America's First Flag Officer

John Barry was severely wounded in the left shoulder by a grape shot and was losing a great deal of blood. The ferocious sea battle continued.  Barry remained on deck bleeding from his shoulder wound for twenty minutes, until losing consciousness from loss of blood. Robert Davis found him and with the help of three other sailors John was escorted below deck to the cockpit for medical care.

Lieutenant Case took over command as Barry was carried to the cockpit for treatment. The space below deck that Barry was taken to was a cramped smelly room with no ventilation other then the door to the room.

 Robert was with him and cut off his shirt and tended to the wound which required tending to the artery that had been severed. The bone had been shattered so only temporary stopping of the loss of blood was the only immediate medical attention Robert could offer at the time. The blood lose from the wound was not life threatening once Robert stopped the bleeding and had bandaged the shoulder up. Barry was very weak, light headed and beginning to feeling the searing pain in his shoulder.

Mean time Case was directing the fighting and was fighting with all the valor and determination he could muster. The wind was still dead calm and the ship was unable to maneuver out the relatively defenseless position. Case panicked and run below for Barry’s approval to strike their colors.

First Officer, Lieutenant Nathen Case, appeared before Barry as his wounds were being dressed and said, “I have to report the ship is in frightful condition, Sir. The rigging is much cut, damage everywhere is great, many killed and wounded, and we labor under great disadvantage for want of wind. “Have I your permission to strike our colors?”

Barry angrily replied, “No Sir, the thunder! If this ship cannot be fought without me, I will be brought on deck; to your duty, Sir.

“A new flag was raised up the mizzen brail for a halyard, and the fight continued.

Barry was glad to be out of the surgeon’s crammed room now that it was tightly packed with wounded patients. The room was becoming overcome with the odors of rotting flesh, putrid infection that had already set in. To make matter worst there were body fluids to deal with mixed with vomit. Those who did not have a strong enough stomach when they brought the wounded into the room also got sick. Surviving being wounded in battle was tricky even if the afflicted part of the body was repaired, infection would take over and the unlucky patient died a slow agonizing death.

Just as Barry reached the deck with the aid of Davis and Case, he was filled with renewed resolve. Also at that same time a bit of luck arrived in the presence of a gust of wind filling the Alliance’s sails. Mr. Sweet was at her helm and suddenly the battered Alliance swung about.

“Bring the bow around ordered Barry and prepared to fire the full complement of gun. Easy now; fire!”

Captain Barry ordered the whole starboard battery to fire and the employment of all the cannon’s had a decisive effect. Fourteen 12-pound cannons were brought into fray. After two successful broadsides, both the Atlanta and the Tresspassy struck their colors. The grueling battle had lasted nearly four hours and had cost the British two ships, eleven dead including one of the two Captains, and twenty-five wounded