midshipman, and was commissioned lieutenant in 1802. He, like many other young American officers, acquired experience and distinction in the war with Tripoli. He was one of those who boarded and destroyed the frigate President, one of the most gallant achievements in our naval history. For his share in it, Congress voted him money, which he declined to receive. He was commissioned lieutenant in 1808, and master-commandant in 1810. Soon after the declaration of war in 1812, he commanded the Hornet, one of Commodore Bainbridge's squadron sent to cruise on the coast of Brazil. On this cruise he took several prizes, fought and took the British sloop-of-war Peacock, the latter losing 33 killed and wounded, and the former one killed and two wounded. Congress recognized this gallant act by giving him a gold medal. He was soon commissioned captain, and took command of the frigate Chesapeake, then lying near Boston, and, with the Hornet, designed to cruise against the Greenland whale-fishery. Lawrence was a stranger to his crew, which was not in a good state of discipline, and who were complaining, after a frolic, of the non-payment of prize-money. In this condition the Chesapeake met the Shannon about thirty miles from Boston, where a desperate battle was fought. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded, and most of his officers were either killed or disabled by wounds, so that the upper deck was left without a commissioned officer. This action was fought with little space between the vessels, and was one of the most bloody and destructive of any during the war. While being borne below after his mortal wound, his last order was, "Don't give up the ship!"* motto which afterward appeared on many a banner. It has been since a household expression in our country. Such men as Lawrence are an honor to any nation.

32.-DAVID PORTER.

a

Commodore Porter was by nature as well as by profession a sailor. His mind was adapted to his employment. He was born

*These are the words found in the history of the times. We are informed, however, by good authority, that they were the words of Major Benjamin Russell, in his account of the battle, published in the Boston Centinel. Nahum Capen had this fact from Major Russell.

in Boston, Mass., in 1780, and entered the navy in 1798 as a midshipman, and first sailed in the Constellation. In 1799 he became a lieutenant. He served on the West. India station, and subsequently joined the Mediterranean squadron sent against Tripoli, was captured with Bainbridge in the Philadelphia, and remained a prisoner about nineteen months. In 1806 he was commissioned master-commandant, and in 1812 a captain. When war was declared in 1812, he was given the command of the Essex, and in a limited cruise made many captures. Soon after, he captured the war-schooner Alert. Subsequently he cruised with great success in the Southern Atlantic. He then passed around Cape Horn and anchored at Valparaiso, obtaining necessary supplies.

In his cruise in the Pacific he rendered important services in protecting American commerce, and by capturing whaleships and merchantmen. Some of these he converted into vessels-of-war. He lived and supported himself and men by his conquests. While at Valparaiso the Essex was blockaded by the British frigate Phoebe. In attempting to escape, Porter fought one of the most extraordinary and desperate battles on record, and, although unsuccessful, it added to his fame. Subsequently he was one of the Board of Navy Commissioners. He resigned in 1825, and entered the service of Mexico at a salary of $25,000 per annum. Leaving that service in 1829, General Jackson appointed him to the mission at Constantinople, where he died in 1843. Porter was a splendid officer. His son, David, holds a high position in our navy, having during the recent war rendered a large amount of highly important services, particularly distinguishing himself as a willing, skilful, and energetic officer.

This list might be largely extended. But it is sufficient to show the character and standing of our naval officers in the War of 1812, and the effect produced by their valor, knowledge, and efficiency upon the country and its Government. They were unselfish and generous, and regardless of personal consequences. With them, the great and inspiring sentiment was their country, its flag, its honor, the American Union. No hardship was too great to be borne, or danger too hazardous to encounter. They seemed to have a magnetism about them that inspired their sub

ordinates and sailors, inducing in them the belief that nothing was impossible with American naval officers. The achievements of the navy electrified the country and fired its energies, occasioning almost superhuman exertions in defence of the nation and its rights. The success of our naval officers and their unequalled efforts attracted the attention of Europe, and commanded unqualified admiration and respect. Although few in numbers, compared with the British, still that haughty and domineering power not unwillingly relinquished the contest where our navy achieved such masterly results, which so largely eclipsed its glory on the seas. The navy encouraged the army and aroused the people. Its officers demonstrated their power, and that they were actuated by principle-to protect and preserve our freedom and independence, to secure individual protection for person, character, and property, to the end that all might pursue such road to happiness as they might choose.

33.-THE ARMY AND ITS OFFICERS.

In the navy a great victory seldom holds up to public view more than one individual as its author. The commander rules his floating kingdom at his will, has no divided authority or honors, and all his resources are with him. In the army things are widely different. Although there is a head man, his authority is subdivided, and seldom so concentrated as to be within his personal supervision, while the action of the outside world often tends to confuse or cripple. The commander's lines are often miles long, and his resources scattered and not within reach, and no drumming can bring them together. Subordinates have often projects of personal fame, or others which materially affect the result. Few of all the movements are under the eye or personal guidance of the head of a battle-field. Hence the result of an action is far less under the control of the official head than in the navy; and thus the comparative number of heroes prominently before the eyes of the nation is smaller.

But the army of 1812 had its patriots, its heroes, and selfsacrificing actors, whether widely known or not. Our space, however, will allow us to name but few, and those briefly. We

give a few simple facts, by way of illustration, without attempting details, which, without a full view of surrounding circumstances, would lead to probable error or confusion. A naval battle lies in a nut-shell, but one in the army covers a whole field and all the avenues approaching it; and any attempt to describe it, without giving it in full, seldom does justice to him who commands. Hence, we do not attempt it.

34.--ZEBULON MONTGOMERY PIKE.

This gallant officer was born in New Jersey, in 179, and was killed at Toronto, in Canada, in 1813, by the falling of stone when the British magazine exploded. When young he served under his father, who held a commission in the army, and rose to a lieutenancy. After the acquisition of Louisiana, he was sent with a squad of men to explore the sources of the Mississippi; and spent a winter, enduring great hardships, in what is now Minnesota. His report was so clear and satisfactory, that soon after he was sent west, with a party, to explore the central part of the Louisiana purchase. He proceeded up the Missouri in boats for a considerable distance, and then continued his journey by land, reaching the headwaters of the Arkansas River; in the winter the party was nearly buried in snow, and suffered greatly. Pike reached the Rocky Mountains, and extended his enterprise to explore one to its top, some 14,500 feet above the sea, which has since been known as "Pike's Peak," and is in Colorado Territory. On returning he lost his way, and was taken to Santa Fé and Chihuahua, by the Spanish authorities, and sent home by way of Texas. His report of this expedition was highly complimented.

Soon after the beginning of the War of 1812 he was made a brigadier-general, and sailed from Sackett's Harbor to York, now Toronto, in Canada. The British were vigorously assaulted, and the outer batteries carried. While resting for a moment before attacking the main works, the magazine exploded, throwing up an immense quantity of earth and stone. In their descent one of the latter fell upon and wounded him. He soon expired. General Pike was one of the bravest and most fearless of officers,

and one in whom the soldiers, and all under him, had unlimited confidence. His death, widely mourned, was a great loss to our army and country.

35.-ALEXANDER MACOMB.

General Macomb was born in the garrison at Detroit, in 1782. He was the son of a fur-trader. He entered the army as a cornet of cavalry in 1799, and was retained at the partial disbandment in 1802. The corps to which he had belonged was formed into one of engineers, and he was sent to West Point, to improve in the military art. While there he acted as judge-advocate on the trial of the venerable Colonel Butler, for refusing to obey orders, and have his long white locks cut off. This arbitrary order could not have been carried into effect by Peter the Great of Russia. In 1805 Macomb was promoted to a captaincy in the Corps of Engineers, and commenced the discharge of his duties as such. At the commencement of the War of 1812, he had been promoted to be a lieutenant-colonel of engineers, but was soon transferred to the artillery. In 1814 he was commissioned a brigadier-general, and placed in command on the borders of Lake Champlain. On the 11th of September, 1814, he fought the battle of Plattsburg, against Sir George Provost and greatly superior numbers, and won a great triumph, the British retreating toward Canada. The battle was on the same day as Macdonough's victory over Commodore Downie and the British fleet. For his generalship on this occasion he was commissioned a major-general, receiving the thanks of Congress, and a gold medal voted him. On the reduction of the army he was retained as a colonel of engineers, and served in that capacity at the head of the engineer bureau. On the death of General, Brown in 1828, he was appointed general-in-chief of the army, and served until his death in 1841. By his achievements General Macomb added to his own fame and to American character. His death was deeply deplored by the army and country.

36.-JOHN E. WOOL.

The name of General Wool has long been familiar to the American people. He was born at Newburg, New York, in