FUNDAMENTAL
DOCUMENTS

ARCHIVES/
LIBRARY

ONLINE
RESEARCH
TOOLS

ONLINE
DOCUMENTS

ONLINE
SERVICES

56

David C. Bunnell in his book, The Travels and Adventures of David C. Bunnell 1831 Palmyra, N.Y.), gives an account of the Battle of Lake Erie as he saw it. Undoubtedly romanticized, it still is indicative of the type of "ungentlemanly warfare carried on by the Americans. it is transcribed here from his autobiography, pp. 109-118 incl.:

Shortly after the battle at Fort George, Capt. Elliot was ordered with his detachment to Lake Erie, and I volunteered to go with him. We left Fort Niagara on the 3d of July, 1813, and proceeded by land to Schlosser, a little above the Falls of Niagara, and from thence to Buffalo. There being no vessels to receive us, we proceeded up the Lake in open boats, and after a tedious and troublesome passage, arrived at Erie, a place pleasantly situated on the south side of Lake Erie. We sailed on the 29th of July for Put-in-Day, at the head of Lake Erie. It would seem that it was Commodore Perry's intention to bring the enemy to a general engagement, and "settle the business" at once by a bold and de- cisive blow.

We lay in Put-in-Bay for some time, exercising ourselves by firing at a mark, and preparing our vessels in the best manner possible for the coming affray. On the fifth of September, the British fleet not making their appearance, we proceeded off Malden, to see what they were about. We found them preparing for the fun as well as ourselves. Their new ship Detroit appeared to be in great forwardness,and the rest of their squadron ready for sea. Someof our officers thought it best to engage them at once, before they were prepared. "No," said our brave and generous commander, "I will take no advantage of them, but wait until they get in readiness, and meet them fairly and openly on the lake. I feel the utmost confidence in my crew and officers, and know they can fight, and do believe that we can beat the enemy without taking any dishonorable advantage of them."

We returned to Put-in-Bay, and the second day, (Friday) was the memorable and ever to be remembered tenth of September, 1813. The sun rose in all his glory - but before it set, many a brave tar on both sides was doomed to a watery grave, and many a jovial soul who had "led the merry dance on the light fantastic toe," the evening previous, never danced again - unless indeed we have our frolics after death.

The first intelligence we received of the approach of the enemy's squadron, was from the man at the mast head -- "Sail ho" -- An officer of the deck replied, "where away?" "Off Rattlesnake Island." Before the officer had time to inquire what she looked like, - the man bawled out again -- "Sail ho! - sail ho -six sail in sight sir." As if by instinct, every soul at once exclaimed - "The enemy is in sight." - All was bustle and hurry, but no confusion. The signal was made to weigh the anchors, which was done with surprising alacrity. We had sixty fathoms of cable out, and it was not more than fifteen minutes before we had our sails sent and anchors up. The winds was ahead, and the enemy to the windward, but in fifteen minutes after we had got fairly under way, the wind shifted to the opposite point of compass, which brought us to the windward.