George Croghan (soldier)

George Croghan
George Croghan
Born	(1791-11-15)November 15, 1791 Louisville, Kentucky
Died	January 8, 1849(1849-01-08) (aged 57) New Orleans, Louisiana
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1811–1817, 1825–1849
Rank	Colonel
Commands	Inspector General of the U. S. Army
Battles / wars	War of 1812 Battle of Tippecanoe Battle of Fort Stephenson Battle of Mackinac Island Mexican-American War Battle of Monterrey

Congressional medal presented by Congress Feb. 13, 1835. Obverse: Presented by Congress to Colonel George Croghan, 1835. Bust of Colonel Croghan Reverse: Pars Magna Fuit (His share was great.) Ft. Stephenson with three gunboats on Lake Erie in background

George Croghan (November 15, 1791 – January 8, 1849) was an American soldier. He was born at the Locust Grove farm in what is now Louisville, Kentucky and died in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Two of his famous uncles were Captain William Clark and General George Rogers Clark because his mother, Lucy Clark, was their sister. His father was William Croghan of Dublin, Ireland and served in the revolutionary war at the battles of Brandywine and Monmouth. His wife Serena Livingston was the granddaughter of Robert Livingston (1718-1775) of Clermont Manor New York.

Croghan studied at the College of William and Mary and joined the army after he graduated in 1810. He fought at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. He also served at Fort Meigs (modern Perrysburg, Ohio) with distinction. For his defense during the Battle of Fort Stephenson, Ohio during the War of 1812, he was promoted to the rank of colonel. He later led a troop that was defeated in the Battle of Mackinac Island.

Following the war, he resigned from the army during a reduction in force and served as a postmaster in New Orleans. In 1825, he became one of the two inspector generals in the army. During the Mexican-American War he fought as a colonel at Monterrey.

Croghan died in the cholera epidemic of 1849, which also took the life of former President of the United States James K. Polk. Colonel Croghan is buried at the site of Fort Stephenson, now Fremont, Ohio.

The village and town of Croghan, New York are named after him.

It is believed that later in life he had a problem with alcoholism. He was cordial and considered to be very much a gentleman.

References

• Sandusky County Soldiers' Monument Association (1885). Proceedings at the Unveiling of the Soldiers' Monument on the Site of Fort Stephenson, Fremont, Ohio. Fremont, Ohio: The Democratic Messenger. pp. 102–103.