Oliver Hazard Perry

Oliver Hazard Perry (23 August 1785 – 23 August 1819) was a United States Navy officer whose leadership at the Battle of Lake Erie on 10 September 1813 secured American control of that lake and proved a turning point in the War of 1812. Born into a prominent naval family in Rhode Island, Perry served in the Quasi-War and Barbary Wars before the war. His victory at Lake Erie over a British squadron earned him the title “Hero of Lake Erie” and a Congressional Gold Medal, while his famous message to General William Henry Harrison, “We have met the enemy and they are ours,” became a celebrated phrase of the conflict.

Historical Context

At the start of the War of 1812, the British Royal Navy dominated the Great Lakes except Lake Huron, while the United States maintained only a small naval presence. Control of the lakes was strategically vital because armies on both sides depended on waterborne transportation for supplies, reinforcements, and communication. In 1813, both the United States and Britain raced to construct naval squadrons on Lake Erie. The American effort was directed from Erie, Pennsylvania, where Oliver Hazard Perry oversaw the building of a fleet. The British squadron, under Captain Robert H. Barclay, operated from Amherstburg and Fort Malden on the western end of the lake. The outcome would determine whether the United States could invade Upper Canada or whether British forces and their Indigenous allies could threaten American territory in Ohio and the Northwest.

What Happened

Perry, already a master commandant, was ordered to Lake Erie in early 1813. He arrived at Erie, Pennsylvania, in March and supervised the construction and outfitting of vessels, including the brigs Lawrence and Niagara and several smaller gunboats. By early September, his squadron was ready. On 10 September 1813, Perry’s fleet encountered Barclay’s squadron near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, in the western basin of Lake Erie. Perry hoisted a blue battle flag with the words “DONT GIVE UP THE SHIP,” a tribute to his friend Captain James Lawrence’s dying command. The flagship Lawrence led the attack but was severely battered; after most of her guns were disabled, Perry transferred his flag to the Niagara and continued the fight. The Niagara broke the British line, forcing Barclay’s squadron to surrender. Perry accepted the surrender on the deck of the Lawrence, deliberately choosing the damaged vessel to emphasize the severity of the fight. He then sent his famous dispatch to Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.” The battle lasted about three hours and resulted in nearly 500 British casualties and about 120 American casualties.

Why It Matters

The American victory at Lake Erie had immediate strategic consequences. It gave the United States command of Lake Erie, allowing General William Henry Harrison’s army to be transported to Upper Canada and leading to the decisive American victory at the Battle of the Thames on 5 October 1813, where the Shawnee leader Tecumseh was killed. Control of the lake also protected the American frontier and secured the Ohio and Michigan territories. Perry became an instant national hero, celebrated in newspapers and officially recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal. Historians later debated the extent of Perry’s tactical skill versus fortune, and a bitter controversy with his subordinate Captain Jesse Elliott about the conduct of the battle persisted for years. Long-term memory of Perry has been shaped by his victory, his motto, and his early death, making him one of the most iconic figures of the War of 1812.

Early Life

Oliver Hazard Perry was born on 23 August 1785 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He was the eldest of five sons and three daughters of Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander Perry. His paternal grandfather was a naval officer, and his mother taught him to read and write. At age thirteen, he obtained a midshipman’s warrant through his father’s influence, entering the navy on 7 April 1799. He served on the USS General Greene, under his father’s command, and saw his first combat off the coast of Haiti in 1800 during the Quasi-War. Later he served in the Mediterranean during the First Barbary War, including on the USS Adams and USS Nautilus, and by 1809 he commanded the schooner USS Revenge, engaged in enforcing the Embargo Act and anti-piracy patrols.

Role Before the War

Before the War of 1812, Perry had gained a reputation as a competent and aggressive officer. In 1810, the Revenge was damaged in a storm, and in January 1811, the schooner ran aground near Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and was lost. Perry was exonerated by a court-martial, which blamed the pilot. After this incident, he took a leave of absence and in May 1811 married Elizabeth Champlin Mason of Newport, Rhode Island. The couple eventually had five children. Perry remained without a ship until the war began, when he petitioned for a command.

Role During the War

With the declaration of war in June 1812, Perry was initially assigned to command a gunboat squadron at Newport, Rhode Island, a duty he considered insignificant. He repeatedly requested a more active role and in early 1813, through his friend Captain Isaac Chauncey, commander of naval forces on the Great Lakes, he was ordered to Lake Erie. Perry arrived at Erie in March 1813 and took charge of building and arming the ships that would become his squadron. He received the title of commodore for the Lake Erie force. Despite his initial preference for ocean service, he devoted himself to the lake campaign.

Major Actions

Perry’s primary action was the Battle of Lake Erie on 10 September 1813. His squadron of nine vessels faced Barclay’s six-ship squadron. Perry’s tactics, including his bold transfer from the Lawrence to the Niagara, broke the British line and forced a comprehensive surrender. This victory secured the entire lake and directly enabled Harrison’s land campaign. Perry also participated in the Battle of the Thames as a supporting naval commander, providing transport and gunfire support. His success earned him promotion to captain and national acclaim.

Contemporary Accounts

Contemporary accounts of Perry’s actions come from his own reports, particularly his message to Harrison, and from the official reports of British officers. Perry’s report praised his men and highlighted the damage to his flagship, but it also sparked controversy when he criticized Captain Jesse Elliott for not bringing the Niagara into action earlier. Elliott responded with countercharges, leading to a formal inquiry later. British reports from Barclay acknowledged heavy losses and the difficulty of the engagement. Newspapers on both sides carried the news, and Perry was described as a hero in American press. These accounts are valuable but reflect the personal and national biases of their authors.

Later Life

After the war, Perry remained in the navy. In 1815, he commanded the USS Java on a mission to the Mediterranean during the Second Barbary War, helping to secure the release of American prisoners and establish American prestige. He then served in the Caribbean, combating piracy. In 1819, while on a diplomatic mission to Venezuela, he contracted yellow fever. He died on 23 August 1819, his thirty-fourth birthday, near Trinidad and was later reinterred in Newport, Rhode Island.

Historical Legacy

Perry’s legacy is closely tied to the Battle of Lake Erie, which historians regard as a turning point in the war. His victory, combined with the Battle of the Thames, ended British hopes of controlling the Northwest and contributed to the eventual peace negotiations. The phrase “Don’t Give Up the Ship” and his reported message “We have met the enemy and they are ours” entered American folklore. Perry has been honored by numerous memorials, including Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, a National Park Service site. Historians have debated the extent of his tactical skill, with some emphasizing luck and the errors of his opponent, while others credit his leadership and determination. The Elliott controversy remains a subject of historical inquiry, illustrating the complexity of wartime command.

Primary Sources

The most important primary source is Perry’s official report of the Battle of Lake Erie, addressed to General Harrison, a copy of which is held in the National Archives. This document describes the engagement and contains the famous quotation. Perry’s letters to Isaac Chauncey and others provide details of ship construction and his requests for command. British officer Robert H. Barclay’s court-martial proceedings and correspondence document the British perspective. Also valuable are the congressional records bestowing the Gold Medal and the official court-martial records of the Perry–Elliott controversy. Each source reflects its author’s viewpoint: Perry stressed the American victory, while Barclay’s reports acknowledged British losses while explaining his decisions.

Further Reading

• Benn, Carl. The War of 1812: The Fight for the Great Lakes. Oxford: Osprey, 2002.
• Horsman, Reginald. The War of 1812. New York: Knopf, 1969.
• NPS. “Oliver Hazard Perry.” Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial. https://www.nps.gov/pevi/learn/historyculture/perry.htm.
• American Battlefield Trust. “Oliver Hazard Perry.” https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/oliver-hazard-perry.
• Canadian Encyclopedia. “Oliver Hazard Perry.” https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/oliver-hazard-perry.

References

1. National Park Service, “Oliver Hazard Perry,” Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, accessed October 2023, https://www.nps.gov/pevi/learn/historyculture/perry.htm.
2. Wikipedia, “Oliver Hazard Perry,” accessed October 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_Oliver_Hazard_Perry.
3. American Battlefield Trust, “Oliver Hazard Perry,” accessed October 2023, https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/oliver-hazard-perry.
4. The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Oliver Hazard Perry,” by Jason Ridler, accessed October 2023, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/oliver-hazard-perry.