OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Ohio in war of 1812 - Part 16
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
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Historical Collections of Ohio
The Kelley Family Collections
Newspaper article, Plains Dealer
compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925
And Then They Went West
by Darlene E. Kelley  1998
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War Of 1812-- The Battle of Lake Erie -- Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, USN. Letter to Secretary of War 
US Schooner ARIEL, Put-In-Bay
13 September, 1813.

Sir;

In my last I informed you that we have captured the enemy's fleet on
this Lake. I have the honour to give you the most important particulars
of the action. On the morning of the 10th instant, at sun-rise, they
were discovered from Put-In-Bay, when 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 AM the wind hauled to south-west and brought us
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 bowline 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 the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieutenent Yarnell, 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, Capt 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, in close action. It was with
unspeakable pain what 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 vainattempt 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
Yarnell, 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 the great
pain in stating to you, the death of Lieutenant Brook of the marines,
and midshipman Laub, 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 severly 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 excellant and brave officer, and with his musketry, did great
execution. Lieutenant Turner, commanding the CALEDONIA, brought the
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 the
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 dispatched in a boat on
service. previous to my getting on board the NIAGARA; and , being a
seaman, since the action has rendeed essential service in taking charge
of one of the prizes. Of Captain Elliot,already so well kown to the
government, it would be almost superfluous to speak; in this action, he
envinced his characteristic bravery and judgement; and , since the close
of the action, has given me the most able and essential assistiance.

I have the honour to enclose you a return of the killed and wounded,
together with a statement of 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 Commander of the LADY PREVOST, severly wounded. Their loss in killed
and wounded, I have yet been able to ascertain; it must, however, have
been very great.

Statement of the force of the British squadron;
Ship DETROIT--19 guns-1 on pivot and 2 howitzers.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE - 17 guns, 1 do.
Schooner LADY PREVOST -13 do,1 do
Brig HUNTER - 10 do
Sloop LITTLE BELT - 3 do
Schooner CHIPPEWAY -1 do, and 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 do
CALEDONIA -- 3 do
Schooner ARIEL -- 4 do [1 burst early in action ].
SCORPION --2 do
SOMERS --2 do, and 2 swivels
Sloop TRIPPE --1 do
Schooner TYGRESS --1 do
PORCUPINE --1 do
54 guns.

The exact number of the enemy's force, has not been ascertained, but I
have good reason to believe that it exceeds ours, by nearly 100 men.
Sincerly,
Commodore,
Oliver H. Perry
Put-In-Bay.