Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02
One Hundred Years Of Peerless
Bravery and Heroism.
CENTENNIAL DAY APPROACHING
Brief Resume of lis Ever Satisfac-
tory Accomplishments.
A BRILLIAN Mt RECORD

where they made the first landing of Amer
lean troops in Cuba and raised the first
American flag over Spanish SOIL only adds
another dazzling page to its already bril-
| liant history. 1t is peculiarly appropriate
that this most recent proof of the I'M
daunted courage and ma gnificent manhood
of the officers and meE CT the corps should
be given at this time, as it is approaching
| the close Of it's one hundredth year, the
centennial anniversary Of it's organization
as corps falling on July IL.
In view of it's recent achievements 1t is
generally hoped that the government will
publicly acknowledge this occurrence in
some distinct and marked manner, and 1t
is believed that an executive or depart
mental order reciting it's services would be
an appropriate lGean5 for this recognition
It's services nave certainly been illustriou5.
Every war in which the United States has
been engaged has shown the superiority of
the corps to meet and overcome apparently
lnsurmountable obstacles. and it's magnifi-
cent discipline has met every test aud each
demand.
HerOism in TripoIi.
During the war with Tripol February
TO- 1904, when the gallant Decatur in the
ketch Intrepid entered the harbor of Trip
oil filled with cruisers, gunboats and gal
leys and surrounded by forts and batteries
and assaulted and burned the Philadelphia
which the Tripolitans had captured from
US the year before, the roll of honor of
the volunteers for that hazardous expedi-
ton included eight marines, a sergeant,
corporal. and six privates. Later, in Au-
gust, 1904, when the desperate fighting
which accompanied the beginning of the
bombardment of Tripoli was in progress
Decatur boarded a Tripolitan gunboat and
engaged its captain in hand-to-hand COM
bat While the leaders were thus fighting
an enemy raised bis sword to cleave Deca-
tur's skull when marine interposed his
arm and saved his commanders life at the
cost of that member.
1t was also during the Tripolitan war
that the first American flag was raised
upon an old world fortress and a marine,
Lieut. y Bannon, did it. This was at Derne
upon its capture by the forces under COM
mand of General Eaton.
The Florida md Mexican Wars,
When the Indian war in Florida broke out
in 1886 and the disposable portion of the
army was inadequate to stop the Indians
ravages of the country, Colonel Command
ant Archibald Henderson of the marines
volunteered the services of himself and all
yards. and they were accepted. All through
the war the marines did valiant service,
and We're constantly complimented by Cen
erai Jes5up- In the Mexican war the ma
rines again performed service that were
conspicuous. while 1t would require a vol
ume to recount their heroic deeds during
the civil war. They assisted in the cap
ture by boarding her of the confederate
Irivateer Judah; they were with present
Rear Admiral James E. Jouett when he
destroyed the Royal Yacht. In the deadly
duel between the Merrimac and the Cum
berland the last shot fired at the Merrimac
was by the division of marines on the
Cumberland. commanded by Lieutenant
Charles Haywood. now the colonel COM
mandant of the corps. and the first shot
from the Merrimac killed nine of his ma
rines. At Fort Sumter, Mobile Bay, every
where the navy was engaged during the
war the Marine Corps showed it's courage
and discipline and its ardent desire to ever
be in the hottest part of fight.
Since the War.
After the war, in countless instances, the
corps proved it's value and efficiency In
Corea, at the great fire in Boston and in
other instances it kept up its record. This
was particularly the case during the revo-
luton on the Isthmus of Panama in 1888.
In accordance with the treaty of 1S4S the
United States guarantees protection to
travel across the isthmus During the
trouble the railroad was obstructed and
traffic prevented. Rear Admiral Jouett,
then in command of the North Atlantic
squadron, proceeded to the scene, and April
IL. 1885, battalion of marines. under COM
mand of Lieut.. Col. Haywood, the present
commandant, arrived ut ASDinwall and
were Immediately ordered to Panama to
protect Americans there. At o'clock the
same night Col. Haywood and his men
were at Panama, All. miles distant, and
transit across the isthmus was opened.
In the face of this glorious record the
Marine Corps has been the object of jea-
ousy and envy. and in some instances
downright hatred on the part of navy and
army officers
SampsOn's Singular Silence.
Despite the glorious heroism shown at
Guantanamo by the marines under Lieuten-
ant Colonel Huntington, Captain Elliott
and Lieutenants Newell Shaw and Bruch.
which the newspaper correspondents have
described in such high terms, no official
recognition of it has been made by Ad-
miral Sampson. and while this has occa-
stoned universal remark, the reason Is not
far to seek. He is an avowed and bitter
opponent of the marine corps. This will
doubtless seem remarkable when the
achievements of the corps are considered,
but 1t is true, and many other naval Off
GERS cherish the same sentiments. The
majority of naval men. however are earn
est admirers of the marines and hold views
identical with those of the late Admiral
David d. Porter, which will be found fur
Their on.
Sailors and Marines.
Between the bluejackets and the marines
there is little love lost. The marines love
to DUB the sailors fiat foots," while the
sailors return the compliment by contempt
rously regarding the others as Land lub-
bers. Probably the intense feeling on the
part of the sailors is that the marines do
not have to help In coaling ship or the
other hard work and do not conceal their
glee at seeing the bluejackets sweating I'M
der such duties. Then, again, the sailors
remember many ebullitions of discomfort
among themselves, sometimes narrowly bor-
dering on mutiny. which the marines have
promptly subdued- And they are also jeal-
Gus of the superiority of the marines at gun
practice. 1t is an established fact shown
by the records in the Navy Department,
but sedulously kept from public notice, that
whenever the marines have been placed at
the big guns of war vessel its target
practice record has shown a wonderful in
crease in efficiency
in discipline and as land fighters for the
reason that they are thoroughly drilled
and trained and given long practice in
shooting before they are put In service
afioat- Last year the marines at the Wash
ington barracks developed wonderful skill
at the long-distance rifle ranges at Ordway
rnder the instruction of Capt M. c. Good
rell. and Goodreal and all these men were
at Guantanamo
Admiral P0rter's Tribute.