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JOHN HENRY EATON 3 
 
 The complete memoirs of 
 Andrew Jackson, seventh president 
 of the United States. 
 
 Containing a full accout of his 
 military life and achievements, 
 with his career as president. 
 
 Philadelphia 
 Clrxton, Remsen and Haffelfinger 
 1878 
 
V 
 
 X. 
 
 ,E\3SL 
 
 
 a 
 
 jD r 
 
 
LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 / 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 His Hrtn, parentage, family, and education. —Engages m the 
 American Revolution, and is shortly after, with his brotner 
 made a prisoner.— Their treatment and sufferings.— Commence* 
 the study of law.— His removal to the Western country —Anec- 
 dote —Becomes a member of the Tennessee Convention, and 
 afterwards a Senator in the United States' Congress.— Re- 
 tires, and is appointed a Judge of the State Courts.— De- 
 claration of war.— Tenders the se 'ices of 2500 vcunteers to 
 die President.— Ordered to the lower country.— His descent and 
 return, and discluxrge of tlie troops. 
 
 Andrew Jackson was born on th? 15th day of 
 March, 1767. His father, (Andrew,) the young- 
 est son of his family, emigrated to America from 
 Ireland during the year 1765, bringing with him 
 two sons, Hugh and Robert, both very young. 
 Landing at Charleston, in South Carolina, ho af- 
 terward^ purchased a tract of land, in what wa? 
 then called the Waxsaw settlement, about forty-five 
 miles above Camden ; at which place the subject of 
 ♦.his history was born. Shortly after his birth, hi* 
 father died, leaving three sons to be provided for 
 by their mother. She appears to have been an 
 exemplary woman, anu to have executed the ar- 
 duous duties which had devolved on her, with great 
 2 
 
14 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 faithfulness and success. To the lessons she in 
 culcated on the youthful minds of her sons, was 
 no doubt, owing, in a great measure, that fixed ex- 
 position to British oppression, which afterwards so 
 much distinguished them. Often would she spend 
 the winter's evenings in recounting to them the 
 sufferings of their grandfather at the siege of Car- 
 rickfergus, and the oppression exercised by the no- 
 bility of Ireland over the labouring poor ; impres- 
 sing it upon them, as a first duty, to expend their 
 xives, if it should become necessary, in defending 
 and supporting the rights of man. 
 
 Inheriting but a small patrimony from their fa- 
 ther, it was impossible that all the sons could receive 
 an expensive education. The two eldest were, 
 therefore, only taught the rudiments of their mother 
 tongue, at a common country school. But An- 
 drew, being intended by his mother for the minis- 
 try, was sent to a flourishing academy at the Wax- 
 saw meeting-house, superintended by Mr. Hum- 
 phries. Here he was placed on the study of the 
 dead languages, and continued until the revolu- 
 tionary war, extending its ravages into that section 
 of South Carolina where he then was, rendered 
 it necessary that very one should betake himself 
 to the American standard, seek protection with the 
 enemy, or flee his country. It w r as not an alter- 
 native that admitted of tedious deliberation. The 
 natural ardour of his temper, deriving encourage- 
 ment from the recommendations of his mother, 
 whose feelings were excited by those sentiments in 
 favour of liberty, with which, by her conversation, 
 his mind had been early imbued, quickly deter 
 mined him in the course to be pursued ; and, at the 
 tender age o r fourteen, accompanied by his brother 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. ]A 
 
 Robert, he hastened to the American camp, and 
 engaged actively in the service of his country 
 His eldest brother, who had previously joined the 
 army, had lost his life at the battle of Stono, from 
 'he excessive heat of the weather, and the fatigues 
 )f the day. 
 
 Both Andrew and Robert were, at this period, 
 pretty well acquainted with the manual exercise, 
 ind had some idea of the different evolutions of 
 the field, having been indulged by their mother in 
 attending the drill and general musters of the 
 neighbourhood. 
 
 The Americans being unequal, as well from the 
 iferiority of their numbers, as their discipline, to 
 ngage the British army in battle, had retired be- 
 >re it into the interior of North Carolina ; but, 
 when they learned that Lord Cormvallis had cross- 
 ed the Yadkin, they returned in small detach- 
 rr.ents to their native state. On their arrival, they 
 found Lord Rawdon in possession of Camden, and 
 the whole country around in a state of desolation. 
 The British commander being advised of the re- 
 turn of the settlers of Waxsaw, Major Coffin was 
 immediately despatched thither, with a corps of 
 light dragoons, a company of infantry, and a con- 
 siderable number of tories, for their capture and 
 destruction. Hearing of their approach, the set- 
 tlers, without delay, appointed the Waxsaw meet- 
 ing-house as a place of rendezvous, that they might 
 the better collect their scattered strength, and con- 
 cert some system of operations. About forty of 
 them had accordingly assembled at this point, when 
 the enemy approached, keeping the tories, who were 
 dressed in the common garb of the country, in front, 
 whereby this little band of patriots was completely 
 
16 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ileceivcd, having taken them for Captain Nis- 
 bet's company, in expectation of which they had 
 been waiting. Eleven of them were taken prison 
 ers ; the rest with difficulty fled, betaking them 
 selves to the woods for concealment. Of those 
 who thus escaped, though closely pursued, were 
 Andrew Jackson and his brother, who, entering a 
 secret bend in a creek, that was close at hand, 
 obtained a momentary respite from danger, and 
 avoided, for the night, the pursuit of the enemy. 
 The next day, however, having gone to a neigh- 
 bouring house, for the purpose of procuring some- 
 thing to eat, they were broken in upon, and made 
 prisoners, by Coffin's dragoons, and a party of to- 
 nes who accompanied them. Those young men, 
 with a view to security, had placed their horses in 
 the wood, on the margin of a small creek, and post- 
 ed, on the road which led by the house, a senti- 
 nel, thai they might have information of any ap- 
 proach, and in time to be able to elude it. But 
 the tories, who were well acquainted with the coun- 
 try and the passes through the forest, had, unfortu- 
 nately, passed the creek at the very pcint where 
 the horses and baggage of our young soldiers were 
 deposited, and taken possession of them. Having 
 done this, they approached, cautiously, the house, 
 and were almost at the door before they were dis- 
 covered. To escape was impossible, and both 
 were made prisoners. Being placed under guard, 
 Andrew was ordered, in a very imperious tone, by a 
 British officer, to clean his boots. This order he 
 Dositively and peremptorily refused to obey ; alleg 
 ing that he looked for such treatment as a pris 
 oner of wai had a right to expect. Incensed at 
 his refusal, the officer aimed a Mow at his hrad 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 17 
 
 with a drawn sword, which would, very probably 
 have terminated his existence, had he not parried 
 its effects by throwing up his left hand, on which 
 he received a severe wound, the mark of which he 
 bears to this hour. His brother, at the same time, 
 for a similar offence, received a deep cut on the 
 head, which subsequently occasioned his death. 
 They were both now taken to jail, where, sepa 
 rated and confined, they were treated with marked 
 severity, until a few days after the battle before 
 Camden, when, in consequence of a partial ex- 
 change, effected by the intercessions and exer- 
 tions of their mother, and Captain Walker, of the 
 militia, they were both released from confinement 
 Robert, during his confinement in prison, had suf- 
 fered greatly ; the wound on his head, all this time, 
 having never been dressed, was followed by an in- 
 flammation cf the brain, which, in a few days after 
 his liberation, brought him to the grave. To add 
 to the afflictions of Andrew, his mother, worn 
 down by grief, and her incessant exertions to pro 
 vide clothing and other comforts for the suffering 
 prisoners, who had been taken from her neigh- 
 bourhood, expired in a few weeks after her son, 
 near the lines of the enemy, in the vicinity of 
 Charleston. Andrew, the last and only surviving 
 child, confined to a bed of sickness, occasioned by 
 the sufferings he had been compelled to undergo 
 whilst a prisoner, and by getting wet, on his return 
 from captivity, was thus left in the wide world, 
 without a human being with whom he could claim 
 a near relationship. The small pox, about the 
 same time, having made its appearance upon him. 
 had well nigh terminated his sorrows and his ex 
 istence. 
 
 2* 
 
18 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 Having at length recovered from his compli- 
 cated afflictions, he entered upon the enjoyment 
 of his estate, which, although small, would have 
 been sufficient, under prudent management, to have 
 completed his education, on the liberal scale which 
 his mother had designed. Unfortunately, however, 
 he, like too many young men, sacrificing future 
 prospects to present gratification, expended it with 
 rather too profuse a hand. Foreseeing that he 
 should be finally obliged to rely on his own ex- 
 ertions, for support and success in life, he again 
 betook himself to his studies with increased in- 
 dustry. He recommenced under Mr. M'Culloch, 
 in that part of Carolina which was then called the 
 New Acquisition, near Hill's iron works. Here 
 he revised the languages, devoting a portion of his 
 time to a desultory course of studies. 
 
 His education being now completed, so far as 
 his wasted patrimony, and the limited opportuni- 
 ties then afforded in that section of the country, 
 would permit, at the age of eighteen, he turned his 
 attention to acquiring a profession, and in preparing 
 himself to enter on the busy scenes of life. The 
 pulpit, for which he had been designed by his 
 mother, was now abandoned for the bar ; and, in 
 the winter of 1784, he repaired to Salisbury, in 
 North Carolina, and commenced the study of law 
 under Spruce M'Cay, Esq., (afterwards one of the 
 pidges of that state,) and subsequently continued it 
 under Colonel John Stokes. Having remained at 
 Salisoury until the winter of 1786, he obtained a 
 license from the judges to practise law, and con- 
 tinued in the state until the spring of 1783. 
 
 The western parts of the state of Tennessee 
 were, about this time, often spoken of, as presenting 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 19 
 
 flattering prospects to adventurers. He imme- 
 diately determined to accompany Judge M'Nairy 
 thither, who had been appointed, and was going 
 out to hold the first supreme court that had ever 
 6at in the state. Having reached the Holston, they 
 ascertained it would be impossible to arrive at the 
 time appointed for the session of the court ; and 
 therefore determined to remain in that section of 
 country until fall. They reached Nashville in Oc- 
 tober. It had not been Jackson s intention, certain- 
 ly, to make Tennessee the place of his future resi- 
 dence ; his visit was merely experimental, and his 
 stay remained to be determined by the advantages 
 that might be disclosed ; but finding, soon after his 
 arrival, that a considerable opening was offered for 
 the success of a young attorney, he determined to 
 remain, though the prospect before him was, cer- 
 tainly, not of an encouraging cast. As in all newly 
 settled countries must be the case, society was 
 loosely formed, and united by but few of those ties 
 which have a tendency to enforce the performance 
 of moral duty, and the right execution of justice. 
 The young men of the place, adventurers from dif- 
 ferent sections of the country, had become indebted 
 to the merchants; there was but one lawyer in 
 the country, and they had so contrived,* as to retain 
 him in their business ; the consequence was, that 
 the merchants were entirely deprived of the means 
 of enforcing against those gentlemen the execu- 
 tion of their contracts. In this state of things Jack- 
 son made his appearance at Nashville, and while 
 the creditor class looked to it with great satis- 
 faction, the debtors were sorely displeased. Appli- 
 cations were immediately made to him for his pro- 
 fessional services, and on the morning after his 
 
20 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 arrival he issued seventy writs. To those prodi- 
 gal gentlemen, it was an alarming circumstance ; 
 their former security was impaired ; but, that it 
 might not wholly depart, they determined to force 
 him, in some way or other, to leave the country ; 
 and, to effect this, broils and quarrels with him 
 were to be resorted to. This, however, was soon 
 abandoned, satisfied by the first controversy in 
 which they had involved him, that his decision and 
 firmness were such as to leave no hope of effecting 
 any thing through this channel. Disregarding the 
 opposition raised to him, he continued, with care 
 and industry, to press forward in his professional 
 course, and his attention soon brought him forward, 
 and introduced him to a profitable practice. He 
 was subsequently appointed attorney-general for 
 the district, in which capacity he continued to act 
 for several years. 
 
 Indian depredations being then frequent on the 
 Cumberland, every man, of necessity, became a 
 soldier Unassisted by the government, the set- 
 tlers were forced to rely for security on their own 
 bravery and exertions. Although young, no per 
 son was more distinguished than Andrew Jack- 
 son, in defending the country against these preda- 
 tory incursions of the savages, who continually 
 harassed the frontiers, and not unfrequently ap- 
 proached the heart of the settlements, which were 
 thin, but not widely extended. He aided alike in 
 garrisoning the forts, and in pursuing and chastis- 
 ing the enemy. 
 
 In the year 1796, having, by his patriotism, firm- 
 ness, and talents, secured to himself a distinguished 
 standing, he was chosen one of the members of the 
 convention for establishmaf a constitution for the 
 
MFB OF GENERAL JACKSON. 21 
 
 state. His good conduct and zeal brought him 
 more prominently to view; and, without proposing 
 or soliciting, he was, in the same year, elected a 
 member of the house of representatives, in con- 
 gress, for the state of Tennessee. The following 
 year, his reputation continuing to increase, he was 
 chosen a senator of the United States' congress, 
 and took his seat on the 22d day of November, 
 1797. About the middle of April, business of an 
 important and private nature imposed on him the 
 necessity of asking leave of absence, and return- 
 ing home. Leave was granted, and before the 
 next session he resigned his seat. He was but 
 a little more than thirty years of age, and hence, 
 scarcely eligible, by the constitution, at the time 
 he was elected. The sedition law was introduced 
 into the senate, by Mr. Lloyd, of Maryland, in 
 June, and passed that body on the 4th of July fol- 
 lowing ; hence the name of Jackson, owing to the 
 leave of absence which had been granted him in 
 April, does not appear on the journals. On the 
 alien law, however, and the effort to repeal the 
 stamp act, he was present, resting in the minority. 
 
 The state of Tennessee, on its admission into 
 the Union, comprising but one military division, 
 and General Conway, who commanded it, as major- 
 general, dying about this time, Jackson, without 
 being consulted on the subject, was, as the con- 
 stitution of the state directs, chosen by the field 
 officers to succeed him ; which appointment he con- 
 tinued to hold until May, 1814, when he was con 
 stituted a major-general in the United States' ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Becoming tired of political life, for the intrigues 
 of which he declared himself unqualified, and hav- 
 
22 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 ing for two years voted in the minority in congresa, 
 he resigned, after the first session, his seat in the 
 senate. To this measure he was strongly in- 
 duced, from a desire to make way for General 
 Smith, who, he conjectured, would, in that capaci- 
 ty, be able to render more important services to the 
 government than himself. His country, unwilling 
 that his talents should remain inactive and unem- 
 ployed, again demanded his services. Immediate- 
 ly after his resignation, he was appointed one of 
 the judges of the supreme court of the state. He 
 advanced to the office with reluctance, and in a short 
 time resigned, leaving it open for those, who, he 
 believed, were better qualified than himself, to dis- 
 charge its intricate and important duties. Unam- 
 bitious of those distinctions and honours which 
 young men are usually proud to possess ; finding, 
 too, that his circumstances and condition in life 
 were not such as to permit his time and attention 
 to be devoted to public matters, he determined to 
 yield them into others' hands, and to devote him- 
 self to agricultural pursuits ; and accordingly set- 
 tled himself on an excellent farm, ten miles from 
 Nashville, on the Cumberland river ; where, for 
 several years, he enjoyed all the comforts of do- 
 mestic and social intercourse. Abstracted from 
 the busy scenes of public life, pleased with retire- 
 ment, surrounded by friends whom he loved, and 
 who entertained for him the highest veneration 
 and respect, and blessed with an amiable and affec- 
 tionate consort, nothing seemed wanting to the com- 
 pletion of that happiness' which he so anxiously 
 desired whilst in office. 
 
 Great Britain, by multiplied outrages on our 
 rights, as an independent and neutral nation, liaa 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 23 
 
 provoked from our government a declaration of war 
 against her. This measure, though founded in 
 abundant cause, had been long forborne, and ev- 
 ery attempt at reconciliation made, without effect ; 
 when, at length, it was resorted to, as the only al- 
 ternative that could preserve the honour and dig- 
 nity of the nation, General Jackson, ever devoted to 
 the interests of his country, from the moment of 
 the declaration, knew no wish so strong as that 
 of entering into her service, against a power, 
 which, independent of public considerations, he 
 had many private reasons for disliking. In her, 
 he could trace sufferings and injuries received, 
 and the efficient cause, why, in early life, he had 
 been left forlorn and wretched, without a single 
 relation in the world. His proud and inflexible 
 mind, however, could not venture to solicit an ap- 
 pointment in the army, which was about to be rais- 
 ed. He accordingly remained wholly unknown, 
 until, at the head of the militia, employed against 
 the Creek Indians, his constant vigilance, and the 
 splendour of his victories, apprized the general 
 government of those great military talents which 
 he so eminently possessed, and conspicuously dis- 
 played, when opportunities for exerting them were 
 afforded. 
 
 The acts of congress of the 6th of February 
 and July, 1812, afforded the means of bringing in 
 to view a display of those powers, which, being 
 amcnown, under other circumstances, unfortunate 
 ly, might have slumbered in inaction. Under the 
 authority of these acts, authorizing the president 
 to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers, 
 he addressed the citizens of his division, and 
 twenty-five hundred flocked to his standard. A 
 
24 LfFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 tender of them having been made, and the offer ac- 
 cepted, in November he received orders to place 
 Himself at their head and to descend the Missis- 
 sippi, for the defence of the lower country, which 
 was then supposed to be in danger. On the 10th 
 of December, those troops rendezvoused at Nash- 
 ville, prepared to advance to the place of their des- 
 tination; and, although the weather was then ex- 
 cessively severe, and the ground covered with 
 snow, no troops could have displayed greater firm- 
 ness. The general was every where with them, in- 
 spiring them with the ardour that animated his 
 own bosom. 
 
 Having procured supplies, and made the necessa- 
 ry arrangements for an active campaign, they pro- 
 ceeded, the 7th of January, on their journey ; and, 
 descending the Ohio and Mississippi, through cold 
 and ice, arrived, and halted at Natchez. Here 
 Jackson had been instructed to remain, until he 
 should receive further orders. Having chosen a 
 healthy site for the encampment of his troops, 
 about two miles from Washington, he devoted his 
 time, with the utmost industry, to training and pre- 
 paring them for active service. The clouds of 
 war, however, in that quarter, having blown over, 
 an order was received from the secretary of war, 
 dated the 5th of January, directing him, on the re- 
 ceipt thereof, to dismiss those under his command 
 from service, and to take measures for delivering 
 over every article of public property, in his pos 
 session, to Brigadier-General Wilkinson. When 
 this order reached his camp, there were one hun- 
 dred and fifty on the sick report, fifty-six of whom 
 were unable to raise their heads, and almost the 
 whole of them destitute of the means of defrav- 
 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. $3 
 
 ing the expenses of their return. The consequence 
 of a strict compliance with the secretary's or- 
 der inevitably would have been, that many of the 
 sick must have perished, whilst most of the others, 
 from their destitute condition, would, of necessity, 
 have been compelled to enlist in the regular army, 
 under General Wilkinson. Such alternatives were 
 neither congenial with their general's wishes, nor 
 such as they had expected, on adventuring with 
 him in the service of their country ; he had carried 
 them from home, and, the fate of war and disease 
 apart, it was his duty, he believed, to bring them 
 back. To have abandoned them, therefore, at 
 such a time, and under such circumstances, would 
 have drawn on him the merited censure of the 
 most deserving part of his fellow-citizens, and sen- 
 sibly wounded his own generous feelings. Add to 
 this, those young men who were confined by sick- 
 ness, learning the nature of the order he had re- 
 ceived , implored him, with tears in their eyes, not 
 to abandon them in so great an extremity, remind- 
 ing him, at the same time, of his assurances, that 
 he would be to them as a father, and of the im- 
 plicit confidence they had placed in his word. This 
 was an appeal, which it would have been difficult 
 for the feelings of Jackson to have resisted, had it 
 been without the support of other weighty consid- 
 erations ; but, influenced by them all, Jie had no 
 hesitation in coining to a determination. 
 
 Having made known his resolution to the field- 
 officers of his division, it met, apparently, their ap 
 probation ; but, after retiring from his presence, 
 they assembled late at night, in secret caucus, and 
 proceeded to recommend to him an abandonment 
 of his purpose, and an immediate discharge of his 
 3 
 
2G LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 troops. Great as was the astonishment, which this 
 measure excited in the genera], it produced a still 
 higher sentiment of indignation. In reply, he urg- 
 ed the duplicity of their conduct, and reminded 
 them, that, although, to those who possessed funds 
 and health, such a course could produce no incon- 
 venience, yet to the unfortunate soldier, who was 
 alike destitute of both, no measure could be more 
 calamitous. He concluded by telling them, that 
 his resolution, not having been hastily concluded 
 on, nor bottomed on light considerations, was un- 
 alterably fixed ; and that immediate preparations 
 must be made for carrying into execution the de- 
 termination he had formed. 
 
 He lost no time in making known to the sec- 
 retary of war the resolution he had adopted ; to 
 disregard the order he had given, and to return his 
 army to the place where he had received it. He 
 painted in strong terms the evils which the course 
 pursued by the government was calculated to pro- 
 duce, and expressed the astonishment he felt, that 
 it should have originated with the famous author 
 of the " Newburg Letters," the once redoubted 
 advocate of soldiers' rights. 
 
 General Wilkinson, to whom the public proper- 
 ty was directed to be delivered, learning the de- 
 termination which had been taken by Jackson, to 
 march his troops back, and to take with them so 
 much of that property as should be necessary to 
 their return, in a letter of solemn and mysterious 
 inport, admonished him of the consequences which 
 were before him, and of the awful and dangerous 
 responsibility he was taking on himself, by so bold 
 a measure. General Jackson replied, that his con- 
 duct, and the consequences to which it might lead. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 27 
 
 had been well considered, and that he was prepared 
 to abide the result, whatever it might be. Wilkin- 
 son had previously given orders to his officers to 
 recruit from Jackson's army ; they were advised, 
 however, on their first appearance, that those troops 
 were already in the service of the United States, 
 and that, thus situated, they should not be enlisted ; 
 and that he would arrest and confine the first offi- 
 cer who dared to enter his encampment with any 
 such object in view. 
 
 The quarter-master, having been ordered tc 
 furnish the necessary transports tion for the con 
 veyance of the sick and the baggage to Tennes 
 see, immediately set about the performance of the 
 task ; but, as the event proved, with not the least 
 intention of executing it. Still, he continued to 
 keep up the semblance of exertion ; and, the bet- 
 ter to deceive, the very day before that which had 
 been appointed for breaking up the encampment, 
 and commencing the return march, eleven wagons 
 arrived there by his order. The next morning, 
 however, when every thing was about to be packed 
 up, acting doubtless from orders, and intending to 
 produce embarrassment, the quarter-master entered 
 the encampment, and discharged the whole. He 
 was grossly mistaken in the man he had to deal 
 with, and had now played his tricks too far to be 
 able to accomplish the object which he had, no 
 doubt, been instructed to effect. Disregarding 
 their dismissal, so evidently designed to prevent 
 his marching back his men, General Jackson seiz- 
 ed upon these wagons, yet within his lines, and com- 
 pelled them to proceed to the transportation of his 
 sick. It deserves to be recollected, that this quar- 
 ter-master, so soon as he received directions fo r 
 
2 s * L.1FE OF GEMiRAl I IvSON. 
 
 furnishing transportation, had despatched an ex- 
 press to General Wilkinson ; and there can be but 
 little doubt, that the course of duplicity he after- 
 wards pursued, was a concerted plan between him 
 and that general, to defeat the design of Jackson ; 
 compel him to abandon the course he had adopted ; 
 nd, in this way, draw to the regular army many 
 of the soldiers, who, from necessity, would be driv- 
 en to enlist. In this attempt they were fortunately 
 disappointed. Adhering to his original purpose 
 he successfully resisted every stratagem of Wilkin- 
 son, and marched the whole of his division to the 
 section of country whence they had been drawn, 
 and dismissed them from service, as he had been 
 instructed. 
 
 To present an example that might buoy up the 
 sinking spirits of his troops in the arduous march, 
 he yielded up his horses to the sick, and, trudging 
 on foot, encountered all the hardships that were 
 met by the soldiers. It was at a time cf the yeai, 
 when the roads were extremely bad, and the 
 swamps, lying in their passage, deep and full ; yet, 
 under these circumstances, he placed before his 
 troops an example of patience and hardship, that 
 lulled to silence all complaints, and won to him, 
 still stronger than before, the esteem and respect 
 of every one. On arriving at Nashville, he com- 
 municated to the president of the United States 
 the course he had pursued, and the reasons that 
 had induced it. If it had become necessary, he 
 had sufficient grounds on which he could have jus- 
 tified his conduct. Had he suffered General Wil- 
 kinson to have accomplished what was clearly his 
 intention, although it was an event which might, 
 at the moment, ha; e benefited the service, by add 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 2. 
 
 ing an increased strength to the army, yet the ex- 
 ample would have been of so serious and excep- 
 tionable a character, that injury would have been 
 the final and unavoidable result. His conduct, ter 
 rible as it first appeared, was in the end approved, 
 and the expenses incurred directed to be paid by 
 Ihe government. 
 3* 
 
30 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Indian preparation for hostilities. — Teatmseh arrives amongst the. 
 soidliern tribes ; his intrigues. — Civil wars of the Creeks. — De- 
 struction of, and butchery at Fort Mimms. — Expedition against 
 the Luiians. — Jackson unites with tlie army, and enters the ene- 
 my's country. — Scarcity of supplies in his camp. — Learns the 
 savages are imbodied. — Seeks to form a function witJi the East 
 Tennessee division. — Detaclies General Coffee across tlie Coosa. 
 — Battle of T'alluslwichee. 
 
 The volunteers, who had descended the river, 
 having been discharged early in May, there was 
 little expectation that they would again be called 
 for. Tennessee was too remotely situated in the 
 interior of the country to expect their services 
 would be required for her defence, and hitherto 
 the British had discovered no serious intention of 
 waging operations against any part of Louisiana. 
 Their repose, however, was not of long duration. 
 The Creek Indians, inhabiting the country lying 
 between the Chatahochee and Tombigbee, and ex- 
 tending from the Tennessee River to the Florida 
 line, had lately manifested strong symptoms of 
 hostility towards the United States, from which 
 they had received yearly pensions, and every as- 
 sistance which the most liberal policy could bestow. 
 This disposition was greatly strengthened, through 
 means used by the northern Indians, who were 
 then making preparations for a war against the 
 United States, and who wished to engage the 
 southern tribes in the same enterprise. 
 
 An artful impostor had, about this time, sprung 
 up amongst the Shawnees, who, by passing for a 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 31 
 
 prophet, commissioned by the u Great Spirit" to 
 communicate his mandates to his red children, had 
 acquired, among his own and the neighbouring 
 tribes, astonishing influence. Clothed, as thoy be- 
 lieved him to be, with such high powers, they lis- 
 tened to his extravagant doctrines, and in them fully 
 confided. He succeeded in kindling a rage against 
 the Anglo-Americans, which soon after burst forth 
 in acts of destructive violence. His brother, Te- 
 cumseh, who became so famous during the war, and 
 who was killed subsequently, at the battle of the 
 Thames, was despatched to the southern tribes, to 
 excite in them the same temper. To the Creeks, 
 by far the most numerous and powerful, he directed 
 his principal attention. Having entered their na- 
 tion, some tune in the spring of 1812, he repaired 
 to Tookaubatcha, where he had repeated confer- 
 ences with the chiefs; but, not meeting with the 
 encouragement he expected, returned to the Ala- 
 bama, which he had previously visited, and there 
 commenced operations. 
 
 Finding there several leaders of great influence, 
 who entered into his views, he was enabled to carry 
 on his schemes with greater success. Deriving his 
 powers from his brother, the Prophet, whose extra- 
 ordinary commission and endowments were well 
 understood by all the neighbouring tribes in the 
 south, bis authority was regarded with the highest 
 veneration. He strongly interdicted all intercourse 
 with the whites, and prevailed on the greater part 
 of the Alabama Indians to throw aside the imple- 
 ments and clothing which that intercourse had fur- 
 nished, and return again to their savage state, from 
 which he represented them as highly culpable for 
 having suffered themselves to be estranged. In 
 
32 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 a word, no moans were left untried to excite them 
 to the most deadly animosity and cruel war. To 
 afford additional weight to his councils, this de- 
 signing missionary gave assurances of aid and sup- 
 port from Great Britain ; whose power and riches 
 he represented as almost without limits, and quite 
 sufficient for the subjugation of the United States. 
 So considerable an influence did his intrigues and 
 discourses obtain over the minds of many, that it 
 was with difficulty the most turbulent of them could 
 be restrained from running immediately to arms, 
 and committing depredations on the exposed fron- 
 tiers. This hasty measure, however, he represent- 
 ed as calculated to defeat the great plan of opera- 
 tions which he was labouring to concert; and en- 
 joined the utmost secrecy and quietness, until the 
 moment should arrive, when, all their preparations 
 being ready, they might be able to strike a deci- 
 sive blow ; in the mean time, they were to be indus- 
 triously employed in collecting arms and ammu- 
 nition, and other necessary implements of war. 
 
 Having ordained a chief prophet, whose word 
 was to be regarded as infallible, and whose direc- 
 tions were to be implicitly followed, and established 
 a regular gradation of inferior dependants, to dis- 
 seminate his doctrines through the different parts 
 of the nation, Tecumseh set out to his own tribe, 
 accompanied by several of the natives. 
 
 From this time, a regular communication was 
 kept up between the Creeks and the northern 
 tribes, in relation to the great enterprise which 
 they were concerting together ; whilst the parties 
 carrying it on committed frequent depredations on 
 the frontier settlers. By one of these, in the sum- 
 mer of 1812, several families had been murdered 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 33 
 
 in a shocking manner, near the mouth of the Ohio 
 and, shortly afterwards, another party, entering the 
 limits of Tennessee, under circumstances of stil) 
 greater barbarity, butchered two families of women 
 and children. Similar outrages were committed on 
 the frontiers of Georgia, and were continued, at 
 intervals, on the inhabitants of Tennessee, along 
 her southern boundary. 
 
 These multiplied outrages, at length, attracted 
 the attention of the general government, and ap- 
 plication was made, through their agent, (Colonel 
 Hawkins,) to the principal chiefs of the nation, 
 who, desirous of preserving their friendly relation 
 with the United States, resclved to punish the 
 murderers with death ; and immediately appointed 
 a party of warriors to carry their determination 
 into execution. No sooner was this done, than the 
 spirit of the greater part of the nation, which, from 
 policy, had been kept, in a considerable degree, 
 dormant, suddenly burst into a flame, and kindled 
 into civil war. 
 
 It was not difficult for the friends of those mur 
 derers, who had been put to death, to prevail on 
 others, who secretly applauded the acts for which 
 they suffered, to enter warmly into their resent 
 ments against those who had been concerned in 
 bringing them to punishment. An occasion as 
 they believed, was now presented which fully au- 
 thorized them to throw aside all those injunctions 
 of secrecy imposed on them by Tecumseh and 
 their prophets. They now resolved to lay aside all 
 restraint, and execute at once their insatiate and 
 long-projected vengeance, not only on the white 
 people, but on those of their own nation, who, by 
 
84 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 this last act of retaliatory justice, had unequivocally 
 shown a disposition to preserve their friendship 
 with the former. The war clubs* were immedi- 
 ately seen in every section of the nation; but more 
 Darticularly among the numerous hordes residing 
 near Alabama. Brandishing these m their hands, 
 they rushed, in the first instance, on those of their 
 own countrymen who had shown a disposition to 
 preserve their relations with the United States, and 
 obliged them to retire towards the white settle- 
 ments, and place themselves in forts, to escape the 
 first ebullition of their rage. Encouraged by this 
 success, and their numbers, which hourly increas- 
 ed, and infatuated to the highest degree by the 
 predictions of their prophets, who assured them that 
 the "Great Spirit" was on their side, and would 
 enable them to triumph over all their enemies, they 
 began to make immediate preparations for extend- 
 ing their ravages to the white settlements. Fort 
 Mimms, situated in the Tensaw settlement, in the 
 Mississippi territory, was the first point destined to 
 satiate their vengeance. It contained, at that time, 
 about one hundred and fifty men, under the command 
 of Major Beasley, besides a considerable number of 
 women and children, who had betaken themselves 
 to it for security. Having collected a supply of 
 ammunition from the Spaniards at Pensacola, and 
 assembled their warriors, to the number of six or 
 
 * Instruments used by the Indian tribes on commencing hos- 
 tilities 5 and which, when painted red. they consider a declaration 
 of war. They are fonned of a stick, about eighteen inches in 
 lenglh, with a strong piece of sharp iron affixed at the end, and 
 resemble a hatchet. They use thorn principally in pursuit, and 
 after they have been able to introduce contusion into the ranks 
 of an enemy. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 35 
 
 seven hundred, the war party, commanded by 
 Weatherford, a distinguished chief of the nation, on 
 the 30th of .August, commenced their assault on the 
 fort; and, having succeeded in carrying it, put to 
 death nearly three hundred persons, including' 
 women and children, with the most savage barbari- 
 ty. The slaughter was indiscriminate: mercy was 
 extended to none ; and the tomahawk, at the same 
 stroke, often cleft the mother and the child. But 
 seventeen of the whole number in the fort escaped, 
 to bring intelligence of the dreadful catastrophe. 
 This monstrous and unprovoked outrage was no 
 sooner known in Tennessee, than the whole state 
 was thrown into a ferment. Considerable excite- 
 ment had already been produced by brutalities of 
 earlier date, and measures had been adopted by 
 the governor, in conformity with instructions from 
 the secretary of war, for commencing a campaign 
 against them ; but the massacre at Fort Mimms, 
 which threatened to be followed by the entire de- 
 struction of the Mobile and Tombigbee settlements, 
 inspired a deep and universal sentiment of solici- 
 tude, and an earnest wish for speedy and effectual 
 operations. The anxiety felt on the occasion was 
 greatly increased from an apprehension that Gene- 
 ral Jackson would not be able to command. He 
 was the only man, known in the state, who was 
 believed qualified to discharge the arduous duties 
 of the staticn, and who could carry with him the 
 complete confidence of his soldiers. He was at 
 this time seriously indisposed, and confined to his 
 room, with a fractured arm; but, although this ap- 
 prehension was seriously indulged, arrangements 
 were in progress, and r. easures industriously taken. 
 
36 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 to prepare and press the expedition with every pos- 
 sible despatch. 
 
 A numerous collection of respectable citizen?, 
 who convened at Nashville on the 18th of Septem- 
 ber, for the purpose of devising the most effectual 
 ways and means of affording protection to their 
 brethren in distress, after conferring with the gov- 
 ernor and General Jackson, who was still confined 
 to his room, strongly advised the propriety of march- 
 ing a sufficient army into the heart of the Creek na- 
 tion; and accordingly recommended this measure, 
 with great earnestness, to the legislature, which, 
 in a few days afterwards, commenced its session. 
 That body, penetrated with the same sentiments 
 which animated the whole country, immediately 
 enacted a law, authorizing the executive to call into 
 the field thirty-five hundred of the militia, to be 
 marched against the Indians ; and, to guard against 
 all difficulties, in the event the general govern- 
 ment should omit to adopt them into their service, 
 three hundred thousand dollars were voted for their 
 support. 
 
 The settlers were fleeing to the interior, and 
 every day brought intelligence that the Creeks, 
 collected in considerable force, were bending their 
 course towards the frontiers of Tennessee. The 
 governor now issued an order to General Jackson, 
 who, notwithstanding the state of his health, had 
 determined to assume the command, requiring him 
 to call out, and rendezvous at Fayetteville, in the 
 shortest possible time, two thousand of the militia 
 and volunteers of his division, to repel any invasion 
 that might be contemplated. Colonel Coffee, in 
 audition to five hundred cavalry, already raised, un- 
 der his command, was authorized to organize ant 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 37 
 
 receive into his regiment any mounted riflemen 
 that might make a tender of their se-rvices. 
 
 Having received these orders, Jackson hastened 
 to gi\e them effect; and with thus object appealed 
 to those volunteers, who, with him, had heretofore 
 descended the Mississippi to Natchez. He urged 
 them to appear at the rendezvous, on the 4th of 
 October, equipped for active service. He pointed 
 out the imperious necessity which demanded their 
 services, and urged them to be punctual; for their 
 frontiers were threatened by a savage foe. In the 
 mean time, until this force could be collected and 
 organized, Colonel Coffee, with the force then un- 
 der his command, and such additional mounted 
 riflemen as could be attached at a short notice, 
 was directed to hasten forward to the neighbourhood 
 of Huntsville, and occupy some eligible position for 
 the defence of the frontier, until the infantry should 
 arrive ; when it was contemplated, by the nearest 
 possible route, to press on to Fort St. Stephen, with 
 a view to the protection and defence of Mississippi. 
 
 Every exertion was now made to hasten the prep- 
 arations for a vigorous campaign. Orders were 
 given to the quarter-master, to furnish the neces- 
 sary munitions, with the proper transportation ; and 
 to the contractors, to provide ample supplies of pro- 
 visions. The day of their rendezvous being arriv 
 ed, and the general not being sufficiently recovered 
 to attend in person, he forwarded by his a i.!- do- 
 camp, Major Reid, an address, to be read to the 
 troops, accompanied by an order for the establish- 
 ment of the police of the camp. 
 
 For the police of his camp, he announced the 
 following order : 
 
33 LIFfi OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 "The chain of sentinels will be marked, and the 
 ecntries posted, precisely at ten o'clock to-day. 
 
 "No sutler will be suffered to sell spirituous 
 .iquors to any soldier, without permission, in writ- 
 ing, from a commissioned officer, under the penal- 
 ties prescribed by the rules and articles of war. 
 
 "No citizen will be permitted to pass the chain 
 of sentinels, after retreat beat in the evening, until 
 reveille in the morning. Drunkenness, the bane of 
 all orderly encampments, is positively forbidden, 
 both in officers and privates: officers, under the 
 penalty of immediate arrest; and privates, of being 
 placed under guard, there to remain until liberated 
 by "» court martial. 
 
 "At reveille beat, all officers and soldiers are to 
 appear on parade, with their arms and accoutre- 
 ments in proper order. 
 
 "On parade, silence, the duty of a soldier, is 
 positively commanded. 
 
 "No officer or soldier is to sleep out of camp 
 but by permission obtained." 
 
 These rules, to those who had scarcely yet pass- 
 ed the line that separates the citizen from the sol 
 dier, and who had not yet laid aside the notions of 
 self-sovereignty, had the appearance of too much 
 rigour; but the general well knew, that the expe- 
 dition in which they were embarked involved much 
 hazard; and that, although such lively feelings were 
 manifested now, yet, when hardships pressed, these 
 might cease. 
 
 Impatient to join his division, although his health 
 was far from being restored, his arm only begin- 
 ning to heal, the general, in a few days afterwards, 
 6et out for the encampment, and reached it on the 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 39 
 
 71 h Finding, on his arrival, that the requisition 
 was not complete, either in the number of men. or 
 the necessary equipments, measures were instantly 
 taken to remedy the deficiency. Orders were di 
 rected to the several brigadiers in his division, to 
 hasten immediately their respective quotas, fully 
 equipped for active operations. 
 
 Circumstances did not permit him to remain at 
 this place long enough to have the delinquencies 
 complained of remedied, and the ranks of his army 
 filled. Colonel Coffee had proceeded with hia 
 mounted volunteers to cover Huntsville, and give 
 security to the frontiers, where alarm greatly pre- 
 vailed. On the night of the 8th, a letter was re- 
 ceived from him, dated two days before, advising, 
 that two Indians, belonging to the peace party, had 
 just arrived at the Tennessee River, from Chinna- 
 by's Fort, on the Coosa, with information that the 
 war party had despatched eight hundred or a thou- 
 sand of their warriors to attack the frontiers of 
 Georgia; and, with the remainder of their forces, 
 were marching against Huntsville, or Fort Hamp- 
 ton. In consequence of this intelligence, exertions 
 were made to hasten a movement. Late on the fol- 
 lowing night, another express arrived, confirming 
 the former statement, and representing the enemy, 
 in great force, to be rapidly approaching the Ten- 
 nessee. Orders were now given for preparing the 
 line of march, and by nine o'clock the next day the 
 whole division was in motion. They had not pro- 
 ceeded many miles, when they were met with in 
 telligence that Colonel Gibson, who had been sent 
 out by Coffee to reconnoitre the movements of the 
 enemy, had been killed by their advance. A strong 
 desire had been manifested to be led forward ; thai 
 
40 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 desire was now strengthened by the information jusl 
 received j and it was with difficulty their emotions 
 could be restrained. They accelerated their pace 
 and before eight o'clock at night arrived at Hunts- 
 ville, a distance of thirty-two miles. Learning 
 nere, that the information was erroneous which had 
 occasioned so hasty a movement, the general en- 
 camped his troops ; having intended to march them 
 that night to the Tennessee River had it been con- 
 firmed. The next day the line of march was re- 
 sumed. The influence of the late excitement was 
 now visible in the lassitude which followed its re- 
 moval. Proceeding slowly, they crossed the Ten- 
 nessee, at Ditto's Landing, and united in the eve- 
 ning with Colonel Coffee's regiment, which had 
 previously occupied a commanding bluff, on the 
 south bank of the river. From this place, in a few 
 days afterwards, Jackson detached Colonel Coffee, 
 with seven hundred men, to scour the Black War- 
 rior, a stream running from the north-east, and 
 emptying into the Tombigbee ; on which were sup- 
 posed to be settled several populous villages of the 
 enemy. He himself remained at this encampment 
 a week, using the utmost pains in training hia 
 troops for service, and labouring incessantly to pro- 
 cure the necessary supplies for a campaign, which 
 he had determined to carry directly into the heart 
 of the enemy's country. 
 
 Witn General Cocke, who commanded the divis- 
 ion of East Tennessee militia, an arrangement had 
 been made the preceding month, in which he had 
 engaged to furnish large quantities of bread stuff, 
 at Ditto's Landing. The facility of procuring it in 
 that quarter, and the convenient transportation af- 
 forded by the river, left no doubt on the mind o. 
 
LIFE OP GENERAL JACKSON. 4l 
 
 Jackson but that the engagement would be punctu- 
 ally complied with. To provide, however, against 
 the bare possibility of a failure, and to be guarded 
 against all contingencies that might happen, he had 
 addressed his applications to various other sources. 
 He had, on the same subject, written in the most 
 pressing manner to the governor of Georgia, with 
 whose forces it was proposed to act in concert; to 
 Colonel Meigs, agent to the Cherokee nation of In- 
 dians, and to General White, who commanded the 
 advance of the East Tennessee troops. Previously 
 to his arrival at Huntsville, he had received assur- 
 ances from the two latter, that a considerable sup- 
 ply of flour, for the use of his army, had been pro 
 cured, and was then at Hiwassee, where boats were 
 ready to transport it. From General Cocke, about 
 the same time, a letter was received ; stating that 
 a hundred and fifty barrels of flour were then on 
 the way to his encampment; and expressing a be- 
 lief, that he should be able to procure, and forward 
 on immediately, a thousand barrels more. With 
 pressing importunity, he had addressed himself to 
 the contractors, and they had given him assurances, 
 that, on his crossing the Tennessee, they would be 
 prepared with twenty days' rations for his whole 
 command ; but finding, on his arrival at Ditto's, that 
 their preparations were not in such forwardness a? 
 he had been led to expect, he was compelled, for ? 
 time, to suspend any active and general operations. 
 Calculating, however, with great confidence or 
 exertions, which, he had been promised, should be 
 unremitting, and on the speedy arrival of those sup- 
 plies descending the nver, which had been already 
 unaccountably delayed he hoped, in a few days, to 
 be placed in a situation to act efficiently. Whilst 
 4* 
 
42 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 he was encouraged by these expectations, and only 
 waiting their fulfilment, that he might advance, 
 Shelocta, the son of Chinnaby, a principal chief 
 among the friendly Creeks, arrived at his carnp, 
 to solicit his speedy movement for the relief of hia 
 father's fort, which was then threatened by a con- 
 siderable body of the war party, who had advanced 
 to the neighbourhood of the Ten Islands, on the 
 Coosa. Influenced by his representations, and 
 anxious to extend relief, Jackson, on the 18th, gave 
 orders for taking up the line of inarch on the fol- 
 lowing day, and notified the contractors of this ar- 
 rangement, that they might be prepared to issue, 
 immediately, such supplies as they had on hand ; 
 but, to his great astonishment, he then, for the first 
 time, was apprized of their entire inability to sup- 
 ply him whilst on his march. Having drawn what 
 they had in their power to furnish, amounting to 
 only a few days' rations, they were deposed from 
 office, and others appointed, on whose industry and 
 performance, he believed, he might more safely 
 rely. The scarcity of his provisions, however, at a 
 moment like the present, when there was every ap- 
 pearance that the enemy might be met, and a blow 
 stricken to advantage, was not sufficient to wave 
 his determination. The route he would have to 
 make, to gain the fort, lay, for a considerable dis- 
 tance, up the river. He determined to proceed ; 
 and, having passed his army and baggage wagons 
 over several mountains of stupendous size, and 
 such as were thought almost impassable by foot 
 passengers, he arrived, on the 22d of October, at 
 Thompson's Creek, which empties into the Tennes- 
 see, twenty-four miles above Ditto's. At this place 
 he proposed the establishment of a permanent de- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 43 
 
 pot, for the reception of supplies, to be sent cither 
 up or down the river. Disappointed in the hopes 
 with which he had adventured on his march, he le- 
 mained here several days, in expectation of the 
 boats that were coming to his relief. Thus harass- 
 ed at the first onset, by difficulties wholly unex- 
 pected, and which, from the numerous and strong 
 assurances received, he could by no means have 
 calculated on ; fearing, too, that the same disregard 
 of duty might induce a continuance, he lost no time 
 in opening every avenue to expedient, that the 
 chances of future faihire might be diminished. To 
 General Flournoy, who commanded at Mobile, he 
 applied, urging him to procure bread stuff, and have 
 it forwarded up the Alabama by the time he should 
 arrive on that river. The agent of the Choctaws 
 Colonel M'Kee, who was then on the Tombigbee, 
 was addressed in the same style of entreaty. Ex- 
 presses were despatched to General White, who, 
 with the advance of the East Tennessee division, 
 had arrived at the Look-out Mountain, in the Cher- 
 okee naticn, urging him, by all means, to hasten on 
 the supplies. The assistance of the governor of 
 Tennessee was also earnestly besought. To^facili- 
 tate exertion, and to assure success, every thing 
 within his reach was attempted: several persons of 
 vvealth and patriotism, in Madison county, were so- 
 licited to afford the contractors all the aid in their 
 power ; and, to induce them more readily to extend 
 it, their deep interest, immediately at stake, was 
 pointed to, and their deplorable and dangerous situ- 
 ation, should necessity compel him to withdraw his 
 army, and leave them exposed to the mercy of the 
 savages. 
 
44 LIFE OF GENKRAL JACKSON 
 
 Whilst these measures were takrng, two run 
 ners, from Turkey town, an Indian village, des- 
 patched by Path-killer, a chief of the Cherokees, 
 arrived at the camp. They brought information, 
 that the enemy, from nine of the hostile towns* 
 were assembling in great force near the Ten 
 Islands ; and solicited that immediate assistance 
 should be afforded the friendly Creeks and Chero- 
 kees, in their neighbourhood, who were exposed to 
 such imminent danger. His want of provisions 
 was not yet remedied ; but, distributing the partial 
 supply that was on hand, he resolved to proceed, in 
 expectation that the relief he had so earnestly 
 looked for, would, in a little while, arrive, and be 
 forwarded to him. 
 
 He instructed General White to form a junction 
 with him, and to hasten on all the supplies in his 
 power to command ; with about six days' rations 
 of meat, and less than two of meal, he again put 
 his army in motion to meet the enemy. Although 
 there was some hazard in advancing into a country 
 where relief was not to be expected with such 
 limited preparation, yet, believing that his contrac- 
 tors, lately installed, would exert themselves to the 
 utmost to forward supplies, and that, amidst Mie va- 
 riety of arrangements made, all could not fail, and 
 well aware that his delaying longer might be pro- 
 ductive of many disadvantages, his determination 
 was taken to set out immediately in quest of the 
 enemy. He replied to the Path-killer, by his run- 
 ners, that he should proceed directly for the Coosa, 
 and solicited him to be diligent in making discove- 
 ries of the situation, and collected forces of the 
 savages, and to give him. as early as possible the- 
 r esult of bis inquiries. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 45 
 
 * The hostile Creeks," he remarked to him, " will 
 not attack you until they have had a brush with me , 
 and that, I think, will put them out of the notion 01 
 fighting for some time." He requested, if he had 
 or could any how procure, provisions for his army 
 that he would send them, or advise where they 
 might be had : " You shall be well paid, and have 
 my thanks into the bargain. I shall stand most in 
 need of corn meal, but shall be thankful for am 
 kind of provisions ; and, indeed, for whatever wit 
 support life." 
 
 The army had advanced but a short distance 
 vhen unexpected embarrassments were again pre- 
 sented. Information was received, by which it 
 was clearly ascertained, that the present contrac 
 tors, who had been so certainly relied on, could 
 not, with all their exertions, procure the necessary 
 supplies. Major Rose, in the quarter-master's de- 
 partment, who had been sent into Madison county, 
 to aid them in their endeavours, having satisfied 
 himself, as well from their own admissions as fron 
 evidence, that their want of funds, and consequent 
 want of credit, rendered them a very unsafe de- 
 pendence, had returned, and disclosed the facts tc 
 the general. He stated, that there were there 
 persons of fortune and industry, who might be 
 confided in, and who would be willing to contract 
 for the army if it were necessary. Jackson lost 
 no time in embracing this plan, and gave the con- 
 tract to Mr. Pope, upon whose exertions, he hoped, 
 every reliance might be safely reposed. To the 
 other contractors he wrote, informing them of the 
 change that had been made. 
 
 " I am advised," said he, " that you have can- 
 didly acknowledged you have it not in vour oower 
 
4b LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 to execute the contract in which you have engaged. 
 Do not think I mean to cast any reflection — very 
 far from it. I am exceedingly, pleased with the 
 exertions you have made, and feel myself under 
 many obligations of gratitude for them. From the 
 admissions you have been candid enough to make, 
 the scarcity which already begins to appear in 
 camp, and the difficulties you are likely to encoun- 
 ter, in effecting your engagements, I am apprehen- 
 sive I should be doing injustice to the army I com- 
 mand, were I to rely for support on your exertions — 
 great as I know them to be. Whatever concerns 
 myself, I may manage with any generosity or 
 indulgence I please ; but in acting for my country, 
 I have no such discretion." 
 
 This arrangement being made, the army con- 
 tinued its march, and, having arrived within a few 
 miles of the Ten Islands, wa3 met by old Chinnaby, 
 a leading chief of the Creek nation, and sternly op- 
 posed to the war party. He brought with him, and 
 surrendered up, two of the hostile Creeks, who had 
 been lately made prisoners by his party. At this 
 place, it was represented, that they were within 
 sixteen miles of the enemy, who were collected, to 
 the number of a thousand, to oppose their passage. 
 This information was little relied on, and afterwards 
 proved untrue. Jackson continued his route, and 
 in a few days reached the islands of the Coosa, 
 having been detaiued a day on the way, for the 
 purpose of obtaining small supplies of corn from 
 the neighbouring Indians. This acquisition to the 
 scanty stock on hand, whilst it afforded subsistence 
 for the present, encouraged his hopes for the future, 
 as a mean of temporary resort, should his other 
 resources fail 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 47 
 
 On the 28th of October, Colonel Dyer, who, on 
 the march to the Ten Islands, had been detached 
 from the main body, with two hundred cavalry, to 
 attack Littafutch.ee town, on the head of Canoe 
 Creek, which empties into the Coosa from the west, 
 returned, bringing with him twenty-nine prisoners, 
 men, women, and children, having destroyed the 
 village. 
 
 The sanguine expectations indulged, on leaving 
 Thompson's Creek, that the advance of the East 
 Tennessee militia would hasten to unite with him, 
 was not yet realized. The express heretofore di- 
 rected to General White had not returned. Jack- 
 son, on the 31st, despatched another, again urging 
 him to effect a speedy junction, and to bring with 
 him all the bread stuff in his power to procure; 
 feelingly suggesting to him, at the same time, the 
 great inconvenience and hazard, to which he had 
 been already exposed, for the want of punctuality 
 in himself and his commanding general. Owing to 
 that cause, and the late failures of his contractors, 
 he represented his army as placed in a very pre- 
 carious situation, dependent, in a great measure, 
 for support, on the exertions which they might be 
 pleased to make ; but assured him, he would stilL 
 at every risk, endeavour to effect his purpose ; and, 
 at all events, was resolved to hasten to the accom- 
 plishment of the object, for which he had set out. 
 Believing the co-operation of the East Tennessee 
 troops essential to this end, they were again in- 
 structed to join him without delay ; for he could 
 not conceive it to be correct policy, that troops 
 from the same, state, pursuing the same object, 
 should constitute separate and distinct armies, and 
 act without concert, and independently of each 
 
4J LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 other. He entertained no doubt but that his ordet 
 would be proniptiy obeyed. 
 
 The next evening, a detachment, which had been 
 sent out ihe day before, returned to camp, bringing 
 with them, besides some corn and beeves, severa. 
 negroes ana prisoners of the war party. 
 
 Learning now that a considerable body of the 
 enemy had posted themselves at Tallushatchee, on 
 the soutn side of the Coosa, about thirteen miles 
 distant, General Coffee was detached, with nine 
 hundred men, to attack and disperse them. With 
 this force he was enabled, through the direction of 
 on Indian pilot, to ford the Coosa, at the Fish-dams, 
 about four mnes above the islands ; and, having en- 
 camped beyond it, very early the next morning 
 proceeded to the execution of his order. Having 
 arrived viihiu a mile and a half, he formed his 
 detachment into two divisions, and directed them to 
 march so as to encircle the town, by uniting their 
 fronts beyond it. The enemy, hearing of his ap- 
 proach, began 10 prepare for action, announced by 
 beating of drums, mingled with savage yells and 
 war-whoops. An hour after sun-rise, the action 
 was commenced by Captain Hammon's and Lieu- 
 tenant Patterson s companies of spies, who had 
 gone within the cncie of alignement, for the pur- 
 pose of drawing the Indians from their buildings. 
 No sooner had these companies given a few scat- 
 tering shot, than the enemy made a violent charge. 
 Compelled to give way, the advance guards were 
 pursued until they reached the main body of the 
 army, which immediately charged in turn. The 
 Indians retreated, firing and fighting as long as 
 they could stand or sit, without manifesting fear, 
 or soliciting quarter. Their less was a hundred 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 49 
 
 and eighty-six killed ; among whom were a few 
 women and children. Eighty-four women and 
 children were taken prisoners, towards whom the 
 utmost humanity was shown. Of the Americans, 
 five were killed, and forty-one wounded. Two 
 were killed with arrows, which, on this occasion, 
 . formed a principal part of the arms of the Indians; 
 each one having a bow and quiver, which he used 
 after the first fire of his gun, until an opportunity 
 occurred for re-loading. 
 
 Having buried his dean, and provided for his 
 wounded, General Coffee, the evening of the same 
 day, united with the main army, bringing with him 
 about forty prisoners. Of the residue, a part were 
 too badly wounded to be removed, and were there- 
 fore left, with a sufficient number to take care of 
 them. 
 
 From the manner in which the enemy fought, 
 the killing and wounding others than their warriors, 
 was not to be avoided. On their retreat to their 
 village, after the commencement of the battle, 
 they resorted to their block house.*, and strong log 
 dwellings, whence they kept up resistance, and 
 resolutely maintained the fight. Mingled with 
 their women and children, it was impossible they 
 should not be exposed to the general danger ; and 
 thus many were injured, notwithstanding every 
 possible precaution. Many of the women united 
 with their warriors, and contended ; n u 4 e battle 
 with fearless bravery. 
 
 h 
 
60 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 General Jackson endeavours tc unite irith the East Tennesset 
 troops. — Establishment of Fort Strother. — Learns the enemy 
 are imbodied. — Mai dies to meet them. — Battle of Talladega.— 
 Is compelled to return to his encampment, for want of supplies. — 
 Anecdote. — Discontents of his army. — Militia and volunteers 
 -mutiny. — Address to the officers. — Is compelled to abandon Fort 
 Strother. — Hillabee clans sue f?r peace. — Letter from the Rev. 
 Mr. Blackburn. — Answer. — Tlut volunteers claim to be dis- 
 charged. — Mutiny. — Address to tliem — General Cocke arrives 
 with part of his division. — General Coffee' s brigade petitions 
 for a disdiarge. — General Jackson's answer. — They abandon 
 Vie service, and go Iwme. 
 
 Measures were now taken to establish a pe 
 manent depot on the north bank of the river, «• 
 the Ten Islands, to be protected by strong picket- 
 ting and block houses. It was desirable to unite, 
 as soon as possible, with the troops from the East 
 of Tennessee; to effect this, Jackson, on the 4th, 
 despatched an express to General White, urging 
 him to unite with him as soon as possible, and 
 again entreating him on the subject of provisions ; 
 to bring with him such as he had on hand, or could 
 procure ; and, if possible, to form some certain ar- 
 -angement that might ensure a supply in future. 
 
 Anxious to proceed, and have his army active, 
 fie again, on the morning of the 7th, renewed his 
 application to General White, who still remained 
 it Turkey town. 
 
 The army was busily engaged in fortifying the 
 ute fixed on for a depot, to which the name of 
 r\)rt Strother had been given. On the evening of 
 the 7th, a runner arrived from Talladega, a fort of 
 
LIFE OF liENEUAL JACKSON. 51 
 
 the friendly Indians, thirty miles below, with in 
 formation, that the enemy had that morning en 
 camped before it in great numbers, and woula 
 certainly destroy it, unless immediate assistance 
 could be afforded. Jackson, confiding in the state- 
 ment, determined to lose no time in extending the 
 relief which was solicited. Understanding that 
 General White was on his way to join him, he 
 despatched a messenger, directing him to reach 
 his encampment in the course of the ensuing night, 
 and to protect it in his absence. He now gave 
 orders for taking up the line of march, with twelve 
 hundred infantry, and eight hundred cavalry and 
 mounted gun-men ; leaving behind the sick, the 
 wounded, and all his baggage, with a force which 
 was deemed sufficient for their protection, until the 
 reinforcement from Turkey town should arrive. 
 
 The friendly Indians, who had taken refuge in 
 tills besieged fort, had involved themselves in their 
 present perilous situation, from a disposition to 
 preserve their amicable relations with the United 
 States. To suffer them to fall a sacrifice, from any 
 tardiness of movement, would have been unpar 
 donable ; and, unless relief were immediately ex 
 tended, it might arrive too late. Acting under 
 these impressions, the general concluded to move 
 instantly forward, to their assistance. By twelve 
 o'clock at night, every thing was in readiness ; and 
 in an hour afterwards, the army commenced cross- 
 ing the river, about a mile above the camp ; each 
 of the mounted men carrying one of the infantry 
 behind him. The river, at this place, was six hun- 
 died yards wide, and, it being necessary to send 
 back the horses for the remainder of the infantry 
 several hours were consumed before a. passage of 
 
52 LkFF OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 all the troops cotud be effected. Nevertheless, 
 though greatly fatigued, and deprived of sleep, 
 they continued the march with animation, and by 
 evening had arrived within six miles of the enemy. 
 In this march, Jackson used the utmost precaution 
 to prevent surprise ; marching his army, as was 
 his constant custom, in three columns, so that, by 
 a speedy manoeuvre, they might be thrown into 
 such a situation as to be capable of resisting an 
 attack from any quarter. Having judiciously en- 
 camped his men on an eligible piece of ground, he 
 sent forward two of the friendly Indians, and a 
 white man, who had, for many years, been detained 
 a captive in the nation, and was now acting as 
 interpreter, to reconnoitre the position of the ene- 
 my. About eleven o'clock at night, they returned 
 with information that the savages were posted 
 vvithin a quarter of a mile of the fort, and appeared 
 to be in great force ; but that they had not been 
 able to approach near enough to ascertain either 
 their numbers or precise situation. Within an 
 hour after this, a runner arrived from Turkey 
 town, with a letter from General White, stating, 
 that, after having taken up the line cf inarch, to 
 unite at Fort Strother, he had received orders from 
 Genera] Cocke to change his course, and proceed 
 to the mouth of Chatauga Creek. It was most 
 distressing intelligence ; the sick and wounded had 
 been left with no other calculation for their safety, 
 than that this detachment of the army, agreeably 
 to his request, would, by advancing upon Fort 
 Strother, serve the double purpose of protecting his 
 rear, and enable him to advance still further into 
 the enemy's country. The information proved that 
 all those salutary anticipations were at an end, and 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 63 
 
 that evils of the worst kind might be the conse- 
 quence. Intelligence so disagreeable filled the 
 mind of Jackson with apprehension. Orders were 
 accordingly given to the adjutant-general to pre- 
 pare the line, and by four o'clock in the morning, 
 the army was again in motion. The infantry pro- 
 ceeded in three columns ; the cavalry in the same 
 order, in the rear, with flankers on each wing. 
 The advance, consisting of a company of ar- 
 tillerists, with muskets, two companies of riflemen, 
 and one of spies, marched about four hundred yards 
 in front, under the command of Colonel Carroll, 
 inspector-general, with orders, after commencing 
 the action, to fall back on the centre, so as to 
 draw the enemy after them. At seven o'clock, 
 having arrived within a mile of the position they 
 occupied, the columns were displayed u order of 
 battle. Two hundred and fifty of the cavalry, 
 under Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer, were placed in 
 the rear of the centre, as a corps de reserve. 
 The remainder of the mounted troops were di- 
 rected to advance on the right and left, and, after 
 encircling the enemy, by uniting the fronts of their 
 columns, and keeping their rear rested on the in- 
 fantry, to face and press towards the centre, so as 
 to leave them no possibility of escape. The re- 
 maining part of the army was ordered to move up 
 by heads of companies ; General Hall's brigade 
 occupying the right, and General Roberts's the 
 left. 
 
 About eight o'clock, the advance having ar- 
 rived within eighty yards of the enemy, who were 
 concealed in a thick shrubbery, received a heavy 
 tire, which they instantly returned with much spirit. 
 5* 
 
54 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 Falling in with the enemy, agreeably to their in 
 structions, they retired tov/ards the centre, but not 
 before they had dislodged them from their position. 
 The Indi'ans, now screaming and yelling hideously, 
 rushed forward in the direction of General Roberts's 
 brigade, a few companies of which, alarmed by 
 their numbers and yells, gave way at the first 
 fire. Jackson, to fill the chasm which was thus 
 created, directed the regiment commanded by 
 Colonel Bradley to be moved up, which, from some 
 unaccountable cause, had failed to advance in a 
 line with the others, and now occupied a position 
 in rear of the centre : Bradley, however, to whom 
 this order was given by one of the staff, omitted to 
 execute it in time, alleging, he was determined to 
 remain on the eminence which he then possessed, 
 until he should be approached, and attacked by the 
 enemy. Owing to this failure in the volunteer 
 regiment, it became necessary to dismount the re- 
 serve, which, with great firmness, met the approach 
 of the enemy, who were rapidly moving in this 
 direction. The retreating militia, somewhat mor 
 tified at seeing their places so promptly supplied, 
 rallied, and, recovering their former position in the 
 .me," aided in checking the advance of the sav- 
 ages. The action now became general along the 
 line, and in fifteen minutes the Indians were seen 
 fleeing in every direction. On the left, they were 
 met and repulsed by the mounted riflemen ; but on 
 the right, owing to the halt of Bradley's regiment, 
 which was intended to occupy the extreme right, — 
 and to the circumstance of Colonel Allcorn, who 
 commanded one of the wings of the cavalry, hav 
 tng taken too large a circuit, — a considerable space 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 55 
 
 was loft between the infantry and the civalry, 
 through which numbers escaped. 
 
 Jackson, in his report of this action, bestows 
 high commendation on the officers and soldiers. 
 
 In this battle the force of the enemy was one 
 thousand and eighty, of whom two hundred and 
 ninety-nine were left dead on the ground ; and it 
 is believed that many were killed in the flight, who 
 were not found when the estimate was made 
 Probably few escaped unhurt. Their loss on this 
 occasion, as stated since by themselves, was not 
 less than six hundred ; that of the Americans was 
 fifteen k : lled, and eighty wounded, several of whom 
 afterwards died. Jackson, after collecting his 
 dead and wounded, advanced his army beyond the 
 fort, and encamped for the night. The Indians, 
 who had been for several days shut up by the be- 
 siegers, thus fortunately liberated from the most 
 dreadful apprehensions, and severest privations, 
 having for some time been entirely without water, 
 received the army with all the demonstrations of 
 gratitude that savages could give. Their man- 
 ifestations of joy for their deliverance presented 
 an interesting and affecting spectacle. Their fears 
 had been already greatly excited, for it was the 
 very day when they were to have been assaulted, 
 and when every soul within the fort must have 
 perished. All the provisions they could spare 
 from their scanty stock, they sold to the general 
 who, purchasing with his own money, distributed 
 them amongst the soldiers, who were almost des- 
 titute. 
 
 The condition of his post3 in the rear, and the 
 want of provisions, (having left his encampment at 
 
56 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 Fort Strother with little more than one day's ra- 
 tions,) compelled him to return ; thus giving the 
 enemy time to recover. 
 
 The cause which prevented General White from 
 arriving at the Ten Islands at a moment when it 
 was so important, when it was so confidently ex- 
 pected, was as yet unknown. This mystery, hith- 
 erto inexplicable, was some time after explained, 
 by a view of the order of General Cocke, undei 
 which White, being a brigadier in his division, 
 chose to aet, rather than under Jackson's. Gene- 
 ral Cocke stated to him, he had understood Jackson 
 had crossed the Coosa, and had an engagement 
 with the Indians. " I have formed a council of 
 officers here, and proposed these questions : — ShaV 
 we follow him, or cross the river, and proceed to 
 the Creek settlements on the Tallapoosa? Both 
 were decided unanimously, — that he should not be 
 followed, but that we should proceed in the way 
 pioposed !" He remarked, that the decision had 
 met his entire approbation ; and directed White 
 forthwith to unite with him at his encampment 
 where he should wait, fortifying it strongly for a 
 depot, until he should arrive. " If," said he, " we 
 follow General Jackson and his army, we must 
 suffer for supplies ; nor can we expect to gain a 
 victory Let us then take a direction in which we 
 car share some of the dangers and glories of the 
 field. You will employ pilots, and advise me which 
 side of the river you will move up." In this, as in 
 every other measure, it seemed to be the studied 
 aim of Cocke to thwart the views and arrest the 
 successes of Jackson ; and perhaps jealousy, in no 
 inconsiderable degree, was the moving spring to 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 57 
 
 his conduct. Both were majoi -generals, from the 
 state of Tennessee, sent on the same important 
 errand, to check an insolent foe. 
 
 Having buried his dead, and provided litters for 
 the wounded, Jackson reluctantly commenced his 
 return march on the morning succeeding the battle. 
 He confidently hoped, from the previous assurances 
 of the contractors, that, by the time of his return 
 to Fort Strother, sufficient supplies would have 
 arrived there ; but, to his inexpressible uneasi- 
 ness, he found that not a particle had been for- 
 warded since his departure, and that what had 
 been left was already consumed. Even his private 
 stores, brought on at his own expense, and upon 
 which he and his staff had hitherto wholly sub- 
 sisted, had been, in his absence, distributed amongst 
 the sick by the hospital surgeon, who had been 
 previously instructed to do so, in the event their 
 wants should require it. A few dozen biscuit, 
 which remained on his return, were given to 
 hungry applicants, without being tasted by himself 
 or family, who were probably not less hungry than 
 those who were thus relieved. A scanty supply of 
 indifferent beef, taken from the enemy, or pur- 
 chased of the Cherokees, was now the only sup- 
 port afforded. Thus left destitute, Jackson, with 
 the utmost cheerfulness of temper, repaired to the 
 bullock pen, and, of the offal there thrown away, 
 provided for himself and staff, what he was pleased 
 to call, a very comfortable repast. Tripes, how- 
 ever, hastily provided in a camp, without bread or 
 seasoning, can only be palatable to an appetite 
 very highly whetted ; yet this constituted, for seve- 
 ral days, the only diet at head-quarters ; during 
 which time, the general seemed entirely satisfied 
 
58 LIFE OP GENERAL JACKS8N. 
 
 with his fare. Neither this, nor the liberal dona 
 tion3 by which he disfurnished himself, to relieve 
 the suffering soldier, deserves to be ascribed to 
 ostentation or design : the one flowed from benevo- 
 lence, the other from necessity, and a desire to 
 place before his men an example of patience and 
 suffering, which he felt might be necessary. 
 
 In this campaign, a soldier one morning, with a 
 wo-begone countenance, approached the general, 
 stating that he was nearly starved, that he had 
 nothing to eat, and could not imagine what he 
 should do. He was the more encouraged to com- 
 plain, from perceiving that the general, who had 
 seated himself at the root of a tree, waiting the 
 coming up of the rear of the army, was busily en- 
 gaged in eating something. The poor fellow wad 
 impressed with the belief, from what he saw, that 
 want only attached to the soldiers, and that the 
 officers, particularly the general, were liberally 
 supplied. He accordingly approached him with 
 great confidence of being relieved. Jackson told 
 him, that it had always been a rule with him never 
 to turn away a hungry man when it was in his 
 power to relieve him. I will most cheerfully, said 
 he, divide with you what I have ; and, putting his 
 hand to his pocket, drew forth a few acorns, from 
 which he had been feasting, adding, it was the best 
 and only fare he had. The soldier seemed much 
 surprised, and forthwith circulated amongst his 
 comrades, that their general was actually subsisting 
 upon acorns, and that they ought no more to com- 
 plain. From this circumstance was derived the 
 6tory heretofore published to the world, that Jack- 
 son, about the period of his greatest suffering, and 
 with a view to inspirit them, had invited his officers 
 
LIFE OF GENEUAL JACKSON. 59 
 
 o dine with him, and presented, for their repast, 
 water, and a tray of acorns. 
 
 But discontents, and a desire to return home, 
 arose, and presently spread through the camp ; and 
 these were still further augmented, by the arts of 
 a few designing officers, who, believing that the 
 campaign would now break up, hoped to make 
 themselves popular on the return, by taking part 
 in the complaints of the soldiery. It is a singular 
 fact, that those officers who pretended, on this 
 occasion, to feel most sensibly for the wants of the 
 army, had never themselves been without pro- 
 visions. 
 
 During this period of scarcity and discontent, 
 small quantities of supplies were occasionally for- 
 warded by the contractors, but not a sufficiency 
 for present want, and still less to remove the ap- 
 prehensions that were entertained for the future. 
 At length revolt began to show itself openly. The 
 officers and soldiers of the militia, collecting in 
 their tents, and talking over their grievances, de- 
 termined to yield up their patriotism, and to aban- 
 don the camp. To this measure there were good 
 evidences for believing that several of the officers 
 of the old volunteer corps exerted themselves 
 clandestinely, and with great industry, to insti- 
 gate them ; looking upon themselves somewhat in 
 the light of veterans, from the discipline they had 
 acquired, they were unwilling to be seen foremost 
 in setting an example of mutiny, and wished to 
 make the defection of others a pretext for their 
 own. 
 
 Jackson, apprized of their determination to 
 abandon him, resolved to oppose it, and it all 
 hazard. In the morning, when they were to carry 
 
60 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON'. 
 
 their intentions into execution, he drew up the 
 volunteers in front of them, with positive com- 
 mands to prevent their progress, and compel them 
 to return to their former position in the camp. 
 The militia, seeing this, and fearing the conse- 
 quences of persisting in their purpose, at once 
 abandoned it, and returned to their quarters with- 
 out further murmuring, extolling, in the highest 
 terms, the unalterable firmness of the general. 
 
 The next day, however, presented a singulai 
 scene. The volunteers, who the day before had 
 been the instruments for compelling the militia to 
 return to their duty, seeing the destruction of those 
 hopes on which they had lately built, in turn be- 
 gan, themselves, to mutiny. Their opposition to 
 the departure of the militia was but a mere pre- 
 tence, to escape suspicion, for they silently wished 
 them success. They now determined to move off 
 in a body, believing, from the known disaffection in 
 the camp, that the general could find no means to 
 prevent it. What was their surprise, when, on 
 attempting to effectuate their resolves, they found 
 the same men, whom they had so lately opposed, 
 occupying the very position which they had done 
 the day previous, for a similar purpose, and mani- 
 festing a fixed determination to obey the orders of 
 their general ! All they ventured to do was, to 
 take the example through, and, like them, move 
 back in peace and quietness to their quarters. 
 This was a curious change of circumstance.-!', when 
 we consider in how short a time it happened ; but 
 the conduct of the militia, on this occasion, must 
 be ascr'bed to the management of the genera], arid 
 to the gratification they felt, in being able to de 
 feat the views of those who had so lately thwartm! 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON* ' f)l 
 
 their own. To this may be also added, the con- 
 sciousness all must have entertained, that the pri- 
 vations of which they complained, were far lesn 
 grievous than they had represented them ; by no 
 means sufficient to justify revolt, and not greater 
 than patriots might be expected to bear without a 
 murmur, when objects of such high consideration 
 were before them. But, anxious to return to their 
 families, wearied of their sufferings, they seized 
 with eagerness every pretext for exoneration, and 
 listened with too much docility to the representa- 
 tions of those, who were influenced by less hon- 
 ourable feelings. The militia continued to show 
 a much more patriotic disposition than the volun- 
 teers ; who, having adopted a course which they 
 discovered must finally involve them in dishonour 
 if it should fail, were exceedingly anxious for its 
 success. On this subject, the pretensions of the 
 cavalry were certainly much better established ; as 
 they were entirely without forage, and without the 
 prospect of speedily obtaining any. They pe- 
 titioned, therefore, to be permitted to return into the 
 settled parts of the country, pledging themselves, 
 by their platoon and field-officers, that, if sufficient 
 time were allowed to recruit the exhausted state o'f 
 their horses, and to procure their winter clothing, 
 they would return to the performance of their duty 
 whenever called on. The general, unable, from 
 many causes, to prosecute the campaign, and con 
 riding in the assurance given, granted the prayer 
 of their petition, and they immediately set out on 
 their return. 
 
 About this time, General Jackson's prospect of 
 being able to maintain the conquests Ije had made 
 began to be cheered by letters just received from 
 
62 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 the contractors and principal wagon-master, stating 
 that sufficient supplies for the army wore then on 
 the road, and would shortly arrive : but discontents 
 to an alarming degree still prevailed in his camp. 
 To allay them, if possible, he hastened to lay be- 
 fore the division the information and letters he had 
 received, and, at the same time, invited the field 
 and platoon-officers to his quarters, to consult on 
 the measures proper to be pursued. He addressed 
 them in an animated speech, in which he extolled 
 their patriotism and achievements; lamented the 
 privations to which they had been exposed, and 
 endeavoured to reanimate them by the prospect of 
 speedy relief, which he expected with confidence 
 on the following day. He spoke of the immense 
 importance of the conquests they had already made, 
 and of the dreadful consequences that must result, 
 shouid they be now abandoned. "What," con- 
 tinued he, "is the present situation of our camp? 
 A number of our fellow soldiers are wounded, and 
 unable to help themselves. Shall it be said that 
 we are so lost to humanity as to leave them in 
 this condition ? Can any one, under these circum- 
 stances, and under these prospects, consent to an 
 abandonment of the camp ? of all that we havo 
 acquired in the midst of so many difficulties, priva 
 tions, and dangers ? of what it will cost us so much 
 to regain ? of what we never can regain, — our 
 brave wounded companions, who will be murdered 
 by our unthinking, unfeeling inhumanity ? Surely 
 there can be none such ! No, we will take with 
 us, when we go, our wounded and sick. They 
 must not — shall not perish by our cold-blooded 
 indifference. But why should you despond ? I 
 do not, and yet your wants are not greater than 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 64 
 
 mine. To be sure we do not live sumptuously , 
 but no one has died of hunger, or is likely to 
 die ; and then, how animating 1 are our prospects ! 
 Large supplies are at Deposit, and already 'are 
 officers despatched to hasten them on. Wagons 
 are on the way ; a large number of beeves are 
 in the neighbc ..rhood ; and detachments are out 
 to bring them in. — All these resources surely 
 cannot fail. I have no wish to starve you — none 
 to deceive you. Stay contentedly ; and, if sup- 
 plies do not arrive in two days, we will all march 
 back together, and throw the blame of our failure 
 where it should properly lie ; until then, we cer- 
 tainly have the means of subsisting ; and if we 
 are compelled to bear privations, let us remember 
 that they are borne for our country, and are not 
 greater than many, perhaps most armies, have 
 been compelled to endure. I have called you 
 together, to tell you my feelings and my wishes ; 
 this evening think, on them seriously ; and let me 
 know yours in the morning." 
 
 Having retired to their tents, the officers of the 
 volunteer brigade came to the conclusion, that 
 " nothing short of marching the army immediately 
 back to the settlements could prevent those difficul- 
 ties and that disgrace, which must attend a forcible 
 desertion of the camp by his soldiers." The offi- 
 cers of the militia determined differently, and re- 
 ported a willingness to maintain the post a few days 
 longer. " If provisions arrive, let us proceed with 
 the campaign ; if not, let us be marched back to 
 where it can be procured." The general, whc 
 greatly preferred the latter opinion, to allay excite- 
 ment, was disposed to gratify those who appeared 
 unwilling to submit to further hardships* and with 
 
t)4 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSOJV. 
 
 this view ordered General Hall to march his orig- 
 ade to Fort Deposit, and, after satisfying their 
 wants, to return and act as an escort to the pro- 
 visions. The second regiment, however, unwilling 
 to be outdone by the militia, consented to remain , 
 and the first proceeded alone. On this occasion he 
 could not forbear to remark, that men for whom 
 he had -ever cherished so warm an affection, and 
 for v/hom he would at all times have made any 
 sacrifice, desiring to abandon him at a moment 
 when their presence was so particularly necessary, 
 tilled him with emotions which the strongest lan- 
 guage was too feeble to express. " I was prepar- 
 ed," continued the general, " to endure every evil 
 but disgrace ; and this, as I never can submit to 
 myself, I can give no encouragement to in others." 
 Two days had elapsed since the departure of the 
 volunteers, and supplies had not arrived. The 
 militia, with great earnestness, now demanded a 
 performance of the pledge that had been given — 
 that they should be marched back to the settle- 
 ments. Jackson, on giving them an assurance that 
 they should return, if relief did not reach them 
 in two days, had indulged a confidence that it 
 would certainly arrive by that time ; and now 
 from the information he had received, felt more 
 than ever certain that it could not be far distant 
 Having, however, pledged himself, he could use no 
 arguments or entreaties to detain them any longer, 
 and immediately took measures for complying with 
 their wishes, and the promise he had made them. 
 This was, to him, a moment of the deepest dejec- 
 tion. He foresaw how difficult it would be ever to 
 accomplish the object upon which his heart was so 
 devoutly fixed, should he lose the men who were 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 65 
 
 now with him ; or even to regain the conquests he 
 had made, if his present posts should fall into the 
 hands of the enemy. While thus pondering on 
 the gloomy prospect, he lifted up his hands, and ex- 
 claimed, with a look and manner which showed 
 how much he felt, " If only two men will remain 
 with me, I will never abandon this post." Captain 
 Gordon, of the spies, facetiously replied, " you 
 have one, general ; let us look if we can't find an- 
 other ;" and immediately, with a zeal suited to the 
 occasion, undertook, with some of the general staff, 
 to raise volunteers ; and in a little while succeeded 
 in procuring one hundred and nine, who declared a 
 determination to remain and protect the post. The 
 general, greatly rejoiced that he would not be com 
 pelled to an entire abandonment of his position, 
 now set out towards Deposit, with the remainder 
 of the army, who were given distinctly to under- 
 stand, that on meeting supplies they were to return 
 dnd prosecute the campaign. This was an event, 
 which, as it had been expected and foretold, soon 
 took place ; they had not proceeded more than ten 
 or twelve miles, when they met a hundred and fifty 
 beeves ; but a sight which gave to Jackson so much 
 satisfaction, was to them the most unwelcome. 
 Their faces being now turned towards home, no 
 spectacle could be more hateful than one which 
 was to change their destination. They were 
 halted, and, having satisfied their appetites, the 
 troops, with the exception of such as were neces- 
 sary to proceed with the sick and wounded, were 
 ordered to return to the encampment ; he himself 
 intending to see the contractors, and establish more 
 effectual arrangements for the future. So great 
 was their aversion to returning, th&t they preferred 
 6* 
 
66 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 a violation of their duty and their pledged honour. 
 Low murmurings ran along the lines, and presently 
 broke out into open mutiny. In spite of the order 
 they had received, they began to revolt, and one 
 company was already moving off, in a direction 
 towards home. They had proceeded some distance, 
 before information of their departure was had by 
 Jackson. Irritated at their conduct, in attempting 
 to violate the promise they had given, the genera] 
 pursued, until he came near a part of his staff, and 
 a few soldiers, who, with General Coffee, had 
 halted about a quarter of a mile ahead. He or- 
 dered them to form immediately across the road, 
 and to fire on the mutineers if they attempted to 
 proceed. ' Snatching up their arms, these faithful 
 adherents presented a front which threw the de- 
 serters into affright, and caused them to retreat 
 precipitately to the main body. Here, it was hoped, 
 the matter would end, and that no further oppo- 
 sition would be made to returning. This expecta- 
 tion was not realized ; a mutinous temper began 
 presently to display itself throughout the whole 
 brigade. Jackson, having left his aid-de-camp. 
 Major Reid, engaged in making up some despatch- 
 es, had gone out alone amongst his troops, who 
 were at some distance ; on his arrival, he found a 
 much more extensive mutiny than that which had 
 just been quelled. Almost the whole brigade had 
 put itself into an attitude for moving forcibly off. 
 A crisis had arrived ; and, feeling its importance, 
 ne determined to take no middle ground, but to 
 triumph cr perish. He was still without the use of 
 his left arm ; but, seizing a musket, and resting it 
 on the neck of his horse, he threw himself in front 
 of the column, and threatened to shoot the first 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JaCKSON. 67 
 
 man who should attempt to advance. In this situa- 
 tion he was found by Major iteid and General 
 Coffee, who, fearing, from the length of his ab- 
 sence, that some disturbance had arisen, hastened 
 where he was, and, placing themselves by his side, 
 awaited the result in anxious expectation. For 
 many minutes the column preserved a sullen, yet 
 hesitating attitude, fearing to proceed in their pur- 
 pose, and disliking to abandon it. In the mean time, 
 those who remained faithful to their duty, amount- 
 ing to about two companies, were collected and 
 formed at a short distance in advance of the troops, 
 and in rear of the general, with positive directions 
 to imitate his example in firing, if they attempted 
 to proceed. At length, finding no one bold enough 
 to advance, and overtaken by those fears which in 
 the hour of peril always beset persons engaged in 
 what they know to be a bad cause, they abandoned 
 their purpose, and, turning quietly round, agreed to 
 return to their posts. It is very certain, that, but 
 for the firmness of the general, at this critical mo- 
 ment, the campaign would have been broken up, 
 and most probably not commenced again. 
 
 Shortly a f ter the battle of Talladega, the Hilla- 
 bee tribes applied to General Jackson for peace , 
 declaring their willingness to receive it on such 
 terms as he might be pleased to dictate. His de- 
 cision had been already returned, stating to them 
 that his government had taken up arms, to bring to 
 a proper sense of duty a people to whom she had 
 ever shown the utmost kindness, and who, never 
 theless, had committed against her citize js tbo 
 most unprovoked depredations; and that rhe *rou.d 
 lay them down only when certain that 'l!s« :\[Zt\ 
 
63 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 wns attained. * " Upon those," continued he, u wlu 
 are disposed to become friendly, I neither wish noj 
 intend to make war ; but they must afford evi- 
 dences of the sincerity of their professions ; the 
 prisoners and property they have taken from us, 
 and the friendly Creeks, must be restored ; the in- 
 stigators of the war, and the murderers of our 
 citizens, must be surrendered ; the latter must and 
 will be made to feel the force of our resentment 
 Long shall they remember Fort Mimms in bitter 
 ness and tears." 
 
 Having stated to General Cocke, whose divisioB 
 was acting in this section of the nation, the propo 
 sitions that had been made by the Hillabee clans> 
 with the answer he had returned, he proceeded to 
 Deposit and Ditto's Landing, where the most effec- 
 tual means in his power were taken with the contrac 
 tors, for obtaining regular supplies in future. They 
 were required to furnish, immediately, thirty days 
 rations at Fort Strother, forty at Talladega, and as 
 many at the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa ; 
 two hundred pack horses and forty wagons were 
 put in requisition to facilitate their transportation 
 
 * This communication did not arrive in time, — General White, 
 who had been detached for that purpose, having, the morning or 
 which it was written, destroyed their town, Killed sixty, and 
 made two hundred and fifty-six prisoners. The event was un 
 fortunate; and in it may perhaps he found the reason why 
 these savages, in their after battles, fought with the desperation 
 they did, obstinately refusing to ask for quarter. They believed 
 themselves attacked by Jackson's army, they knew they had 
 asked peace upon his own terms. When, therefore, under these 
 circumstances, they saw themselves thus assailed, they no longei 
 considered that any pacific disposition they might manifest would 
 afford them protection from danger ; and looked upon it as a 
 war of extermination, In their battles, afterwards, there is 110 
 instance of their asking for quarter, or even manifesting a di* 
 uosition to receive it. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. t>9 
 
 Understanding, now, that the whole detachment 
 from Tennessee had, by the president, been re 
 ceived into the service of the United States, he 
 persuaded himself that the difficulties he had 
 heretofore encountered would not recur. 
 
 The vo'unteers at Deposit began to manifest the 
 same unwillingness to return to their duty that the 
 militia had done, and were about to break out into 
 the same spirit of mutiny and revolt ; but were 
 restrained by an animated address by the general. 
 
 He now set out on his return to Fort Strother, 
 and was delighted to find, by the progress of the 
 works, the industry that had been used in his ab- 
 sence. But the satisfaction he felt was of short 
 continuance ; although he had succeeded in stilling 
 the tumult of the volunteers, and in prevailing on 
 them to return to their posts, it was soon discovered 
 he had not eradicated their deep-rooted aversion to 
 a further prosecution of the war. The volunteers 
 who had so lately clamoured about bread, when 
 they were no longer hungry, began to clamour, 
 with equal earnestness, about their term of service. 
 Having lately made an effort to forsake the drudg- 
 ery of the field, and failed, they were disposed to 
 avail themselves of any pretexts, seemingly plausi- 
 ble, to obtain success. They insisted that the 
 period, for which they had undertaken to act, would 
 end on the 10th of December, that being the ter- 
 mination of a year from the day they had first 
 entered into service , and, although they had fceen 
 a greater part of the time unemployed, that recess 
 was nevertheless to be taken into the computation. 
 Jackson replied, that the law of congress, under 
 which they had been accepted, requiring one year's 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 .service out of two, could contemplate nothing" less 
 than an actual service of three hundred and sixty- 
 nve days ; and, until that were performed, he could 
 not, unless specially authorized, undertake to dis- 
 charge them. Ordering General Roberts to return, 
 and fill up the deficiencies in his brigade, he now 
 despatched Colonel Carroll, and Major Searcy, one 
 of his aids-de-camp, into Tennessee, to raise vol 
 unteers for six months, or during the campaign , 
 writing to many respectable characters, he ex 
 horted them to contribute all their assistance to 
 the accomplishment of this object. To a letter, 
 just received from the Reverend Gideon Black- 
 burn, assuring him that volunteers from Tennessee 
 would eagerly hasten to his relief, if they knew 
 their services were wanted, he replied, " Reverend 
 Sir, — Your letter has been just received : I thank 
 you for it ; I thank you most sincerely. It arrived 
 at a moment when my spirits needed such a sup- 
 port. 
 
 "I left Tennessee with an army, brave, I be- 
 lieve, as any general ever commanded. I have 
 seen them in battle, and my opinion of their bravery 
 is not changed. But their fortitude — on this too I 
 relied — has been too severely tested. Perhaps 1 
 was wrong, in believing that nothing but death 
 could conquer the spirits of brave men. I am sure 
 I was ; for my men, I know, are brave ; yet priva 
 tions have rendered them discontented : — that >a 
 enough. The expedition must, nevertheless, be 
 prosecuted to a successful termination. New vol 
 unteers must be raised, to conclude what has been 
 so auspiciously begun by the old ones. Gladly 
 would I save these men from themselves, and en 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 71 
 
 sure them a harvest which they have sown; but if 
 they will abandon it to others, it must be so. 
 
 « You are good enough to say, if I need your 
 assistance, it will be cheerfully afforded : I do noed 
 it greatly. The influence you possess over the 
 minds of men is great and well-founded, and can 
 never be better applied than in summoning volun- 
 teers to the defence of their country, their liberty, 
 and their religion. While we fight the savage, 
 who makes war only because he delights in blood, 
 and who has gotten his booty, when he has scalped 
 his victim, we are, through him, contending against 
 an enemy of more inveterate character, and deeper 
 design — who would demolish a fabric cemented by 
 the blood of our fathers, and endeared to us by all 
 the happiness we enjoy. So far as my exertions 
 can contribute, the purposes, both of the savage 
 and his instigator, shall be defeated ; and, so far 
 as yours can, I hope — I know, they will be employ- 
 ed. I have said enough. — I want men, and want 
 them immediately." 
 
 He wrote to General Cocke, urging him to unite 
 with him immediately, at the Ten Islands, with 
 fifteen hundred men. He assured him that the 
 mounted men, who had returned to -the settlements 
 for subsistence, and to recruit their horses, would 
 arrive by the 12th of the month. He wished to 
 commence his operations directly, "knowing they 
 would Jbe prepared for it, and well knowing they 
 would require it." " I am astonished," he contin- 
 ued, "to hear that your supplies continue deficient 
 In the name of God, what are the contractors doing f 
 nnd about what are they engaged ? Every letter 1 
 receive from Governor Blount assures me I am to 
 receive plentiful supplies from them, aid seems to 
 
72 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 take for granted, notwithstanding all I have said to 
 the contrary, that they have been hitherto regularly 
 furnished. Considering the generous loan the 
 state has made for this purpose, and the facility of 
 procuring bread stuffs in East Tennessee, and of 
 transporting them by water to Fort Deposit, it is to 
 me wholly unaccountable that not a pound has ever 
 arrived at that place. This evil must continue no 
 longer — it must be remedied. I expect, therefore, 
 and through you must require, that in twenty days 
 they furnish at Deposit every necessary supply."* 
 
 Whilst these measures were taking, the volun- 
 teers, through several of their officers, were press- 
 ing on the consideration of the general, the ex- 
 piration of their term of service, and claiming to 
 be discharged on the 10th of the month. From 
 the colonel, who commanded the second regiment, 
 he received a letter, dated the 4th, in which was 
 attempted to be detailed their whole ground of 
 complaint. He began by stating, that, painful as it 
 was, he, nevertheless, felt himself bound to dis- 
 close an important truth ; that, on the 10th, the 
 service would be deprived of the regiment he com- 
 manded. He seemed to deplore, with great sensi- 
 bility, the scene that would be exhibited on that 
 day, should opposition be made to their departure : 
 and still more sensibly, the consequences that would 
 result from a disorderly abandonment of the camp. 
 He stated they had all considered themselves»finally 
 discharged on the 20th of April, and never knew 
 to tne contrary, until they saw his order of the 24th 
 of September, requiring them to rendezvous at 
 
 * Independent of an advantageous contract made with the 
 government, the state of Tennessee had extended to this con- 
 tractor a libera] loan, that immediate supplies might be forwaio 
 crj. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 73 
 
 Fayetteville, on the 4th of October ; for the first 
 time, they then learned that they owed further ser- 
 vices, their discharge to the contrary notwithstand- 
 ing. " Thus situated, there was considerable op- 
 position to the order ; on which the officers gener- 
 ally, as I am advised, and I know myself in partic- 
 ular, gave it as an unequivocal opinion, that their 
 term of service would terminate on the 10th of 
 December. 
 
 " They therefore look to their general, who holds 
 their confidence, for an honourable discharge on 
 that day ; and that, in every respect, he will see 
 that justice be done them." 
 
 Although this communication announced the de- 
 termination of only a part of the volunteer brig- 
 ade, he had already abundant evidence that the 
 defection was but too general. 
 
 "I know not," he observed, " what scenes will 
 be exhibited on the 10th instant, nor what con- 
 sequences are to flow from them here or else- 
 where : but, as I shall have the consciousness that 
 they are not imputable to any misconduct of mine, 
 I trust I shall have the firmness not to shrink from 
 a discharge of my duty. 
 
 " It will be well, however, for those who intend 
 to become actors in those scenes, and who are 
 about to hazard so much on the correctness of their 
 opinions, to examine beforehand, with great caution 
 and deliberation, the grounds on which their pre 
 tensions rest. Are they founded on any faiso 
 assurances of mine, or upon any deception that 
 has been practised towards them ? Was not the 
 act of congress, under which they are engaged, 
 directed, by my general order, to be read and ex- 
 pounded to them before they enrolled themselves 
 
74 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSO.N. 
 
 That order will testify, and so will the recollection 
 of every general officer of my division. It is not 
 pretended that those who now claim to be dis- 
 charged were not legally and fairly enrolled under 
 the act of congress of the 6th of February, 1812. 
 Have they performed the service required of them 
 by that act, and which they then solemnly under- 
 took to perform ? That required one year's ser- 
 vice out of two, to be computed from the day of 
 rendezvous, unless they should be sooner discharg- 
 ed. Has one year's service been performed ? This 
 cannot be seriously pretended. Have they then 
 been discharged ? It is said they have, and by me. 
 To account for so extraordinary a belief, it may be 
 
 necessary to take a review of past circumstances." 
 * ******* 
 
 To the platoon officers, who addressed him on 
 the same subject, he replied with spirited feeling ; 
 but discontent was too deeply fastened, and, by de- 
 signing men, had been too artfully fomented, to be 
 removed by any thing like argument or entreaty. 
 At length, on the evening of the 9th, General 
 Hall hastened to the tent of Jackson, with informa- 
 tion that his whole brigade was in a state of muti- 
 ny, and making preparations to move forcibly off 
 This was a measure which every consideration ot 
 policy, duty, and honour, required Jackson to op- 
 pose ; and to this purpose he instantly applied all 
 the means he possessed. He immediately issued 
 the following general order : 
 
 " The commanding general being informed thai 
 an actual mutiny exists in his camp, all officers and 
 soldiers are commanded to put it down. 
 
 " The officers and soldiers of the first brigade 
 will, without delay, parade on the west side of the 
 
LJFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 76 
 
 fort, and await further orders." The artillery com- 
 pany, with two small field-pieces, being posted in 
 the front and rear, and the militia, under the com- 
 mand of Colonel Wynne, on the eminences in 
 advance, were ordered to prevent any forcible de- 
 parture of the volunteers. 
 
 The general rode along the line, which had been 
 previously formed agreeably to his orders, and 
 addressed them, by companies, in a strain of im- 
 passioned eloquence. He feelingly expatiated on 
 their former good conduct, and the esteem and 
 applause it had secured them ; and pointed to the 
 disgrace which they must heap upon themselves, 
 their families, and country, by persisting, even if 
 they could succeed, in their present mutiny. He 
 told them, however, they should not succeed but by 
 passing over his body ; that even in opposing their 
 mutinous spirit, he should perish honourably — by 
 perishing at his post, and in the discharge of his 
 duty. " Reenforcements," he continued, " are pre- 
 paring to hasten to my assistance : it cannot be 
 long before they will arrive. I am, too, in daily 
 expectation of receiving information whether you 
 may be discharged or not — until then, you must 
 not, and shall not retire. I have done with en- 
 treaty, — it has been used long enough. — I will 
 attempt it no more. You must now determine 
 whether you will go or peaceably remain : if you 
 still persist in your determination to move forcibly 
 off, the point between us shall soon be decided." 
 At first they hesitated ; — he demanded an explicit 
 and positive answer. They still hesitated, and he 
 commanded the artillerists to prepare the match ; 
 lie himself remaining in front of the volunteers, 
 and within the line of fire, which he intended socu 
 
76 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 to order. Alarmed at his apparent determination, 
 and dreading the consequences involved in such a 
 contest ; " Let us return," was presently lisped 
 along the line, and soon after determined upon 
 The officers now came forward, and pledged them 
 selves for their men, who either nodded assent, or 
 openly exoressed a willingness to retire to their 
 quarters, and remain without further tumult, until 
 information were had, or the expected aid should 
 arrive. Thus passed away a moment of the great- 
 est peril, and pregnant with important conse- 
 quences. 
 
 Although the immediate execution of their pur- 
 pose was thus for the present prevented, it was 
 presently ascertained not to be wholly abandoned, 
 and that nothing could be expected from their 
 future fidelity and services. Jackson, therefore, 
 determined to rid himself, as soon as possible, of 
 men whose presence answered no other end than 
 to keep alive discontents in his camp. He accord- 
 ingly prepared an order to General Hall, to march 
 his brigade to Nashville, and to dispose of them as 
 he should be directed by the governor of Tennes- 
 see. Previous to promulgating this, he resolved 
 to make one further effort to retain them, and to 
 make a last appeal to their honour and patriotism 
 For this purpose, having assembled them before the 
 fort, on the 13th, he directed his aid-de-camp to 
 read an address. 
 
 Warm and feeling as was the appeal, it failed 
 of the desired effect. Captain Williamson alone 
 agreed to remain. Finding that their determina- 
 tion to abandon the service could not be changed, 
 and that every principle of patriotism was forgot- 
 ten, the general communicated his order to General 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 77 
 
 Hall, and directed him to march his brigade to 
 Nashville, and await such instructions as he migh< 
 receive from the president, or the governor of Ten- 
 nessee. 
 
 General Cocke, on the 12th, had arrived .a* Fort 
 Strother with fifteen hundred men ; but it was 
 found from his report, that no part of his troops 
 had been brought into the field under the requisition 
 of the president of the United States ; and that 
 the terra of service of the greater portion of them 
 would expire in a few days, and of the whole 
 in a few weeks. In consequence of this, he 
 was ordered into his district, to comply with that 
 requisition, and to carry back with him, and to dis- 
 charge near their homes, those of his troops, the 
 period of whose service was within a short time of 
 being ended. Colonel Lilliard's regiment, which 
 consisted of about eight hundred, and whose term 
 of service would not expire in less than four weeks, 
 was retained, to assist in defending the present 
 post, and in keeping open the communication with 
 Deposit, until the expected reenforcements should 
 arrive from Tennessee. 
 
 Meantime the cavalry and mounted riflemen, 
 who, under an express stipulation to return and 
 complete the campaign, had been permitted to re- 
 tire into the settlements, had, at the time appointed 
 re-assembled in the neighbourhood of Huntsville 
 But, catching the infection of discontent from the 
 infantry, on their return march, they began now 
 to clamour with equal earnestness for a discharge. 
 The cavalry insisted that they were as well entitled 
 to it as the infantry ; and the riflemen, that they 
 could not be held in service after the 24th, thai 
 being three months from the time they had been 
 
8 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 mustered ; and that, as that day was so near at 
 hand, it was wholly useless to advance any farther. 
 General Coffee, who was confined at Huntsville 
 by severe indisposition, employed all the means 
 which his debilitated strength would allow, to re- 
 move the dangerous impressions they had so readily 
 imbibed, and to reclaim them to a sense of honour 
 and of duty ; but all his efforts proved unavailing. 
 He immediately ordered his brigade to head-quar 
 ters : they had proceeded as far as Ditto's Ferry 
 when the greater part of them, refusing to crosa 
 the river, returned in a tumultuous manner, com- 
 mitting on the route innumerable irregularities 
 which there was no force sufficient to restrain 
 Not more than seven hundred of the brigade could 
 be gotten over ; who, having marched to Deposit, 
 were directed to be halted, until further orders 
 could be obtained from General Jackson. At this 
 place they committed the wildest extravagances ; 
 profusely wasting the public grain, which, with 
 much difficulty and labour, had been collected for 
 the purpose of the campaign ; and indulging in 
 every species of excess. Whilst thus rioting, 
 they continued to clamour vociferously for their 
 discharge. General Coffee, finding his utmost ef- 
 forts ineffectual to restrain or to quiet them, wrote 
 to Jackson, acquainting him with their conduct and 
 demands, and enclosing a petition that had been 
 aadressed to him by the rifle regiment. In his 
 letter he says, "I am of opinion the sooner they 
 can be gotten clear of the better ; they are con- 
 suming the forage that will be necessary for others, 
 and I am satisfied they will do no more good. I 
 have told them their petition would be submitted 
 to you, who would decide upon it in the shor^st 
 
LIVE OF GENERAL JACKSON 79 
 
 possible time." This was truly disagreeable news 
 to the general. On the brigade of Coffee he had 
 placed great reliance, and, from the pledges it had 
 given him, entertained no fears but that it would 
 return and act with him, as soon as he should be 
 ready to proceed. 
 
 The signers of that address, observes the gen- 
 eral, commence by saying, " that jealousy is pre- 
 vailing in our camp, with respect to the understand- 
 ing between themselves and the government rela- 
 tive to the service required of them ; and, believing 
 t to be its policy to act fairly, are of opinion that 
 a full explanation of their case will have a good 
 effect in promoting the cause in which they are 
 engaged." 
 
 There was but a single course left ; to point 
 them to the pledge they had given, and appeal di- 
 rectly to their honour, believing that if this were 
 unsuccessful, there was " nothing by which he 
 could hope to hold them." 
 
 Jackson had just received a letter from the gov- 
 ernor of Tennessee, in answer to his frequent and 
 pressing inquiries, as to the disposition which should 
 be made of the volunteers. It recommended what 
 had already, from necessity, been done ; to dis- 
 miss — not discharge them, because the latter was 
 not in the power of either of them : — nor was 
 their dismission to be given because founded in 
 right ; but because, under existing circumstances, 
 their presence could not prove beneficial, but highly 
 injurious. To induce them contentedly to remain, 
 the governor had suggested but one argument, 
 which had not already been unsuccessfully attempt- 
 ed ; « that it was very doubtful if the government 
 would pay them for the services they had already 
 
80 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 rendered, if abandoned without her authority.** 
 The letter was therefore enclosed for their in- 
 spection, accompanied with these remarks: — "I 
 have just received a letter from Governor Blount, 
 which I hasten to transmit, that you may avail 
 yourselves of whatever benefits and privileges it 
 holds out. You will perceive, that he does not 
 consider he has any power to discharge you : — 
 neither have I: — but you have my permission to 
 retire from the service, if you are still desirous, 
 and are prepared to risk the consequences." 
 
 These letters, so far from answering the desired 
 end, had a contrary effect. The governor's was 
 no sooner read, than they eagerly laid hold of it 
 to support the resolution they had already formed ; 
 and, without further ceremony or delay, abandoned 
 the campaign, with their colonel at their head, who, 
 so far from having endeavoured to reconcile them, 
 is believed, by secret artifices, to have fomented 
 their discontents. 
 
 So genera] was the dissatisfaction of this brig- 
 ade, and with such longing anxiety did they indulge 
 the hope of a speedy return to their homes, that 
 their impatience did not permit them to wait the 
 return of the messenger from head-quarters. Be- 
 fore an answer could reach General Coffee, they 
 had broken up their encampment at Deposit, re- 
 crossed the river, and proceeded four miles beyond 
 Huntsville. On receiving it, Coffee had the brig- 
 ade drawn up in solid column, and the letters, 
 together with the pledge they had given, read to 
 tnem ; after which the Reverend Mr. Blackburn 
 endeavoured in an eloquent speech, in which he 
 pointed out the ruinous consequences that were to 
 be apprehended, if they persisted in their present 
 
LIKE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 81 
 
 purpose, to recall them to a sense of duty, and of 
 honour : but. they had formed their resolution too 
 steadfastly, and had gone too extravagant lengths, 
 to be influenced by the letter, the pledge, or thi 
 speech. As to the pledge, a few said they nad 
 not authorized it to be made ; others, that, as the 
 general had not returned an immediate acceptance, 
 they did not consider themselves bound by it; but 
 the greater part candidly acknowledged, that they 
 stood committed, and were without any justification 
 for their present conduct. Thus, in a tumultuous 
 manner, they abandoned their post and their duty, 
 and, committing innumerable extravagances, re 
 gardless alike of law and decency, continued their 
 route to their respective homes. 
 
82 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Discontents o/Uie militia. — Governor Blount recommends an aban 
 donment of Hie service. — Jackson's reply to his letter. — The 
 governor takes measures for bringing out a sufficient force.— 
 Conduct of General Roberts. — His brigade retires from ser 
 \rice. — Lieutenant Kearley. — Arrival, of additional forces. — 
 Arrest of officers. — Expedition against the Indians.— His 
 motives.— Battle- of Emuclcftw. — General Coffee proceeds to 
 destroy the enemy's fortifications. — SecornJ battle of Emiwk' 
 faio. — Troops commence" their return march. — Ambuscade 
 formed by tlie Indians. — Battle of Enotichopco. 
 
 But, whilst these unfortunate events were tran 
 spiring in the rear, matters were far from wearing 
 an encouraging aspect at head-quarters. The 
 brigade of West Tennessee militia, consisting of 
 only about six hundred, imitating the evil examples 
 of others, began to turn their attention towards 
 home. Believing that three months constituted the 
 tour of duty contemplated in the act under which 
 they engaged, they insisted that it would termin- 
 ate on the 4th of the ensuing month. It is true, 
 the act had not defined the term of their engage- 
 ment ; but it had specified the object of calling 
 them out, viz. to subdue the Indians ; — and, as that 
 object had not yet been attained, it was believed, 
 that, at present, they were not entitled to a dis- 
 charge. These troops, although raised by the 
 state authorities, had been, by the particular re- 
 commendation of the legislature, received into the 
 service of the general government, under the act 
 of congress authorizing the president to call out a 
 hundred thousand militia, to serve for six months, 
 unless by his own order they should be previously 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 83 
 
 dismissed. The militia of East Tennessee, having 
 been specially mustered into service for three 
 months, would, of course, be entitled to claim then 
 dismissal at the expiration of that period ; hence 
 Colonel Lilliard's regiment, which constituted more 
 than one half the present force at head-quarters, 
 would be lost to the service on the 14th of the 
 next month. 
 
 With the failure of General Cocke, to bring into 
 the field the number and description of troops which 
 he had been ordered to raise under the requisition 
 of the president, as well as with the temper and 
 demands of those who Avere in service, Jack- 
 son kept the governor of Tennessee correctly ad- 
 vised, and omitted no opportunity of entreating 
 him, in the most pressing manner, to take the 
 earliest measures for supplying by draft, or volun- 
 tary enlistment, the present deficiency, as well as 
 that which, from every appearance, was soon to be 
 expected. To these solicitations, he had now re- 
 ceived the governor's answer, who stated, that, 
 having given an order to bring into the field fifteen 
 hundred of the detached militia, as was required by 
 the secretary of war, and a thousand volunteers, 
 under the act of the legislature of Tennessee of the 
 24th September, he did not feel himself authorized 
 to grant any new mandate, although satisfied that 
 the first had not been complied with ; that he view- 
 ed the further prosecution of the campaign, at- 
 tended as it was with so many embarrassments, a3 
 a fruitless endeavour ; and concluded by recom- 
 mending, as advisable, to withdraw the troops into 
 the settlements, and suspend all active operations 
 until the general government should provide more 
 effectual means for conducting it to a favourable 
 
84 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 result. Jackson, far from having any intention to 
 yield to this advice, determined to oppose it. Still, 
 however, he was greatly concerned at the view the 
 chief magistrate of his state seemed to take of a 
 question of such vital importance ; and immediately 
 proceeded to unfold himself fully, and to suggest 
 the course, which, he believed, on the present oc- 
 casion, it behooved them both to pursue : pointing 
 out the ruinous consequences that might be expected 
 to result from the adoption of the measure he had 
 undertaken to recommend : — he continues : 
 
 " Had your wish, that I should discharge a part 
 of my force, and retire, -with the residue, into the 
 settlements, assumed the form of a positive order, 
 it might have furnished me some apology for pur- 
 suing such a course ; but by no means a full justi- 
 fication. As you would have no power to give 
 such an order, I could not be inculpable in obeying, 
 with my eyes open to the fatal consequences that 
 would attend it. But a bare recommendation, 
 founded, as I am satisfied it must be, on the artful 
 suggestions of those fire-side patriots, who seek, in 
 a failure of the expedition, an excuse for their own 
 supineness, — and upon the misrepresentations of the 
 discontented from the army, who wish it to be be- 
 lieved, that the difficulties which overcame their pat- 
 riotism are wholly insurmountable — would afford me 
 but a feeble shield against the reproaches of my 
 country or my conscience. Believe me, my respected 
 friend, the remarks I make proceed from the purest 
 personal regard. If you would preserve your 
 reputation, or .that of the state over which you 
 preside, you must take a straight-forward, determin- 
 ed course ; regardless of the applause or censure 
 of the populace, and of the forebodings of that 
 
LIPIS OF GENERAL JACKSON. 85 
 
 dastardly and designing crew, who, at a time like 
 this, may be expected to clamour continually in 
 vour ears. The very wretches who now beset 
 you with evil counsel, will be the first, should the 
 measures which they recommend eventuate in dis- 
 aster, to call down imprecations en your head, and 
 load you with reproaches. Your country is in dan- 
 ger : — apply its resources to its defence ! Can any 
 course be more plain ? Do you, my friend, at such 
 a moment as the present, sit with your arms folded, 
 and your heart at ease, waiting a solution of your 
 iloubts, and a definition of your powers ? Do you 
 wait for special instructions from the secretary at 
 war, which it is impossible for you to receive in 
 time for the danger that threatens? How did the 
 venerable Shelby act, under similar circumstances ; 
 or, rather, under circumstances by no means so 
 critical ? Did he wait for orders to do what every 
 man of sense knew — what every patriot felt — to be 
 right ? He did not ; and yet how highly and justly 
 did the government extol his manly and energetic 
 conduct! and how dear has his name become to 
 every friend of his country ! 
 
 " You say, that an order to bring the necessary 
 quota of men into the field has been given, and that 
 of course your power ceases ; and, although you 
 are made sensible that the order has been wholly 
 neglected, you can take no measure to remedy the 
 omission. Widely different, indeed, is my opinion. 
 I consider it your imperious duty, when the men, 
 sailed for by your authority, foun led upon that of 
 the government, are known not in be in the field, 
 to see that they be brought there : and to take im- 
 mediate measures with the officer, who, charged 
 with the execution of your order, omits or neg'ecta 
 8 
 
86 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 to do it. As the executive of the state, it is your 
 duty to see that the full quota of troops be con- 
 stantly kept .'n the field, for the time they have 
 been required. You are responsible to the govern- 
 ment ; your officer to you. Of what avail is it, to 
 give an order, if it be never executed, and may be 
 disobeyed with impunity ? Is it by empty man- 
 dates that we can hope to conquer our enemies, 
 and save our defenceless frontiers from butchery 
 and devastation ? Believe me, my valued friend, 
 there are times when it is highly criminal to shrink 
 from responsibility, or scruple aoout the exercise 
 of our powers. There are times when we must 
 disregard punctilious etiquette, and think only of 
 serving our country. What is really our present 
 eituation • The enemy we have been sent to sub- 
 due may be said, if we stop at this, to be only ex- 
 asperated. The commander in chief, General Pinck- 
 ney, who supposes me by this time prepared for 
 renewed operations, has ordered me to advance 
 and form a junction with the Georgia army ; and, 
 upon the expectation that I will do so, are all his 
 arrangements formed for the prosecution of the 
 campaign. Will it do to defeat his plans, and jeop- 
 ardize the safety of the Georgia army ? The gen- 
 eral government, too, believe, and have a right to 
 believe, that we have now not less than five thou- 
 sand men in the heart of the enemy's country ; and 
 on this opinion are all their calculations bottomed ; 
 and must they all be frustrated, and I become the 
 instrument by which fa is done ? God forbid ! 
 
 " You advise me tc ^charge or dismiss from ser- 
 vice, until the will of the president can be known, 
 such portion of the militia as have rendered three 
 months' service. This advice astonishes me, even 
 
L- A O. GENERAL JACKSON. 87 
 
 more than the former. I have no such discretiona- 
 ry power ; and if I had it would be impolitic and 
 ruinous to exercise it. I believed the militia, who 
 were not specially received for a shorter period, 
 were engaged for six months, unless the objects of 
 the expedition should be sooner attained ; and in 
 this opinion I was greatly strengthened by your 
 letter of the 15th, in which you say, when answer- 
 ing my inquiry upon this subject, ' the militia are 
 detached for six months' service ;' nor did I know 
 or suppose, you had a different opinion, until the 
 arrival of your last letter. This opinion must, 1 
 suppose, agreeably to your request, be made known 
 to General Roberts's brigade, and then the conse- 
 quences are not difficult to be foreseen. Every 
 man belonging to it will abandon me on the 4th of 
 next month ; nor shall I have the means of pre- 
 venting it, but by the application of force, which, 
 under such circumstances, I shall not be at liberty 
 to use. I have laboured hard to reconcile these men 
 to a continuance in service until they could be hon- 
 ourably discharged, and had hoped I had, in a great 
 measure, succeeded ; but your opinion, operating 
 with their own prejudices, will give a sanction to 
 their conduct, and render useless any further at- 
 tempts. The., ./ill go; but I can neither discharge 
 nor dismiss them. Shall I be told, that, as they will 
 go, it may as well be peaceably permitted ? Can that 
 be any good reason why I should do an unautho- 
 rized act? Is it a good reason why I should vio- 
 late the order of my superior officer, and evince a 
 willingness to defeat the purposes of my govern- 
 ment ? And wherein does the ' sound policy' of 
 the measures that have been recommended consist' 
 or in what way ?re they 'likely to pron ote the 
 
SS LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 public good ?' Is it sound policy to abandon a con- 
 quest thus far made, and deliver up to havoc, or add 
 to the number of our enemies, those friendly Creeks 
 and Cherokees, who, relying on our protection, have 
 espoused our cause, and aided us with their arms ? 
 [s it good policy to turn loose upon our defenceless 
 frontiers five thousand exasperated savages, to reek 
 their hands once more in the blood of our citizens ? 
 What ! retrograde under such circumstances ! I 
 will perish first. No ; I will do my duty : I will 
 hold the posts I have established, until ordered to 
 abandon them by the commanding general, or die 
 in the struggle ; — long since have I determined not 
 to seek the preservation of life at the sacrifice of 
 reputation. 
 
 " But our frontiers, it seems, are to be defended ; 
 and by whom ? By the very force that is now re 
 commended to be dismissed : for I am first told to 
 retire into the settlements and protect the frontiers , 
 next, to discharge my troops ; and then, that no 
 measures can be taken for raising others. No, my 
 friend, if troops be given me, it is not by loitering 
 on the frontiers that I will seek to give protection 
 — they are to be defended, if defended at all, in a 
 very different manner ; — by carrying the war into 
 the heart of the enemy's country. All other hopes 
 of defence are more visionary than dreams. What, 
 then, is to be done ? I'll tell you what. You have 
 only to act w T ith the energy and decision the crisis 
 demands, and all will be well. Send me a force 
 engaged for six months, and I w r ill answer for the 
 result ; — but withhold it, and all is lost, — the repu- 
 tation of the state, and your's, and mine along with 
 it." 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 8*> 
 
 This letter had considerable effect with the gov- 
 ernor. On receiving it, he immediately determined 
 on a course of greater efficiency, and ordered from 
 the second division twenty-five hundred of the mi- 
 litia, for a tour of three months, to rendezvous at 
 Fayetteville on the 28th of January. The com- 
 mand was given to Brigadier-General Johnston, with 
 orders to proceod, without delay, to Fort Strother. 
 He instructed General Cocke to execute the order 
 he had received from Jackson, for raising from his 
 division his required quota of troops, and to bring 
 them to the field as early as possible. 
 
 General Roberts, who had been ordered back to 
 supply the deficiencies in his brigade, returned on 
 the 27th with one hundred and ninety-one men, 
 mustered for three months. Having halted them 
 a few miles in rear of the camp, he proceeded 
 thither himself, to learn of the commanding general, 
 whether the troops he had brought on would be re- 
 ceived for the term they had stipulated, as they 
 were unwilling to advance farther until this point 
 was settled. Jackson answered, that although he 
 greatly preferred they should be engaged for six 
 months, yet he had no wish to alter any engagement 
 made with General Roberts, and would gladly re- 
 ceive them for that period. Notwithstanding this 
 assurance, for some unknown cause, they suddenly 
 formed the determination to return home, without 
 gaining even a sight of the camp. To the miscon- 
 duct of their general, was it justly to be attributed. 
 
 The careless indifference with which General 
 Roberts had first treated the affair had subsided ; 
 and his fears took the alarm on receiving from Gen- 
 eral Jackson an order to parade immediately before 
 the fort the men he had reported as brought into 
 8* 
 
r iO LIFE OF GENERAL JACRSON 
 
 the field. He came forward to excuse what had 
 happened, and to solicit permission to go in pursuit 
 of the refugees. Overtaking them, at the distance 
 of twenty miles, he endeavoured, in a very gentle 
 manner, to soothe their discontents, and prevail on 
 them to return ; but, having been discharged, they 
 laughed at the folly of his errand. Unable to 
 effect his object, he remained with them during the 
 night ; and in the morning set out for camp, and his 
 new recruits for home. On arriving at head-quar- 
 ters, he ascribed his failure to the practices of cer- 
 tain officers, whom he named, and who, he said, 
 had stirred up a spirit of mutiny and desertion 
 among the men to such a degree, that all his efforts 
 to retain them had proved unavailing. Jackson, 
 who could not view this incident with the same 
 indifference that Roberts did, immediately issued an 
 order, directing him to proceed, forthwith, in pur- 
 suit of the deserters, and have them brought back. 
 In the execution of this order, he was commanded 
 to call to his aid any troops in the United States' 
 service within the county of Madison, or in the state 
 of Tennessee, and to exert all his power and au- 
 thority, as a military officer, within his own brigade , 
 and, in the event he should not be able to collect 
 a sufficient force to march them safely to head- 
 quarters, to confine them in jails, and make a re- 
 port thereof without delay. This order was ac- 
 companied with an assurance, that all who should 
 return willingly to their duty, except those officers 
 who had been reported as the instigators, would be 
 pardoned. Many of the men, and several of the 
 officers, who had been charged as encouraging the 
 -evolt, learning the nature of the proceedings which 
 were about to be enforced against them, returned of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 91 
 
 their own accord to camp ; and concurred in as- 
 cribing their late misconduct entirely to their gen- 
 eral. He was afterwards arrested, and, upon this 
 and other charges exhibited against him, sentenced 
 by a court-martial to be cashiered. 
 
 The day arrived, when that portion of the militia, 
 which had continued in service, claimed to be dis- 
 charged ; and insisted that, whether this were given 
 to them or not, they would abandon the campaign, 
 and return home. Jackson believed them not en- 
 titled to it, and hence, that he had no right to give 
 it ; but, since Governor Blount had said differently, 
 and his opinion had been promulgated, he felt it to 
 be improper that he should attempt the exercise of 
 authority to detain them. Nevertheless, believing 
 it to be his duty to keep them, he issued a general 
 order, commanding all persons in the service of the 
 Uniced States, under his command, not to leave the 
 encampment without his written permission, under 
 the penalties annexed, by the rules and articles of 
 war, to the crime of desertion. This was accom- 
 panied by an address, in which they were exhorted, 
 by all those motives which he supposed would be 
 most likely to have any influence, to remain at 
 their posts until they could be legally discharged 
 Neither the order nor the address availed any thing. 
 On the morning of the 4th of January, the officer 
 of the day reported, that on visiting his guard, half 
 after ten o'clock, he found neither the officer, (Lieu- 
 tenant Kearley,) nor any of the sentinels at their 
 posts. Upon this information, General Jackson or- 
 dered the arrest of Kearley, who refused to sur- 
 render his sword, alleging it should protect him to 
 Tennessee : that he was a free man, and not subject 
 to the orders of General Jackson, or any body elso 
 
92 LIFE CF GENERAL JACiiSON. 
 
 This being made known to the general, he issued, 
 immediately, this order to the adjutant-general : 
 " You will forthwith cause the guards to parade, 
 with Captain Gordon's company of spies, and arrest 
 Lieutenant Kearley ; and, in case you shall be re- 
 6isted in the execution of this order, you are com- 
 manded to oppose force to force, and arrest him at 
 all hazards. Spare the effusion of blood, if possi- 
 ble ; but mutiny must and shall be put down." 
 Colonel Sitler, with the guards and Gordon's com- 
 pany, immediately proceeded in search, and found 
 him at the head of his company, on the lines, which 
 were formed, and about to be marched off. He 
 was ordered to halt, but refused. The adjutant 
 general, finding it necessary, directed the guards 
 to stop him ; and again demanded his sword, which 
 he again refused to deliver. The guards were com- 
 manded to fire on him if he did not immediately de- 
 liver it, and had already cocked their guns. At 
 this order, the lieutenant cocked his, and his men 
 followed the example. General Jackson, informed 
 of what was passing, had hastened to the scene, 
 and, arriving at this moment, personally demanded 
 of Kearley his sword, which he still obstinately re 
 fused to deliver. Incensed at his conduct, anC 
 viewing the example as too dangerous to be passed 
 in silence, he snatched a pistol from his holster 
 and was already levelling it at the breast of Kear 
 ley, when the adjutant-general, interposing between 
 them, urged him to surrender his sword. At this 
 moment, a friend of the lieutenant, who was present, 
 drew it from the scabbard, and presented it to ( /clo- 
 nel Sitler, who refused to receive it. It was then 
 returned to Kearley, who now delivered it, and was 
 placed under guard. During this crisis, both par- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 93 
 
 ties remained with their arms ready, and prepared 
 for firing ; and a scene of bloodshed was narrowly 
 escaped. 
 
 Kearley, confined, and placed under guard, be 
 came exceedingly penitent, and supplicated the 
 general for a pardon. He stated that the absence 
 of the sentinels from their post had been owing to 
 the advice of the brigade-major ; that not delivering 
 his sword, when first demanded, was attributable to 
 the influence of others, who had persuaded him it 
 was not his duty to do so ; that he had afterwards 
 come to the determination to surrender himself, but 
 was dissuaded by those who assured him it would 
 oe a sacrifice of character, and that they would 
 share, and protect him, in the hour of danger ; why 
 ae still resisted, in the presence of the general, 
 was, that, being at the head of his company, and 
 laving undertaken to carry them home, he was re- 
 strained, at the moment, by a false idea of honour. 
 This application was aided by certificates of several 
 of the most respectable officers then in camp, at- 
 testing his previously uniform good behaviour, -^u 
 expressing a belief that his late misconduct was 
 wholly to be attributed to the interference of others. 
 Influenced by these reasons, the general thought 
 proper to order his liberation, and his sword to be 
 restored. Never was a man more sensible of the 
 favour he had received, or more devoted to his 
 Oenefactor, than he afterwards became. 
 
 While these proceedings were taking place, the 
 rest of the brigade, with the exception of Captain 
 Willis's company, and twenty-nine of his men, con- 
 tinued their march towards home, leaving behind, 
 for the further prosecution of the campaign, and 
 the defence of Fort Strother, a single rsgiment of 
 
44 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 militia, whose term of service was within a few 
 weeks of expiring ; two small companies of spies, 
 and one of artillery. 
 
 Difficulties were constantly pressing ; and whilst 
 one moment gave birth to expectation, the next 
 served but to destroy it. Jackson had been ad- 
 vised, and was buoyed by the hope, that adequate 
 numbers would shortly come to his relief; and, un- 
 til this could be accomplished, it was desirable to 
 retain those who then were with him, to give to 
 his posts increased protection. Whilst measures 
 were adopting in Tennessee to effect this fully, 
 about a thousand volunteers were moving out, to 
 preserve an appearance of opposition, and keep se- 
 cure what had been already gained. With this 
 force, added to what he already had. if in his power 
 to keep them, he believed he would be able to ad- 
 vance on the enemy, make a diversion in favour of 
 the Georgia army, and obtain other important advan- 
 tages. With this view, he had addressed this regi- 
 ment, and brought before thern such considerations 
 as might be supposed calculated to excite a soldier's 
 ardour. But they almost unanimously refused to re- 
 main beyond the period of their engagement. 
 
 As nothing but an unnecessary consumption of 
 supplies was now to be expected from detaining 
 troops so spiritless, orders were given for taking up 
 the line of march to Fort Armstrong, on the 10th ; 
 whence they were directed to proceed to Knox- 
 ville, and receive orders for their discharge. 
 
 Meantime, the volunteers, lately raised, had ar- 
 rived at Huntsville, where they had been directed 
 to remain until sufficient supplies could be had at 
 head quarters. Could they have proceeded direct- 
 ly on, they would have reached the general suffi 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 95 
 
 ciently early to have enabled him to proceed against 
 the enemy before the period at which the remnant 
 of his troops would have been entitled to a dis- 
 charge. His exertions to have in readiness the 
 arrangements necessary to the accomplishment of 
 this end, had been indefatigable. General Cocke 
 had been directed to give instructions to his quar- 
 ter-master, to forward to Fort Strother such pro- 
 visions as should arrive at Fort Armstrong ; to pro- 
 ceed thence to Ross s, and make arrangements for 
 the speedy transportation, from that place to De 
 posit, of all the bread stuff which the contractor 
 had been required to collect at that depot ; and to 
 have procured a competent supply of that article, 
 as well for the troops then in the field, as for those 
 which had been ordered to be raised. The more 
 certainly to effect this object, he had, on the 20th 
 of December, despatched his own quarter-master 
 and adjutant-general to Deposit and Huntsville, tc 
 push on what should be collected at those places ; 
 and had, at the same time, despatched one of 
 the sub-contractors from camp, with directions to 
 examine the situation of the different depots ; and, 
 if found insufficient to meet the requisition he had 
 made, to proceed immediately to the settlements 
 in Tennessee, and procure the necessary supplies. 
 To the contractors themselves he had addressed 
 orders and exhortations almost without number • 
 and, indeed, from every source, and through every 
 channel that the hope of relief could be discerned, 
 had he directed his exertions to obtain it. 
 
 On the second of January, Colonel Carroll and 
 Mr. Blackburn arrived at head-quarters, to receive 
 instructions how the volunteers should be organized 
 and brought up. Having reported their strength U» 
 
'j( LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 bo eight hundred and fifty, they were directed to 
 aave them formed, as had been desired, into two 
 regiments, under officers of their own choice ; and 
 an order was put into their hands, requiring Gene- 
 ral Coffee, who was then at Huntsville, to march 
 them to Fort Strother, by the 10th instant. That 
 officer, whose feelings had been sufficiently har- 
 rowed by the late conduct, and defection of his 
 brigade, learning that those troops were unwilling 
 for him to have command of them, had expressed a 
 wish to General Jackson that it might not be as- 
 signed him ; in consequence of which, and their own 
 request, the latter had determined, after their arri- 
 val at his camp, that there should be no intermediate 
 commander over them, between their colonels and 
 himself. With this proposed arrangement, those 
 gentlemen had been instructed to make the troops 
 acquainted ; and were particularly requested to use 
 their best endeavours to remove any erroneous im- 
 pressions that might have been made upon their 
 minds. 
 
 General Coffee, having received the instructions 
 of General Jackson, immediately gave orders to 
 Colonels Perkins and Higgins, who had been chosen 
 to the command of the two regiments, to inarch di- 
 rectly for head-quarters. To his entire astonish- 
 ment, both these officers refused to obey ; alleg- 
 ing, in a written statement they made, that Geneial 
 Coffee had no right to exercise command over them, 
 and that they would disregard any he might at- 
 tempt to claim. One of them not only refused obe- 
 dience to the order, but even went so far as to r« 
 fuse to return it, or permit the brigade-inspector to 
 take a copy ; thereby placing it out of his power tc 
 make it known to the rest of the brigade. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 97 
 
 Unwilling as Coffee was to create any additional 
 perplexities to the commanding general, he felt 
 himself constrained to demand the arrest of those 
 officers. ♦ 
 
 Notwithstanding the weighty considerations 
 which had been urged to produce an expeditious 
 movement, it was not until the 13th that those offi- 
 cers, with their regiments, reached head-quarters. 
 Finding they were likely to be noticed, on charges 
 which their better-informed friends advised would 
 not only deprive them of command, but involve 
 them in disgrace, they immediately made an hon- 
 ourable concession, in which they pleaded igno- 
 rance of military duty, as an excuse for their mis- 
 conduct. 
 
 The whole effective force consisted, at this time, 
 by the reports, of little more than nine hundred 
 men. 
 
 Being addressed by the general, on the 15th, 
 the mounted troops commenced their march to We- 
 hogee Creek, three miles from the fort. Jackson, 
 with his staff, and the artillery company, joined 
 them next morning, and continued the line of march 
 to Talladega, where about two hundred friendh 
 Indians, Cherokees and Creeks, badly armed, and 
 much discouraged at the weakness of his force, 
 were added to his numbers, without increasing 
 much his strength. Seldom, perhaps, has there 
 been an expedition undertaken, fraught with great- 
 er peril. Nine hundred new recruits, entirely un- 
 acquainted with the duties of the field, were to be 
 inarched into the heart of an enemy's country, 
 without a single hope of escape, but from victory, 
 and that victory not to be expected, but from tne 
 wisest precaution, and most determined bravery 
 
98 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 Although so obviously pregnant with danger, to 
 march was the only alternative that could be adopt- 
 ed. No ether could afford a diversion favourable 
 to General Floyd, who was advancing with the ar- 
 my from Georgia, or give favourable results to the 
 campaign, without which it must soon have been 
 abandoned, for want of men to prosecute it. An- 
 other reason rendered such a movement indispen- 
 sable. The officer commanding at Fort Armstrong 
 had received intelligence, that the warriors from 
 fourteen or fifteen towns on the Tallapoosa were 
 about to unite their forces, and attack that place : 
 which, for the want of a sufficient garrison, was in 
 a defenceless situation. Of this General Jackson 
 had been advised. The present movement, hazard- 
 ous as it was, was indispensable, and could alone 
 prevent the execution of such a purpose. On reach- 
 ing Talladega, he received a letter from the com- 
 mandant at Fort Armstrong, confirmatory of the 
 first information. One also from Geaeral Pinckney, 
 by express, arrived, advising him that Floyd, on the; 
 I Oth instant, would move from Coweta, and, in ten 
 days thereafter, establish a position at Tuckabat- 
 chee ; and recommended, if his force would allow 
 him to do no more, that he should advance against 
 such of the enemy's towns as might be within con- 
 venient distance ; that, by having his troops em- 
 ployed, he might keep disaffection from his ranks, 
 and be, at the same time, serviceably engaged in 
 harassing the enemy. If, therefore, he could have 
 hes'tated before, there was now no longer any room 
 -o do so. By an expeditious movement, he might 
 save Fort Armstrong, and render an essential ser- 
 vice to General Floyd, by detaching a part of the 
 clans destined to proceed against him. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. . 99 
 
 As he progressed on the march, a want of the 
 necessary knowledge in his pilots, of subordination 
 in his troops, and skill in the officers who com- 
 manded them, became more and more apparent ; 
 but still their ardour to meet the enemy was not 
 abated. 
 
 On the evening of the 21st, sensible, from the 
 trails he had fallen in upon, fresh, and converging 
 to a point, that he must be in the neighbourhood of 
 the enemy, Jackson encamped his little army in a 
 hollow square, on an eligible site, upon the eminen- 
 ces of Emuckfaw, sent out his spies, posted his 
 pickets, doubled his sentinels, and made the neces- 
 sary arrangements to guard against attack. About 
 midnight the spies came in and reported they had 
 discovered a large encampment of Indians, at about 
 three miles distance, who, from their whooping and 
 dancing, were no doubt apprized of his arrival. 
 Every thing was ready for their reception, if they 
 meditated an attack, or to pursue in the morning, 
 if they did not. At the dawn of day, the alarm- 
 guns of our sentinels, succeeded by shrieks and 
 savage yells, announced their presence. They 
 commenced a furious assault on the left flank, com- 
 manded by Colonel Higgins, which was met with 
 great firmness. General Coffee, and Colonels Car- 
 roll and Sitler, instantly repaired to the point of 
 attack, and, by example and exhortation, encouraged 
 the men to a performance of their duty. The ac- 
 tion raged for half an hour; the brunt of which 
 being against the left wing, it had become consid- 
 erably weakened. It being now sufficiently light 
 to ascertain the position of the enemy, and Cap- 
 tain FerriPs company having rcenforced the left 
 wing, the whole charge 1, under General Coffee, 
 
100 . I.iFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 and a route immediately ensued. The friendly 
 Indians joining- in the pursuit, they were chased 
 about two miles, with considerable loss. We had 
 five killed, and twenty wounded. Until it became 
 light enough to discern objects, our troops derived 
 considerable advantage from their camp fires ; these 
 laving been placed at some distance without the 
 encampment, afforded a decided superiority in a 
 night attack, by enabling those within to fire with 
 great accuracy on an approaching enemy, whilst 
 they themselves remained invisible. 
 
 The pursuit being over, Jackson detached Cof- 
 fee, with the Indians, and four hundred men, to 
 destroy the enemy's encampment, unless he should 
 find it too strongly fortified ; in which event, he 
 was to give information immediately, and wait the 
 arrival of the artillery. Coffee, having recon- 
 noitred this position, and found it too strong to be 
 assailed with the force he commanded, returned to 
 camp. He had not returned more than half an 
 hour, when a severe fire was made upon the pickets, 
 posted on the right, accompanied with prodigious 
 yelling. General Coffee proceeded to turn the left 
 flank of the assailants. This detachment being 
 taken from different corps, he placed himself at 
 their head, and moved briskly forward. Those in 
 the rear, availing themselves of this circumstance, 
 continued to drop off, one by one, without his 
 knowledge, until the whole number left with him 
 did not exceed fifty. It was fortunate that the 
 force of the enemy he had first to attack was not 
 greater. He found them occupying a ridge of 
 open pine timber, covered with low underwood, 
 which afforded them many opportunities for con- 
 cealment. To deprive them of this advantage, 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 101 
 
 Coffee ordered his men to dismount and charge 
 them. This order was promptly obeyed, and some 
 loss sustained in its execution ; the general himself 
 was wounded through the body, and his aid, Major 
 Donelson, killed by a ball through the head ; — three 
 of his men also fell. The enemy, driven back by 
 the charge, took refuge on the margin of a creek, 
 covered with reeds, where they lay concealed. 
 
 The saveges, having intended the attack on the 
 right as a feint, now, with their main force, which 
 had been concealed, made a violent onset on our 
 left line, which they hoped to find in disorder. 
 General Jackson, however, who had apprehended 
 their design, was prepared to meet it: this line 
 had been ordered to remain firm in its position ; 
 and, when the first gun was heard in that quarter, 
 he repaired thither in person, and strengthened it 
 by additional forces. The first advance of the 
 enemy was sustained with firmness, and opposed 
 with great gallantry. The battle was now main- 
 tained on the part of the assailants, by quick and 
 irregular firing, from behind logs, trees, shrubbery. 
 and whatever could afford concealment : behind 
 these, prostrating themselves after firing, and re- 
 loading, they would rise and p.gain discharge their 
 guns. After sustaining their fire in this way for 
 some time, a charge, to dislodge them from their 
 position, was ordered : and the whole line under 
 Colonel Carroll, by a most brilliant and steady 
 movement, threw them into confusion, and they fled 
 precipitately away. 
 
 In the mean time, General Coffee had been en 
 deavouring to drive the savages on the right from 
 the fastnesses into which they had retired : but, find- 
 ing that this could not be done without hazard and 
 9* 
 
102 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 loss, he began to retire towards the place where 
 he had first dismounted. This expedient, designed 
 for stratagem, produced the desired effect. The 
 enemy, inspirited by the movement, presuming it 
 a retreat, forsook their hiding-places, and rapidly 
 advanced upon him. That officer immediately 
 availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded 
 of contending with them again on equal terms ; 
 and a severe conflict commenced, and continued 
 about an hour, in which the loss on both sides was 
 nearly equal. At this critical juncture, when seve- 
 ral of the detachments had been killed, many 
 wounded, and the whole greatly exhausted with 
 fatigue, the dispersion of the enemy being effect- 
 ed on the left, a reenforcement was despatched by 
 General Jackson, which, making its appearance on 
 the enemy's left flank, put an end to the contest. 
 General Coffee, although severely wounded, still 
 continued the fight, and, availing himself of the ar- 
 rival of this additional strength, instantly ordered a 
 charge ; when the enemy, foreseeing their doom 
 fled in consternation, and were pursued with dread- 
 ful slaughter. It is believed that at this place 
 none escaped. Thus drew to a close a day of 
 almost continual fighting.* 
 
 Having buried the dead, and dressed the wound- 
 ed, preparations were made to guard against an at- 
 
 * The Indians had designed their plan of operations well, 
 though the execution did not succeed. It was intended to bring 
 on ihe attack at three different points, at the same time ; but a 
 party of the Chealegrans, one of the tribes which compose the 
 Creek confederacy, who had been ordered to assail the right ex- 
 tremity of our front line, instead of doing so, thought it more pru- 
 dent to proceed to their villages, happy to have passed, undis- 
 covered, the point they had been ordered to attack. But for this. 
 the contest might have terminated less advantageously, perhaps 
 disastrously. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 103 
 
 tack by night, by erecting a breast-work of timber 
 around the encampment ; a measure the more 
 necessary, as the spirits of our troops, most of 
 whom had never before been in collision with an 
 enemy, were observed visibly to flag, towards the 
 evening. Indeed, during the night, it was with 
 the utmost difficulty the sentinels could be main- 
 tained at their posts, who, expecting every minute 
 the appearance of the enemy, would, at the least 
 noise, lire and run in. The enemy, however, whose 
 spies were around our encampment all night, did 
 not think proper to attack us in this position, and 
 the morning broke without disturbance. The next 
 day, General Jackson began to think of returning 
 to the Ten Islands. Many reasons concurred to 
 render such a measure proper. 
 
 Jackson ordered litters to be formed for the 
 transportation of the sick and wounded, and other 
 necessary preparations to be made for a return 
 march. Every thing being ready, it was com- 
 menced at ten o'clock the next morning, and con- 
 tinued without interruption until nearly night, 
 when the army was encamped a quarter of a mile 
 on the south side of Enotichopco Creek, in the di- 
 rection to the ford. 
 
 As it was evident the enemy had been in pursuit 
 during the day, a breast-work was thrown up, with 
 the utmost expedition, and arrangements made to 
 repel their attempts, should they meditate an at- 
 tack, in the course of the night, or on the succeed- 
 ing morning. From a knowledge that they had 
 been hanging on his rear, during the march of the 
 preceding day, the general was led to conjecture 
 that an ambuscade had been prepared, and that an 
 attack would be made on him whilst crossing the 
 
104 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 creek in his front. Near the crossing place was 
 a deep ravine, formed by the projection of two 
 nills, overgrown with thick shrubbery and brown 
 sedge, which afforded every convenience for con- 
 cealment. Along this route, the army, in going out, 
 had passed ; Jackson determined to take a different 
 route ; he secretly despatched, early next morning, 
 a few pioneers, to designate another crossing place 
 below. A suitable one was discovered, about six 
 hundred yards from the old one ; and thither the 
 general now led his army; having, previously to 
 commencing the march, formed his columns, and 
 the front and rear guards, that he might be in an 
 attitude for defence. 
 
 A beautiful slope of open woodland led down 
 to the newly discovered ford, where, except im- 
 mediately on the margin of the creek, which was 
 covered with a few reeds, there was nothing to ob- 
 struct the view. The front guards, and part of 
 the columns, had passed ; the wounded were also 
 over, and the artillery just entering the creek, 
 when an alarm-gun was heard in the rear. The 
 Indians, unexpectedly finding the route was chang- 
 ed, quitted the defile, where they had expected to 
 commence the assault, and advanced upon a com- 
 pany, under the command of Captain Russell, which 
 marched in the rear. Though assailed by supe- 
 rior numbers, it returned the fire, and gradually 
 retired, until it reached the rear guard, who, ac- 
 cording to express instructions given, were, in the 
 event of an attack, to face about, and act as the 
 advance ; whilst the right and left columns should 
 l»e turned on their pivots, so as completely to loop 
 the enemy, and render his destruction sure. The 
 ▼ight column of the rear guard was commanded by 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKbON. 10) 
 
 Colonel Perkins, the lefl by Lieutenant-Colone* 
 Stump, and the centre column by Colonel Carroll. 
 Jackson was just passing the stream when the firing 
 and yelling commenced. Having instructed his 
 aid-de-camp to form a line for the protection of the 
 wounded, who were but a short distance in ad 
 vance, and afterwards to turn the left column, he 
 himself proceeded to the right, for a similar pur- 
 pose. What was his astonishment, when, resting 
 in the hope of certain victory, he beheld the right 
 and left columns of the rear guard, after a feeble 
 resistance, precipitately give way, bringing with 
 them confusion and dismay, and entirely obstruct- 
 ing the passage, over which the principal strength 
 of the army was to be re-crossed ! This shamefiJ 
 flight was well nigh being attended with the most 
 fatal consequences ; which were alone averted by 
 the determined bravery of a few. Nearly the 
 whole of the centre column had followed the ex 
 ample of the other two, and precipitated themselves 
 into the creek ; not more than twenty remained to 
 oppose the violence of the first assault. The ar- 
 tillery company, commanded by Lieutenant Arm- 
 strong, composed of young men of the first families, 
 who had volunteered their services at the com- 
 mencement of the campaign, formed with their 
 muskets before the piece of ordnance they had, and 
 hastily dragged it from the creek to an eminence, 
 from which they could play to advantage. Here 
 an obstinate conflict ensued; the enemy endeav- 
 ouring to charge and take it, whilst this company 
 formed with their muskets, and resolutely defended 
 These young men, the few who remained with 
 Colonel Carroll, and the gallant Captain Quarles* 
 who fell at their bead, with Russell's spies, not ex 
 
106 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 eccding m the whole one hundred, maintained, witL 
 the utmost firmness, a contest, for many minutes 
 against a force five times greater than their own 
 and checked the advance of the foe. The brave 
 Lieutenant Armstrong fell at the side of his piece 
 by a wound in the groin, and exclaimed, as he 
 lay, " Some of you must perish ; but don't lose the 
 gun." By his side fell, mortally wounded, his as- 
 sociate and friend, Bird Evans, and the gallant 
 Captain Hamilton ; who, having been abandoned by 
 his men, at Fort Strother, with his two brothers and 
 his aged father, had attached himself to the artillery 
 company, as a private, and, in that capacity, showed 
 how well be deserved to command by the fidelity 
 with which he obeyed. Perilous as the hour was, 
 this little heroic band evinced themselves cool and 
 collected as they were bravt? in battle. In the 
 confusion of the moment, the rammer and pricker 
 of the cannon could not be disengaged from the 
 carriage ; in this situation, and at such a time, the 
 invention of most young soldiers might have failed . 
 but, nothing fearing, Craven Jackson and Constan 
 nine Perkins drove home the cartridges with a 
 musket, and with the ramrod prepared them for 
 the match. In the mean time, while the conflict 
 was thus unequally sustained, General Jackson and 
 his staff had been enabled, by great exertions, to 
 restore something like order, from confusion. The 
 columns were again formed, and put in motion : 
 and small detachments had been sent across the 
 creek to support the little band that there main- 
 tained their ground. The enemy, perceiving a 
 strong force advancing, and being warmly assailed 
 on their left flank by Captain Gordon, at the head 
 of his company of spies, were stricken with alarm. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 107 
 
 pud fled away, leaving behind their blankets, and 
 whatever was likely to retard their flight. J)e- 
 cachments were ordered on the pursuit, who, in a 
 chase of two miles, destroyed many, and wholly 
 dispersed them. 
 
 In despite of the active exertions made by Gene- 
 ral Jackson to restore order, they were, for some 
 rime, unavailing. In addition to the assistance re- 
 seived from his staff, he derived much from the aid 
 jf General Coffee. That officer, in consequence 
 jf the wound which he had received at Emuckfaw, 
 lad, the day before, been carried in a litter. From 
 .he apprehensions indulged, that an attack would 
 probably be made upon them that morning, he had 
 proceeded from the encampment on horseback, and 
 Aided, during the action, with his usual deliberate 
 firmness. Indeed, all the officers of his brigade 
 rendered manifest, now, the value of experience. 
 This was not a moment for rules of fancied eti- 
 quette. The very men, who, a little time before, 
 would have disdained advice, and spurned an ordei 
 from any but their own commanders, did not scru- 
 ole, amidst the peril that surrounded them, to be 
 regulated by those who seemed to be so much bet- 
 ter qualified for extricating them from their present 
 danger. The hospital surgeon, Dr. Shelby, ap- 
 peared in the fight, and rendered important military 
 services. The adjutant-general, S:tler, hastened 
 across the creek in the early part of the action, 
 •o the artillery company, for which he felt all the 
 esprit de corps, having been once attached to it ; 
 And there remained, supporting them in their duties, 
 ind participating in their dangers. Captain Gor- 
 don, too, contributed greatly to dispel the peril of 
 the moment, by his active sally on the left flank of 
 
108 LIFE OF UE.NERAL JALRSQJV. 
 
 the savage?. Of the general himself, it is scaicely 
 necessary to remark, that, but for him, every thing- 
 must have gone to ruin. On him all hopes were 
 rested. In that moment of confusion, he was the 
 rallying point, even for the spirits of the brave 
 Firm and energetic, and, at the same time, perfect- 
 ly self-possessed, his example and authority alike 
 contributed to arrest the flying, and give confidence 
 to those who maintained their ground. Cowards 
 forgot their panic, and fronted danger, when they 
 heard his voice and beheld his manner ; and the 
 brave would have formed round his body a ram- 
 part with their own. In the midst of showers of 
 balls, of which he seemed unmindful, he was seen 
 performing the duties of the subordinate officers, 
 rallying the alarmed, halting them in their flight, 
 forming his columns, and inspiriting them by his 
 example. An army suddenly dismayed, and thrown 
 into confusion, was thus happily rescued from a de- 
 struction which lately appeared inevitable. Our 
 total loss, in the several engagements, on the 22d, 
 and this day, was only twenty killed, and seventy- 
 five wounded, some of whom, however, afterwards 
 died. The loss of the enemy cannot be accurately 
 stated. The bodies of one hundred and eighty- 
 nine of their warriors were found ; this, however, 
 may be considered as greatly below the real num- 
 ber ; nor can their wounded be even conjectured. 
 The greatest slaughter was in the pursuit. Scat- 
 tered through the heights and hollows, many of the 
 wounded escaped, and many of the killed were not 
 ascertained. It is certain, however, as was after- 
 wards disclosed by prisoners, that considerably 
 more than two hundred of those who, on this oc- 
 rowion. went out to battle, never returned ; but 
 
LIFE OF GENERA 1 JACKSON. 10P 
 
 those who did return, unwilling it should be known 
 that so many were killed, feeling it might dispirit 
 the nation, endeavoured to have it believed, and so 
 represented it, that they had proceeded on some 
 distant expedition, and would be for some time ab- 
 sent. 
 
 The army encamped, on the night of the 26th 
 within three miles of Fort Strother. Thus termi 
 nated an expedition replete with peril, but attended 
 with effects highly beneficial. Fort Armstrong was 
 •elieved ; General Floyd enabled to gain a victory 
 tt Autossee, where he would most probably have 
 -•net defeat ; a considerable portion of the enemy's 
 Oest forces had been destroyed ; and an end put 
 Co the hopes they had founded on previous delays 
 Discontent had been kept from the ranks ; the 
 troops had been beneficially employed : and inac 
 tivity, the bane of every array, had been avoided. 
 10 
 
110 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 'I'lie vorunteers are discharged. — New troc)is arrive — Exeat 
 lion of a soldier, and thtjwecl ■produced. — Want of supplies. — 
 Mutiny with the East Tennessee brigade. — General Jackson 
 marches agunst the Indians. — Battle of Tohopeka. — Returns to 
 Fort Williams. — Expedition to Hoithlewalee ; its failure, and 
 the causes. — Forms a Junction with the Georgia troops, and pro 
 ceedstothe Hickory Ground. — Indians sue for peace. — Weather- 
 ford surrenders himself. — Arrival of General Pinckney at 
 head-quarters. -~ Tennessee troops are ordered to be marched 
 home, and discliarged from service. 
 
 The troops having reached the post whence, 
 they had set out, the general determined to dis- 
 charge them. The information from Tennessee 
 «vas, that there would soon be in the field a consid- 
 erable force, enlisted for a period sufficient to effect 
 a termination of the Indian war. He was desiious 
 of having every thing in readiness by the time of 
 their arrival, that they might be carried without 
 delay into active service. Detaining his late vol- 
 unteers, therefore, a short time, to complete boats 
 for the transportation of his camp equipage and 
 provisions down the Coosa, he directed them to be 
 marched home, and there to be honourably dis- 
 missed. The further service of his artillery com- 
 pany was also dispensed with. His parting inter- 
 view with them was interesting*and affecting. 
 
 A letter from Jackson to Governor Blount, adde( J 
 to his own sense of the importance of the crisis, 
 had induced him to issue an order on the 3d, direct- 
 ing tv venty-five hundred of the militia of the second 
 division to be detached, organized, and equipped, 
 in conformity to an act of congress of the 6th ov 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. Ill 
 
 April, 1812. These were to perform a tour of 
 three months, to be computed from the time of 
 rendezvous, appointed to be on the 28th instant. 
 He had also required General Cocke to bring into 
 the field, under the requisition of the secretary of 
 war, the quota he had been instructed to raise. 
 This officer, who had hitherto created so many 
 obstacles, still appeared to desire nothing moie 
 ardently than a failure of the campaign. Although 
 many difficulties had been feigned in the execution 
 of the order directed to him, he was enabled to 
 muster into service, from his div sion, about two 
 thousand men. These, however, as well as those 
 called out from West Tennessee were but indif- 
 ferently armed. 
 
 The thirty-ninth regiment, under Colonel Wil- 
 liams, had also received orders to proceed to Jack- 
 son's head-quarters, and act under his command in 
 the prosecution of the war. It arrived on the 5th 
 or 6th of the month, about six hundred strong 
 Most of the men were badly armed ; this evil ; 
 however ; was shortly afterwards remedied. 
 
 The quarter-masters and contractors were already 
 actively engaged, and endeavouring to procure provi- 
 sions and the transportations for the army. The fail- 
 ures, in regard to former enterprises, are to be ascrib- 
 ed to these two departments ; to the constant endeav 
 our of the contractors to procure provisions at a re 
 duced price, in order to enhance their profits ; and to* 
 fears entertained, lest, if they should lay in any large 
 supply, it might spoil or waste on theii hands. The 
 inconveniences in the quarter-master's department, 
 were, indeed, less chargeable to the incumbents* 
 than to the causes which they could not control ; 
 for, to the extreme ruggedness of the way over 
 
112 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 which wagons had to pass, was to be added the 
 real difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number on 
 the frontiers. 
 
 About the middle of the month, Jackson ordered 
 the troops to advance, end form a union at head- 
 quarters, then at Fort Strother. Greatly to his 
 surprise, he soon after learned that the contractor 
 from East Tennessee had again failed to comply 
 with his engagement, notwithstanding the ample 
 means which he possessed, and the full time allowed 
 him for that purpose. The troops, however, agree- 
 ably to the order received, proceeded on their 
 march. Those from the second division, under 
 Brigadier-General Johnston, arrived on the 14th; 
 which, added to the force under General Doherty, 
 from East Tennessee, constituted about five thou- 
 sand effectives. Composed, as this army was, of 
 troops entirely raw, it was not to be expected that 
 any thing short of the greatest firmness in its 
 officers could restrain that course of conduct and 
 disorder, which had hitherto so unhappily prevailed. 
 
 The execution of a private, (John Woods,) who 
 had been sentenced by a court-martial, on a charge 
 of mutiny, produced, at this time, great excitement, 
 and the most salutary effects. That mutinous 
 spirit, which had so frequently broken into the 
 camp, and for a while suspended all active opera 
 tions, remained to be checked. A lit occasion was 
 now at hand to evince, that although militia, when 
 at their fire-sides at home, might boast an exemp- 
 tion from control, yet in the field those high no- 
 tions were to be abandoned, and subordination ob- 
 served. Painful as it was to the feelings of the 
 general, he viewed it as a sacrifice essential to the 
 preservation of good order, and left the sentence of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 113 
 
 the court to be inflicted. The execution was pro- 
 ductive of the happiest effects ; order was pro- 
 duced, and that opinion which had so long prevailed, 
 that a militia-man was privileged, and for no offence 
 'iable to suffer death, was, from that moment, 
 abandoned, and a stricter obedience than had been 
 practised afterwards characterized the army. 
 
 Nothing was wanting now to put the troops in 
 motion, and actively to prosecute the war, but the 
 arrival of necessary supplies. Remonstrance, en- 
 treaty, and threats, had long since been used and 
 exhausted. Every mean had been resorted to, to 
 impress on the minds of the contractors the ne- 
 cessity oi urging forward in faithful discharge of 
 their duty ; but the same indifference and neglect 
 were still persisted in. To ward off the effects 
 of such great evils — evils which he foresaw must 
 again eventuate in discontent and revolt — Jack 
 son resolved to pursue a different course, and no 
 longer depend on persons who had so frequently 
 disappointed him, and whose only object was the 
 acquirement of wealth. He accordingly despatched 
 messengers to the nearest settlements, with direc- 
 tions to purchase provisions, at whatever price they 
 could be procured. This course, to these incum- 
 bents on the nation, afforded an argument infinitely 
 stronger than any to which he had before resorted. 
 Unexpectedly assailed in a way they had not pre- 
 viously thought of, by being held and made liable 
 for the amount of the purchases, which by their 
 neglect was rendered necessary, they exerted 
 themselves in discharge of a duty they had hith- 
 erto too shamefully neglected. Every expedient 
 had been practised to urge them to a compliance with 
 the obligations they were under to their goverr 
 10* 
 
114 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ment ; until the present, none had proved effectual. 
 In one of his letters, about this time, the general 
 remarks, — " I have no doubt but a combination has 
 been formed to defeat the objects of the campaign , 
 but the contractor ought to "have recollected, that 
 he had disappointed and starved my army once : 
 and now, in return, it shall be amply provided for 
 at his expense. At this point he was to have de- 
 livered the rations — and, whatever they may cost, at 
 this place he will be required to pay : any price 
 that will ensure their delivery, I have directed to 
 be given." The supplying an army by contractors, 
 he had often objected to as highly exceptionable 
 and dangerous. His monitor, on this subject, wa? 
 his own experience. Disappointment, mutiny, and 
 abandonment by his troops, when in the full career 
 of success, and an unnecessarily protracted cam- 
 paign, were among the evils already experienced, 
 and which he desired, if possible, might be in future 
 avoided. The difficulties, the perplexities, he had 
 met, and the constant dissatisfaction which had 
 rendered his troops inefficient, were wholly to be 
 attributed to those, who, in disregard of the public 
 good, had looked alone to their own immediate 
 benefit. It was high time that the feelings and 
 interest of such men should be disregarded, and 
 a sense of duty enforced, by that sort of appeal 
 which sordid minds best can understand — an ap- 
 peal to profit and the purse. 
 
 Under these and other circumstances, which 
 seemed to involve the most serious consequences, 
 tne general had but little time for either repose or 
 quietness. Every thing was moving in opposition 
 to his wishes. The East Tennessee brigade, under 
 the command of Doherty, having been instructed 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 115 
 
 to halt, until adequate supplies should be received 
 at head-quarters, had already manifested many 
 symptoms of revolt, and was with difficulty re- 
 strained from abandoning the field, and returning 
 immediately home. Added to their own discon- 
 tents, pains had been taken by a personage high in 
 authority to scatter dissension, and to persuade 
 them that they had been improperly called out, and 
 without sufficient authority ; that the draft was 
 illegal, and that they were under no necessity of 
 remaining. On the morning that General Doherty 
 was about to proceed to head-quarters, he was 
 astonished to hear the drums beating up for volun 
 teers to abandon his camp and return home. Not- 
 withstanding all his efforts to prevent this injurious 
 measure, one hundred and eighty deserted. His 
 surprise was still greater, on receiving information 
 in which he confided, that instructions by Major- 
 General Cocke had been given, that, in the event 
 any number of the troops should be marched back, 
 he would take upon himself to discharge them 
 from all responsibility on their return to KnoxvilJe 
 The general had previously appeared at the camp 
 of Doherty, and, by different means, attempted to 
 excite mutiny and disaffection among the troops. 
 As a reason for being unwilling to assume the com- 
 mand, and go with them to the field, he stated, that 
 they would be placed in a situation which he dis- 
 liked to think of, and one which his feelings would 
 not enable him to witness ; that they were about to 
 be placed under the command of General Jackson, 
 who would impose on them the severest trials, and 
 where they would have to encounter every imagina- 
 ble privation and suffering. He represented, that 
 at head-quarters there was not a sufficiency of pro- 
 
lib' LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSOiV. 
 
 visions on hand to last five days ; nor was there a 
 probability that there would happen any change of 
 circumstances for the better ; that, should they 
 once be placed in the power of Jackson, such was 
 Ins nature and disposition, that, with the regular 
 force under his command, he would compel them to 
 serve whatever length of time he pleased. Doherty, 
 who was a brigadier in the first division, was at a loss 
 to know how he should proceed with his own major- 
 general, who, having thus obtruded himself into his 
 camp, was endeavouring to excite mutiny and re- 
 volt : he accordingly despatched an express to 
 head-quarters to give information to General Jack- 
 eon of what was passing in his camp. The mes- 
 senger arrived, and, in return, received an order to 
 Doherty, commanding him, peremptorily, to seize, 
 and send under guard to Fort Strother, every 
 officer, without regard to his rank, who should be 
 found, in any manner, attempting to incite his army 
 to mutiny. General Cocke, apprehending what 
 was going on, or obtaining intelligence, retired be- 
 fore the order arrived, and thus escaped the pun- 
 •shment due to so aggravated an offence. 
 
 About this time, Colonel Dyer was despatched 
 with six hundred men, with orders to proceed to the 
 head of the Black Warrior, and ascertain if anj 
 force of the "Indians was imbodied in that quarter, 
 and disperse them. This detachment, having pro 
 seeded eight days through the heights along the 
 Cahawba, had fallen in with a trail the enemy ha** 
 passed, stretching eastwardly, and followed it for 
 some distance. Apprehending that the army might 
 be on the eve of departing from Fort Strother, and 
 being unable to obtain any certain information of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 117 
 
 the savages, he desisted from the pursuit, and 
 returned to camp. 
 
 That there might be no troops in the field in a 
 situation not to be serviceable, and as supplies were 
 an important consideration, orders were given the 
 brigadiers to dismiss from the ranks every invalid, 
 and all who were not well armed. 
 
 General Jackson, at length, by constant and un- 
 remitted exertions, obtained such supplies as he 
 believed would be necessary to enable him to 
 proceed. On the 14th he commenced his march, 
 and, crossing the river, arrived on the 21st at the 
 mouth of Cedar Creek, which had been previously 
 selected for the establishment of a fort.* At this 
 place it became necessary to delay a day or two, 
 and await the coming of the provision boats, which 
 were descending the Coosa. 
 
 On the 22d of January, the day ot the battle of 
 Emuckfaw, General Coffee, as has been already 
 (Stated, had been detached to destroy the Indian 
 encampment on the Tallapoosa: having recon- 
 noitred their position, and believing them toe 
 strongly posted to be advantageously assailed by 
 the force which he then commanded, he had re- 
 tired without making the attempt. The position 
 they had chosen was at a bend of the Tallapoosa, 
 called by the Indians Tohopeka, which, interpreted 
 into our language, means Horse-Shoe, not far from 
 New Youcka, and near the Oakfusky villages. 
 Fortified by nature and the skill of the savages, 
 no other conjecture was entertained, than that at this 
 place was intended a defence of the most deter- 
 mined kind. Learning that the Indians were still 
 imbodied here, Jackson resolved to make a descent 
 
 * Fort Will.ams. 
 
i IS LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 on it, and destroy the confederacy; thence, return- 
 ing to Fort Williams for provisions, to urge forward 
 to the Hickory Ground, where he hoped he should 
 oe able finally to terminate the war. 
 
 On the 24th, leaving a sufficient force under 
 Brigadier-General Johnston for the protection of 
 the post, with eight days' provisions, he left Fort 
 Williams for the Tallapoosa, by the way of Emuck- 
 faw. The whole force now with him amounted 
 to less than three thousand effective men ; being 
 considerably reduced by the necessity of leaving 
 behind him detachments for garrisons at the differ- 
 ent forts. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 
 27th, after a march of fifty-two miles, he reached 
 the village Tohopeka. The enemy, having gained 
 intelligence of his approach, had collected in con- 
 siderable numbers, with a view to give him battle. 
 The warriors from the adjacent towns, Oakfusky, 
 Hillabee, Eufalee, and New Youcka, amounting to 
 a thousand or twelve hundred, were here collected, 
 and waiting his approach. They could have select- 
 ed no place better calculated for defence ; for, in- 
 dependent of the advantages bestowed on it by 
 nature, their own exertions had greatly contributed 
 to its strength. Surrounded almost entirely by the 
 river, it was accessible only by a narrow neck of 
 land, of three hundred and fifty yards width, which 
 they had taken much pains to secure, by placing 
 large timbers and trunks of trees horizontally on 
 each other, leaving but a single place of entrance. 
 From a double row of port-holes formed in it, they 
 were enabled to give complete direction to their 
 Hre, whilst they lay in perfect security behind. 
 
 General Coffee, at the head of the mounted in- 
 fantry and friendly Indians, had been despatched 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. ll^ 
 
 early in the morning from camp, with orders to 
 gain thy southern bank of the river, encircle the 
 bend, and make some feint, or manoeuvring, to 
 divert the enemy from the point where the attack 
 was intended principally to be waged. He was 
 particularly instructed so to arrange the force under 
 his command, that the savages might not escape by 
 passing to the opposite side in their canoes, with 
 which, it was represented, the whole shore was 
 lined. Jackson, with the rest of the army, pro- 
 ceeded to take a position in front of the breast- 
 work. Having planted his cannon on an eminence, 
 about two hundred yards from the front of the 
 enemy's line, with a view to break down his 
 defence, a brisk fire commenced. The musketry 
 and rifles, which occupied a nearer position, were 
 used as the Indians occasionally showed themselves 
 from behind their works. The artillery was well 
 served by Major Bradford, and the fire kept up for 
 some minutes without making any impression ; time, 
 however, was gained for complete readiness. The 
 signals having now announced that General Coffeu 
 had reached in safety his point of destination, on 
 the opposite side of the river, had formed his line, 
 and was ready to act, the order was given to 
 charge. " Never were troops more eager to be 
 led on than were Vth regulars and militia. They 
 had been waiting wan impatience for the order, 
 and hailed it with acclamations. The spirit that 
 animated them was a sure augury of the success 
 chat was to follow." Between them there was no 
 difference ; both advanced with the intrepidity and 
 firmness of veteran soldiers. The thirty-ninth 
 regiment, led on by their commander, Colonel Wil- 
 liams, and the brave but ill-fated Major Montgomery 
 
120 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 anil the militia under the command of Colone. 
 Bunch, moved forward amidst a destructive fire 
 that continually poured upon them, and were pres- 
 ently at the rampart. Here an obstinate and 
 destructive conflict ensued, each contending for 
 the port-holes, on different sides. Many of the 
 enemy's balls were welded between the muskets 
 and bayonets of our soldiers. At this moment, 
 Major Montgomery, leaping on the wall, called to 
 his men to mount and follow him ; he had scarcely 
 spoken, when, shot through the head, he fell lifeless 
 to the ground. Our troops eagerly followed the 
 example he had set, and scaled their ramparts. 
 Finding it no longer tenable, the savages aban- 
 doned their position, and, retiring from their works, 
 concealed themselves amidst the brush and timber 
 that lay thickly scattered over the peninsula; 
 whence they kept up a galling fire, until they were 
 again forced back. Driven to despair, not knowing 
 whither to flee, and resolving not to surrender, 
 they saw no other alternative, than an effort to 
 effect their escape, by passing in their canoes to 
 the opposite bank of the river ; from this they were, 
 however, prevented, by perceiving that a part of 
 the army already lined the opposite shore. Under 
 these circumstances, the remaining warriors, who 
 yet survived the severity of the conflict, betaking 
 themselves to flight, leaped down the banks, and 
 concealed themselves along the cliffs and steeps, 
 which were covered by the trees. Many had betaken 
 themselves to the west angle of their lme of de- 
 fence, where, under protection of heaps of brush, 
 a spirited fire was kept up upon those of our troops 
 who had gained their line, and those who were 
 advancing on the outer side. From these secreted 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 12] 
 
 places they would fire and disappear. General 
 Jackson, perceiving that further resistance must 
 involve them in utter destruction, and entertaining 
 a desire that they should yield a contest which now 
 evidently was a hopeless one, ordered the interpre- 
 ter to advance with a flag, under cover of some 
 trees which stood in front, until he should reach a 
 position sufficiently near to be heard. He did so, 
 and, having arrived within forty yards of the spot 
 where the Indians were concealed, in an audible 
 voice, and in their own language, addressed them ; 
 told them of the folly of further resistance, and 
 that he was commanded by General Jackson to say, 
 that, if disposed to surrender, they should be re- 
 ceived and treated as prisoners. They waited 
 patiently until he had finished, and heard what he 
 had to say ; — a pause ensued ; and, at the moment 
 when he was expecting to receive an answer, and 
 to learn that a surrender would be at once made, a 
 fire was opened upon the flag, and the interpreter 
 severely wounded in the breast. Finding they 
 would not yield, orders were given to dislodge them. 
 To accomplish this, the artillery was Srst turned 
 against them ; but, being from its size incapable of 
 producing any effect, a charge was made, in which 
 several valuable lives were lost ; ii however suc- 
 ceeded, and the enemy were dislodged from their 
 covert place on the right angle of their line of 
 defence. Lighted torches were now thrown down 
 the steeps, which, communicating with the brush 
 and trees, and setting them on fire, drove them 
 from their hiding-places. Still did they refuse to 
 surrender, and still maintained the conflict. Thus 
 the carnage continued until night separated the 
 combatants, when the few misguided savages, whc 
 11 
 
122 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 had avoided the havoc and slaughter of the day, 
 were enabled, tnrough the darkness of the night, 
 to make their escape. 
 
 Whilst the attack was thus waged in front of 
 the line, the friendly Indians in General Coffee's 
 detachment, under the command of Colonel Mor- 
 gan, with Captain Russell's company of spies, were 
 effecting much ; and, no doubt, to the course pur- 
 sued by them, on the opposite side, was greatly 
 owing the facility with which the brea,st-work was 
 scaled, and its possession obtained. The village 
 stood on the margin of the river, and on that part 
 of the peninsula most remote from the fortification. 
 At the line were all their warriors collected. Seve- 
 ral of the Cherokees and Russell's spies having 
 swum across, unobserved, and procured their ca- 
 noes, a considerable number passed over, entered 
 the town, and fired it. No sooner was this dis- 
 covered, than their attention was divided, and drawn 
 to the protection of a point where they had not ap 
 prenended an attack. Thus assailed from an un- 
 expected quarter — a force in their rear, and another, 
 still stronger, advancing on their front — the invading 
 army was afforded a much easier and less hazardous 
 opportunity of succeeding in the assault and secur- 
 ing the victory. 
 
 This battle gave a death-blow to their hopes ; nor 
 did they venture, afterwards, to make a stand. 
 From their fastness in the woods they had tried 
 their strength, agreeably to their accustomed mode 
 of warfare; in ambuscade,' had brought on the at- 
 tack ; and, in ail, failure and disaster had been me*. 
 None of the advantages incident on surprise, and 
 for which the red men of our forests have been 
 always so characterized, had they been ab'.e to ob- 
 
IATK 01* \^_i.« T ERAL JACKSON. 123 
 
 tain. The continual defeats they had received 
 were, doubtless, the reason of their having so 
 strongly fortified this place, where they had deter- 
 mined to perish or to be victorious. Few escaped 
 the carnage. Of the killed, many by their friends 
 were thrown into the river, whilst the battle raged; 
 many, in endeavouring to pu.ss it, were sunk by 
 the steady fire of Coffee's brigade ; and five hun- 
 dred and fifty-seven were left dead on the ground. 
 Among the number of the slain were three ol 
 their prophets. Decorated in a most fantastic man- 
 ner — the plumage of various birds about their heads 
 and shoulders — with savage grimaces, and horrid 
 contortions of the body, they danced and howled 
 their cantations to the sun. Their dependants al- 
 ready believed a communion with Heaven sure, 
 which, moved by entreaty, and their offered homage, 
 would aid them in the conflict, and give a triumph 
 to their arms. Fear had no influence ; and when 
 they beheld our army approaching, and already 
 scaling their line of defence, even then, far 
 from being dispirited, hope survived, and victory 
 was still anticipated. Monohoe, one of the most 
 considerable of their inspired ones, and who had 
 cheered and kept alive the broken spirit of the na- 
 tion by his pretended divinations, fell, mortally 
 wounded, by a cannon shot in the mouth, while ear- 
 nestly engaged in his incantations. 
 
 Three hundred prisoners were taken, most of 
 whom were women and children. That so few 
 warriors should have sought and obtained safety, by 
 appealing to the clemency of the victors, to persons 
 acquainted with the mode of Indian warfare, will 
 not. appear a matter of surprise. It seldom happens 
 that they extend or solicit quarter : faithless them- 
 
124 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 selves, they place no reliance on the faith of others 1 , 
 and, when overcome in battle, seek no other pro- 
 tection than retreat affords. Another cause for it 
 may be found in a reason already given ; the attack, 
 by a detachment of General Cocke's division, on 
 the Hillabee clans, who were assailed and put to the 
 sword, at a moment when, having asked peace at 
 discretion, they were expecting it to be given. 
 This misfortune had alone been occasioned by a 
 want of concert in the divisions of our army ; but 
 it was past, and with it was gone, on the part of the 
 savages, all confidence in our integrity and humani- 
 ty ; and they looked and trusted for safety now to 
 nothing but their own bravery. In this contest 
 they maintained resistance, fighting and firing from 
 their covert places, long after the hope either of 
 success or escape was at an end, and after the pro- 
 posal had been submitted to spare the further use- 
 less waste of blood. A few, who had lain quiet, 
 and concealed under the cliffs, survived the severity 
 of the conflict, and effected their retreat under 
 cover of the night. 
 
 Our loss was small, when compared with that of 
 the enemy ; the whole estimate, including the 
 friendly and Cherokee Indians, was but fifty-five 
 killed, and one hundred and forty-six wounded. Of 
 the former was Major Montgomery, a brave and en- 
 terprising young officer, of the thirty-ninth regi- 
 ment, and Lieutenants Moulton and Somerville, who 
 fell early in the action. 
 
 The object of the present visit being answered, 
 the general concluded to return to Fort Williams. 
 Having sunk his dead in the river, to prevent their 
 being scalped by the savages, and made the neces- 
 sary arrangements for carrying off his wounded, he 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACK.SOIV. 125 
 
 commenced his return march for the fort, and :n a 
 few days reached it in safety.* 
 
 Understanding that the enemy was imbodied, in 
 considerable numbers, at Hoithlewalee, a town situ- 
 ated not far from the Hickory Ground, he was anx- 
 ious to re-commence his operations as early as 
 possible, that the advantages he had gained, and 
 the impression he had made, might not be lost. The 
 forces under his command, from sickness, the loss 
 which had been sustained in the late battle, and 
 numerous discharges given, had been too much re- 
 duced in strength, to permit him to act as efficiently 
 as the importance of the crisis required. It was 
 desirable, therefore, to effect a junction with the 
 southern army as speedily as possible, that, from an 
 increase and concentration of his numbers, greater 
 efficiency might be had. The North Carolina 
 troops, under the command of General Graham, an 
 experienced officer of the revolutionary war, and 
 those of Georgia, under Colonel Milton, were as- 
 certained to be somewhere south of the Tallapoosa, 
 and could be at no great distance. To unite with 
 them was an event greatly desired. He had re 
 ceived from General Pincknej strong assurances 
 „hat all complaints would be at an end, as soon as his 
 and the southern division could unite. No time was 
 to be lost in effecting a purpose so essential. Gene- 
 ral Jackson accordingly determined to leave his sick 
 and wounded, and the fort, to the care and com- 
 mand of Brigadier Johnston, and to set out again 
 
 * Sinking- them in the river, in preference to burying; them, 
 <vas adopted from the consideration, that these of our troops, who 
 lad previously fallen, had been raised, stripped, and scalped. 
 Many of the Indians at Tohopeka were found in the domes of 
 hose who had been killed and bi •<ed at Emuckfav. 
 11* 
 
126 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 for the Tallapoosa. On the 7th, with all his dispo- 
 sable force, he commenced his march, with the 
 double view of effecting a union with the army be- 
 low, and of attacking on his route the enemy's 
 force which were collected at Hoithlewalee. His 
 greatest difficulty was in conveying to Colonel Mil- 
 ton intelligence of his intended operations. The 
 friendly Indians, who, from their knowledge of the 
 country, had been always selected as expresses. 
 were with difficulty to be prevailed on now for any 
 such undertaking. Believing their nation to be 
 imbodied in larger numbers than any which had 
 been yet encountered, and that, confiding in their 
 strength, they would be better enabled to go forth, 
 searching and spying through the surrounding 
 country, they at once concluded that any enterprise 
 of this kind would be attended with too great peril 
 and danger, and the difficulty of eluding observa- 
 tion too much increased, for them to adventure. 
 This circumstance prevented the arrangement of 
 such measures as were best calculated to bring the 
 different divisions to act in general concert. The 
 necessity, however, of such co-operation, was too 
 important, at this moment, not to be effected, if it 
 were possible. 
 
 Having at length succeeded in procuring confi- 
 dential messengers, Jackson addressed Colonel Mil- 
 ton, and advised him of his intended movement. 
 To guard against any acciuent or failure that might 
 happen, different expresses were despatched, by 
 different routes. He informed him, that, with eight 
 days' provisions, and a force of about two thousand 
 men, he should, on the 7th, take up the line of march, 
 and proceed directly for Hoithlewalee ; which he ex- 
 pected certainly to reach and attack on the 11th. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 127 
 
 The point of destination, owing- to the rain, he 
 was not able to reach until the 13th. This delay, 
 unavoidable, gave the Indians an opportunity of 
 fleeing from the threatened danger. On arriving 
 at an inconsiderable stream which skirted the town, 
 it was so swollen as to be rendered impassable 
 The savages, gaining intelligence of an approach 
 that was thus unavoidably retarded, were enabled 
 to effect an escape by passing the river in then 
 canoes, and gaining the opposite shore. Had Col- 
 onel Milton fortunately made a different disposition 
 of the troops under his command, and, by guarding 
 the southern bank of the river, co-operated with 
 the Tennessee division, their escape would have 
 been prevented, and the whole force, collected, 
 would either have been destroyed or made prison- 
 ers. Although Jackson, in his letter of the 5th. 
 had given intelligence that he would reach the 
 enemy on the 11th; and, when prevented by high 
 waters and rotten roads, had again notified him 
 that he would certainly arrive and commence the 
 attack by the morning of the 13th, and urged him 
 to guard the south bank of the Tallapoosa, still 
 was the request disregarded, and the savages per- 
 mitted to escape. Learning they were abandoning 
 their position, and seeking safety in flight, Jackson 
 filed to the right, and, overtaking the rear of the 
 fugitives, succeeded in making twenty-five prison- 
 ers. At this time, nothing was heard of Colone* 
 Milton ; but on the same day, having marched about 
 five miles from his encampment at Fort Decatur, 
 and approached within four of Hoithlewalee, he, 
 the next morning, gave notice of an intention to 
 attack the village that day ; at this moment the in 
 habitants and warriors h»d fl»d and the town was 
 
128 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 occupied and partly destroyed by a detachment 
 from Jackson's army, that had succeeded in passing 
 the creek. 
 
 The Georgia army being so near at hand, was a 
 source of some satisfaction, although the escape of 
 the enemy had rendered their presence of less im- 
 portance than it otherwise would have been. The 
 stock of provisions, with which the march had been 
 commenced from Fort Williams, was now nearly 
 exhausted. Assurances, however, having been so 
 repeatedly given, that abundant supplies would be 
 had on uniting with the southern army, all uneasi- 
 ness upon the subject was at once dispelled. Col 
 onel Milton was immediately applied to, the situa- 
 tion of the army disclosed, and such aid as he could 
 extend solicited. He returned an answer to the 
 general's demand, observing, he had sent provisions 
 for the friendly Indians, and would, the next day. 
 lend some for the remainder of the troops ; but felt 
 himself under no obligation to furnish any. Jack- 
 son, satisfied of its being in his power to relieve 
 him, and that this apparent unwillingness did not, 
 and could not, proceed from any scarcity in his 
 camp, assumed a higher ground, and, instead of ask- 
 ing assistance, now demanded it. He stated that 
 his men were destitute of supplies, and that he had 
 been apprized of it ; and concluded by ordering, 
 not requesting, him to send five thousand rations 
 immediately, for present relief; and for himself and 
 the forces under his command to join him at Hoith- 
 iewalee by ten o'clock the next day. « This order," 
 he remarked, "must be obeyed without hesitation." 
 
 It was obeyed. The next day, a junction having 
 
 been elfected, the necessary stops were taken tc 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 129 
 
 > bring down the provisions deposited at Fort Deca- 
 tur, and, for the first time since the commence- 
 ment of the Creek war, inconveniences for the 
 want of supplies, and an apprehension of suffering', 
 were removed. 
 
 Appearances seemed now to warrant the belief, 
 that the war would not be of much longer continu- 
 ance ; the principal chiefs of the Hickory Ground 
 tribes were coming in, making professions of friend- 
 ship, and giving assurances of their being no longer 
 disposed to continue hostilities. The general had 
 been met, on his late march, by a flag from these 
 clans, giving information of their disposition to be 
 at peace. In return they received this answer : — 
 that those of the war party, who w r ere desirous of 
 putting an end to the contest, and of becoming 
 friendly, should evince their intention by retiring 
 in the rear of the army, and settling themselves to 
 the north of Fort Williams ; that no other proof 
 than this, of their pacific dispositions, would be re- 
 ceived. Fourteen chiefs of these tribes had arrived, 
 to furnish still further evidence of their desire for 
 peace. They assured the general that their old 
 king, Fous-hatehee, was anxious to be permitted to 
 visit him in person, and was then on his way, with 
 his followers, to settle above Fort Williams, agree- 
 ably to the information he had received by the flag 
 which had lately returned to him. 
 
 Detachments were scouring the country to the 
 south, with orders to break up any collection of the 
 enemy that might be heard of in convenient dis- 
 tance. The main body was prepared to advance to 
 the junction of the two rivers, where, until now, it 
 had been expected the Indians would make a last 
 
130 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 and desperate stand.* Every thing was in readi- * 
 ness to proceed on the march, when it was an 
 nounced to the general, that Colonel Milton's brig- 
 ade, which had lately united with him, was not in 
 a situation to move. During the previous night 
 some of his wagon horses having strayed off, per- 
 sons had been sent in pursuit, and were expected 
 shortly to return with them ; when, it was reported, 
 lie would be ready to take up the line of march. 
 To Jackson, this was a reason for delaying the ope- 
 rations of an army, which as yet he had never 
 learned, and by which he had never been influenced. 
 He had, indeed, been frequently made to halt, 
 though from very different causes ; from murmurs, 
 discontents and starvation in his camp. He replied 
 to the colonel's want of preparation, by telling him, 
 that, in the progress of his own difficulties, he had 
 discovered a very excellent mode of expediting 
 wagons, even without horses ; and that, if he would 
 detail him twenty men from his brigade, for every 
 wagon deficient in horses, he would guaranty their 
 safe arrival at their place of destination. Rather 
 than subject his men to such drudgery, he preferred 
 to dismount some of his dragoons, and thus avoided 
 the necessity of halting the army until his lost 
 teams should arrive. 
 
 The army continued its inarch without gaining 
 
 * The Hickory Ground, or that part of the Creek nation lying 
 in the forks, near where the Coosa and Tallapoosa unite, was 
 called by the Indians Holy Ground, from a tradition and belief 
 prevailing' among them, that it ne'er had been pressed by the 
 ibot of a white man. Acting under the influence of their pro- 
 phets, and a religious fanaticism, it was supposed they woulo 
 make greater exertions to defend this than any other portion o< 
 •neir country 
 
LIFE OP GENERAL JACKSON. 131 
 
 intelligence of any imbodied forces of the enemy ; 
 and, without the happening of any thing of imr 
 portance, reached old Toulossee Fort, on the Coosa 
 river, not far from ihe confluence, at which another 
 was determined to be erected, to be called Fort 
 Jackson, after the commanding general. Here the 
 rivers approach within one hundred poles of each 
 other, and, again diverging, unite six miles below. 
 At this place, the chiefs of the different tribes were 
 daily arriving, and offering to submit on any terms. 
 They all concurred in their statements, that those 
 of the hostile party, who were still opposed to ask- 
 ing for peace, had fled from the nation, and sought 
 refuge along the coast of Florida, and in Pensacola. 
 General Jackson renewed the declaration, that 
 they could find safety in no other way than by re- 
 pairing to the section of the country pointed out 
 to them, where they might be quiet and free of any 
 sort of molestation. 
 
 To put their friendly professions, which he dis- 
 trusted, at once to the test, he directed them to 
 bring Weatherford to his camp, confined, that he 
 might be dealt with as he deserved. He was one 
 of the first chiefs of the nation, and had been a 
 principal actor in the butchery at Fort Mimms. 
 Justice well demanded retaliation against him. 
 Learning from the chiefs what had been required 
 of them by Jackson, he was prevailed upon, as per- 
 haps the safer course, to proceed to his camp, and 
 make a voluntary surrender of himself. Having 
 reached it without being known, and obtained ad 
 mission to the general's quarters, he fearlessly stood 
 in his presence, and told him he was Weatherford, 
 the chief who had commanded at Fort Mimms. and 
 that, desiring peace for himself and for his neop.e 
 
132 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 lie had come to ask it. Somewhat surprised that one 
 who so richly merited punishment should so sternly 
 demand the protection which had been extended to 
 others, Jackson replied to him, that he was astonish- 
 ed he should venture to appear in his presence ; that 
 he was not ignorant of his having been at Fort 
 Mimms, nor of his inhuman conduct there, for which 
 he well deserved to die. " I had directed," con- 
 tinued he, " that you should be brought to me con- 
 fined ; and had you appeared in this way, I should 
 have known how to have treated you." Weather- 
 ford replied, " I am in your power — do with me as 
 you please. I am a soldier ; I have done the white 
 people all the harm I could ; I have fought them, 
 and fought them bravely ; if I had an army, I would 
 yet fight, and contenu to the last : but I have none ; 
 my people are all gone. I can now do no more 
 than weep over the misfortunes of my nation." 
 Pleased at the firm and high-toned manner of this 
 child of the forest, Jackson informed him, that he 
 did not solicit him to lay down his arms, or to be- 
 come peaceable : " The terms on which your natioD 
 can be saved, and peace restored, have already been 
 disclosed : in this way, and none other, can you 
 obtain safety." If, however, he desired still to 
 continue the war, and felt himself prepared to meet 
 the consequences, although he was then completely 
 in his power, no advantage should be taken of that 
 circumstance ; that he was at perfect liberty to re- 
 tire, and unite himself with the war party, if he 
 oleased ; but, when taken, lie should know how to 
 „reat him, for then his life should pay the forfeit of 
 nis crimes ; if this were not desired, he might ro 
 main where he was, and should be protected. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 133 
 
 Nothing dismayed, Weatherford answered, that 
 he desired peace, that his nation might, in some 
 measure, be relieved from their sufferings ; that, 
 independent of other misfortunes, growing out of a 
 state of war, their cattle and grain were all wasted 
 and destroyed, and their women and children left 
 destitute of provisions. " But," continued he, " I 
 may be well addressed in such language now. 
 There was a time when I had a choice, and could 
 have answered you : I have none now — even hope 
 has ended. Once I could animate my warriors to 
 battle ; but I cannot animate the dead. My war- 
 riors can no longer hear my voice : their bones are 
 at Talladega, Tallushatchee, Emuckfaw, and To- 
 hopeka. I have not surrendered myself thought- 
 lessly. Whilst there were chances of success, 1 
 never left my post, nor supplicated peace. But my 
 people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation, 
 and for myself. On the miseries and misfortunes 
 brought upon my country, I look back with deepest 
 sorrow, and wish to avert still greater calamities. 
 If I had been left to contend with the Georgia 
 army, I would have raised my corn on one bank of 
 the river, and fought them on the other ; but youi 
 people have destroyed my nation. You are a brave 
 man: I rely upon your generosity. You will ex- 
 act no terms of a conquered people but such as 
 they should accede to : whatever they may be, it 
 would now be madness and folly to oppose. If 
 they are opposed, you shall find me amongst the 
 sternest enforcers of obedience. Those who would 
 still hold out can be influenced only by a mean 
 spirit of revenge ; and to this they must not, and 
 shall not, sacrifice the last remnant of their country 
 You have told our nation where we might go, and 
 12 
 
134 LlVE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 be safe. This is good talk, and they ought to lister 
 to it. They shall listen to it." 
 
 The bold independence of his conduct left no 
 doubt of the sincerity of his professions, and full 
 confidence was reposed in his declarations. The 
 peace party became reconciled to him, and consent- 
 ed to bury all previous animosities. In a few days 
 afterwards, having obtained permission, he set out 
 from camp, accompanied by a small party, to search 
 tli rough the forest for his followers and friends, and 
 persuade them to give up a contest in which hope 
 seemed to be at an end, that, by timely submission, 
 they might save their nation from further disasters 
 
 The present was a favourable moment for pre 
 venting all further opposition. The enemy, alarm 
 ed, were dispersed, and fleeing in different direc 
 tions. To keep alive their apprenensions, and pre 
 vent their recovering from the fears with which 
 they were now agitated, was of the utmost impor 
 tance. If time were given them to form furthe' 
 resolutions, some plan of operation might be con- 
 certed ; and, although it might not be productive of 
 any alarming consequences, yet it might have a 
 tendency to lengthen out the war, and involve those 
 deluded people in still greater wretchedness. De- 
 tachments, sufficiently strong, were accordingly or- 
 dered out, to range through the country, prevent 
 their collecting at any point, and to scatter and 
 destroy any who might be found concerting offen- 
 sive operations. Wherever they directed their 
 course, submission, and an anxious desire for peace, 
 were manifested by the natives. Those who were 
 still resolved upon a continuance of the war, and 
 trusted for relief to the aid which by their British 
 allies was promised, and which they had been for 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 135 
 
 some tune expecting, had retired out of the country, 
 towards the sea coast, not doubting but the assist- 
 ance looked for would shortly arrive, enable them 
 to re-commence hostilities with better hopes of suc- 
 cess, and regain their country, which they now 
 considered as los't. Many of the chiefs and war- 
 riors, looking to the defeats they had continually 
 met with in all their battles, viewing it as imprac- 
 ticable, with any expectation of better fortune, to 
 "«ssist the numerous forces that were collecting, and 
 anxious to have spared to them a portion of their 
 country, determined to discard all ideas of further 
 resistance, and to throw themselves for safety on the 
 mercy of their conquerors. To this end, the chief 
 men, from the different tribes, were daily arriving, 
 and asking for peace, on condition only that their 
 lives might be spared. 
 
 General Jackson was not ignorant of the faith- 
 lessness of these people, and how little confidence 
 was to be reposed in the professions of an enemy, 
 who, prompted by fear, could be controlled only by its 
 influence. Pie well knew they had been too se- 
 verely chastised for their promises to be relied on, 
 and too much injured not to feel a disposition to 
 renew the conflict with the first flattering hope 
 that dawned. Too many difficulties had been en- 
 countered, and too many dangers past, in bringing 
 those savages to a sense of duty, to leave them now 
 with no better security than mere professions. 
 Some arrangement was necessary to be made that 
 should ensure certainty. None seemed better cal- 
 culated for these ends, than what had been already 
 announced ; that those disposed to throw away the 
 war club, and renew their friendly relations with 
 the United States, should retire in the rear of the 
 
136 
 
 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 advance of the army, and occupy the country about 
 the fort he had established, and to the east of the 
 Coosa. The effect of such an arrangement he cal- 
 culated would be this : that, by the line of posts 
 already established, he would be able to cut them 
 off from any communication with Florida ; while, 
 by being placed in that part of the nation inhabited 
 by the friendly Indians, whose fidelity v/as not 
 doubted, the earliest intelligence would be had of 
 their hostile intentions, should any be manifested. 
 The conditions proposed were most cheerfully ac- 
 cepted ; and the different tribes forthwith sat out to 
 occupy a portion of their country, which alone 
 eeemed to promise them protection and safety 
 Proctor, the chief of the Owewoha war towns, to 
 whom this promised security from danger had first 
 been made, was reported to be still at home, and to 
 have abandoned all intention of removing, in con- 
 sequence of permission extended by the United 
 States' agent to the Creeks, for him and his war- 
 riors to remain where they then were residing. On 
 receiving this information, the general despatched 
 a messenger with information to him, that whether 
 he or the agent were to be obeyed, was for him to 
 decide ; but that he should treat as enemies all 
 who did not immediately retire to the section of 
 country which he had pointed out. The chief of 
 Owewoha found no difficulty in deciding the ques- 
 tion, and without delay prepared to retire where he 
 had been previously ordered. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Gibson, who had been sent 
 out with a detachment of seven hundred and fifty 
 men, returned, and reported, that he had proceeded 
 a considerable distance down the Alabama River, 
 and had destroyed several towns of the war party, 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 137 
 
 but could gain no intelligence of a force being any 
 where collected. 
 
 By the establishment of Fort Jackson, a line of 
 posts was now formed from Tennessee and from 
 Georgia to the Alabama River. The subdued 
 spirit of the Indians clearly manifesting that they 
 were sincere in their desire for peace, nothing 
 remained to be done but to organize the different 
 garrisons in such a manner, that, should any hostile 
 intention be hereafter discovered, it might be sup- 
 pressed. What final steps should be taken, and 
 what plans adopted, for permanent security, were 
 .to be deferred for the arrival of Major-Genera! 
 Pinckney, who, being in the neighbourhood, would, 
 it was expected, on the next day reach Fort Jack 
 eon. 
 
 On the 20th General Pinckney arrived, and as- 
 sumed the command of the army. The course 
 pursued by Jackson, towards satisfying the Indians, 
 that to be peaceable was all that was required, 
 meeting his approbation, and understanding that 
 the chiefs and warriors of the nation were retiring, 
 with their families, whither they had been directed, 
 he was satisfied hostilities must cease. Indepen- 
 dent of their professions, heretofore, much of the 
 property plundered at Fort Mimms, and along the 
 frontiers, having been brought in, no doubt was en- 
 tertained but all further national opposition would 
 be withdrawn. There being no necessity, there- 
 fore, for maintaining an army longer in the field, 
 orders were issued, on the 21st, for the troops from 
 Tennessee to be marched home and discharged . 
 taking care, on the route, to leave a sufficient force 
 for garrisoning the posts already established. 
 
 To troops who had been engaged in such fa 
 12* 
 
138 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 tiguing marches, who had been so often exposed to 
 hardships, and who had, by their exertions in the 
 cause of their country, brought the war to a suc- 
 cessful termination, and severely chastised the sav- 
 ages, it was a pleasure to retire to their homes from 
 the scenes of wretchedness they had witnessed, 
 and from a contest where nothing remained to be 
 done. 
 
 Whilst these arrangements were progressing, 
 the friendly Creeks were engaged in destroying 
 their fugitive countrymen, with the most unrelent- 
 ing rigour. To have been at the destruction of 
 Fort Mimms, was a ground of accusation against' 
 a warrior, which at once placed him without the 
 pale of mercy. They affected to view this un- 
 provoked offence with sentiments of deeper invete- 
 racy than did even our own troops. Meeting a 
 small party w r ho were on their way to camp, to sub- 
 mit themselves on the terms that had been pre- 
 viously offered, and understanding they had ac- 
 companied Weatherford in his attack on this fort, 
 they arrested their progress, and immediately put 
 them to death. 
 
 In two hours after receiving General's Pinckney'a 
 order, the western troops commenced their return 
 march, and reached Fort Williams on the evening 
 of the 24th. Immediate measures were adopted 
 for carrying into effect what had been ordered ; to 
 send out detachments to disperse any collections 
 of the war party that might be found on the route, 
 and within striking distance. 
 
 The East Tennessee troops, having a longer pe- 
 riod to seive, were, on that account, selected to 
 garrison the different posts. General Doherty 
 was directed to detail from his brigade seven hun 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 139 
 
 Ired and twenty-five men, for the defence of those 
 points, with a view to an open communication being 
 preserved with Fort Jackson, and to secure more 
 effectually a peace, which was, perhaps, not so se- 
 curely established as that any precautionary meas- 
 ure should be omitted. 
 
 General Jackson, being about to separate from 
 his army, did not omit to disclose to them the high 
 sense he entertained of their conduct, and how wel* 
 they had deserved of their country. " Within a fev\ 
 days," said he, " you have annihilated the power of 
 a nation that for twenty years has been the dis- 
 turber of your peace." 
 
 The army proceeded on its march, and, crossing 
 Tennessee River, in safety reached Camp Blount, 
 near Fayetteville, where they were discharged 
 from further service. Johnston, who had previously 
 fallen in, had destroyed some of the enemy's towns ; 
 but had learned nothing of a force being any where 
 imbodied along the route he had taken. 
 
 On parting from his troops, the general again 
 brought before them the recollection he retained of 
 their faithful and gallant conduct, and the patience 
 with which they had borne the privations and hard- 
 ships of war. On his return, wherever he passed, 
 the plaudits of the people were liberally bestowed. 
 The ardent and extraordinary zeal he had mani- 
 fested in the service of his country, the difficulties 
 lie had surmounted, with the favourable termination 
 which, by his exertions, had been given to a contest 
 that had kept alive the anxieties and fears of the 
 frontier settlers, excited a general feeling of grati- 
 tude and admiration: all were ready to evince the 
 high sense they entertained of 'he success with 
 which every effort had been crowned, and with one 
 
140 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 accord united in manifesting their confidence and 
 respect for him, who, by his zealous exertions, able 
 management, and fidelity to the cause in which he 
 nad embarked, had so greatly contributed to the 
 safety, the happiness, and quiet of the country. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 141 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Jackson is appointed a major-general in the service of the Unitea 
 Slates. — Is directed to open a negotiation with tixe Indians. — 
 Speech of the Big Warrior, a chief of the Tuition. — Concludes 
 a treaty with Oie Creek Indians.— His views against Pensaco/o 
 and Florida.— General Armstrong's letter.— The Spa7iish 
 governor is called on for an explanation of his conduct. — His 
 answer, and Genrsal Jackson's reply.— The adjutant-general is 
 despatched to Tennessee to raise volunteers. — Jackson sets out 
 for Mobile. — Orders the Tennessee troops to advame w his as- 
 sistance. 
 
 The celerity with which an army was raised, 
 and pushed into the heart of the enemy's country, 
 saved the frontiers. The misfortunes of the mis- 
 guided Indians may be regretted, but cannot be 
 considered as unmerited. Great forbearance had 
 been exercised towards them, as many a parent can 
 testify, whose heart bleeds at the remembrance of 
 a child that fell a victim to their sanguinary cruelty. 
 Cold Water, on the Tennessee, was long a den for 
 these savages, whence they made inroads, and, by 
 their inhuman butcheries, kept the frontier inhabit- 
 ants in perpetual alarm. A descent was made on 
 this settlement, as early as 1787. which resulted in 
 its destruction. For causes already detailed, their 
 towns were once more, in the winter of 1813, as- 
 sailed, and destroyed. 
 
 The war in which the United States were en- 
 gaged with Great Britain, afforded the Indians, 
 as they believed, a safe opportunity again to satiate 
 their angry passions. In addition to former ani- 
 mosities, British emissaries had been among them, 
 to excite them to opposition. Arms and ammunition 
 from Pensacola having been liberally furnished, 
 and a belief strongly inspired, that the Americans 
 
112 DIE OF u£N£RA'L JACKSO.N 
 
 could be driven off, and the lands possessed by them 
 regained by the Indians, they at once resolved 
 upon the course they would pursue. The dreadful 
 and cruel assault made on the settlement of Tensaw 
 was the first intelligence afforded of the lengths to 
 which they had determined to proceed. The in- 
 security of the frontiers requiring that efficient 
 measures should be taken to defend them, it was 
 high time for the government to abandon the course 
 of moderation they had hitherto practised towards 
 those tribes. The legislature of Tennessee, at the 
 period of this murderous assault, being in session, 
 with a promptitude highly honourable, called out the 
 forces of the state, without giving to the general 
 government information of the threatened danger 
 To protect an extensive country, by erecting garri 
 sons, and relying on them for defence, did not ap 
 pear to Jackson a course at all likely to assure its 
 object. Placed in command, and called on to act 
 he determined, with the troops he could collect or 
 so sudden an emergency, to carry the war to then 
 very doors ; and, by giving them employment at 
 home, to divert them from their plans, and force 
 them at once into measures of defence. Urging 
 the contractors, therefore, to be diligent in the dis 
 charge of their duties, and to forward supplies wit} 
 all possible haste, he took his position at Fort Stro- 
 ther, directly in the enemy's country. The battle 
 of Talladega, which shortly afterwards followed, 
 gave a severe check to those sanguine hopes they 
 ^iad indulged, induced them to believe they were 
 contending with a different kind of people from 
 what they had expected, and should have convinced 
 them, too, that the promised safety, offered by their 
 prophets, through their spells and incantations, was 
 mere nonsense ; yet so deluded w ere they, and so 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JaCKSON. 
 
 143 
 
 confidently confiding in the supernatural powers of 
 their inspired men, that they were ready to attribute 
 d want of success to circumstances over which 
 their prophets could, in future, claim control . 
 when it was discovered that the prophets themselves 
 did not escape that fatality which attended their 
 warriors in battle, they began to think, either that 
 they had never been commissioned, or that the 
 Great Spirit, for some unknown cause, had with- 
 drawn his confidence. 
 
 The death of Monohoe, at the battle of Tohope- 
 ka, is strongly illustrative of the infatuations under 
 which these deluded and ignorant people laboured. 
 They did not at all doubt, but, as their prophets 
 had told them, that, having been spoiled of their 
 hunting-grounds, they were again to re-occupy 
 them through the aid of a new people, who from 
 beyond the great waters were coming to assist in 
 their recovery. A confidence in what those sooth- 
 sayers disclosed would, also, they believed, produce 
 the effect of protecting m and guarding them from 
 wounds and injury when engaged in battle. All 
 those marvellous stories were confided in ; but 
 when, at this battle, one of their principal prophets 
 fell, and by a caonon shot received in the mouth, 
 they adopted the opinion, that the character of the 
 wound was a judgment on his false pretensions, and 
 forthwith departed from those visions of faith which 
 previously they had entertained. 
 
 The uniform and uninterrupted successes obtain- 
 ed over them, in all our battles, may impress the 
 minds, not only of these, but of the Indians gene- 
 rally within our limits, with a higher reverence for 
 the character of cur nation than they have hitherto 
 been disposed to entertain ; give protection to our 
 
144 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 citizens, and ensure that security to the govern 
 inent, which the mildness it has practised, and the 
 tribute it has constantly given them for their peace, 
 has, heretofore, never been able to effect ; they 
 will tend to destroy the influence held over them 
 by other nations, and bring them to a conviction 
 that the United States is the only power whose 
 hostility they should fear, or whose friendship they 
 should prize. 
 
 It was now eight months since General Jackson 
 had left home, to arrest the progress of the Indian 
 war ; during most of which time he had been in a 
 situation of bodily infirmity that would have direct- 
 ed a prudent man to his bed, instead of advancing 
 to the field. During this period, he had never seen 
 his family, or been absent from the army, except to 
 visit the posts in his rear, and arrange with his con- 
 tractors some certain plan to guard against a future 
 failure of supplies. His health was still delicate, 
 and rendered retirement essential to its restoration ; 
 but his uniformly successful conduct, and the es- 
 sential advantages he had produced, had brought 
 him too conspicuously before the public for any 
 other sentiment to be indulged than that he should 
 be placed, with an important command, in the ser- 
 vice of the United States. 
 
 The resignation of General Hampton enabled the 
 government, in a short time, to afford him an evi- 
 dence of the respect it entertained for his servi- 
 ces and character. A notice of his appointment as 
 brigadier and brevet major-general, was forwarded, 
 on the 22d of May, from the war department. 
 General Harrison having, about this time, for 
 some cause, become dissatisfied with the conduct 
 of the government towards him, refused to be long- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 145 
 
 er considered one of her military setors ; to supply 
 this vacancy, a commission of major-general was 
 forwarded to Jackson, which reached him the day 
 after the notification of his first appointment, and 
 before he had been enabled to return an answer 
 whether or not it would be accepted. The impor- 
 tant services which he had rendered, added to the 
 rank which, under the authority of his state, he 
 had held, might well induce a doubt whether the 
 appointment first conferred was at all complimen- 
 tary, or one which, in justice to his own character, 
 he could have accepted. Whatever of objection 
 there might or could have arisen, on this subject, 
 was removed by the subsequent appointment of 
 major-general, made on the resignation of Harrison, 
 and which was accepted. 
 
 The contest with the Indians being ended, the 
 first object of the government was, to enter intc 
 some definitive arrangement, which should deprive 
 of success any effort that might hereafter be made 
 by other powers, to enlist those savages in their 
 wars. None was so well calculated to answer this 
 end, as that of restricting their limits, so as to cut 
 off their communication with British and Spanish 
 agents in East and West Florida. 
 
 No treaty of friendship or of boundary had yet 
 been entered into by the government with the In- 
 dians: they remained a conquered people, and 
 within the limits, and subject to the regulations and 
 restrictions, which had been prescribed in March, 
 by General Jackson, when he retired from their 
 country. He was now called upon to act in a dif- 
 ferent character, and to negotiate the terms upon 
 which an amicable understanding should be restored 
 between the United States and these conquered 
 13 
 
1 1G LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 I'ndians. But for the government to proceed on 
 the principles of reciprocal treaty stipulations, was, 
 in reference to the expensive war imposed on them, 
 and the unprovoked manner in which it had been 
 begun, not to be expected. Those Indians had 
 broken without cause the treaty they had made, 
 outraged humanity, and murdered our u.m offending 
 citizens. Under such circumstances, by the peace 
 now to be concluded, to negotiate with, and, as here- 
 tofore, recognise them as an independent and sove- 
 reign people, comported not with propriety, nor 
 was demanded by any of the ties of moral duty. 
 General Jackson, therefore, was directed to treat 
 with them as a conquered people, and to prescribe, 
 not negotiate, the conditions of a peace. Colonel 
 Hawkins, who, for a considerable time past, had 
 been the agent to this nation, was also associated 
 in the mission. With the western people the ap- 
 pointment was not acceptable, and much solicitude 
 was felt from an apprehension of his influence and 
 weight of character amongst the Indians ; and a 
 fear that his partialities and sympathies might in- 
 cline him too much to their interest. 
 
 On the 10th of July, the general, with a small 
 retinue, reached the Alabama; and on the 10th of 
 August, after some difficulty, succeeded in procur- 
 ing the execution of a treaty, in which the Indians 
 pledged themselves no more to listen to foreign 
 emissaries, — to hold no communication with British 
 or Spanish garrisons ; guarantied to the United 
 States the right of erecting military posts in their 
 country, and a free navigation of all their waters. 
 They stipulated also, that they would suffer no agent 
 or trader to pass among them, or hold any kind of 
 commerce or intercourse with their uation. unless 
 
 
L'FE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 147 
 
 specially deriving his authority from the president 
 of the United States. 
 
 The stipulations and exactions of this treaty were 
 in conformity with instructions issued from the de- 
 partment of war, and differs in expression from 
 what has been usually contained in instruments of 
 a similar kind. It breathes the language of de- 
 mand, not of contract and agreement; and hence 
 hus General Jackson been censured for the manner 
 after which the negotiation was concluded. The 
 course, however, which was pursued, is readily jus- 
 tified by the expressions of the order under which 
 he acted, and which prevented the exercise of dis- 
 cretion. Genera] Armstrong, who at that time was 
 in the cabinet, and spoke the sontiments of the 
 president, in a letter addressed to Jackson on the 
 24th of March, uses the following remarks: — "It 
 has occurred to me, that the proposed treaty with 
 the Creeks should take a form altogether military, 
 and be in the nature of a capitulation ; in which 
 case the whole authority of making and conclud 
 ing the terms will be in you exclusively, as com- 
 manding general." Accompanying this were in- 
 structions formally drawn up, and which were to 
 constitute the basis on which the negotiation was 
 to rest* 
 
 * In !he instructions which issued from the department of war, 
 as the basis on which this treaty was to be concluded, it is en- 
 joined by the secretary to exact, 
 
 " 1st. An indemnification for expenses incurred by the United 
 Statt-s in prosecuting the war, by such cession of land as may 
 be deemed an equivalent for said expenses. 
 
 " 2d. A stipulation on their part, that they will cease all inter 
 course with any Spanish port, garrison or town; and that the} 
 will not admit amongst them any agent or trader who does not 
 derive his authority or license from die United States. 
 
 " 3d. An acknowledgment of the right of the United States to 
 
148 LIFL OF GENERA! JACKSOIV. 
 
 To settle the boundary, defining the extent U 
 territory to be secured to the Creeks, and that which 
 they would be required to surrender, was attended 
 with difficulty, from the intrigues of the Cherokee 
 nation, who sought to obtain such an acknowledg- 
 ment of their lines as would give them a consider- 
 able portion of country never attached to their 
 claim. The Creeks had heretofore permitted this 
 tribe to extend its settlements as low down the 
 Coosa as the mouth of Wills' Creek. It was insist- 
 ed now, in private council, that, as they were about 
 to surrender their country lying on the Tennessee 
 River, they should, previously to signing the treaty, 
 acknowledge the extension of the Cherokee boun- 
 dary, which would secure their claim against that 
 of the United States. The only reply obtained 
 from the Creeks was in truly Indian spirit, that 
 they could not lie by admitting what did not in 
 reality exist. 
 
 Sufficient territory was acquired on the south to 
 give security to the Mobile settlements, and to the 
 western borders of Georgia, which had often felt 
 the stroke of Indian vengeance and cruelty ; while 
 at the same time was effected the important purpose 
 of separating them from the Seminole tribes, and our 
 unfriendly neighbours in Florida. To the frontiers 
 of Tennessee an assurance of safety was given by 
 the settlements which would be afforded on the 
 
 open roads through their territory, and also to establish suci. 
 military posts and trading houses as may be deemed necessary 
 and proper; and 
 
 " 4th. A surrender of the prophets, and other instigators of the 
 war, to be held subject to the order of the president. 
 
 " You are authorized, in conjunction with Colonel Hawkins, to 
 open and conclude a treaty of peace with the hostile Creeks, as 
 soon as ihev shall express a desire to put an end to the war. 
 
 "J. ARMSTRONG. ' 
 
L1FK OK GENERAL JACK.SUN, 
 
 U\) 
 
 Mnds stretching along the Tennessee River: whilst 
 the extent of the cession, west of the Coosa, would 
 effectually cut off all communication with the Chick- 
 asaws and Choctaws, and prevent, in future, the 
 passage of those emissaries from the north-western 
 tribes, who, during the present war, had so indus- 
 triously fomented the discontents of the Creeks, 
 and excited them to hostility. 
 
 Before being finally acted upon, the treaty had 
 been fully debated in council, and the voice of the 
 nation pronounced against it. Jackson had already 
 submitted the views of his government, and now 
 met them in council, to learn their determination. 
 He was answered by the Big Warrior, a friendly 
 chief, and one of the first orators of the nation, 
 who declared the reluctance that was felt, in yield- 
 ing to the demand, from a conviction of the conse- 
 quences involved, and the distresses it must inevita- 
 bly bring upon them. The firm and dignified elo- 
 quence of this untutored orator evinced a nerve 
 and force of expression, that might not have passed 
 unnoticed, had it been exhibited before a more 
 highly polished assembly: the conclusion of his 
 speech is given, for the satisfaction of such as can 
 mark the bold display of savage genius, and admire 
 it when discovered. Having unfolded the causes 
 that produced the war, told of their sufferings, and 
 admitted that they had been preserved alone by the 
 army which had hastened to their assistance, he 
 urged, that, although in justice it might be required 
 of them to defray, by a transfer of a portion of 
 their country, the expenses incurred, yet was the 
 demand premature, because the war was not ended, 
 nor the war party conquered ; they had only fled 
 awov, and might yet return He portrayed the 
 13* 
 
150 LIFE OF GEJVL'KAL JACKSON. 
 
 .habits of the Indians, and how seriously they would 
 be affected by the surrender required of them, and 
 thus concluded : 
 
 " The president, our father, advises us to honesty 
 and fairness, and promises that justice shall be 
 done: I hope and trust it will be! I made this war, 
 which has proved so fatal to my country, that the 
 treaty entered into a long time aero, with father 
 Washington, might not be broken. To his friendly 
 arm I hold fast. I will never break that bright 
 chain of friendship we made together, and which 
 bound us to stand to the United States. He was a 
 father to the Muscoga people ; and not only to them, 
 but to all the people beneath the sun. His talk ] 
 now hold in my hand. There sits the agent he 
 sent among us. Never has he broken the treaty 
 He has lived with us a long time. He has seen 
 our children born, who now have children. By his 
 direction cloth was wove, and clothes were made, 
 and spread through our country ; but the Red 
 Sticks came, and destroyed all, — we have none now 
 Hard is our situation, and you ought to consider it. 
 I state what all the nation knows : nothing will 1 
 keep secret. 
 
 "There stands the Little Warrior. While we 
 were seeking to give satisfaction for the murders 
 that had been committed, he proved a mischief- 
 maker ; he went to the British on the lakes ; he 
 c*)me back, and brought a package to the frontiers, 
 which increased the murders here. This conduct 
 has already made the war party to suffer greatly ; 
 but, although almost destroyed, they will not yet 
 open their eyes, but are still led away by the 
 British at P'ensacola. Not so with us : we were 
 rational, and had our senses — we yet are so. In 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKS 3N. 151 
 
 the Wftr of the revolution, our father beyond the 
 waters encouraged us to join him, and we did so 
 We had no sense then. The promises he made 
 were never kept. We were young and foolish, 
 and fought with him. The British can no more 
 persuade us to do wrong: they have deceived us 
 once, and can deceive us no more. You are two 
 great people. If you go to war, we will have no 
 concern in it; for we are not able to fight. We 
 wish to be at peace with every nation. If they 
 offer me arms, I will say to them, You put me in 
 danger, to war against a people born in our own 
 land. They shall never force us into danger. You 
 shall never see that our chiefs are boys in councL, 
 who will be forced to do any thing. I talk thus, 
 knowing that father Washington advised us never 
 to interfere in wars. He told us that those in 
 peace were the happiest people. He told us that, 
 if an enemy attacked him, he had warriors enough, 
 and did not wish his red children to help him. If 
 the British advise us to any thing, I will tell you — 
 not hide it from you. If they say we must fight, I 
 will tell them, No !" 
 
 The war party being not entirely subdued, was 
 but a pretext to avoid the demands which were 
 made ; presuming that, if the council could break 
 up, without any thing be.ng definitely done, they 
 might, in part, or perhaps altogether, avoid what 
 was now required of them ; but the inflexibility of 
 the person with whom they were treating evinced 
 to them, that, however just and well founded might 
 be their objections, the policy under which he acted 
 was too clearly defined, for any abandonment of his 
 demands to be at all calculated upon. Shelocta 
 one of their chiefs, who had united with our troops 
 
152 LIFE OY GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 at the commencement of the war ; who had march 
 ed and fought with them in all their battles ; and 
 had attached to himself strongly the confidence of 
 tne commanding general, now addressed him. He 
 told him of the regard he had ever felt for his 
 white brothers, and with what zeal he had exerted 
 himself to preserve peace, and keep in friendship 
 with them ; when his efforts had failed, he haa 
 taken up arms against his own country, and fought 
 against his own people ; that he was not opposed to 
 yielding the lands lying on the Alabama, which 
 would answer the purpose of cutting off any inter- 
 course witli the Spaniards ; but the country west 
 of the Coosa he wished to be preserved to the na- 
 tion.* To effect this, he appealed to the feelings 
 of Jackson ; told him of the dangers they had pass- 
 ed together ; and of his faithfulness to him in the 
 trying scenes through which they had gone. 
 
 There were, indeed, none whose voice ought 
 sooner to have been heard than Sholocta's. None 
 had rendered greater services, and none had been 
 more faithful. He had claims, growing out of his 
 fidelity, that few others had : but his wishes were 
 so much at variance with what Jackson considered 
 the interest of his country required, that he was 
 answered without hesitation. " You know," said 
 he, " that the portion of country, which you desire 
 to retain, is that through which the intruders and 
 mischief-makers from the lakes reached you, and 
 urged your nation to those acts of violence, that 
 have involved your people in wretchedness, and 
 your country in ruin. Through it leads the path 
 Tecumseh trod, when he came to visit you : that 
 
 * This country west of the Coosa now forms the respectable 
 state of Alabama, admitted into the Union in the year 1S19. 
 
LIFfc C»F GENEilAL JACKSON. 153 
 
 path must be stopped. Until this be done, yen 
 nation cannot expect happiness, nor mine security. 
 I have already told you the reasons foi demanding 
 it: they are such as ought not — cannot be departed 
 from. This evening must determine whether or 
 not you are disposed to become friendly. By re- 
 jecting the treaty you will show that you are the 
 enemies of the United States — enemies even to 
 yourselves." He admitted it to be true, that the 
 war was not ended, yet that this was an additional 
 reason why the cession should be made ; that then 
 a line would be drawn, by which his soldiers would 
 be enabled to know their friends. " When our 
 armies," continued he, " came here, the hostile 
 party had even stripped you of your country : we 
 retook it, and now offer to restore it; — theirs we 
 propose to retain. Those who are disposed to give 
 effect to the treaty will sign it They will bo 
 within our territory ; will be protected and fed : 
 and no enemy of theirs, or ours, shall molest them. 
 Those who are opposed to it shall have permission 
 to retire to Pensacola. Here is the paper : take it, 
 and show the president who are his friends. Con- 
 sult, and this evening let me know who will assent 
 to it, and who will not. I do not wish, nor will I 
 attempt, to force any of you — act as you think 
 proper.' 
 
 They proceeded to deliberate and re-examine 
 the course they should pursue, which terminated in 
 their assent to the treaty, and the extension of those 
 advantages that had been insisted on.* 
 
 * It was agreed that the line should begin where the Cherckee 
 southern boundary crossed the Coosa, to run dowr that river to 
 Woeium-ka, or the Big Falls, and thence eastwardly to Georgia 
 East and north of this line, containing upwards of one hundred 
 and fifty thousand square miles, remained to the Indians. 
 
154 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 In the progress of this business another difficul- 
 ty arosj: the council insisted that there should be 
 inserted in the treaty a reservation of certain tracts 
 of land ; one for Colonel Hawkins, in consideration 
 of his fidelity to them as an agent; and another to 
 Jackson, because of the gratitude felt towards him 
 for his exertions in their favour against the hostile 
 Creeks. To this the general objected. It was 
 personal as it regarded himself, and he was unwil 
 ling to appear in any point of view, where suspicion 
 could attach, that he had availed himself of his 
 official situation to obtain personal benefits ; fully 
 aware that, however the facts might be, selfish con- 
 siderations would be imputed as an inducement to 
 what was done. He refused, therefore, to have it 
 inserted ; and for the further reason, that the in- 
 structions, under which he was acting, required it 
 to be a capitulation, not a treaty. The next morn- 
 Jig, however, when they met in council to sign the 
 instrument, the chiefs delivered to the general a 
 paper, expressing a wish, and disclosing their rea- 
 sons, that a reservation to himself, Colonel Haw- 
 kins, and Mayfield, who, being made a prisoner in 
 his youth, had always resided in the nation, might 
 be assented to ; and requested it to be forwarded 
 on and made known to the government. Jackson 
 consented to do so, and to recommend its adoption . 
 but that the reservation they had thought proper to 
 request, if assented to, he would accept of on no 
 Jther terms than that their father the president 
 should dispose of it, and apply the proceeds to those 
 of the nation on whom distress and poverty had 
 been brought, by the war. Mr. Madison subse- 
 quently brought this matter to the consideration of 
 the senate of the United States, and, in recom- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 155 
 
 mending its adoption, highly complimented the del- 
 icacy with which the proposition had been met by 
 General Jackson: it was, however, never acted on 
 and assented to by the senate. 
 
 Every attention had been given, during the ne- 
 gotiation, to impress on the minds of the savages 
 the necessity of remaining at peace and in friendship 
 with the United Stales ; for, although all apprehen- 
 sions of their acting in concert as a nation had sub- 
 sided, yet it was important to leave their minds 
 favourably impressed, lest the wandering fugitives, 
 scattered in considerable numbers towards the Es- 
 cambia and Pensacola, might, by continuing hostile, 
 associate with them others of their countrymen, at- 
 tach themselves to the British, should they appear 
 in the south, aid them by their numbers, and pilot 
 them through the country. 
 
 This retreat of the savages in East Florida had 
 been always looked upon as a place whence the 
 United States might apprehend serious difficulties. 
 There was no doubt but that the British, through 
 this channel, with the aid of the governor, had pro- 
 tected the Indians, and supplied them with arms 
 and ammunition ; nor was it less certain but that, 
 through the art and address practised on them, they 
 had been excited to the outrages which had been 
 heretofore committed. It was an idea entertained 
 by Jackson, at the commencement of the Creek war, 
 that the proper mode of procedure would be to 
 push his army through the nation ; gain this den, 
 where vegetated so many evils ; and, by holding it, 
 effectually cut off their intercourse, and means of 
 encouraging the war : but the unexpected difficul- 
 ties, which we have before noticed, had repressed 
 the execution of his well-digested plans, and left 
 
156 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ^iim to pursue his course as circumstances, and the 
 obstacles met with, would permit. The assistance 
 which, during the war, had been continually afford- 
 ed these people from Pensacola, induced him once 
 more to turn his attention there ; and he now 
 strongly urged on government the propriety of 
 breaking down this strong hold, whence so many 
 evils had flowed, and whence greater ones were to 
 be expected. His mind, actively engaged, while 
 employed in settling all differences at Fort Jackson, 
 had sought, through every channel that could afford 
 it, information as to the designs of the British 
 against the southern parts of the Union. The idea 
 nad been prevalent, and generally indulged, that, 
 as soon as the severity of approaching winter should 
 out a stop to active operations on the Canada fron- 
 tier, with all their disposable force, they would turn 
 their attention a gainst the southern states, and there 
 attempt to gain some decisive advantage. New 
 Orleans, with one consent, was fixed upon as the 
 point that most probably would be assailed. The 
 circumstance of there being so many persons there, 
 who have never been supposed to entertain any 
 well-founded regard for the country in which they 
 iived, together with a large black population, which, 
 it was feared, might be excited to insurrection and 
 massacre, through the persuasions of an enemy who 
 seemed to disregard all the laws of humanity, 
 were reasons which strongly led to this conclusion. 
 General Jackson, having understood that that 
 comfort and aid, which heretofore had been so lib- 
 erally extended, was still afforded by the Spanish 
 go\ ernor to the hostile Indians, who had fled from 
 the ravages of the Creek war, cherished the belief 
 that his conduct was such as deservedly to exclude 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 15? 
 
 him from that protection to which, under other cir- 
 cumstances, he would be entitled, from the profess- 
 ed neutrality of Spain. At all events, if the im- 
 proper acts of the Spanish agents woulu not author- 
 ize the American government openly to redress 
 herself for the unprovoked injuries she had received 
 they were such, he believed, as would justify any 
 course which had for its object to arrest their con- 
 tinuance, and give safety to the country. In this point 
 of view he had already considered it, when, on his 
 way to the treaty at Fort Jackson, he received certain 
 information, that about three hundred English troops 
 had landed ; were fortifying themselves at the 
 mouth of the Apalachicola ; and were endeavouring 
 to excite the Indians to war. No time was lost m 
 giving the government notice of what was passing, 
 and of the course most advisable to be pursued. 
 The advantages to be secured from the possession 
 of Pensacola he had frequently urged. 
 
 On the 17th of January, J 815, after the British 
 army had been repulsed at New Orleans, and the de- 
 scent on Florida almost forgotten, through the post 
 office department, dated at Washington city, the 18th 
 of July, 1814, he received the following letter from 
 General Armstrong, then secretary at war: 
 
 " The case you put is a very strong one : and, if 
 all the circumstances stated by you unite, the con- 
 clusion is irresistible. It becomes our duty to carry 
 our arms where we find our enemies. It is believed, 
 and I am so directed by the president to say, that 
 there is a disposition, on the part of ihe Spanish gov- 
 ernment, not to break with the United States, nor to 
 encourage any conduct, on the part of her srVrdi- 
 nate agents, having a tendency to such rupture. We 
 must, therefore, in this -ase, be careful to ascertair 
 14 
 
15S LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 facts, and even to distinguish what, on the part of the* 
 Spanish authorities, may be the effect of menace 
 and compulsion, or of their choice and policy. The 
 result of this inquiry must govern. If they ad- 
 mit, feed, arm, and co-operate with the British and 
 hostile Indians, we mnst strike on the broad princi 
 pie of self-preservation : — under other and diiferen' 
 circumstances, we must forbear.'" 
 
 That the state of things, here suggested by the 
 secretary, did actually exist ; that the British were 
 favourably received, and every assistance necessary 
 to a continuance of hostilities extended to the Indi- 
 ans, the government had been already apprized, by 
 the frequent communications made to them on the 
 subject. 
 
 On arriving at Fort Jackson, his first attention 
 had been directed to a subject which he believed to 
 be of greater importance than making Indian trea- 
 ties — to establish a plan by which to be constantly 
 advised, during his stay, of those schemes that were 
 in agitation in the south: believing that every 
 passing event might be readily obtained through 
 the Indians, who could go among the British with- 
 out in the least exciting suspicion, he had required 
 Colonel Hawkins to procure some, who were confi- 
 dential, and might be certainly relied on, to proceed 
 to the Apalachicola, and towards the coast, and to 
 return as early as they could obtain correct infor- 
 mation of the strength, views, and situation of the 
 enemy. In about fifteen days they came back, con 
 firming the statement previously received, that a 
 considerable English force had arrived, and was 
 then in the Bay of St. Rose ; that muskets and am- 
 munition had been given to the Indians, and runners 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKS<»N. 159 
 
 despatched to the different tribes to invite them to 
 the coast. 
 
 Satisfied that such permissions, by a neutral 
 power, were too grievous to be borne, he immedi- 
 ately addressed a letter to the governor of Pensa- 
 cola, apprizing him of the information received : 
 «nd inquiring why and wherefore it happened that 
 every protection and assistance was furnished the 
 enemies of the United States, within his territory ; 
 requesting him to state whether or not the facta 
 were as they had been represented ; and demanding 
 to have surrendered to him such of the chiefs of 
 the hostile Indians as were with him. " I rely,' 1 
 continued he, " on the existing friendship of Spain 
 her treaties, and that neutrality which she should 
 observe, as authority for the demand I make." The 
 governor's answer, which shortly afterwards was 
 received, evinced nothing of a conciliatory temper, 
 and left no hope of procuring any other redress 
 than that which might be obtained through some 
 different channel. It was a subject, however, 
 which required to be managed with considerable 
 caution. Spain and the United States were at 
 peace. To^reduce any portion of her territory, and 
 take possession of it, in exclusion of her authority, 
 might be construed such an aggression as to induce 
 her into the war. On the other hand, for her, with 
 open arms, to receive our enemies, and permit them 
 to make every preparation, within her ports, for in- 
 vading our country, were outrages too monstrous 
 to be borne, and, in the opinion of Jackson, required 
 to be remedied, let the consequences in prospective 
 be what they might. Although these things had 
 been earnestly pressed upon the consideration of 
 the war department, no answer to his repeated so- 
 
160 LIFE OF GEiNEUAL JACKSON. 
 
 licitations on the subject had been received. Oh 
 his own responsibility, to advance to the execution 
 of a measure, which involved so much, when his 
 government was, and had for some time been in 
 possession of all the circumstances, was risking too 
 much. Yet, were it delayed longer, every day 
 might give to Pensacola additional strength, and 
 increase the danger attendant on its reduction 
 Undetermined, under considerations like these, he 
 resolved upon another expedient — to despatch a 
 messenger, to lay open to the governor the ground 
 of his complaint — obtain from him a declaration of 
 nis intention, as regarded the course he meant to 
 adopt, and pursue — and ascertain whether he de- 
 signed to make subsisting treaties, between the two 
 nations, the basis of his conduct, or to pursue a con- 
 cealed course, which, under the garb of pretended 
 friendship, cloaked all the realities of war. The 
 propriety of delivering up the hostile Indians, who 
 were with him, to atone for the violation of existing 
 treaties, and the rights of humanity, and the mur- 
 ders they had committed, was again solicited. 
 
 A reply was not concluded on by the governor 
 for some time, owing to a very considerable doubt 
 that harassed his mind, whether it would not be 
 more proper to return it without an answer, " in im- 
 'tation of the conduct of General Flournoy, who, 
 acting in conformity tc the orders of Mr. Madison, 
 heretofore had omitted to answer a despatch of his." 
 But, having considered the matter quite deliberate- 
 ly, he at length came to the conclusion, to wave the 
 example set him by the president, and, in replying 
 to act in obedience to those " high and generous 
 feelings peculiar to the Spanish character." 
 
 To the demand made upon him, that the hostile 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 161 
 
 Indians should be delivered up, he denied that they 
 were with him, " at that time," or that he could, on 
 the ground of hospitality, refuse them assistance 
 at a moment when their distresses were so great : 
 nor could he surrender them, without acting in open 
 violation of the laws of nations, — laws, to which his 
 sovereign had ever strictly adhered, and of which 
 he had already afforded the United States abundant 
 evidence, in omitting to demand of them " the trai- 
 tors, insurgents, incendiaries, and assassins of his 
 ciiiefs, namely, Guiterres, Toledo, and many others, 
 whom the American government protected and 
 uiaintair.ed in committing hostilities, in fomenting 
 the revolution, and in lighting up the flames of dis- 
 cord in the internal provinces of the kingdom of 
 Mexico." 
 
 To the inquiry, why the English had been suffered 
 to land in his province arms and ammunition, with a 
 view to encouraging the Indians in their acts of hos* 
 tility, he proceeded with his same " national charac- 
 teristic," and demanded to be informed if the United 
 States were ignorant, that, at the conquest of Flor- 
 ida, there was a treaty between Great Britain and 
 the Creek Indians, and whether they did not know, 
 that it still existed between Spain and those tribes. 
 " But," continued he, " turn your eyes to the island 
 of Barrataria, and you will there perceive that, 
 within the very territory of the United States, pi- 
 rates are sheltered, with the manifest design of 
 committing hostilities by sea upon the merchant 
 vessels of Spain ; and with such scandalous notori 
 ety, that the cargoes of our vessels, taken by them 
 have been publicly sold in Louisiana." 
 
 It is difficult to discover how, or by what system 
 of logic, it was, that Governor Manrequez was ena 
 li* 
 
162 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 bled to trace any kind of analogy between the 
 United States affording to a few of the patriots of 
 South America an asylum from the persecutions 
 that were threatened to be imposed on them by 
 Spanish tyranny, and his permitting, within the lim- 
 its of Florida, comfort, aid, and assistance to be 
 given the savages, that they might be enabled to 
 indulge in cruelty towards us. Nor can it be per- 
 ceived how it was, that the piracies of Lafite and 
 his party, at Barrataria, and the successful smug- 
 gling which brought their plundered wealth into 
 port, in open defiance of oar laws, could operate as 
 a sufficient pretext for giving protection to an ene- 
 my entering the territory of Spain, and continuing 
 there, with the avowed intention of waging war 
 against a power, with which she not only professed 
 to be in friendship, but was bound by treaty to be 
 so, and at the very time, too, when she claimed to 
 be neutral. Nor can we see the force of the argu- 
 ment, because England had a treaty with the Creek 
 Indians, which afterwards devolved on Spain, that 
 the agents of his Catholic majesty were, in conse- 
 quence, justified in protecting the savages in their 
 murders, or assisting covertly, as they did, in the 
 war against us : how the conclusions were arrived 
 at, the governor can decide at some moment, when, 
 relieved from those high and honourable feelings 
 " peculiar to the Spanish character," Reason msy 
 re-assert her empire over him, and point out the 
 manner in which he was enabled to produce his 
 strange results. 
 
 The governor, however, had evinced rather too 
 high a state of feeling, and taken his ground with- 
 out suffering his reflections to go to their full ex- 
 tent. He had placed arms in the hands of the sav 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 163 
 
 ages " for the purposes of self-defence ;" many of 
 them were hastening to him ; more were yet ex- 
 pected. The British had already landed a partial 
 force, and a greater one was shortly looked for. 
 Against this expected strength, added to what his 
 own resources could supply, he believed an Ameri- 
 can general would not venture to advance. These 
 considerations had led him to assume a lofty tone ; 
 to arraign the conduct of the United States, in ex- 
 tinguishing the Indian title on the Alabama ; to ac- 
 cuse them of violating their treaties, and to point 
 out the danger to which the restoration of peace in 
 Europe might expose them. As yet he was ignorant 
 of the energy of the man already near his borders, 
 and who, to march against and break down his fan- 
 cied security, did not desire to be ordered, but only 
 to be apprized by his country that it might be done. 
 Jackson, in no wise pleased with the boldness of his 
 remarks, proceeded again to address him, and exhib- 
 ited fully the grounds of complaint in behalf of his 
 country, and in a style at least as courtly as his own. 
 "Were I clothed," he remarks, " with diplomatic 
 powers, for the purpose of discussing the topics em- 
 braced in the wide range of injuries, of which you 
 complain, and which have long since been adjusted, 
 I could easily demonstrate that the United States 
 have been always faithful to their treaties, steadfast 
 in their friendships, nor have ever claimed any thing 
 that was not warranted by justice. They have en 
 dured many insults from the governors and other 
 officers of Spain, which, if sanctioned by their sove- 
 reign, would have amounted to acts of hostility, 
 without any previous declaration on the subject. 
 They have excited the savages to war, and afford 
 ed them the means of waging it : the property of 
 
IGi LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 our citizens has been captured at sea, and, if com 
 pensation has not been refused, it has at least been 
 withheld. But, as no such powers have been dele- 
 gated to me, I shall not assume them, but leave 
 them to the representatives of our respective gov- 
 ernments. 
 
 " I have the honour of being intrusted with the 
 command of this district. Charged with its protec- 
 tion, and the safety of its citizens, I feel my ability 
 to discharge the task, and trust your excellency 
 will always find me ready and willing to go for- 
 ward, in the performance of that duty, whenever 
 circumstances shall render it necessary. I agree 
 with you, perfectly, that candour and polite lan- 
 guage should, at all times, characterize the commu- 
 nications between the officers of friendly sovereign- 
 ties ; and I assert, without the fear of contradiction, 
 that my former letters were couched in terms the 
 most respectful and unexceptionable. I only re- 
 quested, and did not demand, as you have assert- 
 ed, that the ringleaders of the Creek confederacy 
 night be delivered to me, who had taken refuge in 
 vour town, and who had violated all laws, moral 
 civil and divine. This I had a right to do, from the 
 treaty which I sent you, and which I now again en- 
 close, with a request that you will change your 
 translation ; believing, as I do, that your former 
 one was wrong, and has deceived you. What 
 kind of an answer you returned, a reference 
 to your letter will explain. The whole of it breath- 
 ed nothing but hostility, grounded upon assumed 
 facts, and false charges, and entirely evading the 
 nquiries that had been made. 
 
 " I can but express my astonishment at your pro 
 test against the cession on the Alabama, lying 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 165 
 
 within the acknowledged limits and jurisdiction of 
 the United States, and which has been ratified, in 
 due form, by the principal chiefs and warriors of 
 the nation. But my astonishment subsides, when 
 on comparison, I find it upon a par with the rest of 
 your letter and conduct ; taken together, they af- 
 ford a sufficient justification for any course on my 
 part, or consequences that may ensue to yourself. 
 My government will protect every inch of her terri- 
 tory, her citizens, and their property, from insult 
 and depredation, regardless of the political revolu- 
 tions of Europe ; and, although she has been at all 
 times sedulous to preserve a good understanding 
 with all the world, yet she has sacred rights, that 
 cannot be trampled upon with impunity. Spain 
 had better look to her own intestine commotions, 
 before she walks fortli in that majesty of strength 
 and power, which you threaten to draw down upon 
 the United States. 
 
 " Your excellency has been candid enough to ad- 
 mit your having supplied the Indians with arms. 
 In addition to this, I have learned that a British 
 flag has been seen flying on one of your forts. All 
 this is done whilst you are pretending to be neu- 
 tral. You cannot be surprised, then, but on the 
 contrary will provide a fort in your town for my 
 soldiers and Indians, should I take it in my head tc 
 pay you a visit. 
 
 " In future I beg you to withhold your insulting 
 charges against my government for one more in- 
 clined to listen to slander than I am ; nor consider 
 me any more as a diplomatic character, unless sc 
 proclaimed to you from the mouths of my cannDn." 
 
 Captain Gordon, who had been despatched tc 
 Pensacola, had been enabled, during the time he 
 
166 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 remained there, to obtain much more satisfactory 
 information than it had pleased the governor to 
 communicate. Appearances completely developed 
 the schemes which were in agitation, and convinc- 
 ed him that active operations were intended to be 
 commenced somewhere in the lower country. On 
 nis return, he reported to the general, that he had 
 seen from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 
 officers and soldiers, a park of artillery, and about 
 five hundred Indians, under the drill of British offi- 
 cers, armed with new muskets, and dressed in the 
 English uniform. 
 
 Jackson directly brought to the view of the gov- 
 ernment the information he had received, and again 
 urged his favourite scheme, the reduction of Pen- 
 sacola. " How long," he observed, " will the Unit- 
 ed States pocket* the reproach and open insults of 
 Spain ? It is alone by a manly and dignified course, 
 that we can secure respect from other nations, and 
 peace to our own. Temporizing policy is not only 
 a disgrace, but a curse to any nation. It is a fact 
 that a British captain of marines is, and has for 
 some time past been, engaged in drilling and or- 
 ganizing the fugitive Creeks, under the eye of the 
 governor ; endeavouring, by his influence and pres- 
 ents, to draw to his standard as well the peaceable 
 as the hostile Indians. If permission had been 
 given me to march against this place twenty days 
 ago, I would, ere this, have planted there the Amer- 
 ican Eagle ; now, we must trust alone to our val- 
 our, and to the justice of our cause. But my pres- 
 ent resources are so limited — a sickly climate, aa 
 well as an enemy, to contend with, and without the 
 means of transportation to .mange the position of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 167 
 
 my army, that, resting on the bravery of my little 
 phalanx, I can only hope for success." 
 
 Many difficulties were presented ; and, although 
 anxious to carry into execution a purpose which 
 seemed so strongly warranted by necessity, he saw 
 that he was wholly without the power of moving, 
 even should he be directed to do so. Acting in a 
 remote corner of the Union, which was thinly inhab- 
 ited, the credit of his government was inadequate 
 to procure those things essential to his operations , 
 while the poverty of his quarter-master's depart- 
 ment presented but a dreary prospect for reliance. 
 But, to have all things in a state of readiness for ac- 
 tion, when the time should arrive to authorize it, he 
 was directing his attention in the way most likely 
 to effect it. The warriors of the different tribes of 
 Indians were ordered to be marshalled, and taken 
 into the pay of the government. He addressed 
 himself to the governors of Tennessee, Louisiana, 
 and the Mississippi territory, and pressed them to 
 be vigilant in the discharge of their duties. Infor- 
 mation, he said, had reached him, which rendered 
 it necessary that all the forces allotted for the de 
 fence of the seventh military district, should be 
 held in a state of perfect readiness, to march at any 
 notice, and to any point they might be required 
 "Dark and heavy clouds hover around us. The 
 energy and patriotism of the citizens of your states 
 must dispel them. Our rights, our liberties, and 
 free constitution, are threatened. This noble pat- 
 rimony of our fathers must be defended with the 
 best blood of our country : to do this, you must 
 hasten to carry into effect the requisition of the 
 secretary of war, and call forth your troops without 
 delay," 
 
16S LIFE OP GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 On the day after completing his business at Fort 
 Jackson, he had departed for Mobile, to place the 
 country in a proper state of defence. The third 
 regiment, a part of the forty-fourth and thirty-ninth, 
 constituted, entirely, the regular forces he could at 
 this time command. Many reasons concurred to 
 render it necessary that a sufficient force should be 
 brought into the field as early as possible. His ap- 
 peals to the people of Tennessee had been generally 
 crowned with success ; and he had no doubt but 
 that he might yet obtain from them such assistance as 
 would enable him, should any unexpected emergen- 
 cy arise, to act at least defensively, until the states 
 already applied to should have their quotas ready for 
 the field. On the citizens of Louisiana and Missis- 
 sippi he believed he might securely rely, and that 
 their ardour would readily excite them to contend 
 with an enemy at their very doors. Well knowing 
 the delay incident to bringing militia requisitions 
 expeditiously forth, and fearing that some circum- 
 stance might arise to jeopardize the safety of the 
 country, before the constituted authorities could act, 
 he had already despatched his adjutant-general, 
 Colonel Butler, to Tennessee, with orders to raise 
 volunteers, and have them in readiness to advance 
 to his relief, whenever it should be required. 
 
 Every day's intelligence tended to confirm the 
 belief that a descent would be made, — most proba- 
 bly on New Orleans. Anonymous letters, secretly 
 forwarded from Pensacola, and which found their 
 way into the American camp suggested this as the 
 point of assault ; and manv of the settlers were ap- 
 prized by their friends of the fears entertained for 
 their safety, and entreated to retire from the gath- 
 ering storm, which, it was feared, would soon burst. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 109 
 
 and entirely involve the lower country in ruin. 
 Where certainly to expect attack, was as yet un- 
 known. The part of the country bordering on Mo- 
 bile might be assailed ; yet, taking into considera- 
 tion that no very decided advantages could be ob- 
 tained there, it was an event not much to be appre- 
 hended. The necessity, however, of being prepar- 
 ed at all points, co far as the means of defence 
 could be procured, was at once obvious ; for, as the 
 general, in one of his letters, remarked, " there 
 was no telling where, or when the spoiler might 
 come." 
 
 There were now too many reasons to expect an 
 early visit, and too many causes to apprehend dan- 
 ger, not to desire that an efficient force might be 
 within convenient distance. Colonel Butler was 
 accordingly written to, and ordered to hasten for- 
 ward, with the volunteers he could procure, and to 
 join him without delay. The order reached him 
 at Nashville, on the 9th of September, and he forth- 
 with engaged actively in its execution. He directly 
 applied to General Coffee, to advance with the 
 mounted troops ne could collect. A general order 
 was at the same time issued, bringing to view the 
 dangers that threatened, and soliciting those who 
 were disposed to aid in protecting their country 
 from invasion, to unite with him at Fayetteville, by 
 the 28th instant. The appeal was not ineffectual ; 
 although the scene of operation was at least four 
 hundred miles from the point of rendezvous, the 
 call was promptly obeyed ; and two thousand able- 
 bodied men, well supplied with rifles and muskets, 
 appeared at the appointed time to march with the 
 brave General Coffee, who had so often led his 
 troops to victory and honour. Colonel Butler, with 
 15 
 
170 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 his usual industry, hastened to press forward the 
 militia, under the command of Colonel Lowery 
 which had been heretofore required for garrisoning 
 the posts in the Indian country ; whilst Captains 
 Baker and Butler, with the regular forces lately en- 
 listed, advanced from Nashville to Mobile, where 
 they arrived in fourteen days. By proper exertions 
 every thing was presently in complete readiness : 
 and the troops collected for the campaign, in high 
 spirits, set out for the point to which danger, duty, 
 end their countrv called them. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 171 
 
 CHAPTER VTL 
 
 Colrvd Nichoils arrives at Pmsacola, and issues a prnclamatvm to 
 the sMthem xihabilatds. — Attack on Fort Bowyer, and loss of 
 the Hermes. — Jackson determines to reduce Pensacola. — Demands 
 
 of the governor an explanation of his conduct ; his ansivei 
 
 Enters and takes possession of Pensacola. — Conduct and perfdij 
 of the governor. Destruction, by the British, of Barrancas 
 Fort. — Our troops return to Mobile. — Expeditimi against the 
 Indians. — General Winchester arrives, and Jackson proceeds to 
 take command of J\ew Orleans. 
 
 Whether a force were thus concentrating to act 
 defensively against an invading enemy, or were in- 
 tended to reduce the rallying point of the Indiana 
 and British in the Spanish territory, whence they 
 had it in their power to make sudden inroads on 
 any part of our coast, as yet all was conjecture. 
 It was a trait in Jackson's character to lock closely 
 in his bosom all his determinations : it was only to 
 a few, on whom he reposed with unlimited confi- 
 dence, that the least intimation was at any time giv- 
 en of his intentions. The idea could scarcely be 
 entertained, that, at this time, any hostility was 
 meditated against Pensacola. 
 
 It was impossible he should remain long in doubt, 
 as to the course best calculated to assure defence, 
 or to the ulterior objects of the enemy. Colonel 
 Nicholls, with a small squadron of his Britannic 
 majesty's ships, had arrived the latter part of Au- 
 gust, and taken up his head-quarters with Governor 
 Manrequez. He was an Irishman, sent in advance 
 oy his royal master to sow dissensions among our 
 people, and to draw around his standard the male- 
 
172 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 contents and traitors of the country. His proclama 
 tion, issued to the western and southern inhabitants, 
 full of well-turned periods, false statements and 
 high-sounding promises, it was hoped, would lead 
 them to a belief, that the government under which 
 they lived was forging for them chains ; that it had 
 declared war against a power, the freest, the hap- 
 piest, the mo.st moral and religious on earth. He 
 slated, that he was at the head of a force amply suf- 
 ficient to reinstate them in those liberties and en- 
 joyments, of which they had been bereaved, by the 
 designs of " a contemptible few." That such as 
 were disposed to imbrue their hands in the blood 
 of their countrymen, might not quietly rest, doubt- 
 ing of the assurances proffered them, he concluded 
 by tendering, as security for all he had said and 
 promised, "the sacred honour of a British officer." 
 Perhaps he could have vouchsafed nothing that the 
 American people would not have sooner relied on : 
 it was a pledge, in which past experience told them 
 they could not in safety confide. To them it was 
 a matter of surprise, that a country, from which 
 they had learned all they had ever known or felt of 
 oppression, should come to make them freer than 
 they were ; or that, groaning themselves under a 
 load of taxes, from which there was scarcely a hope 
 of being ever relieved, they should come, with such 
 apparent compassion, and great benevolence, to 
 take away the burdens of those whom they despis- 
 ed, and on whom, for forty years, they had heaped 
 nothing but reproach. 
 
 He had waited about two weeks, that his proc 
 lamation might take effectual hold, anJ prepare the 
 inhabitants to open their bosoms to receive him, 
 when this delivering hero aided by his Indian and 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON- 173 
 
 Spanish allies, set out to ascertain the effect it had 
 wrought. His first visit was to Fort Bowyer, sit- 
 uated on the extreme end of a narrow neck of land, 
 about eighteen miles below the head of Mobile Bay, 
 the entrance of which it commanded. With the loss oi 
 one of his ships and an eye, he had the mortification 
 to learn, that he had been addressing an incorrigi 
 ble race, who could be neither duped, flattered, noi 
 forced into submission. 
 
 Fort Bowyer had been heretofore abandoned : 
 and, until the arrival of General Jackson in this sec- 
 tion of the country, was indeed ill calculated for 
 serious resistance. On perceiving its importance. 
 he immediately caused it to be placed in the best 
 possible state of defence. So effectual was its sit- 
 uation in a military point of view, commanding the 
 passes of those rivers which discharged themselves 
 into the bay, that it was with him a matter of sur- 
 prise it had not been more regarded by the United 
 States, and even better attended to by our enemies. 
 
 Major Lawrence had the honour to command this 
 spot, the gallant defence of which has given it ce- 
 lebrity, and raised him to an elevated stand in the 
 estimation of his country. That at Pensacola plans 
 of operation were digesting, which had for their 
 object an invasion of our coast somewhere, was a fact 
 to which Lawrence was not a stranger. A dispo- 
 sition to have his little fortress in such a state of 
 readiness, as would place it in his power, should 
 that be their object, to make a brave defence, had 
 prompted him to the most vigorous exertions. His 
 whole strength was but one hundred and thirty 
 men. By this Spartan band was evinced a confi- 
 dence in each other, and an unshaken resolution, 
 which left their brave commander no room to ap 
 15* 
 
174 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 prehend dishonour to his flag, even should defeai 
 result. 
 
 The 12th of September determined all doubt ot 
 the object which the British had in view. The sen 
 tinels brought intelligence that a considerable force, 
 consisting of Indians, marines, and Spaniards, had 
 landed ; and the same day two brigs and sloops 
 hove in sight of the fort, and anchored. 
 
 The ne^t day a demonstration was made, by those 
 who had been landed, to bring on the attack ; but 
 a fire from the fort forced them from their position, 
 and compelled them to retire about two miles 
 whence, attempting to throw up fortifications, they 
 were again made to retreat. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 15th, the signals, 
 passing from the ships to the shore, led Lawrence 
 to believe an assault was intended, and would short- 
 ly be made. At half after four o'clock in the even- 
 ing, every thing being arranged, the Hermes, in 
 the van, commanded by Sir W. H. Percy, and the 
 other vessels close in the rear, anchored within 
 musket-shot fire of the fort. From her near posi- 
 tion, supported by the Carron, and brigs Sophia and 
 Anaconda, mounting in all ninety guns, she open- 
 ed a broadside. Colonel Nicholls and Captain 
 Woodbine, at the head of their detachment, com- 
 menced a simultaneous attack by land, with a 
 twelve pound howitzer, at point blank distance ; but 
 from their sand bank fortifications they were so 
 quickly driven as to be unable to produce the slight 
 est injury. 
 
 The action raged with considerable violence 
 From the fort and ships was pouring a continual fire 
 The Hermes, having, at length, received a shot 
 through her cable,was drivenfrom her anchorage, and 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. ITS 
 
 floated with the stream. In this situation she was 
 thrown into a position, where, for twenty minutes, 
 she received a severely raking fire, which did hei 
 considerable damage. In her disabled condition, 
 it was no longer possible to control her, whence, 
 drifting with the current, she ran upon a saLd bank 
 about seven hundred yards distant, where, until late 
 at night, she remained exposed to the guns of the 
 fort. Her commander, finding it impracticable to 
 be relieved, set her on fire, and abandoned her. 
 She continued burning until eleven o'clock, when 
 she blew up. The Carron, next in advance to the 
 Hermes, was considerably injured, and with diffi- 
 culty went out to sea. 
 
 It may be worth \v hile, to show the difference in 
 battle between the two combatants, to mark the 
 conduct of British and American officers, under cir 
 cumstances precisely similar. Whilst the battle 
 raged, the flag of the van ship was carried away, 
 and at this moment she had ceased to fire. What 
 had caused its disappearance none could tell : no 
 other opinion was, or could with propriety be en- 
 tertained, than that it had been hauled down, with 
 a view to yield tfye contest, and surrender. Influ- 
 enced by this belief, Lawrence, with a generosity 
 characteristic of our officers, immediately desisted 
 from further firing. The appearance of a new flag, 
 and a broadside from the ship next the Hermes, wa.3 
 the first intelligence received that such was not the 
 fact and the contest again raged with renewed 
 violence. It was but a few minutes, however, before 
 «Jie flag-staff of the fort was also carried away ; but, 
 so far from pursuing the same generous course that 
 had just been witnessed, the zeal of the enemy was 
 increased, and the assault more furiously urged 
 
176 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 At this moment, Nicholls and Woodbine, at the head 
 of their embattled train, perceiving what had hap- 
 pened, — that our " star-spangled banner" had sunk, 
 — at once presuming all danger to have subsided, 
 made a most courageous sally from their strong 
 hold ; and, pushing towards their vanquished foes, 
 were already calculating on a rich harvest of plun- 
 der : but a well-directed fire checked their pro- 
 gress, dissipated their expectations, and drove them 
 back, with a rapidity even surpassing the celerity 
 of their advance. 
 
 From the bay, the attack was waged with a force 
 of six hundred men, and ninety guns, of larger cal- 
 iber than any opposed to them ; whilst upwards of 
 four hundred Indians and other troops were on the 
 shore, in rear of the fort. Lawrence's strength waa 
 scarcely a tenth of the enemy's. His fort, hastily 
 prepared for defence, with not more than twenty 
 guns, was ill calculated for stubborn resistance : 
 most of these were of small caliber, whilst many, 
 from being badly mounted, were capable of render- 
 ing no essential service in the action : yet, with 
 this great inequality, he well maintained the honour 
 of his flag, and compelled the eneniy, resting in full 
 confidence of success, to retire, with the loss of 
 their best ship, and two hundred and thirty men 
 killed and wounded ; whilst the loss sustained by 
 the Americans did not exceed ten. 
 
 Very different were the feelings of the leaders 
 of this expedition, from what had been entertained 
 on setting out from Pensacola, where every thing 
 had been prepared for giving success to their plans, 
 and where scarcely a doubt was entertained of the 
 result. Numerous benefits were expected to arise 
 from a victory, not in expectancy, but already looked 
 
LIFE OF GF.NERAL JACKSON. 177 
 
 10 as certain — as an event that could not fail. From 
 it, greater facility would be given to their opera- 
 tions ; while Mobile, it was expected, would fall, of 
 course. This being effected, independent of the 
 strong hold already possessed in Florida, an addi- 
 tional advantage would be acquired, calculated tc 
 prevent all intercourse with New Orleans from this 
 section of the country, enable them more easily tc 
 procure supplies, and, having obtained their expect- 
 ed re-enforcements, piloted and aided by the Indians 
 to proceed across to the Mississippi, and cut off all 
 communication with the western states. To rendei 
 the blow effectual was important ; that, by impress 
 Lag at once the inhabitants with an idea of thei. 
 prowess, the proclamations already disseminatec 
 might claim a stronger influence on doubting 
 minds. The force employed was calculated to at 
 tain these wished-for results. While the attack 
 should be furiously waged by the ships from the bay 
 and the forces on the shore, the yells of three or 
 four hundred savages in the rear, it was calculated, 
 would strike the defenders of this fort with such 
 panic, as to make them, at the first onset, throw 
 down their arms, and clamour for mercy. This be- 
 lief was so sanguinely indulged, that obstinate s re- 
 sistance had never been thought of. Different was 
 the reality — instead of triumph, they had met de- 
 feat. The only badges of victory they could pre- 
 sent their friends, with whom, but a few days before, 
 with flattering promises they had parted, were shat- 
 tered hulks, that could scarcely keep above the 
 water, and decks covered with the dead and 
 wounded. 
 
 The three vessels that retired from the contest 
 were considerably injured, and with difficulty pro 
 
178 LIFE OK GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ceeded to sea, leaving Nicholls and Woodbine, 
 with their friends and allies, on the shore, to make 
 good their retreat, as discretion should permit. 
 
 On the morning of the 14th, Jackson, fearing, 
 from every thing he had learned, that an attack 
 would be made, had set out in a boat from Mobile, 
 to visit Fort Bovvyer, examine its situation, and 
 have such arrangements made as would add to its 
 strength, and obtain that security which its re-estab- 
 lishment had been designed to effect. He had pro- 
 ceeded down the bay, and arrived within a few 
 miles of the place, when he met an express from 
 Lawrence, bringing intelligence of the enemy's ar- 
 rival, and requesting that assistance might be im- 
 mediately sent to his relief. The general, hastening 
 back, late at night, despatched a brig, with eighty 
 men, under the command of Captain Laval. Not 
 being able to reach his point of destination until the 
 next day, and finding every place of entrance block- 
 ed up by the besiegers, he ran his brig to the land, 
 determined to remain there until night, when, under 
 cover of its darkness, he hoped to succeed in throw- 
 ing into the fort himself and the re-enforcement un- 
 der his command. The battle, however, having in 
 the mean time commenced, presented new difficul- 
 ties, and restrained the execution of his purpose, 
 unless he should venture to encounter greater haz- 
 ard than prudence seemed to sanction. The Her- 
 mes, on being driven from her anchorage, had, 
 at the time of her explosion, floated and grounded 
 in a direction, which, from the position she occupied, 
 placed her immediately in the rear of the fort. 
 This circumstance well accounted for the mistake 
 with which he was impressed, and led Captain La- 
 val to suppose that his brave countrymen had ail 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 179 
 
 perished. Believing they would now attempt to 
 carry his vessel, he set sail for Mobile, and report 
 ed to the commanding general the loss. Jackson 
 declared it was impossible ; that he had heard the 
 explosion, and was convinced it was on the water, 
 and not on the shore. Perhaps his great anxiety, 
 more than any reality, had constituted this refined 
 difference in sound. If, however, the disasters were 
 as it was reported, his own situation being thereby 
 rendered precarious, something was necessary to 
 be done to repair the loss, and regain a place for 
 many reasony too important to be yielded. His 
 principal fears were, lest the strength of the enemy 
 should be greatly increased, before his expected 
 re-enforcements could arrive, who would be enabled 
 to extend his inroads, and paralyze the zeal of the 
 country. It was not a time for much deliberation 
 as to the course most advisable to be pursued. He 
 determined, at all hazard, to retake the fort ; and 
 to that end a general order was issued for the de- 
 parture of the troops. Every thing was neari'y in 
 readiness, when a despatch arrived from Lawrence, 
 proclaiming the pleasing intelligence, that all was 
 safe, and that the enemy, vanquished, had retired. 
 
 The conduct displayed by the officers and soldiers 
 of this garrison is worthy to be remembered. With 
 troops wholly undisciplined, am' against an enemy 
 ten times more numerous than themselves, so fear- 
 lessly contending, is a circumstance so flattering, 
 that we cannot wish our country better, than tnat 
 the future defenders of her honour, and violated 
 rights, may be as sensibly alive to their duty 
 
 The British had now retired to Pensacola, to dis- 
 pose of their wounded, refit their vessels, and be 
 ready, as soon as circumstances would permit, Vs 
 
180 LIFE OF GENERAL JA«liStuN. 
 
 make, peihaps, another descent, on some less guard- 
 ed point. So long as this, their only place of refuge 
 on the southern coast, was left in their possession 
 it was impossible to calculate on the consequences 
 that might arise. The commanding general enter- 
 tained a suspicion that this was merely a feint, and 
 that the object of their wishes, so soon as a suffi 
 cient force should arrive, would be New Orleans. 
 At this place he believed his presence most mate- 
 rial, to guard the important passes to the city, and 
 to concert some plan of general defence. 
 
 Jackson and his government had ever viewed 
 this subject in very different lights : they were not 
 willing to risk any act which might involve the pos- 
 sibility of a contest with Spain, for the sake of re- 
 moving what they considered an unimportant griev- 
 ance : *he thought it of more serious import, and 
 did not believe it could afford even a pretext for 
 rupture between the two nations. If Spain, through 
 her agents, gave assistance to our enemy, or en- 
 couraged a power with whom she was at peace to 
 be thus annoyed, she deserved to be placed herself 
 on the list of enemies, and treated accordingly. If, 
 however, Great Britain, taking advantage of the 
 defenceless state of her province, claimed to have 
 free egress, in exclusion of her authority, she could 
 have no well-founded cause of complaint against 
 the injured power, which should claim to hold it : 
 until such time as, by bringing a sufficient force, 
 sue might be in a situation to support her neutra: 
 ity, and enforce obedience. Upon either ground, 
 he believed it might be sufficiently justified. There 
 was one, however, on which it could be placed, 
 where he well knew nothing could result, beyond 
 his own injury ; and on this issue he was willing to 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL ACKSON. 1 S 1 
 
 trust it. If any complaint should be made, his gov 
 ernment, having never extended to him any author 
 ity, might, with propriety, disavow the act ; and, 
 by exposing him to punishment, would offer an 
 atonement for the outrage ; and Spain, in justice, 
 could demand no more. The attack on Mobile 
 Point was a confirmation of his previous conjectures, 
 as to the views of the enemy ; and from that mo- 
 ment he determined to advance and reduce Pensa 
 cola, throw a sufficient force into the Barrancas, 
 hold them until the principles of right and neutral- 
 ity were better respected, and rest the measure on 
 his own responsibility. Believing this the only 
 course calculated to assure ultimate securitv, he 
 oecided with firmness, and resolved to execute his 
 intentions so soon as General Coffee should arrive, 
 with the volunteers, from Tennessee. 
 
 It was now generally accredited, that' a very 
 considerable force would shortly sail from England, 
 destined to act against some part of the United 
 States ; where, none could tell ; rumour fixed its 
 destination for New Orleans. The importance of 
 this place was well known to our enemy ; it was 
 the key to the entire commerce of the western 
 country. Had a descent been made a few months 
 before, it might have been taken with all imagina- 
 ble ease ; but the British had indulged the belief, 
 that they could possess it at any time, without dif- 
 ficulty. England and France having ended their 
 long-pending controversy, it was presumed that 
 the French people of Louisiana, alive to the great 
 benefits the English had conferred upon their na 
 tive country, — benefits that prostrated her liberty 
 and which have sunk her, perhaps, in eternal sla- 
 very, — would, on their first appearance, hai! their dc 
 16 
 
I $2 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 liverers, and become their vassals. Independent of 
 this, they imagined the black population would af 
 ford them the means of exciting insurrection, and 
 deluging the country in blood. Whether a resort 
 to this kind of warfare, which involves the deepest 
 wretchedness, and equally exposes to ruin the in- 
 nocent as the guilty, — the female as the soldier, — 
 should be sanctioned by a nation professing a high 
 sense of moral feeling ; or whether a nation that 
 adopts such a system merits countenance from the 
 civilized world, are questions on which we should 
 not fear the decision even of an Englishman, could 
 he but divest himself of that animosity which, from 
 »nfancy, he learns to entertain for the Americans. 
 
 The expected re-enforceinents were announced. 
 General Coffee with his brigade had arrived at the 
 Cut-off, no 4- far from Fort St. Stephens, on the Mo- 
 bile river. In addition to the force with which he 
 commenced his march, he had been strengthened 
 by the arrival of others, who had overtaken him at 
 this place ; so that his whole number was now about 
 twenty-eight hundred. To make the necessary ar- 
 rangements for an immediate march, General Jack- 
 son, on the 26th day of October, repaired to Coffee's 
 camp. A dependence on himself to further the 
 objects of the government, and the cause of the 
 country, had been his constant lot from the com- 
 mencement of his military career ; and a similar 
 Fesort, or failure to the enterprise, was now to be 
 assayed. Money was wanted — the quarter-masters 
 were destitute of funds, and the government credit 
 was insufficient to procure the necessary means to 
 change the position of an army : thus situated, 
 with his own limited funds, and loans effected on 
 his responsibility, he succeeded in carrying his 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. ISH 
 
 plans into effect, and in hastening his army r«- the 
 place of its destination. 
 
 The difficulty of subsisting cavalry on tne route 
 rendered it necessary that part of the brigade 
 should proceed on foot. Although they had volun- 
 teered in the service as mounted men, and expected 
 that no different disposition would be made of them, 
 yet they cheerfully acquiesced in the order : and 
 one thousand, abandoning their horses to subsist as 
 they could on the reeds that grew along the river 
 bottoms, prepared to commence the march. Being 
 supplied with rations for the trip, on the 2d day 
 of November the line of march was taken up, and 
 Pensacola was reached on the 6th. The British 
 and Spaniards had obtained intelligence of their 
 approach and intended attack ; and every thing 
 was in readiness to dispute their passage to the 
 town. The forts were garrisoned, and prepared 
 for resistance ; batteries formed in the principal 
 streets ; and the British vessels moored within the 
 bay, and so disposed as to command the main en- 
 trances which led into Pensacola. 
 
 The American army, consisting of the greater 
 part of Coffee's brigade, the regulars, and a few 
 Indians, id all about three thousand men, had ar- 
 rived within a mile and a half of this rallying point 
 for our enemies, and formed their encampment. 
 Before any final step was taken, the general con- 
 cluded to make a further application to the gov- 
 ernor, and to learn of him what course at the 
 present moment he would make it necessary for 
 him to pursue. To take possession of Pensacola, 
 and dislodge the British, was indispensable • to do- 
 it under such circumstances, however, as should 
 impress the minds of the Spaniards with a conv.c- 
 
184 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 rion, that the invasion of their territory was a 
 measuie resorted to from necessity, not choice, 
 and from no disposition to violate their neutraj 
 rights, was believed to be essential. It was ren- 
 dered the more so, on the part of Jackson, because 
 a measure of his own, and not directed by his gov- 
 ernment. Previously, he determined once more to 
 try the effect of negotiation, that he might ascertain 
 correctly how far the governor felt disposed to 
 preserve a good understanding between the two 
 governments. 
 
 Major Piere, of the forty-fourth regiment, was 
 accordingly despatched with a flag, to disclose the 
 objects intended to be attained by the visit, and to 
 require that the different forts, Barrancas, St. Rose, 
 and St. Michael, should be immediately surren- 
 dered, to be garrisoned by the United States, until 
 Spain, by furnishing a sufficient force, might be 
 able to protect the province, and preserve unim- 
 paired her neutral character. He was charged by 
 the general with a candid statement of his views, 
 and instructed to require of the governo? a deci- 
 sive declaration of the course intended. 
 
 This mission experienced no very favourable re- 
 sult. Major Piere, on approaching St. Michael's, 
 was fired on. and compelled to return. Whether 
 this were done by the Spaniards themselves, or by 
 their allies and friends, was not a material inquiry 
 The Spanish flag was displayed on the fort, and 
 under it the outrage was committed ; though it was 
 a fact well ascertained, that, until the day before, 
 the British flag had been also associated : this, on 
 the arrival of Jackson, had been removed, and the 
 colours of Spain left, which were designed to afford 
 protection to our enemies, and a pretext for every 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 18£ 
 
 injury This conduct, so unprovoked, and so di- 
 rectly in opposition to the principles of civilized 
 warfare, might have well determined the general 
 to abstain from further forbearance, and to proceed 
 immediately to the accomplishment of hi-s views 
 but a consciousness, that although the reduction of 
 this place was required by circumstances of the 
 Highest necessity, yet, fearing it might be blazoned 
 to his prejudice, and particularly that it might be- 
 come a cause of national difficulty, he was prompted 
 to act with every possible caution. Determining, 
 therefore, to understand the governor fully, previous- 
 ly to proceeding to extremities, he again despatched 
 a letter to him, not by any of his officers, — for, after 
 such perfidy, he was unwilling, and felt it unsafe, to 
 risk them, — but by a Spanish corporal, who had been 
 taken on the route the day before. By him it was 
 required to be known, why the former application 
 which had been made, instead of being met with a 
 becoming spirit of conciliation, had been insulted. 
 [n answer, he received from the governor a confir 
 matiun of the opinion he had previously entertained, 
 that what had been done was not properly chargea- 
 ble on him, but the English; that he had no agency 
 in the transaction of which he complained, and 
 assured him of his perfect willingness to receive 
 any overtures he might be pleased to make. This 
 was joyful tidings ; and no time was to be lost in 
 meeting the offer. If negotiation should place in 
 his hands the different fortresses, before informa- 
 tion of it could be had by the British shipping 
 lying in the bay, the outward channel would be 
 effectually stopped, and the means of their escape 
 entirely cut off. Major Piere was sent off, at a 
 late hour of the night, to detail to the governor the 
 16* 
 
186 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 reasons which had rendered the present descent 
 proper ; and to insist on the conditions already 
 noticed, as alone calculated to assure safety to the 
 United States, and give protection to the provinces 
 of Florida. He was particularly instructed to im- 
 press on his consideration the most friendly senti- 
 ments, and to assure him that a re-surrender would 
 be made so soon as Spain, by the arrival of a suf- 
 ficient force, could protect her territory from the 
 inroads of a power at war with the United States ; 
 and which, through an opening thus afforded to a 
 violation of the neutrality of Spain, was enabled? 
 and had already done her considerable injury. In 
 his communication to the governor, he remarks, " 1 
 come not as the enemy of Spain ; not to make war, 
 but to ask for peace ; to demand security for my 
 country, a*nd that respect to which she is entitled, 
 and must receive. My force is sufficient, and m) 
 determination taken, to prevent a future repetition 
 of the injuries she has received. I demand, there- 
 fore, the possession of the Barrancas, and other for 
 tifications, with all your munitions of war. If de 
 livered peaceably, the whole will be receipted for, 
 and become the subject of future arrangement by 
 our respective governments ; while the property, 
 laws, and religion of your citizens shall be respect- 
 ed. But if taken by an appeal to arms, let the blood 
 of your subjects be upon your own head. I will not 
 hold myself responsible for the conduct of my en 
 raged soldiers. One hour is given you for delib 
 eration. when your determination must be had. 1 ' 
 
 The council was called, and the propositions made 
 considered, when the conclusion was taken that 
 tney could not be acceded to. As soon as the an- 
 swer was received, showing that nothing peaceably 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 18" 
 
 could be effected, Jackson resolved to urge his armv 
 forward ; and, immediately commencing his march, 
 proceeded to the accomplishment of his object, de- 
 termined to effect it, in despite of consequences. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 7th, the army was 
 in motion. To foster the idea, that he would march 
 and reach the town along the road on which he was 
 encamped, a detachment of five hundred men was 
 sent forward, with orders to show themselves in this 
 direction, that they might deceive the enemy ; while, 
 urging rapidly on, with the strength of his army, 
 he was gaining Pensacola at a different point. This 
 stratagem succeeded : the British, looking for his 
 appearance where the detachment was seen, had 
 formed their vessels across the bay, and were wait- 
 ing his approach, with their guns properly bearing : 
 nor had they an intimation to the contrary, until our 
 troops were descried upon the beach, on the east 
 6ide, where they were at too great a distance to be 
 annoyed from the flotilla ; and whence, pushing for- 
 ward, they were presently in the streets, and under 
 cover of the houses. 
 
 One company, from the third regiment of infan- 
 try, with two field pieces, formed the advance, led 
 by Captain Laval, who fell, severely wounded, while, 
 at the head of his command, he was charging a 
 Spanish battery, formed in the street. The left col- 
 umn, composed of the regular troops, the third, 
 thirty-ninth, and forty-fourth regiments, headed by 
 Majors Woodruff and Piere, formed the left, next 
 the bay. The dismounted volunteers proceeded 
 down the street, next the regulars : Coffee's brig- 
 ade next, on their right : the Mississippi dragoons, 
 commanded by Colonel Hinds, and the Choctaw In- 
 dians by Major Blue, of the thirty-ninth, advanced 
 
IS8 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 on the extreme rig-lit of all. Captain Laval's party, 
 although deprived of their leader, moved forward, 
 and, at the point of the bayonet, took possession of 
 the battery in their front. So quickly was this ef- 
 fected, that the Spaniards had it in their power to 
 make but three fires, before they were forced to 
 abandon it. From behind the houses and garden 
 fpnees were constant volleys of musketry discharg- 
 ed, until the regulars, arriving, met the Spaniards, 
 and drove them from their positions. The gover- 
 nor, trembling for the safety of his city, and remem- 
 bering the declaration of the general, that, if driven 
 to extremes, he should not hold himself responsi- 
 ole for his enraged soldiers, hastened, bearing a flag 
 in his hand, to find the commander to stay the car- 
 nage. He was met by Colonels Williamson and 
 Smith, at the head of the dismounted troops, when, 
 with faltering speech, he entreated that mercy might 
 be extended, and promised to consent to whatevei 
 terms might be demanded of him. 
 
 General Jackson had stopped for a moment at 
 the place where Laval had fallen, and was at this 
 time in the rear. Receiving information that an 
 offer had been made by the governor to comply 
 with every demand heretofore made on him, he has- 
 tened to the intendant house, and obtained a confir 
 mation of what had previously been communicated 
 to him, that the town arsenals, and munitions of 
 war, and in fact whatever was required, should im- 
 mediately be surrendered. 
 
 The British vessels remained in the bay: with 
 the aid of their boats, by which a nearer situation 
 was obtained, they continued to fire upon our troops, 
 as, passing along the principal streets, they could 
 get them in the range of their guns. Lieutenant 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 1S9 
 
 Call, perceiving some of their boats attempting to 
 occupy a more advantageous position, advanced to 
 the beach with a single piece of artillery, where, 
 suddenly unmasking himself from a hill, uncovered, 
 he commenced -a brisk and well-aimed fire, which 
 drove them back to a respectful distance. 
 
 No time was lost by General Jackson in procur- 
 ing what was considered by him of vital impor- 
 tance — the surrender of the forts. Although great- 
 er benefits would have been derived, had the suc- 
 cess of negotiation placed them privately in his 
 hands, without its being previously known to his 
 enemies, yet even now their possession was not to 
 be neglected. Their occupancy was necessary 
 still to his own security — to check any design that 
 might be in agitation. What was the force oppos- 
 ed to him, at what moment re-enforcements might 
 appear off Pensacola, and thereby give an entire 
 change to things, as they at present existed, were 
 matters of which no certain idea could be formed. 
 To possess the Barrancas was a consideration of 
 the first importance ; still, until the town and its 
 fortresses were secured, it was improper to with- 
 draw the army. 
 
 Notwithstanding the assurances given by the gov- 
 ernor, that all differences would be accommodated, 
 and every thing insisted on agreed to, Fort St. Mi- 
 chael was still withheld. Captain Dinkins was or- 
 dered to take post on Mount St. Bernard, form his 
 batteries, and reduce it. He was in a situation to 
 act, when the commandant, Colonel Sotto, ordered 
 his flag taken down, and the fort to be surrendered, 
 
 It is curious to observe the treachery of the 
 Spaniards, and the unpardonable method they took 
 to indulge their spleen. Previously to striking hi? 
 
lUO LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 coiours, the commandant at St. Michael had asked 
 permission to discharge his guns ; to this there 
 could be no objection, and the indulgence was readi- 
 ly extended ; but, faithless and cowardly, he level- 
 led and fired his pieces, charged with grape, at a 
 party of dragoons and Choctaw Indians, who were 
 at a small distance, which killed three horses and 
 wounded two men. Such unpardonable conduct, 
 independent of other injuries already noticed, might 
 have justified any treatment ; the destruction of the 
 garrison would not have been an unmerited chas- 
 tisement. The general was on his way to Mount 
 St. Bernard, where his artillery was planted, when 
 3e received intelligence of what had been done. 
 He determined no longer to confide in persons so 
 faithless, and whose only object seemed to deceive, 
 but at once to make the sword the arbiter between 
 them. His cannon were already turned towards 
 the fort, the resolution taken to batter it down, 
 when it was announced, by the officer he had left 
 in command at Pensacola, that the capitulation had 
 been agreed on, and a surrender would be made in 
 half an hour. Sensible of the delicate situation in 
 which he was placed, he forbore to obey that im- 
 pulse their unwarrantable conduct had so justly ex- 
 cited, and forthwith despatched Captain Dinkins to 
 insist on an immediate delivery ; at the same time 
 giving him directions to carry it by storm if the de- 
 mand was not instantly complied with. 
 
 Difficulties promised thus peaceably to terminate 
 The day was far spent, and the general greatly in- 
 disposed : until the next morning, no step could be 
 taken to obtain possession of the Barrancas. On 
 \he credit of the governor's promises, made first on 
 r entrance into the town, the principal part of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON- 191 
 
 the army had been ordered a short distance out. 
 Understanding, at St. Bernard, that what had been 
 required would be done, and that no further deiay 
 would be met, the general had set out to the en- 
 campment, leaving Major Piere behind, with a suf- 
 ficient force to preserve every thing in safety and 
 quietness. He was astonished, early in the morn- 
 ing, to learn, that the officer despatched to St. Mi- 
 chael, the preceding evening, had, on his arrival, 
 been threatened to be fired on by Colonel Sotto ; 
 who, however, yielded possession, on being made to 
 understand, that, if the fort were not delivered in- 
 stantly, it would be carried forcibly, and the garri- 
 son put to the sword. A capitulation was now 
 agreed on : Pensacola and the different fortresses 
 were to be retained, until Spain could better main- 
 tain her authority ; while the rights and privileges 
 of her citizens were to be respected. 
 
 Every thing was in readiness, on the following 
 day, to take possession of Barrancas Fort. The 
 faithless conduct of yesterday had determined Jack- 
 son on the pxccutioa of his plans ; nor longer to 
 oonnde in Spaniards' promises, but, on reaching the 
 place, to carry it by force, if it were not immediate- 
 ly surrendered. Major Piere was ordered to give 
 the command of the city to Colonel Hayne, and re- 
 port himself at camp, to accompany him on the 
 march ; previously, however, to retiring, to require 
 of the governor to execute an authority to the com- 
 mandant of the fort, to deliver it ; and, in the event 
 he would not comply immediately, to arrest him, and 
 every public officer, and hold them as prisoners 
 The order for its delivery had been signed, and the 
 line of inarch ready to be taken up, to receive il 
 peaceably, if the order would effect it, forcibly, il 
 
192 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 not, when a tremendous explosion in that direction, 
 followed by two others, in quick succession, excited 
 the apprehension that all was destroyed. To as- 
 certain, certainly, whence the noise had proceeded, 
 Major Gales, a volunteer aid, was despatched, with 
 two hundred men, to obtain intelligence. He pres- 
 ently returned, and confirmed what had been pre- 
 viously apprehended, that the fort was blown up, 
 and that the British shipping had retired from the 
 bay. 
 
 Although repairing this place might be produc- , 
 tive of numerous advantages, yet, as the act was 
 unauthorized by his government, Jackson felt him- 
 self restrained from incurring any expense for the 
 re-establishment of what had been thus treacher- 
 ously destroyed. Though disappointed in the ob- 
 iect he had in view, he believed that some of the 
 benefits expected would result. This strong hold, 
 which had so long given protection to the southern 
 hostile savages, and where they had been excited 
 to acts of cruelty, was assailed, and the Indiana 
 taught that even here safety was not to be found. 
 The valour of his troops had impressed on the minds 
 of the Spaniards a respect for the character of his 
 country, which, hitherto, they had not entertained ; 
 and the British, by being dislodged, were prevent- 
 ed from maturing those plans, which were to give 
 erficacy to their future operations against the south- 
 ern section of the Union : but, as the means of 
 maintaining and defending it were destroyed, it was 
 unnecessary to think of attempting to hold it. It 
 was accordingly concluded to re-deliver all tha: had 
 l»een surrendered, and retire to Fort Montgomery. 
 Jackson was the more disposed to adopt this course 
 ft cm a belief that the British who had sailed out of 
 
LIFE Of' GENERAL JACKSON. 1 H3 
 
 the bay, would probably make their way to Fort 
 Bowyer, and, with a knowledge of the principal 
 strength of the army being away, seek to aim a 
 blow somewhere on the Mobile. An express was 
 immediately hastened to Colonel Sparks, who had 
 been left in command at this place, announcing what 
 uad transpired, suggesting apprehensions for his 
 safety, and notifying him, in the event of an attack, 
 to endeavour to parry the danger until the regular 
 troops should arrive to support him. 
 
 Two days after entering the town, he abandoned 
 it. Previously to retiring, he wrote to Governor 
 Manrequez ; and, after stating to him the causes 
 which had induced him, justifiably, as he believed, 
 to enter his territory, he thus concluded : " As the 
 Barrancas and the adjacent fortresses have been 
 surrendered to and blown up by the British, con- 
 trary to the good faith I had reposed in your prom- 
 ises, it is out of my power to guard your neutrali- 
 ty, as otherwise I should have done. The enemy 
 has retreated ; the hostile Creeks have fled for safe- 
 ty to the forest ; and I now retire from your town, 
 leaving you to re-occupy your forts, and protect the 
 rights of your citizens." 
 
 °Our loss in this expedition was quite inconsider- 
 able. The left column alone met resistance, and 
 had fifteen or twenty wounded — none killed. It 
 appears strange, that three heavy pieces of artille- 
 ry, charged with grape and canister, and three times 
 fired against a column advancing through a nar- 
 row street, should not have effected greater in- 
 jury. Of the number wound3d was Lieutenant 
 Flournoy, a promising young man, who, having gone 
 out as a volunteer, was, on account of his merit, 
 promoted to a lieutenancy in the forty-fourth Umt2d 
 17 
 
194 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 States' regiment. By a cannon shot he lost his leg. 
 Captain Laval, being too dangerously injured to be 
 removed, was confided by the general to the clem- 
 ency of the governor of Pensacola, who humanely 
 gave him that attention his situation required. 
 
 The Indian warriors, who had taken refuge in 
 Pensacola, finding themselves abandoned by the 
 British, fled across the country, and sought safety 
 on the Appalachicola: many were afforded shelter 
 on board the shipping, from which they were short- 
 ly afterwards landed, to prosecute the war in their 
 own way. Jackson determined they should have 
 no respite from danger, so long as a warlike atti- 
 tude was preserved. Recent events had shown 
 them, that neither the valour of their allies, nor 
 their own exertions, could afford them protection. 
 He believed it an auspicious moment to pursue them 
 in their retreat ; increase still further their appre- 
 hensions ; and effectually cut up that misplaced con- 
 fidence, which had already well nigh proved their 
 ruin. Understanding that those who had been car- 
 ried off from Pensacola had been landed on the Ap- 
 palachicola, and a depot of all necessary supplies 
 there established, Major Blue, of the thirty-ninth 
 regiment, was sent off, on the 16th, at the head of 
 a thousand mounted men, with orders to follow, and 
 destroy any of their villages he might find on his 
 route. General M'Intosh, of the Georgia militia, 
 then in the Creek country, was apprized of the des- 
 tination, and directed to co-operate, that the sav- 
 ijres might be dispersed, before they should have 
 it in their power to attempt hostilities against the 
 frontiers. Having effected this object, they were 
 ordered to repair to Mobile, to aid in its defence. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACK.SON. 195 
 
 Shortly after the American army had retired, the 
 Spaniards commenced rebuilding Forts Barrancas 
 and St. Rose. Anxious to regain that confidence 
 they had justly forfeited, the British offered their 
 services to assist in the re -establishment. This of- 
 fer was refused, and an answer returned by the 
 governor, that, when assistance was in fact needed, 
 he would make application to his friend General 
 Jackson. 
 
 There was nothing now so much desired by the 
 general, as to be able to depart for New Orleans 
 where he apprehended the greatest danger. He 
 had already effected a partial security for Mobile, 
 and the inhabitants on its borders ; and such as he 
 believed might be preserved, by proper vigilance in 
 those who were left in command. He determined 
 to set out on the 22d for the Mississippi ; and, by 
 his exertions, seek to place the country in such 
 a situation for defence as the means within his 
 reach would permit. His health was still delicate, 
 which almost wholly unfitted him for the duties he 
 had to encounter ; but his constant expectation of a 
 large force appearing soon on the coast impelled 
 him to action. Added to the fatigues incident to 
 his station, he as yet had no brigadier-general in his 
 district to relieve him of many of those duties which 
 lie had neither time nor bodily strength to meet 
 General Winchester had been ordered to join 
 him. He had not yet arrived, but was daily look- 
 ed for. In expectation of his approach, Jackson 
 was making every necessary arrangement for in- 
 vesting him with the command of Mobile, and for 
 his own departure. Colonel Hayne, the inspector- 
 general, was despatched to the mouth of the Missis- 
 sippi, to examine whether in that direction there 
 
196 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 were any eligible site, where, by erecting batter- 
 ies, the river might be commanded, and an ascent 
 prevented, if through this route attempted. Gene- 
 ral Coffee and Colonel Hinds, with the dragoons 
 from the territory, were ordered to march with their 
 commands, and take a position as convenient to 
 New Orleans as they could obtain a sufficiency of 
 forage to recruit their horses. Every thing being 
 arranged, and intelligence received that General 
 Winchester had reached the Alabama river, Jack- 
 son, on the 22d day of November, 'left Mobile for 
 the city of New Orleans, where he arrived on the 
 1st of December; and where his head-quarters 
 were, for the present, established. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL ACKSON. 197 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Jsxkson's correspondence vith the governor of LouisLina. -//« 
 address w the citizens. — Militia from Tennessee and Kenlucki, 
 advance ; and general plans adopted for defence. — Plan ftr fit 
 ing delinquencies in the army. — British sliipjnng arrive on tlu 
 coast. — Loss of Ove Sea Horse. — Battle an the hike, and loss Oj 
 the gun-boats. — Jackson revieivs the militia. — His address to 
 them. — Detention of his fag. — Anecdote. — Expresses sent tc 
 Genertls Coffee and Carroll. — Declaration of martial law ai 
 New Orleans. — The British effect a landing, and Jackson pre- 
 pares to meet them. 
 
 General Jackson was now on a new theatre : the 
 time had arrived to call forth all his energies. His 
 military career, from its commencement, had been 
 obstructed, but far greater difficulties were now ris- 
 ing. His body worn down by exhaustion, with a mind 
 alive to the apprehension, that the means given him 
 would not satisfy his own wishes and the expecta- 
 tions of his country, were circumstances calculated 
 to depress him. He was without sufficient strength 
 or preparation to attempt successful opposition 
 against well-trained troops, which were expected 
 at some unprepared point. 
 
 Louisiana, he well knew, was ill supplied with 
 arms, and contained a mixed population, of different 
 tongues, who, perhaps, felt not a sufficient attach- 
 ment for the soil or government, to be induced to 
 defend them. No troops, arms or ammunition had 
 yet descended from the states of Kentucky and 
 Tennessee. His only reliance for defence, if sud- 
 denly assailed, was on a few regulars, the volun- 
 teers of General Coffee, and such troops as the 
 state could furnish. What might be the final re 
 17* 
 
193 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 suit of tilings was not a matter difficult to conjee 
 ture. His principal fears at present were, that 
 Mobile might fall, the left bank of the Mississippi 
 be gained, all communication with the western states 
 cut orT, and New Orleans be thus unavoidably re- 
 duced. Although agitated by such forebodings, he. 
 breathed his fears to none. Closely locking all 
 apprehensions in his own breast, he appeared con- 
 stantly serene, and as constantly endeavoured to 
 impress a general belief, that the country could and 
 would be defended. 
 
 While engaged in his operations on the Mobile, 
 and even while at Fort Jackson, he had kept up a 
 correspondence with the governor of Louisiana, 
 urging him to the adoption of such measures as 
 might give security to the state. From his informa- 
 tion, he felt assured, that little reliance was to be 
 placed on the great body of the citizens ; and that, 
 to gain any decisive advantages from their services, 
 it would be necessary to abandon temporizing pol- 
 icy, and pursue a course steady and unwavering. 
 Many of the inhabitants indulging a belief that 
 Florida would be restored to Spain, had led well 
 designing men astray ; while Englishmen, Span- 
 iards, and other foreigners, feeling no attachment to 
 the government under which they lived, were ready 
 to surrender it to any power. The requisition 
 made had been badly filled ; many had refused, af- 
 ter being drafted, to enter the ranks. At so event- 
 ful a crisis, it was painful to discover so great a 
 want of union, and disregard of duty 
 
 Governor Claiborne had been addressed on this 
 subject: "I regret," said Jackson, "to hear of the 
 discontents of your people: they must not exist. 
 Whoever is not for us, is against us. Those who are 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. I9£ 
 
 drafted must be compelled to the ranks, or punish 
 ed : it is no time to balance : the country must be 
 defended ; and he who refuses to aid, when called 
 on, must be treated with severity. To repel the 
 danger with which we are assailed, requires all 
 our energies, and all our exertions. With union 
 on our side, we shall be able to drive our invaders 
 back to the ocean. Summon all your energy, and 
 guard every avenue with confidential patroles, for 
 spies and traitors are swarming around. Numbers 
 will be flocking to your city, to gain information, 
 and corrupt your citizens. Every aid in your power 
 must be given to prevent vessels sailing with pro- 
 visions. By us the enemy must not be fed. Let 
 none pass ; for on this will depend our safety, until 
 we can get a competent force in the field, to oppose 
 attack, or to become the assailants. We have more 
 to dread from intestine, than open and avowed ene- 
 mies: but vigilance on our side, and all will be 
 safe. Remember, our watch word is victory or 
 death. Our country must and shall be defended. 
 We will enjoy our liberty, or perish in the las! 
 ditch." 
 
 He forwarded an address to the people of Louisi 
 ana, to excite them to a defence of their rights and 
 liberties, and to raise in their minds an abhorrence 
 of an enemy. He pointed out the course the pres- 
 ent crisis required them to adopt, and entreated 
 them not to be lured from their fidelity. 
 
 " Your government, Louisianians, is engaged in 
 a just and honourable contest, for the security of 
 your individual, and her national rights. The only 
 country on earth, where man enjoys freedom, where 
 its blessings are alike extended to the poor and 
 
£00 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 rich, calls on you to protect her from the grasping 
 usurpation of Britain: — she will not call in vain 
 I know that every man, whose bosom beats high at 
 the proud title of freeman, will promptly obey her 
 voice, and rally round the eagles of his country 
 resolved to rescue her from impending danger, or 
 nobly to die in her defence. He who refuses to 
 defend his rights, when called on by his govern- 
 ment, deserves to be a slave — deserves to be 
 punished as an enemy to his country — a friend to 
 her foes." 
 
 The people of Louisiana were gradually turned 
 to consider the contest, in which it was expected 
 they were to be engaged, that they might be pre- 
 pared to meet it, when necessary. Preparations 
 for collecting, in sufficient strength, to repel an in- 
 vasion, when it should be attempted, had been car- 
 ried actively forward. The fiat of the secretary 
 of war had been issued to the governors of the ad- 
 joining states ; and Jackson had long since anx- 
 iously pressed them to hasten the execution of the 
 order, and push their forces to the place of danger. 
 The ardour felt by the governor of Tennessee 
 rendered any incentive unnecessary. He was well 
 aware of the importance of activity, and had used 
 all the authority of his o^ce to call the requisition 
 forth, and have it in readiness. 
 
 Governor Shelby, of Kentucky, had been no less 
 vigilant. The necessity of despatch in military 
 matters, and the advantages resulting from it, in his 
 youth and more advanced age, he had learned in 
 the field of battle. The troops from his state were 
 immediately organized, placed under the com- 
 mand o r Major-General Thomas, and directed •*> 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 201 
 
 proceed down the Ohio.* It may be esteen ed a 
 circumstance of good fortune, that Shelby should 
 have been the chief magistrate of Kentucky ; a 
 state possessing ample resources, and which might 
 have slumbered in inaction, but for the enerjrv of 
 him. He did not remain contented with a dis- 
 charge merely of those duties which were imposed 
 on him by his office ; but, feeling the ardour of his 
 youth revived, excited his citizens, and inspirited 
 them by his own example. The promptitude with 
 which they crowded to the American standard, at 
 the first danger, enduring cold, hunger, and priva- 
 tion, should be remembered, and entitle her citizens 
 to the gratitude of the country. 
 
 William Carroll, who, on the promotion of Jack 
 son in the army of the United States, had been ap- 
 pointed a major-general of Tennessee militia, was 
 to command the requisition intended to be marched 
 from the state. He had issued orders to his divi- 
 sion, and, on the 19th of November, twenty-five 
 hundred of the yeomanry of the state appeared at 
 Nashville, and, in eight days, embarked on board 
 their boats for New Orleans. To the industry of 
 General Carroll every respect is due ; for, to his 
 fortunate arrival, as will be seen hereafter, is to be 
 attributed the reason that success did not result to 
 the enemy, in his first assault, or that Louisiana 
 escaped the impending danger. 
 
 The militia, now organized, from two states, 
 were respectable for their numbers, and were com- 
 
 * When this requisition was ready to proceed, the state of th* 
 quarter- master's department was discovered to be wholly made 
 quate to those outfits and supplies necessary to its departure 
 Thus situated, individuals of ine state came forward, rled^e*. 
 their funds, and enabled it to advance. 
 
2<2 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 mandod by officers who carried with them entire 
 confidence In bravery, they were not surpassed ; 
 yet they were without experience or discipline, and 
 indifferently armed. Many had procured muskets 
 and bayonets; though the greater part of them had 
 arms capable of rendering little or no service ; 
 while some had none at all. To remedy their want 
 of discipline was attended with some difficulty, on 
 account of the slender means afforded for instruc- 
 tion, while, in boats, they were descending the river. 
 Carroll's anxiety, however, for the respectable ap- 
 pearance of his troops, and a still stronger desire 
 entertained, that they might be in a situation for 
 immediate action, if necessity, on his arrival, should 
 require it, led him to seize even on the limited 
 opportunities for improvement. 
 
 Although General Jackson had obtained his suc- 
 cesses heretofore with troops of this description, yet 
 he was far from entertaining a belief they could be 
 relied on for manoeuvring in an open field, against 
 troops inured to war. None knew better the point of 
 exertion to which militia could be strained. In a 
 letter to the secretary of war, of the 20th of Novem- 
 ber, 1814, he observes, "Permit me to suggest a 
 plan, which, on a fair experiment, will do away or 
 lessen the expenses, under the existing mode of call- 
 ing militia forces into the field. Whenever there 
 happens to be a deficiency hi the regular force, in 
 any particular quarter, let the government determine 
 on the necessary number: this should be apportioned 
 among the different states, agreeably to their respec- 
 tive representations, and called into service for, and 
 during the war. The quota wanted will, in my 
 opinion, be soon raised, from premiums offered by 
 *hose who are subject to militia duty, rathei than be 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 203 
 
 harassed by repeated drafts. In the mean time. let 
 the present bounty, given by the government, be alao 
 continued. Tf this be done, I will ensure that an 
 effective force shall soon appear in every quarter, 
 amply sufficient for the reduction of Canada, and 
 to drive all our enemies from our shores." 
 
 Such were the course of things, and such the 
 plans in progress for the safety of the country, 
 when the general reached New Orleans. 
 
 The legislature of Louisiana had for some weeks 
 been in session ; and, through the governor's com- 
 munication, informed of the situation, condition and 
 strength of the country, and of the necessity of 
 calling all its resources into operation ; but, balanc- 
 ing in their decisions, and uncertain of the best 
 course to be pursued, they, as yet, had resolved 
 upon nothing. The arrival of Jackson, however, 
 produced a new aspect in affairs. His activity in 
 preparation, and his reputation as a brave and skil- 
 ful commander, had turned all eyes towards him, 
 and inspired even the desponding with confidence. 
 
 The volunteer corps of the city were reviewed, 
 and a visit, in person, made to the different forts, 
 to ascertain their capacity for defence, and the re- 
 liance that might be had on them to repel the ene- 
 my's advance. Through the lakes large vessels 
 could not pass : should an approach be attempted 
 through this route, in their barges, it might be 
 opposed by the gun-boats whicii guarded this pas- 
 sage ; but if, unequal to the contest, they should be 
 captured, it would give timely information of a 
 descent, which might be resisted at their landing, 
 and before any opportunity could be had of execut- 
 ing fully their designs. Up the Mississippi, how- 
 ever, was looked upon as the most probable pass. 
 
204 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 through which might be made an attempt to reach 
 the city; and here were in progress suitable prep- 
 arations for defence. 
 
 We have already noticed, that Colonel Hayne 
 nad been despatched from Mobile with directions to 
 view the Mississippi near its mouth, and report it 
 any advantageous position could be found for the 
 erection of batteries ; and whether the re-establish- 
 ment of the old fort at the Balize would command 
 the river, in a way to prevent its being ascended. 
 That it could not be relied on for this purpose, the 
 opinions of military men had already declared 
 General Jackson was disposed to respect the de- 
 cisions of those who were entitled to confidence , 
 yet, in matters of great importance, it formed no 
 part of his creed to attach his faith to the state- 
 ments of any, where, the object being within his 
 reach, it was in his power to look to the fact, and 
 satisfy himself. Trusting implicitly in Colonel 
 Hayne as a military man, he had despatched him 
 thither to examine how far it was practicable to 
 obstruct and secure this channel. His report was 
 confirmatory of the previous information received, 
 that it was incapable, from its situation, of effecting 
 any such object. 
 
 Fort St. Philip was now resorted to as the lowest 
 point on the river where the erection of a fortifica- 
 tion could be at all serviceable. The general had 
 returned to New Orleans on the 9th, from a visit 
 to this place, which he had ordered to be repaired. 
 The commanding officer was directed to remove 
 every combustible material without the fort; to 
 have two additional platforms immediately raised; 
 and the embrasures so enlarged that the ordnance 
 might have the greatest possible sweep upon their 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. '205 
 
 circles, and be brought to bear on any object within 
 their range, that might approach either up or down 
 the river. At a small distance below, the Mississip- 
 pi, changing its course, left a neck of land, in the 
 bend, covered with timber, which obstructed the 
 view. From this point down to where old Fort 
 Bourbon stood, on the west side, the growth along 
 the bank was ordered to be cut away, that the shot 
 from St. Philip, ranging across this point of land, 
 might reach an approaching vessel before she should 
 be unmasked from behind it. On the site of Bour- 
 bon was to be thrown up a strong work, defended 
 by five twenty-four pounders, which, with the fort 
 above, would be calculated to expose an enemy to 
 a cross fire, for half a mile. A mile above St 
 Philip was to be established a work, which, in con- 
 junction with the others, would effectually command 
 the river for two miles. At Terre au Bceuf, and at 
 the English Turn, twelve miles below the city, were 
 also to be taken measures for defence ; where it 
 was expected by Jackson, with his flying artillery 
 and fire ships, he would be able certainly to arrest 
 the enemy's advance. This system of defence, 
 properly established, he believed, would ensure se- 
 curity from any attack in this direction. Fort St. 
 Philip, with the auxiliary batteries above and below 
 it, would so concentrate their fires, that an enemy 
 could never pass without suffering greatly, and, per- 
 haps, being so shattered that they would fall an 
 easy prey to those defences which were still higher 
 up the river. The essential difficulty was to have 
 them speedily finished. On returning, be hastened 
 to apprize the governor of his views, and of his 
 arrangements, and entreated him to aid in their 
 furtherance. It was proposed to submit i* '.o the 
 18 
 
206 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 consideration of the legislature, and to prevail, if 
 possible, with the planters to furnish their slaves, 
 by whom, alone, such work could, in so insalubrious 
 a climate, be safely executed. "If what is pro- 
 posed be performed," said he, "I will stand pledged 
 that the invaders of your state shall never, through 
 this route, reach your city." He desired to be in- 
 formed, early, of the success of the application, 
 and to know how far the legislature would be dis- 
 posed to extend their fostering care to the objects 
 suggested ; that, in the event of failure, he might 
 have recourse to such resources as were within his 
 reach. " But," added he, " not a moment is to be 
 iost. With energy and expedition, all is safe : — 
 delay, and all is lost." 
 
 The plans of operation and defence were pro- 
 jecting on an extensive scale. The only objects of 
 fear were the disaffected who infested the city : 
 and to these, after the most incessant exertions, he 
 had well nigh fallen a victim. 
 
 On Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain an equally 
 strong confidence was had that all would be safe 
 from invasion. Commodore Patterson, who com- 
 manded the naval forces, had executed every order 
 with promptness. Agreeably to instructions from 
 the general, to extend to all the passes on the lakes 
 every protection in his power, he had sent out the 
 gun-boats, under Lieutenant Jones. From their 
 capability to defend, great advantages were calcu- 
 lated to arise ; added to which, the Rigolets, the 
 communication between the two lakes, was defend- 
 ed by Petit Coquille Fort, a strong work, under the 
 command of Captain Newman, which, when acting 
 in conjunction with the gun-boats, it was supposed, 
 would De competent to repel any assault Guard* 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 207 
 
 and videttes were also posted in different directions 
 to give the earliest information of every thing that 
 passed. In despite, however, of these precaution 
 ary measures, treachery opened a way, and pointed 
 the entrance of the enemy to a narrow pass, 
 through which they effected a landing, and reached 
 previously to being discovered, the banks of the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 Such were the measures adopted for the protec- 
 tion of Louisiana against an attack. Information 
 Df a considerable force having left England filled 
 with high expectations, the attack on Fort Bow- 
 yer, and the inflammatory proclamations alread) 
 published, with anonymous letters received from 
 persons in the West Indies and Pensacola, tended 
 to unfold the views of the enemy, and* to dissipate 
 every thing of doubt as to their designs. But the 
 lime was at hand when conjecture was giving 
 place to certainty; when the intentions of the in 
 vaders were fully developing themselves, and the 
 fact fairly presented, that Louisiana must fall, ana 
 her principal city be sacked, unless the brave men 
 associated to defend her should stand firmly in hei 
 defence. Certain information was at hand of an 
 English fleet being off Cat and Ship Islands, and 
 within a short distance of the American lines, 
 where their numbers were daily increasing. 
 
 Lieutenant Jones, m command of the gun-boats 
 on Lake Borgne, was directed to reconnoitre, and 
 ascertain their disposition and force ; and, in the 
 event they should attempt, through this route, to 
 effect a disembarkation, to retire to the Rigolets. 
 and there, with his flotilla, contend to the last- 
 He remained off Ship Island until the 12th o De- 
 cember, when, understanding the enemy's forces 
 
20% LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 were much increased, he thought it advisable to 
 change his anchorage to a position near Malheur- 
 eux Island This was rendered necessary, because 
 it was a safer position, in the event of being attack- 
 ed. Whoever looks upon a map of the country 
 will discover the importance of this place if driven 
 into action with a greatly superior force. This, 
 and Chef Menteur, which unite at the entrance to 
 the lake, and form a narrow channel, constitutes 
 the only pass into Pontchartrain. By reaching it, 
 the gun-boats would be enabled to present a formi- 
 dable opposition. 
 
 On the 13th, Jones discovered the enemy mov- 
 ing off in his barges towards Pass Christian. His 
 orders left him no discretion as to the place he 
 should fight them. Indeed, his flotilla, although 
 quite inconsiderable, was of too much consequence 
 to the nation, at this juncture, to be risked at all, 
 unless under circumstances giving a decided supe- 
 riority. In no other way was this to be obtained, 
 than by reaching the point to which he had been 
 ordered : this he endeavoured to effect, as he be- 
 came satisfied of what was intended by their move- 
 ment. Weighing his anchors, with the design of 
 reaching the position referred to in his orders, he 
 discovered it to be wholly impracticable. A strong 
 wind having blown for some days to the east, from 
 the lake to the gulf, had so reduced the depth of 
 water, that the deepest channels were insufficient 
 to float his little squadron. The oars were resort- 
 ed to, but without rendering the least assistance : 
 it was immoveable. Every thing was thrown over- 
 board that could be spared, to lighten them ; all, 
 however, was ineffectual. At this moment of ex- 
 treme peril, the tide coming suddenly in, relieved 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 209 
 
 them from the shoal, and they came to anchor at 
 one o'clock the next morning on the west passage 
 of Malheureux Isle ; where, at day, they discovered 
 the pursuit had been abandoned. 
 
 At the bay of St. Louis was a small depot of 
 public stores, which had, that morning, been direct- 
 ed, by Jones, to be brought off. Mr. Johnston, on 
 board the Sea Horse, proceeded in the execution 
 of this order. The enemy, on the retreat of Jones, 
 despatched three of their barges to capture him , 
 but, unable to effect it, they were driven back. An 
 additional force now proceeded against him ; when 
 a smart action commenced, and the assailants were 
 again compelled to retire with some loss. John- 
 ston, satisfied that it was out of his power to defend 
 himself, and considering it hopeless to attempt unit 
 ing, in face of so large a force, with the gun 
 boats off Malheureux Island, blew up his vessel, 
 burnt the stores, and effected his retreat by land, 
 in conformity to the instructions he had received. 
 A prodigious explosion assured Jones of the proba- 
 ble step that had been taken, and of the execution 
 of the order. , 
 
 Early on the morning of the 14th, the enemy's 
 barges, about nine miles to the east, suddenly 
 weighed their anchors ; and, getting under way, 
 proceeded westwardly to the pass, where our gun- 
 boats still lay. The same difficulty experienced 
 yesterday was now encountered. Perceiving the 
 approach of the enemy's flotilla, an attempt was 
 made to retreat ; but in vain. The wind was en- 
 tirely lulled, and a perfect calm prevailed ; while a 
 strong current, setting to the gulf, rendered every 
 effort°to retire unavailing. No alternative was at 
 hand; but a single course was left.— to meet and 
 18* 
 
210 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 fight them. At once the resolution was adopted, 
 to avail themselves of the best position they could 
 obtain, wait their approach, and defend themselves, 
 whilst there was a hope of success. The line was 
 formed, with springs on the cables, and all were 
 waiting the arrival of a foe, who imagined himself 
 advancing to an easy conquest. The contest, in so 
 open a situation, and against such superior force, 
 promised to be very unequal ; yet the bravery, 
 which had always characterized our fearless tars 
 in battle, was, on this occasion, not to be tarnished. 
 Forty-three boats, mounting as many cannon, 
 with twelve hundred chosen men, well armed, con- 
 stituted the strength of the assailants. Advancing 
 in extended line, they were presently in reach ; and, 
 at half after eleven o'clock, commencing a fire, the 
 action soon became general. Owing to a strong 
 current, setting out to the east, two of the boats, 
 numbers 156 and 163, were unable to keep their 
 anchorage, and floated about a hundred yards in 
 advance of the line. This circumstance was un- 
 fortunate ; for, although it was by no means to be 
 calculated, that victory could be attendant on a con- 
 flict where strength and numbers were so dispro- 
 portionate, yet, could the line have been preserved 
 the chances for defence would have been increased, 
 the opportunity more favourable for inflicting injury 
 and crippling the foe, while the period of the con- 
 test would have been protracted. Every momer » 
 this could have been prolonged would have proved 
 advantageous ; for, soon as the wind should spring 
 jp, which yet continued lulled, the boats would be 
 more manageable, and an opportunity afforded of 
 retiring from the battle whenever the result became 
 disastrous. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 21] 
 
 The enemy, relying on their numbers, advanced 
 in three divisions. Our gun-boats, formed in a line, 
 were under command of Lieutenant Jones, who, 
 on board No. 156, occupied the centre. No. 162 
 and 163 rested on his left, under the direction ot 
 Lieutenant Spedden and Sailing-master Ulrich ; on 
 his right were No. 5 and 23, commanded by Sailing 
 master Ferris and Lieutenant M'lver. The centre 
 division of the enemy, led by the senior officer of 
 the expedition, Captain Lockyer, bore down on No. 
 156, the centre of our line, and, twice attempting 
 to board, was twice repulsed with an immense de- 
 struction of both officers and crew, and loss of two 
 of their boats, which were sunk : one, a seventy 
 four's launch, crowded with men, went down im 
 mediately along-side of the gun-boat. Jones, being 
 too severely wounded longer to maintain the deck, 
 retired, leaving the command with George Parker, 
 who no less valiantly defended his flag, until, badly 
 wounded, he was also compelled to leave his post ; 
 and soon after the boat was carried. No. 163, 
 though ably defended, was also taken ; and the 
 guns of both turned on No. 162 and 5, which also 
 surrendered ; and, last of all, No. 23, commanded by 
 Lieutenant M'lver. Thus in detail was our little 
 squadron, after a conflict of nearly an hour, lost; 
 a conflict in which every thing was done that gal- 
 lantry could do, and nothing unperformed that duty 
 required ; but it was a disaster which, under all 
 the circumstances, could not be avoided. The 
 calm which prevailed, and the unwieldy condition 
 of the boats, prevented any management by the 
 oars. 
 
 The commandant was ably supported by the offi- 
 cers associated with him. Lieutenants Spedden and 
 
212 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 M'lver were wounded ; the former in both arms, 
 and in one so severely as to be compelled to have 
 it amputated ; yet this valiant officer to the last 
 continued his orders : nor did the latter quit for a 
 moment his post. Midshipmen Cauley and Rey- 
 nolds, young men of promise, fell victims to the 
 wounds received in this contest. It is unnecessary 
 to take up the time of the reader in commendation 
 of this Spartan band : their bravery will be long 
 remembered, and excite emotions stronger than 
 language can paint. The great disparity of force 
 between the combatants presents a curious result : 
 that, while the American loss was but ten killed, and 
 thirty-five wounded, that of their assailants was 
 not less than three hundred. The British have 
 never presented any report upon this subject : but, 
 from every information, and from all the attendant 
 circumstances of the battle, it was even believed 
 to have exceeded this number ; of which a large 
 proportion was officers.* 
 
 The British returned to their shipping, at Cat 
 Island, with their prisoners, with a convincing argu- 
 ment, to do away the 1 elief which they enter- 
 tained, that, in this section of country, the in- 
 habitants were waiting, with open arms, to receive 
 them. 
 
 This disaster was announced to General Jackson 
 while on a visit to the lakes, whither he had gone 
 to examine the situation of the different works 
 
 Boats. Men. Guns. 
 * The British had 43 1200 43 
 
 The Americans 5 182 23 
 
 Difference 38 1018 20 
 
 So that the disparity in force of boats, men, and guns, was ai 
 eitfht- -seven — and nearly two to one. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 21*1 
 
 in progress. He heard it with much concern ; for 
 on it important consequences depended. 
 
 His fears for the safety of Mobile were much 
 increased. Although he had every confidence in 
 the gallant officer who commanded at Fort Bowyer. 
 he well knew how inefficient were the exertions oJ 
 a brave man, when assailed by superior strengtn 
 The security of this place was of great importance. 
 His own apprehensions of an invasion here, as af- 
 fecting the interest of the lower country, was to 
 him a cause of constant uneasiness. He felt con 
 rident, while this point remained safe, so might the 
 country adjacent ; but, if it fell, the Indians would 
 again be excited, the settlements on the Mobile 
 and Alabama rivers become tributary, and New 
 Orleans be involved in the general ruin. Deeply 
 impressed with the importance of defending this 
 place, he had brought to the view of the secretary 
 of war the necessity of adopting such a course as 
 should place it entirely out of the reach of danger. 
 To effect this, he proposed that a large frigate, 
 mounting forty-four guns, which, for some cause, 
 had been left on the stocks, at Tchifonte, in an un- 
 finished state, should be completed. "Let her,' 
 he remarked, " be placed in the Navy Cove, which 
 will protect the rear of the fort, and, my life upon 
 it, ten thousand troops, and all the British fleet, 
 cannot take the place, nor enter the bay. This 
 will be their point of attack ; if carried, they will 
 penetrate the Indian nation, — there make a stand, 
 and incite the ravages to war, and the slaves to in- 
 surrection and massacre ; — penetrate, if they can, 
 to the left bank of the Mississippi, and arrest all 
 communication. If they succeed in this, the lower 
 country falls of course." No notice, however, was 
 
214 LIKE !>!' GENERAL JAUKSON. 
 
 ever taken of his admonition, and nothing done to 
 effect the object proposed. His entire defence and 
 safety rested on the means which he could reach. 
 An express was despatched to General Winches 
 cer, apprizing him of what had happened ; that, all 
 communication being cut off, he must look to the pro- 
 curing supplies for his army from Tennessee lliver 
 through the posts established in the Creek country 
 " The enemy," he continues, " will attempt, through 
 Pass Huron, to reach you : watch, nor suffer your 
 self to be surprised ; haste, and throw sufficient sup 
 plies iiito Fort Bowyer, and guard vigilantly the 
 communication from Fort Jackson, lest it be de- 
 stroyed. Mobile Point must be supported and de- 
 fended at every hazard. The enemy has given us 
 a large coast to guard ; but I trust, with the smiles 
 of Heaven, to be able to meet and defeat him at 
 every point he may venture his foot upon the land." 
 
 Increased vigilance was now required to guard 
 the different routes through which they might make 
 their progress, and reach the object of their visit 
 Major Lacoste, commanding the battalion of colour 
 ed troops, was ordered, with two pieces of cannon 
 and a sufficient force, to defend the Chef Menteur 
 road, that led from the head of Lake Eorgne to New 
 Orleans. In fact, wherever an inlet or creek, of 
 the smallest size, justified the belief, that through 
 it an entrance might be effected, arrangements 
 were made to prevent approach. Through the Rigo- 
 lets was presumed the most probable route the 
 enemy would adventure, that, by gaining Lake Pont- 
 chartrain, a landing might be made above or below 
 the city, or at Bayou St. John, directly opposite. 
 
 This p'a e had been confided to Captain New- 
 man, of the artillery. It was an important point, 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 215 
 
 as well for the purposes already named, as being a 
 position whence any movement on the lakes could 
 be discovered. On the 22d, it was re-enforced by 
 several heavy pieces of cannon, and an additional 
 supply of men. He was advised by the general 
 of toe consequence attached to it, and that it was 
 not to be inconsiderately yielded ; but that, in the 
 event of his being compelled to abandon it, every 
 thing being properly secured, he was to make good 
 his retreat to Chef Menteur, where he would be 
 covered by an additional force : " Bat," added he. 
 " you are not to retreat until your judgment is well 
 convinced that it is absolutely necessary to the very 
 salvation of your command." 
 
 On the 16th the militia were reviewed by Jack- 
 son. He had perce ved, on his arrival at New 
 Orleans, such despondency manifested by the peo- 
 ple, that to remove it had called forth all his exer- 
 tions. His incessant endeavours to have defended 
 every accessible point, and a confidence, constantly 
 evinced, that his resources were commensurate with 
 all the purposes of successful resistance, had com- 
 pletely undermined those fears, at first so generally 
 indulged. Lest, from the loss which had lately hap- 
 pened on the lakes, a similar state of doubt might 
 be again produced, was the principal cause of ap- 
 pearing before them to-day on review ; to convince 
 them, by his deportment, that the safety of the city 
 was not to be despaired of. He Erected an ad- 
 dress to be read to them. It was drawn in Ian 
 guage breathing the warmth of his own feelings, 
 and well calculated to inspire the same glow to 
 others. He told them they were contending for all 
 that could render life desirable — " for your property 
 and lives ; — for those who are dearer than all, your 
 
216 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 wives and children ; — for liberty, without which, 
 c ountry, life and property axe not worth possessing 
 Even the embraces of wives and children are a 
 reproach to the wretch who would deprive them. 
 by his cowardice, of those inestimable blessings. 
 You are to contend with an enemy, who seeks tc 
 deprive you of the least of these — who avows a 
 war of desolation, marked by cruelties, lusts, and 
 horrors, unknown to civilized nations." 
 
 That the hour of attack was not distant was con- 
 firmed by a circumstance which reflects no consid- 
 erable honour ou the officer in command of the 
 fleet. The day subsequent to the contest on the 
 lakes, Mr. Shields, purser in the navy, had been 
 despatched with a flag to Cat Island, accompanied 
 by Dr. Murrell, for the purpose of alleviating the 
 situation of our wounded, and to effect a negotia- 
 tion, by which they should be liberated on parole. 
 We are not aware that such an application militat- 
 ed against the usages of war : if not, the flag of 
 truce should have been respected ; nor ought its 
 bearer to have been detained as a prisoner. Ad- 
 miral Cochrane's pretended fear that it was a wile, 
 designed to ascertain his strength and situation, is 
 far from presenting any sufficient excuse for so 
 wanton an outrage on the rules of war. If this 
 were apprehended, could not the messengers have 
 been met at a distance from the fleet, and ordered 
 back without a near approach? Had this been 
 done, no information could have been gained, and 
 the object designed to be secured by the detention 
 would have been answered, without infringing that 
 amicable intercourse between contending armies, 
 which, when disregarded, opens a doer to brutal 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 217 
 
 ind savage warfare. Finding they did not return. 
 v .Jie cause of it was at once correctly divined. 
 
 The British admiral resorted to various means to 
 obtain from these gentlemen information of the 
 strength and disposition of our army ; but so cau- 
 tious a reserve was maintained, that nothing could be 
 elicited. Shields was perceived to be quite deari 
 and, calculating on some advantage to be derived 
 from this circumstance, he and the doctor were 
 placed at night in the green room, where any conver- 
 sation which occurred between them could readily be 
 heard. Suspecting something of the kind, after hav- 
 ing retired, and every thing was seemingly still, they 
 began to speak of their situation — the circumstance 
 of their being detained, and of the prudent caution 
 with which they had guarded themselves against 
 communicating any information to the British admi- 
 ral. " But," continued Shields, " how greatly these 
 gentlemen will be disappointed in their expecta- 
 tions ! for Jackson, with the twenty thousand troops 
 he now has, and the re-enforcements from Kentucky, 
 which must speedily reach him, will be able to de- 
 stroy any force that can be landed from these ships." 
 Every word was heard, and treasured ; and, not sup- 
 posing there was any design, or that he presumed 
 himself overheard, they were beguiled by it, and at 
 once concluded our force to be as great as it was 
 represented. 
 
 Early on the 15th, the morning after the battle 
 on the lake, expresses were sent up the coast. ; .n 
 quest of General Coffee, to proem e information of 
 the Kentucky and Tennessee divisions, which, it 
 was hoped, were not far distant. In nis communi- 
 cation to Coffee, the general observes, "You must 
 not sleep until you reach me, or arrive within strik- 
 19 
 
21S LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 ing distance. Your accustomed activity is looked 
 for. Innumerable defiles present themselves, where 
 your services and riflemen will be all-important. 
 An opportunity is at hand, to reap for yourself and 
 brigade the approbation of your country." 
 
 In obedience to the order he had received at Mo- 
 bile to occupy some central position, where his horses 
 could be subsisted, Coffee had proceeded as far as 
 Sandy Creek, a small distance above Baton Rouge, 
 where he had halted. His brigade on its march had 
 been greatly exposed, and many hardships encoun- 
 tered. The cold season had set in ; and, for twenty 
 days, it had rained incessantly. The waters were 
 raised to uncommon heights, and every creek and 
 bayou was to be bridged or swam. Added to this, 
 their march was through an, uncultivated country, 
 but thinly settled, where little subsistence was to be 
 had, and that procured with much difficulty. He 
 had been at this place eight or ten days, when, late 
 on the evening of the 17th, the express from head- 
 quarters reached him. He lost no time in execut- 
 ing the order ; and, directing one of his regiments, 
 which, for the greater convenience of foraging, had 
 encamped about six miles off, to unite with him, 
 he proceeded on his march the instant it arrived. 
 In consequence of innumerable exposures, there 
 were, at this time, three hundred on the sick list, 
 These being left, he commenced his advance with 
 twelve hundred and fifty men. The weather con 
 tinned extremely cold and rainy, which prevente* 
 their proceeding with the celerity the exigency o\ 
 the moment required. Coffee, perceiving that th» 
 movement of his whole force, in a body, would oc 
 casion delays, ruinous to the object, ordered all, wh© 
 'vere able to proceed, to advance with him ; whilt 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 219 
 
 the rest of his brigade, under suitable officers, were 
 left to follow as fast as the weak and exhausted 
 condition of their horses would permit. His force, 
 by this arrangement, was minced to eight hundred 
 men, with whom he uiovpd with the utmost indus- 
 try. Having marched seventy miles the last day, 
 he encamped, on the night of the 19th, within fifteen 
 miles of New Orleans, making in two days a dis- 
 tance of one hundred and twenty miles Continu- 
 ing his advance, early next morning lit* halted 
 within four miles of the city, to examine the condi 
 tion of his arms, and to learn, in the event the enemy 
 had landed, the relative position of the two armies 
 On inspecting their arms, which consisted princi 
 pally of rifles, two hundred were discovered to be 
 so materially injured by the weather, as to be unfit 
 for service. 
 
 The advance of Colonel Hinds, from Woodville, 
 with the Mississippi dragoons, was no less expedi- 
 tious ; an active officer, he was, on this, as on all 
 other occasions, at his post, ready to act as circum- 
 stances should require. Having received his or- 
 ders, he effected, in four days, a inarch of two hun- 
 dred and thirty miles. 
 
 On the 16th, Colonel Hynes, aid-de-camp to Gen- 
 eral Carroll, reached head-quarters, with informa- 
 tion from the general, that he would be present as 
 early as possible ; but that the state of the weather, 
 and high and contrary winds, greatly retarded his 
 progress. To remedy this, a steam- boat was im- 
 mediately put in requisition, and ordered to proceed 
 up the river to aid him in reaching his destination, 
 without loss of time. He was advised of the neces- 
 sity of hastening rapidly forward ; that the lakes 
 were in possession of the enemy, and their arrival 
 
220 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 daily looked for; "But," continued Jackson, "I am 
 esoived, feeble as my force is, to assail him, on hie 
 f rst landing, and perish sooner than he shall reach 
 the city." 
 
 Independent of the large force which was de- 
 scending with General Carroll, his approach wab 
 looked to with additional pleasure, from the circum- 
 stance of his having with him a boat laden with 
 arms, destined for the defence of the country, and 
 which he had overtaken on his passage down the 
 Mississippi. His falling in with them was fortu- 
 nate ; for, had their arrival depended on those to 
 whom they had been incautiously confided, they 
 might have come too late, and after all danger had 
 subsided ; as was indeed the case with others for 
 warded from Pittsburg, which, through the unpar- 
 donable conduct of those who had been intrusted 
 with their transportation, did not reach New Or 
 leans until all difficulties had terminated. Great in- 
 convenience was sustained, during the siege, for want 
 of arms to place in the hands of the militia. Great 
 as it was, it would have been increased, even to an 
 alarming extent, but for the accidental circumstance 
 of this boat having fallen into the hands of the Ten- 
 nessee division, which impelled it on, and thereb) 
 produced incalculable advantage. 
 
 This division left Nashville on the 19th of No- 
 vember. Their exertions entitle them and theij 
 commander to every gratitude. But above all is our 
 gratitude due to that benign Providence, who, hav- 
 ing aided in the establishment of our glorious inde- 
 pendence, again manifested his goodness and power 
 in guarding the rights of a country rendered sacred 
 by the blood of the virtuous, heretofore shed in its 
 defence. It rarely, if ever, happens, that the Cum- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 221 
 
 berland river admits a passage for boats so early in 
 the season ; but torrents of rain descending swelled 
 the stream, and wafted our troops safely to the Mis- 
 sissippi, where all obstructions were at an end 
 
 While these preparations were progressing, to 
 concentrate the forces within his reach, the gene- 
 ral was turning his attention to ward off any blow 
 that might be aimed before his expected reenforce- 
 ments should arrive. Every point capable of being 
 successfully assailed was receiving such additional 
 security as could be given. Patrols and videttes 
 were ranged through the country, that the earliest 
 intelligence might be had of any intended move 
 ment. The militia of the state were called out en 
 masse ; and, through the interference of the legis 
 lature, an embargo on vessels at the port of New 
 Orleans was declared, to afford an opportunity of 
 procuring additional recruits for the navy. Gener 
 al Villery, because an inhabitant of the country, ana 
 best understanding the several points on the lakes 
 requiring defence, wa3 ordered, with the Louisiana 
 militia, to search out, and give protection to the dif- 
 ferent passes, where a landing might be effected. 
 
 To hinder the enemy from obtaining supplies 
 on shore, a detachment was sent to Pearl Rivei 
 to prevent any parties from landing until the 
 stock could be driven from the neighbourhood 
 The precaution, for some time used, of restricting 
 the departure of any vessel with provisions, undei 
 the operation of the embargo imposed by the legis- 
 lature, had greatly disappointed the expectations of 
 the British, and even introduced diytress into Pen- 
 sacola, whence the Spaniards had been in the habit 
 of procuring their supplies. The governor had so- 
 licited the opening a communication, for the relief 
 19* 
 
222 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 of the suffering inhabitants of his province. Jack- 
 eon was aware that this appeal to his humanity 
 might be a stratagem, having for its object to aid 
 the enemy. Although the governor, hitherto, had 
 given no flattering evidence, either of his friend- 
 ship or sincerity, still the statement offered by him 
 might be correct ; and, if so, the neutrality of his 
 country established a well-founded claim to the be- 
 nevolence of the Americans. Balancing between 
 a desire that these people should not be seriously 
 injured, and a fear that the application was intended 
 for a very different purpose, he determined to err 
 on the side of mercy, and, as far as possible, relieve 
 their wants. This he directed General Winches- 
 ter, at Mobile, to effect, provided his stock of pro- 
 visions would permit it. It was particularly enjoin- 
 ed on him that the quantity of provisions sent should 
 be small, and be conveyed by water : " For if," said 
 he, " the Spaniards are really in distress, and the 
 supply sent shall be taken by the British, it will ex- 
 cite their just indignation towards them, and erase 
 all friendship, while they will be afforded an addi- 
 tional proof of ours : the supply, too, being incon- 
 siderable, even if captured, will prove of no great 
 benefit to our enemy." 
 
 Jackson's arrangements were well conceived, and 
 rapidly progressing ; but they were still insufficient; 
 and his own forebodings assured him, that, to ob- 
 tain . security, something stronger required to be 
 adopted. That there was an enemy in the midst of 
 his camp, more to be feared than those who were men- 
 acing from abroad, was, indeed, probable. A stran- 
 ger himself, his conjectures might not have led to 
 the conclusion ; but information received, before 
 and soon after his arrival, through different chao 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 223 
 
 uels, and particularly from the governor of the state, 
 had awakened a belief, that the country was filled 
 with disaffected persons. Although he had been in 
 possession of data, sufficiently strong to confirm him 
 in the opinion, no urgent necessity had arisen, ren- 
 dering a resort to rigid measures essential to the 
 general safety. Abundant evidence of prevailing 
 disaffection had been obtained, through Governor 
 Claiborne. In a letter to General Jackson, aftei 
 his return from Pensacola, he observed, " Enemies 
 to the country may blame your prompt and ener- 
 getic measures ; but in the person of every patriot 
 you will find a supporter. I am well aware of the 
 lax police of this city, and indeed of the whole state, 
 with respect to strangers. I think, with you, that 
 our country is filled ' with traitors and spies.' On 
 this subject, I have written pressingly to the city 
 authorities and parish judges. Some regulations, 
 I hope, will be adopted by the first, and greater 
 vigilance be exercised, in future, by the latter." 
 
 Never, perhaps, all the circumstances considered, 
 did any general advance to the defence and pro 
 tcction of a people, situated in his own country 
 where greater room was had to distrust the success 
 of the event, and believe all efforts hopeless. Whep 
 General Jackson was informed by the governor^ 
 that the legislature, instead of discharging with 
 alacrity, diligence, and good faith, the duties which 
 had been confided to them by their constituents, 
 had, under the garb of privilege, endeavoured to 
 mar the execution of measures the most salutary, 
 he might well conclude the country in danger, and 
 suspect a want of fidelity in her citizens. Upon the 
 yeomanry alone must every country depend for its 
 liberty : they are its sinews and its strength. Let 
 
224 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 them continue virtuous, and they will cheerfully 
 nay, fearlessly, maintain themselves against aggres- 
 sion ; but if they become corrupted, or, through the 
 intrigue or misconduct of their rulers, lose confi- 
 dence in their government, their importance will 
 be impaired. While the people cf Rome felt them- 
 selves freemen, and proud of the name of citizens, 
 Rome was invincible ; and, to descend to times 
 more modern, the strength of France was an over- 
 match for combined Europe only while Frenchmen 
 had confidence and regard for their government. 
 
 Constitutional resources were attempted, and an 
 effort made to draw out the militia : they resisted 
 the requisition ; and that resistance, so far from be • 
 ing discountenanced by the legislature then in ces- 
 sion, was encouraged by their assuming to them- 
 selves the right of declaring the demand to be illegal, 
 unnecessary, and oppressive. Thus supported, the 
 militia, as might have been expected, stood their 
 ground, and resolutely resisted the call to defend 
 their country. The example thus established had 
 already induced the conviction that they were privi- 
 leged persons, and had reserved to them, on all oc- 
 casions, when called for, the right of determining 
 if the call were regular, why and wherefore made, 
 where they would prefer to act, and be governed 
 accordingly. When, therefore, the first requisition 
 made by Jackson was attempted to be filled, a 
 number made a tender of their services as volun- 
 teers ; but on this condition, that they were not to 
 oe marched from the state. The reply made show- 
 ed they were to act with a general who knew noth- 
 ing ol temporizing policy, and who would go the 
 entile length that safety and necessity required. 
 They were assured his object was to defend the 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 22.1 
 
 country, and that he should do it at every hazard : 
 that soldiers who entered the ranks with him, to 
 fight the battles of their country, must forget the 
 habits of social life, and be willing and prepared to 
 go wherever duty and danger called ; such were 
 the kind of troops he wanted, and none others would 
 he have. 
 
 Influenced by these and other considerations, 
 which were daily disclosed ; sensible of the danger 
 that surrounded him ; and from a conviction which 
 he felt was founded not upon light considerations, 
 that the country, without a most decisive course, 
 could not be saved, he brought to the view of 
 *he legislature the necessity of suspending the writ 
 of habeas corpus. To attempt himself so new and 
 bold a course, he was satisfied, would draw to him 
 the reproofs and censures of the orthodox politicians 
 of the day, and involve him in various reproaches 
 The legislature had already interrupted the com- 
 merce by declaring and enforcing an embargo ; and 
 the exercise of this subsequent authority, equally 
 necessary with the first, could involve, he supposed, 
 no higher exercise of power than the enactment of 
 an embargo law. He was solicitous, therefore, to 
 relieve himself of the responsibility, by prevailing 
 on the legislature to do that which necessity and 
 the security of the country seemed imperiously to 
 require. They proceeded slowly to the investiga 
 tion, and were deliberating, with great caution, upon 
 their right, authority, and constitutional power to 
 adopt such a measure, when the general, sensible 
 that procrastination was dangerous, and might de- 
 feat the objects intended to be answered, assumed 
 all responsibility, and superseded their deliberations 
 
226 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 by declaring the city and environs of New Orleans 
 under martial law. 
 
 All persons entering the city were required, im- 
 mediately, to report themselves to the adjutant-gen- 
 eral ; and, on failing to do so, were to be arrested 
 and detained for examination. None were to de- 
 part from it, or be suffered to pass beyond the chain 
 of sentinels, but by permission from the command- 
 ing general, or one of the staff: nor was any vessel 
 or craft to be permitted to sail on the river, or the 
 lakes, but by the same authority, or a passport sign- 
 ed by the commander of the naval forces. 
 
 The lamps were to be extinguished at nine 
 o'clock at night ; after which time, all persona 
 found in the streets, or from their respective homes, 
 without permission in writing, signed as above, were 
 to be arrested as -spies, and detained for exami- 
 nation. 
 
 At a crisis so important, and from a persuasion 
 that the country, in its menaced situation, couid not 
 be preserved by the exercise of any ordinary 
 powers, he believed it best to adopt a course that 
 should be efficient, even if it partially enoangered 
 the rights and privileges of the citizen. He pro- 
 claimed martial law, believing necessity and policy 
 required it ; " under a solemn conviction that the 
 country, committed to his care, could by such a 
 measure alone be saved from utter ruin ; and from 
 a religious belief, that he was performing the most 
 important duty. By it he intended to supersede 
 such civil powers, as, in their operation, interfered 
 with those he was obliged to exercise. He thought 
 that, at such a moment, constitutional forms should 
 be suspended, for the preservation of constitutional 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 227 
 
 rights ; and that there could be no question, whether 
 it were better to depart, for a moment, from the 
 enjoyment of our dearest privileges, or to have them 
 wrested from us for ever." 
 
 This rigid course, however, was by no means 
 well received. Whether it had for its object good 
 or evil ; whether springing from necessity, or from 
 a spirit of oppression in its author, with many, was 
 not a material question : it was sufficient for them 
 to consider it an infraction of the law, to excite 
 their warmest opposition; whilst the long- approved 
 doctrine of nectssitas rei afforded no substantial 
 argument to induce a conviction of its propriety. 
 Whether the civil should yield to military law, or 
 which should have control, with those whose anx- 
 ious wishes were for the safety of the state, was not 
 a matter of deep or serious concern ; but to busy pol- 
 iticians it opened a field for investigation : and many 
 a fire-side patriot had arguments at command, to 
 prove it an usurpation of power, an outrage upon 
 government, and a violation of the constitution. 
 During the invasion, and while affairs of major im- 
 portance impended, no occasion was presented of 
 testing its correctness ; but, soon as the enemy had 
 retired, and before it was ascertained whether, at 
 some more fortunate and less guarded point, they 
 might not return, to renew those efforts which had 
 so lately failed, Dominick A. Hall, judge of the 
 United States' court for this district, determined to 
 wage a war of authority, and to have it decided, if, in 
 any event, the civil power could be deprived of su 
 premacy. Jackson presumed his time of too much 
 importance, at so momentous a period, to be wasted 
 in the discussion of civil matters. He gave to it, 
 therefore, the only attention which he believed its 
 
f28 LI *' E OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 oificiousness merited, and, instead of obeying the 
 command, ordered the judge to leave the city. 
 Peace being restored, and danger over, the judge 
 renewed the contest ; and, causing the general to 
 appear before him, on a process of contempt, for 
 detaining and refusing to obey a writ of habeas 
 corpus, which had been directed to him, amerced 
 him in a fine of a thousand dollars. How far he 
 was actuated by correct motives, in exclusion of 
 those feelings which sometimes estrange the judg- 
 ment, his own conscience can determine : and 
 how far his proceedings were fair and liberal, will 
 appear hereafter, when, in proper order, we exam- 
 ine this prosecution. For the present, we are con- 
 fident, that, if ever there was a case that could jus- 
 tly or excuse a departure from the law, its features 
 were not stronger than those which influenced Gen- 
 eral Jackson, on the present occasion, in suspend- 
 ing the rights of the citizens. If Judge Hall were 
 impelled to the course he took, in defence of the 
 violated dignity of the constitution, and to protect 
 the rights of a government, whose judicial powers 
 he represented, whether right or wrong, he de- 
 serves not censure ; although it might be well re- 
 plied, that a fairer opportunity of showing his devot- 
 edness to his country Lad just passed, when he might 
 truly have aided in defence of her honour, nor left 
 even room foi his motives to have been unfairly 
 apprecinted 
 
 Learning the rumours that had been propagated, 
 and fearing lest they might have an injurious ten- 
 dency, Jackson immediately circulated an address 
 to his troops, in which he sought to counteract the 
 effect, and preserve their ardour and devotion tc 
 their country. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 229 
 
 " Believe not," he observed, " that the threaten- 
 ed invasion is with a view t** restore the country to 
 Spain. It is founded in design, and a supposition 
 that you would be willing to return to your ancient 
 government. Listen not to such incredible tales : 
 your government is at peace with Spain. It is your 
 vital enemy, the common enemy of m ankind, the 
 highway robber of the world, that has sent his hire- 
 lings among you, to put you from your guard, that 
 you may fall an easier prey. Then look to your 
 liberty, your property, the chastity of your wives 
 and daughters. Take a retrospect of the conduct 
 of the British army at Hampton, and at other places, 
 where it has entered our country — and every bosom, 
 which glows with patriotism and virtue, will be in- 
 spired with indignation, and pant for the arrival of 
 the hour when we shall meet and revenge those 
 outrages against the laws of civilization and hu 
 
 manity." 
 
 With the exception of the Kentucky troops, all 
 the forces expected had arrived. General Carroll 
 had reached Coffee's encampment, four miles above 
 the city, on the 21st, and had immediately reported 
 to the commanding general. The officers were 
 busily engaged in drilling, manoeuvring, and or- 
 ganizing the troops, and in having every thing 
 ready for action. No doubt was entertained, but 
 the British would be able to effect a landing at 
 some point: the principal thing to be guarded 
 against was not to prevent it ; for, since the loss of 
 the gun-boats, any attempt of this kind could only 
 be regarded as hopeless . but, by preserving a con- 
 stant vigilance, they might be met at the very 
 threshold. Small guard-boats were constantly ply- 
 nig on the lakes, to give information of every move 
 20 
 
230 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSOJN. 
 
 merit. Some of these had come in, late on the 
 evening of the 22d, ai.d reported that all was quiet, 
 and that no unfavourable appearance portended in 
 that direction. With such vigilance, constantly 
 exercised, it is astonishing that the enemy should 
 have effected an invasion, and succeeded ir. disem- 
 barking so large a force, without the shj^nest inti 
 mation being had, until they were accident thy dis 
 covered emerging from the swamp, about seven 
 miles below the city. The general impr^ston is. 
 that it was through information given b) a small 
 party of Spanish fishermen, that so secret a disem- 
 barkation was effected. Several of them h.*d set- 
 tled at the mouth of this bayou, and supported them- 
 selves by fish which they caught, and vended in the 
 market at New Orleans. Obstructions had been 
 ordered to be made on every inlet, and the Louis- 
 iana militia were despatched for that purpose. This 
 place had not received the attention its importance 
 merited ; nor was it until the 22d, that General Vil- 
 lery, charged with the execution of this order, had 
 placed here a small detachment of men. Towards 
 day, the enemy, silently proceeding up the bayou, 
 landed, and succeeded in capturing the whole of 
 this party but two, who, fleeing to the swamp, en- 
 deavoured to reach the city ; but, owing to the 
 thick undergrowth and briers, they did not arrive 
 until after the enemy had reached the banks of the 
 Mississippi, and been discovered. 
 
 Bayou Bienvenu, through which the British ef- 
 fected a landing, is an arm of considerable width, 
 stretching towards the Mississippi from Lake 
 Borgne, and about fifteen miles south-east of New 
 Orleans. It had been reported to General Jackson 
 ou the 23d, that, on the day before, several strange 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 231 
 
 sail had been descried off Terre au Boeuf. To as- 
 certain correctly the truth of the statement, Majors 
 Tatum and Latour, topographical engineers, were 
 sent, with orders to proceed in that direction, and 
 learn if any thing were attempting there. It A'as 
 towards noon of the 23d, when they started Ap- 
 proaching General Villery's plantation, and perceiv- 
 ing at a distance soldiers and person fleeing away, 
 ";hey at once supposed the enemy had arrived. 
 What, however, was but surmise, was presently 
 rendered certain ; and it was now no longer a doubt, 
 but the British had landed, in considerable force, 
 and, had actually gained, unobserved, the house of 
 General Villery, on the bank of the Mississippi, 
 where they had surprised, and made prisoners, a 
 company of militia, there posted. 
 
 Major Tatum, hastening back, announced his 
 discovery. Preparations to act were immediately 
 made by General Jackson. Believing that to act 
 speedily was of the highest importance, the signal 
 guns were fired, and expresses sent forward, to 
 concentrate his forces; resolving that night to 
 meet the invaders, and try his own and their fiim- 
 ness. 
 
232 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 treiteml Jackson concentrates his forces, and marches to jight t/w 
 enemy. — Alarms of the city. — Anecdote. — Mode of attack, and 
 battle of the IZd of December. — British re-enforcements arrive 
 during the action. — Arrivalof General Carroll's division. — Our 
 army retires from the field. — Effects of this battle. — Jackson es- 
 tablishes a line of defence. — General Morgan is ordered on the 
 right bank of the Mississippi. — Destruction and loss of the Car- 
 oline schooner. — Battle of the 28th December. — Conduct of the 
 legislature of Louisiana ; their deliberations suspended. — Scar- 
 city of arms in the American camp. — Colonel Hinds. 
 
 • 
 
 The hour to test the bravery of his troops ar- 
 rived. The approach of the enemy, flushed with 
 the hope of easy victory, was announced to Jackson 
 a little after one o'clock in the afternoon. He well 
 knew the greater part of his troops were inured to 
 fatigue, while those opposed to him had just been 
 landed from a long voyage, and were without ac- 
 tivity, and unfitted for bodily exertion. Moreover, 
 a part only might have arrived from the shipping, 
 while the remainder would be certainly disembark- 
 ed as early as possible. These circumstances 
 seemed to augment, in his behalf, the chances of 
 victory. He resolved, at all events, to march, and 
 that night give them battle. Generals Coffee and 
 Carroll were ordered to proceed immediately from 
 their encampment, and join him. Although four 
 miles above, they arrived in the city in less than 
 two hours after the order had been issued. These 
 forces, with the seventh and forty-fourth regiments 
 the Louisiana troops, and Colonel Hinds' dragoons, 
 from Mississippi, constituted the strength of his 
 army, which could be carried into action against ; \ 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 233 
 
 enemy whose numbers, at this time, could only be 
 conjectured. It was thought advisable that Gen- 
 eral Carroll and his division should be disposed in 
 the rear, for the reason that there was no correct 
 information of the force landed through Villery's 
 Canal, and because Jackson feared that this proba- 
 bly might be merely a feint, intended to divert his 
 attention, while a more numerous division, having 
 already gained some point higher on the lake, might, 
 by advancing in his absence, gain his rear, and suc- 
 ceed in their designs. Uncertain of their move- 
 ments, it was essential he should be prepared for 
 the worst, and, by different dispositions of his 
 troops, be ready to resist, in whatever quarter he 
 might be assailed. Carroll, therefore, at the head 
 of This division, and Governor Claiborne, with the 
 state militia, were directed to take post on the 
 Gentilly road, which leads from Chef Men tew to 
 New Orleans, and to defend it to the last extremity. 
 Alarm pervaded the city. The marching and 
 countermarching of the troops, the proximity of the 
 enemy, with the approaching contest, and uncer- 
 tainty of the issue, had excited a general fear. 
 Colonel Hayne, with two companies of riflemen, 
 and the Mississippi dragoons, was sent forward to 
 reconnoitre their camp, learn their position and 
 numbers ; and, in the event they should be found 
 advancing, to harass and oppose them at every 
 step, until the main body should arrive. 
 
 Every thing being ready, General Jackson com- 
 menced his march to meet the veteran troops of 
 England. An inconsiderable circumstance, at this 
 moment, evinced what unlimited confidence was re 
 posed in his bravery. As his troops were marchin S 
 through the city, his ears were assailed with the 
 20* 
 
23 i LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 screams and cries of innumerable females, who had 
 collected on the way, and seemed to apprehend the 
 worst of consequences. ' Feeling for their distress- 
 es, and anxious to quiet them, he directed Mr. Liv- 
 ingston, one of his aids-de-camp, to address them 
 in the French language. "Say to them," said he, 
 " not to be alarmed . the enemy shall never reach 
 the city." It operated like an electric shock. To 
 know that he himself was not apprehensive of a fatal 
 result, inspired them with altered feelings ; sorrow 
 was ended, and their grief converted into confidence. 
 The general arrived in view of the enemy a lit- 
 tle before dark. Having ascertained from Colonel 
 Hayne their position, and that their strength was 
 about two thousand men,* he immediately concert- 
 ed the mode of attack, and hastened to execute it 
 Commodore Patterson, who commanded the naval 
 forces on this station, with Captain Henly, on board 
 the Caroline, had been directed to drop down, an- 
 chor in front of their line, and open upon them from 
 *he guns of the schooner : tjiis being the appointed 
 signal, when given, the attack was to be waged 
 simultaneously on all sides. The fires from their 
 camp disclosed their position, and showed their en- 
 campment, formed with the left resting on the riv- 
 er, and extending at right angles into the open 
 field. General Coffee, with his brigade, Colonel 
 Hinds' dragoons, and Captain Beal's company of 
 riflemen, were ordered to oblique to the left, and, 
 by a circuitous route, avoid their pickets, and en- 
 deavour to turn their right wing ; having succeed- 
 
 * This opinion, as it aftei-wards appeared, was incorrect. The 
 number of the enemy, at the commencement of the action, was 
 three thousand, and was shortly afterwards increased by addition- 
 al forces : our strength did not exceed two thousand. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 236 
 
 cd in this, to form his line, and press the enemy to- 
 wards the river, where they would be exposed more 
 completely to the fire of the Caroline. The rest of 
 the troops, consisting of the regulars, Ploache's 
 city volunteers, Daquin's coloured troops, the artil- 
 lery under Lieutenant Spotts, supported by a compa- 
 ny of marines commanded by Colonel M'Kee, ad- 
 vanced on the road along the bank of the Missis- 
 sippi, and were commanded by Jackson in person. 
 
 General Coffee with caution had advanced be- 
 yond their pickets, next the swamp, and nearly 
 reached the point to which he was ordered, when a 
 broadside from the Caroline announced the battle 
 begun. Patterson had proceeded slowly, giving 
 time, as he believed, for the execut'on of those ar- 
 rangements contemplated on the shore. So san- 
 guine had the British been in the belief that they 
 would be kindly received, and little opposition at- 
 tempted, that the Caroline floated by the sentinels, 
 and anchored before their camp, without any kind 
 of molestation. On passing the front picket, she 
 was hailed in a low tone of voice, but, not returning 
 an answer, no further question was made. This, 
 added to some other circumstances, confirmed the 
 opinion that they believed her a vessel laden with 
 provisions, which had been sent out from New Or- 
 leans, and was intended for them. Having reach 
 ed what, from their fires, appeared to be the centre 
 of their encampment, her anchors were cast, and 
 her character and business disclosed from her guns 
 So unexpected an attack produced a momentar; 
 confusion ; but, recovering, she was answered by » 
 discharge of musketry, and flight of congreve rock- 
 ets, which passed without injury, while the grape 
 and canister from her guns were pouring destruc 
 
236 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 tively on them. To take away the certainty of aim 
 afforded by the light from their fires, these were 
 immediately extinguished, and they retired two or 
 three hundred yards into the open field, if not out 
 of the reach of the cannon, at least to a distance 
 where, by the darkness of the night, they would be 
 protected. 
 
 Coffee had dismounted his men, and turned his 
 horses loose, at a large ditch, next the swamp, in the 
 rear of Larond's plantation, and gained, as he be- 
 lieved, the centre of the enemy's line, when the sig- 
 nal from the Caroline reached him. He directly 
 wheeled his columns in, and, extending his line par- 
 allel with the river, moved towards their camp. 
 He had advanced scarcely more than a hundred 
 yards, when he received a heavy fire from a line 
 formed in his front ; this, to him, was unexpected, 
 as he supposed the enemy lying principally at a 
 distance, and that the only opposition he should 
 meet, until he approached towards the levee,* would 
 be from their advanced pickets. The circumstance 
 of his coming in contact with them so soon was 
 owing to the severe attack of the schooner, which 
 had compelled the enemy to abandon their camp, 
 and form without the reach of her guns. The 
 moon shone, but reflected her light too feebly to 
 discover objects at a distance. The only means, 
 therefore, of producing certain effect, with the kind 
 of force engaged, which consisted chiefly of rifle- 
 
 * Banks thrown up on the margin of the river to confine the 
 stream to its bed ; and which are extended along the Mississippi 
 on botli sides, from the termination of the highlands, near Baton 
 Rouge. Frequently the river, in its vernal floods, rises above the 
 elevation of the plains, and then the security of the countrv 
 depends on the strength of those levees : they not unfrequeut 
 y break, when incalculable njury is the consequence. 
 
LIFE Of GENERAL JACKSON. 23? 
 
 men, was not to venture at random, but to discharge 
 their pieces only when there should be a certainty 
 of felling the object. This order being given, the 
 line pressed on, and, having gained a position near 
 enough to distinguish, a general fire was given . it 
 was well directed, and too destructive to be with- 
 stood: the enemy gave way, and retreated, — ral- 
 lied, — formed, — were charged, and again retreated. 
 Our gallant yeomanry, led by their brave command- 
 er, urged fearlessly on, and drove their invaders 
 from every position they attempted to maintain. 
 
 The enemy, driven back by the resolute firmness 
 of the assailants, had now reached a grove of orange 
 trees, with a ditch running past it, protected by a 
 fence on the margin. Here they halted, and form- 
 ed for battle. It was a position promising securi 
 ty, and was occupied with confidence. Coffee's 
 dauntless yeomanry, strengthened in their hopes of 
 success, moved on, nor discovered the advantages 
 against them, until a fire from the entire British 
 line showed their position. A sudden check was 
 given ; but it was only momentary ; for, gathering 
 fresh ardour, they charged across the ditch, gave a 
 deadly fiie, and forced them to retire. The retreat 
 continued, until, gaining a similar position, the ene- 
 my made another stand, and were again driven from 
 it with considerable loss. 
 
 Thus the battle raged on the left wing, until the 
 British reacned the bank of the river ; here a de- 
 termined stand was made, and further encroach- 
 ments resisted ; for half an hour the conflict was 
 extremely violent on both sides. The American 
 troops could not be driven from their purpose, nor 
 the British made to yield their ground : but a! 
 length, having suffered greatly, the latter were un 
 
238 
 
 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 der the necessity of taking refuge behind the levee, 
 which afforded a breast-work, and protected them 
 from the fatal fire of our riflemen. Coffee, unac- 
 quainted with their position, for the darkness had 
 greatly increased, already contemplated again to 
 charge them ; but one of his officers, who had dis- 
 covered the advantage their situation gave them, 
 assured him it was too hazardous ; that they could 
 be driven no farther, and would, from the point they 
 occupied, resist with the bayonet, and repel, with 
 considerable loss, any attempt that might be made 
 to dislodge them. The place of their retirement 
 was covered in front by a strong bank, which had 
 been extended into the field, to keep out the river, 
 in consequence of the first being encroached upon, 
 and undermined in several places : the former, how- 
 ever, was still entire in many parts, which, inter- 
 posing between them and the Mississippi, afforded se- 
 curity from the broadsides of the schooner, which 
 lay off at some distance. A further apprehension, 
 lest, by moving still nearer to the river, he might 
 greatly expose himself to the fire of the Caroline, 
 which was yet spiritedly maintaining the conflict, 
 induced Coffee to retire until he could hear from 
 the commanding general, and receive his orders. 
 
 During this time, the right wing, under Jackson, 
 had been no less active. A detachment of artille- 
 ry, under Lieutenant Spotts, supported by sixty ma- 
 rines, constituting the advance, had moved down 
 the ~oad next the levee. On their left was the 
 seventh regiment of infantry, led by Major Piere. 
 The forty-fourth, commanded by Major Baker, was 
 formed on the extreme left ; while Plauche's and 
 Daquin's battalions of city guards were directed 
 to be posted in the centre, between the seventh and 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 239 
 
 forty-fourth. The general had ordered Colonel 
 Ross, who, during the night, acted in the capacity 
 of brigadier-general, — for he was without a briga- 
 dier, — on hearing the signal from the Caroline, to 
 move off by heads of companies, and. on reaching 
 the enemy's line, to deploy, and unite the left wing 
 of his command with the right of General Coffee's. 
 This order was omitted to be executed ; and the 
 consequence was confusion in the ranks. 
 
 Instead of n oving in column from the first posi- 
 tion, the troops, with the exception of the seventh 
 regiment, next the person of the general, which 
 advanced agreeably to the instructions that had 
 been given, were formed and marched in extended 
 line. Having sufficient ground to form on at first, 
 no inconvenience was at the moment sustained ; but, 
 this advantage presently failing, the centre became 
 compressed, and was forced in the rear. The river, 
 from where they were formed, gradually inclined to 
 the left, and diminished the space originally pos 
 sessed : farther in stood Larond's house, surround- 
 ed by a grove of clustered orange trees ; this press- 
 ing the left, and the river the right wing to the cen- 
 tre, formed a curve, which presently threw the prin- 
 cipal part of Plauche's and Daquin's battalions with- 
 out the line. This inconvenience might have been 
 remedied, but for the briskness of the advance, and 
 for the darkness of the night. A heavy fire from 
 behind a fence, immediately before them, had 
 brought the enemy to view. Acting in obedience 
 to their orders not to waste their ammunition at 
 random, our troops had pressed forward against the 
 opposition in their front, and thereby threw thoaa 
 battalions in the rear 
 
240 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 A fog rising from the river, which, added to the 
 smoke from the guns, was covering the plain grad- 
 ually, diminished the little light shed by the moon, 
 and greatly increased the darkness of the night 
 no clue was left to ascertain how the enemy were 
 Eituated. There was no alternative but to move on 
 in the direction of their fire, which subjected the 
 assailants to material disadvantages. The British, 
 driven from their first position, had retired back, 
 and occupied another, behind a deep ditch, that ran 
 out of the Mississippi towards the swamp, on the 
 margin of which was a wood railed fence. Here, 
 strengthened by increased numbers, they again op- 
 posed the advance of our troops. Having waited 
 until they had approached sufficiently near to be 
 discovered, they discharged a fire upon the advanc- 
 ing army. Instantly our battery was formed, and 
 poured destructively upon them ; while the infan- 
 try, pressing forward, aided in the conflict, which a* 
 this point was for some time spiritedly maintained. 
 At this moment, a brisk sally was made upon our 
 advance, when the marines, unequal to the assault 
 were already giving way. The adjutant-general, 
 and Colonels Piatt and Chotard, with a part of the 
 seventh, hastening to their support, drove the ene- 
 my,and saved the artillery from capture. Genera] 
 Jackson, perceiving the decided advantages which 
 were derived from the position they occupied, or- 
 dered their line to be charged. It was obeyed and 
 executed with promptness. Pressing on, our troops 
 gained the ditch, and, pouring across it a we'i-aim- 
 ed fire, compelled them to retreat, and abandon 
 their entrenchment. The plain, on which they 
 were contending, was cut to pieces, by races from 
 the river, to convey the water to the swamp. The 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 211 
 
 enemy were, therefore, very soon enabled to occu- 
 py another position, equally favourable with the one 
 whence they had been just driven, where they form 
 ed for battle, and, for some time, gallantly main- 
 tained themselves ; but which, after stubborn resist- 
 ance, they were forced to yield. 
 
 The enemy, discovering the obstinate advance 
 made by the right wing of the American army, and pre 
 6uming perhaps that its principal strength was post 
 ed on the road, formed the intention of attacking 
 violently the left. Obliquing for this purpose, an 
 attempt was made to turn it. At this moment, Da- 
 quin's and the battalion of city guards, being march- 
 ed up, and formed on the left of the forty-fourth 
 regiment, repulsed them. 
 
 The particular moment of the contest prevented 
 many of those benefits, which might have been de- 
 rived from the artillery. The darkness of the night 
 was such, that the blaze of the enemy's musketry 
 was the only light afforded, by which to determine 
 their position, or be capable of taking our own to 
 advantage ; yet, notwithstanding, it greatly annoy- 
 ed them, whenever it could be brought to bear. 
 Directed by Lieutenant Spotts, a vigilant and skil- 
 ful officer, with men to aid him who looked to noth- 
 ing but a zealous discharge of their duty, the most 
 important services were rendered. 
 
 The enotny had been thrice beaten, and for near- 
 ly a mile compelled to yield their ground. They 
 had now retired, and, if found, were to be sought 
 for amidst the darkness of the night. The gene- 
 ral determined to halt, and ascertain Coffee's posi- 
 tion and success, previously to waging the battle 
 further ; for as yet no communication had passed 
 between them. The Caroline had almost ceased 
 21 
 
242 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 her operations ; it being only occasionally, that the 
 noise of her guns disclosed the little opportunity 
 she possessed of acting efficiently. 
 
 The express despatched to General Jackson from 
 the left wing having reached him, he determined 
 to prosecute the successes he had gained no fur- 
 ther. The darkness of the night, the confusion 
 into which his own division had been thrown, and a 
 similar disaster produced on the part of Coffee, — all 
 pointed to the necessity of retiring from, the field. 
 The bravery displayed by his troops had induced 
 a belief, that, by pressing forward, he might capture 
 the whole British army : at any rate, he considered 
 it but a game of hazard, which, if unsuccessful, could 
 not occasion his own defeat. If incompetent to its 
 execution, and superior numbers, or superior disci- 
 pline, should compel him to recede from the effort, 
 he well knew the enemy would not have temerity 
 enough to attempt pursuit. The extreme darki.ess, 
 their entire ignorance of the situation of the coun- 
 try, and an apprehension lest their forces might 
 be greatly outnumbered, afforded sufficient reasons 
 on wttich to ground a belief, that, although beaten 
 from his purpose, he would yet have it in his power 
 to retire in safety ; but, on the arrival of the ex- 
 press from General Coffee, learning the strong po- 
 sition to which the enemy had retired, and that a 
 part of the left wing had been detached, and were 
 in all probability captured, he determined to retire 
 from the contest, nor attempt a further urosecution 
 of his successes. General Coffee was accordingly 
 directed to withdraw, and take a position at Larond's 
 plantation, where the line had been first formed: 
 and thither the troops on the right were also order- 
 ed to be marched. 
 
LIFJ] OF GENERAL JACKSON. 243 
 
 The last charge made by the left wing had sep 
 arated from the main body Colonels Dyer and Gib- 
 son, with two hundred men, and Captain Seal's com- 
 pany of riflemen. What might be their fate ; 
 whether they were captured, or had effected their 
 retreat, was, at this time, altogether uncertain ; be 
 that as it might, Coffee's command was considera- 
 bly weakened. 
 
 Colonel Dyer, who commanded the extreme left, 
 on clearing the grove, after the enemy had retired, 
 was marching in a direction where he expected to 
 find General Coffee : he very soon discovered a 
 force in front, and, halting his men, hastened towards 
 it : arriving withina short distance, he was hailed, 
 ordered to stop, and report to whom he belonged : 
 Dyer, and Gibson, his lieutenant-colonel, who ac- 
 companied him, advanced, and stated they were of 
 Coffee's brigade : by this time they had arrived 
 within a short distance of the line, and, perceiving 
 that the name of the brigade they had stated was 
 not understood, their apprehensions were awaken- 
 ed, lest it might be a detachment of the enemy ; in 
 this opinion they were immediately confirmed, and. 
 wheeling to return, were fired on and pursued. 
 Gibson had scarcely started when he fell : before 
 he could recover, a soldier, quicker than the rest, 
 had reached him, and pinned him to the ground 
 with his bayonet; fortunately the stab had but 
 slightly wounded him, and he was only held by his 
 clothes ; thus pinioned, and perceiving others to be 
 briskly advancing, but a moment was left for delib- 
 eration ; — making a violent exertion, and springing 
 to his feet, he threw his assailant to the ground, and 
 made good his retreat. Colonel Dyer had retreat- 
 ed about fifty yards, when his horse dropped dead ; 
 
244 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 entangled in the fall, and slightly wounded in the 
 thigh, there was little prospect of relief, for the en- 
 emy were briskly advancing; his men being near 
 at hand, he ordered them to advance and fire, which 
 checked their approach, and enabled him to escape. 
 Being now at the head of his command, perceiv- 
 ing an enemy in a direction he had not expected, 
 and uncertain how or where he might find General 
 Coffee, he determined to seek him to the right, and, 
 moving on with his little band, forced his way through 
 the enemy's lines, with the loss of sixty-three oi 
 his men, who were killed and taken. Captain Beal 
 with equal bravery, charged through the enemy, car 
 rying off some prisoners, and losing several of his 
 own company. 
 
 This re-enforcement of the British had arrived 
 from Bayou Bienvenu, after night. The boats that 
 landed the first detachment, proceeded back to the 
 shipping, and, having returned, were on their way 
 up the bayou, when they heard the guns of the 
 Caroline ; moving hastily on to the assistance of 
 those who had debarked before, they reached the 
 shore, and, knowing nothing of the situation of the 
 two armies, during the engagement advanced in the 
 rear of General Coffee's brigade. Coming in con- 
 tact with Colonel Dyer and Captain Beal, they filed 
 off to the left, and reached the British lines. 
 
 This detached part of Coffee's brigade, unable to 
 unite with, or find him, retired to the place where 
 they had first formed, and joined Colonel Hinds' 
 dragoons, which had remained on the ground where 
 the troops had first dismounted, that they might cov- 
 er their retreat, in the event it became necessary. 
 
 Jackson had gone into this battle confident of 
 success ; and his arrangements were such as would 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 24.? 
 
 have ensured it, even to a much greater extent, but 
 for the intervention of circumstances that were not, 
 ind could not be foreseen. The Caroline hau giv- 
 en her signals, and commenced the battle, a little 
 too early, before Coffee had reached his position, 
 and before every thing was fully in readiness to at- 
 tain the objects designed : but it was chiefly owing 
 to the confusion introduced at first into the ranks, 
 which checked the rapidity of his advance, gave 
 the enemy time for preparation, and prevented his 
 division from uniting with the right wing of Gener- 
 al Coffee's brigade. 
 
 Colonel Hinds, with one hundred and eighty dra- 
 goons, was not brought into action during the night. 
 Interspersed as the plain was with innumerable 
 ditches, diverging in different directions, it was im- 
 possible that cavalry could act to any kind of ad- 
 vantage : they were now formed in advance, to 
 watch, until morning, the movements of the enemy. 
 
 From the experiment just made, Jackson believ- 
 ed it would be in his power, on renewing the attack, 
 'o capture the British army : he concluded, there- 
 fore, to order down to his assistance General Car- 
 roll with his division, and to assail them again at 
 the dawn of day. Directing Governor Claiborne 
 to remain at his post, with the Louisiana militia, for 
 the defence of an important pass to the city, the 
 Gentilly road, he despatched an express to Carroll, 
 stating to him, that, in the event there had been nc 
 appearance of a force during the night, in the di 
 rection of Chef Menteur, to join him with the troops 
 under his command : this order was executed by 
 one o'clock in the morning. Previously, however, 
 to his arrival, a different determination was mad< . 
 From prisoners who had been brought in, andthrougn 
 21* 
 
246 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 deserters, it was ascertained that the strength tf 
 the enemy, during the battle, was four thousand, 
 and, with the re-enforcements which had reached 
 them, after its commencement, and during the ac- 
 tion, their force could r<)t be less than six: — at any 
 rate, it would greatly e,. v eed his own, even after 
 the Tennessee division should be added. Although 
 very decided advantages had been obtained, yet 
 they had been procured under circumstances that 
 might be wholly lost in a contest waged, in open 
 day, between forces so disproportionate, and by un- 
 disciplined troops, against veteran soldiers. Jack 
 son well knew it was incumbent upon him to act a 
 part entirely defensive : should the attempt to de- 
 stroy the city succeed, numerous difficulties would 
 present themselves, which might be avoided, so long 
 as he could hold the enemy in check. Prompted 
 by these considerations, and believing it attainable 
 in no way so effectually as in occupying some point, 
 and, by the strength he might give it, compensate 
 for the inferiority of his numbers, and their want 
 of discipline, he determined to forbear all further 
 offensive efforts until he could more certainly dis- 
 cover the views of the enemy, and until the Ken- 
 tucky troops should reach him. Pursuing this idea, 
 at four o'clock in the morning, having ordered Co- 
 lonel Hinds to occupy the ground he was then aban- 
 doning, and to observe the enemy closely, he fell 
 back, and formed his line behind a deep ditch that 
 stretched to the swamp at right angles from the 
 river. There were two circumstances recommend- 
 ing the importance of this place : the swamp, which, 
 from the high lands, at Baton Rouge, skirts the riv- 
 er at irregular distances, and in many places is al- 
 most impervious, had here approached within four 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 247 
 
 nundred yards of the Mississippi, and hence, from 
 the narrowness of the pass, was more easily to be 
 defended ; added to which, there was a deep canal, 
 whence the dirt, being thrown on the upper side, al- 
 ready formed a tolerable work of defence. Behind 
 this his troops were formed, and proper measures 
 adopted for increasing its strength, with a deter- 
 mination never to abandon it. 
 
 Promptitude in decision, and activity in execu- 
 tion, constituted the leading traits of Jackson's char- 
 acter. No sooner had he resolved on the course 
 which he thought necessary to be pursued, than with 
 every possible despatch he hastened to its comple- 
 tion. Before him was an army proud of its name, 
 and distinguished for its deeds of valour ; oppos- 
 ed to which was his own unbending spirit, and an 
 inferior, undisciplined and unarmed force. He con- 
 ceived, therefore, that his was a defensive policy : 
 that, by prudence, he should be able to preserve 
 what offensive operation might have a tendency to 
 endanger. Hence, with activity and industry, bas- 
 ed on a hope of ultimate success, he commenced his 
 plan of defence, determining to fortify himself effect- 
 ually, as the peril and pressure of the moment would 
 permit. When to expect attack he could not tell; 
 readiness to meet it was for him to determine on ; all 
 else was for the enemy. Promptly, therefore, he pro- 
 ceeded with his system of defence ; and with such 
 anxiety, that, until the night of the 27th, when his line 
 was completed, he never slept, or for a moment 
 closed his eyes. Resting his hope of safety here, 
 • he was every where, through the night, present, en- 
 couraging his troops, and hastening a completion of 
 the work. The excitement produced by the mighty 
 object before him was such as overcame the demand 
 
248 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 of nature, and for five days and four nights he was 
 without sleep, and constantly employed. His line 
 of defence beh.g completed on the night of the 
 27th, he, for the first time since the arrival of the 
 enemy, retired to rest and repose. 
 
 The soldier who has stood the shock of battle, 
 and knows what slight circumstances oftentimes 
 produce decided advantages, will be able to appre- 
 ciate the events of this night. Although the dread- 
 ful carnage of the 8th of January, hereafter to be 
 told, was in fact the finishing blow, that struck down 
 the towering hopes of those invaders, yet in the 
 battle of the 23d is there to be found abundant 
 cause why success resulted to our arms. The Brit- 
 ish had reached the Mississippi without the fire of 
 a gun, and encamped upon its banks as composed 
 ly as if they had been seated on their own soil. 
 These were circumstances which awakened a be 
 lief that they expected little opposition, were cer- 
 tain of success, and that the troops with whom 
 they were to contend would scarcely venture to re- 
 sist them: resting thus confidently in the exp?cta- 
 tion of success, they would the next day have mov- 
 ed forward, and succeeded in the accomplishment 
 of their designs. Jackson, convinced that an ear- 
 ly impression was essential to ultimate success, had 
 resolved to assail them at the moment of their land- 
 ing, and " attack them in their first position :" we 
 have, therefore, seen him, with a force inferior, by 
 one half, to that of the enemy, at an unexpected 
 moment, break into their camp, and, with his undis- 
 ciplined yeomanry, drive before him the pride of 
 England, and the conquerors of Europe. It was 
 an event that could not fail to destroy all previous 
 theories, and establish a conclusion, which our en- 
 
LIFfi OF GENERAL JACKSON. 2 it) 
 
 emy had not before formed, that they were con- 
 tending against valour inferior to none they had 
 seen ; — before which their own bravery had not 
 stood, nor their skill availed them : it had the ef- 
 fect of satisfying them, that the quantity and kind 
 of troops it was in our power to wield, must be dif- 
 ferent from any thing that had been represented to 
 them ; for, much as they had heard of the courage 
 of the man with whom they were contending, they 
 could not suppose, that a general, having a country 
 to defend, and a reputation to preserve, would ven- 
 ture to attack, on their own chosen ground, a great 
 ly superior army, and one, which, by the numerous 
 victories it had achieved, had already acquired a 
 fame in arms ; they were convinced that his force 
 must greatly surpass what they had expected, and 
 be composed of materials different from what they 
 had imagined. 
 
 The American troops, which were actually en- 
 gaged, did not amount to two thousand men : they 
 consisted of part of 
 
 Coffee's brigade and Captain Beal's company, 64S 
 The 7th and 44th regiments, - - 763 
 
 Company of marines and artillery, - 82 
 
 Plauche's and Daquin's battalions, - 483 
 
 And the Mississippi dragoons under Colonel ) jg^ 
 
 Hinds, not in the action, - ) 
 
 2167* 
 
 which, for more than an hour, maintained a severe 
 conflict with a force of four or five thousand, and 
 retired in safety from the ground, with the loss of 
 
 * This statement may be relied on ; it was furnished to the au- 
 thor by Colonel Robert Butler, adjutant-general of the souther: 
 J-visioii, who assured him it was correct. 
 
250 LIFE OF liENERAL JACKSON 
 
 but twenty tour killed, one hundred and fifteen . 
 wounded, and seventy-four made prisoners ; while 
 ihe killed, wounded, and prisoners, of the enemy, 
 were not less than four hundred. 
 
 Our officers and soldiers executed every order 
 with promptitude, and nobly sustained their coun- 
 try's character. Lieutenant-Colonel Lauderdale, 
 of Coffee's brigade, an officer of great promise, and 
 on whom every reliance was placed, fell at his post, 
 and at his duty : he had entered the service, and 
 descended the river with the volunteers under Gen- 
 eral Jackson, in the winter of 1812, passed through 
 all the hardships of the Creek war, and had ever 
 manifested a readiness to act when nis country 
 needed his services. Young, brave, and skilful, he 
 had already afforded evidences of a capacity, which 
 might, in future, have become useful ; his exemplary 
 conduct, both in civil and military life, had acquired 
 for him a respect, that rendered his fall a subject 
 of general regret. Lieutenant M'Lelland, a valua- 
 ble young officer of the 7th, was. also among the 
 number of the slain. 
 
 Coffee's brigade, during the action, bravely sup- 
 ported the character they had established. The 
 unequal contest in which they were engaged lever 
 occurred, nor, for a moment, checked the rapidity 
 of their advance. Had the British known they 
 were riflemen, without bayonets, a firm stand would 
 nave arrested their progress, and destruction or 
 capture would have been the inevitable conse- 
 quence ; but this being unknown, every charge 
 th-ey made was crowned with success. Officers, 
 from the highest to inferior grades, discharged 
 what had beem expected of them. Ensign Leach, 
 of the 7tL regiment, being wounded through the 
 
LIFfc. OF GENERAL JACKSON. 251 
 
 t?oiy, still remained at his pest, and in the per- 
 formance of his duty. Colonel Reuben Kemper, 
 amidst the confusion introduced on the left wing-, 
 found himself at the head of a handful of men, de- 
 tached from the main body, and in the midst of a 
 party of the enemy : to attempt resistance was idle : 
 he sought safety through stratagem. Calling to a 
 group of soldiers who were near, in a positive tone, 
 he demanded of them where their regiment was : 
 lost themselves, they were unable to answer ; but, 
 supposing him one of their own officers, they assent- 
 ed to his orders, and folLowed him to his own line, 
 where they were made prisoners. 
 
 The 7th regiment, commanded by Major Piere, 
 and the 44th, under Major Baker, aided by Major 
 Butler, gallantiy maintained the conflict, forced the 
 enemy from every secure position he attempted to 
 occupy, and drove him a mile from the fiist point of 
 attack. Confiding in themselves, and their gene- 
 ral, who was constantly with them, exposed to (ran- 
 ger, and in the midst of the fight, inspiring by his 
 ardour, and encouraging by his example, they ad- 
 vanced to the conflict, nor evinced a disposition to 
 leave it until the prudence of their commander di- 
 rected them to retire. 
 
 From the violence of the assault, the fears of the 
 British had been greatly excited : to keep their ap- 
 ^.ahensions alive was considered important, with a 
 Vxdw to destroy the overweening confidence with 
 which they had arrived on our shores, and to com- 
 pel them to act, for a time, upon the defensive. To 
 effect this, General Coffee, with his brigade, was 
 ordered down, on the morning of the 24th, to unite 
 with Colonel Hinds, and wake a show in the rear 
 of Lacoste's plantation The enemv, not yet re* 
 
25*2 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON, 
 
 covered of the panic of the preceding evening, be 
 lieved it was in contemplation to urge another at- 
 tack, and immediately formed themselves to repel 
 it ; hut Coffee, having succeeded in recovering some 
 of his horses, which were wandering along the mar- 
 gin of the swamp, and in regaining part of the cloth 
 ing which his troops had lost the night before, re- 
 turned to the line, leaving them to conjecture the 
 objects of his movement. 
 
 The scanty supply of clothes and blankets that 
 remained to the soldiers, from their long, and expos- 
 ed marches, had been left where they dismounted 
 to meet the enemy. Their numbers were too lim- 
 ited, and the strength of their opponents too well 
 ascertained, f >r any part of their force to remain 
 and take care of what was left behind : it was so 
 essential to hasten on, reach their destination, and 
 be ready to act when the signal from the Caroline 
 should announce their co-operation necessary, that, 
 no time was afforded them to secure their horses ; 
 — they were turned loose, and their recovery trust- 
 ed to chance. Although many were regained, 
 many were lost; while most of the men remained 
 with a single suit, to encounter, in the open field, 
 and in swamps covered with water, the hardships 
 of camp, and the severity of winter. It is a circum- 
 stance which entitles them to much credit, that, 
 under privations so oppressive, complaints were 
 never heard. This state of things was not of long 
 continuance. The story of their sufferings was no 
 sooner known, than the legislature appropriated a 
 eum of money for their relief, which was greatly 
 increased by subscriptions in the city and neigh- 
 bourhood. Materials being purchased, the Ladies. 
 with that warmth of heart characteristic of theiT 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 25J 
 
 sex, at once exerted themselves in removing theii 
 distresses : all their industry was called into action, 
 and, in a little time, the suffering soldier was re- 
 lieved. Such generous conduct, in extending as- 
 sistance at a moment when it was so much needed, 
 while it conferred on those females the highest hon- 
 our, could not fail to nerve the arm of the brave 
 with new zeal for the defence of their benefactress- 
 es. This distinguished mark of their benevolence 
 is still remembered ; and often as these valiant men 
 are heard to recount the dangers they have passed, 
 they breathe a sentiment of gratitude to those who 
 conferred upon them such distinguished marks of 
 their kindness. 
 
 To keep up a show of resistance, detachments 
 of light troops were occasionally kept in front of 
 the line, harassing the enemy's advanced posts 
 whenever an opportunity was offered. Every moment 
 that could be gained, and every delay that could be 
 extended to the enemy's attempts to reach the city, 
 was of the utmost importance. The works were 
 rapidly progressing, and hourly increasing in 
 strength. The militia of the state were every day 
 arriving, and every day the prospect of successful 
 opposition was brightening. 
 
 The enemy still remained at his first encamp- 
 ment. To be in readiness to repel an assault when 
 attempted, the most active exertions were mado on 
 the 24th and 25th. The canal, covering the front 
 of our line, was deepened and widened, and a 
 strong mud wall formed of the earth thrown out. 
 To prevent any approach until his system of defence 
 should be in greater forwardness, Jackson ordered 
 the levee to be cut, about a hundred yards below 
 the point he had occupied. The river being very 
 22 
 
254 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 high, a broad stream of water passed rapidly through 
 the plain, of the depth of thirty or forty inches 
 which prevented any approach of troops on foot 
 Embrasures were formed, and two pieces of artil- 
 lery, under the command of Lieutenant Spotts, early 
 on the morning of the 24th, were placed in a posi- 
 tion to rake the road leading up the levee. 
 
 He was under constant apprehensions, lest, in 
 6pite of his exertions below, the city might, through 
 6ome other route, be reached ; and those fears were 
 increased to-day, by a report that a strong force had 
 arrived, and debarked at the head of Lake Borgne. 
 This, however, proved to be unfounded : the enemy 
 had not appeared in that direction, nor had the offi- 
 cer, to whom was intrusted the command of this 
 fort, so much relied on, forgotten his duty, or for- 
 saken his post. Acting upon the statement that 
 Major Lacoste had retired from the fort, and fallen 
 back on Bayou St. John, and incensed that orders, 
 which, from their importance, should have been 
 faithfully executed, had been thus lightly regarded, 
 he hastened to inform him what he had understood, 
 and to forbid his leaving his position. " The bat- 
 tery I have placed under your command must be 
 defended at all hazards. In you, and the valour of 
 your troops, I repose every confidence ; — let me not 
 be deceived. With us every thing goes on well : 
 the enemy has not yet advanced. Our troops have 
 covered themselves with glory : it is a noble ex- 
 ample, and worthy to be followed by all. Maintain 
 your post, nor ever think of retreating." To give 
 additional strength to a place deemed so important, 
 to inspire confidence, and ensure safety, Colonel 
 Dyer and two hundred men were ordered to assist 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 265 
 
 m its defence, and act as videttes, in advance of the 
 occupied points. 
 
 General Morgan, who, at the English Turn, com- 
 manded the fort on the east bank of the river, was 
 instructed to proceed as near the enemy's camp as 
 prudence would permit, and, by destroying the levee 
 to let in the waters of the Mississippi between them 
 The execution of this order, and a similar one, pre- 
 viously made, below the line of defence, had entire- 
 ly insulated the enemy, and prevented his march 
 against either place. On the 26th, however, the 
 commanding general, fearing for the situation of 
 Morgan, who, from the British occupying the inter- 
 mediate ground, was entirely detached from his 
 camp, directed him to abandon his encampment, 
 carry off such of the cannon as might be wanted, 
 and throw the remainder into the river, where they 
 could be again recovered when the waters reced- 
 ed ; to retire to the other side of the river, and as- 
 sume a position on the right bank, nearly opposite 
 to his line, and have it fortified. This movement 
 was imposed by the relative disposition of the two 
 armies. Necessity, not choice, made it essential 
 that St. Leon should be abandoned. 
 
 From every intelligence, obtained through de 
 serters and prisoners, it. was evident that the Britisb 
 fleet would make an effort to ascend the river, and 
 co-operate with the troops already landed. Lest 
 this, or a diversion in a different quarter, might be 
 attempted, exertions were made to interpose sucb 
 defences on the Mississippi as might assure protec- 
 tion. The forts on the river, well supported witn 
 brave men, and heavy pieces of artillery, might, 
 perhaps, have the effect to deter their shipping from 
 venturing in that direction, and dispose them to seek 
 
256 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 some safer route, if any could be discovered. Pass 
 Barrataria was best calculated for this purpose. 
 The difficulty of ascending the Mississippi, from the 
 rapidity of the current, its winding course, and the 
 ample protection given at Forts St. Philip and Bour- 
 bon, were circumstances to which, it was not to be 
 inferred, the British were strangers. It was a 
 more rational conjecture that they would seek a 
 passage through Barrataria, proceed up on the 
 right bank of the river, and gain a position whence, 
 co-operating with the forces on the east side, they 
 might drive our troops from the line they had form- 
 ed. Major Reynolds was acccordingly ordered 
 thither, with instructions to place the bayous, emp- 
 tying through this pass, in the best possible state 
 of defence — to occupy the island — to mount suffi- 
 cient ordnance, and draw a chain, within cannon- 
 shot, across, and protect it from approach. Larlte 
 who had been heretofore promised pardon for the 
 outrages he had committed against the laws of 
 the United States, was also despatched with Rey- 
 nolds. He was selected, because his knowledge of 
 the topography and precise situation of this section 
 of the state was remarkably correct: i*. was the 
 point where he had constantly rendezvoused, dur- 
 ing the time of cruising against the merchant ves- 
 sels of Spain, under a commission obtained at Car- 
 thagena, and where he had become perfectly ac- 
 quainted with every inlet and entrance to the gulf 
 through which a passage could be effected. 
 
 With these arrangements — treason apart — all 
 anxiously alive to the interest of the country, and 
 disposed to protect it, there was little room to ap- 
 prehend disaster. To use the general's own expres- 
 sion, on another occasion, " the surest defence, and 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 25*T 
 
 one which seldom failed of success, was a rampart 
 of high-minded and brave men." There were some 
 of this description with him, on whom he could 
 safely rely, in moments of extreme peril. 
 
 As yet the enemy were uninformed of the posi- 
 tion of Jackson. They had been constantly engag- 
 ed, since their landing, in procuring from their ship- 
 ping every thing necessary to ulterior operations 
 A. complete command on the lakes, and possession 
 of a point on the margin, presented an uninterrupt 
 ed ingress and egress, and afforded the opportunit) 
 of conveying whatever was wanted, in perfect safe- 
 ty, to their camp. The height of the Mississippi, 
 and the discharge of water through the openings 
 made in the levee, had given an increased depth to 
 the canal, from which they had first debarked, en- 
 abled them to advance their boats much farther, in 
 the direction of their encampment, and to bring up 
 their artillery, bombs, and munitions. Thus engag- 
 ed, during the first three days after their arrival 
 early on the morning of the 27th, a battery was 
 discovered on the bank of the river, erected during 
 the preceding night, and on which were mounted 
 several pieces of heavy ordnance ; from this position 
 a fire was opened on the Caroline schooner, lying 
 under the opposite shore. 
 
 After the battle of the 23d, in which this vessel 
 had so effectually aided, she had passed to the op- 
 posite side of the river, wheie she had since lain. 
 Her services were too highly appreciated not to be 
 again desired, in the event the enemy should en- 
 deavour to advance. Her present situation was 
 considered unsafe, but it had been essayed in vain 
 to advance her higher up the stream. No favoura- 
 ule breeze had yet arisen to aid her in stemming 
 22* 
 
258 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 the current; and towing, and other remedies, had 
 been resorted to without success. Her safety might 
 have been ensured by floating her down the river, 
 and placing her under cover of the guns of the fort, 
 though it was preferred, as a matter of policy, to 
 risk her where she was, hourly calculating that a 
 favourable wind might relieve her, rather than, by 
 dropping her with the current, lose those benefits 
 which, against an advance of the enemy, it might 
 be in her power to extend. Commodore Patterson 
 had left her on the 26th, by the orders of the general, 
 when Captain Henly made a further, but ineffectual 
 effort to force her up the current, near the line, for 
 the double purpose of its defence and for her own 
 safety. 
 
 These attempts to remove her being discovered 
 at daylight, on the morning of the 27th, a battery, 
 mounting five guns, opened upon her, discharging 
 bombs and red-hot shot : it was spiritedly answered, 
 but without affecting the battery ; there being but 
 a long twelve pounder that could reach. The sec- 
 ond fire had lodged a hot shot in the hold, directly 
 under her cables, whence it could not be removed, 
 and where it immediately communicated fire to the 
 schooner. The shot from the battery were con 
 stantly taking effect, firing her in different places ; 
 while the blaze, already kindled under her cables, 
 was rapidly extending. A well-grounded appre- 
 hension of her commander, that she could be nc 
 longer defended, induced a fear lest the magazine 
 should be reached, and every thing destroyed. One 
 of his crew being killed, and six wounded, and not 
 a glimmering of hope entertained that she could be 
 preserved, orders were given to abandon her. The 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 259 
 
 crew in safety readied the shore, and in a short 
 time she blew up. 
 
 Although unexpectedly deprived of so material 
 a dependence, an opportunity was soon presented of 
 using her brave crew to advantage. Gathering 
 confidence from what had been just effected, the 
 enemy left their encampment, and moved in the di- 
 rection of our line. Their numbers had been in- 
 creased, and Major-General Sir Edward Packenham 
 now commanded in person. Early on the 28th, hia 
 columns commenced their advance to storm our 
 works. At the distance of half a mile, their heavy 
 artillery opened, and quantities of bombs, balls, and 
 congreve rockets, were discharged. It was a 
 scene of terror, which they had probably calculat 
 ed would excite a panic in the minds of the raw 
 troops of our army, and compel them to surrender 
 at discretion. Their congreve rockets, though a 
 kind of instrument of destruction to which our 
 troops, unskilled in the science of warfare, had been 
 hitherto strangers, excited no other feeling than 
 that which novelty inspires. At the moment, there- 
 fore, that the British, in different columns, were 
 moving up, in all the pomp of battle, preceded by 
 these insignia of terror, more than danger, and were 
 expecting to behold their " Yankee foes" flee be- 
 fore them, our batteries halted their advance. 
 
 In addition to the two pieces of cannon, mounted 
 on our works on the 24th, three others, of hea-vy 
 caliber, obtained from the navy department, had 
 been formed along the line ; these, opening on the 
 enemy, checked their progress, and disclosed to 
 them the hazard of the project they were on. Lieu- 
 tenants Crawley and Norris volunteered, and. 
 with the crew of the Caroline, maintained, at the 
 
260 LIFE OF GENKRAL JACKSON 
 
 guns they commanded, that firmness and decision 
 for which they had been so highly distinguished. 
 They had been selected by the general, because of 
 their superior knowledge in gunnery, and, on this 
 occasion, gave a further evidence of their skill, and 
 of a disposition to act in any situation where they 
 could be serviceable. The line, which, from the 
 labours bestowed on it, was daily strengthening, 
 was not yet in a situation etfectually to resist ; this 
 deficiency, however, was well remedied by the 
 brave men who were formed in its rear. 
 
 From the river the greatest injury was effected 
 Lieutenant Thompson, who commanded the Louis- 
 iana sloop, opposite the line of defence, no sooner 
 discovered the columns approaching, than, warping 
 her around, he brought her starboard guns to bear, 
 and forced them to retreat : but, from their heavy 
 artillery, the enemy maintained the conflict with 
 great spirit, constantly discharging their bombs and 
 rockets for seven hours, when, unable to make a 
 breach, or silence the fire from the sloop, they 
 abandoned a contest where few advantages seemed 
 to be presented. The crew of this vessel was com- 
 posed of new recruits, and of discordant materials, 
 — of soldiers, citizens, and seamen ; yet, by the ae- 
 tivity of their commander, were they so well per- 
 fected in duty, that they already managed their 
 guns with the greatest certainty of effect ; and, by 
 three o'clock in the evening, with the aid of the 
 land batteries, had completely driven back the en- 
 emy. Imboldened by the effect produced the day 
 before on the Caroline, the furnaces of the enemy 
 were put in operation, and numbers of hot shot 
 thrown from a heavy piece, which was protected by 
 the levee. An attempt was made to carry it off. 
 
r.IFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 26] 
 
 hi -their endeavours to remove it, "I saw," says 
 Commodore Patterson, " distinctly, with the aid of 
 a glass, several balls strike in the midst of the men 
 who were employed in dragging it away." In this 
 engagement, waged for seven hours, we received 
 little or no injury. The Louisiana sloop, against 
 which the most violent exertions were made, had 
 but a single man wounded, by the fragments of a 
 shell, which burst over her deck. Our entire loss 
 did not exceed nine killed, and eight or ten wound- 
 ed. The enemy, being more exposed, acting in 
 the open field, and in range of our guns, suffered 
 considerable injury ; at least one hundred and 
 twenty were killed and wounded. 
 
 Among the killed, on our side, was Colonel James 
 Henderson, of the Tennessee militia. An advance 
 party of the British had, during the action, taken 
 post behind a fence that ran obliquely to our line. 
 Henderson, with a detachment of two hundred men, 
 was sent out by General Carroll to drive them from 
 a position whence they were greatly annoying our 
 troops. Had he advanced in the manner directed, 
 he would have been less exposed, and more effect- 
 ually secured the object intended ; but, misunder- 
 standing the order, he proceeded in a different 
 route, and fell a victim to his error. Instead of 
 marching in the direction of the wood, and turning 
 the enemy, which might have cut off their retreat, 
 he proceeded in front, towards the river, leaving 
 them in rear of the fence, and himself and his detach- 
 ment exposed. His mistake being perceived from 
 the line, he was called by the adjutant-general, and 
 directed to return ; but the noise of the waters, 
 through which they were wading, prevented any 
 communication. Having reached a knoll of drv 
 
262 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ground, he attempted the execution of his order , bu! 
 soon fell, by a wound in the head. Deprived of 
 their commander, and perceiving their situation 
 hazardous, the detachment retreated to the line, 
 with the loss of their colonel and five men. 
 
 While this advance was made, a column of the 
 enemy was threatening our extreme left ; to frus- 
 trate the attempt, Coffee was ordered with his rifle- 
 men to hasten through the woods, and check their 
 approach. The enemy, greatly superior to him in 
 numbers, no sooner discovered his movement than 
 they retired, and abandoned the attack they had 
 meditated. 
 
 A supposed disaffection in New Orleans, and an 
 enemy in front, were circumstances well calculated 
 to excite unpleasant, forebodings. General Jackson 
 believed it necessary to his security, while contend- 
 ing with avowed foes, not to be wholly inattentive 
 to dangers at home ; but, by guarding vigilantly, to 
 be able to suppress any treasonable purpose the 
 moment it should be developed. Previously to de- 
 parting from the city, on the evening of the 23d, 
 he ordered Major Butler, his aid, to remain with 
 the guards, and be vigilant that nothing transpired 
 in his absence calculated to operate injuriously. His 
 fears that there were many of the inhabitants, who 
 felt no attachment to the government, and would not 
 scruple to surrender, whenever, prompted by their 
 interest, it should become necessary, have been no- 
 ticed. In this belief, subsequent circumstances evinc- 
 ed there was no mistake, and showed that to hia 
 energy is to be ascribed the cause the country was 
 saved. It is a fact, which was disclosed on making 
 an exchange -of prisoners, that, in despite of all our 
 efforts, the enemy were daily apprized of every 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 263 
 
 thing that transpired in our camp. Every arrange- 
 ment, and every change of position, was immediate- 
 ly communicated. " Nothing," remarked a British 
 officer, at the close of the invasion, " was kept a 
 secret from ns, except your numbers ; this, al- 
 though diligently sought, could never be procured." 
 Between the 23d and the attack, on the 2Sth, to 
 carry our line, Major Butler, who still remained in 
 the city, was applied to by Fulwar Skipwith, speak- 
 er of the senate, to ascertain the commanding gen- 
 eral's views, provided he snould be driven from his 
 line of encampment, and compelled to retreat 
 through the city ; would he, in that *vont, destroy 
 it? It was, indeed, a curious lmmiry from one who, 
 having spent his life in serving his country, might 
 better have understood the duty of a subordinate 
 officer ; and that, even if, from his situation, Major 
 Butler had so far acquired the confidence of his 
 general as to have become acquainted with his de- 
 signs, he was not at liberty to divulge them, with- 
 out destroying confidence, and acting criminally. 
 On asking the cause of the inquiry, Mr. Skipwith 
 replied, it was understood that, if driven from his 
 position, and made to retreat upon the city, General 
 Jackson had it in contemplation to lay it in ruins ; 
 the legislature, he said, desired information on this 
 subject, that, if such were his intentions, they might, 
 by offering terms of capitulation, avert so serious a 
 calamity. That a sentiment, having for its object 
 a surrender of the city, should be entertained by 
 this body, was scarcely credible ; yet a few days 
 brought the certainty of it more fully to view, and 
 showed that they were already devising plans to 
 ensure the safety of themselves and property at any 
 sacrifice. While the general was hastening along 
 
264 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 the line, from ordering Coffee against a column of 
 the British on the extreme left, he was hailed by 
 Mr. Duncan, one of his volunteer aids, and informed 
 that it was agitated, secretly, by the members of 
 the legislature, to offer terms of capitulation to the 
 enemy, and proffer a surrender ; and that Governor 
 Claiborne awaited his orders on the subject. Poised 
 as was the result, the safety or fall of the city rest- 
 ing in uncertainty, although it was plainly to be 
 perceived, that, with a strong army before them, no 
 such resolution could be carried into effect, yet it 
 might be productive of evil, and, in the end, bring 
 about the most fatal consequences. Even the dis- 
 closure of such a wish, on the part of the legisla- 
 tuie, might create parties, excite opposition in the 
 army, and inspire the enemy with renewed confi- 
 dence. The Tennessee forces, and Mississippi vol- 
 unteers, it was not feared, would be affected by the 
 measure ; but it might detach the Louisiana militia, 
 and even extend itself to the ranks of the regular 
 troops. Jackson was greatly incensed, that those, 
 whose safety he had so much at heart, should be 
 seeking, under the authority of office, to mar his 
 best exertions. He was, however, too warmly press- 
 ed at the moment, — for the battle was raging, — to 
 give it the attention its importance merited ; but, 
 availing himself of the first respite from the vio- 
 lence of the attack waged against him, he apprized 
 Governor Claiborne of what he had heard ; ordered 
 nim closely to watch the conduct of the legislature, 
 and, the moment the project of offering a capitula- 
 tion to the enemy should be fully disclosed, to place 
 a guard at the door, and confine them to their cham- 
 ber. The governor, in his zeal to execute the com- 
 mand and from a fear of the consequences involved 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 265 
 
 m such conduct, construed as imperative an order 
 which was merely contingent ; and, placing an 
 armed force at the door of the capitol, prevented 
 the members from convening, and their schemes 
 from maturing. 
 
 The purport of this order was misconceived by 
 the governor ; or, perhaps, with a view to avoid sub- 
 sequent inconveniences, was designedly mistaken. 
 Jackson's object was not to restrain the legislature 
 in the discharge of their official duties ; for, al- 
 though he thought that such a moment, when the 
 sound of the cannon was constantly pealing in their 
 ears, was inauspicious to wholesome legislation, and 
 that it would have better comported with the state 
 of the times for them to abandon their civil duties, 
 and appear in the field, yet was it a matter indeli- 
 cate to be proposed ; and it was hence preferred, 
 that they should adopt whatever course might be 
 suggested by their own notions of propriety. This 
 sentiment would have been still adhered to ; but 
 when, through the communication of Mr. Duncan, 
 they were represented as entertaining schemes ad- 
 verse to the general interest of the country, the ne- 
 cessity of a different course of conduct was obvious 
 But he did not order Governor Claiborne to interfere 
 with their duties ; on the contrary, he was instruct- 
 ed, so soon as any thing hostile to the general 
 cause should be ascertained, to place a guavd at 
 the door, and keep the members to their duty. " My 
 object in this," remarked the general, '•' was, that 
 then they would be able to proceed with their business 
 without producing the slightest injury : whatever 
 schemes they might entertain would have remained 
 with themselves, without the power of circulating 
 them to the prejudice of any other Interest than 
 23 
 
266 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 their own. Claiborne mistook my order, and, insteao 
 of shutting them in doors, contrary to my wishes, 
 turned them out." 
 
 Before this he had been called on by a special 
 committee of the legislature to know what his course 
 would be, should necessity drive him from his posi 
 tion. "If," replied the genera], " I thought the hair 
 of my head could divine what I should do, I would 
 cut it off: go back with this answer ; say to your 
 honourable body, that, if disaster does overtake me, 
 and the fate of war drives me from my line to the 
 city, they may expect to have a very warm session." 
 " And what did you design to do," one inquired, " pro- 
 vided you had been forced to retreat?" "I should,' 
 he replied, " have retreated to the city, fired it, and 
 fought the enemy amidst the surrounding flames. 
 There were with me men of wealth, owners of 
 considerable property, who, in such an event, would 
 have been amongst the foremost to have applied the 
 torch to their own buildings ; and what they had 
 left undone, I should have completed. Nothing for 
 the comfortable maintenance of the enemy would 
 have been left in the reai. I would have destroyed 
 New Orleans, occupied a position above on the 
 river, cut off all supplies, and in this way compel- 
 led them to depart from the country." 
 
 We shall not pretend to ascribe this conduct to 
 disaffection to the government, or to treasonable 
 motives. The impulse that produced it was, no 
 doubt, interest — a principle of the human mind 
 which strongly sways, and often destroys, its best 
 conclusions. The disparity of the two armies, in 
 numbers, preparation, and discipline, had excited 
 apprenension, and destroyed hope. If Jackson 
 were driven back. — and little else was looked for,— 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 267 
 
 rumour fixed his determination of devoting the city 
 to destruction ; but, even if such were not his in- 
 dention, the vengeance of the enemy might be fairly 
 calculated to be in proportion to the opposition they 
 should receive. The government was represented 
 in the person of the commanding general, on whom 
 rested all responsibility, and whose voice, on the 
 subject of resistance or capitulation, should alone 
 have been heard. In the field were persons, en- 
 during hardships, and straining every nerve, for the 
 general safety. A few of the members of their 
 own body, too, were there, who did not despond.* 
 
 Additional guards were posted along the swamp, 
 on both sides of the Mississippi, to arrest all inter- 
 course ; while on the river, the common highway 
 watch-boats were constantly plying, during the 
 night, in different directions, so that a log could 
 scarcely float down the stream unperceived. Two 
 flat-bottomed boats, on a dark night, were turned 
 adrift above, to ascertain if vigilance were preserv- 
 ed, and whether there would be any possibility ot 
 escaping the guards, and passing in safety to the 
 British lines. The light boats discovered them ofl 
 their passage, and, on the alarm being given, they 
 were opened upon by the Louisiana sloop, the bat- 
 teries on the shore, and in a few minutes were 
 sunk. In spite, however, of every precaution, Trea- 
 son discovered avenues, through which to project 
 and execute her nefarious plans, and through them 
 
 * Only four members of the legislature appeared in the field to 
 Jefend their country. We regTet not knowing the name of one 
 of these persons : those we have ascertained are, General Gar- 
 rigue Flojack, Major Eziel, aiid Mr. Bufort, who, abandoning 
 their civil duties for the field, afforded examples worthy of imita- 
 tion. 
 
268 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 was constantly afforded information to the enemy , 
 carried to them, no doubt, by adventurous friends, 
 who effected their nightly passage through the 
 deepest parts of the swamp where it v\ as impossi- 
 ble for sentinels to be stationed. 
 
 Great inconvenience was sustained for tne want 
 of arms, and much anxiety felt, lest the enemy, 
 through their faithful adherents, might, on this sub- 
 ject also, obtain information ; to prevent it, as fill 
 as possible, General Jackson endeavoured to con- 
 ceal the strength of his army, by suffering his re- 
 ports to be seen by none but himself and the adju- 
 tant-general. Many of the troops in the field were 
 supplied with common guns, which were of little 
 service. The Kentucky troops, daily expected, 
 were also understood to be badly provided with 
 arms. Uncertain but that the city might yet con- 
 tain many articles that would be serviceable, orders 
 were issued to the mayor of New Orleans, direct- 
 ing him to inquire through every store and house, 
 and take possession of all the muskets, bayonets, 
 spades and axes he could find. Understanding 
 too, there were many young men, who, from differ- 
 ent pretexts, had not appeared in the field, he was 
 instructed to obtain a register of every man in the 
 city, under the age of fifty, that measures might be 
 concerted for drawing forth those who had hitherto 
 appeared backward in the pending contest. 
 
 Frequent light skirmishes, by advanced parties, 
 without material effect on either side, were the only 
 incidents that took place for several days. Colonel 
 Hinds, at the head of the Mississippi dragoons, on 
 the 30th, was ordered to dislodge a party of the 
 enemy, w T ho, under cover of a ditch that ran across 
 tbc plain, were annoying our fatigue parties. In 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 269 
 
 his advance, he was unexpectedly thrown into an 
 ambuscade, and became exposed to the fire of a 
 line, which had hitherto been unobserved. His 
 collected conduct, and gallant deportment, gained 
 him and his corps the approbation of the command- 
 ing general, and extricated him from the danger in 
 which lie was placed. The enemy, forced from 
 their position, retired, and he returned to the line, 
 with the less of five men. 
 23* 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Attack of the 1st of January. — General Jackson's line of defence 
 — Kentucky troops arrive at head-quarters. — British army re* 
 enforced ; their prepai ations for attack. — Battle of the Slh of 
 January, and tepvlse of the enemy .— American reanubt carried, 
 and retaken. — Colonel Thornton proceeds against General 
 Morgan's Una, and takes possession of it. — Letter of Captain 
 Wilkinson. — British watch word. — -Generous conduct of the 
 American soldiers. — Morgan's line regained. — General Lambert 
 requests a suspension of hostilities. — Armistice concluded. — Ex- 
 ecution of an American soldier by tlie British. 
 
 Th*. British were encamped two miles below the 
 American army, on a perfect plain, in full view. 
 Although foiled in their attempt to carry our works 
 by their batteries on the 28th, they resolved upon 
 another attack, which they believed would be more 
 successful. Presuming their failure to have arisen 
 from not having sufficiently strong batteries and 
 heavy ordnance, a more enlarged arrangement was 
 resorted to, with a confidence of silencing opposi 
 tion. The interim between the 28th of December 
 and 1st of January was spent in preparing to exe- 
 cute their designs. Their boats had been de- 
 spatched to the shipping, and an additional supply 
 of heavy cannon landed through Bayou Bienvenu, 
 whence they had first debarked. 
 
 During the night of the 31st, they were busily 
 engaged. An impenetrable fog, next morning, not 
 dispelled until nine o'clock, by concealing their 
 purpose, aided them in the plans they were project- 
 ing, and gave time for the completion of their works. 
 This having disappeared, several heavy batteries, 
 at t?ie distance of six hundred yards, mounting 
 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 271 
 
 eighteen and twenty-four pound carronades, were 
 presented to view. No sooner was it sufficiently 
 clear to distinguish objects at a distance, than these 
 were opened, and a tremendous burst of artillery 
 commenced, accompanied with congreve rockets, 
 that filled the air in all directions. Our troops, pro- 
 tected by a defence, which, from their constant la- 
 bours, they believed to be impregnable, undisturbed, 
 maintained their ground, and, by their skilful 
 management, succeeded in dismounting the guns of 
 the enemy. The British, through the friendly in- 
 terference of some disaffected citizens, having been 
 apprized of the situation of the general's quarters, 
 that he dwelt in a house at a small distance in the 
 rear of his line of defence, against it directed their 
 first and principal efforts, with a view to destroy the 
 commander. So great was the number of balls 
 thrown, that, in a little while, its porticos were beat- 
 en down, and the building made a complete wreck. 
 In this design they were disappointed ; for with 
 Jackson it was a constant practice, on the first ap- 
 pearance of danger, not to wait in his quarters, 
 watching events, but instantly to proceed to the 
 line, to form arrangements as circumstances might 
 require. Constantly in expectation of a charge, he 
 was never absent from the post of danger : and 
 thither he had this morning repaired, at the first 
 sound of the cannon, to aid in defence, and inspire 
 his troops with firmness. Our guns, along the 
 line, now opened, to repel the assault, and a con- 
 stant roar of cannon, on both sides, continued until 
 nearly noon ; when, by the superior skill of our 
 engineers, the two batteries formed on the right, 
 next the woods, were nearly beaten down, and 
 many of the guns dismounted, broken, and renaer 
 
272 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ed useless. That next the river still continued its 
 fire, until three o'clock; when, perceiving all at- 
 tempts to force a breach ineffectual, the enemy gave 
 up the contest, and retired. Every act of theirs 
 discovers a strange delusion, and unfolds on what 
 wild and fanciful grounds all their expectations 
 were founded. 
 
 That they could effect an opening, and march 
 through the strong defence in their front, was an 
 idea so fondly cherished, that an apprehension of 
 failure had scarcely occurred. So sanguine were 
 they in this belief, that, early in the morning, their 
 soldiers were arranged along the ditches, in rear of 
 their batteries, ready to advance to the charge, the 
 moment a breach could be made. Here, by their 
 situation, protected from danger, they remained, 
 waiting the result. But, their efforts not having 
 produced the slightest impression, nor their rockets 
 the effect of driving our militia away, they aban- 
 doned the contest, and retired to their camp, leav- 
 ing their batteries materially injured. 
 
 It occurred to the British commander, an attack 
 might be made to advantage next the woods, and a 
 force was accordingly ordered to penetrate in this 
 direction, and turn the left of our line, which was 
 supposed not to extend farther than to the margin of 
 the swamp. In this way, it was expected a diver- 
 sion could be made, while the reserve columns, 
 being in waiting, were to press forward the moment 
 this object could be effected. Here, too, disap- 
 pointment resulted. Coffee's brigade, being extend- 
 ed into the swamp as far as it was possible for an 
 advancing party to penetrate, brought unexpected 
 dangers into view, and occasioned an abandonment 
 of the project. That to turn the extreme left of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 273 
 
 the line was practicable, and might be attempted, 
 was the subject of early consideration ; and neces- 
 sary precaution had been taken to prevent it. — 
 Although cutting the levee had raised the water in 
 the swamp, and increased the difficulties of keep- 
 ing troops there, yet a fear lest this pass might be 
 sought by the enemy, and the rear of the line gain- 
 ed, had determined the general to extend his de- 
 fence even here. 1*1118 had been intrusted to 
 General Coffee; and surely a more arduous duty 
 can scarcely be imagined. To form a breastwork, 
 in such a place, was attended with many difficul 
 ties, and considerable exposure. A slight defence, 
 however, had been thrown up, and the underwood, 
 for thirty or forty yards in front, cut down, that the 
 riflemen, stationed for its protection, might have a 
 complete view of any force, which might attempt 
 a passage. When it is recollected this position 
 was to be maintained night and day, uncertain of 
 the moment of attack, and that the only opportunity 
 afforded our troops for rest was on logs and brush, 
 by which they were raised above the surrounding 
 water, it may be truly said, that seldom has it fall- 
 en to the lot of any to encounter greater hardships : 
 but, accustomed to privation, and alive to those feel- 
 ings which a love of country inspires, they obeyed, 
 and cheerfully kept their position until danger had 
 subsided. Sensible of the importance of the point 
 they defended, that it was necessary to be main- 
 tained, be the sacrifice what it might, they looked 
 to nothing but a faithful discharge of the trust con- 
 fided to them. 
 
 Our loss, in this affair, was eleven killed, and 
 twenty-three wounded: that of the enemy was 
 never correctly known. The only certain infonna 
 
274 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON*. 
 
 tion is contained in a communication of the 28th 
 instant from Geneial Lambert to Earl Bathurst, in 
 which the loss, from the 1st to the 5th, is stated 
 at seventy-eight. Many allowances, however, are 
 to be made for this report. From the great pre- 
 cision of our fire, their loss was, no doubt, consider- 
 able. — The enemy's heavy shot having penetrated 
 our intrenchrnent, in many places, it was dis- 
 covered not to be as strong as had been imagined. 
 Fatigue parties were again employed, and its 
 strength daily increased : an additional number of 
 bales of cotton were taken to be applied to defend- 
 ing the embrasures. A Frenchman, whose property 
 had been thus, without his consent, seized, fearful 
 of the injury it might sustain, proceeded in person 
 to General Jackson, to reclaim it, and to demand its 
 delivery. The general, having heard his complaint, 
 and ascertained from him that he was unemployed 
 in any military service, directed a musket to be 
 brought to him, and, placing it in his hand, ordered 
 him on the line, remarking, at the same time, that, 
 as he seemed to be a man possessed of property, 
 he knew of none who had a better right to fight, to 
 defend it. 
 
 It was understood by Jackson, that the enemy 
 were in daily expectation of re-enforcements ; though 
 he rested with confidence in the belief, that a few 
 more days would also bring to his assistance the 
 troops from Kentucky. Each party, therefore, was 
 constantly engaged in preparation, the one to wage 
 a vigorous attack, the other to oppose it. 
 
 The position of the American army was in the 
 •ear of an intrenchrnent formed of earth, which 
 extended in a straight line from the river to a con 
 siderable distance in the pwamp. Tn front was a 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON Si75 
 
 deep ditch, which had been formerly used as a mill- 
 race. The Mississippi had receded, and left this 
 dry, next the river, though in many places the 
 water still remained. Along the line, at unequal 
 distances, to the centre of General Carroll's com- 
 mand, were guns mounted, of different caliber, from 
 six to thirty-two pounders. Near the river, in ad- 
 vance of the intrenchment, was a redoubt, with 
 embrasures, commanding the road along the levee, 
 calculated to rake the ditch in front. 
 
 General Morgan was ordered, on the 24th of 
 December, to cross to the west bank of the Missis- 
 sippi. From apprehension that an attempt might 
 be made through Barrataria, and the city reacheu 
 from the right bank, the general had extended his 
 defence there : in fact, unacquainted with the ene- 
 my's views, — not knowing the number of their 
 troops, he had carefully divided out his forces, that 
 he might be able to protect, in whatever direction an 
 assault should be waged. His greatest fears, and 
 hence his strongest defence, next to the one occu- 
 pied by himself, was on the Chef Menteur road, 
 where Governor Claiborne, at the head of the 
 Louisiana militia, was posted. The position on the 
 right was formed on the same plan with the line on 
 the left, — lower down than that on the left, extend 
 ing to the swamp at right angles with the river 
 Here Genera! Morgan commanded. 
 
 To be prepared against every possible contin 
 gency, Jackson had established another line of de- 
 fence, about two miles in the rear \>f the one a* 
 present occupied, which was intended as a rallying 
 point, if driven from his first position. With tho 
 aid of his cavalry, to give a momentary check to 
 the advance of the enemy, he expected to be en 
 
276 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 abled, with inconsiderable injury, to reach it ; where 
 he would again have advantages on his side, be in 
 a situation to dispute a farther passage to the city, 
 and arrest their progress. To inspirit his own 
 soldiers, and to exhibit to the enemy as great a 
 show as possible of strength and intended resist- 
 ance, his unarmed troops, which constituted no 
 very inconsiderable number, were here stationed. 
 All intercourse between the lines, but by confiden- 
 tial officers, was prohibited, and every vigilance em- 
 ployed, not only to keep this want of preparation 
 concealed from the enemy, but even from being 
 known on his own lines. 
 
 Occasional firing at a distance, which product 
 nothing of consequence, was all that marked the 
 interim from the 1st to the 8th. 
 
 On the 4th of this month, the long-expected re- 
 enforcement from Kentucky, amounting to twenty- 
 two hundred and fifty, under Major-General Thomas, 
 arrived at head-quarters ; but so ill provided witl 
 arms, as to be incapable of rendering any consider- 
 able service. The alacrity with which the citizens 
 of this state had proceeded to the frontiers, and 
 aided in the north-western campaigns, added to the 
 disasters which ill-timed policy or misfortune had 
 produced, had created such a drain, that arms were 
 not to be procured. They had advanced, however, 
 to their point of destination, with an expectation of 
 being supplied on their arrival. About five hun- 
 dred of them had muskets; the rest were provided 
 with guns, from which little or no advantage could 
 •jo expected. The mayor of New Orleans, at the 
 'equest of General Jackson, had drawn from the 
 city every weapon that could be found ; while the 
 arrival of the Louisiana militia, in an equally un 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 2?" 
 
 prepared situation, rendered it impossible foi the 
 evil to be effectually remedied. A boat, laden with 
 arms, was somewhere on the river, intended for the 
 use of the lower country ; but where it was. or 
 when it might arrive, rested alone on conjecture. 
 Expresses had been despatched up the river, for 
 three hundred miles, to hasten it on ; still there 
 were no tidings of an approach. That so many 
 nrave men should be compelled to stand with fold- 
 ed arms, unable to render the least possible service 
 to their country, was an event, which did not fail 
 to excite the sensibility of the general. His mind, 
 prepared for any thing but despondency, sought re- 
 lief in vain. No alternative was presented, but to 
 place them at his intrenchment in the rear, conceal 
 their actual condition, and, by the show they might 
 make, add to his appearance, without at all increas- 
 ing his strength. 
 
 Information was received, that Major-General 
 Lambert had joined the British commander-in-chief, 
 with a considerable re-enforcement. It had been 
 announced in the American camp, that additional 
 forces were expected, and something decisive might 
 be looked for, so soon as they should arrive. This 
 circumstance, with others, had led to the conclusion 
 that a few days more would, in ail probability, de- 
 cide the fate of the city. It was more than ever 
 necessary to keep concealed the situation of his 
 army ; and, above all, to preserve as secret as pos- 
 sible its unarmed condition. To restrict all com- 
 munication, even with his own lines, was now, as 
 danger increased, rendered more important. None 
 were permitted to leave the line, and none from 
 without to pass into camp, but such as were to bp 
 implicitlv confided in. The line of sentinels \v» 
 24 
 
27S LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 strengthened in front, that none might pass to the 
 enemy, should desertion be attempted : yet, not- 
 withstanding this precaution, his plans were dis- 
 closed. On the night of the 6th, a soldier from 
 the line, by some means, succeeded in eluding the 
 vigilance of oi.r sentinels. Early next morning 
 his departure was discovered *. it was at once cor- 
 rectly conjectured he had gone to the enemy, and 
 would, no doubt, afford them all the information in 
 his power. He unfolded to the British the situa- 
 tion of the American line ; the late re-enforcements 
 we had received, and the unarmed condition of 
 many of the troops ; and, pointing to the centre of 
 General Carroll's division as a place occupied by 
 militia alone, recommended it as the point where 
 an attack might be most safely made. 
 
 Other intelligence received was confirmatory cf 
 the belief of an impending attack. From some 
 prisoners, taken on the lake, it was ascertained the 
 enemy were busily engaged in deepening Villery's 
 Canal, with a view of passing their boats and ord- 
 nance to the Mississippi. During the 7th, a con- 
 stant bustle was perceived in the British camp. 
 Along the borders of the canal, their soldiers were 
 continually in motion, marching and manoeuvring, for 
 no other purpose than to conceal those who were 
 busily engaged at work in the rear. To ascertain 
 the ^ause of this uncommon stir, and learn their de- 
 eigns, as far as was practicable, Commodore Patter- 
 son had proceeded down the river, on the opposite 
 side, and, having gained a favourable position, in 
 front of their encampment, discovered them to be 
 actually engaged in deepening the passage to the 
 river. It was no difficult matter to divine their pur- 
 pose. No other conjecture could be entertained, 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 279 
 
 than that an assault was intended to be made on 
 the line of defence commanded by General Mor 
 gan ; which, if gained, would expose our tioops on 
 the left bank to the fire of the redoubt erected on 
 the right; and in this way compel them to an 
 abandonment of their position. To counteract this 
 scheme was important ; and measures were imme- 
 diataly taken to prevent the execution of a plan, 
 which, if successful, would be attended with incal- 
 culable dangers. An increased strength was given 
 to this line. The second regiment of Louisiana 
 militia, and four hundred Kentucky troops, were 
 directed to be crossed over, to protect it. Owing 
 to some delay in arming them, the latter, amount- 
 ing, instead of four hundred, to but one hundred 
 and eighty, did not arrive until the morning of the 
 8th. A little before day, they were despatched to 
 aid an advanced party, who, under the command 
 of Major Arnaut, had been sent to watch the move- 
 ments of the enemy, and oppose their landing. 
 The hopes indulged from their opposition were not 
 realized ; and the enemy reached the shore. 
 
 Morgan's position, besides being strengthened bv 
 several brass twelves, was defended by a strong 
 battery, mounting twenty-four pounders, directed 
 by Commodore Patterson, which afforded additional 
 security. The line itself was not strong, yet, if 
 properly maintained by the troops selected to de- 
 fend it, was believed fully adequate to the purposes 
 of successful resistance. Late at night, Patterson 
 ascertained the enemy had succeeded in passing 
 their boats through the canal, and immediately 
 communicated his information to the general. The 
 commodore had formed the idea of dropping the 
 Louisiana schooner down, to attack and sink them. 
 
280 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 This thought, though well conceived, was abandon- 
 ed, from the danger involved, and from an appre- 
 hension lest the batteries erected on the river, .with 
 which she would come in collision, might, by the 
 aid of hot shot, succeed in blowing her up. It was 
 preferred to await their arrival, believing it would 
 be practicable, with the bravery of more than fifteen 
 hundred men, and the slender advantages possessed 
 from their line of defence, to maintain their position. 
 On the left bank, where the general in person 
 commanded, every thing was in readiness to meet 
 Che assault when it should be made. The redoubt 
 on the levee was defended by a company of the 
 seventh regiment, under the command of Lieuten- 
 ant Ross. The regular troops occupied that part 
 af the intrenchment next the river. General Car- 
 roll's division was in the centre, supported by the 
 Kentucky troops, under General John Adair ; while 
 the extreme left, extending for a considerable dis- 
 tance into the swamp, was protected by the brigade 
 of General Coffee. Plow soon the attack would 
 6e waged was uncertain. General Jackson, un- 
 moved by appearances, anxiously desired a con- 
 test, which he believed would give a triumph 
 to his arms, and terminate the hardships of his 
 soldiers. Unremitting in exertion, and constantly 
 vigilant, his precaution kept pace with the zeal and 
 preparation of the enemy. He seldom slept : he 
 was always at his post, performing the duties nf 
 both general and soldier. His sentinels were 
 doubled, and extended as far as possible in the di- 
 rection of the British camp ; while a considerable 
 portion of the troops were constantly at the line, 
 with arms in their hands, ready to act when the 
 first alarm should be given. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 28J 
 
 For eight days had the two armies lain upon tho 
 some field, and in view of each other, without any 
 thing decisive on either side. Twice, since their 
 landing, had the British columns essayed to effect 
 by storm the execution of their plans, and twice 
 had failed, and been compelled to relinquish the 
 attempt. It was not to be expected that things 
 could long remain in this dubious state. 
 
 The 8th of January at length arrived. The day 
 dawned ; and the signals, intended to produce con- 
 cert in the enemy's movements, were descried. 
 On the left, near the swamp, a sky-rocket was per- 
 ceived rising in the air ; and presently another as- 
 cended from the right, next the river. They were 
 intended to announce that all was ready, to carry 
 by storm a defence which had twice foiled their ut- 
 most efforts. Instantly the charge was made, and 
 with such rapidity, that our soldiers, at the out- 
 posts, with difficulty fled in. 
 
 The British batteries, which had been demolished 
 on the 1st of the month, had been re-established 
 during the preceding night, and heavy pieces of 
 cannon mounted, to aid in their intended operations. 
 These now opened, and showers of bombs and balls 
 were poured upon our line ; while the air was light- 
 ed with their congreve rockets. The two divisions, 
 commanded by Sir Edward Packenham in person, 
 and supported "by Generals Keane'and Gibbs, press- 
 ed forward ; the right against the centre of Gene- 
 ral Carroll's command, the left against our redoubt 
 on the levee. A thick fog, that obscured the morn- 
 ing, enabled them to approach within a short dis- 
 tance of our intrenchment. before they were dis- 
 covered. They were now perceived advancing, 
 with firm, qu : ck, and steady pace, in column, with 
 •1* 
 
'282 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 a front of sixty or seventy deep. Our troops, who 
 had . for some time been in readiness, gave three 
 cheers, and instantly the whole line was lighted 
 with the blaze of their fire. A burst of artillery 
 and small arms, pouring with destructive aim upon 
 them, mowed down their front, and arrested their 
 advance. In our musketry there was not a mo- 
 ment's intermission ; as one party discharged their 
 pieces, another succeeded ; alternately loading and 
 appearing, no pause could be perceived, — it was 
 one continued volley. The columns already per- 
 ceived their dangerous situation. Battery No. 7, 
 on the left, was ably served by Lieutenant Spotts, 
 and galled them with an incessant fire. Batteries 
 No. 6 and 8 were no less actively employed, and no 
 less successful in felling them to the ground. Not- 
 withstanding the severity of our fire, which few 
 troops could for a moment have withstood, some of 
 those brave men pressed on, and succeeded in 
 gaining the ditch, in front of our works, where they 
 remained during the action, and were afterward 
 made prisoners. The horror before them was too 
 great to be withstood ; and already were the Br. fish 
 troops seen wavering in their determination, and 
 receding from the conflict. At this moment, Sir 
 Edward Packenham, hastening to the front, en- 
 deavoured to inspire them with renewed zeal. His 
 example was of short continuance ; he soon fell, 
 mortally wounded, in the arms of his aid-de-camp, 
 net far from our line. Generals Gibbs and Keane 
 also fell, and were borne from the field, dangerous- 
 ly wounded. At this moment, General Lambert, 
 who was advancing at a small distance in the rear, 
 with the reserve, met the columns precipitately re- 
 treating, and in great confusion. His efforts to 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL J4.CKSON. 283 
 
 stop them were unavailing, — they continued re- 
 treating, until they reached a ditch, at the distance 
 of four hundred yards, where, a momentary safety 
 being found, they were rallied, and halted. 
 
 The field before them, over which they had ad 
 vanced, was strewed with the dead and dying 
 Danger hovered still around ; yet, urged and en- 
 couraged by their officers, who feared their own 
 disgrace involved in the failure, they again mo ed 
 to the charge. They were already near enough to 
 deploy, and were endeavouring to do so ; but the 
 same constant and unremitted resistance that caused 
 their first retreat continued yet unabated. Our 
 batteries had never ceased their fire ; their constant 
 discharges of grape and canister, and the fatal 
 aim of our musketry, mowed down the front of the 
 columns as fast as they could be formed. Satisfied 
 nothing could be done, and that certain destruction 
 awaited all further attempts, they forsook the field 
 in disorder, leaving it almost entirely covered with 
 the dead and wounded. It was in vain their offi- 
 cers endeavoured to animate them to further resist- 
 ance, and equally vain to attempt coercion. The 
 panic produced from the dreadful repulse they had 
 experienced ; the plain, on which they had acted 
 being covered with innumerable bodies of theii 
 countrymen ; while, with their most zealous exer 
 tions, they had been unable to'obtain the slightest 
 advantage, — were circumstances well calculated tc 
 make even the most submissive soldier oppose the 
 authority that would have controlled him. 
 
 The light companies of fusileers, the forty-third 
 and ninety-third regiments, and one hundred men 
 from the West India regiment, led on by Colonel 
 Rennie, were ordered to proceed under cover o f 
 
2S4 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 some chimneys, standing in the field, until having 
 cleared them, to oblique to the river, and advance, 
 protected by the levee, against our redoubt on the 
 right. This work, having been but lately com- 
 menced, was in an unfinished state. It was not 
 until the 4th, that General Jackson, much against 
 his own opinion, had yielded to the suggestions of 
 others, and permitted its projection ; and, consider- 
 ing the plan on which it had been sketched, it had 
 not yet received that strength necessary to it3 .safe 
 defence. The detachment ordered against this 
 place formed the left of General Keane's command. 
 Rennie executed his orders with great bravery ; 
 and, urging forward, arrived at the ditch. His ad- 
 vance was greatly annoyed by Commodore Patter- 
 son's battery on the left bank, and the cannon 
 mounted on the redoubt ; but, reaching our works, 
 and passing the ditch, Rennie, sword in hand, 
 leaped on the wall, and, calling to his troops, bade 
 them follow ; he had scarcely spoken, when he fell 
 by the fatal aim of our riflemen. Pressed by the 
 impetuosity of superior numbers, who were mount- 
 ing the wall, and entering at the embrasures, our 
 troops had retired to the line, in rear of the redoubt. 
 A momentary pause ensued, but only to be inter- 
 rupted with increased horrors. Captain Beal, with 
 the city riflemen, cool and self-possessed, perceiv- 
 ing the enemy in his front, opened upon them, and 
 at every discharge brought the object to the ground. 
 To advance, or maintain the point gained, was 
 equa\iy impracticable for the enemy : to retreat or 
 surrender was the only alternative ; for they already 
 perceived the division on the right thrown into con- 
 tusion, and hastily leaving the field. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 285 
 
 General Jackson, being informed of the success 
 of the enemy on the right, and of their being in 
 possession of the redoubt, pressed forward a re-en- 
 forcement to regain it. Previously to its arrival 
 they had abandoned the attempt, and were retiring. 
 They were severely galled by such of our guns as 
 could be brought to bear. The levee afforded them 
 considerable protection ; yet, by Commodore Patter- 
 son's redoubt, on the right bank, they suffered 
 greatly. Enfiladed by this, on their advance, they 
 had been greatly annoyed, and now, in their re- 
 treat, were no less severely assailed. Numbers 
 found a grave in the ditch, before our line ; and of 
 those who gained the redoubt, not one, it is believ- 
 ed, escaped ; — they were shot down as fast as they 
 entered. The route, along which they had advanc- 
 e'd and retired, was strewed with bodies. Affright- 
 ed at the carnage, they moved from the scene in 
 confusion. Our batteries were still continuing the 
 slaughter, and cutting them down at every step : 
 safety seemed only to be attainable when they 
 should have retired without the range of our shot, 
 which, to troops galled as severely as they were, 
 was too remote a relief. Pressed by this considera- 
 tion, they fled to the ditch, whither the right divis- 
 ion had retreated, and there remained until night 
 permitted them to retire. 
 
 A considerable portion of our troops were inactive 
 for the want of arms to place in their hands. If 
 this had not been the case — had they been in a 
 situation to have acted efficiently, the whole British 
 armv must have submitted. 
 
 Colonel Hinds was very solicitous, and in person 
 applied to the commanding general for leave to 
 pursue, at the head of his dragoons, the fleeing 
 
286 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 columns of the enemy: Jackson, however, would 
 not permit it. "My reason for refusing," he re- 
 marked, " was, that it might become necessary to 
 sustain him, and thus a contest in the open field be 
 brought on : the lives of my men were of value to 
 their country, and much too dear to their families 
 to be hazarded where necessity did not require it; 
 but, above all, from the numerous dead and wounded 
 stretched out on the field before me, I felt a con 
 rldence that the safety of the city was most proba 
 b'.y attained, and hence, that nothing calculated to 
 reverse the good fortune we had met should be 
 attempted." 
 
 The efforts of the enemy to carry our line of de- 
 fence on the left were seconded by an attack on 
 the right bank, with eight hundred chosen troops, 
 under the command of Colonel Thornton. Owing 
 to the difficulty of passing the boats from the canal 
 to the river, and the strong current of the Missis- 
 sippi, the troops destined for this service were not 
 crossed, nor the opposite shore reached, for some 
 hours after the expected momenl of attack. By 
 the time he had effected a landing, the day had 
 dawned, and the flashes of the guns announced the 
 battle. Supported by three gun-boats, he hastened 
 forward, with his command, in the direction of Mor- 
 gan's intrenchment. 
 
 Some time during the night of the 7th, two hun- 
 dred Louisiana militia had been sent off, to watch 
 the movements of the enemy, and oppose him in 
 his landing : this detachment, under the command 
 of Major Arnaud, had advanced a mile down the 
 river, and halted ; either supposing the general in- 
 correct, in apprehending an attack, or that his men, 
 if refreshed, would be more competent to exertion, 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 28? 
 
 he directed them to lie down and sleep . one man 
 only was ordered to be upon the watch, lest tlte 
 enemy should approach them undiscovered. Just 
 at day, he called upon his sleeping companions, and 
 bade them rise, for he had heard a considerable 
 bustle a little below. No sooner risen, than con- 
 firmed in the truth of what had been stated, they 
 moved off in the direction they had come, without 
 even attempting an execution of their orders. The 
 Kentucky troops, having reached Morgan at five 
 o'clock in the morning, were immediately sent to 
 co-operate with the Louisianians. Major Davis, 
 who commanded, had proceeded about three quar- 
 ters of a mile, and met those troops hastily retreat- 
 ing up the road ; he ascertained from them that the 
 enemy had made the shore ; had debarked, and 
 were moving rapidly up the levee. He informed 
 them for what purpose he had been despatched, — 
 to oppose an approach as long as practicable, and, 
 with their assistance, he would endeavour to exe- 
 cute his orders. 
 
 The two detachments, now acting together, form- 
 ed behind a saw-mill-race, skirted with a quantity 
 of plank and scantling, which afforded a tolerable 
 shelter. Davis, with his two hundred Kentuckians, 
 formed on the road next the river, supported by the 
 Louisiana militia on the right. The enemy appear- 
 ing, their approach was resisted, and a spirited 
 opposition for some time maintained. The British 
 again advanced, and again received a heavy lire. 
 At this moment, General Morgan's aid-de-camp, 
 who was present, perceiving the steady advance of 
 the enemy, and fearing for the safety of the troops, 
 ordered a retreat. Confusion was the consequence 
 - — order could not be maintained, and the whole 
 
238 LIFE OF UENRRAL JACKSON. 
 
 fled, in haste, to Morgan's line. Arriving in safety, 
 though much exhausted, they were immediately 
 directed to form, and. extend themselves to the 
 swamp ; that the right of the intrenchment might 
 not be turned. * 
 
 Colonel Thornton, having reached an orange 
 grove, about seven hundred yards distant, halted ; 
 and, examining Morgan's line, found it to "consist 
 of a formidable redoubt on the river," with its 
 weakest and most vulnerable point towards the 
 swamp. He directly advanced to the attack, in 
 two divisions, against the extreme right and centre 
 of the line ; and, having deployed, charged the in- 
 trenchment, defended by about fifteen hundred men. 
 A severe discharge, from the field-pieces mounted 
 dong our works, caused the right division to ob- 
 lique, which, uniting with the left, pressed forward 
 to the point occupied by the Kentucky troops. 
 Perceiving thems-elves thus exposed, and having 
 not yet recovered from the emotions produced by 
 their first retreat, they began to give way, and verj 
 Boon abandoned their position. The Louisiana 
 militia gave a few fires, and followed the example 
 Through the exertions of the officers, a momentary 
 halt was effected ; but a burst of congreve rockets 
 falling thickly, and setting fire to the sugar-cane, 
 and other combustibles around, again excited then 
 fears, and they moved hastily away ; nor could they 
 be rallied, until, at the distance of two miles, having 
 reached a saw-mill-race, they were formed, and 
 placed in an attitude of defence. 
 
 Commodore Patterson, perceiving the right flank 
 about to be turned, had ceased his destructive fire 
 against the retreating columns on the opposite 
 shore, and turned his guns to enfilade the enemy 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 289 
 
 next the swamp ; but, at the moment when he ex- 
 pected to witness a firm resistance, and was in a 
 situation to co-operate, he beheld those, without 
 whose aid all his efforts were unavailing, suddenly 
 thrown into confusion, and forsaking their posts. 
 Discovering he could no longer maintain his ground, 
 he spiked his guns, destroyed his ammunition, and 
 retired from a post where he had rendered the most 
 important services. 
 
 In the panic that produced this disorderly retreat, 
 at a moment when resistance was expected, are to 
 be found circumstances of justification, which might 
 have occasioned similar conduct even in disciplined 
 troops. The weakest part of the line was assail- 
 ed by the greatest strength of the enemy : this was 
 defended by one hundred and eighty Kentuckians, 
 who were stretched out to an extent of three hun- 
 dred yards, and unsupported by any pieces of artil- 
 lery. Thus openly exposed to the attack of a 
 greatly superior force, and weakened by the ex- 
 tent of ground they covered, it is not to be won- 
 dered at, or deserving of reproach, that they should 
 have considered resistance ineffectual, and forsaken 
 a post, which they had strong reasons for believing 
 they could not maintain. General Morgan report- 
 ed to General Jackson the defeat, and attributed it 
 to the flight of those troops, who had also drawn 
 along with them the rest of his forces. It is true, 
 they were the first to flee ; and equally true, that 
 their example may have had the effect of producing 
 general alarm ; but in point of advantageous situa- 
 tion, the troops materially differed : the one party 
 were exposed, and enfeebled by the manner of their 
 arrangement; the other, though superior in numbers, 
 covered no greater extent of ground, and were dc 
 25 
 
290 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 fended by an excellent breastwork, and several 
 pieces of cannon : with this difference, the loss of 
 confidence of the former was not without sufficient 
 cause. Of these facts Commodore Patterson was 
 not apprized ; General Morgan was : both, however, 
 attributed the disaster to the flight of the Kentucky 
 militia. Upon their information General Jackson 
 founded his report to the secretary of war, by 
 which those troops were exposed to censures 
 they did not merit. Had all the circumstances, as 
 they existed, been disclosed, reproach would have 
 been prevented. At the mill-race, no troops could 
 have behaved better: they were well posted, and 
 bravely resisted the advance of the enemy, nor, un- 
 til an order to that effect was given, had entertain- 
 eu a thought of retreating. 
 
 The heart-felt joy at the glorious victory achiev- 
 ed on one side of the river was clouded by the dis- 
 aster witnessed on the other. A position was gain- 
 ed which secured to the enemy advantages the 
 most important ; and whence our whole line, on the 
 left bank, could be severely annoyed. But for the 
 precaution of Commodore Patterson, in spiking his 
 guns, and destroying the ammunition, it would have 
 been in the power of Colonel Thornton to have com- 
 pletely enfiladed our line of defence, and rendered 
 it untenable. Fearful lest the guns might be un- 
 spiked, and brought to operate against him, General 
 Jackson hastened to throw detachments across, with 
 orders to regain the position at every hazard. To 
 the troops on the right bank, he forwarded an ad- 
 dress, with a view to excite them to deeds of val- 
 our, and inspirit them to exertions that should wipe 
 off the reproach they had drawn upon themselves 
 Previously, however, to their being in readiness to 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 291 
 
 act. he succeeded by stratagem in re-obtaining his 
 lost position, and thus spared the effusion of blood. 
 
 The loss of the British, in the main attack on the 
 left bank, has been variously stated. The killed, 
 wounded, and prisoners, ascertained, on the next 
 day after the battle, by Colonel Hayne, the inspec- 
 tor-general, places it at twenty-six hundred. Gen- 
 eral Lambert's report to Lord Bathurst makes it 
 but two thousand and seventy. From prisoners, 
 however, and information derived through other 
 sources, it must have been even greater than is 
 stated by either. Among them was the command- 
 er-in-chief, and Major-General Gibbs, who died of 
 his wounds the next day, besides many of their 
 most distinguished officers ; while the loss of the 
 Americans, in killed and wounded, was but thir- 
 teen* 
 
 It appears to have been made a question by the 
 British officers, if it would not be more advisable to 
 carry General Morgan's line, and refrain from any 
 attempt on this side the river. It was believed, 
 that, if successful in this attack, they would be able 
 to force General Jackson from his intrenchment, 
 and pass with the main body of the army to the city. 
 A letter found in the possession of Captain Wilkin- 
 son, a British officer, who fell in the battle, to a 
 friend at home, in the war department, speaking on 
 this subject, shows that a difference of opinion pre- 
 
 * Our effective force, at the line on the left bank, was three 
 thousand seven hundred ; that of the enemy at least nine thousand. 
 The ibrce landed in Louisiana has been variously reported ; the 
 best information places it at about fourteen thousand. A part of 
 this acted with Colonel Thornton ; the climate had rendered man) 
 unfit for the duties of the field ; while a considerable number had 
 been killed and wounded in the different contests since their arri- 
 val. Their strength, therefore, may be fairly estimated, on the 
 Cth, at the number we have stated ; at am* rate, not less 
 
292 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 vailed, and confesses his own as being decidedly in 
 favour of a vigorous attack on both sides. It bears 
 date late on the night of the 7th, nor does it appear, 
 although he was a captain and brigade-major, that 
 lie, at that time, knew whether an assault was se 
 riously intended against Jackson's line, or was de- 
 signed as a feint, to aid the operations of Colonel 
 Thornton. With the true spirit of a British officer, 
 however, he indulged a hope of success, — enter- 
 tained no fears for the result, nor doubted but that 
 the Americans would at once retire before their 
 superior skill and bravery. A general order, which 
 must have been communicated after he had written, 
 disclosing the manner of attack, on the left, where 
 he acted, was also found with the letter. In that 
 the fusileers and light troops were instructed, after 
 reaching our line, to act as a pursuing squadron, 
 and keep up alarm, while the army on the right 
 should press closely in the rear and support them. 
 It breathes an assurance of success, and shows with 
 what anxiety they looked to the approaching morn- 
 ing, as likely to bring with it a successful termina- 
 tion of their labours, and a triumph over a foe 
 whose advantages, more than bravery, they suppos- 
 ed, had so long baffled their efforts. 
 
 Let it be remembered of that gallant but mis- 
 guided general, who has been so much deplored by 
 the British nation, that, to the cupidity of his sol- 
 diers, he promised the wealth of the city, as a rec- 
 ompense for their gallantry ; while, with brutal 
 licentiousness, they were to revel in lawless indul- 
 gence, uncontrolled, over female innocence. Scenes 
 •ike these our nation, insulted, had already witness- 
 ed ; she had witnessed them at Hampton and Havre- 
 de-Grace : but it was reserved for her yet to learn 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 2 K J'S 
 
 that an officer of the standing of Sir Edward Pack- 
 enham, polished, generous, and brave, should, to 
 induce his soldiers to acts of daring valour, permit 
 them, as a reward, to insult and injure those whom 
 all mankind, even savages, respect. The facts 
 which were presented at the time of this transac- 
 tion left no doubt on the minds of our officers, but 
 that " Beauty and Booty" was the watch-word of 
 the day. The information was obtained from pris- 
 oners, and confirmed by the books of two of their 
 orderly-sergeants taken in battle, which contained 
 record proof of the fact. 
 
 A communication, shortly after, from Major-Gen- 
 eral Lambert, on whom, in consequence of the fall 
 of Generals Packenham, Gibbs, and Keane, the com- 
 mand had devolved, acknowledges that he had wit- 
 nessed the kindness of our troops to his wounded. 
 He solicited of General Jackson permission to send 
 an unarmed party to bury the dead, lying before his 
 lines, and to bring off such of the wounded as were 
 dangerous. The request to bury the dead was 
 granted. General Jackson refused to permit a near 
 approach to his line, but consented that the wound- 
 ed, who were at a greater distance than three hun- 
 dred yards from the intrenchment, should be re- 
 lieved, and the dead buried : those nearer were, by 
 his own men, to be delivered over, to be interred 
 by their countrymen. This precaution was take'', 
 that the enemy might not have an opportunity to 
 inspect, or know any thing of his situation. 
 
 General Lambert, desirous of administering to the 
 wants of the wounded, and that he might be reliev- 
 ed from his apprehensions of attack, proposed, about 
 noon, that hostilities should cease until the same 
 hour the next day. General Jackson, cherishing 
 25* 
 
291 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 the hope of being able to secure an important ad- 
 vantage, by his apparent willingness to accede tc 
 the proposal, drew up an armistice, and forward- 
 ed it to General Lambert, with directions for it to 
 be immediately returned if approved. It contain- 
 ed a stipulation to this effect — that hostilities, on 
 the left bank of the river, should be discontinued 
 from its ratification, but on the right bank they 
 should not cease ; and that, in the interim, under 
 no circumstances were re-enforcements to be sent 
 across by either party. This was a bold stroke at 
 stratagem ; and, although it succeeded, even to the 
 extent desired, was attended with considerable haz- 
 ard. Re-enforcements had been ordered over to 
 retake the position lost by Morgan in the morning, 
 and the general presumed they had arrived at their 
 point of destination ; but, at this time, they had not 
 passed the river, nor could it be expected to be re- 
 taken with the same troops who had yielded it the 
 day before, when possessed of advantages which 
 gave them a decided superiority : this the com- 
 manding general well knew ; yet, to spare the sac- 
 rifice of his men, which, in regaining it, he foresaw 
 must be. considerable, he was disposed to venture 
 upon a course, which, he felt assured, could not fail 
 to succeed. It was impossible his object could be 
 discovered : while he confidently believed the Brit- 
 ish commander would infer, from the prompt man- 
 ner in which his proposal had been met, that such 
 additional troops were already thrown over, as 
 would be fully adequate co the purposes of attack, 
 and greatly to endanger, if not wholly to cut off, 
 Colonel Thornton's retreat. General Lambert's 
 construction was such as had been anticipated. Al- 
 though the armistice contained a request that it 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. ?,95 
 
 should be immediately signed and returned, it was 
 neglected to be acted upon until the next day : and 
 Thornton and his command were, in the interim, 
 under cover of the night, re-crossed, and the ground 
 they occupied left to be peaceably possessed by the 
 original holders. The opportunity thus afforded of 
 regaining a position on which, in a great degree, 
 depended the safety of those on the opposite shore, 
 was accepted with an avidity its importance merit- 
 ed, and immediate measures taken to increase its 
 strength, and prepare it against any future attack 
 that might be made. This delay of the British com- 
 mander was evidently designed, that, pending the 
 negotiation, and before it was concluded, an oppor- 
 tunity might be had, either of throwing over re-en- 
 forcements, or removing Colonel Thornton and his 
 troops from a situation so extremely perilous. Early 
 next morning, General Lambert returned his ac- 
 ceptance of what had been proposed, with an apol- 
 ogy for having failed to reply sooner : he excused 
 the omission, by pleading a press of business, which 
 had occasioned the communication to be overlooked. 
 Jackson was at no loss to attribute the delay to the 
 correct motive : the apology, however, was as per- 
 fectly satisfactory to him as any thing that could have 
 been offered ; beyond the object intended to be effect 
 ed, he felt unconcerned, and, having secured this, 
 rested perfectly satisfied. It cannot, however, ap- 
 pear otherwise than extraordinary, that this neglect 
 should have been ascribed by the British general to 
 accident, or a press of business, when it must have 
 been, no doubt, of greater importance, at that mo- 
 ment, than any thing which he could possibly liav^ 
 had before him. 
 
296 LIFE OF GENV5RAL JACKSON. 
 
 The armistice was this morning (9th of January) 
 concluded, and agreed to continue until two o'clock 
 m the evening. The dead and wounded were now 
 removed from the field, which, for three hundred 
 yards in front of our line of defence, they almost 
 literally covered. For the reason already suggest- 
 ed, our soldiers, within the line of demarcation be- 
 tween the two camps, delivered over to the British, 
 who were not permitted to cross it, the dead for 
 burial, and the wounded on parole, for which it was 
 stipulated, an equal number of American prisoners 
 should be restored. 
 
 It has seldom happened that officers were more 
 deceived in their expectations than they were in 
 the result of this battle, or atoned more severely for 
 their error : their reasoning had never led them to 
 conclude, that militia would maintain their ground 
 when warmly assailed : a firm belief was enter- 
 tained, that, alarmed at the appearance and orderly 
 approach of veteran troops, they would at once for- 
 sake the contest, and in flight seek for safety. At 
 what part of our line they were stationed, was as- 
 certained by a deserter, on the 6th ; and, influenced 
 by a belief of their want of nerve, and deficiency in 
 bravery, on this point the main assault was urged. 
 They were indeed militia; but the enemy could 
 have assailed no part of our intrenchment where 
 they would have met a warmer reception, or where 
 they would have found greater strength : it was 
 indeed the best defended part of the line. The 
 Kentucky and Tennessee troops, under Generals 
 Carroll, Thomas and Adair, were here, who had 
 already won a reputation that was too dear to be 
 sacrificed These divisions, alternately charging 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 297 
 
 their pieces, and mounting the platform, poured 
 forth a constant fire, that was impossible to be 
 withstood, repelled the advancing columns, and 
 drove them from the field with prodigious slaugh- 
 ter. 
 
 There is one fact told, to which general credit 
 seems to be attached, and which clearly shows the 
 opinion had by the British of our militia, and the 
 little fear which was entertained of any determined 
 opposition from them. When repulsed from our 
 line, the British officers were fully persuaded that 
 the information given them by the deserter, on the 
 night of the 6th, was false, and that, instead of 
 pointing out the ground defended by the militia, he 
 had referred them to the place occupied by our best 
 troops. Enraged at what they believed an inten- 
 tional deception, they called their informant before 
 them, to account for the mischief. It was in vain 
 he urged his innocence, and, with the most solemn 
 protestations, declared he had stated the fact truly. 
 They could not be convinced, — it was impossible 
 that they had contended against any but the best 
 disciplined troops ; and, without further ceremony, 
 the poor fellow, suspended in view of the camp, ex- 
 piated, on a tree, not his crime, for what he had 
 stated was true, but their error, in underrating an 
 enemy who had already afforded abundant evidences 
 of valour. In all their future trials with our coun 
 trymen may thev be no less deceived ! 
 
298 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Bombardment of Fort St. Philip. — British army retire to their 
 sf lipping, — General Jackson, with his troops, returns to New 
 Orleans. — Day of tlvjnksgiving. — Reduction of Fort Bowyer. 
 — Legislature of Louisiana re-commence tlwir session. — Discon- 
 tents fomented among the American troops. — Arrest of Loiuxil- 
 Iter ; of Judge Hall. — Peace announced. — General Jackson is 
 prosecuted for contempt of court ; his apvearance in court. — 
 Speech at the coffee-house. — His own opinion of martial law. — 
 Troops are discharged, and the general returns to Nashrille.— 
 Reduction oj tfie army. — Jackson's commission as general annul 
 led. — Treaty with Spain. — He is appointed governor of the Flor- 
 idas. — Transactions there. — His resignation. — He is appointed 
 minister to Mexico ; declines tlie mission ; his reasons ; is elect' 
 ed a senator of tlie United States ; resigns the office. — His 
 person arid cliaracter. — Anecdotes. — Cotwlusion 
 
 The conflict had ended, and each army occupied 
 »ts former position. The enemy were visibly alter- 
 ed : menace was sunk into dejection, and offensive 
 measures yielded to those which promised safety 
 They were perceived to be erecting partial defences, 
 to guard against expected attack. It had been an- 
 nounced, that a considerable force had succeeded in 
 passing the Balize — made prisoners of a detach- 
 ment, and was proceeding up the Mississippi, to co- 
 operate with the land forces : it was intended to 
 aid in the battle of the 8th. The enemy, it seem- 
 ed probable, might again renew the attack, on the 
 arrival of this force, and every preparation was in 
 progress to be again in readiness. 
 
 Of this formidable advance no certain intelli- 
 gence was received until the night of the 11th, 
 when a heavy cannonading, supposed to be on Fort 
 St. Philip, was distinctly heard. Jackson entertain- 
 ed no fears for the result. The advantages in de- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JaCKSON. 299 
 
 fence, which his precaution had early extended to 
 this passage to the city, added to an entire confi- 
 dence in the skill of the officer to whom it had 
 been confided, led him to believe there was nothing 
 to be apprehended. The enemy's squadron, con- 
 sisting of two bomb vessels, a brig, sloop, and 
 schooner, were discovered by the videttes, from 
 Fort Bourbon, on the morning of the 9th, directing 
 their course up the river ; signals were made, in- 
 formation communicated, and every thing was in 
 readiness to receive thein. About ten o'clock, hav- 
 ing approached within striking distance, an assault 
 was commenced on the fort, and an immense quan- 
 tity of bombs and balls was discharged against it 
 A severe and well-directed fire from our water bat- 
 tery soon compelled them to retire about two miles. 
 At this distance, the enemy was possessed of de- 
 cided advantages, — having it in their power to reach 
 the fort with the shot £om their large mortars, while 
 they were entirely without the range of ours. 
 The assault continued without much intermission, 
 from the 9th until the night of the 17th. They had 
 hitherto lain beyond the effective range of o,ur shot, 
 and although, from their large mortars, the fort had 
 been constantly reached, and pierced in innumera- 
 ble places, still, such an effect had not been pro- 
 duced, as to justify a belief, that they could now, 
 more than at the moment of their arrival, venture 
 to pass. A heavy mortar having been turned 
 against them on the 17th, the security they had 
 hitherto enjoyed was taken away : their vessels 
 could now be reached with considerable effect. 
 This circumstance, and an ineffectual bombardment, 
 which, though continued for eight days, had secur- 
 ed no decided advantage, induced them to suspend 
 
300 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 all further efforts ; and, on the morning of the 18th, 
 they retired. 
 
 Major Overton, who commanded at this place, 
 his officers and soldiers, distinguished themselves. 
 To arrest the enemy's passage up the river, and 
 prevent them from uniting with the forces below the 
 city, was of great importance ; and to succeed in 
 this was as much as could be expected. So long, 
 therefore, as they kept at a distance, nor attempted 
 a final accomplishment of their object, no other con- 
 cern was felt than to watch their manoeuvres, and 
 adopt such a course as should afford safety to the 
 troops in the garrison : for this purpose, pieces of 
 timber and scantling were used, which formed a 
 cover, and gave protection from their bombs. The 
 store of ammunition was also divided, and buried in 
 different places in the earth, that, in the event of 
 accident, the whole might not be lost. During the 
 period of the bombardment, w^hich lasted with little 
 intermission for nine days, sleep was almost a stran- 
 ger in the fort. The night was the time when most 
 of all it was feared the enemy, aided by the dark- 
 ness, and some fortunate breeze, would have it in 
 their power to ascend the river, in despite of every 
 opposition : the constant activity, which was neces- 
 sary, prevented all opportunities for repose. On a 
 tempestuous night, the wind setting fair to aid them, 
 an attempt was made to pass : to divert the atten- 
 tion of the fort, and favour the chances for ascent, 
 their boats were sent forward to commence an at • 
 tack. In this they were disappointed, and compel- 
 led to abandon the undertaking. At length, after 
 many fruitless efforts, and an immense waste of la- 
 Dour and ammunition, they retired without effecting 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 301 
 
 their purpose, or producing, to us, a greater injury 
 than the loss of nine of the garrison, who were kill- 
 ed and wounded. 
 
 The failure of this squadron to ascend the river, 
 perhaps, determined General Lambert in the course 
 which he immediately adopted. His situation be- 
 fore our line was truly an unpleasant one. Our 
 batteries, after the 8th, were continually throwing 
 balls and bombs into his camp ; and wherever a 
 party of troops appeared in the field, they were 
 greatly annoyed. Thus harassed, — perceiving all 
 assistance through this channel had failed, and 
 constantly in apprehension lest an attack should be 
 made upon him, — he resolved on availing himself 
 of the first favourable opportunity to depart, and 
 forsake a contest where every effort had met dis- 
 appointment, and where an immense number of his 
 troops had found their graves. The more certainly 
 to effect a retreat in safety, detachments had been 
 6ent out to remove every obstruction that could re- 
 tard their progress through the swamp. To give 
 greater facility to his departure, strong redoubts 
 were erected on the way, and bridges thrown across 
 every creek and bayou that obstructed the passage. 
 Every thing being thus prepared, on the night of 
 the 18th, General Lambert silently decamped, and, 
 proceeding towards the lake, embarked for his ship- 
 ping, leaving, and recommending to the clemency 
 jf the American general, eighty of his soldiers, who 
 were too severely wounded to be removed. With 
 such silence was this decampment managed, that 
 not the slightest intelligence was communicated, 
 even to our sentinels occupying the out-posts. Early 
 on the next morning, the enemy's camp was perceiv- 
 ed to be evacuated ; but what had become of them. 
 26 
 
302 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 and whither they had gone, could only be conjee- 
 tured : no information on the subject was possessed. 
 To ascertain the cause of this new appearance of 
 things, detachments were in readiness to reconnoi- 
 tre their camp, when Surgeon Wadsdale, of the 
 staff, arrived at our Ime, with a letter to General 
 Jackson, from the British commander, announcing 
 his determination to suspend, "for the present, all 
 further operations against New Orleans," and re- 
 questing his humanity towards the wounded he had 
 left, whom necessity had compelled him to abandon. 
 
 Detachments were sent out to ascertain the cause 
 of this unexpected state of things; with orders to 
 harass their rear, if a retreat were really intended. 
 But the precaution t iken by the enemy, and the 
 ground over which they were retreating, prevented 
 pursuit in sufficient numbers to secure any valua- 
 ble result. 
 
 Thus, in total disappointment, terminated an in- 
 vasion from which much had been expected. Twen- 
 ty-six days before, flushed with the hope of certain 
 victory, had this army erected its standard on the 
 banks of the Mississippi. At that moment, they 
 would have treated with contempt an assertion, that 
 in ten days they would not enter the city of New 
 Orleans. How changed the portrait from the ex- 
 pected reality ! But a few days since, and they 
 were confident of a triumph, and a termination of 
 their labours : now, vanquished and cut to pieces, 
 at midnight, under the cover of its darkness, they are 
 found silently abandoning their camp, — breaking 
 10 pieces their artillery, — fleeing from an enemy, 
 whom, but a little while before, they had held in ut- 
 ter contempt, and submitting their wounded to his 
 clemency. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 303 
 
 The enemy had indeed retired, and, " for the 
 present, relinquished all further operations against 
 New Orleans ;" but of what continuance thoir for- 
 bearance would be, whether they might not avail 
 themselves of the first flattering opportunity -to re- 
 new the struggle, and wipe off the stain of a defeat 
 so wholly unexpected, could not be known. The 
 hopes and expectations indulged in England, of the 
 success of this expedition, had inspirited the whole 
 army ; and failure had never been anticipated. 
 They had now retired ; yet, from their convenient 
 situation, and having command of the surrounding 
 waters, it was in their power, at a short notice, to 
 re-appear, at the same, or some more favourable 
 point, cause a repetition of the hardships already 
 encountered, and, perhaps, succeed in the accom- 
 plishment of their views. These considerations led 
 General Jackson to conclude, that, although, for the 
 present, there was an abandonment of the enter- 
 prise, still it behooved him not to relax in his sys- 
 tem of defence ; but be in constant readiness to 
 maintain the advantages he had gained ; and not 
 to risk a loss of the country by a careless indiffer- 
 ence, growing out of the belief that danger had 
 subsided. 
 
 The enemy being again at their shipping, with 
 an entire control of the lakes and gulf, it could not 
 be known at what point they might venture on a 
 second attack. General Jackson determined to 
 withdraw his troops from the position they had so 
 long occupied, and place them about the city, 
 whence, to repel any further attempt that might be 
 made, they could be advanced wherever it should 
 become necessary. The seventh regiment of in- 
 fantry remained to protect the point he was leaving , 
 
304 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 while, farther in advance, on Villery's Canai, where 
 a landing had been first effected, were posted a de- 
 tachment of Kentucky and Louisiana militia. To 
 secure this point more effectually, orders were giv- 
 en, on the 22d, to throw up a strong fortification at 
 the junction of Manzant and Bayou Bienvenu ; which 
 order was again attempted to be executed on the 
 25th. On both occasions failure was the result, 
 from the circumstance of the enemy having, on 
 their retreat, left a strong guard at this place, 
 which, from its situation, defied approach by a force 
 competent to its reduction. Their occupying this 
 position was looked to as a circumstance which af- 
 forded strong evidence that further hostilities were 
 not wholly abandoned. To counteract, however, 
 any advantages which might thence be derived, dif- 
 ferent points along the swamp, and in the direction 
 of Terre au Bceuf, were occupied, and strong works 
 erected. 
 
 These arrangements being made, calculated, if not 
 to prevent, to give intelligence of an approach in 
 time to be resisted, on the 20th of January, Gene- 
 ral Jackson, with his remaining forces, commenced 
 his march to New Orleans. The general glow ex- 
 cited at beholding his entrance into the city, at the 
 head of a victorious army, was manifested by all 
 those feelings which patriotism inspires. The win- 
 dows and streets were crowded, to view the man 
 who had preserved the country It was a scene 
 well calculated to excite the tenderest emotions. 
 Fathers, sons, and husbands, urged by the necessity 
 of the times, were toiling in defence of their wives 
 and children. A ferocious soldiery, skilled in the 
 art of war, and to whom every indulgence had been 
 promised, were straining to effect their object. The 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 305 
 
 tender female, relieved from the anguish of sus- 
 pense, no longer trembled for her safety and her 
 honour : a new order of things had arisen : joy 
 sparkled in every countenance ; while scarcely a 
 widow or an orphan was seen, to cloud the general 
 transport. The general, under whose banners ev- 
 ery thing had been achieved, deliberate, and spar- 
 ing of the lives of the brave, had dispelled the storm 
 which had so long threatened the ruin of thousands ; 
 and was now restoring, unhurt, those who had with 
 him maintained the contest. His approach was 
 hailed with acclamations. All greeted his return, 
 and hailed him as their deliverer. 
 
 The 23d having been appointed a day of prayer 
 and thanksgiving for the happy deliverance effect- 
 ed by our arms, Jackson repaired to the cathedral. 
 The church and altar were splendidly decorated, 
 and more than could obtain admission had crowded 
 to witness the ceremony. A grateful recollection 
 of his exertions to save the country was cherished 
 by ail ; nor did the solemnity of the occasion, even 
 here, restrain a manifestation of their regard, or in- 
 duce them to w'thhold the honour he had so nobly 
 earned. Children, robed in white, and represent- 
 ing the different states, were employed in strew- 
 ing the way with flowers ; while, as he passed, a 
 flattering ode, produced for the occasion, saluted 
 his ears : — 
 
 Hail to the chief! who hied at war's alarms 
 To save our threatened laud from hostile arms j 
 Preserved, protected by his gallant care, 
 Be his the grateful tribute of each fair : 
 With joyful triumph swell the choral lay — 
 Strew, strew with flow'rs the hero's welcome way. 
 Jackson, all hail ! — our country's pride and boast 
 Whose mind's a council, and his arm a host* 
 
 26 * 
 
306 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 Welcome, blest chief! accept our grateful lays, 
 Unbidden homage, and spontaneous praise ; 
 Remembrance long shall keep alive thy fame, 
 And future infants learn lo lisp thy name. 
 
 When the general reached the church, Dubourg, 
 the reverend administrator of the diocess, met him 
 at the door. Addressing him in a strain of pious 
 eloquence, he entreated him to remember, that his 
 splendid achievements, which were echoed from 
 every tongue, were to be ascribed to Him to whom 
 all praise was due. " Let the votary of blind chance," 
 continued he, " deride our credulous simplicity. Let 
 the cold-hearted atheist look for an explanation of 
 important events to the mere concatenation of hu- 
 man causes : to us, the whole world is loud in pro- 
 claiming a Supreme Ruler, who, as he holds the 
 destiny of man in his hands, holds also the thread 
 of all contingent occurrences : from his lofty throne, 
 he moves every scene below, — infuses his wisdom in- 
 to the rulers of nations, and executes his uncontrolla- 
 ble judgments on the sons of men, according to the 
 dictates of his own unerring justice." He conclud- 
 ed his impressive address, by presenting the gene- 
 ral with a wreath of laurel, woven for the occasion, 
 and which he desired him to accept as " a prize of 
 victory." 
 
 General Jackson accepted the pledge, preseDted 
 as a mark of distinguished favour by the reverend 
 prelate, and returned him a reply no less impressive 
 than the address he had received. He was now 
 conducted in, and seated near the altar, when the 
 church ceremonies were commenced, and inspired 
 every mind with a solemn reverence for the occa- 
 sion. These being ended, he retired to his quar- 
 ters, to renew a system of defence, which should 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 307 
 
 ensure entire safety, and ward off any future dan- 
 ger that might arise. The right bank of tiie Mis- 
 sissippi was now strengthened by additional re-en- 
 forcements, and a strong position taken on La 
 Fourche, to prevent any passage in that direction. 
 Suitable arrangements for security having been al- 
 ready made below the city, Generals Coffee and 
 Carroll were instructed to resume their former en- 
 campment, four miles above. The rest of the troops 
 were arranged at different points, where necessity 
 seemed most to require it. 
 
 Previously to General Lambert's departure, arti- 
 cles of agreement had been entered into by the 
 commanders of the two armies, for an exchange of 
 prisoners ; in pursuance of which, sixty-three 
 Americans, taken on the night of the 23d, had 
 been delivered up : the remainder, principally taken 
 at the capture of our gun-boats, were afterwards 
 surrendered by Admiral Cochrane, and an equaj 
 number of British prisoners sent off to be delivered 
 at the Balize. 
 
 The enemy had now withdrawn from the shore 
 the troops which had been landed, and occupied 
 their former position at Cat and Ship Islands. Mor- 
 tified at their unexpected disaster, they were pro- 
 jecting a plan, by which it was expected a partial 
 advantage might, perhaps, be secured, and the stig- 
 ma of defeat be somewhat obliterated. 
 
 Fort Bowyer had been once assailed, with a con- 
 siderable force, by land and water, and failure had 
 resulted. This post, the key to Mobile, of infinite 
 consequence, had been retained under the com- 
 mand of him, who, heretofore, had defended it so 
 valiantly. The British commander, turning from 
 those scenes of disappointment, a.n*l anxious to re- 
 
303 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 trieve his fortunes, before, with his shattered and 
 diminished forces, he should retire, perceived no 
 place against which he might proceed with better 
 founded hopes of success. 
 
 On the 6th of February, the British shipping ap- 
 peared off Dauphin Island, fronting the point on 
 which stood the fort, garrisoned with three hundred 
 and sixty men. Having made the necessary ar- 
 rangements, on the 8th an attack was commenced, 
 both from the land and water. The fleet was form- 
 ed in two divisions, and approached within one and 
 two miles, bearing south and south-west from it. 
 But the principal attack, and that which compelled 
 a surrender, was from the shore, where Colonel 
 Nicholls and Woodbine had carried on their opera- 
 tions in September. Five thousand troops, aided by 
 pieces of heavy ordnance, secured from the lire of 
 our guns by large embankments, urged the assault. 
 Under cover of the two succeeding nights, redoubts 
 had been thrown up, and trenches cut through the 
 sand, which enabled them to approach gradually, 
 without being exposed to the fire of our guns. 
 Twice, on the 8th, were detachments sent out, to 
 effect by storm the accomplishment of their pur- 
 pose ; but the fire from the fort compelled an aban- 
 donment of their course, and drove them to the ne- 
 cessity of approaching by trenches, protected by 
 strong redoubts. To demolish these from the fort 
 was impracticable from their strength ; and to at- 
 tempt to prevent their erection by any sortie, with 
 so weak a force, would have been imprudent. Thus 
 situated, and every thing being ready to attack the 
 fort, if opposition were still intended, about ten 
 o'clock on the 11th tho onemy hoisted a flag: Major 
 Lawrence raised another. Hostilities ceased, and 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 309 
 
 General Lambert required a surrender. The ofli 
 cers. being convoked, with one consent agreed that 
 further resistance would be ineffectual, and could 
 only lead to the unnecessary loss of many valuable 
 lives. A capitulation was agreed on, and the fort 
 forthwith yielded to the enemy. 
 
 General Winchester, who commanded at Mobile, 
 having received intelligence of what was passing 
 at the point, ordered a detachment of a thousand 
 men, under Major Blue, to proceed down the bay, 
 and aid in its defence. This auxiliary force was toe 
 late : having surprised and captured one of the en 
 emy's out pickets, consisting of seventeen men, and 
 ascertained that a surrender had already taken 
 place, they returned. Had this detachment reach 
 ed its destination, our loss would have been more 
 severe. The enemy's forces were too numerous, 
 and their means of attack too effectual, for any 
 different result to have taken place, even had the 
 detachment arrived in time. 
 
 It had early been the wis* jf General Jackson, 
 for the large frigate, lying at Tchifonte, to be com- 
 pleted, and placed in defence of Fort Bowyer. Wg 
 have before remarked the confidence entertained 
 by him, that, with the aid of this vessel, no force 
 brought against the place would be competent to 
 its reduction. Near it is the only channel a vessel 
 of any size can pass. This frigate, occupying the 
 passage, would have presented as strong a battery 
 as could be brought against her, and, with the aid 
 of the fort, defied any assault from the water • 
 while her position would have enabled her to have 
 thrown her bombs and shot across the narrow neck 
 of land, in the rear of the point, and arrested the ad 
 vance of any number of troops, which, in this direc 
 
310 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 tion, might have attempted an approach. Yet more 
 money had been disbursed by the government ic 
 erecting shelters, to protect the frigate from the 
 weather, than would have been sufficient for her 
 completion. 
 
 The legislature of Louisiana had re-commenced 
 their session. Some of the members, during the 
 past struggle, had forsaken their official duties, and 
 repaired to the field, where more important services 
 were to be rendered, and where they had manifest- 
 ed a devotion to the country worthy of imitation. 
 A much greater part, however, had pursued a very 
 opposite course, and stood aloof from the impending 
 danger. The disposition they had shown, on the 
 28th of December, to propose a capitulation, has 
 been adverted to : how far it was calculated to es- 
 trange the public sentiment from that conviction, 
 which the commanding genera] had endeavoured 
 to impress, " that the country could and would be 
 successfully defended," can be easily imagined, 
 But with them he had sinned beyond forgiveness. 
 The course he had adopted — his arresting their 
 proceedings, and suspending their deliberations, by 
 placing an armed force at the door of the capitol 
 were viewed as intolerable infringements upon le- 
 gislative prerogative, denounced as an abuse of 
 power, and hence the first opportunity was seized 
 to exhibit their resentment. 
 
 No sooner had the members resumed the exer- 
 cise of their legislative duties, than their first con- 
 cern was to pass in review the incidents of the last 
 month. To those who had acted vigilantly in the 
 defence of the state, and who, by their toils and ex- 
 ertions, had contributed to its safety, they officially 
 tendered their thanks. In pursuance of their reso- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 31 1 
 
 Jutions, the governor addressed the principal ofS 
 cers ; but of Jackson nothing was said. We are 
 not disposed to censure, or even call in question, the 
 conduct of this body, though the circumstances pre- 
 sent no very favourable appearance. When dan- 
 ger threatened, they were disposed to make terms 
 with the enemy, by a surrender of the city : from 
 this they were prevented by a decision of charac- 
 ter that compelled legislative to yield to military 
 authority. Greatly incensed at being thus unex- 
 pectedly restrained in the execution of their de- 
 signs, no sooner did they resume the duties of tfteir 
 station, than they became lavish in the praise of 
 those who pursued a course directly contrary to 
 their own ; while in that commendation they inten- 
 tionally neglected the very man, to whom their sec- 
 tion of the country was indebted for its salvation. 
 
 Appearances in the American camp were about 
 this time assuming an unfavourable aspect : present 
 danger being removed, confusion was arising, andV 
 disaffection spreading through the ranks. Pretexts 
 were sought after to escape the drudgery of the 
 field. Many naturalized citizens, who had been 
 brought into the service, to aid in the general de- 
 fence, were seeking exemption from further control, 
 and claiming to be subjects of the king of France. 
 Some were indeed foreigners ; but most of them 
 had, by naturalization, become citizens of the Unit- 
 ed States. Notwithstanding this, as French sub- 
 jects, they were actually procuring exonerations 
 through Monsieur Toussard, the consul resident at 
 New Orleans. No applicant ever went away un- 
 applied, and hundreds, for cne price of a consulai 
 certificate, obtained protections which were to re- 
 lieve them from the drudgery of the field, and the 
 

 312 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ties due to their adopted country A flag was dis- 
 played from the consul's residence, and rumour cir- 
 culated, that under it every Frenchman would find 
 protection. Five dollars, the price of the certificate, 
 was all that was required of any applicant to assure, 
 through the consel, the protection of the French 
 government. Harassed by such evils, every day 
 increasing, and having satisfactory reasons to be- 
 lieve the enemy, then within a few hours' sail of the 
 shore, were constantly advised of his situation, Jack- 
 son determined to adopt such measures as would at 
 once put down the machinations of the designing. 
 Toussard, thus manifesting — what could be consid- 
 ered in no other light — a warmth of attachment to 
 the English, and a desire to aid them, for the ser- 
 vices, perhaps, which they had given in the restora- 
 tion of his monarch, was ordered to leave the city, 
 retire to the interior of the country, nor venture to 
 return, until peace was restored. His countrymen, 
 <also, who were disposed to claim his protection, 
 and abandon the service, were ordered to fol- 
 low him, and, at their peril, not to appear again 
 about New Orleans. The general did this with a 
 view to his own security, from a conviction that 
 those who could thus shamefully seek to avoid a 
 contest, threatened against a country which they 
 had adopted, would not scruple, if an occasion of- 
 fered, to inflict any injury in their power. 
 
 Our own citizens, too, were giving rise to diffi- 
 culties, and increasing the danger of the moment. 
 Mr. Livingston had arrived, on the 10th, from the 
 Hritish fleet, whither he had gone to effect a gen- 
 eral cartel : through him, Admiral Cochrane had an- 
 nounced the arrival of a vessel from Jamr.ica, with 
 news, that a treaty of peace had been agreed on, 
 
LITE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 31H 
 
 and signed by the two countries. This information 
 was immediately caught at by the news-mongers, 
 and, either from intention or want of correct intel- 
 ligence, it suddenly appeared in the Louisiana Ga- 
 zette, in an entirely different shape : it stated the 
 arrival of a flag at head-quarters, which announced 
 the conclusion of a peace, and requested a suspen- 
 sion of hostilities. It was evident the effect of 
 <such a declaration would be to introduce lassitude, 
 or perhaps disaffection, among the troops, and induce 
 a belief that their accustomed vigilance was no long- 
 er necessary. Sensible of this, General Jackson sent 
 for the editor, and instructed him to alter what he 
 had stated, and exhibit the facts, which he now com- 
 municated to him, truly as they were. He adopted 
 this course from fear of the consequences to be 
 produced to himself. One thing he well knew, that 
 the enemy had retired under circumstances of mor- 
 tification at their complete discomfiture ; nor was it 
 an improbable conjecture that they might yet seek 
 an accomplishment of their views through any 
 channel a hope of success could be discerned. 
 Might not this annunciation of peace, and request 
 for the suspension of hostilities, introduced through 
 the public journals, be a device of the enemy to in- 
 duce a relaxation in his system of operation ; to di- 
 vert his officers and soldiers from that activity so 
 essential to security ; to excite discontents, and a 
 desire to be discharged from the further drudg- 
 ery of a camp ? All these dangers he saw lurking 
 beneath it, if false ; and, whether true or false, it 
 was foreign to his duty to be influenced by any 
 thing, until it should be officially communicated by 
 his government. Fearful of the effect it might 
 produce, he lost no time in addressing his- army • 
 27 
 
314 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 " How disgraceful," he remarked, " as well as disas- 
 trous, would it be, if, by surrendering ourselves 
 credulously to newspaper publications, often pro- 
 ceeding from ignorance, but more frequently from 
 dishonest design, we should permit an enemy, whon? 
 we have so lately and so gloriously beaten, to re- 
 gain the advantages he has lost, and triumph ovei 
 us in turn !" A general order, at the same time, an 
 nounced that no publication relating to, or affect 
 ing the army, was to be published in any newspa- 
 per, without permission first obtained. 
 
 Notwithstanding this prohibition, shortly after- 
 wards an anonymous publication appeared in the 
 Courier, calculated by its inflammatory character 
 to excite mutiny among the troops, and afford the 
 enemy intelligence of the disposition of the army. 
 It was high time, the general believed, to act with 
 decision, and prove, by the rigid exercise of author- 
 ity, that such conduct militated against the police 
 and safety of his camp, and required not to be pass- 
 ed with impunity. The enemy had heretofore ef- 
 fected a landing without opposition ; and, although 
 beaten, might again return. If spies were to be 
 nestled in his camp, and permitted to go forth to the 
 world with the gleanings of their industry, it was 
 folly to believe the enemy would not profit by the 
 information. Martial law still prevailed in New 
 Orleans, and he resolved to put it in execution 
 against those who manifested such an evident dis- 
 regard of the public good. The editor was imme- 
 diately sent for to the general's quarters ; he stat- 
 ed the author of the piece tc be Louaillier, 
 
 a member of the legislature, and he was thereupon 
 discharged. 
 
L1FL OF UFNEKAL JACKSON. 315 
 
 Louaillier was arrested, and detained for trial. 
 This circumstance afforded civilians a fair opportu- 
 nity of testing if it were in the power of a com- 
 manding general to raise the military above the civ- 
 il authority, and render it superior by any declara- 
 tion of his. Application was made to Judge Hall 
 for a writ of habeas corpus, which was immediate- 
 ly issued. The general, to render the example as 
 efficacious as possible, and from information that 
 the judge had been much more officious than his 
 duty required, and believing, in fact, that it was a 
 measure of concert to test his power, determined 
 to arrest him also, and thereby at once to settle the 
 question of authority. 
 
 Instead of surrendering Mr. Louailliei, and act- 
 ing in obedience to the writ which had issued for 
 his relief, he seized the person of the judge, and, on 
 the 11th of the month, sent him from the city, with 
 these instructions — " I have thought proper to 
 send you beyond the limits of my encampment, to 
 prevent a repetition of the- improper conduct with 
 which you have been charged. You will remain 
 without the line of my sentinels until the ratifica- 
 tion of peace is regularly announced, or until the 
 British shall have left the southern coast." 
 
 The spirit of discontent had become extensively 
 diffused. The different posts, which had been es- 
 tablished, could with difficulty be maintained. The 
 Kentucky troops, and two hundred of the Louisia- 
 na militia, stationed in defence of Villery's Canal, 
 had abandoned their post. Chef Menteur, too, a 
 point no Jess important, had been forsaken by one 
 hundred and fifty of the Louisianians, in despite ot 
 the exertions of their officers to detain them. Gov- 
 ernor Claiborne had been heard to declare, in words 
 
316 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 of mysterious import, that serious difficulties would 
 oe shortly witnessed in New Orleans. For the 
 commanding general, at a time like this, when dis- 
 affection was spreading like contagion through his 
 camp, patiently to have stood and witnessed muti 
 ny fomented and encouraged by persons, who, from 
 their standing in society, were calculated to pos- 
 sess a dangerous influence, would have been a crime 
 for which he never could have atoned. He thought 
 it time enough to relax in his operations, and ground 
 his arms, when the conclusion of peace should be 
 announced through the proper authorities. Until 
 then, believing that imperious duty required it, he 
 resolved to maintain his advantages, and check op- 
 position, at every hazard. To ha^e obeyed the writ 
 would have been idle. He had declared the exist- 
 ence of military authority, and thereby intended to 
 supersede all judicial power. If he had obeyed the 
 mandate, it would have been an acknowledgment ot 
 civil supremacy, and a virtual abandonment of the 
 course he had adopted. • It was not an improbable 
 event, that the petitioner would be discharged, on a 
 hearing, because guilty of no offence cognizable by 
 the civil courts. 
 
 On the 13th of the month, two days after the 
 departure of Judge Hall from the city, an express 
 reached head-quarters, with despatches from the 
 war department, at Washington, announcing the 
 conclusion of a peace between Great Britain and the 
 United States, and directing a cessation of hostili- 
 ties. A similar communication from his govern 
 ment was received by General Lambert shortly af- 
 terwards, and on the 19th military operations, by 
 the two armies, entirely ceased. The aspect of af 
 fairs was now changing : the militia were discharg 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 31" 
 
 ed from service ; bustle was subsiding ; and joy 
 and tranquillity every where appearing. A procla- 
 mation, by the direction of the president of the 
 United States, was issued, extending pardon and 
 forgiveness for past offences. 
 
 Judge Hall, being restored to the exercise of 
 those functions, of which he had been lately be- 
 reaved by military arrest, proceeded, without loss 
 of time, to an examination of what had passed, and 
 to become the arbiter of his own injuries. Accord- 
 ingly, on the 21st, he granted a rule of court for 
 General Jackson to appear, and show ca„use why an 
 attachment for contempt should not be awarded, on 
 the ground that he had refused to obey a writ issu- 
 ed to him, detained an original paper belonging to 
 the court, and imprisoned the judge. 
 
 On the 24th, his appearance being entered, he 
 stood represented at the bar by John Reid, his aid- 
 de-camp, and Messrs. Livingston and Duncan. Ma- 
 jor Reid, addressing himself to the court, remarked, 
 that he appeared with the general's answer, supported 
 by an affidavit, which went to show, that the rule 
 should be discharged, and no further proceeding had 
 against him. A curious course of judicial proceed- 
 ing was now witnessed. Cause why the rule should 
 not be made absolute was to be shown, and yet the 
 judge would determine whether the reasons were 
 exceptionable or not, previously to their being heard 
 or seen. The counsel urged in vain the propriety 
 of his hearing first, before he decided, if the an- 
 swer were consonant with propriety. This was 
 over-ruled. He would first determine what it should 
 be. If within any of the rules laid down, it should 
 be heard, — not else. 
 27* 
 
313 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 " If," remarked the judge, " the party object to 
 the jurisdiction, he shall be heard. 
 
 " If it be a denial of facts, or that the facts charg 
 ed do not amount to a contempt, he shall be heard. 
 
 " If it be an apology to the court, or an inten- 
 tion to show, that by the constitution and laws of 
 the United States, or in virtue of his military com- 
 mission, he had a right to act as charged, the court 
 will hear him." 
 
 " Hear what it does contain, and you can then 
 decide if it come under any of the general rules 
 laid down," was replied and argued at length by 
 his counsel, as the correct and proper course. 
 
 After a debate of considerable length, Major 
 Reid was permitted to read the answer. He had 
 gotten through the exceptions reserved as to the 
 jurisdiction, and was proceeding with the respond- 
 ent's reasons, manifesting the necessity, and the 
 consequent propriety, of declaring martial law, when 
 he was again interrupted by the judge, because 
 coming within none of the rules which he had laid 
 down. The ears of the court were closed against 
 every thing of argument or reason, and, without 
 hearing the defence, the rule against him was ren- 
 dered absolute, and the attachment sued out. 
 
 This process was made returnable the 31st; and 
 on that day the general appeared. Public feeling 
 was excited, and the crowd, on the tiptoe of expecta- 
 tion, were anxiously waiting to know what punish- 
 ment the judge would think due to acts, which ali 
 agreed had contributed to the success of our cause. 
 Jackson, apprized of the popular fervour towards 
 him, and solicitous that nothing on his part should 
 be done calculated to give it impulse, practised 
 more than usual caution : and now, when it had be- 
 
L1FJL OF GEM.HAL JACKSOK. 
 
 31 
 
 come necessary to appear in public, to ward himself 
 from crimes imputed, he threw off his military cos- 
 tume, and, assuming the garb of a citizen, the bet- 
 ter to disguise himself, entered alone the hall where 
 the court was sitting. Undiscovered amidst the 
 concourse which was present, he had nearly reach- 
 ed the bar, when, being perceived, the room in- 
 stantly rung with the shouts of a thousand voices. 
 Raising himself on a bench, and moving his hand 
 to procure silence, a pause ensued. He then ad- 
 dressed himself to the crowd ; told them of the duty 
 due to the public authorities ; for that any impro- 
 priety of theirs would be imputed to him ; and urged, 
 if they had any regard for him, that they would, or. 
 the present occasion, forbear those expressions of 
 opinion. Silence being restored, the judge rose 
 from his seat, and, remarking that it was impossible 
 to transact business under such threatening circum- 
 stances, directed the marshal to adjourn the court. 
 The general immediately interfered, and requested 
 that it might not be done. " There is no danger 
 here ; there shall be none ; the same arm, that pro- 
 tected from outrage this city, will shield and pro- 
 tect this court, or perish in the effort." This dec 
 laration had the effect to tranquillize the feelings of 
 the judge ; and the business of the court was pro- 
 ceeded with. It was now demanded of him to an- 
 swer nineteen interrogatories, drawn up with much 
 labour, and in studied form, which were to deter- 
 mine as to his guilt or innocence. He informed the 
 court he should not be interrogated ; that, on a 
 former occasion, he had presented the reasons 
 which had influenced his conduct, without their 
 producing an effect, or being even listened to. 
 " You would not hear my defence, although you 
 
320 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 were advised it contained nothing improper, am) 
 ample reasons why no attachment should be award- 
 ed. Under these circumstances, I appear before 
 you, to receive the sentence of the court, having 
 nothing further in my defence to offer. 
 
 " Your honour will not understand me as intend- 
 ing any disrespect to the court ; but as no opp rtu- 
 nity has been afforded me of explaining the rea- 
 sons and motives by which I was influenced, so is 
 it expected, that censure or reproof will constitute 
 no part of that sentence which you may imagine it 
 your duty to pronounce." 
 
 The judge proceeded to a final discharge of what 
 he conceived was due to the offended majesty of 
 the laws, and fined the general a thousand dollars. 
 
 The hall in which this business was transacted 
 was greatly crowded, and excitement every where 
 prevailed. No sooner was the judgment of the 
 court pronounced, than again were sent forth shouts 
 of the people. He was forcibly hurried from the 
 hall to the streets, amidst reiterated cries of " Huzza 
 for Jackson !" from the immense concourse that sur- 
 rounded him. They presently met a carriage in 
 which a lady was riding, when, politely taking her 
 from it, the general was made, spite of entreaty, to 
 occupy her place : the horses being removed, the 
 carriage was drawn on, and halted at the coffee- 
 house, into which he was carried, and thither the 
 crowd followed, huzzaing for Jackson, and menac- 
 ing violently the judge. Having prevailed on them 
 to hear him, he addressed them with great earnest- 
 ness ; implored them to run into no excesses ; that, 
 if they had the least gratitude for his services, or 
 regard for him personally they could evince it in 
 no way so satisfactorily, as y assenting as he most 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 321 
 
 freely did, to the decision which had been pro- 
 nounced against him ; " that the civil was the para- 
 mount and supreme authority of the land. He had 
 never pretended to any thing else, nor advocated a 
 different doctrine. He had departed from its rules, 
 because that they were too feeble for the state of 
 the rimes. By a resort to martial law, he had suc- 
 ceeded in defending and protecting a country, which, 
 without it, must have been lost; yet under its provi- 
 sions he had oppressed no one, nor extended them to 
 any other purpose than defence and safety ; objects 
 which its declaration was intended alone to effect." 
 A I feel," continued he, "sensible for those marks 
 of personal regard, which you have evinced towards 
 me : and with pleasure remember those high effort9 
 of valour and patriotism, which so essentially con- 
 tributed to the defence of the country. If recent 
 events have shown you what fearless valour can ef- 
 fect, it is a no less important truth to learn, that 
 submission to the civil authority is the first duty of 
 a citif.en." 
 
 Being at length relieved from this warm display 
 of regard manifested towards him for the exertions 
 he had made in their defence, Jackson retired to 
 his quarters, and, giving a check to his aid-de-camp 
 sent him to discharge the fine imposed, and to ter- 
 minate his contest with the civil authority. He was 
 greatly consoled at learning, through various re- 
 spectable channels, that all was tranquil, and that 
 against the judge nothing of indignity or unkind 
 ness was longer meditated. 
 
 So riveted was the impression, that the course 
 pursued by the general was correct, and the con- 
 duct of Judge Hall more the result of spleen than 
 any thing else, that the citizens of New Orleans 
 
322 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 
 
 determined to ward off the effect of his intended 
 injury, by discharging themselves the fine imposed. 
 It was only necessary to be thought of, and it was 
 done. So numerous were the persons entertain- 
 ing the same feelings on the subject, that in a short 
 time the entire sum was raised by voluntary con- 
 tribution. The general, understanding what was in 
 agitation, to spare his own and their feelings, had 
 despatched his aid-de-camp to seek the marshal, 
 and thereby avoided the necessity of refusing a 
 favour intended to be offered, and which he could 
 not have accepted. Without, however, any knowl- 
 edge of his wishes, or consulting at all his feelings 
 on the subject, they proceeded in the arrangement, 
 and, by subscription, the entire amount was in a 
 short time raised, and deposited to his use in the bank, 
 and notice thereof given. But it was not accept- 
 ed ; though refused in a manner the most delicate. 
 In reply, he declared the obligations felt for this re- 
 newed evidence of regard ; and, although he could 
 not accept of it, yet, as it was the result of the most 
 generous feeling, he solicited that the amount might 
 be applied to the relief of those whose relatives 
 had fallen in battle. The proposition was acceded 
 to, and the amount subscribed expressly for hi3 re 
 lief was disposed of for the benefit of the widow 
 and the fatherless. 
 
 Jackson once, concerning the declaration of mar- 
 tial law, expressed himself after the following man- 
 ner : " I very well knew the extent of my powers, 
 and that it was far short of that which necessity 
 and my situation required. I determined, therefore, 
 to venture boldly forth, and pursue a course corre- 
 spondent to the difficulties that pressed upon me. 
 T had an anxious solicitude to wipe off the sti^wa 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON 323 
 
 ;ast upon my country by the destruction of the cap- 
 flal. If New Orleans were taken, I well knew that 
 new difficulties would arise, and every effort be madtf 
 to retain it ; and that, if regained, blood and treai? 
 are would be the sacrifice. My determination, 
 therefore, was formed, not to halt at trifles, but to 
 lose the city only at the boldest sacrifice, and to 
 omit nothing that could assure success. I was well 
 aware that calculating politicians, ignorant of the 
 difficulties that surrounded me, would condemn my 
 course ; but this was not material. What became. 
 of me was of no consequence. If disaster did 
 come, I expected not to survive it ; but, if a successful 
 defence could be made, I felt assured that my coun- 
 try, in the objects attained, would lose sight of, and 
 forget the means that had been employed." 
 
 The war being now ended, it was necessary to 
 relieve from the toils of the field those brave men, 
 who had so long been struggling in their country's 
 defence. The necessary measures to effect this 
 were adopted. The Tennessee, Kentucky, and 
 Mississippi troops had taken their departure. Gen- 
 eral Gaines being invested with the command, in a 
 few days General Jackson left New Orleans for 
 Nashville. The good wishes and friendship of the 
 people followed him : there were a few, however, 
 who rejoiced at his departure ; but thev v?re those 
 who, in moments of peril, had stood aloof from 
 danger, or sought to increase it, and who, in the re- 
 proaches to be cast upon him, expected to palliate 
 their own misdeeds. Previously to breaking up 
 his encampment, he addressed his army, and de- 
 clared the high sense he entertained of those valiant 
 men, who, with him, had toiled in the field, and, by 
 perseverance and fidelity, had obtained safolv 
 
324 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 for their country, and distinguished honour for them 
 selves. 
 
 On his return, the respect of all was manifested 
 in his behalf: all evinced a partiality for the man, 
 whose signal achievements had raised his country 
 to a high and dignified standing, and whose unre- 
 mitting exertions had closed the war with a lustra 
 that enlightened even the blots of its commencement. 
 
 The annunciation of the triumphant defence of 
 New Orleans was, in every section of the country, 
 hailed with acclamation ; illuminations and fetes 
 followed it into all our cities and principal towns ; 
 and in all was it agreed, that none other than the 
 decided course adopted by Jackson could have at- 
 tained so auspicious a result. The legislatures of 
 many of the states voted to him their thanks for 
 what he had done. The congress of the United 
 States did the same, and directed a gold medal to be 
 presented to him, commemorative of the event. Ad- 
 dresses from numerous societies and meetings of the 
 people were forwarded, expressive of their great 
 regard, and proclaiming him the deliverer and sec- 
 ond saviour of his country. 
 
 A tedious journey of eight hundred miles brought 
 him to Nashville, where he was gratified with a mani 
 festation of the regard of his fellow townsmen. An 
 immense concourse was collected, to welcome his 
 arrival. They had long known him as among the 
 number of their best and most respectable citizens ; 
 but curiosity had a new incentive : until now, they 
 had not beheld him as one, who, to protect his coun- 
 try, knew no difficulty too great to be encountered — 
 who, by his firmness and unconquerable perseve- 
 rance, amidst surrounding dangers, had saved her 
 from foreign and intestine foes. An address, deliv 
 
LIFE OP GENERAL JACKSON. 325 
 
 ered at the court-room, in behalf of the citizens, 
 welcomed his return. Relieved from this further 
 display of public confidence, the more grateful, be- 
 cause from those who were his acquaintances, neigh- 
 bours, and friends, he retired home, to repair a bro- 
 Ken constitution, and to enjoy that repose, to which, 
 for eighteen months, he had been a stranger. 
 
 Early in the congressional session of 1S20, sev- 
 eral propositions were made for the reduction of 
 the army, which, however, we-re not decided upon. 
 On the 9th of January, 1821, the subject was again 
 revived ; and on the 5th of March, following, by 
 an act of congress, approved by the president, the 
 reduction was effected. By this law, only one ma- 
 jor-general was retained, and, as General Jackson 
 was not the senior commissioned general, his com- 
 mission was annulled, and by courtesy his senior 
 was retained. All commissioned officers were al- 
 lowed three months' pay, after their commissions 
 were returned. Previous to this, as early as the 
 preceding January, the news of the ratification of 
 the Florida treaty, by the Spanish cortes, had been 
 received. On the 3d of January, Mr. Stanbury, 
 the diplomatic agent, arrived at Philadelphia, in the 
 Pleiades, with an authenticated copy of the treaty, 
 for the re-ratification of the senate, which had become 
 necessary, as the time allowed to Spain to signify 
 her acceptance of the instrument had expired be- 
 fore this acceptance was declared. The senate, on 
 the 9th of February, 1821, considered the subject, 
 and gave their sanction anew to the instrument, which 
 was finally confirmed on the 22d. By this advan- 
 tageous treaty, East and West Florida were ceded 
 to the United States, and provision made for indem 
 nifving American citizens for Spanish spoliations 
 2S 
 
326 LIFE OS- GLNERAL JACKSON. 
 
 by paying five millions of dollars, the amount agreed 
 upon as the purchase money, directly to the claim- 
 ants. 
 
 On the 1st of March, 1821, a bill passed, autho- 
 rizing the president to take possession of the newly- 
 acquired territory. Three days after this, March 5th, 
 Mr. Monroe was sworn to his second term of office, 
 and one of the earliest and most important du- 
 ties that devolved upon him was the appointment of 
 a person suitably qualified to take possession of the 
 Floridas. Various conjectures were abroad, in re- 
 lation to the individual upon whom this honour 
 would be conferred. Mr. Monroe very judiciously 
 fixed his eye on the man whose patriotic exertions 
 had been so instrumental in bringing the war in 
 that very region to a successful termination. On 
 the 15th of March, therefore, General Jackson's 
 appointrr.ent, as governor of the Floridas, with a 
 salary o/ five thousand dollars a year, was official- 
 ly announced. 
 
 Soon after being notified of his appointment, he 
 commenced his journey towards his place of desti- 
 nation. 
 
 On the 23d of April, he left New Orleans for 
 Pensacola, having received the greatest attention 
 from the municipal authorities in the very theatre of 
 *his former warlike exploits. The hospitality of 
 individuals, and the general expression of the peo- 
 ple of New Orleans, were calculated to call forth 
 the liveliest feelings of gratitude. 
 
 There was considerable delay, on the part of the 
 Spanish authorities, in delivering up the territories. 
 This resulted from their prejudices against the 
 United States, and their disapprobation of the trea- 
 ty requiring the transfer 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 32V 
 
 On the 7th of July, 1821, Governor Croppinger, 
 hy proclamation, formally delivered East Florida to 
 Colonel Robert Butler, the properly authorized com- 
 missioner. General Jackson, though not present, 
 was in the vicinity, making the necessary arrange- 
 ments for the government of both. Ten days af- 
 ter this, July 17th, West Florida was delivered to 
 Governor Jackson in due form. Thus the whole of 
 the newly-acquired territory was placed under his 
 control as governor-general. When the proper 
 course had been adopted for the happiness of all class- 
 es, he issued a proclamation of a paternal character, 
 defining the policy of the government, and pointing 
 out the duties of the people in their new relation. 
 
 After the satisfactory termination of the great 
 business of receiving the Floridas, he made an ex- 
 cursion to New Orleans, and, on the 11th of Au- 
 gust, delivered a valedictory address to the re- 
 mainder of the conquering army, then on the point 
 of being disbanded. In this speech, which breath- 
 ed the sentiments of affectionate regard towards 
 those brave men, who had aided him in the accom- 
 plishment of so many perilous undertakings, for 
 the glory and honour of their country, lie made 
 known that his career, as commander in cnief of 
 the southern division of the American army, was 
 then terminated. Again we find him, at the close 
 of August, at St. Augustine. On the 1st day of 
 September, Governor Jackson promulgated the 
 names of those whom he had appointed for the civil 
 government of East Florida. There was much 
 contention, about this time, relative to the Spanish 
 archives, which resulted in some unpleasant personal 
 feelings between the governor and Judge Fromentin. 
 Urgent measures, on the part of Governor .lick son. 
 
323 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 were highly necessary, and hence he issued a proc- 
 lamation, which obliged the Spanish officers to leave 
 the territories at a specified period. Against this 
 Governor Croppinger, together with the offended 
 officers, made a remonstrance. Croppinger, partic- 
 ularly, protested against the seizure of the public 
 papers, &c. The details of this occurrence our 
 limits will not permit us to narrate. It is certain, 
 however, that there were intriguers in the territo 
 ries, and various misrepresentations, touching the 
 administration of the newly-formed government 
 which, probably, induced Governor Jackson to re- 
 sign a power, which could not contribute to his 
 own happiness, or increase his sphere of useful- 
 ness. 
 
 On the 8th of September, Governor Jackson, 
 then at Pensacola, made known his intention of vis- 
 iting Tennessee with his family. This was nc 
 sooner understood, than he was invited to a pub- 
 lic dinner by the inhabitants. On that occasion, 
 every demonstration of respect was shown to the 
 distinguished and successful warrior. To the sur- 
 prise and regret of an increasing circle of friends, 
 who knew how to appreciate his talents, he made a 
 farewell address to the people of the Floridas. In 
 the course of his speech, he remarked that he 
 should not return again, unless some unexpected 
 event should render it necessary. 
 
 Soon after the meeting of the seventeenth con- 
 gress, on the 29th of the following December,Gover- 
 nor Jackson, having discharged with fidelity and suc- 
 cess the duties of his appointment, tendered to the 
 president his resignation. 
 
 Scarcely thirty days had elapsed from the time of 
 his resignation of the government of the Floridas, 
 
LJFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 329 
 
 before he was honoured by Mr. Monroe with an- 
 other appointment of higher political consequence 
 January 23d, 1823, General Jackson was appointed 
 envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to 
 the government of Mexico. As an evidence that 
 he had no knowledge of the intentions of the ex 
 ecutive, we find, on the 1st of the following March, 
 m a respectful manner, he declined the offered 
 mission. It has been generally understood that 
 this was in consequence of the unsettled and dis- 
 tracted state of Mexico, then under the control of 
 Iturbide, who had declared himself emperor. The 
 true motive, however, for declining the proffereu 
 honour, is to be found in the general's own words : 
 * From the present revolutionary state of Mexico, 
 the appearance of an American envoy, with cre- 
 dentials to the tyrant Iturbide, might add to his 
 strength, and thereby aid him in riveting the chains 
 of despotism upon that country, which of right 
 ought to be free. To be the instrument of tyranny, 
 however innocent on my part, I could not recon- 
 cile to my feelings. W ith these views, and other rea- 
 sons, which I have communicated to Mr. Monroe, I 
 have declined accepting the mission to Mexico." 
 But a short time after, May 13th, the Mexican em- 
 peror abdicated his throne, and made the best of 
 his way from a country, which he had brought to 
 the verge of ruin. 
 
 General Jackson now retired to the quietude of 
 private life, and, in the circle of his own family, 
 sought that rest fn >m the fatigues and countless 
 anxieties of a military life, which his exhausted 
 frame and spirits so obviously required. The con- 
 fidence, however, which the citizens of Tennessee 
 had in his talents and wisdom was again manifest' 
 2ft* 
 
330 LIFE OF GENERAL, JACKSON. 
 
 ed in electing him a senator to the eighteenth con- 
 gress, which assembled in December, 1823 ; and 
 once more he resigned the endearments of home to 
 mingle in the councils of the nation. On his route 
 from Nashville to Washington, he was greeted by 
 the most enthusiastic applause. The citizens of 
 Knoxville, in a special manner, honoured their cel- 
 ebrated guest with a public dinner, and exhibited, 
 in the strongest language, and in the most unequiv- 
 ocal hospitality ,that they considered him a man of ex- 
 traordinary talents, whose past services entitled him 
 to the admiration and confidence of his country. 
 
 During the session of congress, he entered with 
 spirited interest into the general business of the 
 nation, and was frequently on some of the most im- 
 portant committees. As indefatigable in the sen- 
 lite as in military command, he found that such un- 
 remitted attention to public affairs, as his duty re- 
 quired, to sustain the dignity of the station, was al- 
 together too severe for the delicate state of his. 
 health. The political horizon, also, now began to 
 present a different aspect, and the circumstance of 
 his being a candidate for the presidential chair, 
 without doubt, influenced him, to a considerable ex- 
 tent, in resigning his seat in the senate. Soon af- 
 ter the close of the session, he made known to his 
 constituents the determination, and, in a few woeks, 
 it was announced, to the sincere regret of all who 
 knew the integrity of his character. 
 
 In the person of General Jackson is perceived 
 nothing of the robust or elegant. He is six feet 
 and an inch high, remarkably straight and spare, 
 and weighs not more than a hundred and forty-five 
 pounds. His conformation appears to disqualify 
 him for hardship ; yet, accustomed to it from early 
 
LIFE OF GExNERAL JACKSON. 381 
 
 life, few are capable of enduring fatigue to the 
 same extent, or with less injury. His dark blue 
 eyes, with brows arched and slightly projecting, 
 possess a marked expression ; but when, from any 
 cause, excited, they sparkle with peculiar lustre and 
 penetration. In his manners he is pleasing — in his 
 address commanding ; while his countenance, mark- 
 ed with firmness and decision, beams with a strength 
 and intelligence that strikes at first sight. In his 
 deportment there is nothing repulsive. Easy, af- 
 fable, and familiar, he is accessible to all. Influ- 
 enced by the belief, that merit should constitute the 
 only difference in men, his attention is equally be- 
 stowed on honest poverty as on titled consequence. 
 No man, however inconsiderable his standing, ever 
 approached him on business, that he did not patient- 
 ly listen to his story, and afford him all the informa- 
 tion in his power. His moral character is without 
 reproach, and by those who know him most inti- 
 mately he is most esteemed. Benevolence in him 
 is a prominent virtue. He was never known to pass 
 distress without seeking to assist and to relieve it 
 It is imputed to him, that he derives from his 
 birth a temper irritable and hasty, which has had 
 the effect to create enemies, and involve him in dis- 
 putes. In Jackson, however, these defects of char- 
 acter exist to an extent as limited as with most 
 men ; and the world is in error in presuming him un- 
 der a too high control of feeling and passion. A fix- 
 ed devotion to those principles which honour sanc- 
 tions, renders him scrupulously attentive to his 
 promises and engagements of every description 
 Preserving system in his moneyed transactions, his 
 fiscal arrangements are made to correspond with 
 his resources, and hence his every engagement in 
 
3,!>2 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 relation to such subjects is met with marked punc- 
 tuality, not for the reason that he is a man of ex- 
 traordinary wealth, but rather because he has meth- 
 od, and with a view to his resources, regulates 
 properly his balance of trade. 
 
 No man has been more misconceived in charac 
 ter. Many, on becoming acquainted with him, have 
 been heard to admit the previous opinions which 
 they had entertained, and how great had been their 
 mistake. Rough in appearance, positive and over- 
 bearing in his manner, aie what all, upon a first in- 
 troduction, expect to find ; and yet none are pos 
 sessed of milder manners, or of more conciliating 
 address. The public situations in which he has 
 been placed, and the circumstances which surround- 
 ed him, are doubtless the cause that those opinions 
 have become so prevalent ; but they are opinions 
 which an acquaintance with him tends to remove. 
 The difficulties under which he laboured at New Or- 
 leans were such as might well have perplexed, and 
 thrown the mind aside from every thing of mildness. 
 
 Light and tricing pleasantries often mark char- 
 acter as distinctly as things of consequence. Gen- 
 eral Jackson, one day during the siege of New Or- 
 leans, was approached by an officer of the militia, 
 who stated his desire to leave the service, and re- 
 turn home ; for that he was made game of, and 
 called by the company Pewter Foot. He manifest- 
 ed great concern, and an anxious desire to be re- 
 lieved from his unpleasant situation. The general, 
 with much apparent sympathy for him, replied, that 
 he had ascertained there was a practice in the camp 
 of giving nick-names ; and had understood, too, 
 that very many had dared to call him Old Hickory: 
 '* Now," said he, "if you prefer mine. I am willing 
 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 333 
 
 to exchange ; if not, remain contented, and perform 
 your duty faithfully, and, as soon as we can get clear 
 of those troublesome British, our wrongs shall be 
 inquired into by a court-martial, and the authors 
 punished ; for then, and not till then, shall we have 
 an end of those insults." The effect was happy, 
 and induced the complaining officer to retire, per- 
 fectly satisfied to learn, that his grievance would 
 be united with the general's, and both ere long be 
 effectually redressed. 
 
 General Jackson possesses ambition, but it rests 
 on virtue ; an ambition, which, regulated by a high 
 sense of honourable feeling, leads him to desire 
 " that applause which follows good actions — not 
 that which is run after." No man is more ready to 
 hear and to respect the opinions of others, and none, 
 where much is at stake, and at conflict with his 
 own, less disposed to be under their influence. 
 He has never been known to call a council of war, 
 whose decisions, when made, were to shield him 
 from responsibility or censure. His council of war, 
 if doubtino- himself, was a few officers, in whom he 
 fully confided, whose advice was regarded, if their 
 reasons were conclusive ; but, these not being satis- 
 factory, he at once adopted and pursued the course 
 suggested by his own mind. 
 
 At the battle of Tohopeka, an infant was found 
 piessed to the bosom of its lifeless mother. This 
 circumstance being made known to General Jack- 
 son, he became interested for the child, directed it 
 to be brought to him, and sought to prevail on some 
 of the Indian women to take care of and rear it. 
 They signified their unwillingness to do so, stating 
 that, inasmuch as all its relations had fallen in bat- 
 tle, they thought it best it should be killed. The 
 
334 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON". 
 
 General, after this disclosure, determined he would 
 not intrust it with them, but became himself the 
 protector of the child. Bestowing on the infant 
 the name of Lincoier, he adopted it into his family, 
 and has ever since manifested the liveliest zeal to- 
 wards it, prompted by benevolence, and because, 
 perhaps, its fate bore a strong resemblance to his 
 own, who, in early life, and from the ravages of war, 
 was left in the world forlorn and wretched, without 
 friends to assist, or near relations to direct him on 
 his course. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 We have said before that one of the reasons that 
 induced General Jackson to resign his seat in the 
 Senate was the circumstance of being a candidate 
 for the Presidential chair. As long as he remained 
 in the military service of his country, little was ever 
 said about bringing him- out for the presidency. It 
 was only after he had become a private citizen that 
 the , eyes of his fellow-countrymen were turned 
 towards him, as having eminently entitled himself, 
 by his brilliant and patriotic services, to the highest 
 honors within the gift of a free and enlightened peo- 
 ple. His friends in Tennessee first, in good earnest, 
 took the necessary steps to place his name promi- 
 nently before the country. It is true that some 
 four or five candidates were already in the field ; 
 but so confident were they of General Jackson's 
 strength and popularity with the people, on account 
 of his great public services, that they entertained 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 335 
 
 no fears for the result. On July 20, 1822, the State 
 Legislature adopted a preamble and resolutions 
 which placed the General before the country as a 
 legitimate candidate for the presidency, and from 
 this moment his friends in every section of the 
 Union entered into the contest with increased 
 vigor and- energy. 
 
 Our space does not permit us to here give any 
 detailed account of the spirited and exciting con- 
 test which took place during this campaign, which 
 resulted, after all, in there being no election, An- 
 drew Jackson having received a plurality, but not 
 a majority, of the votes cast. The vote stood as 
 follows: Wm. H. Crawford, 41 ; Henry Clay, 37 ; 
 Mr. Adams, 84 ; Andrew Jackson, 99. 
 
 The people, therefore, having failed to elect a 
 President, it devolved upon the House of Represen- 
 tatives, voting by States, each State having one vote, 
 to elect one from the three candidates who had 
 received the highest number of electoral votes. 
 The great question was decided on the 9th of 
 February, 1825. A long contest had been ex- 
 pected, and the friends of Crawford were present 
 in great force, hoping that the House, after weary- 
 ing itself by repeated ballots, would turn to their 
 candidate and end the affair by giving him the 
 election. 
 
 The result, when announced by the tellers, sur- 
 prised almost every one; surprised many of the 
 best-informed politicians who heard it. Upon the 
 first ballot Mr. Adams received the vote of thirteen 
 States, which was a majority. Crawford received 
 the vote of four States, and General Jackson, for 
 whom eleven States had given an electoral major- 
 
336 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 ity, received the vote of but seven States in the 
 House. 
 
 That General Jackson was not only disappointed 
 at the result, but indignant, is well known ; but he 
 loftily acquiesced in his defeat, and was prominent 
 among the congratulatory throng on the occasion 
 of the inauguration of the new President. A few 
 days afterwards General Jackson returned to his 
 home, and was welcomed by his native State as 
 conquerors are welcomed. 
 
 From the moment that the result of the election 
 in the House of Representatives was known, the 
 Jackson party resolved to make General Jackson 
 a candidate for renomination for 1829. In Octo- 
 ber, 1825, only seven months after the inaugura- 
 tion, the Legislature of Tennessee passed a resolu- 
 tion " recommending him to the freemen of the 
 United States, to be elected to the office of the 
 Chief Magistrate of this Union, at the next Presi- 
 dential election." In May, 1826, the nomination 
 was indorsed by an immense public meeting in 
 Philadelphia, and in November of the same year 
 a powerful movement in his behalf was begun in 
 Georgia. Long before the usual time of beginning 
 the quadrennial agitation, he was placed before the 
 people in most of the States as the candidate for 
 the presidency, in opposition to the re-election of 
 Mr. Adams. 
 
 During the next three years General Jackson, 
 who had resigned his seat in the Senate of the 
 United States, was the central figure in an extra- 
 ordinary number of receptions and public dinners. 
 He could hardly stir abroad without finding a 
 committee lying in wait for him, who would take 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 337 
 
 possession of him bodily, convey him to some 
 public hall, and get him to make a speech. 
 
 We must now go back a little to touch briefly 
 upon the reasons that had induced General Jack- 
 son to leave Washington after the election in the 
 House of Representatives, which had ended so dis- 
 astrously for his expectations. It was well known 
 that the influence of Henry Clay, which he wielded 
 in the House, derived from his long connection 
 with it, from his winning cast of character, from 
 his strenuous will, and his eloquence, placed it in 
 his power to give the election to whichever of the 
 candidates he preferred. Mr. Clay was not on 
 cordial terms with either of the two highest candi- 
 dates. The considerations that ought to have in- 
 fluenced his decision should have been purely 
 founded on the principles of his party and of the 
 Constitution, and not on the comparative fitness 
 of the candidates. The one that had come nearest 
 to an election by the people was obviously the one 
 for whom a truly Democratic member of Congress 
 would have given his vote. This republic was set 
 up on a certain principle, and the spirit of that 
 principle required that Andrew Jackson should 
 have been elected President. The principle may 
 be wrong, but the Republican party obtained 
 power, and for twenty-five years retained the su- 
 premacy, because it thought the fundamental prin- 
 ciple of the government right, feasible, and safe. 
 But Mr. Clay did not think so. Though he ac- 
 knowledged that "he would never have selected 
 Mr. Adams, if he had been at liberty to draw from 
 the whole mass of our citizens for a President," he 
 declared to confidential friends, before the result 
 29 
 
338 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 of the popular election was known, that under no 
 circumstances whatever would he vote for General 
 Jackson. The appointment of Mr. Clay as Secre- 
 tary of State, after his inauguration, at once raised 
 the suspicion that there had heen a corrupt under- 
 standing between Mr. Clay and Mr. Adams, to the 
 effect that Clay should make Adams President on 
 condition that Adams shduld appoint Clay Secre- 
 tary of State. General Jackson, whose failing it 
 was to be always too prone to believe evil of those 
 who opposed him, was fully convinced that this 
 was true, and this " bargain and corruption cry " 
 was the most telling card of the Jackson party in 
 the campaign of 1828. And they kept it ringing, 
 too. Yet no cry however telling, no enthusiasm 
 however wild and general, ever carried a presiden- 
 tial election, nor ever will. The union of a power- 
 ful Southern interest with a respectable Northern 
 one, or vice versa, has always been deemed essential 
 to success by knowing politicians. General Jack- 
 son, as a candidate for the presidency, was nothing, 
 in 1824, till Pennsylvania took him, and he would 
 have been elected then, if New York had only 
 joined Pennsylvania. It was now necessary to get 
 New York into line for the campaign of 1828. 
 
 Martin Van Buren was the man on whom the 
 question of securing New York rested. He was a 
 Senator of the United States, and was elected to a 
 second term, in 1827, by a large majority. The 
 sudden death of Governor Clinton, in 1828, re- 
 moved from the scene the only man in New York 
 that could be considered Mr. Van Buren's com- 
 petitor, and left him undisputed master of the sit- 
 uation. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 339 
 
 Mr. Van Buren had early taken sides against the 
 administration of Mr. Adams, and maintained the 
 attitude of opposition to the end. This, of course, 
 involved the support of General Jackson in 1828, 
 for there was no other man in the country who had 
 the remotest chance of carrying the day against the 
 administration. 
 
 The resolution of Mr. Van Buren to support Gen- 
 eral Jackson was formed, it is said, as early as the 
 year 1825 ; but he kept that resolution to himself, 
 and enjoined the same reticence upon his confi- 
 dants. After the re-election of Mr. Van Buren to 
 the United States Senate, more freedom was tol- 
 erated in the expression of opinions favorable to 
 Jackson and adverse to Adams ; but it was not 
 until late in 1827 that the Democratic party came 
 out plainly for General Jackson. Then all the 
 machinery, the construction of which had for two 
 years put in requisition the skill and ingenuity of 
 Mr. Van Buren and his friends, was suddenly put 
 in motion, and the effect was prodigious. 
 
 The friends of the administration were not 
 alarmed ; Mr. Clay was not, and Mr. Adams ex- 
 pected a re-election. The campaign of 1828 
 opened with a stunning flourish of trumpets. 
 Louisiana, like New York, was a doubtful and 
 troublesome State. It was highly desirable that 
 its scattering vote of 1824 should be concentrated 
 in 1828, and this could only be managed by getting 
 up an enthusiasm. In 1827, the Legislature of 
 Louisiana invited him to visit New Orleans, and 
 unite with them in the celebration of the 8th of 
 January, 1828, on the scene of his great victory. 
 General Jackson accepted, and his reception was 
 
340 LIFE OF GENEKAL JACKSON. 
 
 the most stupendous thing of the kind that had 
 ever, up to that time, occurred in the United States. 
 Delegates of States as distant as New York were 
 sent to New Orleans to swell the eclat of the demon- 
 stration. 
 
 The campaign had now fairly set in. During the 
 rest of the year, the country rang, from one end 
 to the other, with the names of Jackson and Cal- 
 houn, and Adams and Rush. The contest during 
 this final year became chiefly one of personalities. 
 
 Against Mr. Adams, every possible change was 
 rung of bargain and corruption. He was accused 
 of federalism, haughtiness, selfishness, and extrava- 
 gant expenditures. General Jackson was accused 
 of every crime, offence, and impropriety that man 
 was ever known to be guilty of, not even sparing 
 the peculiar circumstances of his marriage, nor the 
 memory of his mother, then resting in her grave. 
 /""We have not space here to give any account of the 
 electioneering tactics on both sides; but the fol- 
 lowing characteristic paragraph, written by one who 
 was then commencing his literary career, and who 
 subsequently became known far and wide in con- 
 nection with theiVhi' York Herald, — James Gordon 
 Bennett, — will give a good idea of the attacks that 
 were made on General Jackson. 
 
 " The im potency of the attacks which have been 
 made on General Jackson during the campaign 
 by the Adams party, reminds us of an anecdote. 
 'Mother/ bawled out a girl, one day, 'my toe 
 itches!' ' Well, scratch it then!' 'I have; but 
 it won't slay scratched.' ' Mr. Clay, Mr. Clay/ 
 cries out Uncle Toby, 'Jackson's a-coming — Jack- 
 son's a-coming!' 'Well, then, anti-tariff him in 
 
LIFE OF GENERA^ JACKSON. 341 
 
 \ 
 
 the Journal.' 'I have; but he won't stay anti- 
 tariffed.' ' Mr. Clay, Mr. Clay/, bawls out Alder- 
 man Binns, ' the old farmer 's a-coming.' ' Well, 
 then,' says Clay, ' coffin-hand-bill him.' ' I have, 
 I have ; but he won't stay coffin-hand-billed.' ' Mr. 
 Adams, Mr. Adams,' says John Pleasant, 'the 
 hero 's a-coming, actually a-coming.' ' Well, then,' 
 says Mr. Adams, ' Burr him, and traitor him.' ' I 
 have; but he won't stay Burred or traitored.' 'Mr. 
 Clay, Mr. Clay,' calls out the full Adams, slander- 
 ing chorus, ' we have called Jackson a murderer, 
 an adulterer, a traitor, an ignoramus, a fool, a pre- 
 tender, and so forth ; but he won't stay any of 
 these names.' 'He won't?' says Mr. Clay; 'well, 
 then, I shaVt stay at Washington, that's all ! ' " 
 
 The result of the election was, that out of the 
 two hundred and sixty-one electoral votes cast in 
 1828, one hundred and seventy-eight were given to 
 General Jackson, and eighty-three to Mr. Adams. 
 
 The people of Nashville, greatly elated by the 
 success of their General, resolved to celebrate it by 
 a banquet, to come off on the 23d of December, 
 the anniversary of the Night Battle below New 
 Orleans. General Jackson accepted an invitation 
 to be present. 
 
 But the banquet never took place. Mrs. Jackson, 
 whose health had been for four or five years very 
 precarious, was taken suddenly very ill on the 17th 
 of December, and died on the night of the 22d, the 
 day before the time appointed for the banquet. 
 The sad news reached Nashville early on the 23d, 
 when the committee of arrangements were busied 
 with the preparations for the General's reception ; 
 of course, everything was at an end to the pro- 
 29* 
 
342 life or general jackson. 
 
 posed manifestation, and the most heartfelt and 
 general mourning pervaded the entire community. 
 
 General Jackson never recovered from the shock 
 of his wife's death, and was never quite the same 
 man afterwards. It subdued his spirit and cor- 
 rected his speech. Except on occasions of ex- 
 treme excitement, few and far between, he never 
 again used what is commonly termed "profane 
 language." 
 
 u He was, however, not allowed much time for 
 mourning, for, in the middle of January, he 
 started for Washington. The journey was one 
 ovation the whole way through, for the whole 
 country appeared to more than acquiesce in the 
 result "of the election, and joined in the cry: 
 " Hurrah for Jackson ! " The day of the inaug- 
 uration was one of the brightest and balmiest of 
 the spring, and there had never been known to be 
 such vast crowds as were present on that memo- 
 rable occasion. Half the nation seemed to have 
 rushed to the capital. His inaugural address was 
 an acceptance of the leadership of the party which 
 had elected him. 
 
 Little was known of General Jackson's intentions 
 with regard to Cabinet appointments except by 
 the chosen few. In distributing the six most im- 
 portant offices, he assigned two to the North, two 
 to the West, and two to the South. Van Buren, of 
 course, w r as appointed Secretary of State, resigning 
 the governorship of New York, after holding it 
 only seventy days. S. D. Ingham, of Pennsyl- 
 vania, Secretary of the Treasury ; John H. Eaton, 
 Secretary of War ; John Branch, of North Carolina, 
 Secretary of the Navy ; John McPherson Berrien, 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 343 
 
 of Georgia, Attorney-General; Win. T. Barry, of 
 Kentucky, Postmaster-General. Such, then, was 
 the Cabinet of the new President. With the ex- 
 ception of Mr. Van Buren, its members had no 
 great influence over the measures of their chief and 
 play no great part in the general history of the 
 times. There were other individuals who stooa \ 
 nearer to the President than they did, and who ex- 
 erted over him a far more powerful influence. 
 Major W. B. Lewis, of Nashville, to whom, more 
 than to any other, General Jackson owed his elec- 
 tion to the presidency, one of his oldest and 
 stanchest friends, had accompanied the General 
 to Washington, and remained a member of his 
 family, being appointed to an Auditorship of the 
 Treasury. General Duff Green, Editor of the 
 United States Telegraph, St. Louis ; Editor Isaac Hill 
 from New Hampshire, and Amos Kendall, late an 
 editor of a Jackson paper in Kentucky, all of whom 
 had been most indefatigable and zealous in their 
 support of General Jackson during the campaign, 
 were all three much about the person of the Presi- 
 dent during the first months of his administration, 
 and were supposed to have most of his confidence. 
 These four — Lewis, Green, Hill, and Kendall — \ 
 were in consequence stigmatized by the opposition 
 as the Kitchen Cabinet. 
 
 Among the powers entrusted to the honor of 
 President of the United States was the power of 
 removing from office, without trial or notice, the 
 civil employees of the Government. In the civil 
 service of the country, every man holds his place 
 at the will of the head of the Government. The 
 early Presidents disposed of the places in their 
 
344 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 gift with a scrupulous conscientiousness which is 
 most delightful to observe. Washington set a 
 nobW example. During his administration of 
 eight years, he only removed nine persons from 
 office, all for good and sufficient cause, with Which 
 politics had nothing whatever to do. The example 
 of Washington was followed by his successors, and 
 up to the hour of the delivery of General Jack- 
 son's inaugural address, it was supposed that he, 
 too, would act upon the principles of his predeces- 
 sors. But the sun had not gone down upon the day\ 
 of his inauguration when it was known in all offi- 
 cial circles that there would be a removal from 
 office of all who had conspicuously opposed, and 
 an appointment to office of those who had con- 
 spicuously aided, the election of the new President. 
 The work was promptly begun, and soon there was 
 a reign of terror all over Washington. The great 
 body of officials awaited their fate in silent dread, 
 and so numerous were the removals that the busi- 
 ness of the place became paralyzed. In fact, the 
 old system of appointments and removals was 
 changed, from the accession of General Jackson, to 
 
 Cthe one in vogue ever since, which has been aptly 
 described as " to the victor belong the spoils." It 
 is not our intention here to enter into any dis- 
 cussion regarding the evils of this system, which 
 are but too apparent to every one — a system which 
 renders pure, decent, and orderly government al- 
 most impossible. 
 
 The course of the administration with regard to 
 removals caused so loud and general a clamor as 
 to inspire the opposition with new hopes. The old 
 Federalists who had supported General Jackson 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 345 
 
 were especially shocked, and occasionally the of- 
 ficers who were so summarily removed did not sub- 
 mit to the process without protesting. It must be 
 here mentioned, as a matter of justice to his friend 
 Major Lewis, that the latter was most strenuously 
 opposed to this fatal removal policy from begin- 
 ing to end, but without avail. At the meeting of 
 Congress on December 7th, 1829, General Jackson's 
 first Message was delivered, and was a most im- 
 portant paper, marked with a calm deliberateness 
 of tone, characteristic of the General. It was full 
 of brief, pregnant paragraphs, the most prominent 
 and important of which was one which sounded the 
 first note of war against the United States Bank, 
 and two others defending the course of the Gov- 
 ernment in its removals and appointments, the 
 leading ideas of which were that a long tenure of 
 office is almost necessarily corrupting; that an 
 office-holder has no more right to his office than an 
 office-seeker ; and that if any one had a right to 
 complain of a removal from office, it was not the 
 luckless individual who had been suddenly de- 
 prived of the means of subsistence without cause. 
 The Message was, upon the whole, a candid and 
 straightforward document, announcing plainly a 
 policy of the administration, which was carried out 
 with a consistency and a resolution rarely paral- 
 leled. The debates began, and were most carefully 
 watched by President Jackson. The proceedings 
 of the Senate were the first to kindle his wrath. 
 The Senate was not so disposed to confirm as the 
 President had been to appoint. A large number 
 of his nominations were opposed, and several on 
 which he had set his heart were rejected. The 
 
346 LIFE OF GENEEAL JACKSON. 
 
 most remarkable case was that of Isaac Hill (one of 
 the Kitchen Cabinet before referred to). It was the 
 one that gave the President the deepest offence, and 
 which he avenged most promptly and strikingly. 
 The term of Senator Woodbury, for New Hamp- 
 shire, was about to expire, and through the influ- 
 ence of the President and his party, Isaac Hill was 
 taken up by the Jackson men with prompt enthu- 
 siasm for the seat, and he was elected by an unu- 
 sual majority, thus coming back to Washington a 
 member of the body that had deemed him unworthy 
 of a far less elevated post. 
 
 The removal and appointment question was ably 
 discussed in both Houses, and many plans were sug- 
 gested for restricting the dread power of removal, 
 but of course nothing could be, or was done, against 
 so powerful an administrative majority in the House. 
 
 The Bank of the United States enjoyed two tri- 
 umphs during the session. The Committee of 
 Ways and Means, to which had been referred that 
 part of the President's Message that related to the 
 bank, reported strongly in favor of the existing 
 bank, and as strongly against the bank proposed 
 by the President. Later on in the session other 
 resolutions, which were introduced adverse to the 
 bank, were laid upon the table by a vote of eighty- 
 nine to sixty-six. But notwithstanding these tri- 
 umphs, the bank was a doomed bank. This was 
 the session of Congress which was remarkable for 
 the great debate between Mr. Hayne and Mr. Web- 
 ster, the preliminary debate on Nullification, a new 
 and distinct doctrine in the United States, em- 
 bracing such questions as State-Rights, Liberty be- 
 fore Union, Inequality of Burdens and Benefits. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 347 
 
 Of this party Mr. Calhoun was regarded by South- 
 ern extremists as their predestined chief, and they 
 were in the habit of giving utterance to sentiments 
 regarding the Union which thrilled with horror the 
 patriotic spirits of those days. The Nullifies evi- 
 dently expected that the President, having been 
 elected by the aid of the extreme Southern or 
 State-Rights party, would have given them some 
 show of acquiescence and support. But in this 
 they were quickly deceived, as he took occasion, on 
 the birthday of Thomas Jefferson (April 13th), to 
 dve the toast which electrified the country and 
 has become historical, 
 
 11 Our Federal Union: It mud be preserved," 
 
 intended by him as a proclamation from the Presi- 
 dent to announce a plot against the Union, and to 
 summon the people to its defence. 
 ' Congress adjourned on the thirty-first of May, 
 and shortly after a most serious rupture took place f 
 between General Jackson and the Vice-President, 
 Mr. Calhoun. General Jackson's antipathy to Mr. 
 Calhoun was of long standing, — so far back as 
 December, 1829,— and it now broke out, so far as 
 the President was concerned, into avowed and irrec- 
 oncilable hostility. In reviewing the whole affair, 
 at once so trivial and yet so important in its effect 
 upon the course of political events, there is no evi- 
 dence, that we can see, that Mr. Calhoun was guilty 
 of the duplicity towards General Jackson of which 
 the latter accused him. Not only was he not 
 bound to communicate to General Jackson the 
 transactions of the Cabinet Council, but he was 
 bound not to reveal them. Nor does it appear that 
 
348 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 he ever professed, publicly or privately, to General 
 Jackson, or to any one else, that he approved all 
 of the General's proceedings in Florida. He ad- 
 mitted and believed that General Jackson's motives 
 had been patriotic, and if he disapproved of some 
 of them, the General surely had no right to make 
 that a ground of offence. Mr. Calhoun's only mis- 
 take was in his replying to the General's first letter 
 in any other way except to civilly decline giving 
 the desired information. Had he done this, Gen- 
 eral Jackson might still have hated hiin, but he 
 could never have despised him. A manly defiance 
 General Jackson liked next to complete submission. 
 One result of this feud between the President and 
 Vice-President was the defection of one of the 
 oldest and stanch est friends of the former, Duff 
 Green, whose paper, the United States Telegraph, 
 was the organ of the administration, and on which 
 they depended for aid in the contest with the Bank 
 of the United States, which they saw impending. 
 Duff Green began to take the side of Calhoun, it 
 being, as he said, " the side of truth and honor ; " so 
 the administration determined to establish another 
 organ, and the man selected as being the best fitted 
 for the editorship of the proposed organ was Francis 
 P. Blair, of Kentucky, one of the most decided op- 
 ponents of the bank in the Union and also of Nul- 
 lification. Like Jonah's gourd, the Globe, the new 
 organ, sprang into existence almost in a single 
 night, and it soon, by getting more than its share 
 of departmental printing, was on a paying basis. 
 Being recognized as the administration organ, sub- 
 scribers poured in by hundreds in a day, office- 
 holders seeing that it was to their interest to 
 take it. 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 349 
 
 Congress again met on December 6th, 1830, and 
 the second Message of the President was read, 
 one of the most carefully elaborated documents 
 ever presented to Congress, touching upon the 
 leading topics then agitating the public mind with 
 great skill and powerful argument. It concluded 
 with a second and louder warning to the United 
 States Bank. Only one event in this short session 
 of Congress, ending March 3d, 1831, was Colonel 
 Benton's first formal attack upon the bank, which 
 was a very able and effective speech, and which 
 roused the people ; the instant it was delivered, a 
 vote was called for and taken, resulting in a strong 
 vote against the bank — twenty to twenty-three — 
 enough to excite uneasiness. 
 
 Towards the close of this brief but uneventful 
 session of Congress, Mr. Calhoun published his 
 " book," containing his late correspondence with 
 the President, and a mass of letters and statements 
 illustrative thereof. This pamphlet was discussed 
 in a strictly partisan spirit— all the opposition pa- 
 pers applauding it, and all the Jackson organs con- 
 demning it as an attack upon the President. The 
 President's retort was prompt, adroit, and over- 
 whelming. By a series of skilful movements he 
 shelved the three members of his Cabinet — Ing- 
 ham, Branch, and Berrien — who were Calhoun's 
 friends and political allies. A dissolution of the 
 Cabinet was the expedient hit upon. Mr. Van Bu- 
 ren and Major Eaton were to resign and to be pro- 
 vided for— the former going to England in place 
 of Mr. McLane, who was recalled to be Secretary 
 of the Treasury, and the latter it was intended to 
 appoint to a seat in the Senate. The obnoxious 
 30 
 
350 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 three were asked for their resignations, which of 
 course they tendered. The dissolution, its causes 
 and consequences, and the many scandals it gave 
 rise to, of which we cannot here speak, were the 
 newspaper topic of the whole summer. Mr. Webster 
 took a very serious view of the prospect before his 
 — the opposition — party. He wrote to Mr. Clay, 
 in October, urging his return to the Senate. " We 
 are to have an interesting and arduous session. 
 Everything is to be attacked. An array is prepar- 
 ing, much more formidable than has ever yet as- 
 saulted what we think the leading and important 
 public interests. Not only the tariff, but the Con- 
 stitution itself, in its elementary and fundamental 
 principles, will be assailed with talent, vigor, and 
 union. Everything is to be debated, as if nothing 
 had ever been settled." 
 
 This was true. Nullification hung like a dark 
 cloud over the Southern horizon. South Carolina 
 was in a ferment, and, unless the tariff was rectified 
 at the next session, she might do such things as 
 then she knew not of. 
 
 The next session was the great session of Jackson's 
 administration. Illustrious names, great debates, 
 extraordinary incidents, momentous measures, all 
 combined to make it a memorable one in the his- 
 tory of the country. 
 
 The Message was, strange to say, one of the 
 quietest and shortest ever presented to Congress 
 by General Jackson. Without delay, and without 
 even a debate, the Senate confirmed the nomina- 
 tions of the new members of the Cabinet. Not so 
 the nomination of Mr. Van Buren to the post of 
 British Ambassador. The leaders of the Senate 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 351 
 
 had resolved upon his rejection, and after prelimi- 
 nary manoeuvres, lasting fifty-one days, and a de- 
 bate of two days, the nomination of Mr. Van Buren 
 was rejected. 
 
 The rejection secured Mr. Van Buren's political 
 fortune. His elevation to the presidency, long 
 before desired and intended by General Jackson, 
 from that hour became one of his darling objects. 
 
 The two great topics of the session were the 
 tariff and the bank. As it wore on, the all-im- 
 portant question was "Shall the Bank of the 
 United States be rechartered, or shall it not?" 
 
 On January 9th, 1832, a memorial was presented 
 from the President and Directors of the Bank, 
 asking a renewal of their charter, — a memorial 
 couched in language most modest and respectful. 
 It was a prominent subject of debate during all the 
 winter and spring of 1832. January, February, 
 March, April, May, and June passed away before 
 the final passage of the bank bill was voted upon ; 
 and never was exhibited so striking an illustration 
 of the maxim that will, not talent, governs the world. 
 The will of one man, General Jackson, operating 
 upon the will of one other man, Thomas H. Ben- 
 ton, carried the day against the assembled talent 
 and the interested capital of the country. 
 
 The bill rechartering the bank passed the Sen- 
 ate, on June 11th, by a vote of 28 to 20, and the 
 House, on July 3d, by a vote of 109 to 76. It was 
 presented to the President on July 4th, and by him 
 returned to Congress, vetoed, on the 10th of the 
 same month. 
 
 There was rare speaking in the Senate on the 
 reception of the veto message. Mr. Webster 
 
352 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 opened the debate by predicting the direst conse- 
 quences to the country, unless the people, at the 
 approaching election, reversed the President's de- 
 cision. Mr. Clay followed, and so the discussion 
 was kept up until Congress adjourned on July 
 16th. 
 
 The result of the election of 1832 astonished 
 everybody. Not the wildest and most enthusiastic 
 Jackson man had anticipated so overwhelming a 
 victory. The total number of electoral votes in 
 1832 was 282. General Jackson received 219, and 
 Mr. Van Buren, for the Vice-Presidency, received 
 189. 
 
 How can such a result be explained? Only that 
 General Jackson was right in all his leading public 
 measures, excepting his appointment and removal 
 policy, and that he was supported by the masses 
 of the people. 
 
 We now come to the topic of Nullification, which 
 was one of the most momentous during the admin- 
 istration of General Jackson. This word Nullifi- 
 cation was first introduced into American politics 
 as early as 1798, when the passage of the alien and 
 sedition laws prompted the Legislatures of Virginia 
 and Kentucky to adopt what are known as the 
 " Resolutions of '98," of which Madison and Jeffer- 
 son were the authors. The interpretation put on 
 these resolutions by the Nullifiers of 1832 was this : 
 Any single State may nullify any act of Congress 
 which it deems unconstitutional. The extreme 
 Nullifiers even boldly avowed that the Resolutions 
 of 1798 meant that any State of the Union may secede 
 from the Union whenever it likes. The language of 
 Mr. Calhoun amounted to this, and nothing short 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 353 
 
 of that. He proposed a nullification of a revenue 
 law, and a revenue law must be universal in its 
 operation, or it cannot anywhere be obeyed. The 
 comment of General Jackson on this reasoning 
 was forcible and about the best the discussion 
 elicited. "If this thing goes on," he said, "our 
 country will be like a bag of meal with both ends 
 open. Pick it up in the middle or endwise, it will 
 run out." 
 
 The contrast between the slow and limited pros- 
 perity of the South and the swift and marvellous 
 progress of the North, was never so remarkable as 
 it was during the administration of General Jack- 
 son. The North was bounding forward on a bright 
 career ; but the South was paralyzed and desolate. 
 As the first years of General Jackson's administra- 
 tion wore away without giving the South that relief 
 which they had hoped from it, the discontent of the 
 Southern people increased. Circumstances gave 
 them a new and telling argument. In 1831, the 
 public debt had been so far diminished, as to render 
 it certain that in three years the last dollar of it 
 would be paid. The government had been collect- 
 ing about twice as much revenue as its annual 
 expenditures required. In three years, therefore, 
 there would be an annual surplus of twelve or 
 thirteen millions of dollars. The South demanded, 
 with almost a united voice, that the duties should 
 be reduced so as to make the revenue equal to the 
 expenditure, and that, in making this reduction, 
 the principle of protection should be, in effect, 
 abandoned. 
 
 The case was one of serious difficulty. To re- 
 duce the revenue at one swoop thirteen millions of 
 30* 
 
354 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 dollars, would be disastrous to all the manufactur- 
 ing interests of the country. At this juncture, Mr. 
 Clay returned to the Senate in December, 1831, 
 and, after an able and exhaustive discussion, pro- 
 posed that " the duties on articles imported from 
 foreign countries, and not coming into competition 
 with similar articles produced in the United States, 
 be forthwith abolished, except the duties on wines 
 and silks, and that those be reduced." A bill in 
 accordance with this was passed by both Houses, 
 and signed by the President, preserving the pro- 
 tective principle intact, and reducing the income 
 *of the government about three millions of dollars. 
 A month after Congress adjourned, the Vice-Presi- 
 dent went home to South Carolina, and the discon- 
 tent of the South was inflamed to such a degree, 
 that the Legislature of the State of South Carolina 
 called a convention of its citizens to take into con- 
 sideration the late action of Congress. The con- 
 vention met on November 19th, 1832, and a com- 
 mittee of twenty-one appointed, the result of whose 
 labors was the celebrated Nullifying Ordinance of 
 November 24th, 1832. The people of the State ac- 
 cepted this ordinance, and the Legislature passed 
 the act requisite for carrying it into practical effect. 
 The Governor was authorized to accept the services 
 of volunteers, and the State resounded with the 
 noise of warlike preparations. Medals were struck 
 bearing the inscription, " John C. Calhoun, First 
 President of the Southern Confederacy." Mr. Cal- 
 houn was selected to fill the vacancy created in the 
 Senate of the United States by the election of Mr. 
 Haynes to the governorship, and resigning the vice- 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 355 
 
 presidency, he began his journey to Washington, 
 leaving his State in the wildest ferment. 
 
 General Jackson at this time was at his home, 
 the Hermitage; but he kept an eye on South Caro- 
 lina, and General Scott was quietly ordered to South 
 Carolina. Other changes were made by the Presi- 
 dent in the disposition of naval and military forces, 
 so resolved was he to preserve intact the authority 
 with which he had been entrusted. 
 
 Congress met on the 3d of December. The 
 President's Message was an unusually quiet and 
 business-like document; but it was followed, a few 
 days after, by another of a very different tenor 
 — that remarkable proclamation refuting one by 
 one the leading positions of the Nullifiers, which 
 electrified the North, as it irritated the excited 
 feeling of South Carolina. This proclamation was 
 answered by a counter-proclamation from the Gov- 
 ernor of the lattel- State, calling upon his fellow- 
 citizens to "disregard the menaces of military force, 
 which, if the President was tempted to employ, it 
 would become their solemn duty to resist." When 
 this reached Washington, the President asked Con- 
 gress for an increase of power adequate to the im- 
 pending collision, which was granted him. 
 
 The collision, however, fortunately, was averted 
 by the passage of what was called a compromise 
 bill, introduced by Mr. Clay, for the regulation of 
 the tariff, proposing a gradual reduction of duties, 
 and intended to postpone further action until a 
 more auspicious day. To this bill Mr. Calhoun 
 agreed, and even voted for, and it was passed by a 
 vote of 119 to 85. General Jackson disapproved 
 
356 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 of this hasty and, as it proved, unstable compro- 
 mise ; but he signed it. 
 
 As soon as it was passed, Mr. Calhoun left Wash- 
 ington, and travelling night and day reached Col- 
 umbia in time to meet the convention before they 
 had taken any further steps. His explanation sat- 
 isfied them, and so the storm, which at one time 
 had seemed so threatening and imminent, passed 
 over. 
 
 General Jackson passed his sixty-sixth birthday 
 in the spring of 1833. He stood then in the zenith 
 of his career, opposition being for the moment al- 
 most silenced, and the whole country, except South 
 Carolina, looking up to him as to a saviour. Had 
 he only gone on quietly during the remaining years 
 of his term, making no new issues and provoking 
 no new controversies, it would have been better 
 for him ; but going on quietly was not his forte. 
 
 Hardly had the Nullification (Question been set- 
 tled, as it were, than war was again renewed upon 
 the Bank of the United States. General Jackson 
 had recommended to Congress, in his Message of 
 December, 1832, to sell out the stock held by the 
 United States in the bank, and to investigate its 
 condition, with a view to ascertain whether the 
 public deposits were safe in its keeping. Congress, 
 however, voted down these propositions by im- 
 mense majorities ; but this did not divert the Presi- 
 dent from his fixed purpose. He believed that the 
 bank was insolvent, and that unless he could crip- 
 ple the institution before Congress again met, the 
 bank would certainly attain a two-thirds majority. 
 The idea occurred to him then " to remove the de- 
 posits," not in the actual sense of removing what 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 357 
 
 deposits there were then in the bank, but to ceme de- 
 positing the public money in its vault, and to draw 
 out what was there as the public service required. 
 It was proposed, instead of depositing the public 
 money in the Bank of the United States and its 
 twenty-five branches, to deposit it in a similar 
 number of State Banks. 
 
 This measure was strongly opposed by every 
 member of the Cabinet but two, and a large ma- 
 jority of the President's best friends from the be- 
 ginning to the end. The Secretary of the Treasury, 
 Mr. Duane, positively refused to sanction any such 
 measure, and desired the whole subject presented 
 in the clearest light before Congress, being fully 
 confident that they would correct the abuses and 
 avert the mischief apprehended by the President. 
 General Jackson then caused to be read to the 
 Cabinet the paper known to history as " The paper 
 read to the Cabinet on the 18th of September." 
 In this he takes upon himself the sole responsibility 
 of the removal, and names the first day of October 
 next as the day the deposits would be removed. 
 Two days later, the President announced in the 
 Globe that the Government would cease to deposit 
 the public money in the Bank of the United States 
 after October 1st. The Secretary of the Treasury 
 refused to order the change in the fiscal system an- 
 nounced in the financial newspaper, and remaining 
 firm in his refusal, the President removed him from 
 the Secretaryship, and appointed Mr. Roger B. 
 Taney, then Attorney-General, in his place. 
 
 When Congress met on December 2d, the Presi- 
 dent, in his Message, again avowed the measure 
 of the removal of the deposits to be his own meas- 
 
358 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 lire. This question was the "topic of the day from 
 the first week in December, 1833, to the last day of 
 June, 1834. Indeed, it was the great topic from 
 
 1833 to 1842. It lived through the panic of 1S34, 
 the inflation of 1835, the madness of 1836, the 
 crash of 1837, the depression of 1838 to 1842, and 
 only received its quietus in 1844. The result of 
 the whole discussion was the Sub-treasury — a re- 
 sult which might have been reached just as well in 
 
 1834 as* in 1838. 
 
 The 8th of January, 1835, was the day which 
 General Jackson esteemed as the most glorious of 
 his presidency. It was the anniversary of the battle 
 of New Orleans, and was seized as the occasion to 
 celebrate the payment of the last instalment of the 
 public debt. The parties made the most of this 
 auspicious event by a banquet of more than ordi- 
 nary magnificence, given at Washington on the 8th 
 of January, 1835. On the 30th of the same month, 
 his life was twice attempted by a lunatic named 
 Lawrence, but luckily both times the pistol missed 
 fire. 
 
 The Message of 1835, the last but one of General 
 Jackson's annual communications to Congress, de- 
 mands a moment's notice from us. The country 
 seemed to be prosperous beyond example. The 
 national debt was paid, and there was a surplus in 
 the treasury of eleven millions. The President's 
 love of a hard currency appeared conspicuously in 
 this Message. 
 
 One of the most important acts passed by this 
 Congress was the State Deposit Act of 1836. Con- 
 gress sat until the 4th of July, and adjourned with- 
 out introducing any measure to put a stop to the 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 359 
 
 land speculations, such as compelling purchasers 
 of public lands to pay for them in specie only. 
 One week after Congress adjourned, President 
 Jackson, who saw the ruin that threatened the 
 country, if these speculations continued, issued the 
 famous "Specie Circular" on his own authority, 
 against the known will of Congress, but it came 
 too late. It could only now precipitate the crash 
 which had become inevitable. The pressure in 
 the money market increased steadily from May, 
 1836, until it ended in the stupendous ruin of May, 
 1837. 
 
 In November, 1836, General Jackson's most 
 cherished hope of the election of Mr. Van*Buren 
 to the presidency was realized, a result for which, 
 for seven years, he had schemed and labored. It 
 was a signal triumph, for it was one which se- 
 cured all the objects nearest his heart, dismayed 
 the opposition, and deprived the bank party of its. 
 last hope. During the last session of Congress, 
 at the close of General Jackson's administration, 
 the most notable act was the rescinding by both 
 Houses of the Specie Circular of 1836, which, how- 
 ever, the President killed by not acting upon it. 
 
 The inauguration of Mr. Van Buren took place 
 on the 4th of March, 1837, and on the third 
 day after General Jackson began his homeward 
 journey. He was seventy years of age when he 
 retired from the presidency — an infirm old man, 
 seldom free from pain for an hour, never for a day, 
 and poor. He said himself that he returned home 
 " with only ninety dollars " in his pocket. During 
 the next few years he lived the life of a planter, 
 enjoying the society of his adopted son and his 
 
360 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON - . 
 
 amiable and estimable wife. They and their chil- 
 dren were the only consolation of his old age. 
 Surrounded by an affectionate circle of friends, he 
 passed many happy days, and most of his latter 
 days would have been happy had it not been for 
 his being frequently reduced by illness to the con- 
 dition of a helpless invalid. 
 
 The Hermitage was still, as ever, the seat of hos- 
 pitality, and was visited not only by his numer- 
 ous friends, but by many strangers, who came to 
 see the " General. " All were welcomed cordially, 
 whether they were friends or strangers. 
 
 The ex-President took as lively an interest as 
 ever in the fortunes of his party after his retire- 
 ment from public life. When, in 1840, General 
 Harrison was re-nominated, General Jackson ex- 
 erted himself powerfully to secure his friend Mr. 
 Van Buren's re-election, even to the extent of 
 making personally a considerable tour in the west- 
 ern part of Tennessee to aid his cause. 
 
 In 1842 General Jackson became sadly embar- 
 rassed through the misfortunes of his son, and, as 
 a last resource, he applied to his fast friend, Mr. 
 Blair, of the Globe, who was then in affluent cir- 
 cumstances. Ten thousand dollars was the sum 
 needed, and Mr. Blair not only resolved on the in- 
 stant to lend the money, but to lend it on the Gen- 
 eral's personal security, and to make the loan as 
 closely resemble a gift as the General's delicacy 
 would permit it to be. Upon reading Mr. Blair's 
 letter, the old man burst into tears, but would ac- 
 cept the money only on conditions which secured 
 his friend against any possibility of loss. 
 
 We come now to the closing scenes of the life of 
 
LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 361 
 
 General Jackson. Inheriting a constitution that 
 was never strong, he had been for thirty-one years a 
 diseased man. During the first six years after his 
 retirement from the presidency his health was not 
 much worse than it had usually been in Washington. 
 The attacks of hemorrhage, to which he was still 
 subject, left him weaker than he had ever been be- 
 fore, and during the last two years of his life he 
 never really rallied from these "attacks, and knew 
 few, and those very brief, intervals of relief from 
 pain. A cough harassed him day and night, and 
 he had all the symptoms of consumption. Six 
 months before his death dropsy set in, and he was 
 alternately swollen by dropsy and prostrated by 
 diarrhoea. 
 
 The patience which he displayed during these 
 months of dissolution was sublime. No pain, 
 however severe, ever wrung from this naturally 
 most irascible of men a fretful or complaining 
 word. 
 
 On Sunday, May 24th, 1845, the last Sunday but 
 two of his life, General Jackson partook of the 
 communion in the presence of his family. He 
 conversed freely of the consolation of religion, and 
 declared that he was fully prepared for the 'final 
 summons. "Death," said he, after the solemn 
 ceremony was over, " has no terrors for me. When 
 I have suffered sufficiently, the Lord will take me 
 to himself; but what are my sufferings com- 
 pared with those of the blessed Saviour who died 
 on the accursed tree for my sake? Mine are 
 nothing." 
 
 On the Friday before he died, in an interval of 
 comparative relief, he expressed to his daughter his 
 31 
 
— jf^C. 
 
 362 LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 fOU T" 
 
 desire to be buried without pomp or display of any 
 kind — only in a plain, unostentatious manner. 
 Even at this supreme moment his thoughts were 
 directed to the affairs of his beloved country, and 
 he dictated a letter to the President, Polk, express- 
 ing confidence in his judgment and patriotism, and 
 urging him to act promptly and resolutely in the 
 affairs of Texas and Oregon. This was his last 
 letter. 
 
 He saw the light of another Sunday morning — 
 June 8th — a brilliant, hot day. He lingered all 
 the day, lying tranquil and without pain, at inter- 
 vals recognizing his children and friends who sur- 
 rounded his death-bed, and sending farewell mes- 
 sages to others who were not present. At six in 
 the evening he passed away quietly, without a 
 struggle or a pang. 
 
 Two days after he was laid to rest in the grave, 
 by the side of his beloved wife. All Nashville and 
 the surrounding country were present at the fu- 
 neral — not less than three thousand persons, it was 
 estimated — and the ceremonies were of the most 
 impressive and touching character. The tablet 
 which covers the remains of the aged warrior beara 
 the following inscription : 
 
 General Andrew Jackson. 
 
 Born on the 15th of March, 1767. 
 
 Died on the 8th of June, 1845. 
 
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