stood in with the squadron towards Tripoli. At noon we were between two or three miles from the batteries, which were all manned, and observing several of their gunboats and galleys had advanced, in two divisions, without the rocks, I determined to take advantage of their temerity. At half-past 12 I wore off shore, and made the signal to come within hail, when I communicated to each of the commanders my intention of attacking the enemy's shipping and batteries. The gun and mortar boats were immediately manned and prepared to cast off, the gunboats in two divisions of three each; the first division commanded by Captain Somers, in No. 1; Lieutenant Decatur in No. 2, and Lieutenant Blake in No. 3; the second division commanded by Captain Decatur, in No. 4, Lieutenant Bainbridge in No. 5, and Lieutenant Trippe in No. 6. The two bombards were commanded by Lieutenant-Commandant Dent, and Mr. Robinson, First Lieutenant of this ship. At half-past 1 o'clock, having made the necessary arrangements for the attack, wore ship and stood towards the batteries. At 2 signal made to cast off the boats; at a quarter-past 2 signal for bombs and gunboats to advance and attack the enemy. At half-past 2 general signal for battle. At three-quarters-past 2 the bombs commenced the action, by throwing shells into the town. In an instant the enemy's shipping and batteries opened a tremendous fire, which was promptly returned by the whole squadron within grape-shot distance; at the same time the second division, of three gunboats, led by the gallant Captain Decatur, was advancing, with sails and oars, to board the eastern division of the enemy, consisting of nine boats. Our boats gave the enemy showers of grape and musket balls as they advanced; they, however, soon closed, when the pistol, sabre, pike and tomahawk were made good use of by our brave tars. Captain Somers, being in a dull sailer, made the best use of his sweeps, but was not able to fetch far enough to windward to engage the same division of the enemy's boats which Captain Decatur fell in with; he, however, gallantly bore down with his single boat on five of the enemy's western division, and engaged within pistol shot, defeated and drove them within the rocks, in a shattered condition, and with the loss of a great number of men. Lieutenant Decatur, in No. 2, was closely engaged with one of the enemy's largest boats of the eastern division, which struck to him, after having lost a large proportion of men, and, at the instant that brave officer was boarding her to take possession, he was (p. 139) treacherously shot through the head by the captain of the boat that had surrendered, which base conduct enabled the poltroon (with the assistance he received from the other boats) to escape.