At 2 o’clock Captain Elliott was enabled to bring the Niagara into closer action; and Commodore Perry, finding he could get no further use from the Lawrence, suddenly shifted his flag to the Niagara and boarded her, leaving the gallant Lieutenant Yarnell in command of the Lawrence.
The transfer of Perry was made in the face of a terrible fire from the enemy ships, with the commodore standing erect in the small boat and directing his oarsmen.
The entire squadron was soon in action and Perry alongside the British Commodore Barclay, in the Lady Prevost. Approaching within half pistol shot, Perry’s fire was so deadly that the enemy’s men were compelled to run below.
The Caledonia opened a destructive fire upon the British, and she was closely followed by the other American vessels, and the enemy was soon enclosed between the Niagara and the American fleet, and in that position the British ships suffered a terrible fire on both quarters.
Thus, after a contest of three hours, a naval victory was achieved by the Americans, in which every vessel of the enemy fleet was captured. If anything could enhance its brilliancy it was the modest and laconic manner in which it was announced by the gallant victor—“We have met the enemy and they are ours!”
Lord Cornwallis Defeats American Forces
on the Brandywine, September 11, 1777
The objective of the British forces, early in the Revolution, was to occupy Philadelphia, which was then the largest city in the revolting provinces. It was the seat of the Continental Congress, and the center of the colonies. Although commanding easy access to the sea, it was capable of being readily protected from the approach of a hostile fleet, and it lay in the heart of an open, extended country, rich, populous and so far but little disturbed by war.
Philadelphia was, in a sense, regarded as the capital of the new-born Nation, and the moral influence resulting from its occupation by Congress was great, so that it was deemed an important point would be gained by its conquest. There was much criticism hurled at an army which could not penetrate to the headquarters of the infant Nation.