The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-08
he event on board the Somers. and behaved
gallantly Until the close of the action.
BENEWING THE BATTLE.

he went on board the Somers. and behaved
gallantiy Until the close of the action.
gENEwING THE BATTLE.
At glance Perry comprehended the con-
dition and capabilities OF the Niagara.
There had been few casualties on board of
her. and She was in perfect order for con-
fict. SHE immediately ran up his pennant.
displayed the blue banner. hoisted the sig
nal for.clGse action, and received quick re-
sponses and cheers from the whole squad
ron horeaG, altered the course Of the yes
sci, set the proper sails. and bore down
upon the British line, which lay half a mile
distant. ~ = e..5-x.--..-
Meanwhile the gallant Yarnall. after con-
sultinS lieut.. Forrest and Sailing-Master
Taylor, had struck the flag of the Law
renee for she was utterly helpless. and hui
nifty required that firing upon her should
cease. AS the starry flag trailed to the
deck, a triumphant shout went up from the
British. 1t was heard by the wounded on
the Lawrence. When informed of the
cause their hearts grew almost still. and in
the anguish of chagrin they refused to be
attended by the Surgeon, and cried out.
Sink the ship! Sink the ship! Let us
all sink together"
Noble fellows! They. were worthy of
their commander. In less than so minutes
after they had offered themselves willing
sacrifice for the honor of their country's
flag they were made joyful by hearing the
step and voice of their beloved comma nder
again upon the deck of the Lawrence.
Perrys movement against the British
line was successful. He broke it; passed
at half pistol-shot distance between the
Lady Provost and Chippewa on his lar
board. and the Detroit. Queen Charlotte
and Hunter on his starboard, and poured
in tremendous broadsides right and left
from double-shotted guns. Ranging ahead
of tho vaScnIs IN hic ct0rhoard ho rounded
to and raked the Detroit and Queen Char
lotte, which had got foul of each other
Close and deadly was his fire upon them
with great guns and musketry.
Meanwhile, the Lawrence having drfted
out of her place in the line, her position
against the Detroit was taken by the Gale
donia, Capt. Turner: the latter's place in
pied by the Trippe. commanded by Lieut..
Holdup. These gallant young officers had
exchanged signals to board the Detroit,
when they saw the Niagara with the Com
modore's pennant bearing down to break
the British line. Turner followed her close
ly with the Caledonia; and the freshened
breeze having brought up the Somers. Mr.
Porcupine, Acting Master Senate. the
whole American squadron except the Law
renee was, for the first time, engaged in
the. conflict The fight was terrible for a
few minutes. and the combatants were COM
pletely enveloped in smoke,
Eight minutes after Perry dashed through
the British line the colors of the Detroit
were struck, and her example was speedily
followed by all the other vessels of Bar
clay's squadron, excepting the Little Belt
and Chippewa. which attempted to escape
to leeward. Champlin, with the Scorpion,
and Holdup. with the Trippe, made chase
after the fugitves, and both were over
taken and brought back to grace the tri-
umph of the victor, the Little Belt by the
former and the Chippewa by the latter. 1t
was in this chase that Champlin fired the
last gun in that memorable battle. $50
near were they to making their escape"
saws ChamDlin in a letter. "that it was 10
o'clock in the evening before l came to an
anchor, under the stern of the Lawrence
with the Little Belt in tow"
RBREyIANNOUNCEs HIS VICTORY
A few minutes afterward, when. as Ban
croft Says, "a religious awe seemed to come
over him at his wonderful preservation in
the midst bf great and long-contnued dam
ger" he wrote to the Secretary of the Navy
as follows:
sU. s. Brig Niagara. off the Western Sis
:, "Sept 10, 1913. 4 p. m.
.":Sir: It, has pleased the Almighty to
give ~ lusr arms oL the Ihiteu states q
signal VICTORY over their enemies On this
lake. The British squadron. consisting of
two ships, two. brigs, one schooner. and one
slOop, have this moment surrendered to the
force under my command after sharp con-
fict.
81 have the honor to be, sir, very respect
fully your obedient servant; to :, p
Honorable William Jones, Secretary of
the Navy"
TAKING POSSESSION OF THE BRITISH YES
Sells.
These hurried but admira bly-worded dis
patches were sent by the same express to
both Harrison and the Secretary of the
session Of the conquered vessels, and re-
ceiving the formal submission of the van
pushed, was performed. Perry gave the
signal to anchor, and started for his bat
tered flagship, determined, on her deck, and
in the presence Of her surviving officers and
crew, to receive the commanders of the
captured squadron. 1T was time of con-
he stepped upon deck" The battle was
won and he was safe, but the deck was
slippery with blood and strewn with the
bodies Of 20 officers and men, seven of
whom had sat at table with us at our last
meal, and the ship resounded everywhere
with the grOanS OF the wounded. Those or
us who were spared and able to walk met
him at the gangway to welcome him on
board. but the salutation was silent one
on both sides not word could find utter
ance.
The next movement in the solemn drama
was the reception of the British officers,
one from each of the captured vessels.
Perry stood on the afterpart of the deck,
and his sad visitors were compelled to pick
their way to him among the slain. He re-
ceived them with solemn dignity and I'M
affected kindness. AS they presented their
swords, with the hits toward the victor, he
spoke in low but firm tone, without the
betrayal of the least exutation, and re-
quested them to retain their weapons. He
inquired, with real concern, about Commo-
dore Barclay and his fellow-sufferers from
severe wounds and he made every captive
feel, at that sad and solemn moment, the
thrill of pleasure excited by the conduct of
Christian gentleman in the moment of the
adversely Of the recipient of his kindness.
LOSSES.
The loss in the American squadron was
Lawrence, % killed and 81 wounded; Nj
agara, two killed and 25 wounded; Ariel,
one killed and three wounded; Scorpion.
two killed; Caledonia. three wounded Som
ers, two wounded: Trippe, two wounded !;
in all, q killed and 96 wounded, making a
q IL