The Brave American
A month into the march towards Derne, food supplies started to run low. With only six days of rice left, the army began to look for other sources of food. Eaton's army slaughtered camels for meat, and the Marines sold their brass buttons to local Bedouins for a few dates, but the food gathered wasn't enough to feed hundreds of men. As a result, Arab mercenaries refused to march any further. Eaton disagreed, and his decision caused the private army to revolt against the ten Americans.
O'Bannon and his seven Marines positioned themselves in front of the supply tent to protect the little food they had left. Over 200 mercenaries assembled and charged the Marines. With little option, O'Bannon gave the command to aim. The Marines raised their rifles and prepared to fire at the charging Arabs, but at the last second, the charging army turned around and sheathed their swords. Some of them raised their rifles at the Marines, and one actually gave the command to fire, but, fortunately, no one listened. The Marines didn't budge throughout this whole ordeal. The U.S.S Argus eventually pulled into port, delivered food, and everyone was content again.
In his report, Eaton stated, "the firm and decided conduct of Mr. O'Bannon as on all other occasions did much to deter the violence of the savages, by whom they were surrounded. After the affair was over the Bashaw embraced O'Bannon with an enthusiasm of respect, calling him the Brave American."
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