Henry Wadsworth (1785-1804) - Find a Grave Memorial

Henry Wadsworth Veteran

Birth

21 Jun 1785

Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA

Death

4 Sep 1804 (aged 19)

Cenotaph

Eastern Cemetery

Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA Show Map

Plot

Section H, Grave 13

Memorial ID

View Source

Son of Gen. Peleg Wadsworth and Elizabeth Bartlett (both buried at the Wadsworth Cem., Hiram, Oxford Co., ME).

Born in Falmouth, Mass., now Portland, Maine, on June 21, 1785; Entered Navy as a midshipman Aug. 28, 1799; Served on frigate Congress during Quasi-War; Transferred to Chesapeake and New York, serving in first two expeditions against Tripoli, 1801-02; Transferred to USS Constitution in August, 1803; Served on Constitution until April, 1804; Received battlefield promotion to Lieutenant April 9, 1804 and was assigned to prize brig Scourge as first officer; Served on Scourge until Aug. 28, 1804 when he received orders to return to Constitution; Volunteered for mission on Intrepid, joining the ship Sept. 3; died Sept. 4, 1804 with the rest of the crew when the ship exploded.

Casualty of Barbary Pirate Wars, US Midshipman

Buried at Tarabulus, Tarabulus, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya with his comrades.

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Henry is not actually buried in Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine; although he does have a memorial there. Unfortunately, he was killed in the line of duty in 1804 and is buried in Tripoli, Libya.

There is a bill before the Senate Armed Services Committee to bring his and those of his compatriots' remains home. You can read more about it at www.intrepidproject.org and http://www.pressherald.com/news/bill-would-transfer-longfellow-uncle-from-libyan-grave_2011-06-19.html. [Source: Sarah 47295108]

Inscription

Inscription: (South side) In memory of Henry Wadsworth, son of Peleg Wadsworth, Esq., Lieut. in U.S. Navy, who fell before the walls of Tripoli, on the evening of the 4th Sep. 1804, in the 20th year of his age, by the explosion of a Fireship, which he with others gallantly conducted against the enemy; determined at once they prefer death and destruction of the enemy, to captivity and torturing slavery. -- (Com. Preble's Letter) (West side) Capt. Richard Somers, Lieut. Henry Wadsworth, Lieut. Joseph Israel and ten brave seamen volunteers, were the devoted band. (East side) An honor to his country, and an example to all excellent youth. (Resolve of Congress)(North side) My country calls! This world adieu! I have one life. That life I give to you.