The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 Part 48

Gunboat No. 3 was this day commanded by Mr. Brooks, master of the Argus, and No. 6 by Lieutenant Wadsworth, of the Const.i.tution.

Annexed is a return of our loss in this attack.

_Killed._ Gunboat No. 9: One lieutenant, one midshipman, one boatswain's mate, one quarter gunner, one sergeant of marines, and five seamen; Gunboat No. 8: Two seamen.

_Wounded._ Gunboat No. 9: Six seamen, two of whom mortally.

Total, twelve killed, six wounded.

Captain Chauncey brought me the first positive information that any reinforcement was to be expected. By him I was honoured with your letters of the 7th, 22d, and 31st of May, informing me that four frigates were coming out, under Commodore Barren, who is to supersede me in the command of our naval forces in these seas, at the same time approbating my conduct, and conveying to me the thanks of the President for my services. I beg you, Sir, to accept my warmest thanks for the very obliging language in which you have made these communications, and to a.s.sure the President that to merit the applause of my country is my only aim, and to receive it the highest gratification it can bestow.

Captain Chauncey informed me that the frigates might be expected every moment, as they were to sail from Hampton Roads four days after him. In consequence of this information (and as I could not bring the John Adams into action, she having left all her gun carriages for her gun deck, except eight, on board the Congress and Constellation, a day or two previous to her sailing), I determined to wait a few days for the arrival of Commodore Barron, before another attack, when, if he should arrive, the fate of Tripoli must be decided in a few hours, and the Bashaw completely humbled. Had the John Adams brought out her gun carriages, I should not have waited a moment, and can have (p. 143) no doubt but the next attack would make the arrival of more ships unnecessary for the termination of the Tripoline war. I gave Captain Chauncey orders to remain on the station, that we might be benefited by the a.s.sistance of his boats and men, as nearly half the crews of the Const.i.tution, brigs and schooners, were taken out to man the bombs, gun and ship's boats when prepared for an attack.

_August 9th._ We were engaged supplying the bombs and gunboats with ammunition and stores, and getting everything in readiness for an attack, the moment Commodore Barron should arrive and make the signal. I cannot but regret that our naval establishment is so limited as to deprive me of the means and glory of completely subduing the haughty tyrant of Tripoli, while in the chief command; it will, however, afford me satisfaction to give my successor all the a.s.sistance in my power. At three P.M. I went on board the Argus, for the purpose of reconnoitering the harbour of Tripoli; we stood in towards the town, and were near being sunk by the enemy's fire; one of their heaviest shot, which struck about three feet short of the water line, raked the copper off her bottom under water, and cut the plank half through. In the evening the wind blew strong from the N. N. E.; the squadron weighed, and kept under sail all night. The day following we anch.o.r.ed, Tripoli bearing S. S. W., six miles distant. At ten A.M.

the French Consul hoisted a white flag at his flagstaff, under the national colours, which was a signal that the Bashaw was ready to treat. I sent a boat into the harbour, and took this opportunity to forward Captain Bainbridge, and his officers, letters from their friends. The boat was not allowed to land, but returned in the afternoon, and brought me a letter, advising that the Bashaw was ready to receive five hundred dollars for the ransom of each of the prisoners, and terminate the war, without any consideration for peace or tribute. This is three hundred and fifty thousand dollars less than was demanded previous to the action of the 3d instant. These terms I did not hesitate to reject, as I was informed by Captain Chauncey that it was the expectation of our Government, on the arrival of four frigates, to obtain the release of the officers and crew of the Philadelphia without ransom, and dictate the terms of peace. I enclose you copies of our correspondence, which will convince you that our attacks have not been made without effect.

_August 16th._ No news of the frigates, and but short allowance of water in the squadron. I sent the Enterprize to Malta, with orders to the agent there to hire transports, and send off immediately a supply of fresh water, provision, and other stores which have become necessary, as some of the squadron have now been upwards of five months in sight of this dismal coast, without once visiting a friendly port. Those vessels, as well as the gunboats, received their supply of water and provisions from the Const.i.tution.

_August 18th._ As the season is fast approaching when we may expect bad weather, and no news of the frigates, I have determined to make an attack as soon as the wind proves favourable. At eight P.M. I sent Captains Decatur and Chauncey, in two small boats, to reconnoitre the harbour, and observe the disposition of the enemy's flotilla at night. They returned at midnight, and reported that they were anch.o.r.ed in a line abreast, from the mole to the Bashaw's castle, with their heads to the eastward, for the defence of the inner harbour. At daylight (p. 144) the wind shifted suddenly from northeast to north-northwest, and brought a heavy sea on sh.o.r.e, which obliged us, for greater safety, to weigh and stand to sea.

_August 20th._ We had gained an offing of nine or ten leagues; still blowing hard. We had met with the ketch Intrepid, from Syracuse, with a cargo of fresh water, stock, and vegetables, for the squadron.

_August 22d._ Fell in with a ship from Malta, with water and live stock for the squadron. These cargoes arrived very opportunely, as we have for some time past been on a short allowance of water.

The wind having moderated, we stood in and anch.o.r.ed with the squadron, six miles northeast by north from Tripoli. All the boats were engaged in discharging the transports. The Enterprize arrived from Malta, but brought no intelligence of the long expected frigates.

_August 24th._ With a light breeze from the northeast, we stood in with the squadron, prepared for action, intending to attack the town and shipping in the night. At eight in the evening, anch.o.r.ed about two and a half miles from the batteries. At midnight it fell calm. I sent the bomb vessels, under the protection of the gunboats, to bombard the town; the boats of the squadron were employed in towing them in. At two A.M. the bombardment commenced, and continued until daylight, but with what effect is uncertain. At six all the boats joined us, and were taken in tow by the squadron, which was under weigh and standing off. At seven, anch.o.r.ed four miles north of the town.

The weather for several days, proved unfavourable for approaching the sh.o.r.e.

_August 28th._ We were favoured with a pleasant breeze from the eastward; at three P.M. we weighed, and stood in for Tripoli; at five, anch.o.r.ed the Const.i.tution, two miles north by east from Fort English, and two miles and a half from the Bashaw's castle; the light vessels ordered to keep under way; we were employed until eight P.M. in making arrangements for attacking the town; a number of the officers, and many of the seamen, of the Const.i.tution being attached to the bomb, gun and ship's boats; Captain Chauncey, with several of his officers, and about seventy seamen and marines, volunteered their services on board the Const.i.tution. All the boats in the squadron were officered and manned, and attached to the several gunboats. The two bomb vessels could not be brought into action, as one was leaky and the mortar-bed of the other had given way. The John Adams, Scourge, transports and bombs, were anch.o.r.ed seven miles to the northward of the town. Lieutenant Commander Dent, of the Scourge, came on board the Const.i.tution, and took charge on the gun-deck.

Lieutenant Izard, of the Scourge, also joined me. Lieutenant Gordon commands gunboat No. 2, and Lieutenant Lawrence, of the Enterprize, No. 5; these are the only changes. At half past one, A.M., the gunboats, in two divisions, led by Captains Decatur and Somers, were ordered to advance and take their stations close to the rocks at the entrance of the harbour, within grape-shot distance of the Bashaw's castle. The Syren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprize, and boats of the squadron accompanied them.

At three, A.M., the boats anch.o.r.ed with springs on, within pistol shot of the rocks, and commenced a brisk fire on the shipping, town, batteries, and Bashaw's castle, which was warmly returned, but not as well directed. The ship's boats remained with the gunboats, to a.s.sist in boarding the enemy's (p. 145) flotilla, if it should venture out, while the brigs and schooners kept under way, ready for the same service, or for annoying the enemy as occasion might present. At daylight, presuming that the gunboats had nearly expended their ammunition, we weighed with the Const.i.tution, and stood in for the harbour. Fort English, the Bashaw's castle, crown and mole batteries, kept up a heavy fire upon us as we advanced. At half past five, I made the signal for the gunboats to retire from action, and for the brigs and schooners to take them in tow. We were then within two cables length of the rocks, and commenced a heavy fire of round and grape on thirteen of the enemy's gunboats and galleys, which were in pretty close action with our boats. We sunk one of the enemy's boats, at the same time, two more, disabled, ran on sh.o.r.e to avoid sinking; the remainder immediately retreated. We continued running in until we were within musket shot of the crown and mole batteries, when we brought to and fired upwards of three hundred round shot, besides grape and canister, into the town, Bashaw's castle, and batteries. We silenced the castle and two of the batteries for some time. At a quarter past six, the gunboats being all out of shot and in tow, I hauled off, after having been three-quarters of an hour in close action. The gunboats fired upwards of four hundred round shot, besides grape and canister, with good effect. A large Tunisian galliot was sunk in the mole.

A Spanish ship, which had entered with an amba.s.sador from the Grand Seignor, received considerable damage. The Tripoline galleys and gunboats lost many men, and were much cut. The Bashaw's castle and town have suffered very much; as have their crown and mole batteries.

Captains Decatur and Somers conducted their divisions of gunboats with their usual firmness and address, and were well supported by the officers and men attached to them. The brigs and schooners were also well conducted during the action, and fired a number of shot at the enemy, but their guns are too light to do much execution. They suffered considerably in their sails and rigging.

The officers and crew of the Const.i.tution behaved well. I cannot, in justice to Captain Chauncey, omit noticing the very able a.s.sistance I received from him on the quarter-deck of the Const.i.tution during the whole of the action. The damage which we have received is princ.i.p.ally above the hull. Three lower shrouds, two spring stays, two top-mast back stays, trusses, chains, and lifts of the main yard, shot away. Our sails had several cannon shot through them, and were beside considerably cut by grape; much of our running rigging cut to pieces. One of our anchor stocks, and our larboard cable, shot away, and a number of grape shot were sticking in different parts of the hull, but not a man hurt! A boat belonging to the John Adams, with a master's mate (Mr. Creighton) and eight men, was sunk by a double-headed shot from the batteries, while in tow of the Nautilus, which killed three men, and badly wounded one, who, with Mr. Creighton and the other four, were picked up by one of our boats. The only damage our gunboats sustained was in their rigging and sails, which were considerably cut by the enemy's round and grape shot. At eleven, A.M., we anch.o.r.ed with the squadron, five miles northeast by north from Tripoli, and repaired the damage received in the action.

_August 29th_ and _30th_. Preparing the bomb vessels for service; supplying the gunboats with ammunition, etc.

_August 31st._ A vessel arrived from Malta with provisions (p. 146) and stores; brought no news of Commodore Barron or the frigates.

We discharged this vessel's cargo and ordered her to return.

_September 2d._ The bomb vessels having been repaired and ready for service, Lieutenants Dent and Robinson resumed the command of them. Lieutenant Morris of the Argus, took command of No. 3, and Lieutenant Trippe, having nearly recovered from his wounds, resumed the command of No. 6, which he so gallantly conducted the 3d ultimo. Captain Chauncey, with several young gentlemen, and sixty men from the John Adams, volunteered on board the Const.i.tution. At four P.M., made the signal to weigh; kept under sail all night. At eleven P.M., a general signal to prepare for battle. A Spanish polacre in ballast came out of Tripoli, with an amba.s.sador of the Grand Seignor on board, who had been sent from Constantinople to Tripoli to confirm the Bashaw in his t.i.tle; this ceremony takes place in all the Barbary regencies every five years. The captain of this vessel informed us that our shot and sh.e.l.ls had made great havoc and destruction in the city, and among the shipping, and that a vast number of people had been killed: also informs us that three of the boats which were sunk by our shot in the actions of the 3d and 28th ultimo, had been got up, repaired, and fitted for service.

_September 3d._ At two P.M., Tripoli bore south southwest, two miles and a half distant; wind east by north. At half-past two the signals were made for the gunboats to cast off, advance, and attack the enemy's galleys and gunboats, which were all under weigh in the eastern part of the harbour, whither they had for some time been working up against the wind. This was certainly a judicious movement of theirs, as it precluded the possibility of our boats going down to attack the town, without leaving the enemy's flotilla in their rear, and directly to windward. I accordingly ordered the bomb vessels to run down within proper distance of the town and bombard it, while our gunboats were to engage the enemy's galleys and boats to windward. At half-past three P.M., our bombs having gained the station to which they were directed, anch.o.r.ed, and commenced throwing sh.e.l.ls into the city; at the same time our gunboats opened a brisk fire on the galleys, &c., within point blank shot, which was warmly returned by them and Fort English, and by a new battery a little to the westward; but as soon as our boats arrived within good musket shot of their galleys and boats, they gave way and retreated to the sh.o.r.e within the rocks, and under cover of musketry from Fort English. They were followed by our boats, and by the Syren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus and Enterprize, as far as the reefs would permit them to go with prudence. The action was then divided. One division of our boats, with the brigs and schooners, attacked Fort English, whilst the other was engaged with the enemy's galleys and boats. The Bashaw's castle, the mole, crown, and several other batteries kept up a constant fire on our bomb vessels, which were well conducted, and threw sh.e.l.ls briskly into the town; but, from their situation, they were very much exposed, and in great danger of being sunk. I accordingly ran within them with the Const.i.tution, to draw off the enemy's attention and amuse them whilst the bombardment was kept up. We brought to within reach of grape, and fired eleven broadsides into the Bashaw's castle, town and batteries, in a situation where more than seventy guns could bear upon us. One of their batteries was silenced. The town, castle and other batteries considerably (p. 147) damaged. By this time, it was half-past four o'clock; the wind was increasing, and inclining rapidly to the northward. I made the signal for the boats to retire from action, and for the brigs and schooners to take them in tow, and soon after hauled off with the Const.i.tution to repair damages. Our main-topsail was totally disabled by a sh.e.l.l from the batteries, which cut away the leech rope, and several cloths of the sail; another sh.e.l.l went through the fore-top-sail, and one through the jib; all our sails considerably cut; two top-mast backstays shot away, main sheets, fore tacks, lifts, braces, bowlines, and the running rigging, generally, very much cut, but no shot in our hull, excepting a few grape. Our gunboats were an hour and fifteen minutes in action. They disabled several of the enemy's galleys and boats, and considerably damaged Fort English. Most of our boats received damage in their rigging and sails. The bomb vessel No. 1, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, was disabled, every shroud being shot away; the bed of the mortar rendered useless, and the vessel near sinking; she was, however, towed off. About fifty sh.e.l.ls were thrown into the town, and our boats fired four hundred round shot, besides grape and canister. They were led into action by Captains Decatur and Somers, with their usual gallantry. The brigs and schooners were handsomely conducted, and fired many shot with effect at Fort English, which they were near enough to reach with their carronades; they suffered considerably in their rigging, and the Argus received a thirty-two pound shot in the hull forward, which cut off a bower cable as it entered.

We kept under weigh until eleven P.M., when we anch.o.r.ed, Tripoli bearing south southwest three leagues. I again, with pleasure, acknowledge the services of an able and active officer in Captain Chauncey, serving on the quarter-deck of the Const.i.tution. At sunrise I made the signal for the squadron to prepare for action.

The carpenters were sent on board the bombs to repair damages, and our boats employed in supplying the bombs and gunboats with ammunition, and to replace the expenditures.

Desirous of annoying the enemy by all the means in my power, I directed to be put into execution a long contemplated plan of sending a fire ship, or _infernal_, into the harbour of Tripoli, in the night, for the purpose of endeavouring to destroy the enemy's shipping, and shatter the Bashaw's castle and town.

Captain Somers, of the Nautilus, having volunteered his services, had, for several days before this period, been directing the preparation of the ketch Intrepid, a.s.sisted by Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel. About one hundred barrels of powder, and one hundred and fifty fixed sh.e.l.ls, were apparently judiciously disposed of on board her. The fusees leading to the magazine, where all the powder was deposited, were calculated to burn for a quarter of an hour.

_September 4th._ The Intrepid being prepared for the intended service, Captain Somers and Lieutenant Wadsworth made choice of two of the fastest rowing boats in the squadron, for bringing them out, after reaching their destination, and firing the combustible materials which were to communicate with the fusees.

Captain Somers' boat was manned with four seamen from the Nautilus, and Lieutenant Wadsworth's with six from the Const.i.tution. Lieutenant Israel accompanied them. At eight in the evening, the Intrepid was under sail, and standing for the port, with a leading breeze from the eastward. The Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus, convoyed her as far as the rocks. On entering the (p. 148) harbour, several shot were fired at her from the batteries.

In a few minutes after, when she had apparently nearly gained the intended place of destination, she suddenly exploded, without their having previously fired a room filled with splinters and other combustibles, which were intended to create a blaze in order to deter the enemy from boarding while the fire was communicating to the fusees which led to the magazine. The effect of the explosion awed their batteries into profound silence with astonishment; not a gun was afterwards fired for the night. The shrieks of the inhabitants informed us that the town was thrown into the greatest terror and consternation by the explosion of the magazine, and the bursting and falling of sh.e.l.ls in all directions. The whole squadron waited, with the utmost anxiety, to learn the fate of the adventurers, from a signal previously agreed on, in case of success; but waited in vain. No signs of their safety were to be observed. The Argus, Vixen and Nautilus, hovered round the entrance of the port until sunrise, when they had a fair view of the whole harbour. Not a vestige of the ketch or her boats was to be seen. One of the enemy's largest gunboats was missing, and three others were seen very much shattered and damaged, which the enemy were hauling on sh.o.r.e. From these circ.u.mstances, I am led to believe that these boats were detached from the enemy's flotilla to intercept the ketch, and, without suspecting her to be a fire ship, the missing boat had suddenly boarded her, when the gallant Somers and heroes of his party, observing the other three boats surrounding them, and no prospect of escape, determined, at once, to prefer _death_ and the _destruction of the enemy_ to _captivity_ and _torturing slavery_, put a match to the tram leading directly to the magazine, which at once blew the whole into the air, and terminated their existence. My conjectures respecting this affair are founded on a resolution which Captain Somers, Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel had formed--neither to be taken by the enemy, nor suffer him to get possession of the powder on board the Intrepid. They expected to enter the harbour without discovery, but had declared that should they be disappointed, and the enemy should board them, before they reached the point of destination, in such force as to leave them no hopes of a safe retreat, that they would put a match to the magazine, and blow themselves and their enemies up together; determined, as there was no exchange of prisoners, that their country should never pay ransom for them, nor the enemy receive a supply of powder through their means. The disappearance of one of the enemy's boats, and the shattered condition of three others, confirm me in my opinion that they were an advanced guard, detached from the main body of the flotilla on discovering the approach of the Intrepid, and that they attempted to board her before she had reached her point of destination; otherwise the whole of their shipping must have suffered, and perhaps would have been totally destroyed. That she was blown up before she had gained her station is certain, by which the service has lost three very gallant officers. Captain Somers, and Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel were officers of conspicuous bravery, talents, and merit. They had uniformly distinguished themselves in the several actions; were beloved and lamented by the whole squadron.

_September 5th._ We were employed in supplying the gunboats with ammunition, &c., and repairing the bomb vessels for another attack, but, the wind shifting to the N. N. E., a heavy swell setting on sh.o.r.e, and other indications of bad weather, determined me, for greater safety, to take the guns, mortars, (p. 149) shot and sh.e.l.ls out of the boats into the Const.i.tution and John Adams, which was accordingly done. The weather continuing to wear a threatening aspect until the 7th, and our ammunition being reduced to a quant.i.ty not more than sufficient for three vessels to keep up the blockade, no intelligence of the expected reinforcement, and the season so far advanced as to render it imprudent to hazard the gunboats any longer on the station, I gave orders for the John Adams, Syren, Nautilus, Enterprize and Scourge, to take the bombs and gunboats in tow, and proceed to Syracuse with them. The Argus and Vixen to remain with the Const.i.tution, to keep up the blockade.

_September 10th._ The United States ship President, Commodore Barron, and Constellation, Captain Campbell, hove in sight, and soon joined company, when the command of the squadron was surrendered to Commodore Barron with the usual ceremony. I continued in company with the squadron until the 12th, when three strange ships came in sight, standing direct for Tripoli. Chase was given, and two of them boarded and taken possession of by the Const.i.tution, the President in company, about four leagues from Tripoli, but not more than five miles from the land, while the Constellation and Argus were in chase of the third. The two boarded by the Const.i.tution were loaded with about sixteen thousand bushels of wheat. Tripoli is in a state of starvation, and there can be no doubt but these cargoes were meant as a supply and relief to our enemies.

Considering the season too far advanced, and weather too uncertain, to hazard any further operations against Tripoli, at present, Commodore Barron determined that the prizes should be sent to Malta, under convoy of the Const.i.tution, it being necessary she should go into port to be recaulked and refitted. I notified to Commodore Barron that it was my wish to return to the United States, in the frigate John Adams, Captain Chauncey; this readily, and in the handsomest manner, met his acquiescence. I shall accordingly return in that ship.

The service in this quarter cannot suffer from this arrangement, as Captain Decatur is at present without a ship, and my return will place him immediately in the exercise of the duties attached to that commission which he has so gallantly earned, and his country generously bestowed. I shall feel a pleasure in leaving the Const.i.tution under the command of that officer, whose enterprising and manly conduct I have often witnessed, and whose merits eminently ent.i.tle him to so handsome a command.

The other commanders merit the highest commendations for their prompt obedience to orders, on all occasions, and for the zeal, spirit and judgment which they displayed in the several attacks on the enemy's shipping and batteries, as well as for the general good order and discipline at all times observed on board their respective vessels. The officers of the squadron have conducted themselves in the most gallant and handsome manner; and the conduct of the different ship's companies have merited my warmest approbation since I have had the honour to command them.

It affords me much satisfaction to observe that we have neither had a duel nor a court martial in the squadron since we left the United States.

I most sincerely regret the loss of our gallant countrymen, who have sacrificed their lives to the honour of the service, and that it has not been in my power, consistent with the (p. 150) interest and expectation of our country, to liberate Captain Bainbridge and the unfortunate officers and crew of the Philadelphia. Be a.s.sured, sir, I have incessantly endeavoured to effect this desirable object. I have no doubt but my successor will be able to effect their release, and establish peace, on such terms as will reflect the highest honour on himself and his country.

_September 17th._ Arrived at Malta with the two detained Greek vessels. We experienced very bad weather, but had the satisfaction to learn that the bombs and gunboats had arrived safe at Syracuse, the 15th instant, without accident. Each of the Tripoline gunboats which we have captured has two bra.s.s howitzers abaft, and a handsome copper gun in the bow, which carries a twenty-nine pound shot, is eleven and a half feet long, and weighs six thousand six hundred pounds.

I send you a plan of the town and harbour of Tripoli, with the disposition of our squadron, and the enemy's flotilla, at the time of the several attacks, with sundry other papers.

I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, sir,

Your most obedient servant, Edward PREBLE.

_____

_R. Smith to George Harrison._

To George HARRISON, Esq., Navy Department, Philadelphia. June 26, 1805.

Sir: I have received your letter, accompanied by drawings of the medal for Commodore Preble. I now return you the Commodore's likeness and one of the drawings sent to me by you. I approve the drawings, excepting as to size, which appears to me to be too large. I doubt whether any die can be made to impress so large a surface. We should depart, too, from general custom, by making this medal so large. The medal voted by the old Congress, for General Washington, was three inches diameter, those for General Greene, Gates, &c., were two and a half inches, and those for Morgan, Wayne, &c., were two inches. The drawings of the medal for Commodore Preble are four inches. I have no objections to the medal for Commodore Preble being two and a half inches. Confer with artists upon the subject and let me hear from you. It is my determination to have it made by Mr. Reich, and you may so inform him, that he may not engage in other business to interfere with this.

I am respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant, R. SMITH.

No. 24. (p. 151) PLATE XXV.

_March 4, 1809--March 4, 1817._

James Madison President of the U. S. A. D. 1809. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON.

[_Fourth President of the United States of America._]

JAMES MADISON PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (_United States_) A. D. (_Anno Domini: The year of our Lord_) 1809. Bust of President Madison, facing the left. On ring, R. (_Reich_).