Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-08-08
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OUR WAR WITH FRANCE
An Almost Forgotten Scrap That Was
Marked by Several Thrilling Fights.


Tucked away in the annals of the
navy department at Washington Is
the history Of two-and-a half
years war with the United States be-
gan against France just lis years
ago. More than SO sea fights, some OF
them as desperate as the American
navy ever fought, took place in the
course of the hostilities. 1t. was
war worthy Of much historical notice,
yet historians have neglected it be-
cause, as a war, it was unofficial.
AS early as 1890, French privateers
began preying on American COM
merce. Edmund Randolph, secre-
tary of state in 1894, formally pro-
tested to France against violation of
treaty rights. France paid no atten-
ton to America. Yankee ships were
seized; Yankee crews imprisoned, and
Yankee commerce destroyed.
May 4, 1898, congress responded to
the New England demand for war,
and ordered new ships for the Amer
lean navy. Three weeks later, with
out a declaration of war, ships fly
ing the American flag were commits
stoned to prey on French commerce.
French oppression continued unalter-
ed. Finally, July Z, 1898, congress
took up the question Of abrogating all
French treaties. July 9, that was
done and an official note sent to
France. The next day, July 10,
I179S, every American warship, al
ready outfitted for battle. set sail
from American ports and began the
war which continued two and one
half years, although never recog-
nized as such by either nation.
The first action was when the
frigates Constellation and Delaware
captured the French privateer Croy-
able, IA guns, off the Delaware coast.
It was renamed the Retaliation and
enrolled under the American colors.
November 20, the French frigate
TInsurgente retook the Retalia-
| ton.
Almost the whole action of the war
took place in the West Indies and
adjacent waters. France maintained
squadron there and the French is
lands in the caribbean Sea, were
favorite outfltting places for priva-
teers. The American vessels reaped
harvest the first few months of the
war. The French ships Sans Pareil.
Jaloux, Marsouin, La Bonaparte, LIE
Phenix, La Magicienne, La Bona
parte II, La Briliante, LIE Bon Pere.
Amour de la Partie and Tartufe were
captured. Then France sent out
heavier vessels to cope with the
American frigates.
The first real battle of the war
took place February 9, 1893. near St.
Kits, a harbor in the Lesser Antilles.
The American frigate Constellation,
4S guns, Captain Thomas Truxton,
captured the French frigate PInsur-
gente, 40 guns. Captain Barreault,
after half a days fierce fighting.
The Constellation sighted the I'm
surgente about noon and Immediately
gave chase. A furious tropical storm
separated the two ships and carried
away the Frenchman's main topmast.
About 315 o'clock that afternoon,
when the storm had passed, Captain
Truxton sighted rInsurgente again.
Captain Barreault showed the Ameri-
can flag and hailed. Truxton replied
with private signals which showed
him the chase was not an American
ship. At pistol shot distance the Con-
stellation opened the battle with a
broadside.
The French ship replied and the
firing became steady. Truxton sailed
across his enemy's bow and raked.
Then for half an hour he hung on
rInsurgente's starboard quarter, fir
ing broadside. Once the French
ship, which carried 400 men to the
Americans 800, tried to board, but
failed. Truxton crossed Barreault's
bow again and raked. A return shot
Then Truxton pulled away from the
smoke and began a furious broadside
bombardment from the port bow. AS
he prepared to cross rInsurgente's
stern and rake 1t from the quarter,
Captain Barreault struck. Five Amer
leans were killed or wounded in the
battle. while seventy Frenchmen suf-
fered like fate.
Another battle Of some moment was
fought between the American frigate
Boston, and French corvette LeBer-
ceau, which was assisted by a schoon-
er. After four hours fighting Cap
tain Senez, a French veteran Of the
Revolutionary war. surrendered to
Captain Little, of the Boston. The
battle flags of the LIE Berceau and
lrInsurgente now hang in the trophy
room of the naval academy, Anna
polls.
BY far the most stirring deeds of
the war were accomplished by the
small vessels the United States fitted
out to clean the southern seas of
French privateers. History carries no
more brilliant chapter than the mar
ration of those exploits. The Enter
prise, a small schooner armed with
twelve six-pounders and commanded
by Lieut.. John Shaw. played a con-
spicuous part. 1t was in commission
only six months, but averaged nearly
an engagement a week.
| First, Lieut.. Shaw was challenged
to battle by large French lugger
He accepted, but the Frenchman fail
ed to appear. Then the Enterprise
fought a night battle with Spanish
16-gun ship by mistake. A few days
later the sloop Cheyenne became its
prize. Next the lugger that had fail
ed to appear, was sighted and cap
tured after a brisk fight. A French
general was made prisoner and ex-
changed for an American officer held
captive in Guadeloupe. The brig
fragile, ten guns: the Pauline, six