Interments in the Historic Congressional Cemetery.  

Interments in the Historic Congressional Cemetery Last\\ Name Birth/Death Age Range/Site Interments in the Historic Congressional Cemetery Last Updated: 07/14/01

Macomb, Major General Alexander b. April 03, 1782 - d. 25 Jun 1841 59 yrs. [Congressional Cemetery range/lot:] R55/147

National Intelligencer, May 25, 1841 (Norfolk, May 20)
Major General Scott and Colonel Bankhead arrived here in the steamboat from Richmond yesterday afternoon, and we learn that Major General Macomb, Commander-in-chief of the Army, is expected this morning by the steamboat from Baltimore. The subject of the visit of these distinguished officers, it is understood, is to inspect the military works at Fort Monroe and the Rip Raps. -- Herald.

National Intelligencer, Saturday, June 26, 1841
We regret to announce the death of General Alexander Macomb, the General-in-Chief of the United States Army which occurred at half past 2 o'clock yesterday. His funeral will take place on Monday next at 10 o'clock a.m.

National Intelligencer, Monday, June 28, 1841
The Late Major Gen. Macomb
We have a melancholy pleasure in transferring to our columns the following Biography of Major General Macomb, whose Funeral is this day to be solemnized, in whose death this city has to mourn the decease of a virtuous and beloved fellow-citizen, and in whom the Nation laments the loss of the distinguished and gallant Commander of its Military forces.

Major General Alexander Macomb was born at Detroit, April 3, 1782. The city of Detroit, at that time, was a garrison town, and among the first images that struck his eyes were those of the circumstances of war. These early impressions often fix the character of the man.

His father was a fur merchant, respectably descended and connected. He removed to the city of New York while Alexander was yet an infant. When he was eight years of age, he placed him at school at Newark, in New Jersey, under the charge of the Reverend Doctor Ogden, who was a man of mind, belonging to a family distinguished for talents.

In 1798, while Macomb was quite a youth, he was elected into a select company, which was called, "The New York Rangers." The name was taken from that Spartan band of rangers selected from the provincials who, from 1755 to 1763, were the elite of every British commander on Lake George and the borders of Canada. At the time he entered the corps of New York Rangers, Congress had passed a law receiving volunteers for the defense of the country, as invasion by a French army was soon expected. This patriotic band volunteered their services to Government, which were accepted, but he soon left this corps, and obtained a cornetcy at the close of the year 1798, and was commissioned in January, 1799. General North, then adjutant general of the Northern army, soon saw the merits of the youthful soldier, and took him into his staff, as deputy adjutant general. Under such a master as the intelligent and accomplished North, Macomb made great progress in his profession, and in the affections of his brother officers of the army. The young officer that Hamilton noticed and North instructed, would not fail to be ambitious of distinction. He visited Montreal in order to observe the discipline and tactics of the veteran corps kept at that important military post, and did not neglect his opportunities.

The thick and dark cloud that hung over the country passed away--a great part of the troops were disbanded, and a set of the officers and men returned to private life; a few only retained; among them was Macomb, who was commissioned as a second lieutenant of dragoons, and sent forthwith on the recruiting service, but it was not then necessary to push the business; and as he was stationed in Philadelphia, he had fine opportunities to associate with the best informed men of the city, and found easy access to the Franklin and other extensive libraries, of which advantages he did not fail to improve.

When his body of recruits was formed, he marched with it to the Western frontiers to join Gen. Wilkinson, an officer who had been left in service from the Revolutionary war. In the company of Wilkinson, and of Col. Williams, the engineer, he must have gathered a mass of materials for future use. With him he went into the Cherokee country to aid in making a treaty with that nation. He was on this mission nearly a year, and kept a journal of every thing he saw or heard. This was good school for one whose duty it might hereafter be to fight these very aborigines, and, in fact, these lessons of the wilderness are not lost on any one of mind and observation. The corps to which he belonged was disbanded, and a corps of engineers formed; to this he was attached as first lieutenant. He was now sent to West Point, where he was, by the code there established, a pupil as well as an officer. Being examined and declared competent, he was appointed an adjutant of the corps at that post, and discharged his duty with so much spirit and intelligence, that when the first court martial, after his examination, was convened, he was appointed judge advocate. This court was ordered for the trial of a distinguished officer for disobeying an arbitrary order for cutting off the hair. Peter the Great could not carry such an order into execution, but our Republican country did; and the veteran Col. Butler was reprimanded for not throwing his white locks to the wind when ordered to do so by his superior. The talents and arguments exhibited by Macomb, as judge advocate on this court martial, brought him into very great notice as a man of exalted intellect as well as a fine soldier. He was now called upon to compile a treatise upon martial law and the practice of courts martial, which, in a future day of leisure, he effected, and his book is now the standard work upon courts martial for the Army of the United States. In 1805 Macomb was promoted to the rank of captain in the corps of engineers, and sent to the sea-board to superintend the fortifications which had been ordered by an act of Congress. By this service he became known to the first men in the country, and his merits were duly appreciated from New Hampshire to the Floridas.

In 1808 he was promoted to the rank of major, and acted as superintendent of fortifications until just before the war, when he was advanced to a lieutenant colonelcy. He was again detailed to act as judge advocate on a court martial for the trial of Gen. Wilkinson, who had called the court on C.J. Butler. He added to his reputation in this case. Wilkinson was his friend, but Macomb discharged his duty with military exactness.

At the breaking out of the war of 1812, he left the seat of Government, where he had discharged an arduous duty, in assisting to give form and regularity to the army then just raised by order of Congress. All sorts of confusion had prevailed, from the want of a uniform system of military tactics: he was fortunate in his exertions. When there was honorable war, he could not be satisfied to remain, as it were, a cabinet officer, and wear a sword only to advise what should be done, which seemed to be the regulations of the Army in respect to engineers; he therefore solicited a command in the corps of artillery that was to be raised, and was gratified by a commission as colonel of the third regiment, dated July 6, 1812. The regiment was to consist of twenty companies of one hundred and eighteen each. It was, in fact, the command of a division, except in rank. His reputation assisted in raising the body of men, and in November of that year he marched to the frontiers with his command. Macomb and his troops spent the winter at Sackett's Harbor. He contemplated an attack upon Kingston, but was defeated in his plan by the fears of some and the jealousies of others; but he soon distinguished himself at Niagara and Fort George; at the same time Commodore Chauncey was endeavoring to bring the enemy's fleet to battle on Lake Ontario. The next service performed by Col. Macomb was under Gen. Wilkinson, and if the campaign was not successful, Macomb was not chargeable with any portion of the failure.

The National Intelligencer, Monday, June 28, 1841
The Funeral of General Macomb
Which is to take place from his late residence today, at 10 o'clock, will be an interesting spectacle as well as an honorable tribute to the station, the services, and the personal character of the late Commander of the Army.

The Orders from the Departments, directing Funeral Honors to the deceased, will be found in our columns today. The Company of U.S. Light Infantry on duty at Fort McHenry arrived here yesterday for the purpose of attending the Funeral.

It is probable, we understand, that a number of Volunteer Military Companies also will arrive in this city from Baltimore this morning for the same purpose. Little did we expect, when we attended the Funeral of Gen. Harrison, on which occasion Gen. Macomb commanded the Military escort, that we should so soon have to follow the remains of the living General to the tomb.

The National Intelligencer, Tuesday, June 29, 1841 The Funeral of General Macomb, Commander of the Army took place yesterday, agreeably in the order of arrangements officially announced, and was attended by the President, and all the Officers of the Government, both Houses of Congress, the Diplomatic Corps, Military and Naval Officers, etc. The solemn military and civic array which filled the broad avenue through the city presented an imposing spectacle, in keeping with, and appropriately closed by, the impressive ceremonies at the tomb. The Evening Star, Saturday, March 16, 1901 Brave Gen. Macomb Proposed Monument to Commemorate His Services American Hero of the War of 1812 Name Birth/Death Age Range/Site Interments in the Historic Congressional Cemetery Last Updated: 07/14/01 Once the Commander of the United States Army Distinguished Career The erection of a monument commemorative of the service of Major General Alexander Macomb at Detroit, Mich., his birthplace, sixty years after his death in this city, when in command of the United States army, is a matter of interest not only in military circles, but to many of the older families of the District, as well as many of his relatives resident among us. The latter third of his three score years of life was passed in this city, and such was his intercourse with the people that, upon the announcement of his death here June 25, 1841, the press spoke of him as "the brave soldier of forty years, the useful citizen, the philanthropist and poor man's friend." His remains were followed to the grave by thousands of people--the funeral being one of the largest and most imposing, being attended by the President, cabinet, diplomatic corps, both houses of Congress, the corporate authorities of the three District cities--Alexandria not having been retroceded--and many civic associations. The military escort was composed of Major Ringgold's light battery of artillery, from Fort McHenry; a battalion of marines, under Major Tyler; the Washington Light Infantry, National Blues, Mechanical Riflemen, the Georgetown Grays and other volunteer companies of the District. The Baltimore military organizations were deterred from paying tribute to General Macomb, as they were the same day escorting the remains of General Harrison through Baltimore. A handsome marble monument was erected over the remains of General Macomb in the family lot in which are also the remains of some of his family. There survive him quite a number of descendants to the third and fourth generations, a number of them residents of the District. The services of General Macomb to the country were of inestimable value, but the crowning glory of career was his success in defending Plattsburg and defeating a British force six time as large as his own, saving the upper part of the state of New York to the country. The design for the Detroit monument represents him at this battle standing on the ramparts of one of his forts, field glass in hand. While the place of his birth, the town of Plattsburg, where he obtained a phenomenal victory, and West Point Academy, where he organized the corps of cadets, are all suitable places for a monument to commemorate his services, it would appear that besides the modest family monument over his remains at the Congressional cemetery, there should be one erected in one of Washington's parks. Indeed outside of army circles, he having served from 1821 as chief of the engineer corps, and from 1828 to his death, in 1841, as commanding general, there are hundreds of older Washingtonians in every walk of life who can recite pleasant reminiscences of the general. These would warmly appreciate the placing of a statue in his memory at some point in the nation's capital city. Of Irish and French Descent Descended from Irish-French stock and born in Detroit in 1782, when that place was a trading station, and being sent to school at Newark, N.J., he there showed his proclivity for a military life. When sixteen years old he joined the New York Rangers, and volunteered his services to the government. He soon after became a cornet of light dragoons, and next as assistant under Adjutant General North. When the war scare was over, in 1799, he went to Canada, but soon returned, and became a second lieutenant of dragoons. He saw service as such on the Ohio, and with a commission, making treaties with the Indians. He was then but a boy. When the army was reduced the dragoons were disbanded and an engineer corps, with one major, two captains, four lieutenants, and ten cadets were provided for. These, with artillery, were located at West Point and formed the nucleus of the Military Academy. Young Macomb was retained in the service as a lieutenant of infantry, and applied for and obtained a transfer to the engineers in 1802. Taking the course with the lieutenants and cadets, he was the first to graduate. He was made adjutant of the post, and as such organized the corps of cadets and became the head of the academy, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1811. In the following year, while performing the duties at the head of the academy, which had become a separate post, the duties of chief of engineers, the head being old and infirm, he also filled the position of adjutant general of the army. The formation of two new regiments of artillery being authorized by Congress on the eve of the war of 1812, Macomb asked for and was given the colonelcy of one of them. This was the regiment, recruited in the neighborhood of New York, and he marched with it to the defense of the northern frontier. The British designed to capture and occupy the upper portion of New York state, and a naval force, under Capt. Downie, was sent against McDonough's fleet, while from Canada Sir George Prevost came down on the Americans, with 16,000 well-disciplined troops, to exterminate or capture Macomb and the few thousands with him. The larger portion of the invaders were veterans who had served under Wellington, and Macomb had but few regulars which, with militia and volunteers, aggregated less than 3,000 men. Macomb prepared for the attack by building forts to defend the town, and it is related that Gen. J.G. Totten, then a major and afterward the head of the engineer bureau and resident of Washington, was in charge of the work as the engineer officer. The attack came and the foe was vanquished on land and water. Macomb, with a loss of less than a hundred, defeated Sir George, inflicting a loss in killed, wounded and prisoners of 2,500. McDonough sunk the British fleet. In an old song 'tis said: Name Birth/Death Age Range/Site Interments in the Historic Congressional Cemetery Last Updated: 07/14/01 "Sir George Prevost, with all his host, Marched forth from Montreal, sir. Both he and they as blythe and gay As going to a ball, sir." After describing the battle and the astonishment of Sir George, the song ends: "The rout began, Sir George led on, His men ran helter skelter; Each tried his best to outrun the rest To gain a place of shelter. To hide their fear they gave a cheer And thought it mighty cunning-- He'll fight, say they, another day Who save himself by running." Electrifying Victories These victories electrified the nation, the news reaching Washington shortly after the defeat of the British at Baltimore September 12. General Macomb received the thanks of the legislatures of several states, the freedom of New York city tendered in a gold box, a gold medal and sword from Congress and the brevet of major general. At the close of the War of 1812, in March, 1815, the army was reduced to a peace footing, with two major generals and four brigadier generals, and Macomb was retained in the latter rank in charge of the fifth military division, with headquarters at Detroit. Under his administration of military affairs much was done in opening up the country, and he had so won the affections of the people that when, with his family, he left Detroit for Washington in 1821 the peopled crowded the wharves to bid him good-bye. Having been appointed to the head of the engineer corps, he arrived at the capital in June, 1821, and took up his residence in Georgetown, his family consisting of his wife and nine children. Ere a year had passed, and before Mrs. Macomb became acquainted with the capital, the general was left a widower. Five years afterward, in May, 1826, he married Miss Harriet B. Wilson, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister of Georgetown, and subsequently the family moved to the fine old brick residence at the northwest corner of 17th and I streets, erected about 1826 by Mr. William Williamson, who was long the navy agent here. This became the scene of many brilliant society functions, General and Mrs. Macomb and the grown children being most genial as hosts; and though the parties were often magnificent, with a military air about them, the plain citizen was made to feel at home. In compliance with the teachings of her youth, Mrs. Macomb drew the line on dancing. Though filling the requirements of their station in society, the members of the family found time and inclination for a work by which they won the respect of the community in relieving the poor and needy, and the alleviation of suffering in an unostentatious manner. The general was the author of a number of military works and possessed some literary ambition. A drama of frontier life from his pen found its way to the stage, and met with some success. One of the adjuncts to his home, purchased in 1831, was a fine garden extending to K street. A fine tenpin alley near the house was an attraction for many of his friends, military and civilian. In 1828, on the death of Major General Jacob Brown, the command of the army was given to General Macomb, and he retained the position until his death. General Macomb was a prominent figure at the inauguration of General Harrison, and so youthful looking was he that the populace could not believe that he was a hero of the war of 1812, much less the commanding general of the army. A month afterward he commanded the escort at the funeral of President Harrison, whose remains were placed in the tomb at Congressional cemetery. Less than three months afterward the body of the general was borne over the same route to the same cemetery, just after the remains of General Harrison had been forwarded to Cincinnati. The same minister, Rev. Dr. Hawley of St. John's Church officiated, and the same battery, Ringgold's, fired the salute. Many of the same troops and organizations participated, and, as stated before, almost the entire population of the District paid a tribute to him, thousands following the remains to the cemetery. There survived the general two sons and five daughters, and the family is yet represented in the army. (Genl. Macomb's daughter Czarina died in Detroit April 24, 1846) (Genl. Macomb authorized Joseph Nicollet’s expedition to map Minnesota and South Dakota) (Genl. Macomb's half-sister was the wife of Peter Flandraugh, defender against the Sioux Uprising (1861) and later Governor of Minnesota) Name Birth/Death Age Range/Site Interments in the Historic Congressional Cemetery Last Updated: 07/14/01 Will of Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb (dtd. Feb. 27, 1841, probated July 9, 1841; Book 5, pp. 218-219; O.S. 2283; Box 15) All real estate to wife for her lifetime, and after her death to children: Alexander A. Macomb; William H. Macomb; Catharine Mason; Alexandrine Staunton; Czarina Macomb; Sarah Macomb; and Jane Octavia Miller, and their heirs, to be equally divided between them. My house on I St., City of Washington, in which I now reside, and the lots adjoining having been purchased from William Williamson with the separate funds of my wife, I consider as solely her property; to wife, all my personal estate except those legacies hereinafter mentioned. To sons Alexander and William Macomb, my military equipment, trophies, medals and swords presented by the U.S., the first to have the gold medal presented to me by Congress in consideration of my service at Plattsburgh in the month of June 1814; the second, William to ahve the sword presented for the same occasion. To children, equally divided, a claim when recovered, against the general government for brevet pay which amounts to about $13,000 and which ought long since to have been paid. Exrx.: Harriet B. Macomb, wife Wits.: J.B.H. Smith; Samuel A. Houston; William P. Rodgers Macomb, Mrs. Harriet B. Wilson d. 30 Mar 1842 R55/148 The Evening Star, Dec.. 31, 1870 Sale of the residence of the late Mrs. General Macomb -- Green and Williams yesterday sold the residence of the late Mrs. General Macomb, together with the ground attached containing 9,360 sq. ft. and situated on the northwest corner of 17th and I streets to R.C. Clary, Esq. for $17,950. Married: Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb of the U.S. Army and Mrs. Harriet B. Wilson Balch, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Balch, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, May 2, 1826, by the Rev. Mr. McCormick.
Marshall Davies Lloyd mlloyd@sms-va.com