Life of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, U. S. Navy

Front matter

Commodore Thomas Macdonough

U. S. NAVY

MODNEY MaCDONOUGH s

CHAPTER II Commodore Macdonough's Autobiography

1800-1822 Enters the navy — War with France — Joins the Ganges — Cruise to the West Indies against the French — War with Tripoli — Ordered to the Constellation — Cruise in the Mediterranean — Returns to the United States and is ordered to the Philadelphia for Mediterranean service — Providential escape from the fate of the officers and crew of the Philadelphia — Joins the Enterprise — Participates in the burning of the Philadelphia and in the operations before Tripoli — Peace with Tripoli — Returns to the United States — Ordered to Middletown, Ct. — Attached to various vessels — Voyage in the merchant service — War with England — Ordered to the Constellation and then to Portland, Me. — Takes command of the naval force on Lake Champlain — Operations in the Fall of 181 2 — The year 18 13 on the lake — Preparations in the Spring of 1 8 14 — The engagement of September n, 18 14 — Criticizes the Eagle for shifting her position during the action — Directed to command the navy yard at

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Portsmouth, N. H. — Ordered to the Guerriere — Conveys our Minister to Russia and then joins the Mediterranean squadron — Relieved of his command by order of Commodore Stewart — Returns to the United States — Directed to resume command of the Guerriere — Declines and is given the Ohio 74 — Returns to Middletown — Journeys through the state of New York and down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec -o

Chapter III

Condition of the navy at close of the Revolution — Algiers preys on our commerce — The birth of a new navy — Peace with Algiers — Trouble with France — Xavy increased — Hostilities with France — Our naval force in 1S00 — Macdonough's youth — Influences which governed his choice of a profession — A midshipman's life — His ration, uniform and prize money — Peace with France — Naval peace establishment S3

Chapter IV 180 1— 1803

Our relations with the Rarbary Powers — A squadron of observation sent to the Mediterranean — A second squadron sent to the same sea — Macdonough's cruise in the Constellation — His first encounter with the Tripolitans 47

Chapter V [803—1804

Light vessels built for use before Tripoli — Commodore Preble ordered to the Mediterranean — His force — Macdonough ordered to the Philadelphia — Arrival at Gibraltar — Capture of the Moorish vessel

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Meshboha — Macdonough placed on board the prize — Commodore Preble arrives at Gibraltar — Proceeds to Tangiers — The Meshboha ordered to Tangiers and released — Three of the Philadelphia's men desert from the Moorish prize while lying at Gibraltar — Midshipmen Morris and Macdonough sent on shore to get them — Experience of the two American officers on board the English frigate Medusa — Macdonough joins the Constitution — Learns of the loss of the Philadelphia — Is transferred to the Enterprise — Beginning of friendship with Decatur — Commodore Preble reconnoitres Tripoli — Result of his observations — The Philadelphia — Plans for her destruction — The Intrepid sails from Syracuse and arrives off Tripoli — Attack delayed by gale — Decatur enters the harbor and sets fire to the prize — Destruction of the Philadelphia and escape of the Intrepid 58

Chapter VI

Incident at Messina — Operations before Tripoli — Macdonough wins his commission — Sad fate of the Intrepid — Commodore Preble superseded by Commodore Barron — Peace with Tripoli — Macdonough joins the Siren — Returns to the United States . . 72

Chapter VII 1806-1812

Condition of the navy following the War with Tripoli — Macdonough visits his home in Delaware — Ordered to Middletown, Ct., under Captain Hull — Ordered to the Wasp — Joins the John Adams and then the Essex — Takes charge of gunboats in Connecticut and Long Island — Furloughed to make voyage in merchant service — Correspondence with Secretary

PAGE of the Navy regarding another furlough — Confirmed by Bishop Chase — War declared against Great Britain — Applies for service — Ordered to the Constellation — Takes command of gunboats at Portland, Me. — Letter from Captain Bainbridge — Ordered to command the naval force on Lake Champlain 87

Chapter VIII

Lake Champlain — Its early wars — Difficulties encountered by our lake commanders — American naval force on Lake Champlain at beginning of the war — Macdonough prepares it for service — Supports General Dearborn in movement to the north — Goes into winter quarters at Shelburne, Vt. — His marriage — Enters the lake in Spring of 1S13 — Loss of the Growler and Eagle — Report of Sailing Master Loomis. commanding the Eagle — Macdonough directed to regain ascendency on the lake — Prepares another force at Burlington — The British land at Plattsburg and threaten Burlington — American force re-enters the lake — Macdonough declines to co-operate in a joint attack on Isle aux Xoix — Supports General Hampton in his attempted invasion of Canada — Goes into winter quarters at Vergennes, Vt 106

Chapter IX

Vergennes as a naval base — British lay down a brig at Isle aux Xoix — Battery at Rouse's Point contemplated — Reports concerning increase in enemy's naval strength — The Saratoga launched at Vergennes — Apprehended appearance of British on the lake — Vermont militia called out — Batterv erected

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at mouth of Otter Creek — Enemy enter the lake — Attack on Otter Creek battery repulsed — The American force — Difficulty in fitting it out and manning it — Good wishes from Perry and Hull — Our squadron enters the lake — British build a ship and we btiild a brig — Enemy blockaded in Richelieu River — Exchange of courtesies between Macdonough and Captain Fisher, R. N. — Mr. Dulles describes his visit to the Saratoga as the Commodore's guest 134

CHAPTER X 1S14 British prepare to invade New York — American plans to repel invasion — Control of the lake the key to the situation — British advance by land and water — American gunboats in skirmish at Dead Creek — British army on north bank of Saranac River — Commodore Downie proceeds up the lake — American naval force — British naval force — Macdonough's preparations for receiving attack 157

Chapter XI

Action of September 11 — Defeat of the British squadron — The losses on both sides — British wounded removed to Crab Island — Burial of American and British officers with honors of war — Letters of English officers to Macdonough — His criticism of the Eagle's action in leaving her station during the engagement — Rewards to the victors — Charges against Prevost — Macdonough 's toast 176

Chapter XII 1814-1815

Prevost 's retreat — Most of the American squadron sent to Whitehall — Macdonough obtains permission

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to leave the lake — Turns over command of the squadron to Lieutenant Budd — Macdonough's work on Lake Champlain — Farewell letter from officers of the squadron — His reply — Letters to De Witt Clinton, Governor Tompkins, and Governor Chittenden — Presented with the freedom of the city of Albany — Arrives at Middletown — Naval ball in his honor — Ordered to the steam frigate Fulton First at New York — Made a freeman of the city of New York 199

Chapter XIII

Rumors of attack on vessels at Whitehall — Macdonough ordered to Lake Champlain to observe situation

— His report to Secretary of the Navy — Expresses hope that he will not be placed in command on Lake Champlain again — Is retained there, however, until close of war — Peace is declared — Visits his home in Delaware — Ordered to Portsmouth navy yard — His failing health — Is presented with sword Instate of New York — Ordered to the Guerriere at Boston — Sails for Russia with the American Minister

— Incidents of the voyage — Arrives in the Mediterranean from Cronstadt — Cruises with the squadron under Commodore Stewart — Relieved of his command by order of the commander-in-chief — Reasons therefor — Ordered to the United States 218

Chapter XIV

Members of the Sloane court martial acknowledge their error — Macdonough ordered to resume command of the Guerriere — Declines on account of his health and is given the Ohio 74 — Presented by Connecticut with pair of gold mounted pistols — Vis Vermont and Lake Champlain — Receives gold

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mounted sword from crew of tin- Ciuerrierc — His family- Ordered to the Constitution at New York

— Sails for the Mediterranean and assumes command of the American squadron in those waters — Superseded by Commodore Rodgers Death of his wife — Relieved o( the command of the Constitution at Ids own request ami sails for the United States

— 1 lis death at sea — Letter from \)\\ 'Turk describing

t he Commodore's last hours Funeral ceremonies at New York — Taken to Middletown and buried with military honors beside his wife 241

Chapter XV

Maedonou.qh's death in the prime of life - - His personal appearance — A Federalist, in polities — A glimpse of his private lite — A valuable citizen, a consistent Christian, an able officer 257

APPENDIX A

The opinion of the court o( inquiry on the loss of the Growler and Eagle June 3, 1813 265

B

Report relating to the battle on Lake Champlain September n, 1814, received from Commodore Macdonough and transmitted by the Secretary of the Navy to the Chairman of the Senate Naval Committee 265

C

Other documents relating to the battle on Lake Champlain September 11, 1814 279

D Statement of the force and loss on board the British and American squadrons in the action o( September n, 1814, taken from the Burlington (Vt.) Centinel . . 285

P u-.K

E Letter from Sir James Lucas Yeo to J. W. Croker transmitting the report of Captain Daniol Prin^ concerning the engagement of September ex, [8x4 . a86

P Verdict of the court martial on the commanding officers of the British squadron 291

G Charges preferred by Sir James Lucas Yeo against Sir George Prevost . . , 193

II

Letter from Midshipman Lea, of the Confiance, to his brother .?o v ;

Letter from Andrew William Cochran, Acting Deputy Judge Advocate to the British forces, to Macdonough, 295

J Letter from Macdonough to Andrew William Cochran, 200

K

Correspondence between Cadwallader R, Colden and Macdonough 296

Resolution of Congress in connection with the victory on Lake Champlain September ex, [8x4 299

Index of Places 311

ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING PAC.U

Commodore Thomas Macdonough, U. S. Navy (from tinportrait by Gilbert Stuart) Frontispiece 1

Macdonough's birthplace at the Trap, Del 3 8 "

Plan of the harbor and defenses of Tripoli 65-

Macdonough when about twenty-two years of age (from

a portrait supposed to have- been painted in Italy) . . 84"

Map of Lake Champlain Io6t

Macdonough in 1814 (from a miniature painted in that

year) J & '

The Commodore's pencil sketch (slightly reduced) of the positions of the British and American squadrons before and during the action of September 11, 1814 r 73

Diagram showing the British and American batteries at

Mattslmre, and the positions assumed by the vessels of the two squadrons during the engagement of September 11, 1814 I 74

Photograph of Macdonough's despatch to the Secretary of the Navy announcing the victory over the British squadron on Lake Champlain, September 1 1. 1814 . 185

The obverse and reverse of the gold medal presented by

Congress to Commodore Macdonough 193 '

The battle of Lake Champlain, September 11, 1814 (from

Davidson's painting) *97'

U. S. Frigate Constitution (from the painting by Marshall

Johnson) 2 48

Monument over the graves of Commodore Macdonough

and his wife in Riverside Cemetery, Middletown, Conn., 255

Chapter I

Macdonough's ancestors — Thomas, of county Kildare, Ireland — James, the emigrant — Thomas, the Revolutionary soldier — The family home in Delaware.

Before taking up the life of Commodore Macdonough it will not be inappropriate to devote a few words to the sturdy stock from which he sprung and to which he was indebted for some of the qualities which rendered him conspicuous in youth and manhood, for his character, while no doubt moulded to some extent by his environment, bore the unmistakable imprint of transmitted virtues.

Thomas MacDonough *, Commodore Macdonough's great-grandfather, is the first of the line of whom anything definite is known. He lived in the district known as Salmon Leap, about twelve miles from Dublin on the river Liffey, county Kildare, Ireland. He was a member of the clan Donchada (anglicized MacDonough), whose ancestor was Donoch, brother of Cormac, Lord of Moylurg. His wife was Jane Coyle. The family was of the Protestant faith and the succeeding generations have been actively connected with the Episcopal Church in America. Three sons, John, Augustin and James McDonough*, the last the Commodore's grandfather, came to this country about 1730. John settled at Newtown, Long Island, and left numerous descendants. Augustin went to the West Indies.

* The form of the name used by him.

II

James, the ancestor of the Delaware line, settled at what was then called the Trap, St. George's Hundred, New Castle county, Delaware. The many references to him in the records of the office of the Register of Deeds at Wilmington testify to his activity and business ability, and his will, in which he refers to generous gifts already made to his then living sons and provides for the maintenance and education of his two orphan grandchildren, James and Joseph Anderson, is a silent witness to his parental love and forethought and his sense of the obligations of kinship.

James was a man of considerable means, and if, as family tradition says, he was a physician, he must have possessed a superior education and no doubt occupied a position of importance in the community. He was a man of fine character and of strong convictions. His brother John, who settled in Newtown, Long Island, was an active member of the Episcopal Church in that place, and were the early records of St. Ann's in Middletown, near the Trap, extant, they would probably show that James was a member of that ancient Episcopal parish.

His life covered a period of intense interest in the history of our country. He was no doubt familiar with the course of political events, and from his quiet home in Delaware had watched the gathering of the storm which was to break over the devoted colonies. When it burst in 1776 he was weak in arm but strong in his belief in the principles of liberty, justice and equality upheld by his adopted country. Unable himself through age to take an active part in the contest, he armed two of his sons, Thomas and James, and sent them to the front. Thomas returned to him after a period of honorable service but James died early in the war.

The sturdy old man more than rounded out his allotted three score years and ten, for he did not die until 1792, when eighty years old. He had married, in 1746, Lydia, eldest daughter of Peter Laroux, a Huguenot, or of Huguenot extraction, also of St. George's Hundred. She was born in 1729 and died August 2i, 1764. They had seven children — Thomas (born 1747), Bridget, John, James, Patrick, Mary and Micah. The eldest of these, Thomas McDonough*, the father of the Commodore, was educated as a physician. His practice was in and about his native place, the Trap, and he followed his profession until the outbreak of the Revolution, when, inspired by patriotic feelings, he threw away the lancet and buckled on the sword.

When the Revolution broke out the state of Delaware raised and placed in the field a battalion of eight hundred men under command of Colonel John Haslet. This battalion was composed of state troops in Continental service — that is, troops organized under the colonial laws and furnished by the state of Delaware upon the call of Congress, who appointed their field officers. John Macpherson was elected major of the battalion January 19, 1776, but he was not then living, having been killed in the storming of Quebec in December, 1775. The intelligence of his death did not reach Delaware, however, until March, 1776, and on hearing of it the General Assembly passed the following :

* The form of the name used by him.

1 .( LIFE OF COMMOPORK THOMAS MACDONOUC.il

Wednesday p.m., March .-o, 1776.

On motion made, resolved, that Dr. Thomas McDonough, oi the county <^i New Castle, be, ami he is hereby, recommended to the honourable the Continental Congress as major in the Delaware battalion vice John Macpherson, Jan., Esq., deceased.

Under date of Friday, March 22, 1776, the following

entry appears in the journal of the Continental Congress:

The Assembly of the counties on Delaware having recommended a gentleman to be a major in the battalion ordered to ho raised in that colony in the room of John Macpherson, Jun'r Esq'r, who toll before Quebec and never received his commission, the Congress proceeded to the election and the ballots being taken and examined. Thomas McDonough was elected.

Major McDonough at once joined his command, which was in camp at Dover, am! prepared tor active

duty. Purine the months of May and June he was Stationed at Lewes. Delaware, with a detachment of about two hundred men to prevent an uprising among the Tories in Sussex county. Early in July he rejoined the battalion at Wilmington and served with the colors until after November 4, 177b. commanding- the battalion in person in the battle o\ Long Island. August 27, with SUCh conspicuous gallantry as to merit the flattering approbation oi General Washington, and participating in the battle of White Plains. October 28, Soon after this engagement he returned to his home in Delaware, a wound received in the battle of Long Island incapacitating him for active duty with the battalion during its last two months of service. The battalion was disbanded in January. 1777, and Major McDonough received an honorable discharge.

The civil government of Delaware from 1776 to 1792 consisted of a President, a Privy Council and a General Assembly. The last was composed of two bodies, a lower house called the Assembly and an upper house called the Council. The former was made up of seven and the latter of three delegates from each of the three counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex. The Privy Council was composed of four members, two of whom were chosen by the Assembly and two by the Council, each for a term of two years. Its duties appear to have been to advise with the President in relation to embodying the militia, calling special meetings of the General Assembly, making appointments to certain offices and in filling vacancies in others until a new election.

In the latter part of 1776 and the early part of 1777 a battalion was being raised in Delaware in response to a call of Congress. The command of this force was offered to Major McDonough, but on February 22, 1777, the Assembly notified the Council that he did not see his way clear to accept the honor proffered him. The Council, however, anxious to secure his services in a civil if not in a military capacity, elected him the same day a member of the Privy Council. With him was elected Mr. George Latimer, and they were members of the first Privy Council under the state constitution of 1776.

He served in the Privy Council for the full term of two years. During the last year of his term he was brought, by virtue of his position as Privy Councillor, into close personal relationship with Caesar Rodney, who was elected President of the Delaware State l6 LIFE OF COMMODORE THOMAS MACDONOUGH

March 31, 1778. The exigencies of the times had probably brought these two together before. Caesar Rodney's nephew, Caesar Augustus Rodney, was also a friend of both the Major and his son Thomas (the Commodore), and the latter writes of him in 1802 as" C. A. Rodney, Esq., my father's and my friend."

On October 2, 1780, Major McDonough was elected a member of the Council for three years and served the full term. On October 1, 1783, he was again elected and served a like term. On October 25, 1784, he was unanimously elected Speaker of the Council to succeed Caesar Rodney and served as such for two years, until the expiration of the term for which he had been elected a member of the Council. He was apparently not in public life the next year, but on October 1, 1787, he was again elected a member of the Council and was unanimously chosen Speaker when the Council assembled on October 25 of that year. He served as Speaker until the end of the session in June, 1788, when he resigned from the Council to fill the position of third Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and Orphans' Court of New Castle county, to which he had been elected February 2, 1788.

As a member of the Council he was constant in his attendance at its sessions, assiduous in his attention to public duty and unremitting in his endeavors to promote the success of the struggling colonies and the welfare of his native state.

On January 9, 1791, he was elected second Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and Orphans' Court, and on September 6, 1793, he was appointed by Governor Clayton one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas.

Although he was unable to accept a second commission in the Continental service, he still found an opportunity of serving his state by accepting the command of the Seventh Regiment, Delaware militia, of which he was colonel in 1779 and 1782. Were the records complete, they would probably show that he was in command of the regiment during the intervening years. Delaware, as did other states, raised militia regiments for duty within the state during the war, but, as these forces were not a part of the Continental army, their services do not form a part of the government records although the local militia regiments frequently co-operated within their own state with the regulars, and, in some cases, participated in actual engagements with the enemy. As early as January, 1775, companies were formed throughout the (then) colony of Delaware for local protection, and in September, 1775, the Council of Safety organized the companies of the several counties into nine battalions, or regiments, and these into three brigades, the total strength being about five thousand. This organization for state defense was continued throughout the war.

Reference has been made to St. Ann's Church at Middletown, six miles from the Trap. Its records are very incomplete, being continuous only from 1808, with a few fragmentary records covering the years 1 791 to 1795. They show, however, that Major Mc- Donough was one of the wardens in 1793 and 1794-

From the time of his marriage in 1770 until after the birth of his son Thomas (the Commodore) in 1783, the Major lived about three-quarters of a mile south of the Trap on the west side of the road from Odessa just after it crosses Drawyers Creek. The house was small, but one story and a half high, built of logs and weather boarded. Here six of his children were born. In 1 784 he built a house on land owned by his father at the Trap and lived there until his death in 1795.

This house was built of bricks brought from England and is still standing on what is known as the " Trap farm," as solid and substantial now as the day it was erected. It stands at the top of a gentle rise, with a fine view of the surrounding country. In front is a small, neatly kept lawn, and within are the old fashioned door latches, the quaint chimney cupboards, the carved mantels and the generous fireplaces which testify to the warmth of the hospitality of the old colonial times. Here the future hero of Lake Champlain spent his boyhood days. Here, amid the surroundings of a happy home and under the most salutary influences, began the harmonious development of mind, brain and body which produced such splendid results in later years.

Major McDonough died a comparatively young man November 10, 1795, after a useful and honorable life. His profession gave him a standing in the community, and his education, soundness of judgment and mental attainments made him a prominent figure in the public affairs of the day. His wife, who is described by a writer of that time as an " engaging and accomplished woman who inspired with respect all who approached her", and whom he married in 1770, was the daughter of Samuel Vance, also of St. George's Hundred, who was the son of John Vance, of English origin and a captain in the Delaware colonial militia. She was born in 1751 and died November i, 1792. Their children were Lydia, Hannah, James, Mary, Hester, Thomas (the Commodore, born December 31, 1783), Samuel, Jane. John and Joseph.

CHAPTER II Commodore Macdonough's Autobiography*

Enters the navy — War with France — Joins the Ganges — Cruise to the West Indies against the French — War with Tripoli — Ordered to the Constellation — Cruise in the Mediterranean — Returns to the United States and is ordered to the Philadelphia for Mediterranean service — Providential escape from the fate of the officers and crew of the Philadelphia — Joins the Enterprise — Participates in the burning of the Philadelphia and in the operations before Tripoli — Peace with Tripoli — Returns to the United States — Ordered to Middletown, Ct. — Attached to various vessels — Voyage in the merchant service — War with England — Ordered to the Constellation and then to Portland, Me. — Takes command of the naval force on Lake Champlain — Operations in the Fall of 1S12 — The year 1813 on the lake — Preparations in the Spring of 1814 — The engagement of September n, 1814 — Criticizes the Eagle for shifting her position during the action — Directed to command the navy yard at Portsmouth, N. H. — Ordered to the Guerriere — Conveys our Minister to Russia and then joins the Mediterranean squadron — Relieved of his command by order of Commodore Stewart — Returns to the United States — Directed to resume command of the Guerriere — Declines and is given the Ohio 74 — Returns to Middletown — Journeys through the state of New York and down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec.

' On the 5th February, 1800, I received a warrant as midshipman in the navy (I was then 16 years old) of the United States from John Adams, then President, through the influence of Mr. Latimer, a senator from the state of Delaware. Soon after my appointment I joined the U. S. ship Ganges f, Captain Mullowney, at

* The Commodore's autobiography covers the period from his entrance into the navy in 1800 to the close of the year 1822. It is concisely written and in keeping with the modest and unassuming character of the man. It relates entirely to his naval career and does not touch upon his private life. Only such notes have been added as will serve to explain the text. The original is in his own hand and is written (with perhaps unconscious appropriateness) in an ordinary log book or journal.

t He was ordered to the Ganges May 15, 1S00, and remained on her until May, 1801. — Author.

New Castle* and proceeded on a cruise in the West Indies f against the French with whom the U. States were at war. On this cruise we captured two Guineamen and a French privateer { and sent them to the United States. The privateer was run on shore. After considerable firing on her, her crew deserted her and got on shore. She was boarded by our boats ; on board of one I was.

" About this time the yellow fever made its appearance on board and many of the men and officers fell victims, after a few hours illness, to its destructive ravages. Several midshipmen and myself, with a number of men, having caught this fever were sent on shore at the Havanna and put into a dirty Spanish hospital. Nearly all of the men and officers died and were taken out in carts as so many hogs would have been. A midshipman, a surgeon's mate and myself, through the blessing of divine providence, recovered and took passage for the U. States, destitute of all the comforts and even conveniences of life. The consul §, however, supplied us with shirts and some other articles of clothing. Off the capes of Delaware we were captured by an English ship of war on account of our vessel (a merchantman belonging to Phila.) having Spanish property on board. I, with the other gentlemen, were put on

board the , an American ship, and landed at

Norfolk, Virginia.

" There the consul supplied us with money &c. to enable us to join the Ganges, which ship had left the

* New Castle, Delaware. — Author.

t The Ganges was ordered to St. Domingo May 24, 1800. — Author.

t La Fortune. — Author.

§ John Morton, of New York. — Author.

Havanna on account of the fever which raged on board of her and with difficulty reached the U. States with the loss of many men and officers. Took passage on board the ferry boat, crossed the Chesapeake Bay and travelling up through the country got out of the stage at the Trap, my native place, after an absence of nearly a year, with straw hat, canvas shoes and in other respects poor enough. My relatives and friends were much surprised to see me as my death was, if not published, it was stated that I could not recover.