Major General Alexander Macomb. ℞. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.
MAJOR-GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB.
[Victory of Plattsburgh.]
MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB. Bust of General Macomb, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (fecit).
RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. The American army repulsing the British troops, who are striving to cross the Saranac river. To the left, Plattsburgh in flames; to the right, naval battle on Lake Champlain; in the distance, Cumberland Head. Exergue: BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH SEPT. (September) 11. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).[105]
Alexander Macomb was born in Detroit, April 3, 1782. He entered the army as cornet of cavalry, 1799; was 2d lieutenant, 1801; 1st lieutenant of engineers, 1802; captain, 1805; major, 1808; lieutenant-colonel 1810; colonel 3d Artillery, 1812; and brigadier-general, January, 1814. He gained the victory of Plattsburgh over the British troops, commanded by the governor-general of the Canadas, General Sir George Prevost, September 11, 1814, for which important achievement Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal, and he was breveted major-general. He was appointed chief of the engineer corps, 1821, and became major-general and commander-in-chief of the army, May 24, 1828. He died at the head-quarters of the army in Washington, June 25, 1841.