MACOMB BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH GOLD MEDAL OFFERED

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V18 2015 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 36, September 6, 2015, Article 21

You never know where an important numismatic item will turn up next. A Swiss auction company is offering the Congressional Gold medal of Major General Alexander Macomb, a major figure in the War of 1812. Here's an excerpt from the lot description, as translated from the French by Google. -Editor

Gold medal in honor of Major General Alexander Macomb (1782-1841) presented by the President of the United States at the request of Congress, produced by the United States mint, commemorating its action at the Battle of Plattsburgh September 11 1814. The obverse shows the bust of Major General Alexander Macomb wearing his military uniform. The reverse shows a view of the Battle of Plattsburgh with troops crossing the Saranac River on the 1st level, then the fortifications with the city of Plattsburgh in flames, and finally left the naval battle in progress, diam: 6.4 cm, 248g

US military hero, named Commanding General of the US Army, he was acclaimed "The Hero of Plattsburgh" after the stunning victory of the Battle of Plattsburgh. Born April 3, 1782, son of a military brilliant, he began his career in the New York Rangers in 1798. He graduated from the Military Academy in 1802, he was successively promoted to Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant General, Brigadier and Major General in 1819, and General Commander of the Armed in 1828.

The medal is catalogued by Julian as number MI-16. The Mint struck bronze examples in addition to the gold one given to Macomb. John Kraljevich has written: "The brilliantly rendered battle scene on the reverse, among Furst's finest work, shows exceptional detail. One of the more visually impressive of the War of 1812 military medals."

Below is some more information on Macomb from the National Museum of the United States Army. -Editor

Alexander Macomb was born in Detroit, on 3 April 1782. He moved to New York and was educated in Newark, New Jersey. When he was 16, he enlisted in the New York militia. He was commissioned a cornet in the Regular Army in 1799. Macomb left the Army for two years, and then became a second lieutenant in 1801.

Macomb became one of the first soldiers at the United States Military Academy when he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, which had been created in 1802. He married Catharine Macomb, a cousin, in 1803. By 1810, he was a lieutenant colonel and served as chief engineer in charge of coastal fortifications in Georgia and the Carolinas. In 1812, he briefly served as acting adjutant general before he was promoted to colonel.

In the War of 1812, Macomb commanded troops at Sackett’s Harbor, the capture of Fort George and the St. Lawrence campaign. In 1814, he became a brigadier general before defeating the British at Plattsburg, New York. The action in Plattsburg earned Macomb a brevet major general rank and a gold medal from Congress.

To read the complete lot description (in French), see:
Détail du lot n° 1052 (http://hoteldesventes.ch/1052-44)

To read the Macomb article, see:
Major General Alexander Macomb (https://armyhistory.org/major-general-alexander-macomb/)

The auction also offers some literature, a bronze medal and other artifacts from Macomb, including a portrait miniature and Presidential military commissions from six Presidents, George Washington through John Quincy Adams. Lot 1054 is a copy of Loubat's The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 inscribed by the author to Mr d'Hauteville, a descendant of General Alexander Macomb. -Editor