Little Known Facts About the First Barbary War-- Part 3: Thomas Macdonough and Charles Morris

NAVAL HEROES:  Many naval men served, but four especially stand out.

Midshipman THOMAS MACDONOUGH who later was a hero in the War of 1812 for his role in the American victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh / Lake Champlain when his naval force destroyed the British fleet.

CHARLES MORRIS  who went on to serve as 1st lieutenant on the USS Constitution in its battle against the HMS Guerriere.  He was promoted to captain after this and later commanded the frigates USS Adams and Congress.

Next, James  Lawrence  --Cooter

1812 Bits: Hero Remembered-- Get Your Star-Spangled Banner Coins

1812 Bits-- commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812.


1. HERO REMEMBERED-- A program was held in Hartford, Connecticut honoring Commodore Thomas MacDonough, hero of the Battle of Lake Champlain.


2. GET YOUR STAR-SPANGLED COINS-- The US Mint has begun selling these coins starting Mar. 5th and available through mid-December. A total of 100,000 gold ones and 500,000 silver are being made.

The front of the silver one shows a woman waving an American flag with Fort McHenry in the background. The front of the gold one has warships and the words, "Oh say can you see."

Gotta Get Me One. --Cooter