William Eaton
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William Eaton (23 February 1764 - 1 June 1811) was an American Army officer, involved with the First Barbary War. He supported Pasha's brother to win the battle.
Born in Woodstock, Connecticut, joined the Army at an early age and served until April 1783, when he was appointed U.S. Consul at Tunis. Because of his experience in the North African region, he was appointed Navy agent for the Barbary Regencies on 26 May 1804. He found the deposed leader of Algeria and created an alliance with him. From there, he established a group of mercenaries to begin the takeover of Tripoli starting with Derne. He dressed like a normal Arabic Sheik and could be called the previous Lawrence of Arabia. He managed to trek with a small regiment of Marines and his mercenary force over 500 miles while stopping mutinities, arguments, threats, et cetera. Supported afloat by Isaac Hull, Captain of Argus, in an effective "combined operation," Eaton led the attack in the Battle of Derna on 27 April 1805. The town's capture, and the threat of further advance on Tripoli, were strong influences toward peace, negotiated in June 1805 by Tobias Lear and Commodore John Rodgers with the Bashaw of Tripoli.
General Eaton died in Brimfield, Massachusetts, 1 June 1811.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.