Naval officer; born in
New Castle county, Del., Dec. 23, 1783; was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his father, who came from the
North of
Ireland, was an officer of distinction in the
Continental army.
Macdonough was appointed a midshipman in the navy in 1800, a lieutenant in 1807, and commander in July, 1813.
He had served with distinction in the Mediterranean squadron with
Bainbridge and
Decatur.
In 1814 he commanded a squadron on
Lake Champlain, and on Sept. 11, he gained a signal victory over the
British off
Plattsburg.
For this service he was promoted to captain and received thanks and a gold medal from Congress.
Civil honors were bestowed upon him by various cities and towns; and the legislature of
Vermont gave him an estate on
Cumberland Head,
[
17]
which overlooked the scene of his great exploit.
From the close of the war
Macdonough's health declined.
He was given command of the Mediterranean squadron,
 |
|
MacDONOUGHONOUGHonoughonough's medal. |
but his health grew rapidly worse, and he died at sea on a vessel sent by the government to bring him home, Nov. 16, 1825.
