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 Tecumseh, with five
thousand soldiers and Indians, were ready to cross the lake, and take
possession of the southern shore. 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 passed 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 _Constitution_, he said, "I
need not say anything to you. You know how to beat those fellows."
As he passed 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 balls passed 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
balls passed 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.
[Illustration: 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."