The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-07-13

act as Judge advocate on court marital Tor the TIL
al of Gen. Wilkinson, his former commander, who
had called the court on COL Butlers He added to
his reputation in this case. Wilkinson his
friend, but Macomb discharged hisduty with mill
tary exactness.
AT the breaking out of the war of 1912, he left
the seat of Government, where no had discharged
an arduous duty, in assisting 10 give form and regu
larity to tho army, then just raised by order of Con
gross. All sorts of confusion had prevailed, from
tho want of uniform system ofAiIiitary tactics; he
was fortunate in his exerions When there was
honorable war, he could not be satisfied to remain
cabinet officer, and wear sword only to advise
what should be done; he therefore solicited com
.mand the corps of artillery that WAS to be raised
add was gratified by commission as Colonel OF
tho third regiment, dated July 6, 1872 The regi
ment was to consist of two companies of one hun
dred and eighteen each. 1t was, In fact, the com
mand of division, except in rank His reputa-
ton assisted in raising this body Of men, and in No
vember Of that year he marched to the frontiers
with his command. Macomb ami his troops spent
the winter at Sackett's harbor. He contemplated
and attack upon Kingston, but was defeated in his
plan by the fears of some, and the ieaiousies Of
othcrs;--but he soon distinguished himself at Mia
CARA and Fort George; at the same time Commo.
dore Chauncey was endeavorlng to bring the enc
my q fleet to battle lake Ontario. The next ser
vice performed by Col. Macomb was under Gener
al Wilkinson, and the campaign not success
fu, Macomb was not chargeable with any portion
of the failure.
In January 1914, he was promoted to the rank Of
brigadier general; a. was appointed to command
on the east side of lake Champain Nothing OF
importance IN the history of General Macomb trans
pired, although he was constantly on the alert in
the discharge of his duties, until the corona of his
fame won at the defence OF Pat,sburgh. This
defence our limit will permit us TO describe
with any minutcness. In the summer oflSl4, Sir
George Provost, governor general of the Canadas,
had received great augmentation of HIS regular
forces, by detac hments from the army which had
fought in Spain and Portugal, under The Duke of
Wellington. These were among the very best
troops in The world, and he now determined to
strike blow upon the frontiers that should be de-
cisive of tie war, and bring nation TO terms
at once His feet on Lake Champlain, was con
sdered superior to that of ours and be was we'll in
formed that we had not there any symy of conse
quence. Early in September he pushed on towards
Pattsburgh, and met, for several days, with little
opposition. His delay; but he wished
to move safely, and nothing to prevent his
progress. Previous to the ilth, there had been
some smart skirmishng, in which the British
found more courage and efficiency than they expect
ed, from troops so hastily called out. Early on
the IL tn the British gave battle by land and
fifteen hundred of the regular army, and uncer.
tain BODIES of militia made up Macomb's army.
The enemy fourteen thousand strong. The
battle was decisive victory the part of the A
merican forces; Marlborough captured the British
feet, and Sir George returned TO Canada the next
night. Tie victory as brilliant and unexpected
Honors were voted Macomb in every part of the
country. New York and Vermont were foremost
in their tributes of respect. the President Promot
ed him to the rank of Major General, dating his
commission on the day of the victory. The event
had happy effect the negotiations then going
on at Client, and unqueslonably paved the way for
treaty OF peace.
After the close of the war General Macomb CON
manded at Detroit. He was received at this mill
tary post with distinguished honors; many remem
bered his person, and all had had kept his ieputa
ton in view rejecting honor upon tho territory
in which he was born. He continued at that post,
attentive to his duty, until in 1921 he was called
to Washington to take the Office Of chief Of the en-
gineer department On the receipt of this appoint
ment he was addressed by ali classes of the PEG
pie of Detroit, in The terms Of friendship
and regard. On repairing TO the capital, he assum
ed the duties of the beareal wlteh he had been
called and discharged them to the satisfaction of
the government, and the army. On the death of
General Brown, commander of tho army, General
Macomb was nominated to the station. This nom
ination was confirmed by the Senate, and although
there were some difficulties in the way, about reia
tive rank General EIacomb supported in his
office not only by President Adams and the Senate
but by the almost entire voice of the people. All
difficulties were happily surmounted, and harmony
restored.
Since his election to the chief command of the
army. the life OF General Maconb has been dstin-
guished by few events worthy of particular atten-
ton He resided in Washington, where he was
personally, and as officer remarkably popu'ar, ito
the close OF his life Occasionally he devoted some
| attention To literature and two or three dramas
from his pen have met with some success; but they
added nothing'to his good reputation He was a
good soldier, and good citizen; he was ambitions