Macdonough's Valiant Victory Recalled on War's Bicentennial

Thomas McDonough Jr. was born in Trap, Del., Dec. 31, 1783, the sixth child and second son of Thomas Sr. and Mary Vance McDonough. Thomas, for unknown reasons, changed the spelling of his last name from McDonough to Macdonough. 

Enlisting in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 5, 1800, Macdonough served as a midshipman aboard a 24-gun corvette in the West Indies, taking part in the capture of three French ships between May and September.  

The next year, with the end of the hostilities between the United States and France, Macdonough was assigned to the 38-gun Constellation as the Navy began its post-war reduction.  

While serving onboard Constellation, Macdonough participated with distinction in early naval operations against Tripoli during the First Barbary War. Macdonough was transferred to the 38-gun Philadelphia in 1803 shortly before its capture by the Tripolitans. Luckily, Thomas was on shore leave at the time of capture.  

On Dec. 14, 1803, he was assigned to the Enterprise, a 12-gun schooner. The Enterprise, along with the Constitution was sent out to either retake the Philadelphia or destroy it so that Tripoli could not use her against the U.S. They decided it was too risky of an operation to retake her. So Thomas, along with others, volunteered to sail to the Philadelphia and set her on fire.  

In 1805, Thomas was appointed as lieutenant and then served aboard the 16-gun schooner Syren before assisting Isaac Hull overseeing the construction of gunboats in Middletown, Connecticut. 

In January 1806, earning a permanent Lieutenant's commission, he served in Great Britain and the Mediterranean. 

During the coming years, the British began impressing American sailors into the English Navy, including Thomas Macdonough.  

Macdonough jumped off the British ship into a small boat and he safely made his way to shore. Thomas swore "If I live, I'll make England remember the day she impressed an American soldier." 

In October of 1806, Macdonough returned to Middletown to work under Capt. Isaac Hull superintending the construction of gunboats. This was when he met and fell in love with his future wife, Lucy Ann Shaler. However it would be six more years before they finally wed. 

On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. On June 26, Thomas Macdonough wrote a note to the Secretary of the Navy, Alexander Hamilton: "Sir: The United States now being at war, I solicit your order for service in the navy." MacDonough was commander of the naval fleet at Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain, New York. 

The following year, the British launched a major offensive to control Lake Champlain as Gen. Sir George Prevost invaded New York. Refusing to advance beyond Plattsburgh without adequate naval support, a squadron under Commodore Robert Downie sailed south to engage Macdonough’s fleet. 

As Downie's forces attacked on Sept. 14, they were met with early success mostly due to the firepower of the 37-gun flagship Confiance. However the British squadron suffered heavy damage in the close-range fighting and Macdonough was able to swing around the undamaged side of his flagship, the 26-gun Saratoga, and gaining firepower superiority over Downie's fleet. 

Macdonough, whose manly courage was supported by a childlike faith, knelt on the deck of the flagship with his officers around him and repeated the following prayer: "Stir up Thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us, for Thou givest not always the battle to the strong, but canst save many or few....through Jesus Christ, our Lord." 

Macdonough fired and his fleet opened fire..... British Captain Downey was killed during the battle. At 11:20 a.m., the British ships struck their colors. Victory belongs to the Americans! However the decks of all ships had torn hulls, masts and spars and they held those that had perished in this terrific battle. It was obvious that Macdonough's foresight, valor, ingenuity and perseverance won the day.

The American victory on Lake Champlain led to the conclusion of U.S.-British peace negotiations in Belgium, and on Dec. 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the war. 

The entire country praised Macdonough's victory. The Battle of Plattsburgh is one of the decisive battles in American history. It prevented the invasion and conquest of New York State as effectively in 1814 as the surrender of the British under Burgoyne in 1777. Macdonough received gold-mounted flintlock pistols from the state of Connecticut in honor of his victory in the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. A scene depicting the battle is engraved on the gold plate.  

Commodore Macdonough continued in the service of his country after the war of 1812 finally ended. Macdonough was awarded by Congress for his efforts and promoted to Captain. MacDonough was given command of the 74-gun Ohio (then under construction in New York), serving as captain from 1818 to 1823.  

On Oct. 20, 1824, Macdonough, commanding the 44-gun frigate Constitution, set sail for the Mediterranean to take charge of the U.S. naval force. There in the fall of 1825, he received the news that his wife, Lucy Ann, had died.  

However, Thomas was sick as well with tuberculosis, weighing only 60 pounds. The news devastated him. Thomas left the Constitution for the long journey home, one journey he was not to complete. On Nov. 10, 1825, he died at the age of 41 600 miles from his homeland. Thomas and his wife are interred in the Riverside Cemetery in Middletown. Together they had 10 children, five of whom survived: James, Charles Shaler, Augustus Rodney, Thomas and Charlotte. 

Middletown's , built in 1924, is named after the city's hero.

The New Castle County in Delaware is now changed to "Macdonough" Delaware as has the city of Macdonough in Georgia, the Town of Macdonough in New York and Macdonough County, Illinois. He was also honored with a U.S. postal stamp! 

There have been four U.S. Navy Destroyers named in honor of Commodore Macdonough. They are as follows: USS Macdonough DD 9, USS Macdonough DD 331, USS Macdonough DD 351, USS Macdonough DDG 39 (DLG 8). 

For information and pictures, visit Thomas MacDonough.