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THE WALLS OF DERNE

WILLIAM EATON, THE TRIPOLI COUP AND THE FIRST BARBARY
WAR
BY CHIP REID

ADVANCED PRAISE
Chipp Reid has done a masterful job of bringing fresh perspective to the little-known but important story of
Americas first overseas conflictits war with Tripoli and the Barbary pirates. In this well-researched yet
highly readable book, Reid also explores in-depth the controversial career of William Eaton and highlights
some of the early Republics other leading military and political personalities. This is highly recommended
reading for all students of early American military and diplomatic history.
Sean M. Heuvel, co-editor of Yankees in Nelsons Navy

Although many recall the Marine Hymns praise of Corps heroics on the shores of Tripoli, few know the
intrigues involved on the North African coast that helped save the Marine Corps from extinction. Chipp Reids
thoroughly researched and engagingly written analysis of the diplomatic, political, naval, and marine aspects of
the First Tripolitan War merits close attention as we encounter the intrigues of the contemporary world.
David Curtis Skaggs, author of thirteen books, including A Signal Victory
 DESCRIPTION
Chipp Reid, author of Intrepid Sailors, continues the story of the war against the Barbary pirates of Tripolithe
United States first overseas war. To the Walls of Derne recounts the 1804 naval campaign to unseat Yusuf
Karamanli, the ruler of Tripoli.

Using a three-pronged approach, President Thomas Jefferson first ordered the most powerful U.S. naval
squadron the world had yet seen to the Mediterranean to begin the attack on Karamanli. Under the command of
Commodore Samuel Barron, the squadron included many of the same officers who had made Commodore
Edward Prebles summer campaign in 1804 a success. Barron, however, lacked Prebles aggressive spirit, and
he also had to contend with a debilitating illness. Meanwhile, President Jefferson gave Consul General Tobias
Lear carte blanche to broker a peace treaty with Tripoli. Complicating his mission were the more than three
hundred American captives who had fallen into corsair hands in 1803. Although Lear could ransom them, he
had orders to pay as little as possible for a treaty.

Against this backdrop, Jefferson had also approved a dramatic and daring attempt to oust Karamanli and replace
him with his pro-American brother, Hamet. The mission was the brainchild of William Eaton, the soldier-
turned-diplomat-turned adventurer who led an epic march across the Libyan desert that culminated in the first-
ever U.S. flag raising over foreign soil and this young nations first attempt at regime change.

Although all three men knew about the others missions, each wanted to be the one to end the war and reap the
glory. As costs continued to escalate and as Congress became less willing to fund an overseas military
expedition, the pressure to end the war increased. Jefferson, at first enthusiastic about Eatons mission, grew
less and less supportive as time passed, even while Barron and Lear used the financial problems facing Eaton to
advance their own solutions. With victory within his grasp, Eaton found himself in a high-stakes drama that
would determine Americas place in the world and set the direction for future overseas diplomatic and military
missions, all while shoring up the need for the U.S. Marine Corps.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHIPP REID is an award-winning reporter and editor, a licensed ship captain, historian, and Cold War
veteran. His book Intrepid Sailors: The Legacy of Preble's Boys and the Tripoli Campaign was named a
"Notable Naval Book of 2012" by Proceedings magazine

Publication date: 15 September 2017 | ISBN: 9781612518138

Hardcover: $29.95 | 376 pages

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