With Perry on Lake Erie

I had reckoned on setting down the details of many small adventures which befell Alec and myself during such time as the townspeople of Presque Isle were in a fever of fear, believing the British would make a descent upon them while our fleet was much the same as useless; but the pages are counting up so fast that many things must be omitted, else I shall have come to an end of my paper before the real story has been begun.

Therefore it is that I may do no more than explain the condition of affairs in the settlement while our vessels lay at their moorings inside the bar, useless, because lacking men, and the British frittered away their time reconnoitring until, fortunately, we were in fair condition to meet them.

After we two—meaning Alec and I—had brought for the second time information of what was being done on the North Foreland, and General Porter sent word from Black Rock that the enemy’s squadron was about to make a descent upon us, there was neither man, woman, nor lad in the town who did not feel certain the attack must be made within a very few days at the longest, yet it was destined that we should have ample opportunity to make all necessary arrangements for defence.

Strange as it may seem, we were not molested for a space of three weeks, and to this day no person, save the British commander himself, has been able to decide why the king’s forces did not destroy our little fleet, which afterward worked so much mischief.

As I have said, we expected momentarily to see the English squadron, and knew full well that it could not be successfully opposed by us; but yet we did not fold our hands in idleness.

The guard-boats at the entrance of the bay, just inside the bar, were redoubled, and orders given that three musket-shots should be fired when the enemy hove in sight.

The ship-carpenters were set at work building a blockhouse on the bluff east of Cascade Creek, to protect the shipyard, and such of the citizens as had not fled in terror were detailed to put up a redoubt on the heights commanding the bar, the same to be called Fort Wayne.

Captain Perry sent messengers to Major-General Mead, at Meadville, asking that he order a body of militia to our aid with the least possible delay, and received from him the cheering intelligence that all men who could be spared should be set in motion at once.

The brigs and the schooners were moored near the shipyard, for no attempt at taking them over the bar was to be made until we had a sufficient number of sailors to man them; but the gunboats were fully armed, and anchored off Hospital Point, because, owing to their light draught, they could leave the bay at almost any time.

Alec and I, with many another lad, were ordered to labor at Fort Wayne; but it was understood that in case of an attack we should repair on board one of the gunboats without delay, and we knew that while the force of defenders was so small there would be no protest made, either by Captain Perry or my father, against our doing whatever might be possible in event of an engagement.

Such was the condition of affairs with us on the morning of July 21.

There was not an idler in the town, for the cowardly and indolent had long since fled to safer quarters, and as we worked with a will at whatever our hands found to do, every ear was pricked up for the signal which would tell that the enemy had at last decided to give us a taste of his quality.

Although expecting it, when the signal was sounded we were taken by surprise, so to speak.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when the reports of the muskets rang out on the warm, still air with a volume of noise which caused them to seem as loud as cannon, and the tools dropped from nearly every man’s hands as he sprang to the highest point of land in order to gain a good view of the lake.

Alec Perry and I did not follow the throng that flocked to the summit of the heights; but, without so much as a single glance seaward, sped swiftly toward the old French fort, where we knew would be found a boat, and our only fear was lest the gunboats should leave the bay before we could board one of them.

We knew the enemy was in sight, otherwise the signal would not have been made, for Captain Perry had threatened direst punishment upon him who should give a false alarm, and we also believed the town would be speedily destroyed, for both my father and Alec’s brother had privately said that we could not hope to successfully oppose the British squadron while our force was so small.

I do not set this down that it may be believed I felt unusually brave at the moment when it seemed certain Presque Isle was about to fall into the hands of the enemy, for at the time I gave no heed to possible danger. My eagerness to be on board the gunboat overshadowed all else, causing me to forget for the moment what probably would happen, in the fear that it might be thought I remained on shore through cowardice.

“At last we shall have a chance to show that we can play the part of men!” Alec said, as we ran, and I, vain of the small share we had already taken in defence of our town, replied boastingly:—

“It seems to me that we have already done as much. Who else can lay claim to having been twice inside the British lines?”

“Perhaps no one would care to admit being so foolish,” he said, with a laugh. “We might have been among the redcoats a dozen times, and yet it would count for but little if we had accomplished nothing more than has already been done.”

“Was it not of some service when we reported the number of men on the North Foreland?”

“If such was the case neither your father nor my brother gave us any credit. It strikes me they treated our adventures as childish pranks, rather than the work of men; but now the case will be different, for we are to help man the gunboat.”

I might have reminded him that we probably would not remain long on board, once the enemy came within range, for the three small craft with which Captain Perry proposed to meet the British squadron were not calculated to make much of a fight against heavily armed, well-manned vessels of war; but I held my peace, for this was not the time to say what might possibly dampen his enthusiasm.

We gained the water’s edge at the same moment as did my father, who had come from the barracks, and leaped into the boat close at his heels, I rejoicing that chance had thrown us in his company, since now we must serve under him rather than one of the other commanders.

“How many of the Britishers are in sight?” he asked of the man in charge of the boat, and the latter replied, as his crew pushed the light craft off from the shore:—

“I have not seen the fleet, sir; but it was said by those on Hospital Point, who had a full view of the lake, that there were six sail bearing directly down upon us.”

“Is Captain Perry on board the Tigress?”

(This was the name of the gunboat on which it had been decided Captain Perry, as commodore of the fleet, should remain, and she was to be commanded by my father.)

“Ay, sir; but so weak from the fever as to be fitted for the hospital rather than to go into an action where we’re like to be sunk offhand.”

“He was feeling better last night.”

“Yes, sir; but Dr. Parsons came ashore two hours ago to get some supplies, and I heard him say the captain was under the weather again.”

“The prospect of going into action will brighten him up a bit, and I venture to say you will never hear him speak so discouragingly of the future as you have just spoken, not even though we were outnumbered twenty to one.”

“That is about the odds we shall have against us, sir,” the boatman said firmly, but decidedly, “and I allow it is not discouraging to others when a man looks at the situation as it really is, providing he does not show the white feather.”

“I had rather hear you say that we’re like to do the enemy serious harm, than to croak about his sinking us offhand.”

“And how long, sir, with all due respect in the question, do you think we’ve a chance of standing against the British squadron?”

“Till we’ve given him a fair taste of our metal, that I’ll be bound!” my father replied emphatically; and then he turned to look seaward as if intimating that such profitless conversation had best come to an end.

Now it was that we caught a glimpse of the enemy, and that which we saw was by no means heartening.

Our boat, headed for the Tigress, had passed the range of Hospital Point, giving us an opportunity of looking out over the lake to the westward, and we saw the spars of no less than five vessels, two of them being ship-rigged.

To go out against them with three small gunboats each carrying a single gun, seemed much like the veriest folly, and I ceased to feel surprised at the boatman’s belief that we would be sunk offhand.

Alec glanced at me meaningly when we had gazed at the enemy as long as was pleasant, and I read in his eyes nothing but delight that at last we were to do something more than act as spies or carpenters.

As for myself, I would have been well content to remain in safety on shore, although as a matter of course I should not have left my comrades had the opportunity offered; but I assumed a bold bearing, determined that my father might never so much as guess how timorous his son could be at times.

Nothing more was said by the occupants of our craft while we pulled to the gunboat, and I fancy that much the same thought must have been in the mind of every person, however bravely he may have spoken, for one would have been lacking in common sense to believe our three small vessels might give successful battle to such a squadron as now lay fair before us.

Once on board the Tigress we found so much to do that there was no opportunity for gloomy thoughts.

Although matters were supposed to be in proper trim, now that the decisive moment had arrived there were many details to be arranged, and Alec and I were kept running hither and thither, with this thing or that, while the gunboats were being gotten under way.

Although the fever had a firm hold upon him, Captain Perry was on deck superintending the work when we arrived, and despite all my father could say he persisted in remaining there, replying to every argument used against his presence:—

“If we could employ our entire fleet this day the malady would have wholly disappeared, and even as it is, when we are to put out in the face of such great odds, I am better both in body and mind than I have been since we left Buffalo.”

The Tigress was fitted for one gun, and the piece was in position, under charge of Silas Boyd, an old man who was said to be the most skilful gunner among us. In addition to this were two short carronades, temporarily placed amidships where they might be effective in repelling boarders, but could not be relied upon for anything else.

To the great pleasure of Alec and myself, we were detailed to assist old Silas, who would be chief gunner when the Lawrence was put in commission; and while we were advancing boldly toward the enemy, as if confident of achieving a victory, he gave us his final orders:—

“Them as belong to a gun’s crew shouldn’t stand around waitin’ for the word to be given, but ought to know what is needed an’ do it before a command can be given. Now you lads are to keep back after this ’ere gun is loaded; but the minute it’s fired, you’re to set about spongin’, so the others won’t be delayed in their part of the work.”

“We are more than willing to do our share of the labor,” Alec said, with a hearty laugh; “but it isn’t to be supposed that we, who have never taken part in an engagement, will be able to anticipate your wishes.”

“You’ll come to it in time, lad, you’ll come to it,” old Silas said, as he stepped back a few paces and gazed at my comrade admiringly. “A boy who can laugh like that while the odds are so heavily against us will soon understand what’s to be done when the action begins.”

“It’s as well to laugh as cry; and even though some of the men croak about the chances in favor of the enemy, I’m heartily glad the redcoats have decided to give us the opportunity of striking a blow, for it’s dull work building forts on shore.”

Old Silas gravely took Alec by the hand; and I would have given much had that mark of approbation been bestowed upon me by such a man as the gunner, for it meant more than words could have expressed.

Captain Perry ordered that the drums beat to quarters, although every man was in the position assigned him. There was to be no lack of formality simply because ours seemed like a forlorn hope.

The men cheered loudly when the roll of the drums ceased, and from the other gunboats we could hear the same token of satisfaction that we were at last bearing down upon the Britishers who had threatened us so long.

“There is no need to ask that every man will do his duty,” my father said, as he advanced so far forward that all might see him. “We shall meet the enemy in whatever force he may come, and I do not fear any on board the Tigress will show the white feather!”

Another cheer went up; and then had come the moment when my heart seemed to leap into my mouth, for the British fleet was standing down toward us, all the crews at quarters, and the guns showing grim and ominous from the open ports.

The ship Queen Charlotte was leading, and no attempt was made to form a line of battle. Most likely the redcoats believed we could be whipped so readily that there was little need of manœuvring for position.

“Fire when you think any execution can be done, Mr. Boyd,” my father said, after Captain Perry had given the word; and the old man muttered, in a tone so low that only Alec and I heard the words:—

“I reckon I’m as near ready now as I ever shall be. This ere gun ought ’er carry that far, an’ he who strikes the first blow has the best chance of gainin’ an advantage.”

One of the crew was standing near with a lighted match, and old Silas, after sighting the piece carefully, motioned that fire be applied to the priming.

There was a report as of thunder; the Tigress quivered from stem to stern; and out of the cloud of white smoke I saw the ball speed toward the foremost ship.

If Silas Boyd had never aimed a cannon before, his reputation as a skilful gunner was made from that moment, for we saw the missile strike the Queen Charlotte’s mizzenmast, sending from it a shower of white splinters, and causing the spar to sway to and fro as if on the verge of falling.

What a shout went up from our little fleet at this token of gunnery!

It was as if every man tried to outdo his comrade at making a noise; and in the midst of the tumult the other gunboats paid their respects to the Britishers by sending iron balls toward them, but none save that fired by old Silas struck its target.

So engrossed were Alec and I in watching the movements of those on board the wounded ship that we entirely forgot the part we were supposed to play, and stood idly by with the sponges in our hands until the old man cried angrily:—

“Get to work, you idlers! Did you come aboard only to gape around when there was work to be done?”

It can well be fancied that we leaped forward to do our duty, and at the instant of so doing I saw half a dozen wool-like puffs of smoke from the ship’s side, which told that she was not intending to take our fire without making some return.

Once more our gun was loaded, and again old Silas squinted along the piece.

The match was applied to this second charge, and we saw the ball describe a half-circle against the sky; but the result was not the same.

The breeze had been freshening, and the Tigress rose on a wave at the instant the gun was discharged. This movement probably destroyed the aim, or the piece may not have been sighted as carefully; at all events, the missile fell ahead of the ship, and old Silas indulged in many an angry word because of his failure.

Alec and I did not give him an opportunity to remind us of duty again.

Instantly the ball struck the water we were at work with the sponges, and by the time the old man had finished shaking his fist at the enemy in impotent rage, the crew were engaged in reloading.

We had good cause for rejoicing, however, even though none of our people succeeded in sending a shot aboard the Britishers.

The increase in the weight of the wind brought down the wounded mizzenmast, and as it fell we saw go up on the Queen Charlotte signals which we soon learned was an order for the squadron to haul off.

Incredible though it may seem, the king’s fleet turned tail when there were but three small craft, carrying only as many guns, to oppose them, and in less than ten minutes from the time Silas Boyd opened the one-sided battle, every vessel flying the British flag was scudding toward the Canadian shore!

We had actually beaten off the squadron, any single craft of which should have been more than a match for our three little gunboats, and that without having received a scratch!

It was several moments before we could believe that this really was the case, and then what a volley of cheers went up!

We could even hear the people on shore as they yelled themselves hoarse over this bloodless victory, and I was so foolish as to fancy that Captain Perry would give chase at once, for the sense of triumph was so great I believed our poor schooners a match for the redcoats.

“Can it be that we are going back?” I asked, in dismay, when the Tigress’s head was turned toward the shore. “We have only to give them a few more shots in order to sink the whole fleet!”

“The smell of burnin’ powder is gettin’ into your head, lad,” old Silas said, in a tone of reproof. “Don’t run away with the idee that the Britishers won’t, or can’t, fight. We shall have proof of that later, and he would be a fool who should try to gain any more of an advantage than we’ve already got by sheer luck.”

“They don’t show any inclination to fight, whatever it may be possible for them to do!” I replied hotly.

“There’s some good reason for it, you may be certain, although it ain’t likely we’ll ever know what it is. Let well enough alone, you young fire-eaters,” he added, addressing Alec also, who by this time was giving audible vent to his displeasure. “It’s satisfaction in plenty that we’ve driven ’em away, when it seemed sure we’d all be sent to the bottom, for I wouldn’t have given a brass sixpence for our chances half an hour ago.”

Having said this the old man turned toward his gun, as if he could not afford to waste more time on such as us, and we two lads watched in silent sorrow the enemy’s vessels as they increased the distance between themselves and the American shore.

Before landing again, however, we came to understand that it would have been the height of folly for us to have pursued the squadron; but from that hour we, as well as the majority of our people, had more confidence in Captain Perry’s ability to hold Presque Isle against the enemy.

“If the government would only send a force sufficient to man our vessels, we’d soon give the Britishers such a lesson as could not fail of proving that we hold control of this lake!” Alec said to me after a time. “Every vessel in the squadron would have been ours had we gone against them with the brigs!”

It was useless to keep repeating such ideas, and I held my peace. During the past two weeks they had been put into words by every man in Presque Isle, and yet no reinforcements arrived.

The vessels built to defend the coast were lying idle at their moorings, armed and provisioned; but useless because we could not raise sufficient force to so much as man one of them.

Alec and I went back to the work of fort-building; but now we had more stomach for the labor, because we had seen what might be done, and because we had greater faith in the qualities of our small force than was really warranted by the facts.

Two days after this encounter a sailing-master in the navy, by name of Champlin, arrived with seventy men, and our hopes arose once more, for now one of the brigs could be sent out if need arose, and we believed more sailors would speedily follow.

Captain Perry and my father, however, knew how vain were these hopes, for Master Champlin had reported to them that no more men were ordered to Presque Isle, and again Alec’s brother pleaded for an opportunity to show what might be done with the fleet that had been built by frontiersmen.

As I came afterward to know, he wrote a second letter to Commodore Chauncey, in which he said:—

“For your sake and mine, send me men and officers, and I will have all the British squadron in a day or two. Commodore Barclay keeps just out of reach of our gunboats. The vessels are all ready to meet the enemy the moment they are officered and manned. Our sails are bent, provisions on board, and, in fact, everything is ready. Barclay has been bearding me for several days; I long to be at him. However anxious I am to reap the reward of the labor and anxiety I have had on this station, I shall rejoice, whoever commands, to see this force on the lake, and surely I had rather be commanded by my friend than any other. Come, then, and the business is decided in a few hours!”