Edward Stack
Encyclopedia
Edward Stack was an officer in the United States Marine Corps
during the American Revolutionary War
.
, Ireland
. Entering the service of Louis XV in 1770 as an Ensign in the Irish Brigade, he was appointed Aide de Camp to the King in 1772. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1777, and accompanied the Marquis de Lafayette's expedition to Virginia in 1778. He returned to France 1779, and embarked at L'Orient on the Privateer Bonhomme Richard (Captain John Paul Jones) in August, 1779.
Stack was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps by John Paul Jones
on February 4, 1779. Stack commanded the division in the main top of Bonhomme Richard
during her battle with HMS Serapis
on September 23, 1779. This naval engagement off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, and resulted in the capture of HMS Serapis. In his report of the action, Jones commended Stack for his great bravery, crediting him with the victory, which historians now conclude turned the tide of war for America.
Lt. Stack remained in United States service until 1780. Later, he returned to France and was appointed to Dillon's Regiment in the Irish Brigade, with whom he accompanied the Marquis de Bouille's expedition to the West Indies and assisted in the reduction of Tobago, St. Kitts, Nevis and Monserrat.
Stack was promoted Captain in 1789 and appointed Chevalier de St. Louis
and Chevalier de Cincinnatus d'Amerique by Louis XVI. He was promoted Major in 1791, and Lieut. Colonel in 1793.
The Irish Brigade, then serving in the West Indies, refused to serve under the Committee of Public Safety and transferred to the British Service 1794. At their final reduction in 1798 Lieut. Colonel Stack was placed on half-pay. In 1801 he was promoted Colonel to command the North Lowland Fencible Brigade which was broken up at the Peace of Amiens.
Proceeding on leave of absence to France he was arrested at the declaration of war and confined to the fortress at Biche but advanced to Brigadier General whilst in captivity 1803, detected in 1804 executing secret service work for the British government, sentenced to be shot together with Duc d'Enghien, but reprieved at the last moment by the Emperor Napoleon.
He transferred to Verdun in 1806, promoted Major General, 1808, promoted Lieut. General 1813; released by Louis XVIII in 1814 and returned to England, promoted General 1830.
General Stack died at Calais
, France
, in December 1833. USS Stack (DD-406)
was named for him.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Biography
Edward Stack was born in Kealand, County KerryCounty Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Entering the service of Louis XV in 1770 as an Ensign in the Irish Brigade, he was appointed Aide de Camp to the King in 1772. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1777, and accompanied the Marquis de Lafayette's expedition to Virginia in 1778. He returned to France 1779, and embarked at L'Orient on the Privateer Bonhomme Richard (Captain John Paul Jones) in August, 1779.
Stack was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps by John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was a Scottish sailor and the United States' first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War. Although he made enemies among America's political elites, his actions in British waters during the Revolution earned him an international reputation which persists to...
on February 4, 1779. Stack commanded the division in the main top of Bonhomme Richard
USS Bonhomme Richard (1765)
|-External links:** Clive Cussler recounts his elusive search for the Bonhomme Richard....
during her battle with HMS Serapis
HMS Serapis (1779)
HMS Serapis was a Royal Navy two-decked, Roebuck-class fifth rate. Daniel Brent built her at Greenland South Dockyard, Rotherhithe and launched her in 1779. She was armed with 44 guns . Serapis was named after the god Serapis in Greek and Egyptian mythology...
on September 23, 1779. This naval engagement off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, and resulted in the capture of HMS Serapis. In his report of the action, Jones commended Stack for his great bravery, crediting him with the victory, which historians now conclude turned the tide of war for America.
Lt. Stack remained in United States service until 1780. Later, he returned to France and was appointed to Dillon's Regiment in the Irish Brigade, with whom he accompanied the Marquis de Bouille's expedition to the West Indies and assisted in the reduction of Tobago, St. Kitts, Nevis and Monserrat.
Stack was promoted Captain in 1789 and appointed Chevalier de St. Louis
Order of Saint Louis
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis was a military Order of Chivalry founded on 5 April 1693 by Louis XIV and named after Saint Louis . It was intended as a reward for exceptional officers, and is notable as the first decoration that could be granted to non-nobles...
and Chevalier de Cincinnatus d'Amerique by Louis XVI. He was promoted Major in 1791, and Lieut. Colonel in 1793.
The Irish Brigade, then serving in the West Indies, refused to serve under the Committee of Public Safety and transferred to the British Service 1794. At their final reduction in 1798 Lieut. Colonel Stack was placed on half-pay. In 1801 he was promoted Colonel to command the North Lowland Fencible Brigade which was broken up at the Peace of Amiens.
Proceeding on leave of absence to France he was arrested at the declaration of war and confined to the fortress at Biche but advanced to Brigadier General whilst in captivity 1803, detected in 1804 executing secret service work for the British government, sentenced to be shot together with Duc d'Enghien, but reprieved at the last moment by the Emperor Napoleon.
He transferred to Verdun in 1806, promoted Major General, 1808, promoted Lieut. General 1813; released by Louis XVIII in 1814 and returned to England, promoted General 1830.
General Stack died at Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, in December 1833. USS Stack (DD-406)
USS Stack (DD-406)
USS Stack was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Edward Stack.-History:Stack was laid down on 25 June 1937 by the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia; launched on 5 May 1938; sponsored by Miss Mary Teresa Stack; and commissioned on 20 November 1939, Lieutenant Commander Isaiah...
was named for him.