The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-02-27
One Of Many lrish-Amercans Whose Skill,
Bravery and Patriotism Helped
Form the Nation.
Judged Solely by the Record of Accomplish.
ments Few Better Merit High
Place in History.

Captain Barry in the Lexington has
taken and sent in here privateer of
six gun carriage guns commanded by
another OF those famous Goodriches
of Virginia"
But Barry was as brave on land as
on sea, and on the gloomy Christmas
eve of 177o, rendered valiant service
in transporting the Continental army
across the ice-blocked Delaware, and
served with honor and distinction in
the victories of Trenton and Prince
ton. 1t was Barry who devised the
plan of filling kegs with gunpowder
and sending them down from Borden
town to spread CONSERVATION by ex-
ploding against the warships and fir
ing the wharvcs Of the city. This in
cident is known as "The Battle of the
Kegs"
Barry's new ship, The Effergham,
having been destroyed by British
land force at its moorings in the upper
Delaware, he employed himself in
hanging the enemy on land, and on
February Goth, 1878, reported to Wash
ington: According to the orders of
General Wayne I have destroyed 400
tons of the enemy's forage"
In Abbot's "Blue Jackets of TO-" is
recounted the story of how Barry,
with 27 men in open rowboats, captur-
ed in the Delaware the British war
vessel, Alert, of ten guns with four
conveys, and took more than $50
prisoners. "Frost's Naval Biography"
said of this achievement, that "for
boldness of design and dexterity of ex-
ecution, it was not surpassed, if equal
led, during the war;" Part of the
stores captured on this occasion Barry
forwarded to Washington at Valley
Forge, and from him received the re-
ply: "I congratulate you on the sue
cess which has crowned your gallantry
and address in the late attack on the
enemy's ships. * You will be
pleased to accept my thanks, for the
good things which you were so polite
as to send me, with my wishes that a
suitable ,recompense may always at
tend your bravery"
In September, 1873, Barry was ap-
pointed to command the Raleigh. He
was attacked by superior force, but
succeeded in running his vessel on
shore. In "Watson's Annals" the fight
is called "a noble and daring Defence
Shortly after Barry became command
er of the Delaware and later of the Al
lance, the best ship ever owned by the
Continental Congress and so named
8 in honor of the unity existing between
America and France. Barry's selec,
ton to command this ship was a con.
spicuous and honorable testimonial tc
his merit, abilities and services.
, Barry was sent to convey to France
, Commissioner Laurens, Thomas Paine
. and Count dc Noailes, the brotfer-in
law OF Lafayette. Laurens succeeded
in borrowing six million livres, whicl
I enabled Washington to pay his arm,
and transport it to Yorktown
+ On March goth, 1881, the Alliance
left for America and arrived at Bostor
larbor after voyage OF sixty-nin'
days. On this voyage Barry Tough
and won, although severely wounded
, one OF the fercest battles of our nava
: history, resulting in the capture Of thu
Atlanta and the Trepassy.
| On September 21st, 1881, Barry wa
placed in command of the whole nav,
( of the colonies and he so remained
until the independence. OF the United
/: States was accomplished. Rober
l Morris wrote him: "I do not fix YOU
| cruising ground because expect yo,
will know the most likely cruise ane
will be anxious to meet such events a!
will do honor to the American hae
! and promote the general interest"
In October, 1881, Barry was intrust
ed with the conveyance of Lafayette
to France, the Importance of his mis-
i sion being deemed OF more value thar
, any service Barry could render on the
, field in America.
He had the honor TO fight the las