As the Americans were sailing out to battle, Lieutenant Perry gathered his men together and talked to them about the courage they would need.
He showed them a large blue flag, bearing in white letters a foot high the words: "Don"t give up the ship!"
"My brave lads," he said, "this flag bears the last words of Captain Lawrence. Shall I hoist it?"
With one voice, the men shouted: "Aye, aye, sir!"
As the bunting was run up on the _Lawrence_, cheer upon cheer came from every vessel of the American squadron. The men were then sent to their quarters, and every one quietly waited for the beginning of battle.
It was a beautiful morning. The sky was cloudless, and there was hardly a ripple to disturb the lake. The English vessels were newly painted, and gayly adorned with flags. Every sail shone in dazzling whiteness in the sunlight.
At half-past ten a bugle was heard from the English flagship, which was followed by cheers from the other vessels. Across the water the Americans could hear the strains of the English national air played by a band.
On the _Lawrence_ all was still. With determined faces the men stood by the guns.
Lieutenant Perry knew that a great responsibility was upon him. He knew that, should he lose the battle, General Proctor and Tec.u.mseh, with five thousand soldiers and Indians, were ready to cross the lake, and take possession of the southern sh.o.r.e. All through that part of the country, anxious men, women, and children were waiting to flee from their homes, if the dreaded Indians came upon them.
These things Lieutenant Perry knew. He pa.s.sed along the deck, carefully examining every gun. He had a word of encouragement for each gun crew.
Seeing some of the men who had fought on the _Const.i.tution_, he said, "I need not say anything to you. You know how to beat those fellows."
As he pa.s.sed another gun, commanded by a crew that had served in his gunboat flotilla, he said: "Here are the Newport boys! They will do their duty, I warrant."
In this way he filled all his men with a great earnestness, and a determination to conquer or die.
While the two squadrons were yet a mile apart, the English sent a cannon ball skimming over the water. For some time there followed a vigorous firing from both sides.
As the English guns could carry farther than those of the Americans, Lieutenant Perry brought his flagship into close quarters. The other American vessels were some distance behind.
The whole British squadron then opened fire upon the _Lawrence_.
At the end of an hour of this unequal battle, the condition of the _Lawrence_ was pitiable. One by one the guns had been disabled. Finally only one on the side toward the enemy could be used. The rigging was damaged, the spars were shattered, and the sails were torn into shreds.
Eighty-three men had been killed or wounded.
Two musket b.a.l.l.s pa.s.sed through Lieutenant Perry"s hat, and his clothing was torn by flying splinters.
One heavy shot crushed into the large china closet, and smashed every dish with a great clatter. A dog, that had been locked up there, startled by the noise, added to the tumult by howling dismally.
Several times the _Lawrence_ barely escaped being blown up. Two cannon b.a.l.l.s pa.s.sed entirely through the powder magazine.
Even the wounded men crawled upon the deck to lend a feeble hand in firing the guns. It was Oliver Perry himself, however, that loaded and fired the last gun of the _Lawrence_.
Lieutenant Perry at last determined to change his flag from the _Lawrence_ to the _Niagara_. A breeze had sprung up, which enabled this vessel to come near to the helpless _Lawrence_.
The first lieutenant was left in command of the _Lawrence_, with orders to hold out to the last. Then with his brother Alexander and four seamen, Lieutenant Perry got into a rowboat. Just as they were shoving off, a seaman on the _Lawrence_ hauled down the blue flag, bearing the motto, "Don"t give up the ship!" He rolled it up and tossed it to Perry.
The smoke of the battle was so dense that the rowboat had nearly reached the _Niagara_ before it was seen by the English. Then a shot was sent which went straight through the boat"s side.
Taking off his coat and rolling it up, Perry quickly thrust it into the hole which the ball had made. This kept the boat from sinking.
As he stepped upon the deck of the _Niagara_, Perry ordered the blue flag to be hoisted. Just at this moment the _Lawrence_ surrendered.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.]
The English gave a cheer, thinking they had won the battle. They were not able, however, to board and take the _Lawrence_ at once, and so she drifted away. When safely out of range her colors were rehoisted.
Bringing the _Niagara_ into position, Lieutenant Perry fired a terrific broadside into one of the English vessels. Then he sailed quickly to another and did the same thing.
The other American vessels followed this example, and a terrific battle followed.
In just fifteen minutes the English surrendered. Two vessels of their squadron attempted to escape, but were soon overtaken and captured.
Lieutenant Perry was determined that the formal surrender should take place on the _Lawrence_. So once more he lowered his flag, and jumping into a boat, made for his first flagship.
When he stepped on board the _Lawrence_ not a cheer was heard. The handful of men that were left silently greeted their commander.
Few of them were uninjured. Some had splintered arms and legs. Others had bandages about their heads. Their faces were black with powder.
The English officers came on board to present their swords to Perry.
With quiet dignity he returned each one.
He then took from his pocket an old letter. Using his cap for a desk, he wrote with a pencil his famous dispatch to General Harrison:
"We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop. Yours, with very great respect and esteem,
"O.H. PERRY."
X.--WHAT PERRY"S VICTORY ACCOMPLISHED.
The battle on Lake Erie was the beginning of the end of the war. The news of the victory caused great rejoicings all over the country. In all the princ.i.p.al towns there were meetings, bonfires, and torchlight processions.
General Harrison could now take his army into Canada. No time was lost.
He hurried over four thousand men to the lake, where Perry"s fleet waited to take them across.
The main body of the British army, under General Proctor and Tec.u.mseh, was at Fort Malden. Upon landing there the Americans found that the enemy had fled, having burned the forts, barracks, and stores.
General Harrison followed the English up the left bank of the Detroit River. The fort at Detroit was surrendered without any resistance, and the English retreated along the St. Clair Lake and up the Thames River.
The Americans steadily pursued them. Perry, with his fleet, followed the army, carrying the baggage and provisions.
He became so excited over the chase that he could not remain quietly on his ships. So, leaving them in charge of one of his officers, he went ash.o.r.e and offered his services to General Harrison as aid-de-camp.
As he joined the army he was met with cheers of welcome from the soldiers. General Harrison afterward said: "The appearance of the gallant Perry cheered and animated every soldier."
Following the English some distance up the Thames, the Americans finally overtook them. They were drawn up in line of battle on a narrow strip of land which lay between the river and a large swamp.
The American cavalry made a bold dash through these lines, and the enemy was soon routed. Over sixty British and Indians were killed, and six hundred troops were made prisoners. General Proctor made his escape, but Tec.u.mseh was killed.