Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/307

 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��ninety-one. He participated in seven battles, and was at the bombardment of Fort McHenry, upon which occasion Cliarles Francis Key, then a prisoner on a British man-of-war, looked " through the dawn's early light," and gave to his country the " Star-Spangled Banner. "

Another one of these veterans, Mr. John F. Rice, of Shelby, died only a short time ago, and appears to have been the last survivor of Perry's victory on Lake Ei'ie. In 1875, he was interviewed b}' Hon. S. S. Bloom, and the fol- lowing statement, of much historical impor- tance, was printed in the Shelby Times.. It is given in Mr. Rice's own words. His mind was then clear, and his body by no means im- paired by sickness or disease. No one who knew him has any doubts concerning the cor- rectness of his statements :

" In March, 1813, I volunteered at Lewis- town, Penn., in Capt. Rogers' company, after- ward assigned to Col. Green's regiment, rendez- vousing at Bellefont, Centre Co., Penn.

"• Early in April, 1813, we took up our line of March for Erie. Penn., where we arrived on April 22, 1813, and went into camp. Commo- dore Perry was there at the time, preparing his fleet. He had then only two brigs, the Law- rence and the Niagara, but he had a number of smaller vessels to be used as gunboats. I had voluteered in the land forces ; but Commodore Perr}', desiring more men for his fleet, came into camp for volunteers, offering |25 bounty for only one cruise. I was the only one of the company who then volunteered. I then remained in the fleet onl}' three days, when the cruise was ended, and I returned to camp to inform my comrades how much better I liked the navy than the land service.

" Again volunteers were asked for, when Jacob Tool, Alexander Metlan, Thomas Green, Joseph Ammerman, John Ackerman, and a few others, went with me on board the Scorpion, under command of Capt. Christian Champlin, of Carlisle, Penn., and, soon after doing so, on

��September 10, 1813, I was present at the battle of Lake Erie.

Two of the above named comrades of mine, Jacob Tool and Alick Metlan, rowed the boat in which Commodore Perry left the Lawrance, and went on board the Niagara ; and these two, I know, were the only men who were in that boat with him, for I saw it with my own eyes. They had been, or were then, members of the crew of the Scorpion, my own vessel, and had been detailed to row a lioat, upon a signal being given, and at a moment's warning, to go wher- ever sent. The Scorpion, on which I was, escorted them, or rather got between the small boat and the fire of the enemy, to pick up the Commodore, should it become necessary.

" I heard the report of the shot that went crashing through the ])oat occupied by Com- modoi'e Perry. I saw him jump up, jerk off his coat and stuff it into the hole made by the ball, in order to keep out the water, and saw him, myself, take hold of the oars and assist in rowing the boat to the Niagara. Wlien Com- modore Perry got on board the Niagara, I heard him ask Capt. Elliott, " why he did not bring the vessel into action ?" Capt. Elliott replied, " that the wind had l^een against him, and that he had tried hard to do so, but could not." I heard Perry reph' to him, '' Captain, I am afraid the day is lost !" At that moment I heard a man, who, it was said, lielonged to Napoleon's army, step up to Commodore Perry and sa}' to him, ■ Commodore Perry, take my advice, and command this vessel j'ourself Try and break through their lines, open fire upon them from both sides of the vessel, then liring up your gun-]:)oats into action, and you will surely win the day." The Commodore immediately issued the orders accordingly, and, almost immediately, gained the victory. The Niagara now sailed directly through the British lines, opened fire upon them from both sides, with fifteen guns on both sides, with a noise that seemed to open earth and water, doing most

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