Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 8: Last Years

Because of the allegations, Elliott was recalled to the United States in 1838, where he was politically unpopular at the time (possibly stemming back to his performance at the Battle of Lake Erie and subsequent feud with Perry), and was convicted of the charges.

Suspended from duty for four years until the remaining charges were dismissed by President John Tyler in October 1843.

Appointed commander of the Philadelpha Navy Yard in December 1844, he remained there until his death on 10 December 1845.

He is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. After being overgrown for many years, his grave was reidentified in 2012.

--Brock-Perry

Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 6: The Feud Continues and Further Service

Oliver Hazard Perry left his list of charges and specifications against Elliott with his friend, Commodore Stephen Decatur when he left for his diplomatic mission to Venezuela (during which he died).  Elliott served as second for Captain James Barron in the duel in which Barron killed Decatur in 1820.

Decatur's widow published Perry's charges years later as she held Elliott at least partially responsible for her husband's death.

These people obviously did not like each other.

***********************

LATER CAREER

Elliott commanded the sloop USS Ontario during the Second Barbary War, and was promoted to captain in 1818, serving as on a naval commission selecting sites for navy yards, lighthouses and other coastal fortifications until 1822.

--Brock-Perry

Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 5: Honors and Major Controversy

HONORS

On January 6, 1814, both Perry and Elliott received Congressional Gold Medals and the Thanks of Congress.  This was in recognition of the first-time ever capture of an entire British squadron at the Battle of Lake Erie.  In addition, each man received an equal portion of the prize money ($7,140 apiece)  

In recognition of Perry's position as commodore of the squadron, Congress gave him an extra $5,000.  This became a bone of contention with Elliott.

CONTROVERSY

Even before the medals were awarded, Elliott and Perry became embroiled in a 30-year battle over their respective conduct and fault in the battle.  This extended even beyond Perry's death in 1819.  Perry claimed that Elliott had failed to offer timely support; Elliott decried there was a lack of communication and signals on Perry's part.

In 1818, Perry drew up a list of charges against Elliott, but was evidently dissuaded by the Secretary of the Navy against formally filing them.

And it still wasn't over, even in death.

--Brock-Perry

Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 4: The Battle of Lake Erie (Commendation, Then Censure)

In the center of the American battleline, the Niagara was astern of the USS Caledonia, which in turn was astern of the USS Lawrence, Perry's flagship.  During the early stages of the battle, the Lawrence fought alone against several of the bigger British ships and took a pounding.  The Niagara was little engaged.

After the Lawrence was battered into a wreck, Perry rowed over to the Niagara and took command to continue fighting.  (That incident is pictured  at the right of the entries.)

Then Elliott was dispatched by boat  to urge the smaller American gunboats at the rear of the battleline to close in for action.

The battle ended with a complete American victory and surrender of the entire British squadron.

Elliott earned distinction for his role in the battle and official praise from Perry and was given command of the Lake Erie American squadron the following month.

There was, nevertheless, some controversy over Elliott's role in the battle.    Some (including Perry) suspected that he had deliberately held the Niagara out of the battle in its early stages.  The two men would feud over this for the rest of their lives.

--Brock-Perry

Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 4: Service in Lake Ontario and Back to Lake Erie

Jesse Elliott was then transferred to Lake Ontario where he served under Commodore Isaac Chauncey as captain on the flagship, the USS Madison,  and took part in the Battle of York on 27 April 1813 and the Battle of Fort George on 27 May.

He was promoted to master commandant in July and reassigned to the Lake Erie Squadron, to serve as Perry's second in command.  He felt Perry had insufficient combat experience and was particularly outspoken Perry's decision to use Presque Isle for his shipyard.   

The two me were on collision course at thus time.  No doubt Elliott was still smarting over being replaced in Lake Erie by Perry to begin the problems.

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

Then came the famous battle.

During the Battle of Lake Erie against a British squadron under Captain Robert Barclay on 10 September 1813, Elliott commanded the USS Niagara.  Perry commanded the Niagara's sister ship, the USS Lawrence.

--Brock-Perry

Things You Didn't Know About Oliver Hazard Perry-- Part 6

In 1814, Perry received a Congressional Gold Medal, the Thanks of Congress, and a promotion to the rank of full captain for his efforts at the Battle of Lake Erie.

He died at the age of 34 from yellow fever.  Six years after his victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, Perry succumbed to  yellow fever near Trinidad while at sea on a diplomatic mission to Venezuela on behalf of the United States.

The Navy has honored Perry by naming several ships and classes of ships after him.  As early as 1843, there was a USS Perry.  Four have been destroyers and one was a guided missile frigate.

--Brock-Perry

Things You Didn't Know About Oliver Hazard Perry-- Part 4: 'Perry's Luck'

6.  Known for his leadership skills and abilities to raise  a crew of inexperienced sailors, Perry instilled discipline in his men that is part of his Navy legacy even today.

In addition to seafaring skills, he had the ability to pick the right men for the right job and to turn a group of novices into crews of sailors.  When Perry first arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1812,   he was unfamiliar with the area and additionally was tasked with training men, most of whom had no knowledge of ships.

He was firm in his discipline.  There is frequent references to "Perry's Luck" as this approach and an orderly mind proved to be successful throughout his career.

--Brock-Perry

Things You Didn't Know About Oliver Hazard Perry-- Part 3: 'We Have Met the Enemy and They Are Ours'

5.  Perry led the American fleet to victory at the Battle of Lake Erie which was a major turning point in the War of 1812.

On September  1813, the American fleet under Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry  came out to fight the British (from Put-in-Bay).  Within hours, the Americans had defeated the British.  This victory allowed the United States to gain control of Lake Erie, preventing the British from attacking the interior of the continent.

It also meant that the British could no longer reinforce or provide provisions for their Army at Detroit and caused them to evacuate and meet disaster at a battle during that retreat.

Before this victory American forces had suffered defeat and losses causing a great drop in morale.  This victory inspired the country.

--Brock-Perry

Things You Didn't Know About Oliver Hazard Perry-- Part 2: A Builder

3.  Perry was promoted to Master Commandant in the Navy at age 28.  After being a midshipman, he returned to Rhode Island and supervised the construction of a flotilla of small gunboats.  In March 1812, he achieved the high rank of Master Commandant, something few as young as he achieved.

4.  In 1813, he was given command of naval forces on the Great Lakes and appointed to supervise the construction of an American fleet on Lake Erie.  His headquarters were at what is today Erie, Pennsylvania.  When he arrived, there were no American ships and the British already had eight ships.

Despite the fact that he had no nearby resources other than trees, in short order he had nine vessels with the 490 ton brigs Lawrence and Niagara being the largest.

--Brock-Perry

Things You Didn't Know About Oliver Hazard Perry-- Part 1: Family Ties

Perry is part of my signoff for this blog:  Brock-Perry (the Brock part is named for British/Canadian hero Isaac Brock).

From the Feb. 27, 2024, Military History Now Oliver Hazard Perry--  10 Things You Didn't Know About America's Iconic Naval Commander."

1.  He came from a family with strong ties to the U.S. Navy.  His father, Christopher Raymond Perry was a privateer in the American Revolution and captain in the U.S. Navy during the Quasi-War with France.  His brother, Matthew Perry, also in the U.S. Navy played a major role in the opening of Japan to the United States.

2.  Perry became a midshipman at the age of 13.  He spent his youth sailing with his father.  He became a midshipman in 1799 and spent the next six years in the Quasi-War and the Tripolitan War against the Barbary Pirates.

--Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812: James Madison, Winfield Scott and Oliver Hazard Perry

From the American Battlefield Trust timeline.

MARCH 4, 1809

**  James Madison is sworn in as the 4th President of the United States of America.

MARCH 4, 1813

**  James Madison inaugurated for his second term as president.

MARCH 19, 1814

**  Winfield Scott promoted to brigadier general at the age of 27.

MARCH 27, 1813

**  Oliver Hazard Perry takes command of American flotilla on Lake Erie.

MARCH  27, 1814

**  Engagement at Horseshoe Bend

--Brock-Perry

Some More on John B. Montgomery, USN

From Cyclopedia of New Jersey.

**  In conjunction with seven other officers and 100 enlisted men, Montgomery volunteered for duty on Lake Erie with Perry.

**  In August 1814, he  was at the destruction of a British blockhouse and  gun brig on the British side of Lake Huron.

**  During the last siege of Fort Erie the Niagara was employed in protecting communication between the fort and the U.S. hospitals at Buffalo.  Also, transportation for troops between the two shores of the lake during the months of September and October.

It would have been interesting had he been at the Battle of Lake Champlain and in command of the USS Montgomery (which was named after American Revolution General Richard Montgomery).  Then we would have had Montgomery in command of the Montgomery.

To find out about John Montgomery's entire naval career, go to my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy blog from February 9-16 of this year.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Montgomery, USN-- Part 4: On USS Niagara at Battle of Lake Erie

In August 1813, Montgomery volunteered for transfer to Lake Erie and joined the squadron commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry.  He was stationed on the brig USS Niagara under Captain Jesse Duncan Elliott and fought in the decisive Battle of Lake Erie on September 13, 1813.

He consequently received  a sword and thanks of Congress.  Though not directly involved  in the subsequent Perry-Elliott dispute, he  apparently sided with his commanding officer.

Montgomery remained on Lake Erie throughout the summerof 1814 and sailed with Commander  Arthur Sinclair during his ill-fated campaign against Mackinac on Lake Huron.

He spent the last weeks of the war performing courier duties on Lake Erie before arriving in New York City during the celebrations of peace.

--Brock-Perry

12th Year of This Blog

Today marks the 12th year I've had this blog which started in 2012.

I started it because that year marked the bicentennial of the war which started in 1812.  I realized that I really didn't know a lot about it and I sure have learned a lot since then.

This marks the 3,951st post and the blog has had 496,926 visits.

A real learning experience for me.

The Brock-Perry signoff refers to British General Isaac Brock and American naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry.

I have to wonder if there are any other War of 1812 blogs that have been around this long or have had as many posts?

--Brock-Perry

Oliver Hazard Perry & the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 4

Instead of striking his colors, much to the surprise of the British, Perry lowered his flag on the USS Lawrence and rowed across the water to the USS Niagara, which was still in the fight.   He then raised his colors, a flag with the inscription "Don't Give Up the Ship," the last words of his friend James Lawrence.  He then continued the fight.

He forced the British to surrender.

His victory at the Battle of Lake Erie was a decisive turning point of the War of 1812.  The American people had something positive to cling to and celebrations in dozens of cities took place.  Now there was hope that the momentum of the war would shift.

And it sure did.

Today, Perry's legacy lives on, and perhaps most symbolic of this is the Victory and International Peace Memorial, which was built in 1936  in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, on South Bass Island in Lake Erie.  This dedication to Perry represents lasting peace between Canada, the United States and Great Britain, which in turn created stability and made it possible for surrounding  areas such as Trumbull County to thrive and grow.

--Brock-Perry

Oliver Hazard Perry & the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 3:

At this time, President Thomas Jefferson decided to drastically reduce the Navy from 45 warships to 13 and 42 captains to 9 and  midshipmen from 350 to 150.  This became significant when a few years later, Congress declared war on Great Britain on June 8, 1812.

There wasn't much of a U.S. Navy.

When Perry requested and was granted a command on Lake Erie, he was tasked with building the very ships he needed to fight the British. Not only that, but he seriously lacked the manpower to build and man those ships.

Perry and his ships were underdogs when they went into battle against the British at the Battle of Lake Erie, but he wouldn't give up.

Even after Perry's flagship, the USS Lawrence, was damaged beyond  repair, he refused to strike his colors.

--Brock-Perry

 

Oliver Hazard Perry & the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 2

Perry's victory at the Battle of Lake Erie had a great impact on the War of 1812 an d gave the U.S. Navy control of Lake Erie, but it also resulted in a huge growth in the population of Trumbull County.  

By 1820, the population had almost doubled to 15,546, and continued to grow in the next two decades.  By 1840,  there were 38,107 people living in Trumbull County.

Even as a young boy, Perry was exceptional.  He was born August 23, 1785, to Sarah Wallace Alexander and Christopher Raymond Perry.  By the time he was 13, he had already determined what he was going to do as an adult.  He was going to join the U.S. Navy.

In April 1799, he was made a midshipman on the USS General Green.  During the two years he was that rank, he learned how to board enemy ships and land on enemy shores.  He also learned other valuable skills such as  the art of fighting and navigation.

Perhaps the most important lesson was  how to conduct himself on board a ship.

In 1802, he was promoted to lieutenant when he was just 17 years old.

--Brock-Perry

Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie--Part 1

From the December 12, 2022, Tribune-Chronicle by Belinda Weiss.

In the early morning hours of September 10, 1813,  Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was instrumental in defeating the British Navy on Lake Erie, despite being the underdog in the fight.

Perry's bravery, determination and sheer stubborness were the driving forces behind the American victory.  The Battle of Lake Erie  proved to be a turning point, not only because of Perry's victory, but also because of the inspirational and emotional impact it had upon the American government and people.

This victory eliminated the British threat from the north and  lessened the Native American threat to American settlers.

Trumbull County, Ohio, was originally part of the Connecticut Western reserve, established on July 10, 1800, and named in honor of Connecticut  Governor Jonathan Trumbull.  However, the population of the county was a meager 1,302 in 1800 and only increased to 8,671 by 1810.

However, Perry's victory in the Battle of Lake Erie changed all of this.

Oliver Hazard Perry is the Perry in the signoffs of this blog.

Brock-Perry

Pennsylvania's National Guard Celebrates Its 275th Anniversary December 7

From the December 6, 2022, DVIDS "Top ten moments in Pennsylvania National Guard history" by Brad Rhen.

WAR OF 1812 SERVICE

Of course, they were militia back then.

More than 14,000 Pennsylvanians were drawn into active service during the War of 1812.

During the Battle of Lake Erie, an artillery company provided volunteers to serve as cannoneers on Commodore Perry's fleet.

That unit today is known as Wilkes-Barre's 109th Field Artillery.

--Brock-Perry

Standing Tall on Lake Erie-- Part 5: 'We Have Met the Enemy and They Are Ours'

Despite losing his flagship, Oliver Hazard Perry was able to disable and scatter the British fleet.

When it came time for their surrender, he had the site moved back to his flagship, the USS Lawrence, so they could see the damage they had done to the ship.

He wrote a letter to General William Henry Harrison with the now famous statement:  "We have met the enemy and they are ours.  Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop."

This enabled Harrison, then, to launch his invasion of the western part of Upper Canada, which ended in the British total defeat at the Battle of the Thames and the death of Indian chief Tecumseh.

Perry was hailed as the "Hero of Lake Erie."

Dedicated in 1931, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is a testimony of the American victory on Lake Erie and a nod to a long-standing peace among the U.S., Britain and Canada.  Initially, three American and three British military members were buried at the monument as a reminder of the losses suffered by both sides during the fierce 1813 battle.

The bodies were later exhumed and reburied at De Rivera Park.

There is no doubt that the towering structure embodies a history of great proportions.

--Brock-Perry