weeks, Barclay maintained a blockade of Presqu'Isle, preventing the Americans under Oliver Hazard Perry from crossing the sandbar at the mouth of the harbour. He meanwhile repeatedly requested that Yeo send him more sailors and arms, and that the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (Major General Francis de Rottenburg) reinforce the troops at Amherstburg under Major General Henry Procter. Neither senior officer sent the requested help. On 28 July, bad weather and shortage of supplies forced Barclay to lift the blockade. When he returned three days later, Perry's force was free of the sandbar and apparently ready for action. Barclay reasoned that he was outnumbered and withdrew. From then on, Perry controlled the lake, and the British were unable to move supplies to Amherstburg. Finally in September, Barclay had received a last reinforcement of a few officers and sailors and part completed a ship-rigged corvette, but no food remained at Amherstburg. Barclay set out to fight Perry's squadron, and in the Battle of Lake Erie his squadron was defeated and captured by the Americans. Barclay himself was severely wounded in his right arm. As was customary after any defeat or the loss of any ship, Barclay was court-martialed. He appeared before the court with one leg and his surviving arm swathed in bandages. The court exonerated him, stating "the Judgement and Gallantry of Captain Barclay . . . were highly conspicuous and entitled him to the highest Praise". His promotion to Commander was confirmed in November that year. In August 1815, he married his first cousin, Agnes Cosser, at St John's, Smith Square, London and they had several children. In November of that year he was granted an annual pension of £200. Barclay later petitioned the Admiralty for employment, but received the command only of a bomb vessel in 1822. From 1824 to his death in Edinburgh in 1837, he saw no further service. Notes External links Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online Barclay's court martial records and correspondence 1786 births 1837 deaths Royal Navy officers Royal Navy officers who were court-martialled Royal Navy personnel of the War of 1812 Naval history of Canada People from Cupar British people of the War of 1812 British military personnel of the War of 1812