The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-06-24

upon nim from thcm snu the gun-boats. rHc
returned their fire, aud continued advancing
until he came in contact with The boats. A,
this time Commodore Preble, seeing Decatur
approaching nearer than he thought prudent,
ordered the signal 10 be made for retreat,
but il was found that in making out signals
tor the boats, one for reirea, had been o.
lnitted. The encmy's boats had abou, forty
men each; ours an equal number, twenty
se,en of whom were American and thirteen
Neapolitans. Decatur on boarding the enemy
was instantly followed by his countrynen, but
the Nsspolitsns remained behind. The Turks
did not sustain the combat, hand 10 hand,
with that frmncss they had obtained repu-
ta,ion for in ten ninutcs the deck was clear.
cd; eight of ihem sought refuge in the hold;
and OF the rest, some ieel on the deck, and
others jumped into the sea. Only three OF
the Americans were wounded.
As Decatur was about 10 proceed out with
his prize, the boat which had been comusnd-
ed by his brother came under his s,era, and
informed him that they had engaged and cap
tured one OF the enemy but that her com-
mandcr, after surrendering, had treacherous-
ly sho, Lieutenant James Decatur, and push.
ed otf with the boat, and was then making
Tor the harbor.
The feelings Of the gallant Decatur on re-
csiving this intelligence, may more easily be
imagined than described. Every considera-
tion OF prudence and safety was lost in his ca
gerness 10 punish 50 dastartly an act, and TO
avenge the death Of a brother so bssely mur-
dered He pushed within tie cncmy's line
with his single boat, and having succeeded in
getting alongside his retrcating foe, boarded
her at the head OF eleven men, who were all
the Americans he had left.
The fate Of this contest was extremely
doubtful for twenty minutes. AL tho Amer.
leans but four were now severely wounded.
Decatur now singled out the commander as
the peculiar object of his vengeance. The
Turk was armed with an esponloon, Decatur
with cu,ass in attempting to cut of the
head Of the weapon, his sword struck on the
iron aud broke close 10 the hih. The Turk
at this moment made a push, which slightly
wounded him in the right arm and breast
He immediately seized the spear and closed
with him. A 6ercc struggle cnsucd, and
both fell, Decatur uppermost. by this time
the Turk had drawn dagger from his belt,
and was abou, to plunge Il in the bo1y Of bis
foe, when Decatur caught his arm, and shot
him with pistol, 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 mos, san
culinary conflict took place, iDsomuch, that
when Decatur had despatched his adversary,
1t was with the greatest difficulty he could
exticate himself from the killed and wound
Cd tina, had fallen around him.
II is with no common feeling OF admiration
tf,at If
and loyal self devotion, on the part Of com
mon sailor. During the early part of Dcca-
tur's struggle VITA the Turk, lie was assaiIcd
il rear by one of the enemy, who had jus;
aimed blow at hi, head with his sabre, tha,
must have been fatal at this fearful jupcturc,
noble hearted ter, who bad been SO badly
wounded as 10 lose thc use OF bis hands, see.
ing no other means of saving his commander,
rushed between him and the uplifcd sabre,
and received the blow on his own head which
fraatured his skull. We have 10 pap,e and
honor grea, exer,ioss in humble lie, because
they speak we'll for human nature. Men Of
rank and station in society often do gallant
deeds, in manner from necessity. Their
conspicuous situation ob!iges them to do So,
or their eagcrness for glory urges them on !;
but an act like this we have mentioned, SO
desperate, yet so cisinierestcd done by an
obscure, unsmbitious individual, a poor SAL
lor, can spring from nothing bu, inns,e no.
bleness OF soul. We are happy to add that
this generous fellow survived, and now re-.
eeives a pension from government.
Decatur succeeded in getting with both
OF his prizes to the squadron, and the next
day received the highest commentator, in q
general order, from Com maodorc Prcble.
When that able officer was superseded in the
command of the squadron, he gave the Con-
s,itution TO Captain Decatur, who had, some
time before, received his commission
From that ship ne wasremoved to the Con
gress, and returned home in her when peace
was concluded with rripoli. On his return
to the United States, he was employed in su-
pcrintending gun boats, Until the AFFAIR OF the
Chesapeake, when he was ordered to super
ecde Commodore Rgron in the command Of
that ship, since which period he has had the