Epic American Battles: Lake Erie

There are certain phrases that become a part of a nation’s heritage. Some might call these phrases, “Famous Words”. One particular historic phrase that became a part of American folklore is the message sent from Oliver Hazard Perry to William Henry Harrison after the battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. He wrote, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” The saying became famous, just like others including “She has sides of iron!” (another War of 1812 phrase) and “No terms but unconditional and immediate surrender!” (uttered by Grant at Fort Donelson, Tennessee during the Civil War). The battle of Lake Erie was not only decisive in turning the tide of British victories in the Old Northwest during the War of 1812 but it has become a battle of patriotic sensations and it certainly deserves to be called an “epic American battle”.

The battle of Lake Erie occurred on Lake Erie in 1813. Lake Erie borders Michigan, Ohio New York and Canada and was a strategic body of water. The Americans had set up a fleet in Lake Erie under Oliver Hazard Perry off the coast of Ohio. On September 1813, British ships appeared under Robert Barclay. The two navies set to fighting. Perry attempted to move in with his flagship Lawrence, but found out that his cannons were out of range. Meanwhile, the British ships Detroit and Queen Charlotte were closing in on the vulnerable Lawrence. Perry’s men fought valiantly but the Lawrence was in hopeless condition. So, Perry transferred his flag from the Lawrence to the Niagara. He was rowed through the turbulent battle in a small boat over half a mile to the Niagara. He hoisted his flag, ordered his ships forward and continued the battle. Eventually the British surrendered. Perry sent a message telling William Henry Harrison of his victory with the famous words, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

The consequences of the battle of Lake Erie were great and numerous. After the victory, the Americans would control the lake for the rest of the war and this led to the recapture of Detroit from the British and the great American victory at the Battle of the Thames where Tecumseh was killed and the British routed. Of course, the results of the battle went behind strategy. The battle proved that the Americans could defeat the British at sea and it introduced a famous phrase into American history.