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Medal Name: Victory of Lake Champlain
Struck for: Captain Thomas Macdonough
Approval: Act of Congress October 20, 1814
OBVERSE
THO. MACDONOUGH. STAGNO CHAMPLAIN CLAS. REG. BRIT. SUPERAVIT.
(ThomasMacdonough Stagno Champlain classim Regis Britannia superavit: Thomas Macdonough defeated the Royal British fleet on Lake Champlain.)
Bust of Captain Macdonough, in uniform, facing the right.
REVERSE
UNO LATERE PERCUSSO. ALTERUM IMPAVIDE VERTIT.
(Beaten on one side, he fearlessly turns the other.)
Naval action on Lake Champlain, between the United States fleet, carrying eighty-six guns, under Captain Macdonough, and the British fleet, with ninety-five guns, commanded by Commodore Downie.
To the right, the city of Plattsburgh in flames.
Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE XI SEPT.MDCCCXIIII.
(Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 11 Septembris, 1814: Between the American and British fleets, September 11, 1814.)
BACKGROUND
Thomas Macdonough was born in Newcastle County, Delaware, December 23, 1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800; served in the Tripolitan campaign, and was with Decatur in the Intrepid, when the latter blew up the Philadelphia. He was made a lieutenant in February, 1807, and a master-commandant in July, 1813. He defeated the British squadron, commanded by Commodore George Downie, on Lake Champlain, September 11,1814, for which victory he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal, and was promoted to the rank of captain. He commanded the Mediterranean squadron for several years, and died at sea, November 18, 1825, of consumption, on his homeward voyage to the United States.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Macdonough and Henley, Lieutenant Cassin, etc
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America inCongress assembled : That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Captain Thomas Macdonough, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as marines, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and splendid victory gained on Lake Champlain, on the eleventh of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, over a British squadron of superior force.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Macdonough and Captain Robert Henley, and also to Lieutenant Stephen Cassin, in such a manner as may be most honourable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers of the navy and army serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters, who so nobly distinguished themselves in that memorable conflict.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Peter Gamble, and of Lieutenant John Stansbury, and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose name sought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country.
Resolved, That three months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as marines, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag on that memorable day.
Approved October 20, 1814.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)