OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Ohio in war of 1812 - Part 17
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Darlene E. Kelley
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374
September 19, 1999
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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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Action on Lake Erie-- Letter from Captain James D. Elliot to the
Secretary of the Navy. Black Rock, October 9,1812. This letter was
before Perry's Battle of Lake Erie.

Dear Sir; 

I have the honour to inform you that on the morning of the 8th instant,
two British vessels, which I was informed were his majesty's brig
DETROIT, late the United States' brig ADAMS, and the brig HUNTER,
mounting 14 guns, but which afterwards proved to be the brig CALEDONIA,
both said to be well armed and manned, came doun the lake and anchored
under the protection of Fort Erie. Having been on the lines for some
time, and in a measure inactively employed, I determined to make an
attack,and if possible to get possession of them. A strong inducement to
this attempt arose from a consideration that these two vessels and to
those which I have purchased and am fitting out. I should be enabled to
meet the remainder of the British force on the Upper Lakes, and save an
incalculable expense and labour to the government. On the morning of
their arrival I heard that our seamen were but a short distance from
this place, and immediately dispatched an express to the officers,
directing them to use all possible dispatch in getting their men to this
place, as I had an important service to perform. On their arrival, which
was about 12 o'clock, I discovered that they had only 20 pistols, and
neither cutlasses nor battle axes. But on application to Generals Smyth
and Hall of the regulars and militia, I was supplied with a few arms,
and Genl Smyth was so good, on my request, as immediately to detach 50
men from the regulars, armed with muskets.

By 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I had my men selected and stationed in
two boats, which I had previously prepared for the purpose. With these
boats, 50 men in each, and under circumstances very disadvantageous, my
men having scarcely had time to refresh themselves after a fatiguing
march of 500 miles, I put off fom the mouth of Buffaloe Creek, at 1
o'clock the following morning and at 3, I was along side the vessels. In
the space of about 10 minutes, I had the prisioners all secured, the
top-sails sheeted home and the vessels under way. Unfortunately the wind
was not sufficiently strong to get me up against a rapid current into
the lake, where I had understood another armed vessel lay at anchor, and
I was obliged to run down the river, by the forts, under a heavy fire of
round grape, and canister, from a number of pieces of heavy ordnance,
and several pieces of flying artillery, was compelled to anchor at a
distance of about 400 yards from two of their batteries. After the
discharge of the first gun, from the flying artillery, I hailed ashore,
and observed to the officer, that if another gun was fired I would bring
the prisoners on deck, and expose them to the same fate we would all
share;but not withstanding, they disregarded the caution and continued a
constant and destructive fire. One single moment's reflection determined
me not to commit an act that would subject me to the imputation of
barbarity. The CALEDONIA had been beached, in as safe a position as the
circumstances would admit of, under one of our batteries at the Black
Rock. I now brought all the guns of the DETROIT on one side next the
enemy, stationed the men at them, and directed a fire which was
continued as long as our ammunition lasted and circumstances permitted.
During the contest I endeavoured to get the DETROIT on our side by
sending a line, there being no wind, on shore, with all the line I could
muster; but the current being so strong, the boat could not reach the
shore. I then hailed our shore, and requested that warps should be made
fast on land, and sent on board; the attempt to all which again proved
useless. As the fire was such as would, in all probability, sink the
vessel in a short time, I determined to drift down the river out of
reach of the batteries, and make a stand against the flying artillery. I
accordingly cut the cable, made sail with very light airs, and at that
instant discovered that the pilot had abandoned me. I dropped astern for
about 10 minutes, when I was brought up on shore on Squaw Island- got
the boarding boat ready, had the prisoners put in and sent on shore,
with directions for the officer to return for me and what property we
could get from the brig. He did not return, owing to the difficulty in
the boat's getting on shore. Discovering a skiff under the counter, I
put the four remaining prisoners in the boat, and with my officers, I
went on shore to bring the boat off. I asked for protection to the brig
of Lieutenant Colonel Scott, who readily gave it. At this moment I
dscovered a boat with about 40 soldiers from the British side, making
for the brig. They got on board, but were soon compelled to abandon her,
with the loss of nearly all their men. During the whole of this morning
both sides of the river kept up alternately a continual fire on the
brig, and so much injured her that it was impossible to have floated
her. Before I left her, she had several shot of large size in her bends,
her sails in ribbons, and rigging all cut to pieces. 

To my officers and men I feel under great obligation. To Captain Towson
and Lieutenant Roach of the 2nd regiment of artillery, Ensign Prestman
of the Infantry, Captain Chapman, Mr John M'Comb. Messrs, John Town,
Thomas Dain, Peter Overstocks, and James Sloan, resident gentlemen of
Buffaloe, for their soldier and sailor-like conduct. In a word, sir,
every man fought as if with their hearts animated only by the interest
and honour of their country.

The prisoners I have turned over to the military. The DETROIT mounted 6
six pound guns, a commanding Lieutenant of Marines, a boatswain and
gunner, and 56 men- about 30 Ameican prisoners on board, muskets,
pistols, cutlasses, and battle-axes. In boarding her I lost one man, one
officer wounded, Mr. John C. Cummings, acting midshipman, a bayonet
through the leg, his conduct was correct, and deserves the notice of the
department. The CALEDONIA mounted two small guns, blunderbusses,
pistols, muskets, cutlasses, and boarding pikes, 12 men including
officers, 10 prisoners on board. The boat boarding her was commanded by
sailing master George Watts, who performed his duty in a masterly style.
But one man was killed, and four wounded bad, I am afraid mortally, I
enclose you a list of the officers and men engaged in the enterprize,
and also a view of the lake and river in the different situations of
attack. In a day or two I shall forward the names of the prisoners. The
CALEDONIA belongs to the N.W. company, loaded with furs, worth I
understand $200,000.
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Part 18 to follow--