The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-24
UNCLE SANS CONQUESTS.
THE CAPTURE OF DERNE IN TRLPOLI
AND OF THE CITY OF MEXICO.

william Eaton's March from E~gypt-COm-
modOre HulrS MarineS-TobiRs Lear'S
Interference - Parallels Between the
Mexican and the Spanish Wars Thus Far.
The United States have not been long in the
oonQuerinG business. but they have an excel
lent record. American victories in Mexico at
once suggest themselves; but Mexico was not
the first OF American conquests. and the marines
who fought 80 we'll at Guantanamo have a rec
ord OF courage far outdating the Mexican war.
The first place over the water above which
the American flag was hoisted in conquest was
the Tripolitan town OF Derne. the name OF
which is inscribed to this day on the rolls Of
the Marine Corps. The story OF the capture Of
that town is revived every now and then and 1t
is especially worth retelling now. In 1897
President Washington sent as Consul to Tunis
one William Eaton. q Sergeant OF the Revolu-
tionary army and a graduate Of Dartmouth.
who is said to have saved Washington's life on
one occasion. Eaton had served In the New
Hampshire Legislature and was q man OF abil-
ity and energy. He served nearly six years as
Consul at Tunis. He was more than Consul In
reality; he was the American diplomatic agent.
and In that capacity. by his holiness and acute
ness. secured for American vessels immunity
from the attacks of the Tripolitan pirates ex-
ceeding that Of any other power. In 1903 he
~ AOCAitCd NV hSANy OoA Ao ~ W
act a. United States Naval Agent. while Mr.. or
Col. Tobias Lear. President Washington's pri-
vate secretary. became Consul at Tunis.
Whatever may have been the duties Of the
Naval Agent In those plratical times and
| places. Mr.. Eaton. at all events. had some leisure
on his hands. which he employed in aiding the
dethroned Sultan OF Tripoli. Hamet. against
the usurping Duke. as Shakespeare would have
put II. the usurping Duke being Jusuf Cara
NALL. Hamet's brother. To help along Hamet
Eaton went TO Egypt. and thence marched with
800 men against Derne. the capital of the rich
est province Of Tripoli. HIS march lasted from
"early In 1905" until April 81. on which day he
and his army reached the city. There he was
joined by o body OF marines and sailors con-
tributed by Commodore Hull. who had come
along In the Argus and the Hornet.
On the morning Of April ~. 1905. then. tho
army Of the banished Sultan. consisting OF a few
hundred Americans and a few thousand Arabs.
attacked the city. They bomb 1t with Com
modore Hulls guns. and after an hour Of work
the "derned thing surrendered" as Jack Mar
linAplks is believed to have said at the time. At
all events. Commodore Hull raised the Ameri-
can nag over the TripolItan city OF Derne-the
first time that it had ever hoated over q cap
tured town. As at Guantanamo. the marines
distinguished themselves for bravery and all
around abilities.
Eaton and HUI were conRratulatlng them
selves on their exploit. tho former being
especially pleased because tho possession OF
Dorne would help him in getting further CON
o~esslons from either brother who happened to
be Sultan OF Tripoli. when the nsws came that
Lear. the Consul. had effected a treaty with
Jusuf Caramalll, by which peace was to be
made at once. and the United States agreed "a
pay $1,000 for certain American captiyes
Eaton was very angry. He had not been IN the
oonQuerlng business for his health; and now,
lust - h was about 70 make Q goOd thias Co