July 25 he distinguishes himself again in the night battle of Niagara or Lundy's Lane. He is twice dismounted, and is bruised by a spent cannon ball. Receives an ounce musket ball through the left shoulder and is insensible for a time. Is borne from the field in an ambulance.
July 25 brevetted major-general for gallantry at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.
The wound in his shoulder refuses to heal properly. He is invalided and is unable to take part in further active service for the rest of the war. Travels upon a mattress in a carriage. Stops at Princeton College on Commencement Day, is given an ovation and the degree of Master of Arts. Congress votes him a special gold medal; the States of Virginia and New York vote him each a sword. His wound slowly heals under treatment by noted surgeons, but leaves him with a left arm partially paralyzed.
He is placed in charge of operations in defence of Baltimore and is made president of the National Board of Tactics, sitting in Washington.
After the close of the war he presides, May, 1815, upon the board convened to reduce the army.
Declines to accept the office of Secretary of War.
July, 1815, sails for Europe, where he witnesses the reviews of 600,000 soldiers, following the defeat of Napoleon by the allied troops. He meets distinguished commanders and statesmen of the Old World, and is awarded many honors.
Returning from Europe in 1816 he marries Miss Maria Mayo, of Richmond, Virginia. Seven children—five girls and two boys—were born. Of these, four died early in life.
As brigadier-general, in 1818, he begins the preparation of a system of General Regulations or Military Institutes for the United States Army. This was approved of by the War Department and Congress.
September 22, 1824, he writes and has printed "A Scheme for Restricting the Use of Ardent Spirits in the United States." This essay was the basis of the temperance movement in the country.
In 1824 is president of the Board of Infantry Tactics, meeting at West Point.
In 1826 is president of a board of militia officers and regular officers, convened at Washington to devise an organization and system of tactics for the militia of the United States.
In 1828, while inspecting the Indian frontier of Arkansas
