The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876Loubat, J. F. (Joseph Florimond)
History
The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876
Loubat, J. F. (Joseph Florimond)
Medals -- United States; United States -- History
CAROLUS STEWART NAVIS AMER. (_Americanæ_) CONSTITUTION DUX. (_Charles
Stewart, captain of the American vessel Constitution._) Bust of
Captain Stewart, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).
UNA VICTORIAM ERIPUIT RATIBUS BINIS. (_He snatched victory from two
vessels with one._) Naval action between the United States frigate
Constitution, of fifty-two guns, Captain Stewart, and the British
frigate Cyane, of thirty-four guns, Captain Falcon, and the
sloop-of-war Levant, of twenty-one guns, Captain the Honorable George
Douglas. The Constitution, to windward, is opening with her port
battery on the Levant; both British vessels are returning the fire
from their starboard batteries. Exergue: INTER CONSTITU. NAV. AMERI.
ET LEVANT ET CYANE NAV. ANG. DIE XX. FEBR. MDCCCXV. (_Inter
Constitution navem Americanam et Levant et Cyane naves Anglicanas, die
20 Februarii, 1815: Between the American vessel Constitution and the
English vessels Levant and Cyane, on the 20th of February, 1815._) On
the platform, FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).
CHARLES STEWART was born in Philadelphia, July 18, 1778. He began life
in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant, March 13,
1798. He served in the West Indies, and afterward in the Tripolitan
campaign, commanding the Siren. He escorted the Intrepid to (p. 246)
Tripoli when Decatur blew up the Philadelphia, and was promoted to the
rank of master-commandant, May 19, 1804, and of captain, April 22,
1806. While in command of the frigate Constitution he fought and
captured, February 20, 1815, the two British ships-of-war, Cyane,
Captain Gordon Falcon, and Levant, Captain the Honorable George
Douglas, for which brilliant action he received the thanks of Congress
and a gold medal. He commanded in the Mediterranean from 1816 to 1820;
in the Pacific from 1821 to 1823; was member of the Naval Board from
1830 to 1833; commanded the navy yard at Philadelphia, 1837; and was
put on the retired list in 1857; but was replaced on the active list
as senior flag officer, 1859, and was appointed rear-admiral on the
retired list, 1862. He died at Bordentown, New Jersey, November 7,
1869.
_____
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
_Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Stewart, etc._
_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the
President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested, to
present to Captain Charles Stewart, of the frigate Constitution,
a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver
medal,[106] with suitable emblems and devices, to each
commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the
high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct
and services of Captain Stewart, his officers and crew, in the
capture of the British vessels of war, the Cyane and Levant,
after a brave and skilful combat.
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