Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-17

ed.
In the ensuing spring, it being determined
to make an attack upon Tripoli, commo-
dore Preble obtained from the king O! Ma
pies the loan of six guu boats and two bonn
bards, which he formed into two divisions.
and gave the command of one of them to
captain Decatur, the other to Lieutenant
Somers. The squadron sailed from Svra.
cuse, consisting of the frigatc Constitution,
the brig Syren. the schrs. Nautilus and Vix-
ell, and the gun boats.
Having arrived on the coast of Barbary,
they we're FOR some days prevented from
making the attack, by adverse wind and
weather at length, on the morning of the
sd OF August, the weather being favorable,
the signal was made from the Commodore's
snip to prepare tor action, the light vessels
towing the gunboats to windward. AT o.
CLOCK the signal was made for bombarding
the town and the eneiny's vessels. The
gun-boats were cast of, and advanced i'm a
line ahead. led on by captain Decatur, and
covered by the frigate Constitution, and the
briggs and schooners. Tie enemy's gun
boats were moored siafg the mouth of the
tharber,p.,fler the ~ 6ts. and within mus
6 shot. Their falls.kad been taken from
thefn aid thsN.YS<e ordered to sink rather
than abandon tier position. They were
aided and covered likewise BY a brig of 10
and a schooner of 10 guns.
Before entering into close action contain
Decatur went alongside each of his boats,
and ordered them to uDship their bowsnrits
and follow him, as it was his intention to
board the enemy's boats. Lieut. James De.
catur commanded one of the boats belonpjre.
to LIT. oomeTs division, but being further to
wlnGward than the rest of his division, he
joined and took orders from his brother.
When captain Decatur, who was in the
ieaolhg boat, came within range of the fire
from the batteries, a heavy fire was opened
upon nm from them and from the gun-,oats.
lie returned their fire, and continued adj
vancing until he came in contact with the
boats. At this time commodore prebIe
seeing Decatur approaching nearer than he
Thought prudent, ordered the signal to he
made Tor a retreat, but it was found that in
making out signals for the boats, one for a
retreat mad been Committed. The cnemy's
GOATS mao ABOUT forty men each /; ours an e.
quai number, twenty seven of whom were
American and thirteen Neapolitans. Deca-
tur on Boarding the enemy was instantly
followed by his countrvmen, but the Ne no
litans remained behind. The turks did NOT
sustain the combat. hand to hand, with that
nrmness they had obtained a reputation for (:
IN ten minutes the deck was cleared eight
OF them sought refuge in the hold and of
t'e rest. sonle tell on the deck, and others
Jumped into the sea-. Only three of the A
mericaiIs were wounded.
AS Decatur was about TO proceed out
with his prize, the boat which had been COM
manded by his brother came under his stern.
and informed him that they had engaged
ana captured one of the enemy /; but that
her commander, after surrenderine, had
treacherously shot Lieut.. James Decatur.
ana pushed OH with the boat, and was then
making for the harbor.
The feelings ofthe gallant DECATUR on re-
celVing TINS intelligence, may more easily be
imagined than described. Every consider
alton of prudence and safety was losr in his
eaSerness 20 punish so dastardly an act. and
TO avcnge the death Of q brother so basely
murdered. lie pushed within the eneny's
ilne with ms single boat, and having succeed
ed IN getting alongside his retire ating foe,
boarded her at the head of eleven men.
who were all the Americans he had lett.
Inc tate OF this Contest was extremely
doubtful for twenty minutes. All the A.
mericans except four were now severely
wounded. Decatur now singled out the
Commander as the peculiar object of his
Vengeance. The Turk was armed with an
espontoon, Decatur with a c%utlass {; in at
tempting to cut of the head of the weapon,
his sword stIuckson the iron and broke close
to the hit. The Turk at this moment made
a push, which slightly wounded hin, in the
right arm and breast. He immediately seiz-
ed the spear and closed with him. Aferce
struggle ensued, and both fell, Decatur up-
permost. BY this time the Turk had drawn
a dagger from his belt, and was about to
plunge 1t in the body of his foe, when Deca-
ter Caught his arm, and shot him with n pis-
toll, which he had taken from his pocket.
During the time they were struggling on the
deck, the crews rushed to the aid of their
commanders, and a most sanguinary conflict
took place, insomuch, that when Decatur
had despatched his adversary, it was with
the greatest difficulty he could extricate
himself from the killed and wounded that
had fallen around him.
1t is with no common feeling Of admiration
that we record an instance of heroic courage.
and loyal self-devotion, on the part of a com.
mon sailor. During the early part of Dccstur's
struggle With the Turk, he was assailed in
rear by ono OF the enemy, who had Just aimed
n blow at MS head with his sabre, that must
have been fatal at this fearful iuncture, a no.
bic hearted tar, who had been so badly wound
ed as to lose the use of his hands, seeing no
other means Of saving his commander, rushed
between him and the uplifted sabre, and receiv-
ed the blow on his own head, which fractured
his skull. We love TO pause and honor great
actions in humble life, because they speak
we'll for human nature. Men Of rank and sta
ton in society often do gallant deeds, in a man.
ner from necessity. Their conspicuous situa.
ton obligcs them TO do so, or their eagerness
tor glory urges them on but an act like this