were to return to Erie.

Perry accompanied General Harrison as a volunteer aid, and participated
and bore an honorable part in the battle of the Thames, as he had done
in the battle of Fort George, under Chauncey, before the engagement on
the Lake.

Upon his return to Detroit, he found a letter from the Secretary of Navy
thanking and congratulating him for the eminent services he had rendered
his country; and, as he had performed the duty committed to him,
granting him leave to visit his family at Newport.

But Perry was first to return to Erie, which he had left the 12th of
August. The news of the result of the battle had long preceded his
arrival and the people had there been watching and waiting his coming.
On the 23d of October, the Aerial, the last vessel of the fleet to leave
the head of the lake, came within sight of Erie. She had on board
General Harrison, who had then lately defeated General Procter at the
Thames, the wounded Barclay, and Commodore Perry. The people from the
surrounding country crowded into Erie to welcome the arrival of the
victors. Barclay was taken to Perry's quarters and there properly cared
for by Harrison and Perry.

The Lawrence was anchored in Misery Bay, in the harbor of Erie, maimed
and battered and scarcely able to float, yet having on board her
precious freight brought across the lake; Perry now visited this ship,
and as he reached her blood-stained deck and beheld his surviving
comrades and thought of those who had been in the fight, that were not
then on board, he reverently raised his hands in fervent supplication to
Him who giveth the victory not always to the strong, to heal the wounds,