The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-06-30
SOME WAR STORIES.
To Fire Hearts with Ardor of Patriotisn
and the Love OF Country,

Nothln8 so nres the youthful heart
with the ardor of patriotism and the
love of country as stories of adventure
by flood and field in defense of the
fatherland.
The piping times of peace" which
this nation has enjoyed during third
of century, made the American peo-
pie almost forget the gallant deeds of
their brave sailor boys in the days
when only wooden walls were between
them and the death-dealing missiles of
the enemy. Now that the lowering
brow of grim-visaged war once more
threatens the land, the petty struggles
OF political strife are cast aside and
the country again turns to its navy to
protect Its shores from invasion and
its honor from insult.
When tho frigate United States was
lying in the harbor of Norfolk, some
time anterior to the war Of 1872, lit
tie boy in petticoats was In the habit
OF accompanying his mother, a poor
woman, who frequently visited the ship
to wash for some of the crew. The
| "ASSS hohiC was Jouu lCdmClt
soon became favorite with the sail
ors and 1t was determined by them, II
his mother would consent, to adopt him
as the ships mascot. War was SUBJ
sequently declared against Great Brit
ain and the frigate sailed upon a
cruise, In which she captured the Mace
donian. AS the two vessels were ap-
preaching each other, Commodore De-
catur noticed that little Jack appeared
anxious to speak to him. What do
you want?" said Decatur. Jack COOL
ly answered that "he had come to ask
that his name might be enrolled on the
ships books" For what purpose?"
said the Commodore. Because" re-
piled Jack, II want to draw my share
Of the prize-money." Decatur was
pleased with the boys confident expec-
tation Of victory, and Immediately gave
orders to have Jacks name registered;
and when the prize-mcney allowed by
| Congress was distributed the youngster
receiver his share. After that he was
an object of special interest to the
| Commodore, and as soon as his age
justified his application for a midship-
mans warrant 1t was made and
promptly compiled with. Little Jack
vas with Decatur in the President
when she was captured, and in the
Guerriere in the expedition to Algiers.
He afterward sailed in the Franklin
with Commodore Stewart to the Pacific
Ocean. That was his last cruise, as
he was upset from one Of the ships
boats by sudden squall In the harbor
If Valparaiso and sunk to the bottom
before any assistance could be AFFORD
| ed.
| During the bombardment of Tripoh
Capt. Stephen Decatur boarded Tri-
politan gunboat to avenge the death
Of his brother. Lieut.. James Decatur,
who had been treacherously shot by
Tripolitan commander. On boarding
The enemy's vessel Decatur attacked
The Tripolitan, who was armed with
spear and cutlass. In the contest,
which for time appeared doubtful, an
American sailor named Reuben James
saw Tripolitan officer aim blow at
Decatur's head while the latter was
struggling with his opponent. The
blow would have proved fatal had not
the generous and fearless James, who
| had been deprived of the use Of both
his hands by severe wounds, rushed
between the sabre and his commander
and received the blow on his own head,
by which his skull was badly fractured.
In the meantime Decatur. whose sword
had broken at the hilt, seized his
enemy's spear, and after a violent
struggle succeeded in throwing him to
.he deck. The Turk now drew dirk,
and when in the act Of striking Decatur
caught his arm, drew pistol from his
pocket and shot him through the head.
Immediately after the declaration OF
he last war with England Elbert An
ted Troy, where he purchased large
quantity Of provisions. The inspect
,rs for the Government were Ebenezer
and Samuel Wilson. The latter was
more familiarly known as Uncle
SAM" and he superintended the work
N person. On this occasion large
number of workmen were employed in
,verhauling the provisions purchased
by the contractor for the army. The
casks were marked E. A, U. s. This
work fell to the lot of facetious fellow
n the employ of the Messrs. Wilson,
who, on being asked by some Of his fell
ow-workmen the meaning Of the mark
I(for the letters "U. g." for United
States were then almost entirely new
to them), said uncle Sam" Wilson.
The joke took among the workmen,
md Uncle Sam" himself being pres
.nt, he was occasionally rallied by
them on the increasing extent of his
possessions. Many of the workmen
soon followed the recruiting drum to
The war, and their old joke on Uncle
sam" Wilson accompanied them and
gained favor rapidly until Uncle
sam" was finally recognized as the
naturalization, in name at least, of the
American Government. It was regard
ID, even in those days, as very odd that
his silly toke which originated in the