The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-07-15
sol So u ] Dl ] / AT HON E.
They TEL SOME INTERESTING
ANECDOTES or THE WAR.
sHow tho boys Of Both Armies WhiIed
Away Life In Camp Foraaing Ex.5
Il periences. Tiresome Marches Thrill
ling fcenes on the Battlefield.
"a BRAVE Yank,ce sni1or. :.

4 81 Z ~ !. E
A Brave Yankee Tailor.
. The naval history of the United
States Is replete with Instances Of indi-
yidual bravery and heroism, that have
made Uncle Sans sturdy tars especial
~ dear to the hearts Of all patriotic
Americans. : ~. .-..~.-.l ~
L One Of the most remarkable of these
heroic deeds, the unusual character Of
which has given 1t special page in
the naval annals of this country, was
that Of Reuben James, an ordinary
seaman, who saved the life Of his COM
:mander, the famous Commodore Ste
Zphen Decatur, by deliberate act of
self-sacrifice that has hitherto remain.
ed unequaled.
During battle with Tripolitan war
vessels, in the early part of the present
century, Decatur boarded one of the
enemy's ships to revenge the death of
his brother, who had been treacherous-
~ killed by Tripolltan commander.
The later was singled out for attack by
Decatur, as soon as he got aboard, and
q fierce handto-hand conflict ensued.
The Turk was large, powerful man,
and grappled Decatur, both men fall
Ing on the deck. just then another Tri-
politan officer aimed blow with his
sword at Decatur's defenseless head.
Reuben James, an American sailor,
both of whose arms were temporarily
disabled by wounds, saw the impend-
Ing blow, and, dashing forward, he in
terposed his own head to save that of
his daring captain. Fortunately the
blow was glancing one, but it made
q terrible cash in his skull. 1t was a
long time before he recovered from the
effect of the blow, and his brave act
was suitably recognized by Congress,
which granted him pension, though
he continued in active service.
I Besides being a brave man, James
was also philosopher of the Diogenes
type, though he, probably, had never
heard Of that wise old mans interview
with the great Alexander. When his
injuries had healed, and he was again
ready for duty, James was asked by
Decatur what he could do for him. The
sailor, who was a quarter gJ.nner on
the vessel, and had charge of the mems
hammocks, touched his hat in the GUS
tomary salute, and, after a moments
reflection, replied, Nothing, sir, as
knows on, 'cept you might let some 'un
else give out the hammocks, when
they're piped down."
Reuben James was true type of the
old-time tar, of the kind who looked
upon a mere landsman as an Individual
to be pitied, If not despised. He was
a native of Delaware, and became q
sailor when mere lad. In 1897, he
was captured by French privateer
and suffered great hardship. That ex-
perience only intensified his love for a
life on the ocean wave, and upon his
liberation he shipped aboard the Con-
sstellation, in 1899, and he took part in
the battle between that frigate and
the French war-ships, Insurgent and
Vengeance. In 1904 he joined the ia
nous frigate, United States, and was
one of those who volunteered to &C.
company Lieutenant Stephen Decatur,
when that fearless spirit determined
to destroy the American war-ship Phil
.adelphia, which had fallen into the
hands Of the enemy, and lay In the har-
Dor Of Tripoli. He remained under
Decatur's command, and took part in
the numerous fierce conflicts which
marked Americas naval war with the
Tmpolitans.
He followed Decatur to the Enter
prise, the Constitution, and the Con-
gress; and was with him in the United
States when that frigate captured the
Macedonian. He was also with his old
commander aboard the President,
when she had to surrender to a whole
British squadron in January, 1916, on
which occasion James was wounded
three times before he would 20 below
to have his Injuries attended to. He
took part in the naval war with Al
giers, and during the long peace that
followed he was constantly cruising
about in one or the other of the United
States war-ships in the West Indies,
the Mediterranean, or the Pacific
Ocean. He used to say that he had
taken part in "ten fights and as many
scrimmages."