Thomas Macdonough

by David Curtis Skaggs

"The 11 September 1814 triumph of an American naval squadron over a much more heavily armed British squadron on Lake Champlain is considered to be the most significant tactical and strategic naval victory of the United States in the War of 1812. Yet the American who led the squadron, Commo. Thomas Macdonough, is a largely forgotten hero. In this work, historian David Skaggs rectifies the oversight by presenting a well-researched and detailed account not only of Macdonough's brilliant actions in the battle, but also the whole of this remarkable sailor's life. Not since the commodore's grandson wrote about him in 1909 has anyone explored Macdonough's career so thoroughly. Unlike that early, uncritical look at the naval leader, this study offers a balanced view of Macdonough's professional career and character. The work also explores the art of naval command in the age of fighting sail and tells how Macdonough received training in naval leadership and applied those lessons at Lake Champla