COLONEL GEORGE CROGHAN
(Defense of Fort Stephenson)

FURST, Moritz: USA, 1835, Bronze, 65 mm
Obv: Bust of Colonel Croghan (r)    PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO COLONEL GEORGE CROGHAN 1835
Rev: English troops attacking American fort to right. In the background are three gun-boats on Lake Erie     PARS MAGNA FUIT (His Share Was Great)
Exergue:  SANDUSKY 2:AUGUST. 1813
Signed:  FURST. F.
Mintage=100
Ref: Julian 124/MI-12; Failor 197/420; Loubat 272/55;  see Jaeger and Bowers 54/43

George Croghan (1791-1849) was born near Louisville, Kentucky and graduated from William and Mary College, Virginia. On August 3, 1813, with a garrison of 160 men at Fort Stephenson, Major Croghan, after refusing a demand to surrender the fort, withstood fire from gunboats on the river and repulsed the attack of General Proctor, who led an army of over 500 British troops and 700-800 Indians. For this gallant deed, in 1835, Congress awarded him a gold medal. He later served under General Zachary Taylor in Mexico. Through a series of promotions he attained the rank of colonel.

LINK to biography of Colonel George Croghan (from Virtualology)

HOME PAGE