Chapter VIII: Part 8

In 1815 he was appointed to the command of the frigate President, and in attempting to get to sea, came in contact with the Endymon, Tenedos and Pomona frigates, by which he was captured and carried into Bermuda. After the peace with England, Commodore Decatur was dispatched to the Mediterranean, to chastise the Algerines, who, instigated as was supposed by the British, had captured some of our merchantmen and enslaved their crews. He soon captured an Algerine frigate of forty-nine guns, after a short action (in which the celebrated Rais Hammida was killed), and a brig of twenty-two guns. He arrived before Algiers on the 22d of June, 1815, and the next day compelled the proud regency to a treaty most honorable to our country. He demanded that no tribute was ever to be required of the United States; that all enslaved Americans were to be released without ransom, and that no American was ever to be held again as a slave. The relinquishment of the tribute was a point most difficult to adjust. The Dey contended that it might be used as a precedent by other nations; “even a little powder,” said he, “might prove satisfactory.” “If,” replied our hero, “you insist upon receiving powder as tribute, you must expect to receive balls with it.” The next day the treaty was negotiated, with immunities and privileges never before granted by a Barbary state to a Christian nation. Commodore Decatur thence proceeded to Tunis and Tripoli, where, by similar diplomatism, he obtained the necessary redress, and returned home in the autumn of the same year. He was appointed one of the board of commissioners, and resided at Kalarama, near Washington. In October, 1819, a correspondence commenced between Commodore Barron, former commander of the Chesapeake, and Commodore Decatur, in relation to harsh expressions said to have been used by the latter towards the former. Commodore Decatur denied having, at any time, made use of such expressions, but admitted at the same time, that he had not been particular to conceal his opinions, which were not very favorable to Commodore Barron. This controversy, which lasted some months, could not be assuaged by the interference of friends, but a challenge sent and accepted, named the day that was to send its victim bleeding to his grave. On the 20th of March, 1820, they repaired to Bladensburg. At the first fire both were wounded, Decatur mortally, Barron dangerously.

Commodore Decatur died the same evening. In the enjoyment of his country’s highest regard and confidence, he added his before unsullied name to the list of victims who died slaves to “an affair of honor.” His remains were temporarily deposited in the family vault of Colonel Bomford, at Kalarama, where they remained until 1846, when they were re-interred with appropriate ceremonies in the churchyard of St. Peter’s, in Philadelphia, and rest by the side of those of his father and family.

The lid of the coffin was removed when it was brought out of the vault at Washington, in the hope that the noble features of the dead hero were still perfect, but the friends who so anxiously sought this gratification, had to undergo a sad disappointment. Every lineament of the fine face was gone--nothing remained save the skeleton and a few remnants of the clothes.

The original coffin is now enclosed in a new one of black walnut, a silver shield on the top of which bears the following touching inscription:--“Here lie the remains of Commodore Stephen Decatur, of the United States Navy, who departed this life in the city of Washington, on the twentieth day of March, 1820, aged forty-two years. His public services are recorded in the annals of his country--his private virtues in the hearts of his friends--and above all, in her heart who was for fourteen years the happy partner of his life, and the delighted witness of his exalted worth; and who can with truth inscribe upon this humble tablet, that he possessed every virtue of which the human character is susceptible, and each carried to its highest perfection. Columbia mourn! For time, which soothes the grief of individuals, will only render you more sensible of the irreparable loss you have sustained.”

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

OCCASION.--Capture of the British frigate Macedonian.

DEVICE.--A bust of Captain Decatur.

LEGEND.--Stephanus Decatur Navarchus pugnis pluribus victor.

REVERSE.--Two ships engaged; the topmasts of one shot away, the other with a few shot only in her sails.

LEGEND.--Occidit signum hostile sidera surgunt.

EXERGUE.--Inter sta. uni. nav. Amer. et Macedo. nav. Ang. die 25th Octobris, 1812.

COMMODORE BAINBRIDGE.

William Bainbridge, of the American navy, was born at Princeton, New Jersey, on the 7th of May, 1774. He was the son of Dr. Absalom Bainbridge, a respectable physician of that town. His education was limited to the usual branches of an English school, with a pretty good knowledge of the French language.

His first setting out in life was in a counting-house in New York. Thence he removed to Philadelphia, and was for some time employed as clerk in a mercantile house in that city. Some of his biographers say he was sent in some capacity to sea, by the house in which he was employed; others, that, tired of a mercantile life, he wished to try the sea. Be that as it may, he sailed as mate of the ship Hope, on a voyage to Holland, during which voyage he saved the life of his captain, who was seized by a mutinous crew with the intention of throwing him overboard. On his return home, he was offered the command of a merchant vessel in the Dutch trade which he accepted, being then but nineteen years of age. In this and other trading vessels he remained until 1798, when he entered the naval service of the United States as lieutenant. His first cruise in the American service, was to the West Indies, in command of the schooner Retaliation, of fourteen guns, which unfortunately was captured by two French frigates and carried into Guadaloupe; after remaining there a short time, he, with his vessel, was permitted to return to the United States. In 1799, he again sailed to the West Indies in the brig Norfolk, eighteen guns, with the commission of master commandant. During this cruise he was more fortunate, for he captured several merchant vessels, and a privateer, destroyed a number of barges, and compelled another privateer of sixteen guns to run ashore. He also gave protection to our merchants trading in those seas. In 1800, Bainbridge was promoted to the rank of captain, and sailed in the frigate George Washington, with presents to the Dey of Algiers. On his arrival there, he was anxiously solicited to convey an ambassador with presents from the Dey to the Grand Seignior, at Constantinople. To this he reluctantly consented, and the sight of an American frigate struck the wondering Turks with astonishment. They were unable to comprehend where this country, called the New World, was situated, but being pleased with a visit from such a stranger, they gave Captain Bainbridge a most cordial welcome, treating him with the greatest respect. The Algerine ambassador was, on the contrary, repelled with indignity by the pacha, his presents refused, and he not permitted to land, on account of the depredations on the commerce of nations in amity with the Porte, committed by the Dey.

Captain Bainbridge, accompanied by Dr. Clarke, the celebrated traveler, and many other persons of distinction, proceeded to the Black Sea in his long boat, where he had the honor of displaying “the star-spangled banner” for the first time. On his return to Constantinople, he gave a splendid entertainment on board his frigate, and beheld, among his distinguished guests, natives of the four quarters of the globe mingled together at the same table. This visit to Constantinople opened the way to subsequent negotiations and friendly intercourse, besides leaving a favorable impression of the American character. On the return of Bainbridge to Algiers, he found that war had been declared against France, and that the French consul and citizens had been ordered to leave forthwith. To save them from captivity he received them all on board his ship, and landed them at Alicant, on his return to Philadelphia, where he arrived in April, 1801. In the following June, he was ordered again to the Mediterranean, to protect our commerce against the Tripolitans. After remaining there a year, he returned in 1802; and in July, 1803, sailed to join the squadron under Commodore Preble.

This voyage he sailed in the frigate Philadelphia, which had been built by the merchants of that city, and by them presented to the government.

An able historian has described the loss of this beautiful ship in the following lines: “While Commodore Preble was engaged in negotiation, Captain Bainbridge proceeded to blockade Tripoli with the Philadelphia and Vixen. Being informed that a Tripolitan cruiser had escaped from the port, the Vixen was ordered to cruise off Cape Bon, in quest of her. After her departure, the Philadelphia was driven from her cruising ground by strong westerly gales; but the wind coming round to the eastward, she was returning to her station, when a strange ship was discovered in shore, and running for the harbor of Tripoli. The Philadelphia gave chase, and when about four knots, she ran upon a reef of rocks which were unknown to our navigators in that sea. This unfortunate event occurred on the morning of the 31st of October. Every exertion was made to float the ship by throwing overboard the guns and anchors, starting the water, and cutting away the fore-mast, but to no purpose. The gun boats came out of the harbor and fired upon her, but so long as she kept an upright position, they were kept off by the few guns which could be brought to bear upon them. At length she turned upon her side, and could no longer be defended; the magazine was drowned, every article of value was thrown overboard, the ship skuttled, the pumps choked, and all this being accomplished, the colors were struck at five o’clock in the afternoon. The officers and crew were plundered of everything valuable on their persons, before they reached the shore, but were afterwards kindly treated by the pacha, until Decatur burnt the Philadelphia, after which they were closely confined in the castle, through fear of their escape. On a treaty being concluded, by which the pacha was to receive sixty thousand dollars, they were liberated.” From this period till the declaration of war in 1812, Captain Bainbridge was occasionally employed in the public service, either in the navy yards or at sea.

At the commencement of the war, Captain Bainbridge was appointed to the command of the Constellation frigate; he was thence transferred to the Constitution, on the arrival of that ship at Boston, after the capture of the Guerriere. His destination was a cruise to the West Indies in company with the sloop-of-war Hornet, Captain Lawrence. Having parted with the Hornet on the coast of Brazil, he fell in with the Java, a British frigate of forty-nine guns, commanded by Captain Lambert, with a crew of more than four hundred men, and upwards of one hundred officers and men, intended for ships on the East India station, together with a lieutenant-general and suite of the British army. The ships were separated from each other about half a mile, when the action commenced, but they gradually approached each other until the jib boom of the Java came in contact with the mizzen rigging of the Constitution. The contest, which lasted nearly two hours, only terminated when the last spar of the Java had gone by the board.

After the British frigate had struck, the Constitution wore and reefed top-sails. One of the only two remaining boats out of eight, was then hoisted out, and Lieutenant Parker, of the Constitution, was sent to take possession of the frigate. She proved to be his Britannic majesty’s frigate Java, rating thirty-eight, but carrying forty-nine guns. She was manned by upwards of four hundred men, and was commanded by Captain Lambert, a very distinguished naval officer, who was mortally wounded. The Constitution had nine men killed, and twenty-five wounded. The Java had sixty killed and one hundred and one wounded. But, by a letter written on board the Constitution, by one of the officers of the Java, and accidentally found, it is evident her loss must have been much greater. He states it to have been sixty killed, and one hundred and seventy wounded.

The Java had her own full complement of men, and upwards of one hundred supernumeraries, for British ships in the East Indies. Her force, in number of men, at the commencement of the action, was probably much greater than the officers of the Constitution were enabled to ascertain. Her officers were extremely cautious about concealing the number of her crew. By her quarter-bill she had one man more stationed at each gun than the Constitution.

The Java was an important ship. She was fitted out in the most complete manner to carry Lieutenant-General Hyslop and staff to Bombay, of which place he had been appointed governor, and several naval officers for different vessels in the East Indies. She had dispatches for St. Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, and for every British settlement in the India and Chinese seas. She had copper on board for a seventy-four, and for two brigs, building at Bombay, and a number of other valuable articles.

The great distance from the United States, and the disabled state of the Java, forebade the idea of attempting to bring her to the United States. No alternative was therefore left, but to burn her, which was done, after the prisoners and their property were removed to the Constitution. They were all landed at St. Salvador and parolled.

The commander of the Java, Captain Lambert, died soon after he was put on shore. Commodore Bainbridge was received by his countrymen, on his return to the United States, with every demonstration of joy and esteem that his gallant exploit merited.

The Congress of the United States voted fifty thousand dollars, and their thanks to Commodore Bainbridge, his officers, and crew. They likewise ordered a gold medal (_see_ Plate X.,) to be presented to him, and silver ones to each of his officers, in token of their esteem. The citizens of Philadelphia presented him with an elegant piece of plate, and the common council of New York voted to him the freedom of their city, in a gold box; and ordered that his portrait be obtained, and placed in the gallery of portraits belonging to the city. The Constitution now became an object of national pride, and having seen so much service, with so little injury, during her numerous encounters, that she acquired the popular _sobriquet_ of “Old Ironsides.” At the conclusion of the war, Commodore Bainbridge went again to the Mediterranean, in command of the Columbus, seventy-four, which was the last of his services at sea. He commanded for several years, at the different naval stations, till his health became infirm, when he retired to Philadelphia, and breathed his last on the 27th of July, 1833.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

OCCASION.--Capture of the British frigate Java.

DEVICE.--A bust of Captain Bainbridge.

LEGEND.--Gulielmus Bainbridge patria victisque laudatus.

REVERSE.--A ship with three stumps only of her masts standing; the American ship with but a few shot holes in her sails.

LEGEND.--Pugnando.

EXERGUE.--Inter Const. nav. Ameri. et Java nav. Angl. 29th December, 1812.

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_W. L. Ormsby, sc._]

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY.

The hero of the following memoir was born in Newport, Rhode Island, August, 1785. His father, who also was in the service of the United States, anxious that his son should lead a seafaring life, obtained for him a commission as midshipman on board of the sloop-of-war General Greene, in 1798, at a time when our commercial difficulties with France caused much excitement. Perry soon after joined the squadron for the Mediterranean.

He served during the Tripolitan war, and though debarred, by his extreme youth, from an opportunity of distinguishing himself, he acquired by his conduct the regard and esteem of his superior officers and the affection of his associates. Being at all times willing to be instructed, and most anxious to excel, he became very early in life an accomplished officer and navigator. In 1810 he was commissioned as lieutenant commandant in the schooner Revenge, attached to the squadron of Commodore Rogers, on Long Island Sound, to prevent infractions of the embargo laws. During his command of this vessel, a circumstance occurred which first tried the character of our young hero, though in the end it proved of advantage to him. The Revenge was wrecked in a fog near Stonington, but by the intrepidity of Perry, the crew, guns, and much other property were saved. He immediately demanded a court of inquiry into his conduct, which acquitted him of all blame, and reported, that the preservation of so much property was owing solely to his coolness and energy. The Secretary of the Navy wrote a letter to Lieutenant Perry, complimenting his admirable conduct under such trying circumstances.

In 1812 he was advanced to be master-commandant; and in 1813 he was appointed to the command of the squadron on Lake Erie. Early in August of that year, he crossed the bar with his squadron, and was soon on the deep waters of the lake. The enemy, who were nearly all the time in sight, did not molest him, although they were strictly watching his movements. More than once he cruised in sight of the enemy while at anchor, and offered battle; but the challenge was not accepted. On the 10th of September, at sunrise, the American squadron discovered the enemy making towards them. Perry’s force was two twenty-gun brigs and several smaller vessels, carrying in all fifty-four guns, and manned with six hundred men. The British force was superior both in guns and men. About eleven o’clock, A. M., the British were formed in a line for battle, but the wind veering round, Perry bore down upon them as he chose. The commander of the Lawrence led, from whose mast-head were displayed the last words of the gallant Captain Lawrence, who fell in the action between the Chesapeake and Shannon, “Don’t give up the ship!” An able historian thus relates the conduct of our hero during this most exciting battle:--“At a few minutes before twelve o’clock the British commenced their fire, and some damage was done to the Lawrence before Perry could make his guns to bear upon the enemy; at length he opened his battery and stood the force of the enemy’s fire for two hours. The other part of his fleet not coming to his assistance, and the Lawrence becoming unmanageable, her decks strewed with dead and her guns dismounted, Perry conceived a most bold and daring design, which he put in execution. Giving the command of the Lawrence to Lieutenant Yarnall, he, with his flag under his arm, jumped into his boat, and amidst a shower of shot from the enemy, made his way to the Niagara, the second ship of his squadron. He went off from the Lawrence standing up in his boat supporting his flag, until his seamen seized him with affectionate violence and pulled him down to a seat. His flag was soon seen flying from the mast-head of the Niagara, and in this moment of extreme peril our hero was as calm as he was adventurous. He soon brought his ship in a position to break the line of the enemy, giving two of their ships a raking fire with his starboard guns, pouring a broadside into a schooner from his larboard tier, and brought his ship alongside the British commodore. The effect of his terrific fire soon silenced the enemy’s battery; when bringing up the small American vessels, the contest was decided, having lasted nearly three hours. The enemy was not entirely subdued, but all his vessels were taken and brought to the American side of the lake. Commodore Barclay, commander of the British squadron, was a man of no ordinary fame; he had gained laurels at the battle of Trafalgar and other memorable battles by sea, where Englishmen had bled and won the victory; but this day his experience did not avail him--he was forced to yield. The loss was great on both sides, but much more severe on the British. They had two hundred killed and wounded, the Americans about one hundred and twenty-three.”

Commodore Barclay lost his remaining hand in the fight; the other had been shot off in some previous battle. This victory has given Perry a permanent place in the history of his country, and his merit is greatly enhanced by the reflection, that, whilst no victory was ever more decidedly the result of the skill and valor of the commander, this was the first action of the kind he had ever seen.

In testimony of his merit, Commodore Perry received the thanks of Congress and a medal, (_see_ Plate XI.,) and the like marks of honor from the senate of Pennsylvania. At the conclusion of the war Commodore Perry was appointed to the command of the Java, a frigate of the first class, and dispatched with Commodore Decatur to the Mediterranean, to chastise the Dey of Algiers, who, during the war with Great Britain, had plundered our commerce, and taken several of our small vessels. Perry shortly after returned to the United States, and the Java was laid up at Newport, in the middle of winter. The following anecdote is related of him:--“Information was hastily brought to him that a merchant vessel was on a reef, about five or six miles from that place, and that the crew were still on the wreck, at the mercy of the winds and waves. He manned his barge and said to his rowers, ‘Come, my boys, we are going to the relief of shipwrecked seamen, pull away.’ They returned him a look of fearless determination, which seemed to say, where you go, we will go. The vessel had gone to pieces, but eleven men were on her quarter-deck, which had separated from the hull of the vessel, and was floating as a raft on the billows. This act may not be thought to belong to the class of heroic deeds by some, who are attracted only by the blaze of military glory; but the great mass of his countrymen declared that he was as deserving of the civic as of the naval crown.” In 1819 Commodore Perry received the command of a squadron destined for the West India station, for the capture of pirates who swarmed on those seas. This was a most important command, and required the utmost vigilance and energy; but he was not long to enjoy such an honorable post, for the yellow fever was raging in the squadron, and of this disease he died on the 23d of August, 1820, in the thirty-fifth year of his age.

The remains of Commodore Perry were brought to his native country and interred at Newport, where a handsome monument has been erected by an appropriation from the legislature of Rhode Island. Every tribute of national grief was paid to his memory in the United States. Congress made a liberal provision for his family, including his mother, who was leaning on him for support. Commodore Perry married early in life the accomplished daughter of Doctor Mason, of Newport, who made him a devoted and affectionate wife. He was a man of splendid talents, blended with a kind and tender heart; of superior tact in his profession, and every way fitted for the position Providence intended him to fill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

OCCASION.--Victory on Lake Erie.

DEVICE.--A bust of Commodore Perry.

LEGEND.--Oliverus H. Perry, princeps stagno Eriensi classim totam contudit.

REVERSE.--A fleet closely engaged.

LEGEND.--Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

EXERGUE.--Inter class. Ameri. et Brit. Die 10th Sept. 1813.

COMMODORE ELLIOTT.

Jesse Duncan Elliott was born in Maryland, on the 14th of July, 1780. His father, Robert Elliott, was unfortunately killed by the Indians in the year 1794, near the Muskingum river, while transacting business for the army of the United States. The following resolution was passed by Congress on this melancholy event. “Be it enacted,” &c., “that the sum of two thousand dollars be allowed to the widow of Robert Elliott, who was killed by a party of hostile Indians while he was conducting the necessary supplies for the army commanded by Major-General Wayne, in the year 1794,” &c. &c. Until the year 1804, Jesse Elliott was engaged in prosecuting his studies at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, when he was appointed a midshipman in the navy, and ordered on board the United States frigate Essex. The United States being then engaged in a war with the Barbary powers, the above-mentioned frigate was ordered to cruise in the Mediterranean.

The little force that Congress was enabled to detach for that service--their limited means of annoyance--the treachery and ferocity of their barbarous antagonists, created a deep responsibility in the officers, and conspired to introduce a system of masculine intrepidity, severity of discipline, and promptitude of obedience, of which, even to the present hour, we reap the benefits. The treachery of our opponents taught our men to be ever on the alert, and their cruelty made them bold and resolute, even to rashness. Knowing how much was expected, and how scanty were their means, they supplied every deficiency by skill and courage. Contempt of danger was so rigidly enforced, that when one of our subordinate officers showed symptoms of fear in an engagement, and was tried by a court martial, the commodore assigned for his acquittal, a reason no less curious than just: viz., that the bare supposition that one coward existed on board of the American fleet was, of itself, a greater injury than the condemnation of this man could possibly be a benefit, _as it would establish the fact_. The British squadron in the Mediterranean minutely watched the movements of our little fleet for the purpose of sarcasm and jest. Their sarcasms were, however, soon converted into expressions of warm admiration. Amidst such a band of brave and kindred spirits, our young midshipman learned to smile at danger, while he grew familiar with it, and felt his ideas expanded and enlarged. Returning to the United States, in July, 1807, he obtained a lieutenancy on board the frigate Chesapeake, where he remained until June, 1810, when he was appointed acting lieutenant on board the schooner Enterprize, to cruise on the coast, and to enforce the embargo laws. In this service he remained till 1810, when he was appointed to carry dispatches to our minister at the court of Great Britain. For a short time after his return, he served in the John Adams, from which he was transferred to the Argus, as first lieutenant. On the 5th of April, 1812, he married the daughter of William Vaughan, Esquire, of Norfolk, Virginia. He had no sooner entered that happy state, than he was obliged to relinquish the sweets of domestic life for the hardier scenes of battle. War was declared against England, and he, with all speed, repaired to New York, to rejoin the vessel from which he had been furloughed, and to his mortification, found that she had already sailed. Commodore Chauncey, being on the eve of departing on a secret and novel expedition, to which he cordially assented, had applied to the proper department to receive his instructions. Lieutenant Elliott was immediately appointed to the command on Lake Erie, and received orders to repair thither, with all possible dispatch, purchase what private vessels he could, build two ships of twenty guns, and as early as possible have his fleet in readiness to meet that of the enemy. Lieutenant Elliott, aware of the importance of the command of the lakes in our war against Canada, and the difficulty and delay which would attend the building of the vessels, to say nothing of the expense, had purchased some vessels, but was much embarrassed with the difficulty in getting up the Niagara, and into the lake. After revolving in his mind all these obstacles, he formed the resolution of boarding and capturing two British brigs-of-war, called the Detroit and Caledonia, lying under the protection of the batteries of Fort Erie.

He accordingly embarked in two boats, with fifty men in each, and put off from the mouth of Buffalo creek, and at one o’clock in the morning came along side of the enemy.

He boarded, and captured the two vessels, and secured all the prisoners in ten minutes. Unfortunately the wind was not strong enough to enable him to make head against the rapid current in the lake. He was compelled to anchor opposite the enemy’s forts, within four hundred and fifty yards of their batteries, exposed to a heavy and incessant fire of round, grape and canister shot, from a number of pieces of heavy ordnance, and their flying artillery.

The Caledonia was, however, beyond the reach of the enemy’s guns, under one of the batteries at Black Rock. Lieutenant Elliott ordered all the guns of the Detroit to be mounted on one side, whence he kept up a constant fire against the enemy’s batteries as long as his ammunition lasted. He determined then to drop down the river out of reach of their cannon, and make a stand against the flying artillery. At this instant, he discovered, for the first time, that his pilot had deserted him. He, however, cut the cable, and falling astern, made good his way to Square Island. He sent the boarding boat ashore with the prisoners, himself and four others only remaining in the Detroit, directing the officer to return for him, and what property they might be able to save from the brig.

The officer was unable to return on account of the rapidity of the current. At length, discovering a skiff under the stern, he made for the shore in her with the remaining part of the crew.

During all this time, an incessant fire was kept up from both sides of the river, on the brig.

She received twelve shots of large dimensions in her bends, her sails were reduced to ribbons, and her rigging cut to pieces. Finding all attempts to carry off the Detroit were unavailing, he dismantled her of all her ordnance and stores, and set her on fire. The Caledonia was found to be a vessel belonging to the Northwest Company, loaded with peltry. Lieutenant Elliott’s party consisted of one hundred men. He was fortunate enough to capture one hundred and thirty prisoners with their officers, and to release from captivity forty of his own countrymen, belonging to the fourth United States regiment. Lieutenant Elliott, on boarding, opposed three of the enemy with no other weapon than his cutlass. During the hottest of the fire from the batteries, a cannon shot passed through, and striking a large silver wedge deposited in a trunk belonging to one of the officers, bent it double. This wedge is still preserved as a curiosity. As a proof of the gallantry displayed in this exploit, Congress presented to Lieutenant Elliott a splendid sword, with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the just sense entertained by that body, of his gallantry and brave conduct in boarding, and capturing the British brigs Detroit and Caledonia, while anchored under the protection of Fort Erie.

Shortly after this brilliant exploit, Lieutenant Elliott joined Commodore Chauncey at Sacket’s Harbor, and proceeded with six schooners, in quest of the enemy’s fleet. The next day he fell in with the Royal George, and followed her into Kingston channel, where he engaged her and the batteries for an hour and three-quarters, and determined to board her in the night, but from adverse winds, the pilot refused to take charge of the vessels; and the commodore was reluctantly compelled to forego his determination. Lieutenant Elliott, shortly after, was promoted over thirty lieutenants to the rank of master-commandant, and having the command of the Madison in Commodore Chauncey’s fleet, in the preparation for the attack on York, Upper Canada, he discovered that the ships could not be brought into action from the shoalness of the water. He asked, and obtained the commodore’s permission to lead the small vessels employed in covering the troops while they were landing and attacking the batteries. The troops under General Dearborne, amounting to seventeen hundred men, were embarked on board Commodore Chauncey’s fleet, and arrived at York, while the squadron taking a position to the westward and southward of the fort, covered the debarkation of the troops. The riflemen landed under a heavy fire, and seven hundred regulars, with one hundred Indians, marched to oppose the landing of the American army. General Pike, with seven hundred men, having effected a landing, routed the enemy, and pushed direct for the principal batteries. At this time the enemy blew up his magazine, and during the confusion precipitately retreated. Thirty-eight of our men were killed by this explosion, amongst whom we have to lament the gallant Pike, and two hundred and thirty were wounded. The town surrendered by capitulation, and Captain Elliott was appointed by Commodore Chauncey to see that the articles were carried into execution on the part of the navy.

In the beginning of August, 1813, Captain Elliott was directed to proceed to Lake Erie and take the command of the Niagara, under the orders of Commodore Perry. The battle of Lake Erie, which resulted in the capture of the entire fleet of the enemy, was fought on the 10th of September following. Of the conduct of Captain Elliott on this occasion, it will suffice to state here, that Commodore Perry, in his official account of the battle, dated September 13th, said, “Of Captain Elliott, already so well known to the government, it would be almost superfluous to speak. In this action he evinced his characteristic bravery and judgment, and since the close of the action has given me the most able and essential assistance.”

Let the highest authority known to our laws speak for themselves, on this occasion. Congress passed the following resolution:--“Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematic of the action between the two squadrons, and to be presented to Captain Perry and to Captain Jesse Elliott, in such manner most agreeable to them,” &c. (_See_ Plate XI.)

In October following, Commodore Perry left the lake service, and Captain Elliott succeeded him in the command of the naval forces on Lake Erie. On this station he did not remain long, but at his own request, he obtained the command of the sloop-of-war Ontario. Peace with Great Britain being proclaimed, Captain Elliott, in the Ontario, joined the squadron which sailed in the spring of 1815 to the Mediterranean to exact reparation from the Barbary powers for injuries to our commerce. This service being performed, he returned to his own country and remained with his own family until 1817. From that time until 1824 he was employed as one of the commissioners to examine the coast of the United States. From 1825 to 1827, with a promotion to captain in the navy, he commanded the United States ship Cyane, cruising on the coasts of Brazil and Buenos Ayres, to protect our commerce in that quarter. Captain Elliott’s next appointment in 1829, was to the command of the squadron on the West India station, consisting, besides the Peacock, of five sloops-of-war and two schooners. On this station he remained three years. In 1833 he was appointed to the charge of the navy yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1835 he sailed for the Mediterranean to take command of the squadron there; and during the several years spent in that service, he visited some of the most interesting parts of the world, of Italy, Greece, Constantinople, Palestine, Egypt, &c. &c., at the same time making collections of such objects of curiosity as would add to the interest of our institutions. After several years’ absence from the United States, he returned, and in November, 1844, was appointed to the command of the Philadelphia navy yard. His health soon after began to decline, and he died on the 10th of December, 1845. Commodore Elliott was a strict disciplinarian, yet his personal friends can bear unequivocal testimony to the amiability of his deportment in his intercourse through life. The excellence of his private character was never called in question. His correspondence at different times with the functionaries of foreign governments, was highly creditable to him. He possessed much useful knowledge, the result as well of his own observation as of his reading.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

To Captain Jesse Duncan Elliott, of Baltimore, second in command, for gallantry in the action on Lake Erie. Decreed January 6th, 1814.

OCCASION.--Victory on Lake Erie.

DEVICE.--Bust of Captain Elliott.

LEGEND.--Jesse D. Elliott, nil actum reputans si quid supresset agendum.

REVERSE.--A fleet engaged.

LEGEND.--Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

EXERGUE.--Inter class Ameri. et Brit. Die 10th Sept., 1813.

LIEUT. WILLIAM BURROWS.

William Burrows was born at Kenderton, near Philadelphia, on the 6th of October, 1785. His father was wealthy, and not wishing to confine the genius of his son to any particular pursuit, apprehending that his wealth was amply sufficient to the support of his son in the style and character of a gentleman, he was accordingly left principally to his own guidance, dallying with books as he would with toys, regarding them rather as matters of amusement than as objects of serious concern.

Knowing how essential to the character of a gentleman it was to become familiar with the living languages, his father warmly exhorted him to turn his attention to them; in this he but partially succeeded. To the French language he betrayed an insurmountable reluctance. In the acquisition of German, Burrows was more successful, and at the age of thirteen years he could converse in that language with great fluency. This may be considered as the broad outline of his early years, as far as regards those pursuits which often have an important bearing in the formation of the future character of the man. In a boy so amiable, so retiring and reserved, little did his parents dream that the flame of ambition had ignited that bosom, and was burning strong and intense. This passion, which he had guarded with such scrupulous and jealous care, was discovered by his father by an incident which afforded an outlet to those passions which had so long occupied his musing and solitary hours. He was receiving instructions in drawing, but none seemed to arrest the attention of Burrows but the delineation of a ship of war. With astonishment and regret his father discovered the cause of his contemplations in retirement, and that indifference which he discovered to his allotted studies and pursuits. He labored to give his ambition another turn, but so deeply rooted was his passion for ocean chivalry, that his efforts were unavailing; he, therefore, found it best to lend his aid towards the gratification of a passion he was incapable of repressing, and accordingly seconded his application to the Secretary of the Navy for an appointment, and Burrows was appointed a midshipman in November, 1799. He now devoted his hours to the study of navigation, but the requisite proficiency could not be made in so short a time, for in January, 1800, he received orders to repair on board the sloop-of-war Portsmouth, Captain McNeil, bound to France.

The Portsmouth did not return to the United States for nearly a year. Burrows now became sensible of the necessity of becoming better acquainted with his preparatory studies, and obtained a furlough for the purpose of applying himself to the science of navigation with renewed ardor. From 1800 to 1803, he served on board different ships of war, in cruises, some of a longer and some of a shorter date, unimportant as far as regards the glory of the navy. This was, notwithstanding, a necessary school, which prepared him for more important services.

In the year 1803 he was transferred to the frigate Constitution, bound to the Mediterranean, commanded by Commodore Preble. This officer, famous for his sagacity in the discernment of character, soon discovered in our young midshipman, under a cold and repelling exterior, a character of noble and intrepid daring, waiting only a proper season to burst forth in all its resplendence. Under these impressions, Burrows was appointed an acting lieutenant, in which character he served during the war with Tripoli. In 1807, Lieutenant Burrows returned from the Mediterranean, and in the following year he was attached to the Philadelphia station, and employed in the bay and river Delaware, as commander of gun-boat No. 119. It became then his duty to enforce a rigid observance of the embargo law. In a service at once so delicate and invidious, he exhibited traits of character by which he was enabled to make a painful duty an amusement. The inhabitants found, while the laws of the Union were enforced, that this was done from higher and more honorable motives than personal hostility towards them. His moments of relaxation from duty were sedulously devoted to the acquisition of their confidence and good-will, and to render the obligations imposed upon him, by duty, less painful, irritating and severe. Alternately preventing the least infractions of the law, and then becoming, at their tables, a hospitable guest, he was enabled to conciliate the esteem, while he rigidly enforced the duties of his office. In 1809 he joined the President under Captain Bainbridge. From this ship he was transferred to the sloop-of-war Hornet, as first lieutenant, under Captain Hunt. In a dangerous and heavy gale, his brother officers have reported that, by his superior skill and intrepidity as an officer, the ship and the crew were both preserved from what they deemed inevitable destruction. In 1812 he found his circumstances were embarrassed, and that it was indispensable to extricate himself in the best possible way. He accordingly applied for a furlough, which was granted, and he went on board the merchant-ship, Thomas Penrose, from Philadelphia, bound to Canton, under the command of Captain Ansley. On the return passage the ship was captured and carried into Barbadoes; Lieutenant Burrows arrived in the United States in June, 1813.

Soon after his return, Lieutenant Burrows took the command of the United States sloop-of-war Enterprise, and left the harbor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on the 5th of September. On the following day he fell in with his Britannic majesty’s brig Boxer, mounting sixteen eighteen pound carronades and two long nine pounders. The Boxer fired a shot as a challenge, hoisted English colors, and immediately bore down upon the Enterprise. The American vessel was now employed in tacking and making preparations for action. Having obtained the weather-gage, she manœuvred for some time to try her sailing, and to ascertain the force of her antagonist. At length she shortened sail, hoisted three ensigns, and fired three shot in answer to the challenge. The action now grew warm; the Boxer bore within half-pistol shot of the Enterprise, and, giving three cheers, fired her starboard broadside. She was answered by three cheers and a larboard broadside from the Enterprise, and the action became general.

The Enterprise, having the advantage of the wind, ranged ahead of her enemy, rounded to on the larboard tack, and commenced a raking broadside. The enemy’s main-topsail and topsail yards came down, and the Enterprise, taking a position on the starboard bow of the Boxer, and opening a raking fire, compelled the enemy to cry for quarter. Their colors were nailed to the mast and could not be hauled down. This action lasted for forty-five minutes, during which time the Boxer received much damage in sails, rigging, spars and hull. The Enterprise had but one eighteen pound shot in her hull, one in her main-mast, and one in her fore-mast. Her sails were much cut with grape shot, and a great number of grape were lodged in her side. The Boxer had twenty eighteen pound shot in her hull, most of them at the water’s edge, with several stands of eighteen pound grape in her side. Lieutenant M’Call states our loss to have been four killed, and ten wounded.

The number killed on board the Boxer is uncertain. The same officer states, from the best information which he was able to procure, that there were, of the enemy, between twenty and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded.

At the very first fire, Lieutenant Burrows was mortally wounded by a musket ball. He refused, notwithstanding, to be carried below, and during the whole of the action his life’s blood was streaming on the deck. With his dying lips he requested that the flag might never be struck. When the sword of his gallant enemy was presented to him, he clasped his hands together, and exclaimed, “I am satisfied! I die contented!” He was then carried below, and expired shortly after. The bodies of Captain Blyth of the Boxer, and of Lieutenant Burrows, were conveyed to Portland and interred at the same time with all the honors due to their rank and character. Having paid the debt which they owed to their respective countries, they now slumber side by side, awaiting the day of the resurrection together. The following resolution was unanimously passed by both houses of Congress.

“_Resolved_, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled:

“That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows, of the brig Enterprise, a _gold medal_, (_see_ Plate XI.,) with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress, of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew, in the conflict with the British sloop Boxer, on the 4th of September, 1813.”

It is rare to find a character more distinctly defined than that of Lieutenant Burrows. He could accommodate himself to the circumstances in which he was placed, and suspend the exercise of a darling passion, when the season would not admit of its indulgence. His heroism maintained a long and obstinate contest with the king of terrors, and he was only cold and insensible to the charms of glory, when he was invested with the coldness and insensibility of death. It is much to be lamented that no likeness of this distinguished young officer now exists. The mind, in cases like the present, labors to supply the defect, and to form for itself a sort of sensible image, for we never read of high and illustrious actions without associating them with a body.

MONUMENT OF BURROWS.

The following record must be read by every American, with pride and pleasure, at such an instance of liberality and honorable munificence to the memory of the brave.

A gentleman from New York, _Matthew L. Davis, Esquire_, while passing through Portland, some time since on a tour eastward, had accidentally taken a walk into the burying-ground. His attention was attracted to the neglected grave of the late Captain Burrows. The only guide to the spot, where is deposited one who had so much heroic merit, and who deserved so much of his country, was the tombstone of his deceased competitor, Captain Blyth, of the Boxer, which had been but recently erected by the surviving officers of that ship. The thought was instant. Mr. Davis immediately gave orders for an elegant marble monument to be erected over the grave of Burrows, without the sparing of labor or expense.

It was done! and its style of execution does credit to the ingenious artist, and the inscription is highly creditable to the taste, judgment, and modesty of the generous donor, and worthy the hero whom it is designed to commemorate.

THE TOMB OF BURROWS.

I saw the green turf resting cold
On Burrows’ hallow’d grave;
No stone the inquiring patriot told
Where slept the good and brave.
Heaven’s rain and dew conspired to blot
The traces of the holy spot.

No flow’rets deck’d the little mound,
That moulder’d on his breast,
Nor rural maidens, gathering round,
His tomb with garlands drest;
But sporting children thoughtless trod
On valor’s consecrated sod.

I mourn’d, who for his country bleeds
Should be forgot so soon,
That fairest fame and brightest deeds
Should want a common boon.
But oh! the rich have hearts of steel,
And what can Penury more than feel?

At length “a passing stranger” came
Whose hand its bounties shed;
He bade the sparkling marble claim
A tribute for the dead:
And, sweetly blending, hence shall flow
The tears of gratitude and woe!

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

OCCASION.--Capture of the British sloop-of-war Boxer.

DEVICE.--An urn, with the inscription, W. Burrows, on the pedestal; military emblems tastefully arranged on each side; one is a coronal wreath hanging from a trident.

LEGEND.--Victoriam tibi claram patriæ mæstam.

REVERSE.--Two brigs engaged. The Boxer on the larboard side of the Enterprise. Main-topmast of the Boxer shot away.

LEGEND.--Vivere sat vincere.

EXERGUE.--Inter Enterprise nav. Ameri. et Boxer nav. Brit. 4th of September, 1813.

33

34

35

_W. L. Ormsby, sc._]

LIEUT. EDWARD R. M’CALL.

Edward Rutledge M’Call was born at Charleston, South Carolina, August 5th, 1790.

Having lost his father at an early age, he was placed under the care of a guardian who superintended his education, and upon learning the determination of his young charge to lead a seafaring life, he directed his studies accordingly. At the age of fifteen years, Edward R. M’Call received a midshipman’s warrant, and was ordered to join the sloop-of-war Hornet, Captain John H. Dent. In 1811, he was ordered to join the Enterprise, Captain Blakeley, with the promotion of a lieutenancy on board that ship, where he remained till after the conflict with the Boxer, in which conflict Burrows, who had only a few days previous taken the command, was killed. The following letter from Lieutenant Edward R. M’Call to Commodore Hull, commanding naval officer on the eastern station, gives some account of the action.

_United States Brig Enterprise, Portland, Sept. 7th, 1813_,

“SIR:--In consequence of the unfortunate death of
Lieutenant-Commandant William Burrows, late commander of this
vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of
our cruise. After sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant,
we steered to the eastward, and on the morning of the 3d, off
Wood Island, discovered a schooner which we chased into this
harbor, where we anchored. On the morning of the 4th, weighed
anchor and swept out, and continued our course to the eastward.
Having received information of several privateers being off
Manhagan, we stood for that place, and on the following
morning, in the bay near Penguin-Point, discovered a brig
getting under way, which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to
which we immediately gave chase. She fired several guns, and
stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering
and discovering her force, and the nation to which she
belonged, we hauled upon a wind, to stand out of the bay, and
at three o’clock, shortened sail, tacked, and run down, with an
intention to bring her to a close action.

“At twenty minutes past three, P. M., when within half pistol
shot, the firing commenced from both sides, and after being
warmly kept up, and with some manœuvring, the enemy hailed
and said they had surrendered, about four P. M.--their colors
being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She proved
to be his British-Majesty’s brig Boxer, of fourteen guns,
Samuel Blythe, Esquire, commander, who fell in the early part
of the engagement, having received a cannon shot through the
body; and, I am sorry to add, that Lieutenant Burrows, who had
gallantly led us to action, fell also, about the same time, by
a musket ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours.
The Enterprise suffered much, in spars and rigging; and the
Boxer both in spars, rigging, and hull, having many shots
between wind and water.

“It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast,
second lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I
received from him, during the remainder of the engagement, by
his strict attention to his own division and other departments;
and the officers and crew, generally. I am happy to add, their
cool and determined conduct have my warmest approbation. As
no muster-roll, that can be fully relied on, has come into my
possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed on board
the Boxer, but from information received from the officers
of that vessel, it appears that there were between twenty
and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded. On board the
Enterprise there was one killed and fifteen wounded, two since
dead-sixty-six prisoners.

“I have the honor, &c.

“EDWARD R. M’CALL, _Sen. Officer_.

“ISAAC HULL, ESQ., _Commanding on the Eastern Station_.”

After the action with the Boxer, Lieutenant M’Call was transferred from the Enterprise to the sloop-of-war Ontario, Captain Robert T. Spence, and subsequently to the Java, Commodore Perry, preparing for a cruise in the Mediterranean, on which cruise he remained till 1817. On his return home, Lieutenant M’Call was ordered to Charleston to take the command of the sloop-of-war Peacock, also preparing to cruise in the Mediterranean. On his return, in 1831, he obtained leave of absence, and since that time has been waiting orders, till his country is disposed to employ again his admirable capacities for service.