The Barbary Wars, Part 4: To the Shores of Tripoli

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

In 1804, William Eaton, the former Consul to Tunis, hatched a plan to end the war with Tripoli. Eaton proposed to invade Tripoli, drive the Pasha, Yusef Karamanli, from the throne, and replace him with his older brother Hamet. In the process, all American prisoners would be released, and all tribute demands ended. In early March 1805, Eaton began a 400-mile trek to his first objective, the city of Derne, an important Tripolitan seaport east of the capital. Following a harrowing fifty-four-day march, the army arrived on the outskirts of town and Eaton sent surrender demands into the city to which the Governor responded, “My head or yours.” Taking that as a “no,” Eaton launched his attack on April 27, while three ships from the Mediterranean squadron fired on the town.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses how William Eaton and his troops carried the Stars and Stripes to the shores of Tripoli and why it still matters today.

Images courtesy of National Portrait Gallery - Smithsonian Institution, Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, Library of Congress, British Library, Alamy, Naval History and Heritage Command, New York Public Library. 

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