OLIVER HAZARD PERRY.

Plate 11.303132W. L. Ormsby, sc.

Plate 11.

W. L. Ormsby, sc.

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 characterof 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 couldmake 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, (seePlate 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 thoseseas. 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.

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.

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 ofmasculine 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 theenemy’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 belongingto 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. (SeePlate 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 commandof 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.

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.

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 accordinglyapplied 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 herhull, 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, agold medal, (seePlate XI.,) with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress, of the gallantry and good conduct of the officersand 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.

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.

I saw the green turf resting coldOn Burrows’ hallow’d grave;No stone the inquiring patriot toldWhere slept the good and brave.Heaven’s rain and dew conspired to blotThe 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 trodOn valor’s consecrated sod.I mourn’d, who for his country bleedsShould be forgot so soon,That fairest fame and brightest deedsShould want a common boon.But oh! the rich have hearts of steel,And what can Penury more than feel?At length “a passing stranger” cameWhose hand its bounties shed;He bade the sparkling marble claimA tribute for the dead:And, sweetly blending, hence shall flowThe tears of gratitude and woe!

I saw the green turf resting coldOn Burrows’ hallow’d grave;No stone the inquiring patriot toldWhere slept the good and brave.Heaven’s rain and dew conspired to blotThe traces of the holy spot.

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 trodOn valor’s consecrated sod.

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 bleedsShould be forgot so soon,That fairest fame and brightest deedsShould want a common boon.But oh! the rich have hearts of steel,And what can Penury more than feel?

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” cameWhose hand its bounties shed;He bade the sparkling marble claimA tribute for the dead:And, sweetly blending, hence shall flowThe tears of gratitude and woe!

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!

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.

Plate 12.333435W. L. Ormsby, sc.

Plate 12.

W. L. Ormsby, sc.

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.”

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.

By a resolution of Congress, January 6th, 1814, which states the gallantry and good conduct displayed by Lieutenant Edward R. M’Call, as second in command of the Enterprise, in the conflict with the Boxer, a gold medal (seePlate XII.) wasordered to be struck and presented to him with the thanks of that body.

Occasion.—Capture of the British sloop-of-war Boxer.

Device.—A bust of Lieutenant M’Call.

Legend.—Edward M’Call, navis Enterprise præfectus.

Exergue.—Sic itur ad astra.

Reverse, and theinscriptionon theexergue, the same as those of the medal of Lieutenant Burrows.

James Lawrence was the youngest son of John Lawrence, Esq., of Burlington, New Jersey, and was born on the 1st of October, 1781. Having lost his mother a few weeks after his birth, his two eldest sisters, by their most tender attention, endeavored to supply her place. His affection for his sisters was in a measure filial, as well as fraternal, being bound to them by the double ties of blood and education. Their assiduities were directed to the cultivation of his feelings and his principles, and they were only relieved from responsibility when they gave him to society, liberal, humane and virtuous. At the age of twelve years he exhibited a passion for the sea, but his father was anxious that he should be educated for the law, a profession in which he was himself considerably distinguished; and in consequence of his limited means, his son James received his education at a grammar-school in his native town. At the age of fourteen he removed to Woodbury, and commenced a course of law studies with his brother John Lawrence, who was at that time a lawyer of some distinction there. Soon after his removal his fatherdied. James was now wholly an orphan, and long and severe were his sufferings at the loss of so good a parent, but in time they wore away, and he made an urgent appeal to his brother in favor of the path to which his genius had directed him.

The faithful and affectionate brother had discovered that the pursuits of law were loathsome to his pupil, and that sedentary habits suited not a frame formed for activity, nor study a mind that gloried in action, nor the land a heart whose only delight was the broad ocean. It was, therefore, thought best, on the whole, to surrender him at once to the prerogative of his nature. At his own request he returned to Burlington, and commenced the study of navigation. He remained there only sufficiently long to attain the elements of the theory of that science; but it was all he required. His mind, once receiving a proper direction, could go forward at leisure, of its own motion; a guide was wanting only to show the path and to mark out the course; it was for Lawrence alone to arrive at the goal. It was not long before he was pronounced a most finished seaman, and this character could not have been acquired otherwise than by devoting himself exclusively to the acquisition of nautical science, including combination of practice with theory.

In the seventeenth year of his age—in the bloom of youth and the pride of his strength—full of hope, he applied for a station in the navy. Such was the correctness of his character, the promise of his life, and the interest felt for him, that many of the oldest and most respectable citizens of the state came forward with alacrity, in aid of his application. The mail that carried it returned with a warrant for midshipman Lawrence; and he entered his country’s service on the 5th of September, 1798. His first voyage was to the West Indies, in the ship Ganges, Captain Tingey. Nothing of consequence occurred to our young officer for the two first years ofhis seafaring life, until his promotion to a lieutenancy on board the Adams, Captain Robinson, where he remained until March, 1801. In the war with Tripoli, Lawrence was a commissioned lieutenant and attached to the Enterprise as first officer. In the bombardment of Tripoli, he acted a very conspicuous part, which was acknowledged by Decatur in his official reports. After his return from the Mediterranean, he was some time at New York, attached to the navy yard in that city. While there the attention of the naval gentlemen of that place was attracted by some “queries” in the “Public Advertiser,” the object of which was to call Commodore Rogers to account for not having used the gun-boats in a particular manner on a recent occasion. One query alluded to the inferior officers, and particularly the commanders of gun-boats. “Why,” asks the writer, “are the commanders of these gun-boats suffered to be swaggering through our streets, while they should be whetting their sabres?” So much insolence incensed the whole corps; and Lawrence, being the senior officer then on that station, in behalf of them, addressed the following note to the printer.

Back to Index Next