Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-10

or Lawrence, Don I give up the snip,
which were borne on Perry's flag.
The first news received in this city of
the battle was a dispatch to Secretary
of the Navy Jones follows:
L. s. Brig Niagara, off the Western
Sisters. head of Lake Erie. September ~,
1913. pm.
"Sir: 1t has pleased the Almighty to
give to the arms of the United States
signal victory over their enemies on this
lake. The British squadron, consisting
Of two ships, two briggs, one schooner
and one sloop, have this moment sur
rendered to the force under my command
after a sharp conflict.
II have the honor to be, etc,
20. H. PERRY"
Tells of the Battle.
September Is, from aboard the schoon-
Ariel. at Put-in-Bay, he sent a more
lengthy dispatch to Secretary Jones as
follows:
I'm my last I informed you that we
have captured the enemy's feet on the
lakes l now have the honor to give
you the most important particulars of
the action. On the morning Of the 10th
instant. at sunrise, they were discovered
from Put-in-Bay, where ] lay at anchor
with the squadron at my command. We
got under weigh the wind light at south
the wind hauled to the southeast and
brought up to the windward. Formed
the line and bore up. At fifteen minutes
before II the enemy commenced firing;
at five minutes before Il the action
commenced on our part. Finding their
fire very destructive, owing to their long
guns, and it's being mostly directed at
the Lawrence, / made sail and directed
the other vessels to follow, for the pur-
pose Of closing with the enemy. Every
h,~on onI hot oh CD.
became unmanageable. notwithstanding
the great exertions of the sailing master.
In this situation she sustained the ac-
ton OF upward of two hours, within can
lister distance. until every gun was rem
dered useless and the greater part OF
her crew either killed or wounded
Left the Lawrence.
Finding she could no longer annoy
the enemy. ] left her in charge of Lieut..
Yarnall. who, 1 was convinced. from the
bravery already displayed by him.
would do what would comport with the
honor of the flag. At half past 2, the
wind springing up, Capt. Elliott was en-
abled to bring his vessel, the Niagara,
gallantly into close action. / imme-
diately 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. 1t was with
pain that / saw, soon after
I got. aboard the Niagara, the flag Of
the Lawrence come down. although 1
was perfectly sensible that she had
been defended to the last, and that to
have continued to make show Of
resistance would have been a wanton
sacrifice Of the remainder Of her brave
crew. But the enemy was not ables to
take possession of her, and circum-
stances soon permitted her flag again
to be hOisted. At forty-f1ve minutes
past the signal was made for close
action.
1.-The Niagara being little injured. l
to pass through the enemy's
line. and bore up and passed the head
of their two ships and brig, giving
a raking fire to them from the star
board guns, and a large schooner and
sloop from the larboard side at half
pistol shot distance. The smaller yes
sells at this time having got within
grape and canister distance under Capt.
Elliott, and keeping UP well directed
fire, the two ships, the brig and q
schooner surrendered, schooner and
sloop making vain attempt to escape.
Great Gallantry Shown.
"Those officers and men who were I'M
mediately under my observation eVlnced
the greatest gallantry. and l have no
doubt that all others conducted them
selves as became American officers and
seamen.''
He names Lieut. Yarnall. Midshipman
Forrest, Sailing Master Taylor. notices
the deaths of Lieut. Brook of the ma
rines and Midshipman Laub of the Law
renee and Midshipman John Clark of the
Scorpion and others, and says: of Capt.
Elliott already SO well known to the
government it would be almost superfiu-
ous TO speak. In this action he evlnced
his characteristic bravery and judgment,
and since the close of the action has
given me the most valuable and essen
tial assistance.
Il have the honor to inclose a return
Of the killed and wounded. with state
ment of the relative forces OF the squad
rons. The captain and first lieutenant Of
the Queen Charlotte and first lieutenant
IF the Detroit were killed. Capt. Bart
lev. senior. captain and commander Of
the Lady Provost. severely wounded.
Their loss in killed and wounded I have
not been able to ascertain, out !. It must
The statement shows six British ves-
sells. mounting in all sixty-three guns.
and nine American vessels. mounting
fifty-four guns. The exact number Of the
anemy's force was not ascertained, but
exceeded ours by nearly 100 men. On
tho American side there were twenty
seven killed and ninety-six wounded
Enemy Active on Coast.
AS may be supposed. the enemy at the
time was menacing the Atlantic coasts
and infesting the Chesapeake, attacking
some Of the towns in lower Maryland,
and on tho eastern shore in certain Sec
tons the anti-war element was strong.
The administration and its friends were
encouraged by the result of the battle of
Lake Erie and Perry became their idol
and was given ovations In many cities and
towns. In a. few months the following
song. entitled "PerryS Victory" which