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which was a fair field fight. Unfortunately for us ^ though we had killed a great number of the en^no our men were so much fatigued, we were compe* to make a retrograde movement and leave then1 the night the undisputed possession of the field' Our retreat was effected in the best possible manfl and we took advantage to halt on an eminence _ poop Deck) where we would be least exposed to noyance from the enemy. Through the course of night however several of them had passed the pR* and found their way into our camp.—According
Lieutenant William L. Hudson served in the 18-gun sloop of war USS Warren in the Mediterranean from 1827 to 1829. This letter was written to Lieutenant Joel Abbot, who had served with Hudson and who was at that time on leave, recovering from a lung ailment.
U S Ship Warren Smyrna July 8, 1828.
Dear Abbot
Old Noahs Ark during the Ancient Flood could not have been more completely drenched with Water than our Ward Room for the last two days. You must know before I proceed further, we have been for the past month, laterally overrun—with that plague to all good housewives, Bed Bugs. We had long and patiently submitted to the inroads of these barbarians, and made several examples of such as were caught offending, in the vain hope it would deter others, or at least prevent the horrors of a civil war, which was most seriously deprecated.—As it was a matter of the utmost importance to cleanliness & good sleeping, it was thought necessary to call a council of war on the occasion, that we might benefit by the collective wisdom of our Mess ere we commenced an attack upon so formidable an enemy. After a considerable display of Nautical eloquence and the most mature deliberation it was proved beyond a doubt—our cause was just—and the war would be a righteous one— inasmuch as it was to repel a foe—which had assailed our homes—and endeavoured to deprive us of th°5j pleasing devotions—we were wont to pay the God 0 Sleep. Under these impressions we came to the hef°,c determination of making one glorious and despefat£ struggle to attack our insidious enemies—not in hand, Abbot—but with Brush & Broom, ^°l Water & Ley Soap & Sand, mercurial Soluti°n' Green Paint, &c., &c. The action commenced under rather unfavorable auspices—in consequence of °ur great disparity of numbers.—The science of ' however, was in our favor—for among our numbsr5’ were some veterans in this Service, whose experi£nC£ and bravery were of the utmost importance in R^j', ing our Troops and saving us the disgrace of an ea retreat.—Our Regiment of Black Troops with the most determined courage, their prowess the field could only be equalled by the consumfl13 skill of the enemy in their retreat through the 1°°^ holes which unseasoned wood and a dry atmospn^ had made in the partitions between our rooms. ‘ _ action (which deserves to be recorded amongst c , annals of great events) lasted for two days, the fifSt
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Proceedings / February
a skilful commander he took advantage of the Co n^S sPeecfi bad produced—ordered the large ^ Cb shell, to sound to arms. Having formed, we ty ^d w‘cb a solemn, but determined gait, to the che ^^°°dfi- Sanguinary indeed was the contest,
6 f‘eld in all directions, but were too closely pur-
th,
1 'tary usage, they were condemned as spies and ated accordingly. Our scouts had been reconnoiter- k® trough the night—taken several stragglers, and th°U^C US lntelliSence our adversaries were again in e field and had received considerable reinforce- in > tS ^*s inf°rrnation was somewhat discourag- n/j’ lt ls only as danger increases, however, that great e . J show their superiority; this was never better ^ nced than in the person of our General (Gold the f0Jl ro°m cook). (I mention this fact to do away the th reProacfi °f cowardice too often charged against loiv Un^0rtunate people.) After forming us into a hol- square, he harrangued us in the most animating thains’ recounted the dangers we had already gone oJ°ugh, and the glorious repose which would follow frsuccess—he said we had embarked in a. cause as u ^ would be inglorious to shrink—and, if
Cre had every reason to believe—Victory should e , n 0ur efforts—our names would hereafter be the ^ a2one<f on the escutcheons of fame—and not even V ^at^er °f Bed Bugs, dare to contaminate us
s bis touch. This latter part of our Generals j Cc“ fiad its desired effect, and as if by the same ^ Pu se—one spontaneous cry issued from every Lik°at Victory or Death!!! Lead us to the enemy!!!
feel i enemy at last gave way, and were retreating from
sued u, .
°y our victorious arms to escape, the carnage
soon became general without regard to age or sex. Their camp equipage fell into our hands, and we succeeded in laying waste all their towns & villages,— in fact we have left none to tell the tale of their misfortunes. In reverting to the scenes which took place on that occasion, in these my cooler moments— when the ardour of War has passed off, & the mind settled into a Calm,—my very heart sickens. It is a consolation to know however,—the result was glorious to our arms—a day ever to be remembered in the annals of Bed Bug War!!! I beg you will fairly appreciate my labour, Abbot, in thus detailing one of the greatest military exploits (I’ll venture to say,) within the recollection of man.—You may think I have been rather prolix on the occasion, in justice to my subject however, and to acquire the reputation of a faithful historian—it was necessary I should be minute, besides great men and great exploits are never fully appreciated, until the first have gone the way of all flesh, & the events of the latter, preserved through a proper medium, when envy and jealousy—have sunk in the same grave with the Hero. Perhaps some centuries hence—the achievements I have thus faithfully described, will employ the brain and pen of many a Rhetorician, Philosopher, and Antiquarian—and generations who shall at that time occupy the places we fill give to our memories the meed [reward] of praise so justly due—though at present so unjustly withheld. So much for the Bed Bug War. . . .
dngs / February 1980
69