Marine'Anthem

E

Eric

Active member
"From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea,”

I have a question for you: where does the Tripoli reference comes from in the Marine's Hymn?
 
Cool...I "GOOGLED" -Lieutenant Presely N. O'Bannon - and ended up with the following but it still doesn't say why the Marine were there, how many and what about a Mediterranean ally force ("The battle of 1805 between Tripoli and American Marines and their Mediterranean allies')

On April 27, 1805, Marine Corps forces lead by Marine Lieutenant Presely N. O’Bannon attacked and captured the fortress at Derna, Libya (then called Tripoli). The American flag was raised over the captured fortress. That was the first time ever the American flag had been flown over a territorial prize of war in the Eastern Hemisphere.

At the same time the United States of America treasury was paying as much as 1/5th of its total annual revenue to Tripoli and the Barbary Coast pirate states. This money was paid in part as ransom for captured American officials, and in part to allow the safe passage of American ships through the Mediterranean. The Basha (ruler) of Tripoli, unhappy about the amount of money Tripoli was receiving from the United States, declared war against the U.S. in May, 1801. A fleet of four ships was dispatched to patrol the waters around Tripoli and protect American shipping. However, their efforts were ineffectual. The battle of 1805 between Tripoli and American Marines and their Mediterranean allies, which almost ended in failure, resulted in replacing the Prince of Tripoli with his brother, who was more friendly to American interests.

The new Prince Karamali was so pleased with the American Marines; he awarded Lieutenant Presely O’Bannon a very special sword. This thin curved sword was the pattern for the current “Mameluke sword” carried by all Marine officers today as part of their dress uniform. As we all know our Marine Corp. March opening line “ From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.

http://www.libyanet.com/n26jul99.htm
 
The USMA was there because our shipping interests had come under attack by the Pirates, I have no idea who our "allies" were.
 
At this time Mediterranean piracy was ruled by Barbary pirates. Boats were attacked and looted, sailors kept as slaves for a ransom.Were the US so active there as to have military protection and Marine units?
 
Still, there is more about it:
"The battle of 1805 between Tripoli and American Marines and their Mediterranean allies"...

Interestingly enough, information on that specific and important battle should be easy to find but most of the USMC related sites just superficially talk about it.
Anybody with more details?
Was it a naval joint attack with a landing?
Who was helping?
Why going after the city?
Who were the American officials? ("This money was paid in part as ransom for captured American officials)
 
Finally, all this is linked to an American proverb /quote from 1800:
"millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute"...

I quote"
"....By 1794, Algiers had captured 11 American vessels and taken over 100 prisoners. In 1795 Congress agreed to their ranson by authorizing a payment of cash, munitions, a 36-gun frigate, and an annual tribute of $21,600 worth of naval supplies. In 1799, agreements were negotiated with Morocco, Algiers, and Tunis. Tripoli agreed not to attack American shipping, in return for an annual tribute of $18,000.
The Barbary Pirates, though discriminating against Christians, were businessmen, much like the Mafia. It was reported that ransom rates were set at a fixed price: $4,000 for a passenger, $1,400 for a cabin boy. In the coastal towns of Salem, Newport, and Boston, the names of those who were captured by the Barbary Pirates were read aloud each Sunday in the churches, just as those who were lost at sea. Most of the ransom had to be raised privately, as Congress was unable or unwilling to pay the full asking price.

By 1800 a new slogan was beginning to appear across the new country, "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." ...."

http://www.zianet.com/wblase/endtimes/barbary.htm
 
The 8 Marines(Lt. O'Bannon, one Sergeant and six privates) were a part of a force of approximately 500, mostly mercenaries, recruited by the Naval Agent for the Mediterranean, a retired Army Officer, Colonel William Eaton
 
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