Commodore Decatur died the same evening. In the enjoyment of his country’s highest regard and confidence, he added his before unsullied name to the list of victims who died slaves to “an affair of honor.” His remains were temporarily deposited in the family vault of Colonel Bomford, at Kalarama, where they remained until 1846, when they were re-interred with appropriate ceremonies in the churchyard of St. Peter’s, in Philadelphia, and rest by the side of those of his father and family.
The lid of the coffin was removed when it was brought out of the vault at Washington, in the hope that the noble features of the dead hero were still perfect, but the friends who so anxiously sought this gratification, had to undergo a sad disappointment. Every lineament of the fine face was gone—nothing remained save the skeleton and a few remnants of the clothes.
The original coffin is now enclosed in a new one of black walnut, a silver shield on the top of which bears the following touching inscription:—“Here lie the remains of Commodore Stephen Decatur, of the United States Navy, who departed this life in the city of Washington, on the twentieth day of March, 1820, aged forty-two years. His public services are recorded in the annals of his country—his private virtues in the hearts of his friends—and above all, in her heart who was for fourteen years the happy partner of his life, and the delighted witness of his exalted worth; and who can with truth inscribe upon this humble tablet, that he possessed every virtue of which the human character is susceptible, and each carried to its highest perfection. Columbia mourn! For time, which soothes the grief of individuals, will only render you more sensible of the irreparable loss you have sustained.”
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
Occasion.—Capture of the British frigate Macedonian.
Device.—A bust of Captain Decatur.
Legend.—Stephanus Decatur Navarchus pugnis pluribus victor.
Reverse.—Two ships engaged; the topmasts of one shot away, the other with a few shot only in her sails.
Legend.—Occidit signum hostile sidera surgunt.
Exergue.—Inter sta. uni. nav. Amer. et Macedo. nav. Ang. die 25th Octobris, 1812.