The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-21

few minutes killed or drove overheard all
her turbaned defenders. He then set her
on FIRE and returned TO his own vessel, which
lac rowed out OF the hRrbor under the heavy
FIRE Of the Tripolitan forts and vessels. De
catur was promoted to Captain for this gal
liant exploit, and all the officers under him
were advanced in rank
While this daring feat was still fresh in
the minds Of the Tripolitsns Commodore
Pfeble appeared of Tnpoli with the Con-
stitution and fleet OF vessels and gunbOats.
Though the haTbor was defended by bat
teries mounting 115 cannon, 10 gunboats,
several other vessels, aud $4,000 land SOL
diers, Prehle did not hesitate TO attack,
but began a fierce assault, in which De-
catur, in command Of gunboat, again
distinguished himself lie ran his boat
alongside one of the largest Of the Tri-
poliians, boarded and captured her, after
desperate fight, in which he killed the
Captain in rough-aad-tumble struggle on
ihe deck After sinking three Of the Tripoli-
tan gunbOats, capturing three, and inflicting
a heavy loss OF life, our feet withdrew. but
returned four days later aud renewed the
attack. During this hot shot from one Of
the batteries penetrated the magazine Of one
Of our guuboais. blew her up, and killed
most Of her crew. When the smoke lifted,
the remainder Of her crew were seen on the
only part Of the boat above water, actively
engaged in firing her last gun. When the
gun was discharged, this, too, disappeared,
and the gallant crew cheered as they sank
into the water, from which they were rescued
by boats from the other vessels.
A third attack was made July %, in
which the Constitution ran in under the
guns, silenced those Of the castle and two
batteries, sank a large vessel, and damaged
a number OF others. 4 fourth attack was
made sept. 4, in which the Constitution and
her consorts inflicted much damage on the
city. After the attack another scheme was
determined upon. A ketch was loaded with
100 barrels of guupOwder, aud sent in TO the
haTbOr under command Of Capt. SOmers who
had with him a chosen crew Of resOlute men
il was intended that she be exploded near
the walls Of the castle and throw them down
but the explosion took place before she
reached The point intended, and all on board
were lost
The next year the feet was strengthened
and Commodore Preble relieved by Com
nodOre Barron. After putting cheek on the
MooTs, who had again become troublesome,
he resumed the blockade OF Tripoli in the
meanwhile other measures were being taken.
The Bey Of Tripoh was an usurper. lie had
murdered his eldest brother, and forced the
second into exile The latter was found in
Egypt, and given assistance By officers Of
our army, who helped him organize an eK-
petition to recover his throne. AT the head
Of this was Capt. Eaton, of our army. In
March, 1906, the expedition started from
Alexandria, and marched westward over the
desert for more than ] 900 miles. They came
gether captured the Tripolitan town Of
Derne, and after some other successes came
under the walls Of Tripoli. The Bey was
terribly frightened, and hastened TO make a
peace v@h the American Consul General,
which, like much Of the diplomacy of
Jefferson, was discreditable TO our conn
try. 1t merely stipulated that the United
States should pay no more tribute TO Tri-
poll, but that we should pay 100000 ransom
for the release OF the American prisoners
then held by the Bey. Our ally, the legiti-
mate Bey, was left in the lurch, and all ne
gained was the release Of his wife and chill
dTen. lie afterWard came TO the United
States and tried TO get remuneration, but
received only g. 40) for his temporary relief
In spite Of this disgracefnl compromise
when we were in position to gain every
thing, the results Of the war were highly
beneficial. The commerce Of the Mediier.
ranean was relieved from its greatest bur.
den. Pope Plus VII. declared that in Few
years the Americans had done more for
Christendom against the inidel pirates thar
all The powers OF Europe combined. The
experience gained by our naval officers was
I invaluable, and shortly afterwaEd turned {,
the best account in the war against Grea
Britain, in which we gained the most aston
. ishing series Of victories in naval history.
=. .
THE regular recurrence Of events make
il time for US TO have another war W,
have never gone longer than 81 years with
ont war, and it is now % years since tn
> rebellion closed. The first war which coul,
he considered National one was that will
the French and Indians, which began il
l7jG and ended in 1863 The next wa