Chapter 28

Sir: In consequence of the unfortunate death of Lieutenant-Commander William Burrows, late commander of this vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of our cruize. After sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant, we steered to the eastward, and on the morning of the 3d, off Wood Island, discovered a schooner, which we chased into this harbour, where we anchored. On the morning of the 4th weighed anchor and swept out, and continued our cruize to the eastward. Having received information of several privateers being off Manhagan, we stood for that place; and on the following morning, in the bay near Penguin Point, discovered a brig getting under weigh, which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to which we immediately gave chase. She fired several guns and stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering and discovering her force, and the nation to which she belonged, we hauled upon a wind to stand out of the bay, and at 3 o'clock shortened sail, tacked and ran down with an intention to bring her to close action. At 20 minutes after 3 P.M., when within half pistol shot, the firing commenced from both, and after being warmly kept up, and with some manoeuvering, the enemy hailed and said they had surrendered, about 4 P.M. Their colours being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She proved to be His Britannic Majesty's brig Boxer, of 14 guns, Samuel Blythe, Esquire, commander, who fell in the early part of the engagement, having received a cannon shot through the body. And I am sorry to add that Lieutenant Burrows, who had gallantly led us to action, fell also about the same time by a musket ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours.

The Enterprize suffered much in spars and rigging, and the Boxer both in spars, rigging and hull, having many shots between wind and water. It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast, 2d lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I received from him during the remainder of the engagement, by his strict attention to his own division and other departments. And the officers and crew, generally, I am happy to add, from their cool and determined conduct, have my warmest approbation and applause.

As no muster roll that can be fully relied on came into my possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed on board the Boxer; but from information received from the officers of that vessel, it appears that there are between twenty and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded. Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded on board the Enterprize.

I have the honour to be, &c., Edward R. M'CALL, _Senior Officer_.

_Killed_ 1, _Wounded_ 13; of whom Lieutenant Burrows, Commander, Midshipman Kervan Waters, and carpenter's mate Elisha Blossom, have since died.

No. 30. (p. 174) PLATE XXXI.

_September 4, 1813._

Victoriam tibi claram. patriæ mæstam. [Rx]. Vivere sat vincere.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM BURROWS.

[_Capture of the Boxer._]

VICTORIAM TIBI CLARAM. PATRIÆ MÆSTAM (_sic_). (_A victory brilliant for thee, sorrowful for thy country_). A funeral urn upon a tomb is surrounded with naval emblems; a crown of laurel is hanging from a trident, and in a cartoon of elliptical form: W. (_William_) BURROWS. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

VIVERE SAT VINCERE. (_To conquer is to live enough._) Naval engagement between the United States brig-of-war Enterprize, of fourteen guns, Lieutenant-Commander Burrows, and the British brig-of-war Boxer, of fourteen guns, Captain Blythe. The Enterprize is raking the Boxer, fore and aft. The latter has lost her main-topmast. Exergue: INTER ENTERPRIZE NAV. AMERI. ET BOXER NAV. BRIT. DIE IV SEPT. MDCCCXIII. (_Inter Enterprize navem Americanam et Boxer navem Britannicam, die 4 Septembris, 1813: Between the American vessel Enterprize and the British vessel Boxer, September 4, 1813._) FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).[84]

[Footnote 84: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the capture of the Boxer, are given under No. 29, page 171.]

WILLIAM BURROWS was born in Kenderton, near Philadelphia, October 6, 1785. He entered the navy as midshipman, January 4, 1800; served in the Constitution under Commodore Preble in the campaign against Tripoli; returned to America about 1807 as lieutenant, and served in different vessels on various stations. In the summer of 1813, he obtained the command of the sloop-of-war Enterprize, with which, (p. 175) on September 5, he engaged the British sloop-of-war Boxer, Captain Blythe, but was killed in the beginning of the action, as was also the commander of the enemy's vessel, and they were both buried with military honors at Portland, Maine. Congress, by joint resolution, approved January 6, 1814, requested the President of the United States to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows a gold medal, and to communicate to him the deep regret they felt at this officer's loss.

No. 31. (p. 176) PLATE XXXII.

_September 10, 1813._

Oliverus H. Perry, princeps stagno Eriense. classim totam contudit. [Rx]. Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

CAPTAIN OLIVER HAZARD PERRY.

[_Victory of Lake Erie._]

OLIVERUS H. (_Hazard_) PERRY. PRINCEPS STAGNO ERIENSE. CLASSIM TOTAM CONTUDIT. (_Oliver Hazard Perry, commander-in-chief, destroyed on Lake Erie an entire fleet._) Bust of Captain Perry, in uniform, facing the right.

VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT. (_Valor finds or makes a way._) The United States fleet on Lake Erie, carrying fifty-four guns, and commanded by Captain Perry, stands out to meet the British fleet with sixty-three guns, under Captain Barclay. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII. (_Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813._) FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 23, 1785. He entered the navy as a midshipman, April 7, 1799, on the sloop-of-war General Greene, then commanded by his father, Captain Christopher Raymond Perry. He served in the Mediterranean during the Tripolitan war, was made lieutenant in 1807, and master-commandant in 1812, when he received a division of gunboats at Newport, Rhode Island. In February, 1813, he was transferred to the command on Lake Erie, where, on September 10, he defeated and captured the entire British squadron under Captain Barclay. For this important victory he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal, and was promoted to the rank of captain, and as such commanded the Java in the (p. 177) Mediterranean for several years. In March, 1819, he set out with a squadron for the coast of South America, and died of yellow fever at Port Spain, Trinidad, August 23, 1819. The remains of Commodore Perry were transferred, in 1827, by order of the Government, in the United States ship Lexington, to Newport, Rhode Island. His battle-flag on Lake Erie, with the motto "Don't give up the ship!" is preserved in the Naval Academy, at Annapolis.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Perry, Elliott, etc._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and glorious victory gained on Lake Erie, on the tenth of September, in the year 1813, over a British squadron of superior force.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott, in such manner as will be most honourable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal,[85] with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers, either of the navy or army, serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters who so nobly distinguished themselves on that memorable day.

[Footnote 85: The silver medals are copies of the ones in gold given to the captains of the respective ships.]

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant John Brooks, of the marines, and a sword to the nearest male relatives of Midshipmen Henry Lamb, and Thomas Claxton, jr., and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country, and whose conduct ought to be regarded as an example to future generations.

_Resolved_, That three months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all the petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag, under the orders of their gallant commander, on that signal occasion.

Approved January 6, 1814.

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_Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the (p. 178) United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the President of the United States be requested to present a sword to the nearest male relation of Midshipman John Clarke, who was slain gallantly combating the enemy in the glorious battle gained on Lake Erie, under the command of Captain Perry, and to communicate to him the deep regret which Congress feels for the loss of that brave officer.

Approved February 19, 1814.

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_Captain O. H. Perry to the Secretary of the Navy._

To the Honourable U.S. brig Niagara, off the Western Sisters, William JONES, Head of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813, 4 P.M. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States a 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 a sharp conflict.

I have the honour to be, etc., O. H. PERRY.

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_Captain O. H. Perry to the Secretary of the Navy._

To the Honourable United States schooner Ariel, William JONES, Put-in-Bay, Sept. 13, 1813. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now the honour 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 I lay at anchor with the squadron under my command. We got under weigh, the wind light at south-west, and stood for them. At 10 A.M. the wind hauled to south-east and brought us to windward; formed the line and bore up. At 15 minutes before 12, the enemy commenced firing; at five minutes before 12, the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every brace and bow line being soon shot away, she became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions of the sailing master. In this situation, she sustained the action upwards 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 (p. 179) the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieutenant Yarnall, who, I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with the honour of the flag. At half-past two, the wind springing up Captain Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into close action. I 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 I saw, soon after I got on board the Niagara, the flag of the Lawrence come down, although I was perfectly sensible that she had been defended to the last, and that to have continued to make a show of resistance would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remains of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her, and circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At 45 minutes past 2 the signal was made for "close action." The Niagara being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore up and passed ahead of their two ships and a brig, giving a raking fire to them from the starboard guns, and to a large schooner and sloop, from the larboard side, at half pistol shot distance. The smaller vessels at this time having got within grape and canister distance, under the direction of Captain Elliot, and keeping up a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig and a schooner surrendered, a schooner and sloop making a vain attempt to escape.

Those officers and men who were immediately under my observation, evinced the greatest gallantry, and I have no doubt that all others conducted themselves as became American officers and seamen. Lieutenant Yarnall, first of the Lawrence, although several times wounded, refused to quit the deck. Midshipman Forrest (doing duty as lieutenant), and sailing-master Taylor, were of great assistance to me. I have great pain in stating to you the death of Lieutenant Brooks, of the marines, and midshipman Lamb, both of the Lawrence, and midshipman John Clarke, of the Scorpion; they were valuable and promising officers. Mr. Hambleton, purser, who volunteered his services on deck, was severely wounded late in the action. Midshipman Claxton and Swartout, of the Lawrence, were severely wounded. On board the Niagara, Lieutenants Smith and Edwards, and midshipman Webster (doing duty as sailing-master) behaved in a very handsome manner. Captain Brevoort, of the army, who acted as a volunteer in the capacity of a marine officer, on board that vessel, is an excellent and brave officer, and with his musketry did great execution. Lieutenant Turner, commanding the Caledonia, brought that vessel into action in the most able manner, and is an officer that, in all situations, may be relied on. The Ariel, Lieutenant Parker, and Scorpion, sailing-master Champlin, were enabled to get early into action, and were of great service. Captain Elliot speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Magrath, purser, who had been despatched in a boat on service, previous to my getting on board the Niagara, and, being a seaman, since the action has rendered essential service in taking charge of one of the prizes. Of Captain Elliot, already so well known to the government, it would be almost superfluous to speak; in this action, he evinced his characteristic bravery and judgment; and, since the close of the action, has given me the most able and essential assistance.

I have the honour to enclose you a return of the killed and (p. 180) wounded, together with a statement of the relative force of the squadrons. The captain and first lieutenant of the Queen Charlotte, and first lieutenant of the Detroit, were killed. Captain Barclay, senior officer, and the commander of the Lady Prevost, severely wounded. Their loss in killed and wounded I have not yet been able to ascertain; it must, however, have been very great.

Very respectfully, &c., O. H. PERRY.

_Statement of the force of the British squadron._

Ship Detroit 19 guns: 1 on pivot and 2 howitzers. Queen Charlotte 17 " 1 " Schooner Lady Prevost 13 " 1 " Brig Hunter 10 " Sloop Little Belt 3 " Schooner Chippeway 1 " 2 swivels. -- 63 guns.

NOTE: The Detroit is a new ship, very strongly built, and mounts long twenty-fours, eighteens and twelves.

_Statement of the force of the United States squadron._

Brig Lawrence 20 guns. " Niagara 20 " " Caledonia 3 " Schooner Ariel 4 " (1 burst early in action.) " Scorpion 2 " " Somers 2 " and 2 swivels. Sloop Trippe 1 " Schooner Tigress 1 " " Porcupine 1 " -- 54 guns.

The exact number of the enemy's force has not been ascertained, but I have good reason to believe that it exceeded ours by nearly 100 men.

S. HAMBLETON, _Purser_. O. H. PERRY, _Captain and senior officer_.

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_The Secretary of the Navy to George Harrison._

To George HARRISON, Esq., Navy Department, Navy Agent, Philadelphia. July 4th, 1814.

Sir: In order to have made the swords and medals contemplated by the inclosed resolutions of Congress, I have to request that you will engage artists for that purpose whose abilities and (p. 181) taste will insure their being executed in the best manner. You will perceive by the resolution that the device for the medal for Captains Perry and Elliott must be emblematical of the action on Lake Erie; and, it appears to me, that representations of the several engagements are the most suitable devices for the others. The best representations of those engagements yet engraved may be seen, I understand, in the Academy of Arts at Philadelphia, where the artists and amateurs might readily determine on the devices. The number of dies for the medals will be as follows, viz.:

Capture of the Guerrière by the Constitution 1 " " Macedonian by the United States 1 " " Frolic by the Wasp 1 " " Java by the Constitution 1 " " Peacock by the Hornet 1 " " Boxer by the Enterprize 1 Victory on Lake Erie 1 -- Dies 7

The reverse of the medals will be properly appropriated to the respective portraits of the several commanders, which, I believe, have all been published. These, however, ought to be correct likenesses. Of the number of medals of each kind to be struck, you will be informed in due time.

As it will scarcely be possible to represent distinctly the deeply interesting scenes of the memorable victory of Erie on one face of the medal, it may be well to omit the portrait of Commodore Perry, and divide the representation of the action into two prominent and distinct parts which mark the crisis of the battle, in the first terminating with the abandonment of the Lawrence, and the passage of the hero in his gig, with his flag, from that ship to the Niagara. Second, the bringing up of the gunboats and small vessels by Captain Elliott, and the subsequent breaking through the enemy's line and capture of his whole fleet. Thus the entire action may be distinctly and beautifully represented.

Herewith you will receive one of the medals struck for Commodore Preble, which is tolerably well executed and of good size. The emblematical figures ought to be bold and distinct, rather than minutely delineated, which renders the effect less striking and enhances the labour and cost. With respect to the cost it must be regulated by a due attention to the views of the Legislature and to economy without parsimony.

The number is considerable, and will require all the artists who are qualified for the execution.

It is very desirable to have them completed as soon as possible, and particularly before the next meeting of Congress. If the number of artists in Philadelphia shall not be sufficient, you will employ those of New York or elsewhere. I submit this business to your care with confidence and pleasure, because I know that your own discriminating tastes and judgment in these matters will be combined with your admiration of the men, and the scenes to be commemorated, in producing the best and most speedy execution.

The sword for Captain Elliott will be an elegant dress sword; (p. 182) a cut and thrust, with belt, &c., such in form as is prescribed for a dress sword of a captain in the navy, but decorated with devices and inscriptions suitable to the occasion, and finished in the best style the sum of $800 will procure. The swords of the warrant officers, twelve in number, will be of the same form and with proper belts, &c., will be finished in the best style that $250 each will procure. These you will please have finished as soon as possible.

The medals should be finished in succession according to the order of the dates of the events, unless the whole can be put in hand at once, which is very desirable.

I am respectfully, Sir, your most obedient servant, W. JONES, _Secretary of the Navy_.

No. 32. (p. 183) PLATE XXXIII.

_September 10, 1813._

Jesse D. Elliott. Nil actum reputans si quid superesset agendum. [Rx]. Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

CAPTAIN JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT.

[_Victory of Lake Erie._]

JESSE D. (_Duncan_) ELLIOTT. NIL ACTUM REPUTANS SI QUID SUPERESSET AGENDUM.[86] (_Jesse Duncan Elliott. Considering nothing done, if aught remained to be done._) Bust of Captain Elliott, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

[Footnote 86: Nil actum credens quum quid superesset agendum. Lucan, Pharsalia, Book II, 657.]

VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT. (_Valor finds or makes a way._) The United States fleet on Lake Erie, carrying fifty-four guns, and commanded by Captain Perry, stands out to meet the British fleet with sixty-three guns, under Captain Barclay. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII. (_Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813._) FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).[87]

[Footnote 87: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the action on Lake Erie, are given under No. 31, page 176.]