MAJOR-GENERAL JACOB BROWN.
[Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.]
MAJOR GENERAL JACOB BROWN. Bust of General Brown, in uniform, facing the right. furst. f. (fecit).
RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. In the center of a trophy, composed of the enemy's arms and flags, are the Roman fasces, emblem of the strength and of the union of America. The fasces are surrounded by a crown of laurel, from which hang three cartoons, each bearing the name of one of the three victories: "NIAGARA" "ERIE" "CHIPPEWA". At the foot of the trophy the American eagle, with outspread wings, holds in its talons a British standard. Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA. JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA. JULY 25. 1814. ERIE. SEP. (September) 17. 1814. furst. f. (fecit).
Jacob Brown was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1775. He began life as a school teacher, and afterward became a land surveyor in Ohio. He removed to Jefferson County, New York, in 1799; was made a colonel of New York militia, 1809; a brigadier-general of the same, 1810; and distinguished himself by his defence of Sackett's Harbor, May 29, 1813. He was appointed a brigadier-general in the United States army, July 19, 1813; major-general, January 24, 1814; and, in the same year, commander-in-chief on the Canada frontier. In this capacity he won the battles of Chippewa, July 5; Niagara, July 25; and Erie, September 17. For these victories Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He became commander-in-chief of the army in 1821, and died at head-quarters in Washington, February 24, 1828.