R. Smith to George Harrison.
Navy Department,
June 26, 1805.
To
George Harrison, Esq.,
Philadelphia.
Sir: I have received your letter, accompanied by drawings of the medal for Commodore Preble. I now return you the Commodore's likeness and one of the drawings sent to me by you. I approve the drawings, excepting as to size, which appears to me to be too large. I doubt whether any die can be made to impress so large a surface. We should depart, too, from general custom, by making this medal so large. The medal voted by the old Congress, for General Washington, was three inches diameter, those for General Greene, Gates, &c., were two and a half inches, and those for Morgan, Wayne, &c., were two inches. The drawings of the medal for Commodore Preble are four inches. I have no objections to the medal for Commodore Preble being two and a half inches. Confer with artists upon the subject and let me hear from you. It is my determination to have it made by Mr. Reich, and you may so inform him, that he may not engage in other business to interfere with this.
I am respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant,
R. Smith.
March 4, 1809—March 4, 1817.
James Madison President of the U. S. A. D. 1809. ℞. Peace and friendship.
[Fourth President of the United States of America.]
JAMES MADISON PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (United States) A. D. (Anno Domini: The year of our Lord) 1809. Bust of President Madison, facing the left. On ring, R. (Reich).
PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped, in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes and as many buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed—Indian emblems of peace and war.[74]
The dies of the reverse of this medal served for all the Indian Presidential medals struck previous to July, 1846, when new ones had to be made, as will be seen from the following extracts from despatches of R. M. Patterson, director of the Mint, to William Merrill, commissioner of Indian affairs, bearing date, Philadelphia, July 18, 1846:
"As the dies for the Indian medals belong to the War Department, it is proper that I should mention that the reverses are no longer in a condition to be employed. They have been used for all the medals struck since the time of President Jefferson, and it was with difficulty that they could be made to answer for those which we have just completed. A new set will be absolutely necessary, and it seems not unreasonable that they should be paid out of the appropriation made for these medals, in striking which they have finally failed."
And Philadelphia, December 5, 1846:
"In a letter which I addressed to you on the 18th of July last, I stated that the reverses used for the Indian medals were no longer in a condition to be again employed. I mentioned that the cost of a new set would be $300, and I asked your authority to have them made without further delay. This authority you gave me in your letter of the 21st of July. I have now to report that complete sets both of hubs and dies have been made, and that the hubs will put it in our power to replace a die, at any time, if it should be injured. All apprehension from this source is therefore removed for the future."
James Madison was born at King George, on the Rappahannock river, Virginia, March 16, 1751. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey, Princeton, 1771; studied law; was member of the General Assembly of Virginia, 1776; of the Continental Congress, 1780-1783; of the State Legislature of Virginia, 1784; of the Philadelphia Convention, 1787; representative in Congress from Virginia, 1789-1797; secretary of State to President Jefferson, 1801-1809; President of the United States (first term), 1809-1813; (second term), 1813-1817. He died at his estate of Montpelier, Orange County, Virginia, June 28, 1836.
August 19, 1812.
Isaacus Hull peritos arte superat Jul MDCCCXII Aug. certamine fortes. ℞. Horae memento victoria.
[Capture of the Guerrière.]
ISAACUS HULL PERITOS ARTE SUPERAT JUL. (Julii), MDCCCXII AUG. (Augusti) CERTAMINE FORTES.[75] (Isaac Hull conquers in July, 1812, the skilled by stratagem, and in August, the strong in battle.) Bust of Captain Hull, in uniform, facing the left. On edge of bust, R. (Reich).
HORAE MOMENTO VICTORIA. (Victory in the space of an hour.) Naval action between the United States frigate Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Hull, and the British frigate Guerrière, of forty-nine guns, Captain Dacres. The Constitution, firing her starboard battery, carries away the Guerrière's mizzenmast, which, in falling, takes with it the mainmast; the Guerrière, having already lost her foremast, is completely dismasted; the Constitution, on the contrary, is but slightly injured in her rigging. Exergue: INTER CONST. NAV. AMER. ET GUER. ANGL. (Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Guerrière Anglicanam: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessel Guerrière).[76]
Isaac Hull was born at Derby, Connecticut, March 9, 1775. He was first in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant in 1798, and served under Commodores Preble and Barron before Tripoli, 1802-1805. In May, 1804, he was appointed master-commandant, and in April, 1806, captain. On July 17, 1812, and on the following two days, while in command of the frigate Constitution, he found himself becalmed, with a fleet of five British vessels in pursuit of him, but by repeatedly sending out his kedge anchors and hauling his ship up to them, he kept out of their reach until the breeze sprung up again, when he soon left them far astern. A few weeks later, August 19, he fell in with and captured the British frigate Guerrière, Captain J. A. Dacres, for which gallant action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. After the war, he commanded in the Pacific and the Mediterranean. He was a member of the Naval Board, and was at the head of the navy yards at Boston and at Washington. He died in Philadelphia, February 3, 1843.
Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Hull, Decatur, Jones, etc.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to present to Captain Hull of the frigate Constitution, Captain Decatur of the frigate United States, and Captain Jones of the sloop of war Wasp, each a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the aforesaid vessels, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of the captains, officers, and crews of the aforesaid vessels in their respective conflicts with the British frigates the Guerrière and the Macedonian, and sloop of war Frolic; and the President is also requested to present a silver medal,[77] with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Bush, and one to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Funk, in testimony of the gallantry and merit of those deceased officers, in whom their country has sustained a loss much to be regretted.
Section 2. And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, requested to present to Lieutenant Elliott of the navy of the United States, an elegant sword, with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the just sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in boarding and capturing the British brigs Detroit and Caledonia, while anchored under the protection of Fort Erie.
Approved January 29, 1813.
Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States frigate Constitution,
at Sea, July 21, 1812.
To the Honourable
Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir: In pursuance of your orders of the 3d instant, I left Annapolis on the 5th instant, and the Capes on the 12th, of which I advised you by the Pilot that brought the ship to sea.
For several days after we got out the wind was light and ahead, which with a strong southerly current prevented our making much way to the northward. On the 17th at 2 p.m., being in 22 fathoms water off Egg Harbour, four sail of ships were discovered from the mast head to the northward and in shore of us; apparently ships of war. The wind being very light, all sail was made in chase of them, to ascertain whether they were enemy's ships or our squadron having got out of New York waiting the arrival of the Constitution, the latter of which I had reason to believe was the case.
At 4 in the afternoon a ship was seen from the mast head bearing about N. E., standing for us under all sail, which she continued to do until sundown, at which time she was too far off to distinguish signals, and the ships in shore were only to be seen from the tops, they were standing off to the southward, and eastward. As we could not ascertain before dark what the ship in the offing was, I determined to stand for her and get near enough to make the night signal. At 10, in the evening, being within six or eight miles of the strange sail, the Private Signal was made, and kept up nearly one hour, but finding she could not answer it, I concluded she and the ships in shore were enemies. I immediately hauled off to the southward and eastward, and made all sail, having determined to lay off till day light, to see what they were. The ship that we had been chasing, hauled off after us, showing a light, and occasionally making signals, supposed to be for the ships in shore.
July 18th. At daylight, or a little before it was quite light, saw two sail under our lee, which proved to be frigates of the enemy—one frigate astern, within about five or six miles, and a line-of-battle ship, a frigate, a brig and schooner, about ten or twelve miles directly astern, all in chase of us, with a fine breeze, and coming up very fast, it being nearly calm where we were. Soon after sunrise the wind entirely left us, and the ship would not steer, but fell round off with her head towards the two ships under our lee. The boats were instantly hoisted out and sent ahead to tow the ship's head round, and to endeavour to get her farther from the enemy, being then within five miles of three heavy frigates. The boats of the enemy were got out, and sent ahead to tow, which, with the light air that remained with them, they came up very fast. Finding the enemy coming fast up, and but little chance of escaping from them, I ordered two of the guns on the gun deck, ran out at the cabin windows for stern guns on the gun deck, and hoisted one of the 24-pounders off the gun deck, and run that, with the forecastle gun, an 18-pounder, out at the ports on the quarter deck, and cleared the ship for action, being determined they should not get her without resistance on our part, notwithstanding their force and the situation we were placed in.
At about seven in the morning the ship nearest us approaching within gunshot and directly astern, I ordered one of the stern guns fired to see if we could reach her, to endeavour to disable her masts, found the shot fell a little short, would not fire any more. At 8 four of the enemy's ships nearly within gunshot, some of them having six or eight boats ahead towing, with all their oars and sweeps out to row them up with us, which they were fast doing. It now appeared that we must be taken, and that our escape was impossible, four heavy ships nearly within gunshot and coming up fast, and not the least hope of a breeze to give us a chance of getting off by outsailing them.
In the situation, finding ourselves in only twenty-four fathoms water (by the suggestion of that valuable officer, Lieutenant Morris), I determined to try and warp the ship ahead by carrying out anchors and warping her up to them. Three or four hundred fathoms of rope was instantly got up, and two anchors got ready and sent ahead, by which means we began to gain ahead of the enemy. They however soon saw our boats carrying out the anchors, and adopted the same plan, under very advantageous circumstances, as all the boats from the ship furthermost off were sent to tow and warp up those nearest to us, by which means they again came up, so that at 9 the ship nearest us began firing her bow guns, which we instantly returned by our stern guns in the cabin and on the quarter deck. All the shots from the enemy fell short, but we have reason to believe that some of ours went on board her, as we could not see them strike the water. Soon after 9 a second frigate passed under our lee and opened her broadside, but finding her shot fell short, discontinued her fire, but continued, as did all the rest of them, to make every possible exertion to get up with us.
From 9 to 12, all hands were employed in warping the ship ahead, and in starting some of the water in the main hold, to lighten her, by which, with the help of a light air, we rather gained of the enemy, or at least held on our own. About 2, in the afternoon, all the boats from the line of battle ship, and some of the frigates, were sent to the frigate nearest to us, to endeavour to tow her up, but a light breeze sprung up, which enabled us to hold way with her, notwithstanding they had eight or ten boats ahead, and all her sails furled to tow her to windward. The wind continued light until 11 at night, and the boats were kept ahead towing and warping to keep out of the reach of the enemy, three of the frigates being very near us. At 11, we got a light breeze from the southward, the boats came alongside, and were hoisted up, the ship having too much way to keep them ahead, the enemy still in chase and very near.
July 19th. At daylight passed within gun shot of one of the frigates, but she did not fire on us, perhaps for fear of becalming her as the wind was light. Soon after passing us she tacked and stood after us. At this time six sail were in sight under all sail after us. At 9, in the morning, saw a strange sail on our weather beam, supposed to be an American merchant ship. The instant the frigate nearest us saw her, she hoisted American colours, as did all the squadron, in hopes to decoy her down. I immediately hoisted English colours, that she might not be deceived. She soon hauled her wind, and it is to be hoped made her escape. All this day the wind increased gradually, and we gained on the enemy, in the course of the day, six or eight miles, they however continued chasing us all night under a press of sail.
July 20th. At daylight in the morning only three of them could be seen from the mast head, the nearest of which was about twelve miles off directly astern. All hands were set at work wetting the sails, from the royals down, with the engine and fire-buckets, and we soon found that we left the enemy very fast. At quarter past 8, the enemy finding that they were fast dropping astern, gave over the chase, and hauled their own wind to the northward, probably for the station off New York. At half-past 8, saw a sail ahead, gave chase after her under all sail. At 9, saw another strange sail under our lee bow. We soon spoke the first sail, discovered and found her to be an American brig from St. Domingo, bound to Portland. I directed the captain how to steer to avoid the enemy, and made sail for the vessel to leeward. On coming up with her, she proved to be an American brig from St. Bartholomews, bound to Philadelphia, but on being informed of war, she bore up for Charleston, S. C.
Finding the ship so far to the southward and eastward, and the enemy's squadron stationed off New York, which would make it impossible for the ship to get in there, I determined to make for Boston to receive your further orders, and I hope that my having done so will meet your approbation. My wish to explain to you as clearly as possible why your orders have not been executed, and the length of time the enemy were in chase of us, with various other circumstances, have caused me to make this communication much longer than I would have wished, yet I cannot (in justice to the brave officers and crew under my command) close it without expressing to you the confidence I have in them, and assuring you that their conduct whilst under the guns of the enemy was such as might have been expected from American officers and seamen.
I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your obedient
humble servant,
Isaac Hull.
Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States Frigate Constitution,
Off Boston Light, August 30, 1812.
To the Honourable
Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir: I have the honour to inform you that on the 19th instant, at 2 p.m., being in latitude 41° 42´, longitude 55° 48´, with the Constitution under my command, a sail was discovered from the masthead bearing E. by S. or E. S. E., but at such a distance we could not tell what she was. All sail was instantly made in chase, and we soon found we came up with her. At 3 p.m. could plainly see that she was a ship on the starboard tack, under easy sail, close on a wind; at half past 3 p.m. made her out to be a frigate; continued the chase until we were within about three miles, when I ordered the light sails taken in, the courses hauled up, and the ship cleared for action. At this time the chase had backed his main top-sail, waiting for us to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, I bore down with an intention to bring him to close action immediately; but on our coming within gunshot she gave us a broadside and filled away, and wore, giving us a broadside on the other tack, but without effect; her shot falling short. She continued wearing and manœuvering for about three-quarters of an hour, to get a raking position, but finding she could not, bore up, and run under topsails and gib, with the wind on the quarter. Immediately made sail to bring the ship up with her, and five minutes before 6 p.m. being alongside within half pistol shot, we commenced a heavy fire from all our guns, double-shotted with round and grape, and so well directed were they, and so warmly kept up, that in fifteen minutes her mizzen-mast went by the board, and her mainyard in the slings, and the hull, rigging and sails were very much torn to pieces. The fire was kept up with equal warmth for fifteen minutes longer, when her main-mast and fore-mast went, taking with them every spar, excepting the bowsprit; on seeing this we ceased firing, so that in thirty minutes after we got fairly alongside the enemy she surrendered, and had not a spar standing, and her hull below and above water so shattered that a few more broadsides must have carried her down.
After informing you that so fine a ship as the Guerrière, commanded by an able and experienced officer, had been totally dismasted, and otherwise cut to pieces, so as to make her not worth towing into port, in the short space of 30 minutes, you can have no doubt of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and ship's company I have the honour to command. It only remains, therefore, for me to assure you, that they all fought with great bravery; and it gives me great pleasure to say, that from the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest seaman, not a look of fear was seen. They all went into action giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid close alongside the enemy.
Enclosed I have the honour to send you a list of killed and wounded on board the Constitution, and a report of the damages she has sustained; also a list of the killed and wounded on board the enemy, with his quarter-bill, &c.
I have the honour to be, with very great respect, Sir, your
obedient servant,
Isaac Hull.
Killed and wounded on board the United States frigate Constitution, Isaac Hull, Esquire, Captain, in the action with His Britannic Majesty's frigate Guerrière, James A. Dacres, Esquire, Captain, on the 20th of August, 1812:
| Killed: W. S. Bush, Lieutenant of Marines, and 6 seamen | 7 |
| Wounded: Lieutenant C. Morris, Master J. C. Aylwin, 4 seamen, 1 marine | 7 |
| — | |
| Total killed and wounded | 14 |
United States frigate Constitution, August 21st, 1812.
T. S. Chew, Purser.
Isaac Hull, Captain.
Killed and wounded on board His Britannic Majesty's frigate Guerrière:
| Killed: 3 officers, 12 seamen and marines | 15 |
| Wounded: J. A. Dacres, Captain, 4 officers, 57 seamen and marines | 62 |
| Missing: Lieutenants Pullman and Roberts, and 22 seamen and marines, supposed to have gone overboard with the masts | 24 |
| —— | |
| Total killed, wounded and missing | 101 |
Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States Frigate Constitution,
Boston, August 30, 1812.
To the Honourable
Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I cannot but make you acquainted with the very great assistance I received from that valued officer, Lieutenant Morris, in bringing the ship into action, and in working her whilst along side the enemy, and I am extremely sorry to state that he is badly wounded, being shot through the body; we have yet hopes of his recovery, when I am sure he will receive the thanks and gratitude of his country, for this and the many gallant acts he has done in its service. Were I to name any particular officer as having been more useful than the rest, I should do them great injustice; they all fought bravely, and gave me every possible assistance that I could wish. I am extremely sorry to state to you the loss of Lieutenant Bush, of marines; he fell at the head of his men in getting ready to board the enemy. In him our country has lost a valuable and brave officer. After the fall of Lieutenant Bush, Lieutenant Contee of the corps, took command of the marines, and I have pleasure in saying that his conduct was that of a brave, good officer, and the marines behaved with great coolness and courage during the action, and annoyed the enemy very much whilst she was under our stern.
I have the honour to be, with very great respect, Sir, your
obedient servant,
Isaac Hull.
October 18, 1812.
Jacobus Jones virtus in ardua tendit. ℞. Victoriam hosti majori celerrime rapuit.
[Capture of the Frolic.]
IACOBUS JONES VIRTUS IN ARDUA TENDIT. (Jacob Jones. Valor seeks difficulties.) Bust of Captain Jones, in uniform, facing the right. On edge of bust, FÜRST. F. (fecit).
VICTORIAM HOSTI MAJORI CELERRIME RAPUIT. (He quickly snatched victory from a superior enemy.) Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Wasp, of eighteen guns, Captain Jones, and the British sloop-of-war Frolic, of twenty-two guns, Captain Whinyates. The Wasp has lost her main-topmast, and is raking the Frolic as she lays her on board. The Americans are in possession of the enemy's forecastle. Exergue: INTER WASP NAV. AMERI. ET FROLIC NAV. ANG. DIE XVIII OCT. MDCCCXII. (Inter Wasp navem Americanam et Frolic navem Anglicanam, die 18 Octobris, 1812: Between the American vessel Wasp and the English vessel Frolic, October 18, 1812.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).
Moritz Fürst was born in Presburg, Hungary, and studied with Würt, a die sinker in the Imperial Mint of Vienna. He was for a time superintendent of the Royal Mint of Lombardy. In 1807 he was engaged by the American Consul at Leghorn as die sinker to the United States Mint, arrived the same year in America, and entered on his duties in the spring of 1808. He made nearly all the medals voted by Congress to the army and navy for the War of 1812-1815, and the Indian medals of Presidents Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Martin Van Buren. He resided for many years in New York.
Jacob Jones was born near Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware, in March, 1770. He first studied medicine, but entered the navy as midshipman in 1799, was lieutenant in 1801, was taken prisoner in the frigate Philadelphia, off Tripoli, 1803, and remained in captivity for twenty months. Having been commissioned as master-commandant in 1810, he was given, in 1811, the sloop-of-war Wasp, with which he captured the British sloop-of-war Frolic, Captain Whinyates, October 18, 1812. For this gallant action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He became captain in 1813, and received the frigate Macedonian. He afterward commanded squadrons in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific; was a member of the Naval Board and governor of the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, where he died, August 3, 1850.
Captain Jacob Jones to the Secretary of the Navy.
New York, November 24th, 1813.
To the Honourable
Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir: I here avail myself of the first opportunity of informing you of the occurrences of our cruise, which terminated in the capture of the Wasp, on the 18th of October, by the Poictiers, of 74 guns, while a wreck from damages received in an engagement with the British sloop-of-war Frolic, of 22 guns; 16 of them 32-pound carronades, and four twelve-pounders on the main deck, and two twelve-pounders, carronades, on the top-gallant forecastle, making her superior in force to us by four twelve-pounders. The Frolic had struck to us, and was taken possession of, about two hours before our surrendering to the Poictiers.
We had left the Delaware on the 13th. The 16th had a heavy gale, in which we lost our jib-boom and two men. Half-past 11, on the night of the 17th, in the latitude of 37 degrees north, and longitude 65 degrees west, we saw several sail; two of them appeared very large. We stood from them for some time, then shortened sail, and steered the remainder of the night the course we had perceived them on. At daylight, on Sunday the 18th, we saw them ahead, gave chase, and soon discovered them to be a convoy of six sail, under the protection of a sloop-of-war, four of them large ships, mounting from 16 to 18 guns. At 30 minutes past 11, a.m., we engaged the sloop-of-war, having first received her fire at the distance of fifty or sixty yards, which space we gradually lessened until we laid her on board, after a well supported fire of 43 minutes; and although so near, while loading the last broadside, that our rammers were shoved against the side of the enemy, our men exhibited the same alacrity which they had done during the whole of the action. They immediately surrendered upon our gaining their forecastle, so that no loss was sustained on either side after boarding.
Our main-topmast was shot away between four and five minutes from the commencement of the firing, and falling, together with the main-topsail yard, across the larboard fore and fore-topsail braces, rendered our head-yards unmanageable the remainder of the action. At eight minutes the gaff and main-topgallant-mast came down, and at twenty minutes from the beginning of the action, every brace and most of the rigging was shot away. A few minutes after separating from the Frolic, both her masts fell upon deck, the main-mast going close by the deck, and the fore-mast twelve or fifteen feet above it.
The courage and exertions of the officers and crew fully answered my expectations and wishes. Lieutenant Biddle's active conduct contributed much to our success by the exact attention paid to every department during the engagement, and the animating example he afforded the crew by his intrepidity. Lieutenants Rodgers, Booth, and Mr. Rapp shewed, by the incessant fire from their divisions, that they were not to be surpassed in resolution or skill. Mr. Knight and every other officer acted with a courage and promptitude highly honourable, and, I trust, have given assurance that they may be relied on whenever their services may be required.
I could not ascertain the exact loss of the enemy, as many of the dead lay buried under the masts and spars that had fallen upon deck, which two hours exertion had not sufficiently removed. Mr. Biddle, who had charge of the Frolic, states that, from what he saw and from information from the officers, the number killed must have been about thirty, and that of the wounded about forty or fifty: of the killed is her first lieutenant and sailing master; of the wounded Captain Whinyates and the second lieutenant.
We had five killed and five wounded, as per list; the wounded are recovering. Lieutenant Claxton, who was confined by sickness, left his bed a little previous to the engagement, and though too weak to be at his division, remained upon deck, and shewed, by his composed manner of noting incidents, that we had lost, by his illness, the services of a brave officer.
I am, respectfully yours, etc.,
Jacob Jones.
October 25, 1812.
Stephanus Decatur navarchus, pugnis pluribus, victor. ℞. Occidit signum hostile sidera surgunt.
[Capture of the Macedonian.]
STEPHANUS DECATUR NAVARCHUS, PUGNIS PLURIBUS, VICTOR. (Stephen Decatur, a naval captain, conqueror in many battles.) Bust of Captain Decatur, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).
OCCIDIT SIGNUM HOSTILE SIDERA SURGUNT. (The enemy's standard falls, the stars arise.) Naval action between the United States frigate United States, of forty-four guns, Captain Decatur, and the British frigate Macedonian, of forty-nine guns, Captain Carden; the United States, to leeward, is firing her port broadside; the Macedonian has lost her mizzenmast, her fore and main-topmasts, and her mainyard. Exergue: INTER STA. UNI. NAV. AMERI. ET MACEDO. NAV. ANG. DIE XXV OCTOBRIS MDCCCXII. (Inter United States navem Americanam et Macedonian navem Anglicanam, die 25 Octobris, 1812: Between the American vessel United States and the English vessel Macedonian, October 25, 1812.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).
Stephen Decatur was born in Sinnepuxent, Worcester County, Maryland, January 5, 1779. He was appointed a midshipman, 1798; a lieutenant, 1799; served in the Mediterranean under Commodore Dale, 1801, and under Commodore Preble, 1803; and, while in command of the Intrepid, destroyed the Philadelphia, off Tripoli, February 15, 1804. For this gallant deed he was immediately promoted to the rank of captain. He commanded a division of gunboats under Preble in the subsequent attacks on Tripoli. On October 25, 1812, when in command of the frigate United States, he captured the British frigate Macedonian, Captain John Carden, for which action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. In January, 1815, he left New London as commodore, having his flag on the President, but was soon afterward captured by an English fleet. The same year he sailed for the Mediterranean in command of a squadron, and made treaties with Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. On his return home he became a member of the Naval Board. He was shot in a duel by Commodore Barron, at Bladensburg, Maryland, March 22, 1820, and died the same evening.
Captain Decatur to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States ship United States,
at Sea, October 30, 1812.
To the Honourable
Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir: I have the honour to inform you, that on the 25th instant, being in the latitude 29°, N., longitude 29°, 30', W., we fell in with, and, after an action of an hour and a half, captured His Britannic Majesty's ship Macedonian, commanded by Captain John Carden, and mounting 49 carriage guns (the odd gun shifting). She is a frigate of the largest class, two years old, four months out of dock, and reputed one of the best sailors in the British service. The enemy being to windward, had the advantage of engaging us at his own distance, which was so great, that for the first half hour we did not use our carronades, and at no moment was he within the complete effect of our musketry or grape: to this circumstance and a heavy swell, which was on at the time, I ascribe the unusual length of the action.
The enthusiasm of every officer, seaman, and marine on board this ship, on discovering the enemy; their steady conduct in battle, and precision of their fire, could not be surpassed. Where all met my fullest expectations, it would be unjust for me to discriminate. Permit me, however, to recommend to your particular notice my first Lieutenant, William H. Allen. He has served with me upwards of five years, and to his unremitted exertions in disciplining the crew, is to be imputed the obvious superiority of our gunnery exhibited in the result of this contest.
Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded on both sides. Our loss, compared with that of the enemy, will appear small. Amongst our wounded, you will observe the name of Lieutenant Funk, who died in a few hours after the action: he was an officer of great gallantry and promise, and the service has sustained a severe loss in his death.
The Macedonian lost her mizzen-mast, fore and main-top-masts and main yard, and was much cut up in her hull. The damage sustained by this ship was not such as to render her return into port necessary, and had I not deemed it important that we should see our prize in, should have continued our cruize.
With the highest consideration, I am, yours, etc.,
Stephen Decatur.
| Killed | 5 | |
| Wounded | 7 | —1 since dead. |
| — | ||
| 12 |
macedonian.
| Killed | 36 | |
| Wounded | 68 | |
| — | ||
| 104 |
December 29, 1812.
Gulielmus Bainbridge patria victisque laudatus. ℞. Pugnando.
[Capture of the Java.]
GULIELMUS BAINBRIDGE PATRIA VICTISQUE LAUDATUS. (William Bainbridge praised by his country and by the vanquished foe.) Bust of Captain Bainbridge, in uniform, facing the right; underneath, a star. FÜRST. F. (fecit).
PUGNANDO. (In fighting.) The naval action is over. The British frigate Java, of forty-nine guns, Captain Lambert, is completely dismasted; while the United States frigate Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Bainbridge, is but slightly damaged in her rigging. Exergue: INTER CONST. NAV. AMERI. ET JAV. NAV. ANGL. DIE XXIX DECEM. MDCCCXII. (Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Java navem, Anglicanam, die 29 Decembris, 1812: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessel Java, December 29, 1812.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).
William Bainbridge was born in Princeton, New Jersey, May 7, 1774. He began life in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant in 1798, was master-commandant in 1799, and captain in 1800. With the frigate George Washington he went to Algiers, whence he conveyed an ambassador to Constantinople, the George Washington being the first American vessel ever seen there. He commanded the Philadelphia when she was lost off Tripoli, November 1, 1803. After his return to the United States he did not serve again afloat till 1812, when he obtained the command of the Constitution; and on December 29 of the same year he captured the British frigate Java, Captain Lambert, for which action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. After the war he commanded twice in the Mediterranean, and after 1821 served on shore, commanding different navy yards, and was president of the Naval Board. He died in Philadelphia, July 28, 1833.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Bainbridge, etc.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to present to Captain William Bainbridge, of the frigate Constitution, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal,[80] with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of Captain Bainbridge, his officers, and crew, in the capture of the British frigate Java, after a brave and skillful combat.
Approved March 3, 1813.
Captain Bainbridge to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States frigate Constitution,
St. Salvador, January 3d, 1813.
To
The Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: I have the honour to inform you that on the 29th ultimo, at 2 p.m., in south latitude 13°, 06', and west longitude 39°, ten leagues distance from the coast of Brazils, I fell in with and captured His Britannic Majesty's frigate Java, of 49 guns, and upwards of 400 men, commanded by Captain Lambert, a very distinguished officer. The action lasted one hour and fifty-five minutes, in which time the enemy was completely dismasted, not having a spar of any kind standing. The loss on board the Constitution was 9 killed and 25 wounded, as per enclosed list. The enemy had 60 killed and 101 wounded, certainly (among the latter, Captain Lambert, mortally), but by the enclosed letter, written on board the ship (by one of the officers of the Java), and accidentally found, it is evident that the enemy's wounded must have been much greater than as above stated, and who must have died of their wounds previously to their being removed. The letter states 60 killed and 170 wounded.
For further details of the action, I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed extracts from my journal. The Java had in addition to her own crew upwards of one hundred supernumerary officers and seamen, to join the British ships-of-war in the East Indies: also Lieutenant-General Hyslop, appointed to the command of Bombay, Major Walker and Captain Wood, of his staff, and Captain Marshall, master and commander in the British navy, going to the East Indies to take command of a sloop-of-war there.
Should I attempt to do justice, by representation, to the brave and good conduct of all my officers and crew, during the action, I should fail in the attempt; therefore, suffice it to say, that the whole of their conduct was such as to merit my highest encomiums. I beg leave to recommend the officers particularly to the notice of government, as also the unfortunate seamen who were wounded, and the families of those men who fell in the action.
The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect wreck we made the enemy's frigate, forbid every idea of attempting to take her to the United States; and not considering it prudent to trust her in a port of Brazils, particularly St. Salvador, I had no alternative but burning her, which I did on the 31st ultimo, after receiving all the prisoners and their baggage, which was very tedious work, only having one boat left (out of eight) and not one left on board the Java.
On blowing up the frigate Java, I proceeded to this place, where I have landed all the prisoners on their parole, to return to England and there remain until regularly exchanged, and not serve in their professional capacities in any place or in any manner whatever, against the United States of America, until the exchange shall be effected.
I have the honour to be, &c.,
W. Bainbridge.