a cham
shot. OF your general department during
the engagement, as far as 1 saw, there was
no want of ardor, patriotism or valor, for
when you came on board my vessel nat
urally took your countenance for encour-
agement, which / fully received I, how
ever, did not approve of the punishment of
the man at the gun at that moment, though
and 1 believe 1 afterward stated this to
you at Erie. AS regards the charge Of par
tiality, I saw none. l knew Of noneI do
not believe any existed. In relation to the
modore Perry, 1 heard nothing Of it dur
ing my stay on the lake. which was to
February, 1914. l know. however, that
many of the officers were your enemies,
but understood 1t to have proceeded from
supposition that you were too severe a
disciplinarian and not from any other
cause; and at one time / ascertained
similar opinion, only my more mature rea-
SoHiIS HAS CoHSiHceu NE that IL proceeded
from zeal on your part for the welfare
of the navy and to the discharge Of your
duty. These are my sentiments on this
disagreeable subject candidly expi essed,
and I do hope that they will have the Ct
feet ON the mind of every honorable man
to prevent any wrong impressions which
the author Of the pamphlet which drew
them forth intended to make
You will do me the favor to use this
paper as you deem most expedient With
considerations. OF respect and esteem +
have the honor to be,
Your very obedient servant
d. C. NICHOLS.
COstly Revenge.
From the Chicago Tribune.