American Minute with Bill Federer’WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY, AND THEY ARE OURS’ -Captain Oliver Hazard Perry |
British Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated Napoleon’s combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805.Britain now had the undisputed most powerful navy in the world.
Britain began to intercept American ships headed to French ports. They seized their goods and impressed thousands of American sailors into the British navy.
In the Shawnee language, the name ‘Tecumseh’ means ‘shooting star.’
Miami in central Indiana;
On August 15, 1812, Pottawatomie attacked Fort Dearborn, massacring 38 American soldiers, 2 women, 12 children, and took 41 prisoners.
700 British regulars and Canadian militia joined Tecumseh’s warriors in the capture of Fort Detroit, forcing 2,500 Americans to surrender August 16, 1812.
Most of Perry’s crew were free Blacks from Ohio.
September 9, 1813, was recommended by President James Madison as a day of Public Humiliation and Prayer: “Whereas in times of public calamity such as that of the war brought on the United States by the injustice of a foreign government it is especially becoming that the hearts of all should be touched with the same and the eyes of all be turned to that Almighty Power in whose hand are the welfare and the destiny of nations: I do therefore…recommending to all who shall be piously disposed to unite their hearts and voices in addressing at one and the same time their vows and adorations to the Great Parent and Sovereign of the Universe that they assemble on the SECOND THURSDAY OF SEPTEMBER next in their respective religious congregations…”
“He has blessed the United States with a political Constitution rounded on the will and authority of the whole people and guaranteeing to each individual security, not only of his person and his property, but of those sacred rights of conscience so essential to his present happiness and so dear to his future hopes… with…supplications to the same Almighty Power that He would look down with compassion on our infirmities; that He would pardon our manifold transgressions and awaken and strengthen in all the wholesome purposes of repentance and amendment;
that as He was graciously pleased heretofore to smile on our struggles against the attempts of the Government of the (British) Empire… so He would now be pleased…to bestow His blessing on our arms in resisting the hostile and persevering efforts of the same power to degrade us on the ocean.”
Strong winds prevented Perry from getting into a safe position. Long-range British cannons splintered to pieces Perry’s flagship, the USS Lawrence, killing many of his crew.
After 15 minutes, the smoke cleared to reveal that all of Barclay’s ships had been disabled.
As a result, the British abandoned Fort Malden.
“The prayers of my wife are answered.” That same day, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry sent a dispatch to U.S. Major General William Henry Harrison: “Dear Gen’l,
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“It has pleased the Almighty to give the arms of the United States a signal victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting of two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop have this moment surrendered to the force of my command after a sharp conflict.”
“It has pleased the Almighty to bless our arms… On Lake Erie, the squadron under the command of Captain Perry having met the British squadron of superior force, a sanguinary conflict ended in the capture of the whole.” For God’s Glory Alone Ministries thanks Bill Federer and www.AmericanMinute.com
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