numbers. He was at last induced to surrender his whole force, greatly to the chagrine of the Americans at being thus thrown away to no purpose. But for this affair, the opening of the campaign in this quarter would have been regarded as far transcending our warmest expectations of success.

About this time the six nations declared war against the British, with a formal proclamation, and entered into an alliance with the United States, stipulating, however, to denounce their barbarous usages in battle, which they faithfully kept.

We now turn our attention for a moment to the Westward, and the operations along the frontier of the Ohio. In that quarter a most glorious victory crowned our arms early in the month of August. Until that time, fort Meigs had remained unmolested, while the Americans waited for the result of the naval war on Lake Erie, be fore the adoption of any ulterior movement. Proctor, desirous of embarrassing the preparations of Harrison, and of opening the frontier to the inroads of his allies the savages, giving them an opportunity of murdering the sleeping babe and helpless female, determined to destroy the different forts which covered the settlements. Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky was the first selected. To cover his real intention he sent Tecumseh to make a push on fort Meigs, while he appeared before fort Stephenson and demanded it to surrender. The officer commanding was a youth of twenty-one years of age, Major Croghan, who had already distinguished himself at the siege of fort Meigs. He had received orders to abandon this place on the approach of the enemy, but taking all responsibility upon himself, he boldly set the threats of the ungenerous enemy at defiance. The fort was sur

rounded with pickets and a ditch about six feet wide. The assailants consisting of regulars and Indians to the number of eight hundred, commenced the attack with several pieces of artillery with which they attempted to make a breach. But those within secured the point at which the artillery was directed, by placing bags of sand and even of flour. They now resolved to attempt the place by storm. Colonel Short with a column of three hundred and fifty men, taking advantage of the smoke, presented himself at the point before mentioned, and crying out to his men to follow him, and to give the d****d Yankies no quarters, landed in the ditch with nearly half of his men. His progress was sooner arrested than he could have expected. The Americans who were chiefly young volunteers, had carefully concealed a six pounder, the only one which they possessed, in the bastion which protected that part of the ditch: the match was put to it, and being loaded with slugs and musket balls, instantly cut the savage assailants to pieces; not one escaped from the fatal place; a just dispensation of Providence for their wicked intentions. The rolling musketry at the same time, produced great havoc among those who were still on the outside. The assailants fled pursued by indescribable terror, while the Indians followed without daring to cast a glance behind. During the night irregular firing was kept up, while the humane and generous Americans did every thing in their power to relieve the wounded in the ditch. The next morning the enemy disappeared in haste, leaving behind a considerable quantity of public stores. The loss of the British exceeded two hundred, while the Americans was only a few wounded and that while engaged in offering relief to the sufferers.

Croghan and his brave comrades Captain Hunter, Lieutenants Johnson, Baylor, Meeks and Anthony, were hailed with the loudest plaudits of their country. The first received the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the regular service. The Indians after this defeat, were so disgusted with their allies, that they were about to abandon them. The frontier was completely protected from further molestation.

7

CHAPTER X.

CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SQUADRON ON LAKE ERIE-DeFEAT OF PROCTOR.

COMMODORE PERRY, whose name now adorns the page of our history, was entrusted at the commencement of the spring with the important task of creating a force to oppose the British, who since the surrender of Hull had rode triumphant on Lake Erie. The trees that grew on its shores were commanded to descend upon the waves, and bear our sailors to meet the haughty foe. By the last of August a fleet was provided, consisting of the following vessels, the Laurence of 21, the Niagara of 20; the Caledonia of 3; the Scorpion and Somers, each of 2; Ariel of 4; Tigress, Trippe, and Porcupine, each of 1; in all amounting to 59 guns.

The British fleet, under Commodore Barclay, consisted of the Detroit, 19 guns; Queen Charlotte, 17; Lady Prevost, 13; Hunter, 10; Little Belt, 3; Chippewa, 1; in all, 69 guns. This fleet was consequently superior in force to that of the Americans, although on their side there was a difference in the number of ships.

No sooner was the American Commodore on the Lake than he went in pursuit of his antagonist, who felt no wish to decline the meeting. This however did not take

place until, the 12th of September, near Put-in-bay. The American squadron at anchor, perceiving the British bearing down upon them, got under way. The American flag ship the Laurence, outsailed the rest of the squadron, and came to close quarters with the Queen Charlotte and the Detroit. Against these two vessels the contest was heroically maintained for two hours, uņtil every gun was rendered useless, and nearly all onboard either killed or wounded. At this critical moment the other American vessels which had been kept back were coming up, and the commodore with admirable coolness, embarked in his boat with the intention of shifting his flag to the Niagara. This was executed in the midst of a heavy fire. Captain Elliot immediately seconded his views, and while Perry led up this vessel in a handsome style, volunteered to bring the other vessels into action. The commodore breaking through the enemy's line, poured out such tremendous broadsides as soon compelled the two largest vessels to strike, and the flag of the Laurence which had been hauled down, was again hoisted. The remainder of the American fleet coming up, the action in a few minutes terminated in the capture of the whole British squadron, a thing almost unexampled in naval warfare.

"We have met the enemy," said Commodore Perry, "and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop."

The number of prisoners exceeded that of the captors. Twenty-six Americans were killed, and ninety-six wounded. Lieutenant Brooks, of the marines, was killed, as also several valuable American officers. The captain and first lieutenant of the Queen Charlotte, were killed; Commodore Barclay was severely wounded,