Expeditionary· First Barbary War
Evacuation of Derne
On the night of June 12, 1805, William Eaton withdrew the American garrison from Derne in the frigate Constellation after peace was made with Tripoli.
Captain Hugh G. Campbell had arrived on June 11 with orders to evacuate. Hamet Bashaw told Eaton his only safety lay in leaving with the Americans, provided the plan stayed secret. Eaton kept up the idea of an attack and held the garrison at its posts. At eight in the evening he posted patrols of U.S. Marines to stop movement between the town and the post. The Constellation's boats took off the cannoneers with the field pieces and a ten inch howitzer, then the Greek company, while the Marines stayed at their posts. Hamet and his retinue embarked next, and the Marines followed with the American officers. Eaton left last in a small boat as soldiers and townspeople crowded the shore and battery. All were aboard the Constellation by about two in the morning.
Podcast episodes on First Barbary War
Record no. 900