生平

隨主征伐

孫策入駐會稽郡，董襲在高遷亭迎接，孫策見他甚為奇偉。正值山陰賊領黃龍羅、周勃聚集數千人叛亂，孫策親自出兵討伐，董襲隨孫策鎮壓叛亂，董襲成功手刃斬殺黃龍羅、周勃二人賊將，因戰功而拜為別部司馬，增其數千兵，升為揚武都尉。後跟隨孫策征伐劉勛於尋陽、上繚、皖參與了孫策攻劉勳盧江皖城之戰，之後攻擊黃祖於江夏沙羨縣亦有參與沙羨之戰。

誓保江東

建安五年（200年），孫策遇刺身亡，其弟孫權繼位，但孫權年少，孫權之母吳夫人擔心他不能成事，引見張昭、董襲等人，問江東是否保障，董襲回答她：「江東地勢，有三江之固，而討逆明府，恩德在民。討虜承基，大小用命，張昭秉眾事，襲等為爪牙，此地利人和之時也，萬無所憂。（江東的地勢有長江的天險(易守難攻)，而英明的討逆將軍(孫策)，其恩德廣施於百姓。今天討虜將軍(孫權)承繼這樣的基業，上下人等都願意為其效命，平常的各種行政事務有張昭負責、而在用兵打仗的方面則由我董襲等人來指揮，這就是有著地利及人和的時勢了(意指只欠天時)，還請國太萬萬不要憂慮。）」眾人皆應同。

後鄱陽賊彭虎等聚集數萬人叛離，董襲與凌統、步騭、蔣欽各分兵討伐。董襲所向披靡，彭虎等人望見其旌旗便逃走，十日後亂事平息，他被拜為威越校尉，後遷為偏將軍。

斷船之功

建安十三年（208年），孫權西征黃祖，參與江夏之戰，黃祖將兩首蒙衝打橫阻塞沔口，在兩面大石上聚集數千人，弓弩亂發，箭如雨下，孫軍不得向前。董襲與凌統各率百人死士為前部，眾人被著兩鎧，乘著大舸船衝入蒙衝裡，董襲持刀斷開兩首蒙衝之間的聯結，孫權軍才得以而進入。黃祖開門逃走，孫軍一路追殺。明日孫權設宴，孫權舉杯讚董襲：「今日之會，斷紲之功也。（今日能有此宴會，都是將軍斬斷敵船連結的功勞。）」同年冬，赤壁之戰於柴桑防守。

壯烈之節

曹操南征濡須口，董襲跟隨孫權解救，參與濡須之戰，並命董襲率五樓船前住濡須口。至夜深時，暴風狂襲，五樓船傾覆，眾將士乘走舸逃走，請董襲一起逃出。但董襲反駁怒斥曰：「受將軍任，在此備賊，何等委去也，敢複言此者斬！（我受主公重任是指揮軍隊於此處防備賊兵，怎能不貫徹君命拋棄任務不顧而逃，有人敢再說要逃走的立刻斬首！）」於是無人敢再進言。最後五樓船果然傾覆，董襲浸死，孫權改服致喪，厚待其家人。

特徵

董襲身高八尺（184cm），武力過人，有志節，對人慷慨。極之忠於孫家。

評價

《三國志》評曰:「凡此諸將，皆江表之虎臣，孫氏之所厚待也。以潘璋之不脩，權能忘過記功，其保據東南，宜哉！」

謝承：「襲慷慨志節、武毅英烈。」（裴松之注引其《後漢書》）

Service under Sun Ce

Dong Xi was from Yuyao County (餘姚縣), Kuaiji Commandery, which is present-day Yuyao, Zhejiang. He was eight chi tall (approximately 184–190 cm) and was described to be ambitious, generous and highly skilled in combat. In 196, after Sun Ce occupied Kuaiji during his conquests in the Jiangdong region, Dong Xi welcomed him at Gaoqian Village (高遷亭). Sun Ce was impressed with Dong Xi at first sight and recruited the latter to serve him. Dong Xi became a Chief Constable (賊曹) under Sun Ce. At the time, the bandits Huang Longluo (黃龍羅) and Zhou Bo (周勃) had gathered thousands of followers in Shanyin (山陰; in present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang). Sun Ce led his army to attack the bandits. Dong Xi participated in the campaign and slew the two bandit chiefs in the midst of battle. For his achievements, he was promoted to Major of Separate Command (別部司馬), placed in charge of thousands of troops, and appointed as Commandant Who Spreads Martial Might (揚武都尉). He also joined Sun Ce in the campaigns against Liu Xun at Xunyang (尋陽) and Huang Zu at Jiangxia Commandery (江夏郡; around present-day Xinzhou District, Wuhan, Hubei).

After Sun Ce was assassinated in 200 CE, Lady Wu (the mother of Sun Ce and Sun Quan) was worried that Sun Quan, who had succeeded his elder brother, would be too young to handle the precarious situation in Jiangdong. She consulted Dong Xi about her concerns, and Dong reassured her by saying, "The lands in Jiangdong enjoy natural barriers from mountains and rivers, while the good government and virtue of Sun Ce have already won the hearts of the people. The young lord can build on these foundations so that everyone can follow his commands. Zhang Zhao can take charge of internal affairs, while others like me can serve as 'claws and teeth' (a euphemism for military servicemen). With both geographical advantage and popular support, there is certainly nothing to worry about." His positive speech was applauded by many.

Service under Sun Quan

Once, Peng Hu (彭虎) from Poyang (鄱陽) rallied thousands of followers and started a rebellion against Sun Quan. Dong Xi, along with Ling Tong, Bu Zhi and Jiang Qin, led separate forces to attack the rebels. Dong Xi knocked down all opposition in his way, and Peng Hu fled when he recognised Dong's banner from a distance away. The revolt was suppressed within 10 days. Dong Xi was appointed as Colonel of Surpassing Might (威越校尉) and was later promoted to Lieutenant-General (偏將軍) for his efforts.

In 208, Sun Quan launched a punitive expedition against Huang Zu to avenge his father, who was killed in a battle against Huang around 17 years ago, leading to the Battle of Jiangxia. After losing his vanguard commander to Ling Tong, Huang Zu scuttled two mengchongs to block the channel across Miankou (沔口), and had a long rope made of coir-palm fibre secured across the gateway, with stones attached to the rope as anchors. In addition to all these defensive measures, Huang Zu also stationed more than 1,000 crossbowmen at Miankou, who rained arrows upon Sun Quan's forces when the latter attempted to push further. Dong Xi and Ling Tong were both commanders of Sun Quan's vanguard force. Each of them led 100 "commandos" wearing two layers of armour, boarded a large boat, and charged towards Huang Zu's mengchongs. Dong Xi managed to cut the rope with his sword and clear the blockade. The bulk of Sun Quan's army then resumed its advance. Huang Zu escaped through a gate but was pursued and killed by one of Sun Quan's horsemen. The following day, Sun Quan held a banquet to celebrate the victory, during which he toasted to Dong Xi, "The purpose of today's feast is to honour the person who cut the rope!"

In 217, when the warlord Cao Cao led an army to attack Sun Quan's fortress at Ruxu (濡須), Dong Xi accompanied Sun Quan to the frontline to resist the invaders. Dong Xi was appointed as the captain of a five-storey warship (五樓船) and ordered to defend the entrance to Ruxu. One night, a heavy storm broke out and threatened to capsize the warship. Dong Xi's subordinates evacuated the warship and boarded the smaller boats (走舸; zouges) and pleaded for him to join them. However, Dong Xi replied sternly, "I've received orders to defend this position from the enemy. How can I abandon my post like this? Anyone who dares to speak of this again will be executed!" He then remained alone on the ship, which eventually sank and brought him down as well. Sun Quan donned mourning attire and personally attended Dong Xi's funeral. He later gave out heavy rewards to Dong Xi's family to honour Dong's loyalty and courage.