. The student's American history . king place on the Atlantic, Oliver Hazard Perrj^, a youngman of twenty-seven, was busy preparing for the defence ofLake Erie, then held by the enemys ships. Perry captured aBritish brig, bought three small American schooners, and then,by almost incredible labor, completed the construction of fivemore vessels from green timber which he cut on the westernshore of the lake. With this fleet of nine vessels, of which two,as Perry said, were growing in the woods last spring, theyoung commander attacked the British squadron. Perry hadcertain advantages in the engage
. The student's American history . king place on the Atlantic, Oliver Hazard Perrj^, a youngman of twenty-seven, was busy preparing for the defence ofLake Erie, then held by the enemys ships. Perry captured aBritish brig, bought three small American schooners, and then,by almost incredible labor, completed the construction of fivemore vessels from green timber which he cut on the westernshore of the lake. With this fleet of nine vessels, of which two,as Perry said, were growing in the woods last spring, theyoung commander attacked the British squadron. Perry hadcertain advantages in the engagement. He had three moreships than the enemy; he probably had more men fit for duty,and his guns, though fewer in number than those of the English,could throw far heavier broadsides.^ The battle (September10, 1813) was fought with indomitable courage on both sides. In memory of the lamented commander of the Chesapeake,Perry had named his vessel the Lawrence and had hoisteda flag bearing Lawrences last words : Dont give up the ship!. WAR OF 1812. 18I3-18N.] THE UNION, NATIONAL 2/1 (§ 303). The British made this vessel the target of their fire;Perry fought until nearly every one of his men had fallen. Hesaw 111 It it would be madness to remain longer in his shatteredship. The enemy had literally hammered him out of into a row boat with his brother, a boy of twelve, hepulled with splintered oars amid a storm of flying shot for the Niagara. Having reached her, he again hoisted the famousflag he had brought with him from the Lawrence, and boredown on the enemys fleet. The fight was renewed morefuriously than ever, with the result that at length the Britishcommander was forced to strike his colors. Perry then takinga pencil wrote on the back of an old letter this laconic despatchto General Harrison, commander of the Army of the West: Wehave met the enemy and they are ours.^^ It was the first entire squadron that Great Britain had eversurrendered,^ and she had
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