Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-23

arm them were manufactured at Fox
halls foundry, above Georgetown, whence
they were hauled by oxen overland and
mounted on the vessels. When the fleet
was ready Commodore Oliver H. Perry
assumed command, his flagship being the
Lawrence. and Capt. Elliott. on the Mag
ara. was in. charge of a division of the
fleet.
The first heard of the victory in Wa l.
ingtOn was the reception of the follow
ing brief dispatch:
u. S. Brig Niagara. off the Western
Sisters, Head Of Lake Erie, September
10, 1913. pm
Sir: 1T has pleased the Almighty to give
to the arms Of the United States a signal
victory over their enemies on this lake
Inc British squadron. consisting Of two
ships. two briggs. one schooner and one
sloop. have this moment surrendered to
the force under my command, after a
sharp conflict
20. H PERRY.
Hon William Jones. Secretary Of the
Navy
At the same time he sent a dispatch to
Gen. Harrison. saying:
We have met the enemy. and they are
ours ETC.
september IL. from aboard the schooner
Ariel. at Put-in-Bay. he sent a more
lengthy dispatch to Secretary Jones, as
follows:
"A more OeCd1leQ Account.
I'm my last / informed you that We
have captured the enemy's fleet on the
lakes. now have the honor to give you
the most important particulars of the &C
ton. On the morning of the 10th instant.
at sunrise. they were discovered from
Put-in-Bay, where I lay at anchor with
the squadron at my command. We got
under weigh. the wind light at southwest.
and stood for them. At 10 am. the wind
hauled to the southeast and brought up
to the windward. Formed the line ana
bore up. At fifteen minutes before IL
the enemy commenced firing: at five
on our part Finding their fire very de-
structive. owing to their long guns. and
it's being mostly directed at the Law
renee. made sail and directed the other
vessels to follow. for the purpose of
and bowling being shot away. she be-
came unmanageable. notwithstanding the
great exertions of the sailing master.
In this situation she sustained the action
of upward of two hours. within canister
distance, until every gun was rendered
useless and the greater part of her crew
either killed or wounded.
FINDING she could no longer annoy the
enemy, left her In charge of Lieut. Var
nall, who, l was convinced, from the
bravery already displayed by him. would
do what would comport with the honor OF
the flag. At half-past =, the wind spring
ing up, Capt Elliott was enabled to bring
his vessel. the Niagara, calamity into
close action. ! Immediately went on board
of her. when he anticipated my wish by
volunteering to bring the schooner. which
had been kept astern by the lightness OF
the wind. into close action. IT was with
unspeakable pain that / saw. soon after
got aboard the Niagara. the flag Of the
, Lawrence come down, although / was
perfectly sensible that she had been de-
Tended to the last and that to have con.
tinued to make a show OF resistance would
nave been wanton sacrifice OF the re-
mainder of her brave crew. But the en-.
envy was not able to take possession OF
her, and circumstances soon permitted hei
nag again to be hoisted. At forty-five
minutes past the signal was made, fol
close action The Niagara being little
injured. determined to pass through the
enemys line. and bore up and passed the
head of their two ships and brig. giving
| raking fire to them from the starboard
guns. and a large schooner and slooE
from the larboard side at half pistol sho'
distance. The smaller vessels at this time
having got within grape and canister dis.
lance under Capt. Elliott. and keeping
up well directed fire. the two ships, the
brig and schooner surrendered. A