To the Shores of Tripoli E37: O’Bannon’s Marines on the Move
This episode follows Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon and his small Marine detachment as they join William Eaton on a difficult 500-mile march across the desert. Alongside a mixed force of mercenaries and Bedouins, they faced supply shortages, internal conflicts, and the constant threat of attack.
Their goal was to capture the city of Derne and establish a foothold against Tripoli. This would be one of the Marine Corps’ earliest and most challenging ground campaigns, testing their discipline and resilience in ways they hadn’t faced before.
*************
Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines).
Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.
The American Congress to Edward Preble, a valiant officer.
To the vindicator of American commerce. Representing the bombardment, by the American fleet in the foreground, of the forts and town of Tripoli in the background. The American vessels are drawn up in line, and several boats manned are seen in the water casting off to the attack of the enemy's shipping and batteries.
REFERENCES
A journal, of the captivity and sufferings of John Foss. (n.d.). Christian-Muslim Relations 1500 - 1900. doi: 10.1163/2451-9537_cmrii_com_27678
Allison, R. (2014). The Crescent Obscured The United States and the Muslim World, 1776-1815. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Baepler, P. M. (1999). White slaves, African masters: an anthology of American barbary captivity narratives. Chicago (Ill.): University of Chicago Press.
Fisher, G. (1974). Barbary legend: war, trade, and piracy in North Africa, 1415-1830. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Fremont-Barnes, G. (2006). The wars of the Barbary pirates: to the shores of Tripoli: the rise of the Us Navy and Marines. Oxford, UK: Osprey Pub.
Hill, Frederic Stanhope. Twenty-Six Historic Ships; the Story of Certain Famous Vessels of War and of Their Successors in the Navies of the United States and of the Confederate States of America from 1775 to 1902. G.P. Putnams Sons, 1903.
Irwin, R. W. (1931). The Diplomatic Relations of the United States with the Barbary Powers, 1776-1816. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.
Kilmeade, B., & Yaeger, D. (2018). Thomas Jefferson And The Tripoli Pirates: the forgotten war that changed american history. Place of publication not identified: PORTFOLIO PENGUIN.
Lane-Poole, S., & Kelley, J. D. J. (1894). The Barbary corsairs. London: T. Fisher Unwin.