right hands they were very deadly.
Jonah had never seen such fury as the carronades belched forth utter destruction that decimated the enemy ships. The wind had also picked up, allowing the commodore’s other vessels to catch up and fire into the enemy from astern. By this time, the gunboats and schooners that had entered the battle were making their mettle felt.
Jonah was both awed and frightened as the fearful battle raged with horrific fury. While the Americans were doing their utmost to defeat the British squadron, Barclay’s ships were making the job most difficult. Back and forth the big guns fired. The air was rent with splinters flying; nets, riggings and yards were falling. The mast had tumbled down. Men were caught under the debris, cursing and crying out in pain. The survivors were trying to hack their way out from under the mess that fell from aloft as men died about them. Cries of pain and anger rose above the din of battle. As bad as it was on the commodore’s ships, it was worse for the British. The Americans now held the upper hand. Perry seemed to be everywhere, shouting orders, directing fire and offering encouragement. Jonah had never witnessed such bravery; not only by Perry, but his entire crew. They would accept nothing less than victory…victory or death.
Unable to deal with the ferocious attack any longer, Commander Barclay surrendered in just three quarters of an hour. Several of the mildly damaged British ships tried to slip away, but the escape attempt failed as the American commanders cut them off. Once the victory was realized, the commodore stunned the surviving crewmen on board the Lawrence by boarding it to accept the British surrender.
Looking at Jonah, Perry said quietly, “It’s only fitting after all they sacrificed.”
Having his banner raised on a makeshift stanchion, the commodore looked at the masses of dead bodies and a tear fell from his eye. Jonah felt emotion swell up inside him as he looked at those who gave all to keep this country free. Well, he’d do his best to never let their deaths be in vain. That was for damn sure.
Barclay was so badly wounded he sent his senior officer to offer his apologies for his inability to move and to offer his sword. Jonah again felt himself swell with emotion as the commodore bowed and told the officer he would not accept the sword of an officer who had fought so gallantly and honorably. Damn, I’m starting to act like an old woman, Jonah thought.
After the ritual surrender was complete, Perry called for his chief signal officer, Lieutenant Forrest. “You are to take news to General Harrison of our victory. Mr. Lee!”
“Aye, sir,” Jonah replied, proud he’d remembered the correct naval reply.
Smiling, the commodore reached into his pocket and brought out an envelope, which he tore the back off and scribbled a note. When he finished writing, he looked at Jonah and said, “Forrest here is going to deliver a message for me to General Harrison. If you wish you may accompany him ashore.” The commodore then smiled after a brief pause then added, “Unless, of course, you’ve decided to join the Navy. If so, we’ll swear you in directly.”
Now it was Jonah’s time to smile. “I thank you for having me, sir. I will never forget this day but I think my talents are more land based.”
The two men then shook hands. After climbing down into the little boat that would take them ashore Jonah noticed Forrest staring at the note he’d been given to deliver to General Harrison.
“Interesting?” Jonah asked.
Without speaking, Forrest handed the note to Jonah. A list of ships captured was written down but what stood out was a single phrase… a phrase that said it all. As he read the phrase, the devastation of the battle between the ships at sea was at the forefront of his thoughts. The commodore had written a single, simple phrase that Jonah would never forget. “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”
Chapter Fourteen
M
Jonah had never seen such fury as the carronades belched forth utter destruction that decimated the enemy ships. The wind had also picked up, allowing the commodore’s other vessels to catch up and fire into the enemy from astern. By this time, the gunboats and schooners that had entered the battle were making their mettle felt.
Jonah was both awed and frightened as the fearful battle raged with horrific fury. While the Americans were doing their utmost to defeat the British squadron, Barclay’s ships were making the job most difficult. Back and forth the big guns fired. The air was rent with splinters flying; nets, riggings and yards were falling. The mast had tumbled down. Men were caught under the debris, cursing and crying out in pain. The survivors were trying to hack their way out from under the mess that fell from aloft as men died about them. Cries of pain and anger rose above the din of battle. As bad as it was on the commodore’s ships, it was worse for the British. The Americans now held the upper hand. Perry seemed to be everywhere, shouting orders, directing fire and offering encouragement. Jonah had never witnessed such bravery; not only by Perry, but his entire crew. They would accept nothing less than victory…victory or death.
Unable to deal with the ferocious attack any longer, Commander Barclay surrendered in just three quarters of an hour. Several of the mildly damaged British ships tried to slip away, but the escape attempt failed as the American commanders cut them off. Once the victory was realized, the commodore stunned the surviving crewmen on board the Lawrence by boarding it to accept the British surrender.
Looking at Jonah, Perry said quietly, “It’s only fitting after all they sacrificed.”
Having his banner raised on a makeshift stanchion, the commodore looked at the masses of dead bodies and a tear fell from his eye. Jonah felt emotion swell up inside him as he looked at those who gave all to keep this country free. Well, he’d do his best to never let their deaths be in vain. That was for damn sure.
Barclay was so badly wounded he sent his senior officer to offer his apologies for his inability to move and to offer his sword. Jonah again felt himself swell with emotion as the commodore bowed and told the officer he would not accept the sword of an officer who had fought so gallantly and honorably. Damn, I’m starting to act like an old woman, Jonah thought.
After the ritual surrender was complete, Perry called for his chief signal officer, Lieutenant Forrest. “You are to take news to General Harrison of our victory. Mr. Lee!”
“Aye, sir,” Jonah replied, proud he’d remembered the correct naval reply.
Smiling, the commodore reached into his pocket and brought out an envelope, which he tore the back off and scribbled a note. When he finished writing, he looked at Jonah and said, “Forrest here is going to deliver a message for me to General Harrison. If you wish you may accompany him ashore.” The commodore then smiled after a brief pause then added, “Unless, of course, you’ve decided to join the Navy. If so, we’ll swear you in directly.”
Now it was Jonah’s time to smile. “I thank you for having me, sir. I will never forget this day but I think my talents are more land based.”
The two men then shook hands. After climbing down into the little boat that would take them ashore Jonah noticed Forrest staring at the note he’d been given to deliver to General Harrison.
“Interesting?” Jonah asked.
Without speaking, Forrest handed the note to Jonah. A list of ships captured was written down but what stood out was a single phrase… a phrase that said it all. As he read the phrase, the devastation of the battle between the ships at sea was at the forefront of his thoughts. The commodore had written a single, simple phrase that Jonah would never forget. “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”
Chapter Fourteen
M
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