Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-30
The American Marine.

soldiers OF the sea. SeNerdi nuhurcu
of them are on Chinese soil, and their
heroic work has added another honor
to the long list that adorns their colorS
| which already carry more than those
of any other organization in our ser
vice From an interesting sketch Of
the marine corps published in the New
York Sun it is learned that it is the old
lest military branch Of theGovernmcnt. 1t
was organized by act Of the Continent
al Congress, Nov. 10, 1875; and its his
tory is continued without a break
down to the present time. a hundred
years ago. and again recently, 1t was
proposed in Congress to abolish the
Marine Corps as unnecessary; but the
proposition was opposed by officers of
experience and rank, and was not
pressed; in view of the services of the
marines during the Spanish war at sea
and on shore, it is hardly likely that
the proposition will be repeated.
| Organized in 1175. the marine corps
DISTINGUISHED itself first in 1777. in the
battle between the Bon Homme
Richard and the Scraps, and again
when it captured the British island of
| New Providence, in the Bahamas.
This was the first foreign soil captured
| by an American force. In 1909 the
marines fought in Tripoli. and in 1905.
under Cen William Eaton, they took
part in a remarkable march across the
Libyan desert from Egypt to Tripoli.
and on April > stormed and took the
fortress Of Derne Their colorS show
the name "Tripoli," to commemorate
this exploit. Our flag was then first
planted over an Old World fortress.
The marines were at the battle of
! Bladensburg in 1914; some Of the corps
fought at New orleans in 1915; and
they showed great gallantry in the duel
between the Chesapeake and the
Shannon. They captured the Sumatran
town Of Quallah Battoo in 1882: and
took an active part in the war with
Mexico. distinguishing themselves at
Chapultepcc on Sept Is. 1Si7. In the
! John Brown raid in 1859, The marines
| were represented. and they took part.
though the fact is not often rcmem-
! bered. in the first battle Of Bull Run.
They were in many of the important
coast battles Of the Civil War, too.
In 1864. they appeared on foreign soil
again. at Shimonoscki. Japan, Impress
| ing on the Prince of Satsuma the fact
that when he made treaty with
! Americans he must keep it. The
, bloody battle Of Fort Fisher in Janu-
airy. 1863 engaged the services Of
strong detachment of the corps;
: another year saw the marines fighting
f, in Formosa. the never conquered island
which China surrendered 70 Japan IN
1895 They took part in our war with
| Corea in 1871, kept the peace at
Panama in 1885: and in the Spanish
war did yeomans service, at Guanta-
namo. ana At Manila ana other places
, in the Philippines They manned the
secondary batteries on the Warships.
and each commanding officer praised
| their work.
| For years the corps was commanded
| commandant was promoted to be
| brigadier-general: but the rank eX-
| pired with his retirement in 1876, not
| to be revived until last year, when in
view of the increased strength of the
corps. its commandment was promoted
brigadier-general. The present strength
of the corps is 6,1So officers and men.
| OF these. a regiment Of three
| battalions is stationed at Cavite, the
| first time that such an organization of
marines has ever been formed even
temporarily 1t is from this regiment
that some Of the marines for service i'll
| China are drawn.
Like that of their British predecess-
ors, the motto Of our marines in Per
Mare ct Terrain" their device is q
mounted by an eagle; a second motto
is Ever Faithful" The history of the
marine corps for one hundred and
twenty-five years Is that OF. the United
| States: in all parts Of the unCiviliZed
world the corps has served, and every
where hearts terrified by dread OF
barbarian attacks have found comfort
at the news that marines have been
landed from the American warships
| Nineteen times has Congress thanked
the corps for its services; and probably
the opportunity for thanking it again
will not long BE- delayed.
Let us hope that it is really true that