General Alexander Macomb Chapter

of the

National Society

United States Daughters of 1812

Alexander Macomb, officer of the United States Army, was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 3, 1782. He entered the army of the United States in 1799 as a cornet* of cavalry. At the commencement of the war with Great Britain, he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel of engineers, and an adjutant-general of the Army. In January of 1814 he was promoted to brigadier general and placed in command of that part of the northern frontier bordering on Lake Champlain.

The British Army invaded New York State (1814) and Macomb, commanding 4500 men, checked an attack by superior forces while Thomas Macdonough defeated a British Fleet on Lake Champlain.

At Plattsburg, on September 11, 1813, he sustained the attack of a greatly superior British force under Sir George Prevost. This force, after the defeat of the British squadron on Lake Champlain (the same day), retreated to Canada.**

For his firmness and courage on this occassion, General Macomb was commissioned a major-general, and received both the thanks of Congress and a gold medal.

In 1835 he succeeded to the office of Commander-in-Chief of the Army which he held until his death. General Macomb was senior major general and Commanding General of the Army from 1828 until 1841.

General Macomb was a very literate and logical person. He wrote a TREATISE ON MARTIAL LAW AND COURTS MARTIAL AS PRACTICED IN THE UNITED STATES in 1809.

*Lowest rank of commissioned officer (British); the one who carries a pennant.

**During the War of 1812 Macomb participated in the capture of Fort George on the Niagara River in 1813.
 

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