Letter to William Henry Harrison Quotes
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Source: Letter to William Henry Harrison
Author: Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry
We have met the enemy and they are ours.
Context
This famous line was written by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry to General William Henry Harrison regarding the Battle of Lake Erie.
Initially overwhelmed by British Commander Robert Barclay in the naval battle at Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, Oliver Hazard Perry (yes, that's his real name) turned the tides (pun intended) and captured Barclay's fleet.
He wrote to his commanding officer, mediocre president William Henry Harrison, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
If this were the War of 2012, Perry would simply have texted "PWNED."
Where you've heard it
Cartoonist Walt Kelly spun the quote into "We have met the enemy and he is us" in his comic strip Pogo.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Cocky, sure, but ultimately true. Perry was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 1814.