Putnam patriot., 1911-11-24

Ter had fled to Egypt, while his three children were held as hostages in Trip oli. Eaton knew the usurpeper was unpopular in his country, and con ceived the brilliant idea of re-estab- fishing Hamet on the throne with American assistance. He made a spe- cial "trip to Washington, but all his plans met with acold reception. Noth- with few faithful followers, and joined Hamet in Alexandria. Here he organized the most motley army that has ever been assembled. The force numbered about 900 men mostly Arabs and Greeks, with a small number of Italian and French veterans. There were only nine Americans in the eXpe- dition, but they furnished the moving spirit and enthusiasm for the venture. The line of march was 500 miles long across'the desert from Alexandria to Derne, port ol the small State of Bar ca, dependency of Tripoli. On March $, 1905, the strangely assorted army began it's march over the unknown desert west of Alexandria. None of the Americans had any knowledge of the country, but their leader was not man to be daunted by difficulties.
 The careful diary kept by General Eaton is modern "Anabasis. He writes on one occasion that the troops mutinied, demanded more money and refused to go further. He thereupon ordered his little band of nine Ameri- cans to take up arms and march way as If to abandon the expedition. This so alarmed the Arabs that they begged the Americans to return, and the march continued.
 The expedition proceeded across the desert, suffering great hardships, but averaging about twenty miles a day, driven constantly forward by the in- domitable spirit of General Eaton. They passed thru primitive villages where Christians had never been seen by the natives. Finally, exhausted and half starving, the expedition ar rived before the walls of Derne. Here, to his great joy, General Eaton found Commander Hull, of the United States Navy, and the brig Argus: sixteen guns. He persuaded Commander Hull to join him in concerted attack on Derne hy land and sea.
 General Eaton drew up his army on an eminenee near the city, while the Argus began a bombardment of the ancient walls with her 24-pound can non. The opposing batteries were soon Silenced and breach made in the walls, thru which General Eaton and his army charged, In fierce assault the city was carried, and for the first time in history "0ld Glory y''-then with only fifteen stars-tloated over a fortified place in the old World. Gen. eral Eaton was shot in the wrist, and fourteen Christians of his party were killed or wounded. The enemy, altho driven out ot DeTne, raised an army in the vicinity, and for several weeks there were sharp skirmiSheS between the eombatantS. Finally pitched battle was fought between the Dey's troops on the one side and General Ea- tons army, supported by the ships fire, on the other. The battle proved victory for the Americans.
 General Eaton now arranged to make a march on Tripoli itself, when the most unwelcome news arrived that the United States had concluded a treaty of peace with Tripoh, by which S60, ,000 tribute was to be paid 10 the Dey in consideration of his renouncing future assessments. Eaton was naturally flu. rious at this sudden ending to his brief but glorious campaign, the only one ever undertaken by the United States