I THE YOUNG AMERICAN'S LIBRARY; * A USEFUL AND ATTRACTIVE SERIES OF BOOKS FOR { YOUNO PEOPLE: < EMBRACING EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE EARLY HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, > AND LIVES OF ITS DISTINGUISHED MEN. i Written with much care, and in an entertaining and instructive manner. I WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS, AND BEAUTIFULLY > ILLUMINATED TITLE PAGES. LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. ILLUSTRATIONS. Franklin as a Tallow Chandler. F'ranklin at the Priritin? I'ress. FriiiiHlin's fir?: Arrival in Philadelphia. Frauklu) actrn^ as his own Purler. The Philadelphia Library, founded by Franklin. Franklin attractins Lisrhtnin? from the Clouds. Fi.4nk.m b>is:niii?the Declaration of Independence. Franklin as a Statesman. LIFE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. ILLUSTRATIONS. Washington ai Eighteen. NVashiiiston C'n)ssmff the Alleghany. Surrender of Cornwailis. A Vievr uf Mount V«;mon. Washine:ton Crossing the Delaware. Wa.tcr Kishiiii; iit Fryburir. \^ il(sl('r Denltinii? the Clerkship. \N < :hst<-r Ex|«>uiiiliiif; the I'oiiblitution. The niinker Hill Celehration. Webster at Faneuil Hall. .\tarshfield. the Kesulence of Webster. V\ebster on his Farm. \ '"^1 (y »»%»»»»*»» »%^^» »»»^» ^%»»» »»»»» »^»%s%»»»^»»'>%»»^%»»»»»»v^»v»»»%»»»»»»»»*^» A. I LINDSAY Si, BLAKISTON'S PUBLICATIONS. I LIFE OF HENRY CLAY. ILLUSTRATIONS. Henry Clay the Statesman. The V'illa^e Scliool. The Birthtilace of Clay. The MUl fioy of the Slashes. The Debating Society. Holivar Keadiii°: Clay's Speech to the Army. The Residence of Mr. Clay. The Torchlight Procession. LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON. ILLUSTRATIONS. A Portrait of Jackson. Jackson's Presence of Mind. Jackson's Narrow Escape. Jackson and the Acorns. Jackson as Jndg-e. Jack.«on and the Indian Prisoners. The Battle of New Orleans. Jackson at tlie Hermitage. LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. ILLUSTRATIONS. Napoleon's Snow Fortress. I'he Uatile of the Pyramids. Napoiedn's Retreat from Russia. Napoleon's Return from Elba. I The Bridge of Areola. I The B.ittle of Marengo. I Napoleon before the Battle of Austerlitz. I Napoleon Drawing a Plan of Attack. THE YANKEE TEA-PARTY, AND OTHER STORIES OF THE REVOLUTION. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Boston Tea-Party. Hezekiah VVyman. Mr. Bleeker and his Son. Tarleton Breaking the Horse. Lee's Legion. Seizure of the Bettys. Exploit of Colonel McLain. General Morgan. THE OLD BELL OF INDEPENDENCE, OR PHILADELPHIA IN 1776. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Old State House Bell. Washington's Prayer for the Dying Soldier. Defeat of the Skinners at Deadman's Lake. > The Story of the Half-Breed . The Outlaws of the Pines. The Battle of the Kegs. Capture of General Prescott. Riley going to the Place of Execution. LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR. ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait of General Taylor. Defence of Fort Harrison. Battle of Okee Chobee. Capture of General La Vega. The Streets of Monterey. Capitulation of Monterey. General Taylor Never Surrenders. Charge of the Kentuckians at Buena VUta. ^^- Each of these volumes is well written, in a high, moral tone, by respon- sible authors, and contains numerous anecdotes, illustrative of the early and latter t history of our country. The compact style in which these works are written, as well as their low price, make them well adapted for Family, School, or District Libraries. Price per Volame, 56i Cents, Cloth gilt. In Setts, neatly done up in Boxes, $6 75. f^^^^^ »^^i»»»»%»»»»V»V%S» »^»»»»s»^»^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLIMANA CB J13L C.2 4 4 6i.^o/e«x-^ >TVM^ ( UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL I 00032195865 FOR USE ONLY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION S LIBRARY. ON; en eeRT*cuj PORTRAIT OF JACKSON. THE YOUNG AMERICAN'S LIBRARY. LIFE OP ANDREW JACKSON; EMBRACING ANECDOTES ILLUSTRATIVE OF HIS CHARACTER. i^^itli 3lliistrittiniij5. PHILADELPHIA: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. Euteiea, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, in the clerk's office ot tne District Court of tho Eastern District of Pennsylvania. STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. (2) cs PREFACE. N the 8th day of June, less than one month ago — died, in the fullness of his years and honours, the great citizen and soldier, Andrew JacksoN: It will be for the men of another age to pass a calm and enduring judgment upon the influence of his remarkable career upon the character and destinies of the nation. But as a military commander of the most splendid abilities ; as a statesman who has occupied the highest place in the gift of the people, with a courage and strength of intellect which have made his name familiar through the world ; as a brave, patriotic and higli- souled A31ERICAN ; he is even now contemplated by the men of every opinion and party. (3) IV PREFACE. He lived a hero, and died a Christian. He is gone from a world where he was recognised as among the greatest of men, to an immortal com- panionship with the greatest and purest of all the ages. We have, in this little volume, sketched his his- tory with carefulness and candour, and present the record to our young countrymen, to be placed with that of the life of our Washington, among the models to be imitated by all who would attain a similar elevation in the world. Fhiladelphia, July 4, 1845. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. BiRTn and Parentage of Jackson — Death of his Father — An exemplary Mother — Jackson is sent to School Page 9 CHAPTER II. Life during the Revolutionary War — Invasion of South Carolina by the British — Attack on the Waxhaw Settlement — Jackson enters the Amer- ican Army — His first Field — His quickness of conception — A desperate Affair — A Stratagem of the Enemy — Capture of Jackson — Attempted in- dignity — Resistance of Jackson — He is wounded — Hobkirk Hill — Anec- dote 13 CHAPTER III. Close of the Revolutionary War — Death of Jackson's Brother and Mother — Severe Illness — Jackson enters upon the enjoyment of his Patrimony — Squanders it — Sudden resolution — Jackson studies Law — Is admitted to Practice — Receives the appointment of Solicitor 22 CHAPTER IV. Jackson emigrates to Tennessee — Anecdotes of his Life while practising as a Lawyer — A hazardous Adventure — Timely warning 25 CHAPTER V. Jackson locates himself permanently at Nashville — Expeditions against the Indians — "Sharp Knife" — Jackson makes the acquaintance of Mrs. Ro- bards — His Marriage ^1 C5) ■% VI CONTENTS. CtlAPTER VI. Jackson applies himself to his Profession — Trouble with the " Bullies" — He is elected a Representative in Congress — Resigns — Is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee — Anecdote — He resigns the Judgeship —Retirement 35 CHAPTER VIT. A Duel — Jackson enters into the Mercantile business — Dishonesty of hia Partner — Noble conduct of Jackson 39 CHAPTER VIII. Adventure with an Indian Agent 42 CHAPTER IX. War of 1812 — Jackson is placed in command of twenty-five hundred men — Marc.hes to Natchez — Is ordered by the Secretary of War to dismiss his men — Refuses — Returns to Tennessee 45 CHAPTER X. The Indian Campaign — Massacre at Fort Mimms — Jackson again takes the Field — Battle of Tallushatchee — An Indian protege 52 CHAPTER XI. Battle of Talladega 60 CHAPTER XII. Privations of the Army — Anecdote — Mutiny of the Troops — Firmness of Jackson 64 CHAPTER XIII. Battle of Emuckfaw — Of Enotochopco — Cowardice of Stump and Perkins 77 CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER XIV. Battle of Tohopeka — Kindness of Jackson 82 CHAPTER XV Continuation of the Indian Campaign — Jackson's Address to the Army — Submission of the Indians — Disbanding of the Troops 88 CHAPTER XVI. Southern Campaign against the British — Jackson is appointed a Major-Gcn- eral of the United States — Duphcity of the Spanish Governor of Pensacola — Defeat of the British at Fort Bovvyer — Jackson captures Pensacola— Approach of a large hostile Force 95 CHAPTER XVII. Jackson at New Orleans — Discouraging circumstances 100 CHAPTER XVm. Battle of the 23d of December 103 CHAPTER XIX. Further operations — Fortification of the City — Supposed disaffection Skii mish of the 1st of January 119 CHAPTER XX. Eighth of January, 1815 — A Deserter — The British advance to the attack — Terrible slaughter — Fall of Packenham — Defeat of the British Re- ward of Treachery 13q CHAPTER XXI. New Orleans after the Battle — Jackson is fined one thousand dollars. . . 141 VUl CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXa. Jackson returns to Tennessee — Difficulties with the Seminoles — Jackson en* ters Florida — Captures St. Mark's — Execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister Destruction of Suwaney and Mickasuky — Jackson takes possession of Pensacola — End of the Seminole Campaign 146 CHAPTER XXni. Jackson after the Seminole War 154 CHAPTER XXIV. Acquisition of the Floridas — Jackson appointed Governor — Enters upon the duties of his office — His resignation — He is elected a Senator of the United States 157 CHAPTER XXV. Jackson is nominated for the Presidency — Receives a majority of the popular vote, but is defeated in the House of Representatives — Jackson's second nomination — He is triumphantly elected in 1828 — Re-elected in 1832 — Retires from public life 165 CHAPTER XXVI. The last hours of Jackson — His Death - 168 CHAPTER XXVII. Funeral Honours — Character of Jackson — His personal appearance. ... 178 LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON. CHAPTER I. HIS BIRTH AND PARENTAGE. NDREW JACKSON was born on the 15th of March, 1767, in the state of South Carohna. This distinguished hero can trace no line of splendid ancestry. He may, however, boast of having sprung from a race distinguished for honesty, courage, and generous hospitality. His father (Andrew) was the youngest son of a Scotch family, whose ancestors had at some remote period emigrated to the north of Ireland. To escape the troubles brought upon that country by the English government, Andrew Jackson, with his wife and two sons, Hugh and Robert, emigrated to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1765. Having (Q^ 10 LIFE O F purchased a tract of land in what was then called the "Waxhaw settlement," (about forty-five miles above Camden, and near the boundary line of North Carolina,) he left Charleston shortly after, and set- tled here with his family. In two years after his arrival at the Waxhaw settlement, Andrew^ Jackson, the subject of our biography, was born. Thus do we see that to no long line of titled ancestors, to no extensive connection with the wealthy and influen- tial, is General Jackson indebted for the high place he occupies fn the confidence and affections of his countrymen, and the rank he is destined to hold among the good and the great of mankind. The progress of General Jackson, from the •' plough to the presidency," is an instructive and encouraging lesson to the youth of his coun^try. Shortly after the birth of Jackson, his father died, leavino: himself and his two brothers under the sole protection and guardianship of their mother. And well did this remarkable woman deserve and execute the duties of her station. It has been said, that mana^reat men have been indebted for their success to the early principles and lessons inculcated by a wise mother. The life of General Jackson is an additional proof of the correctness of this remark ; for the many acts of female heroism, and devotion ANDREW JACKSON. 11 both to her family and her adopted country, prove that the mother of our hero was a woman of no common mind. She appears to have been an exem- plary woman, and to have executed the arduous duties which had devolved on herewith great faith- fulness and with much success. To the lessons she inculcated on the youthful minds of her sons was, no doubt, owing, in a great measure, that fixed op- position to British tyranny and oppression which afterward so much distinguished them. Often would she spend the winter's evenings in recount- ing to them the sufferings of their grandfather at the siege of Carrickfergus, and the oppressions exercised by the nobility of Ireland over the labour- ing poor ; impressing it upon them, as a first duty, to expend their lives, if it should become necessary, in defending and supporting the natural rights of man. Inheriting but a small patrimony from their father, it was impossible that all the sons could receive an expensive education. The two eldest were, there- fore, only taught the rudiments of their moth-^j- tongue, at a common country school. But Andrew, being intended by his mother for the ministry, was sent to a flourishing academy at the Waxhaw meeting-house, superintended by Mr. Humphries. 12 LIFE OF Here he was placed on the study of the dead lan- guages, and continued until the revolutionary war, extendincr its ravages into that section of South Carolina where he then was, rendered it necessary that every one sliould betake himself to the Ameri- can standard, seek protection with the enemy, or flee his country. ANDREW JACKSON. 13 CHAPTER II. LIFE DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. N 1775, when the revolutionary war broke out, Andrew Jackson was but eight years old. Although it was some years afterwards when its bloody foot- steps approached his residence, he heard of its battles and its horrors from afar, and may be said to have grown up amidst war's alarms. All around him the men were train- ing themselves for battle, and from his mother and teacher he received constant lessons of patriotic devotion. It was not long, however, before Jackson had an opportunity of being an eye-witness to the butcher- ies of a savage war. South Carolina was invaded by the British in 1779, and in the early part of 1780 the war was pushed with renewed vigour, and reached the hitherto peaceful settlement of the Waxhaws. 14 L I F E O F On the 29th May, 1780, a division of the Ameri- can army, under Colonel Buford, ^vas attacked in the Waxhaw settlement by Colonel Tarleton, and suffered a total defeat. One hundred and fifteen of the Americans were killed, and one hundred and fifty desperately wounded. Some of the men had received no less than thirteen wounds. The Wax- haw meeting-house was converted into a hospital ; and here had the young Jackson an opportunity of witnessinfif the horrors of war. The manojled bodies of his countrymen, presented a sad confirmation of those impressions made upon his youthful mind by the tales of English cruelty which he had so often heard from his mother and kindred. Shortly after this, Mrs. Jackson, with her two sons, Robert and Andrew (she had already lost her eldest, Hugh, who perished in the battle of Stono), retired before the invading army into North Caro- lina. Here she remained but a short time, and, re- turning to the Waxhaws, her two sons entered the ranks of the American army, and w^ere present at the battle of Hanging Rock, on the 6th of August, 1780, in which their corps particularly distinguished itself. This was General Jackson's first field, and he was little over thirteen years old on the day of the battle. ANDREW JACKSON. 15 In the month of September following, Mrs. Jack- son and her sons, with most of the Waxhaw set- tlers, were again compelled to retire before the Bri- tish army into North Carolina. They returned, however, in February, 1781, as soon as they heard that Lord Cornwallis had crossed the Yadkin. The war had now assumed a degree of savage ferocity. Private revenge, on both sides, found ready means of gratification in this system of partisan warfare. The laws were not enforced, and there v/ere no courts to protect innocence or punish crime,-5-men hunted each other like beasts of prey, and the sava- ges were outdone in cruelty. In such a school was our hero tutored. Boys, big enough to carry mus- kets, incurred the dangers of men. Robert and Andrew Jackson had their guns and their horses, and were almost always in company with some armed party of their kindred and neighbours. Men could not sleep unguarded in their own houses, with- out danger of being surprised and murdered. It was upon such an occasion, that Andrew Jack- son gave the first illustration of that quickness of conception, and readiness of action, which after- wards placed him in the highest rank of military chieftains. A patriot captain, named Lands, de- sired to spend a night with his family. The two 16 LIFE OF Jacksons and six others constituted his guard : they were in all nine men and seven muskets. Ilaviiii/ no expectations of an attack, they all, with the ex- ception of a British deserter, who was one of the party, went to sleep. Lands' house was in the cen- tre of an enclosed yard, and had two doors, facing east and west. In front of the east door stood a forked apple-tree. In the south-west corner of the yard were a corn-crib and stable, under one roof, ranging east and west. On the south was a wood, and through this wood passed the road which led to the house. A party of the Tories had become apprised of Lands' return, and had determined to surprise and kill him. Approaching through the wood, and tying their horses behind the stable, they divided into two par- ties, one going round the east end of the stable, in- tending to enter the east door of the house, while the other went round the west end, making for the west door. At this moment, the soldier, who was awake, hearing some noise in the direction of the stable, went out to see what was the matter, and perceived the party, which was entering the yard at the east end of the building. Running back in ter- ror, he seized Andrew Jackson, who was nearest CILBtRT^ JACKSON S PRESENCE OF MIND. A ANDREW JACKSON. 17 the door, by the hair, exclaiming, " the Tories are upon us !" Our young hero ran out, and putting his gun through the fork of the apple-tree, hailed the approaching band. Having repeated his hail, and received no answer, and perceiving that the party still rapidly advanced, and were now only a few rods distant, he fired. A volley was returned, which killed the soldier, who, having aroused the inmates of the house, had followed young Jackson, and was standino^ near him. The other band of Tories had now emero^ed from the west end of the stable, and mistaking the discharge of the advance party, then nearly on a line between them and the apple-tree, for the fire of a sallying party from the house, commenced a sharp 'fire upon their own friends. Thus both parties were brought to a stand. Young Andrew, after discharging his gun, returned into the house ; and with two others com- menced a fire from the west door, where both of his companions were shot down, one of them with a mortal wound. The Tories still kept up the fire upon each other, as well as upon the house, until startled by the sound of a cavalry bugle in the distance, — they be- took themselves to their horses, and fled. The charge was sounded by a Major Isbel, of the noigh- B 18 LI FE OF bourhood, who had not a man with him, but, hear- inof the firinj?, and knowing that Lands was attacked, gave the blast upon his trumpet to alarm the assail- ants. General Jackson was then only fourteen years old ; but who does not recognise in the boy of 1781 the general of 1814 ? By his fire from the apple- tree he brought the enemy to a stand, and saved his little party from capture and massacre ; by rushing down upon the enemy on the night of December, 1814, he saved an army from capture, and a city from plunder. It was not long after the above occurrence tha about forty of the Waxhaw settlers, among whom were young Jackson, iiad rendezvoused at the meet- in*»^ tifvintr and strensthenin^r the site fixed \M on for a depot, to which the name of Fort ^^^ Strother had been given. Late, however, on the eveninix of the 7th November, a runner arrived from Talladega, a fort of the friendly Indians, distant about thirty miles below, with in- formation that the enemy had that morning en- camped before it in great numbers, and would cer- tainly destroy it unless immediate assistance could be afforded. Jackson, confiding in the statement, determined to lose no time in extending the relief which was solicited. Accordingly he issued marching orders, and crossed the Coosa river, at midnight on the 7th of November, with his whole disposable force, con- ANDREW JACKSON. 61 sistiiig of 1200 infantry and 800 cavalry. Next evening his army lay within six miles of Talladega. Next morning he marched against the enemy, who were encamped at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the fort which they were besieging. About eight o'clock, A. M., the advance having arrived within eighty yards of the enemy, who were concealed in a thick shrubbery that covered the margin of a small rivulet, received a heavy fire, which they instantly returned with much spirit. Falhng in with the enemy, agreeably to their in- structions, they retired towards the centre, but not before they had dislodged them from their position. The Indians, now screaming and yeUing hideously, rushed forward in the direction of General Roberts brigade, a few companies of which, alarmed by their numbers and yells, gave way at the first fire. Jack- son, to fill the chasm which was thus created, di- rected 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 staflf, omitted to execute it in time, alleging he was determined to remain on the eminence which he then possessed until he should 6S L I F E O F be approached and attacked by the enemy. Owing to this failure in the volunteer regiment, it became necessary to dismount the reserve, which, with great firmness, met the approach of the enemy, who were rapidly moving in this direction. Tlie retreating militia, somewhat mortified at seeing their places so promptly supplied, rallied, and, recovering their for- mer position in the line, aided in checking the ad- vance of the savaores. The action now became general along the line, and in fifteen minutes the Indians were seen flying in every direction. On the left they were met and repulsed by the mounted riflemen ; but on the right, owning to the halt of Bradley's regiment, which was intended to occupy the extreme riirht, and to the circumstance of Colonel Allcorn, who commanded one of the wings of the cavalry, having taken too large a circuit, a consid- erable space was left 'between the infantry and the cavalry, through which numbers escaped. The fight was maintained with great spirit and effect on both sides, as well before as after the retreat com- menced ; nor did the pursuit and slaughter terminate until the mountains were reached, at the distance of three miles. In this battle, the force of the enemy was one thousand and eighty, of whom two hundred and ANDREW JACKSON. 63 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. Prob- ably few escaped unhurt. Their loss on this occa- sion, as stated since by themselves, was not less than six hundred: that of the Americans was fifteen killed and eighty wounded, several of whom after- ward 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 besiegers, thus fortunately liberated from the most dreadful appre- hensions 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 manifestations 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. Oi LIFE OF CHAPTER XII. FAMINE AND DESERTION OF HIS ARMY. ANECDOTE OF THE ACORNS. N account of the want of provisions, Jackson was unable to follow up the successful blow struck at Talladega, and was compelled to retreat to Fort Strother. But on his arrival here, he found that through the stupid mismanagement, and ^L^ perhaps jealousy of General Cocke, no supplies had arrived even here, and the soldiers now bcnjan to show sio;ns of discontent. A few dozen biscuits, which remained on his re- turn, 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 suj)ply of inditfcreiit beef, taken from the enemy or j)urchased of the Cherokees, was now the only support afforded. Thus left destitute, Jackson, with the utmost cheerfulness of temper, repaired to ANDREW JACKSON. 65 the bullock-pcn, and of the oiFal there thrown away, provided for himself and staff what he was pleased to call, and seemed really to think, a very comfort- able repast. Tripes, however, hastily provided in a camp, without bread or seasoning, can only be pala- table to an appetite very highly whetted; yet this con- stituted for several days the only diet at head-quar- ters, during which time the General seemed entirely satisfied with his fare. Neither this nor the liberal donations by which hedisfurnished himself to relieve the sufTerino^ soldier, deserves to be ascribed to osten- tation or design : the one flowed from benevolence, the other from necessity, and a desire to place be- fore his men an example of patience and suffering which he felt might be necessary, and hoped might be serviceable. Of these two imputations no human being, invested with rank and power, was ever more deservedly free. Charity in him was a warm and active propensity of the heart, urging him, by an in- stantaneous impulse, to relieve the wants of the distressed, without regarding, or even thinking of, the consequences. Many of those to whom it was extended had no conception of the source that sup- plied them, and believed the comforts they received were, indeed, drawn from stores provided for the hospital department. E GO LI FE OP On this campaign, a soldier one morning, with a wo-beo^one countenance, approached the General, statini*..-'j.^s^^i JACKSON AND THE ACORNS. aw-ft ,t^" ANDREW JACKSON. G7 about the period of his greatest suffering, and with a view to inspirit them, had invited his officers to dine with him, and presented for their repast water and a tray of acorns. Notwithstanding the firmness and patriotism of their general, the army, consisting entirely of volun- teers and militia, now unable for want of provisions to penetrate the hostile territory, became anxious to return to their homes, and from a misunderstanding with reo-ard to the term of service for which they had been enlisted, they believed that the time had expired. This was not so; and Jackson, deeply anxious to finish successfully the campaign, resolved to prevent such a disgraceful abandonment. Several times did the troops mutiny, and as often were they brought back to their duty by the talents and bravery of their general. One of these scenes may be presented as a specimen of the iron firmness of our hero. He had promised his army that unless supplies arrived on a certain day, he would grant their re- quest to return. The supplies did not arrive until they had commenced their march homeward, when they were met by one hundred and fifty beeves. This, of course, relieved Jackson from his promise, but so great was the aversion of his men to return 68 L I F E O F *o the camp, that tlicy preferred breaking their word of honour. One company was already moving off' in a direction towards liome. They had proceeded some distance before information of their departure was liad by Jackson. Irritated at their conduct, in attem[)tiiig to violate the promise they had given, and knowing that the success of future operations depended on the result, the General pursued, until hn came near a part of his staff" and a few soldiers, ^\ hi), with General Coffee, had halted about a quarter of a mile ahead. He ordered them to form imme- diately 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 deserters into aflfright, and caused them to retreat precipitately to the main body. Here it was hoped the matter would end, and that no further opposition would be made to returning. This expectation 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 despatches, had gone out alone among 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 AMDREW JACKSON. 69 put itself into an attitude for moving forcibly off. A crisis had arrived; and, feeling its importance, he determined to take no middle ground, but to triumph or 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 man who should attempt to advance. In this situation he was found by Major Reid and General Coffee; who, fearing, from the length of his absence, 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 purpose, and disliking to abandon it. In the mean time, those who remained faithful to their duty, amounting to about two companies, were collected and formed at a short distance in ad- vance 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. 70 L I F E O F Notwithstanding these efforts on the part of the General to detain them, the mutiny was not quelled, and they all looked forward to the 10th of December as the day on which they would be discharged. It will be recollected, that upon this day, twelve months ago, they had been enlisted to proceed to New Orleans, and as they had entered for a service of twelve months, they expected to be discharged at the end of that time, although they had not actually seen twelve months' service, having been discharged after their return from New Orleans. The volun- teers, through several of their officers, were pressing on the consideration of the General the expiration of their service, and claiminfj to be discharo^ed on the 10th of the month. From the colonel who commanded the second regiment he received a letter, dated the 4th of December, 1813, in which was attempted to be detailed their whole ground of com- plaint. He began by stating, that painful as it was, he nevertheless felt himself bound to disclose an im- portant and unpleasant 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 Btill more sensibly, the consequences that would ANDREW JACKSON. 71 result from a disorderly abandonment of the camp. He stated they had all considered themselves finally discharged on the 20th of April, 1813, and never kneAv to the contrary until they saw his order of the 24th of September, 1813, requiring them to ren- dezvous at Fayetteville on the 4th of October, 1813 ; for the first !fme, they then learned that they owed further services, their discharge to the contrary notwithstanding. "Thus situated, there was con- siderable opposition to the order ; on which the officers generally, as I am advised, and I know myself in particular, gave it as an unequivocal opinion that their term of service would terminate on the 10th of December, 1813. " They therefore look to their general, who has their confidence, for an honourable discharge on that day ; and that, in every respect, he will see that justice be done them. They regret that their par- ticular situations and circumstances require them to leave their general at a time when their services are important to the common cause. It would be de- sirable," he continued, " that those men who have served with honour should be honourably discharged, and that they should return to their families and friends without even the semblance of disgrace ; with their general they leave it to place them in that 72 L I F E O F situation. They have received him as an affectionate father, >vhilc they have honoured, revered, and oheyed hini ; but, having devoted a considerable portion of their time to the service of their country, by which their domestic concerns are greatly de- ranged, they wish to return, and attend to their own affairs." To this letter General Jackson returned a reply, wliich for firmness of resolution, and patriotic devo- tion to the cause of his country, and to the cause of right, never was surpassed by the address of a great commander to a blind and mutinous army. He declared his determination to prevent their return at the hazard of his own life, and called upon God to witness that the scenes of blood which mitrht be exhibited u]K)n that day should not be laid to his charge. His address concludes with the following remarkable words : " I cannot, must not, believe that the ' Volunteers of Tennessee,' a name ever dear to fame, will dis- grace themselves, and a country which they have honoured, by abandoning her standard, as mutineers and deserters; but should I be disappointed and compelled to resign this pleasing hope, one thing I will not resign — my duty. Mutiny and sedition, as long as I possess tlie power of quelling them, shall ANDREW JACKSON. * 73 be put down ; and even when left destitute of this, 1 will still be found, in the last extremity, endeavouring to discharge the duty which I owe to my country and myself." To the platoon officers, who addressed him on the same subject, he replied with nearly the same spirited feeling; but discontent was too deeply fastened, and by designing men had been too artfully fomented, to be removed by anything like argument or entreaty. At length, on the evening of the 9th of December, 1813, General Hall hastened to the tent of Jackson, with information that his whole brigade was in a state of mutiny, and making prepa- rations to move forcibly off. This was a measure which every consideration of policy, duty and honour required Jackson to oppose ; and to this purpose he instantly applied all the means he possessed. He immediately issued the following general order : — " The commanding general being informed that 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 fort, and await further orders." The artillery company, with two small field-pieces, being posted in the front and rear, and the militia, under the command of Colonel / LIFE OF Wynne, on the eminences, in advance, were ordered to prevent any forcible departure 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 impas- sioned 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 fam- ilies, 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 liis post, and in the discharge of his duty. " Rein- forcements," he continued, " are preparing 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 dischj\rged or not — until then, you must not and shall not retire. I have done with entreaty, — 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 oil, the point between us shall soon be de- cided." At first they hesitated : he demanded an ANDREW JACKSON. 75 explicit and positive answer. They still hesitated, and he commanded the artillerists to prepare the match ; he himself remaining in front of the volun- teers, and within the line of fire, which he intended soon to order. Alarmed at his apparent determina- tion, 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 themselves for their men, who either nodded assent or openly expressed 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 greatest peril, and pregnant with important consequences. This matchless and ever memorable scene, the reader will observe, took place on the 10th of December, 1813 ; the volunteers having formed their first rendezvous, as he will recollect, on the 10th of December, 1812. One year had certainly expired; but there had not been a year's service; for they had not been in service from the 1st of May to the 10th of October, 1813; so that there remained five months of the year's service to come. The General was right in his construction of the bargain ; but, besides this, to have forsaken the campaign in such 76 L I F E O F a manner would have been ruinous in the extreme. The savage enemy, not yet subdued, but exasperated to the last degree, would have assailed the frontier settlements and deluged them in blood. Notwithstanding all General Jackson's firmnesg, however, the want of supplies and the actual need of his army, compelled him reluctantly to allow them to return home, remaining, himself, with about 100 faithful soldiers, in the garrison of Fort Strother, there to await new reinforcements. ANDREW JACKSON. CHAPTER XIII. BATTLES OF EMUCKFAW AND ENOTOCHOPCO. BOUT the middle of January, 800 new recruits reached Jackson's camp at Fort Strother. With these it would have been madness to have penetrated the Creek country, but as Jackson riglitly conjectured that Major FJoyd (w^ho, it will be recollected, by the plan of the cam- paign, had entered the Indian country from Georgia,) might be closely pressed by the enemy, now that he had failed to co-operate with the Ten- nessee army, he determined to make with his 800 men a diversion in his favour. Hearing, from authentic sources, that a large force of the " red-sticks," or hostile Indians, were collected on the Emuckfaw Creek, in a bend of the Tallapoosa River, he thither directed his march, and on the evening of the 21st of January he encamped 78 L I F E O F within a short distance of the enemy. A friendly Indian spy, >vho had reconnoitred the enemy's camp, brought in word tliat the Indians were removing their women and children ; a sure sign that they meditated an attack. It fell out as he had antici- pated. Early in the morning of the 22d, before day, a brisk tiring was heard upon the right, and immedi- ately the engagement became general. The enemy were repulsed with the loss of many of their best warrriors ; but the evident strength which they had exhibited, and the fact that they were still continuing to receive fresh reinforcements, determined General Jackson to march back to Fort Strother. He had now accomplished his object, which was to create a diversion in favour of Floyd and the Georgian army; and, as it became known afterwards, the battle of Emuckfaw was probably the means of saving the Georgia troops, who were hotly engaged on the 27th, and with a little more strength on the part of their enemy would have been destroyed. Having spent the remainder of the 22d in bury ing the dead, the army marched on the 23d from the ground of Emuckfaw. During the night of the 23d there came on a hurricane, which is always favourable to the fighting of Indians, and as his ANDREW JACKSON. 79 troops were not attacked, either in the night or during their march on the 23d, General Jackson rightly guessed that the enemy had made up their mi[ids to lay in ambush for him at the ford of Eno- tochopco, about twelve miles from Emuckfaw. Here the stream runs through a deep and dangerous defile, the ford is deep, and the banks covered with under- wood and reeds, affording the best shelter for a lurkino^ foe. Jackson, who had observed these things when he crossed before, at once resolved to lead his army over by a ford six hundred yards lower down. Expecting that the enemy, as soon as they discovered that he had chosen another route, would attack him in the rear, he formed his rear so as to receive them. It turned out as the General had anticipated. Part of the army had crossed the creek, the wounded were over, and the artillery were just entering, when an alarm gun was heard in the rear, and the next instant the whooping and yelling of the savages told that they were coming on in fearful numbers. The militia upon the right and the left, with their colonels at their head, being struck with a sudden panic, instantly retreated down the bank, leaving the brave General Carrol, with about twenty-five men, to check the advancing savages. Colonel Stump came plunging down the 80 L I F E O F bank, mcctiimr General Jackson, who had been on tlie water's edge superintending the crossing of the artillery. Jackson made an unsuccessful attempt to draw his sword and cut the retreating coward down. Lieutenant Armstrong ordered his com- pany of artillery to form upon the hill, at the same time, with the assistance of one or two others, drajTging up the cannon, a six-pounder, and pointing it towards the advancing savages. The ramrod and picker had been lost, and also two gunners, Perkins and Craven. Jackson supplied the defici- ency, using their muskets and ramrods to load it. Twice was the little gun fired, and did fearful execution amonor the Indians. This succeeded in checking the advancing enemy, and in the meantime Jackson had recalled a number of the panic-struck fugitives, who returned to the fight. The savages, perceiving the balance of the army coming up, precipitately fled, throwing away their packs, and leaving twenty-six of their warriors dead upon the field. J3ut for the bravery of Lieutenant Armstrong and General Carrol, the little army would have fallen a sacrifice to the cowardice of Colonels Stump and Perkins. Tiie former was tried by a court-martial and cashiered. The army reached Fort Strother on the 27th, ANDRAWJ.\CKSON. 81 when they were honourably dismissed by their Gen- eral, until further orders from the government. lie now waited for a competent force to enter into the heart of the Creek country, and put an end to the war. S2 LITE OV CHAPTER XrV. BATTLE OF TOHOPEKA, OR HORSE-SHOE. N the month of March, thanks to the exertions of Governor Blount, General Jackson was ajrain at the head of a fine • -^ army, and ready to recommence the campaign. This force consisted of 4000 Tennessee militia and volunteers, and a regiment of United States regulars. In the month of February, he received information that the hostile Indians were fortifying themselves in a bend of the Tallapoosa River, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, where they had deter- mined to make a last stand. This was exactly what Jackson desired, knowing that if he could get the enemy into a general engagement, he would soon cause them to sue for peace. The country between the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, near their junction, known to the whites as the " Hickory Ground," had always been considered by the Indians ANDREW JACKSON. S2 as sacred ground, and they believed, being so taught by their prophets, that no white man could ever enter this territory to conquer it. The place where they were now concentrated was in this Hickory Ground, about fifty miles from Emuckfaw, and in a bend of the Tallapoosa River. General Jackson with his army marched down the Coosa, and es- tablishinij a fort at the mouth of Cedar Creek, crossed over to the Tallapoosa. The way had to be cut from one river to the other, and the army was three days in crossing the Hickory Ground. He arrived near Tohopeka on the morning of the 27th, havincr with him over 2000 men. The plan of this battle may be easily understood. The bend of the river in which the enemy was fortified, as its name imports, resembles in shape a horse-shoe. Across the neck of land by which it was entered from the north, the IndiaiiS had thrown up a rude breastwork of logs, seven or eight feet high, but so constructed that assailants would be exposed to a double and cross fire. About a hundred acres lay in this bend, and at the bottom of it was an Indian village. All around the village, on the same side of the river, were Indian canoes in great numbers, fastened to the bank. About 1000 war- riors were here assembled. 84 LI FE OF After seeino^ how matters stood, Jackson de- spatclied General Coffee to surround the bend opposite to where the canoes were tied, while he himself advanced to assault the breastwork. As soon as Coffee, by signals, had reported that the bend was completely surrounded by his troops, the two pieces of artillery, a six and three-pounder, began to play upon the breastwork. This continued for about two hours, when some of the Cherokees (friendly Indians,) who lay with Coffee on the river edge, round the bend, observing that none of the warriors had been left to guard the canoes, swam across the river and brou^fht them over. In these a number of those under Coffee's command crossed over, and setting fire to the village, attacked the Indians in the rear. The troops under Jackson seeing the flames, and guessing the cause, at the same time made a push at the breastwork, and carried it bv storm, thoufjh with the loss of some brave men. Now commenced the battle in earnest. The savages, nerved by despair, and having not the most remote idea of asking for quarter, fought des- perately. Some, trying to escape across the river by swimming, w^ere shot by the spies and mounted men under Coffee. Some took refui^e amonir the brush and fallen timber upon the cliffs of the river, ANDREW JACKSON. 85 from which they fired upon the victors. Jackson, desirous to save their hves, sent an interpreter within call to offer them terms, but they only fired on him, and wounded him in the shoulder. The cannon was then brought to bear on the place of their concealment, but without effect. A charge was also made, and several lives lost. And at last the brush and timber was fired, and such of them as were driven from their hiding places were shot as they ran. At length night put an end to the fight, and a few of the miserable survivors escaped in the darkness. Not over two hundred out of the whole escaped. Five hundred and fifty-seven were found dead upon the field, and three hundred women and children were captured. The loss upon the side of the Americans was fifty-five killed and 146 wounded. Of these, however, nearly a third were friendly Creeks and Cherokees. Among the Indians slain were three of their prophets, who had been most active in stirring up their country to war. Up to the last moment they maintained their influence over their deluded coun- trymen, and, amid the thunder of battle, painted and decorated with gaudy feathers, they continued their wild and unseemly dances and incantations. One of them, called Monohoe, while in the midst of his 86 L I F E O P grotesque (lancing and singing, was struck in the mouth by a grape-shot, which seetns an appropriate rebuke for the impositions which he had practised on the unhappy victims that were falHng around him. After the battle of Tohopeka an incident occurred highly characteristic of the American general, and bis savage foeman. An Indian about twenty years of atje was brou":ht before the General. He had received a severe wound in the leg, and a surgeon was sent for to dress it. The young savage sub- njitted quietly to the operation, but while it was going on he looked inquiringly at the General, and said, "Cure 'im, kill 'im again?" He had no idea that there was any other doom awaiting him than that of death, and he could not comprehend why they should prepare him for death by curing his wound. The General assured him that he should not be killed, and the young Indian soon recovered. General Jackson, ascertaining that all his relations had perisiied in the battle, and being struck with the manly bearing of the young Indian, sent him to his own house in Tennessee. After the war he bound iiim out to a trade in Nashville, where he afterwards married a respectable woman of colour, and established himself in business. ^^^,%%.^^ THE INDIAN PRISONJEB. ANDREW JACKSON. 87 When General Jackson left the fort at the mouth of Cedar Creek on the Coosa River, which had been called Fort Williams, he took with him on the expe- dition to Tohopcka, only seven days' rations; he was therefore oblii^ed after the battle to return a^^ain to the fort. Before leaving the scene of the battle of Tohopeka, he understood that the savages had dug up the bodies of his soldiers who had fallen at Emuckfaw and Enotochopco, for the purpose of obtaining their scalps, and exhibiting their ferocity in mutilating the lifeless bodies. The General caused his dead to be sunk in the river, and having provided every practicable comfort for his wounded, commenced his retrograde march on the 2d of April. 88 LIFE OF CHAPTER XV. INDIAN CAMPAIGN, CONTINUED. ^E have before said that the tract o^ ' country lying in the bend of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, had t^^:y^ '-■^K long been considered by the Indians as consecrated ground, and that there no hostile white naan's foot should ever make its track. They had been so beguiled by their prophets, who had taught them that they should there forever find security from the pale faces. It was, besides, the firm belief of the whites that the conquest of this tract of ground would soon put an end to the war. We have seen that all the operations of the different divisions of the army were conducted with a view to a junction at the bend of these rivers. Major Floyd, with the Georgia troops, were to enter on the east side of the hostile country ; Jackson, ANDREW JACKSON. 89 with the Tennesseans on the north, while Chiiborne and the Mississippians, with Wilhams and the United States regulars, were to make their invasion on the west and south. The expedition planned by General Pinckney, the commander-in-chief, would all have met at this point, no doubt, as intended, had it not been for the failure of provisions to the Tennessee troops at the commencement of the campaign. Jackson, however, after the battle of Tohopeka and his return to Fort Williams, resolved upon the complete conquest of the " Hickory Ground." He commenced preparations to attack Hoithlevvalle, a town in this territory, where a considerable body of the Red-sticks were said to be concentrated. Havinof caused the Coosa River to be explored below Fort Williams, he saw that there was no chance of car- rying his provisions by water, the roughness of the country and the poor condition of his horses, which had been so long without corn, rendering it impos- sible to transport them in any quantity by land : he nevertheless determined to advance with such pro- visions as the men could carry upon their backs, relying upon a junction with the eastern army under Colonel Milton, when their small stock should be CAhausted. With this view he had requested Milton 90 L I F E O F to occupy the east side of the Tallapoosa River, opposite to the scene of his operations, and cut off any of the savages who might attempt to escape in that direction. Most of the friendly Indians were dismissed, as they constituted too great a drain on his resources, and now their assistance was not deemed any longer necessary. To prepare his men for further operations, Jackson issued an animated address, in the followinoj terms : " Soldiers, " You have entitled yourselves to the grati- tude of your country, and your general. The ex- pedition from which you have returned, has by your good conduct been rendered prosperous beyond any example in the history of our warfare; it has re- deemed the character of your state and of that description of troops of which the greater part of you are. "The fiends of the Tallapoosa will no longer murder our women and children, or disturb the quiet of our borders. Their midnight flambeaux will no more illumine their council-house, or shine upon the victims of their infernal orgies. In their places, a new generation will arise, who will know their duty better. The weapons of warfare will be exchanged ANDREW JACKSON. 91 for the utensils of liusbandry ; and the wilderness, which now withers in sterility and mourns the deso- lation which overspreads her, will blossom as the rose and become the nursery of the arts. But, before this happy day can arrive, other chastisements remain to be inflicted. It is indeed lamentable that the path to peace should lead through blood, and over the bodies of the slain; but it is a dispensation of Provi- dence, and perhaps a wise one, to inflict partial evils that ultimate good may follow." General Jackson commenced his march for Hoi- thlewalle upon the 7th of April, just five days after his return from Tohopeka. Each of his men carried upon his back eight days' provisions. It was his calculation that he would reach Hoithlewalle on the 11th; but .the difficulty of travelling, owing to the heavy rains that had fiillen, and which rendered the country almost impassable, prevented this. When he reached within ten or twelve miles of Hoithlewalle, he ascet-tained that the town had been deserted by its inhabitants. He then directed his march for Fooshatchie, a town about three miles lower down the river, where he took several pri- soners. When the Indians of Hoithlewalle and the neigh- bouring towns became apprized of Jackson's ap- 92 L I F E O F proacli, they precipitately fled across the Tallapoosa River. This General Jackson had expected, and his orders to Colonel Milton were given with a view to prevent their escape in this direction. This foolish officer, however, took no steps to co-operate with him, and the consequence was, that while the towns of Cooloome, Fooshatchie, and Hoithlewalle were in flames. General Jackson received a letter from him, informing him that he should cross the Tallapoosa next day, and give the Indians battle. Instead of the Indians being on the other side of the Tallapoosa from that on which Milton was en- camped, they had already crossed, and passed him unmolested. A flood in the Tallapoosa and want of provisions, prevented immediate pursuit on the part of General Jackson, and thus the savage enemy were suffered to escape. General Jackson had been repeatedly informed by General Pinckney, that 50,000 rations of flour, and 10,000 of meat, should be furnished him by this Colonel Milton ; and the eastern army had therefore placed full reliance on this, and expected to receive supplies from him as soon as he could form a junction. On application, however, to Colonel Mil- ton, that officer replied that he did not feel himself under any obligation to supply the Tennessee troops- ANDREW JACKSON, 93 but would the next day lend them a small supply of provisions. Milton had crossed the Tallapoosa, and was advancing to attack Hoithlewalle, which was already in ashes. Jackson, being informed of his position and movements, sent him a peremptory order, by Captain Gordon of the spies, requiring him to furnish the provisions which he had previ- ously requested, and to form a junction with hmi the next day. On reading the order, Colonel Milton inquired of Captain Gordon, what sort of a man General Jackson was. " He is a man," replied the captain, " who intends when he gives an order that it shall be obeyed." Colonel Milton said he would furnish the provi- sions, not because they were ordered, but because the men were suffering for want of them : — but he nevertheless obeyed the order, and formed the junction as required. Jackson, in order to intercept the enemy who had fled, despatched a body of mounted men to scour the left bank of the Tallapoosa River, while he himself, with the main army, prepared to march down the Coosa as far as their junction. In the morning, just as the army was about to commence its march, word was brought to General Jackson, that Colonel Milton's brigade could not move, as 94 L I F E O F the wagon-horses had strayed away in the night and could not be found. Jackson sent back word to Milton, that he had discovered in such cases, a very effectual remedy, and that if he would detail twenty men to each wagon the difficulty would be overcome. Milton took the hint, and having dis- mounted a few of his dragoons, and using their horses, the wagons were soon in motion. Not the least opposition did the army experience in their march from the Indians, and it had now become apparent that the battle of Tohopeka had ended the Creek war. No effort to rally, after that fatal day, had been made by the surviving w^arriors, and as General Jackson advanced, they either fied before him or came in and offered submission. The first to submit were the chiefs of the Hickory Ground, and as soon as it was known, all through the territory, that their lives would be spared, a general submission was the consequence, so that in a short time after this the Indian campaign was put to an end, and the Ten- nessee army returned home to their own state, and were honourably discharged. ANDREW JACKSON. 95 CHAPTER XVI. SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BRITISH. ACKSON was now (spring of 1814,) appointed to be a major-general in the service of the United States. The protection of the coast near the mouths of the Mississippi was intrusted to him; and his first attention was turned to the comfort, the encouragement, the protection which the savages received from the Spanish governor and Spanish authorities in the fortress of Pensacola, which is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, at about a hundred miles' distance from New Orleans, about thirty miles from the frontiers of the state of Ala- bama, and about a hundred miles from the main fastness of the Creek Indians. His opinion was, that the savages were always receiving assistance from the Spanish garrison, and from the British, through the means of that garrison; and he was persuaded that, finally, the British would assail 90 L I F E O P New Orleans by means of preparations made at Pensacola. On his way to the south, he learned that about three hundred British troops had landed, and were fortifying themselves at no great distance from Pensacola. In this state of things, he endeav- oured to prevail upon the Spanish governor to desist from all acts injurious to the United States. But that officer was by no means inclined to truth or sincerity. He falsified and prevaricated. By this time, and indeed before this time, the news had been received of the fall of Napoleon and his banishment to Elba. This event had greatly increased the means of Great Britain for hostile operations against the United States. This Spanish garrison was, in fact, a rendezvous for the British : it was a rendez- vous for the savage enemies of the United States. Captain Gordon, sent by Jackson to see what was passing, in the month of August (1814), reported to the General that he had seen from fifty to two hundred officers and soldiers, a park of artillery, about five hundred savages under the drill of British officers, and dressed in the English uniform. Apprised of these doings, General Jackson re- solved at once to march to Pensacola, and put an end to this duplicity on the part of the Spanish governor of that place. ANDREW JACKSON. 97 Colonel Nicholls, at the head of a British expedi- tion, had issued a proclamation, dated from his " head-quarters at Pensacola," leaving no farther doubt of the treachery of the Spanish government. The first act of hostility on the part of the British, was an assault upon Fort Bowyer, a post of the United States on the Mobile. On the 15th of Sep- tember, 1814, Nicholls attacked the fort by land, while several vessels, mounting altogether about ninety guns, approached by sea. The expedition ended by the blowing up of one of the English ships, greatly damaging another, and sending off Colonel Nicholls, the proclamation-maker, with the loss of one of his ships, and, as it was said, one of his eyes. The commander of Fort Bowyer was a Major Lawrence. His brave band consisted of about one hundred and fifty men, while the force of the British was, as we have seen, ninety guns by sea, while Nicholls assaulted the fort by land, with a twelve pound howitzer, and seveml hundreds of marines, sailors, and savages. This affair was in the highest degree honourable to Major Lawrence and his men. The disparity of force was immense ; and the defeat of the British, in this their first demonstration, must have had a material influence on subsequent opera- tions. 98 L I F E O F Jackson was a man, however, who did not stop with half-way measures, and he was in this case determined to carry out his plans, and break up the rendezvous at Pensacola. Accordingly, on the 6th of November, 1814, he marched against it, demol- ished all its defences and protections, drove out the British and the savages, and demonstrated that there Avas enough American energy to put down any triple combination of EngHsh, Spaniards and savages. Having given the haughty and insolent foe a fore- taste of that which was to come, he repaired to the point which was to be the grand scene of action He arrived at the city of New Orleans on the 1st of December, 1814. News had been received of the approach of a British fleet. The first intelligence of this sort was received on the 4th of December. Cochrane, who commanded the British fleet, and who had the celebrated Sir George Cockburn under him, had collected all their forces together, after they had been beaten off from before Balti- more, and had sailed for New Orleans, whither NichoUs had been sent before to prepare the way for the proclamation, which had just been issued from his head-quarters at Pensacola. They were to be joined, as they afterwards were, by a strong body of the " heroes of the Peninsula." Their force ANDREW JACKSON. 'J9 alto-rether was prodigious : ships of the hnc, frigates, sloops of war, fire-ships, great numbers of furnaces to heat red-hot shot, Congrevc rockets, all manner of materials for sapping, and mining, and blowing up : an expedition costing, in all probability, more than a million of pounds sterling in the fitting out. There were eleven thousand regular " heroes ot the Peninsula ;" there were four generals, two admirals, twelve thousand, at the least, of seamen and ma- rines, artillery in abundance, of all sorts ; perhaps a hundred gun-boats and barges ; and every expense ready to be incurred for the employment of persons of all sorts; besides numerous bands of savages ready to come in, if the attack had succeeded. Such was the mighty armament prepared for the conquest of New Orleans. But the city had a de- fender whose energy, skill, and promptness, emi- nently fitted him for the perilous task of opposing these great forces. 100 LIFE OF CHAPTER XVII. JACKSON AT NEW ORLEANS. JE have seen that Jackson, having received intelhgence which made him beheve, and quite certain in- deed, that the intention of the Brit- ish was to get possession of the mouths of the Mississippi, of the whole state of Louis- iana, and particularly of that rich prize, the city of New Orleans, crammed with sugar, coffee, flour, cotton, and all sorts of merchandise, repaired thither, that is to say, to the city itself, on the 1st of December, 1814. On the 6th of Decem- ber, he received certain intelhgence that a large British force was off the port of Pensacola, destined against New Orleans; that it amounted to about eighty vessels, and that more than double that number were momentarily looked for to form a junction with those already arrived ; that there were in this fleet vessels of all descriptions, contrived for ANDREW JACKSON. 101 the most deadly purposes, with a large body of land troops ; that Admiral Cochrane had the command, and that his ship, the Tonnant, was then lying off Pensacola. It must here be observed, that the city of New Orleans, at this time containing a population of about 30,000 inhabitants, had been purchased from the French only three years before, (in 1811,) and that most of its citizens were of Spanish and French descent. From this it will easily be understood that their attachment to their new government was any- thino- but warm, and in fact the crreater number of these people, having been educated and brought up in the monarchical countries of Europe, would have preferred that the British should have taken the city, provided they had been left unmolested. When this is taken into account, it will easily be imagined that General Jackson, in preparing to defend it, had other difficulties to contend against, than mere want of troops, ammunition, and arms. He had some- thing else than mere fighting to do : he had to con- tend against treason in every quarter and corner, and treason on the part of those whose very hearths and homes and lives he had come to defend from a ruthless and mercenary soldiery. He was obliged as will easily be supposed, to place the city under 102 LIFE OF martial law, and in one instance, where he had ordered a traitor to be imprisoned, and where that traitor had been set at liberty by Judge Hall, the General thought it necessary to imprison the judge also. These, to be sure, seem harsh measures, but the necessity of the case required harsh measures, and had such measures not have been taken. New Orleans would, most undoubtedly, have fallen into the hands of the British, and our country would have suffered incalculable disgrace and disaster. In the midst of every kind of difficulty, with his faithful little army, did General Jackson await the British invader. He had, to be sure, a faithful army, with faithful officers ; but they were badly armed and equipped, while the citizens around him had almost yielded to despair, thinking that, with such means, there was not the slightest hope of opposing the splendid armament that was coming against them, and which consisted of the flower of the British army who had just conquered Napoleon Bonaparte. It was with these difficulties and dangers staring him in the face, that General Jackson proceeded to make preparations to surmount them all, and the manner in which he succeeded will be related in the following chapters. ANDREW JACKSON. 103 CHAPTER XVIII. BATTLE OF THE TWENTY-THIRD OP DECE3IBER. N order that the reader may the more fully understand the military operations carried on in the defence of New Or- leans, it may not be improper to make a few remarks upon the peculiar situation of that city. New Orleans is about one hundred and five miles from the mouths of the Mississippi River, and situated around a bend, on the left, oi eastern bank. It is generally approached by vessels by the river, although small craft, such as schooners and sloops, navigate lakes Pontchartrain and Borgnc (an arm of the sea, lying behind the city, and sepa- rated from it, as well as from the river, by a narrow tract of country, which is, for the most part, an impassable and forest-covered swamp.) A nar- row strip of land, varying from a few hundred yards to two or three miles, borders the river, gradually 104 LIFE OF tapering off iflto a swamp as it recedes, until it reaches the lakes. This strip of land is covered with plantations of sugar and cotton, &c., and pro- tected from inundations of the river by an embank- ment of earth, called the " Levee," which runs up far above the city. The same is found on both sides of the river. Now the English armament, instead of coming up the river, entered the lakes and commenced landing their forces, on the 23d of December, upon this strip of dry land, about eight miles below the city. They reached the dry land by means of a stream or " Bayou," (a sort of natural canal,) called the Bayou Bienvenu, through which they passed in 'their boats. They were as yet ignorant that Jackson had been making such preparations to receive them, and in- stead of marching directly upon the city, which would have been the safest course, their commander resolved to encamp w^here he had landed, on the plantations of two or three French settlers. When General Jackson received intelligence that the British were landing through Bienvenu and Villere's canal, he determined to attack them in- stantly, and therefore ordered the brigades of gen- erals Coffee and Carroll, who were encamped about four miles above New Orleans, into the city. So ANDREW JACKSON. 105 prompt were these, that in two hours they were in the streets and ready. As yet General Jackson could not tell what force of the British had arrived at Lacoste's and Laronde's plantations, (these were the plantations lying between the river and the Bayou Bienvenu,) nor whether this was not in- tended as a feint to draw off his attention from some other point of approach, for, as we have seen, there were several other directions by which the city might be reached. Labouring under this doubt, he detadied General Carroll with his division, along with Governor Claiborne and the Louisiana militia, to take post on the Gcntilly road, which led from Chef Menteur (another landing-place,) to New Or- leans. Their orders were to defend this approach should the British make their appearance on it, to the last extremity. With the remainder of his troops, in all about 2000 men, Jackson hastened down the river towards the point where it had been reported the British were effecting a landing. 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, Already might the British be on their way and al lOG LIFE OF Iiaiid before tlic necessary arrangements could be made to oppose them. To prevent this, Colonel Hayne, with two companies of riflemen and the Mississippi dragoons, was sent forward to recon- noitre their camp, learn their position and their numbers, and if they should be found advancing, to harass and oppose them at every step until the main body should arrive. Everything being ready. General Jackson com- menced his m.arch, to meet and fight the veteran troops of England. x4n inconsiderable circumstance at this moment evinced what unlimited confidence was reposed in his skill and bravery. As his troops were marching through the city, his ears were assailed with the screams and cries of innumerable females, who had collected on the way, and seemed to apprehend the w^orst of consequences. Feeling for their distresses, and anxious to quiet them, he directed Mr. Livingston, 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 upon these terrified creatures. To know thai he, himself, was not afraid of a fatal result, inspired them at once with confidence, and changed theii fears into hopes. ANDREW JACKSON. 107 The General arrived within sight of the enemy's {)osition a little before dark, and having previously gotten from a colonel, who had been sent in ad- vance, some tolerable idea of their strength, (he thought it was about 2000 : it proved, however, to be 3000, as was afterwards found, and was con- stantly increasing by reinforcements from the ves- sels,) he determined upon an immediate attack. It was planned in the following manner: Coffee, with one division of the army, was to march to the left, keeping near the swamp, and thus, if possible, turn the enemy's right, and drive them toward the river, where a schooner-of-war, (the Caroline,) commanded by Commodore Patterson, would drop down and open upon them. The main division of Jackson's army, led by himself, would advance down the main road, near the river, and attack the fresh landed troops in front. These plans being arranged, they were imme- diately entered upon. General Coffee with silence and caution had ad- vanced beyond 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 execution of 108 LIFE OF those arrangements contemplated on the shore. So sanguine had the British been in the belief that they would be kindly received, and little opposition attempted, that tlie 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 returninoj an answer, no further question was made. This, added to some other attendant circumstances, con- firmed the opinion that they believed her a vessel laden with provisions, which had been sent out from New Orleans, and was intended for them. Havinu reached 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 mo- mentary confusion ; but recovering, she was an- swered by a discharge of musketry and flight of Congreve rockets, which passed without injury, while the grape and canister from her guns were pouring destructively 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 cannon, at least to a ANDREW JACKSON. 109 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 Laronde's plantation, and gained, as he thought, the centre of the enemy's line, when the signal from the Caroline reached him. He directly wheeled his column in, and forming, marched toward the river and the enemy. He had not proceeded more than an hundred yards, when he received a heavy fire from the enemy's line formed in front. This he did not expect, as he supposed they were much nearer the bank of the river, and so they had been, until the fire of the Caroline drove them nearer the swamp, and consequently nearer to Coffee. The moon was shining, but so feebly that it was difficult to distinguish objects at any distance. As Coffee's forces were mostly riflemen, orders were given them not to fire at random, but to make certain shots. Going on for some time with caution, they at last came in sight of the enemy, when a general dis- charITED BY THE REV H. HASTINGS WELD; WITH Original Literary Contributions, BY DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN WRITERS: BEAUTirUlXT ILLUSTKATED BT TWELVE SUPERB ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL, By J. Sartain, Philadelphia, FROM ORIGINAL DESIGiNS, EXPRESSLY FOR THE WORK By T. P. Rossiter, New York : INCLUDING Miriam, Ere, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Ruth, Queen of Sheba, SbunamitA, Esther, The Syrophenician, Martha, The Marys. Elegantly bound in White Calf, Turkey Morocco, and Cloth Extra, toitk Gilt Edges. PREFACE. The suhject of this book entitles it to a hijth place among illustrated to» lumes. The execution, literary and artistic, will, we are confident, be found worthy of the theme ; since we have received the a.ssistance of authors best known in the s:icred literature of our country, in presenting, in their various important attitudes and relations, the Womln of the Scriptures. The con- tents of the volume were prepared expressly for it, with the exception of the pages from the pen of Mrs. Balfour; and for the republication of her arti- cles, no one who reads them will require an apology. The de.*!igns for the engravings are original; and the Publiiihers trust that in the present volume they have made their best acknowledgment for the favour with which itj f)redece8sor8 have been received. The whole, they believe, will be found no napt memento of those to whom St. Peter refers the sex for an eneample*. ••the holy women, in the old time." 10 LINDSAY & BLAKISTON I> U U L I 8 U AUNT MAllY'S TALES, BY MRS. HUGHS, AUTHOR OF "BUDS AND BLOSSOMS," "IVY WREATH," ETC, EXU A SERIES OF JUVENILE BOOKS, FOR EACU VOLUME ILLUSTRATED BY A COLflLRED FRUNTISPILCK. TEy VOLUMES, SQUARE IQmo^ CONTAINING A3 FOLLOWS". THE YOUNG ARTIST, OR SELF-CONQUEST. THE YOUNG SAILOR, OR PERSEVERANCE REWARDED. HOLIDAYS IN THE COUNTRY, OR VANITY DIS.\ri'OlNTED. GENEROSITY, OR THE STORY OF SYBELLA AND PIA)RENCE. THE MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY, OR THE BROKEN VASE. LISSIE LINDEN, OR HER MOCKING-BIRD. THE GIPSY FORTUNE-TELLER, OR THE TROUBADOUR. FRANK WORTHY, OR THE ORPHAN AND HIS BENEFACTOR. MAY MORNING, OR A VISIT TO THE COUNTRY. THE PROUD GIRL HUMBLED, OR THE TWO SCHOOLMATES. NOTICES OP THE PREPS. We are glad to see a lady of Mr?. IIuRhs' abilitim no usefully j-mployrd. Her stories are written in an enpafrinK style, •whirb will in!«uro tln-ir r%ert perusal, while they convey sound iuslruclion in r.-card to the iinpri.t«niriit of the U'mptT, and the proper cultiyation of the domestic luid mx-1»1 mtlvo tions. — Saturday Cvurier. A series of hiphly attractive little Uk^jUs for jnTenlle r- l-^ of Mrs. Hughs, which an- happily narrated in a ^t^l»^»n.l '••^ to awaken an int«Test in thi- niind'of lln- younjr. and lihi.'. ■ ■ •• ■■•^ amusement, in furms adapted to nromotc Uifir lmpru»nn ' ' :r,g it out, in a style so peculiarly apapted to instruct and int!-t t Very respectfully, yours, £. \V. 1 h From J. E. Lovell, Principal of the Lancasterian School, J^ew Haven, Onm. "I have examined a little work, by Mrs. L. C. Tuthill, entitl' ! *• r 'tl* Geography.' It is by no means an easy tafik to write well for y(. . i^ but this performance is, I think, highly successful. Its langiu. , :« and chaste; its sentences concise, and its topics so treat4'd that the jciiu.Igt pupil will easily understand them. Several books for N-ginners in *;<■ .:r»- Shy— excellent in most respects — have been published within a few yeara; ut they are, without an exception, so far as my knowledge extends, t<>o coin- prefiensive, and above the capucitifs of those for whose i>articular ujk* lh#T were intended. Mrs. Tulhill's little work may be us4.'d as introductory to either of them, with great advantage; it will do its own part well, and open the way for the better accomplishment of that which belongs to ilji numnton. I hope it may have an extensive circulation. J. £. LOVKLL." OPINION'S OF TUK I'UE.SS. This is the title of a captivating little book for children, by which they ar« led, almost insensiVjly, into a knowledge of geographical U'TmB.— Cinn. Adv. Than this unpretending little work we have never seen a mon- u«4>ful or appropriate 8chool->x)ok, or one more ailmirably cilculnted for In^rinneni In geography; we can recommend it, without fear of responsibility, to ourMoi- naries, as well deservin-? atrial. — S"uthcrn J\itriot. We welcome, with particular pleasure, this little work; the author baa succeeded admirably in prhe earliest period of our literature to the present timo.''-^i2>&7/4 8 AN INTERESTING BIOGRAPHY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. LINDSAY & BLAKISTON PUBLISH A MEMOIR GF ELLEN MAY WOODWARD, BY THE REV. GEO. D. MILES. A. M. RECTOR OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, WILKESBARRB. CBitl) a ^^ortvait. A NEAT 18MO. VOLUME. PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. Miss Ellen May Woodward, the subject of this Memoir, was the elaest daughter of the Hon. George W. Woodward, of Luzerne county, Pennsylva- nia, who was drowned on Saturday, the ]9th of January, 1850. The peculiar position of Miss Woodward, as a member af the Church of Christ, at so early an age, and the manifestations of deep piety which marked her, will account for the appearance of this little volume. She was one of Christ's ianibt, committed to the care of the pastor of the flock, and her story is told to leail others into the same fold. > " The touching story of her life furnishes a beautiful picture of the gradual growth of the religious feeling which distinguished her, as well as of the other traits which made her the idolized centre of the circle where she was known. We commend the volume as an admirable one for youth, and espo- cially adapted to Sunday Schools." — Evening Bulletin. " A charming tribute to the memory of a child whose excellence of charac ter well merits the distinction. Ellen was a little over thirteen years of age a the period of h'^r death, but had evinced a deep religious sentiment, a piety no hecoining and beautiful, as to lead to the publication by her r)iligiou4 insliuc.tor of the little volume now before us." — American Courier. .\ •^ »»»»» »»»»» »^%S» »»»»» »»»»» »S»»» »»»»» »»»»»»^^i»» »S»»» »»»»»»S»»» ^^»»» »»»»» % »» i^ I LINDSAY &, BLAKISTON'S PUBLICATIONS. I 1 MARY HOWITT^S NEW BOOK. | THE DIAL OF LOVE. \ A CHRISTMAS BOOK FOR THE YOUNO. S BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED, | J AND ELEGANTLY BOUND IN CLOTH, FULL GILT EDGES, SIDES, ETC. J 5 FORMING THE J I PRETTIEST PRESENTATION BOOK OF THE SEASON. | i Price $1 00. i I THE SAYINGS AND DOINGS OF ANIMALS. | J CONTAINING EIGHT LARGE AND BEAUTIFULLY COLOURED PLATES, I i AND 100 OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS ON WOOD. | * PRETTILY BOUND IN CLOTH, GILT SIDES, ETC \ t Price 67 cents. > I MRS. LEE'S ANECDOTES | i OF THE i I HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. | > A 16mo. Volume. j I BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED, i J AND BOUND IN SCARLET CLOTH, GILT BACKS. > t Price 75 cents. J I MRS. LEE'S ANECDOTES | / OF THE i I HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF BIRDS, FISHES, REPTILES, ETC. | i A 16mo. Volume. * I BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED, > < AND HANDSOMELY BOUND IN ULTRA-MARINE CLOTH, GILT BACKS. J i Price 75 cents. ' J These two volumes are amasin?, instructive, and ahly written, by one who has devoted much time J ^ and attention to the subject. No more entertaining; books can be placed in the hands of youni? peo- i i pie, md none from which they can derive more agreeable information ; they are especially adapted i i to Family or School Libraries. \ A U N'T MAE Y'S TALES. j BY MRS, HUGHS. \ A THICK ]6mO. vol., BEAUTIFULLY BOUND IN RICH, FANCY-COLOURED BINDrNG, > WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. J Price 75 cents. | ► ^"^SSS «»%%»»»<»»%» »»» »^s»» ^s»»» »»»^» ^^»s»»»»%» »»»»»»%»»» ^ \ LINDSAY 86 BLAKISTON'S PUBLICATIONS. I THE YOUNG LADIES' HOME. 3JV M IfS. I.. < '. 1 if^r I I 1 1,I„ AITJIOU OK "I WILL UK A LADV," "I WILL DK A UBMTLBMA*,** «TC. A uew auti beautiful Edition, cnlarKcd* A Travrll^T Ix-lwixt iiTr :ui.! .;< .>■'■, . 'lilt! rtfiuioci linn, i Kiiiluniiire, lurrk . >i(lU, 'I'd vvurri, til Ton. . 1.1 ; And yet a »i>(rit kua iinU lintjiil. \Viiii sonieiliins uf uii uniccl lucht— IVorrfnMrtk. In Cloth, Gilt Backs, 75 cents. la Full Gilt Edges, Ac, $1 25. The object which the intf llicent author of Ihu volume bu m new, u to awakMi lh« allvatMa i4 voudie: ladies to the iiiipuruiit duties uf life which devolve upon them, after lh«7 bav« wwJ ikatt scliulastic exercises, in doin^ .so, the endeaviiura tu teach them ■oraelliiiif uf Iha formaUu* al cte* racier, and ofTers tlieni various useful hiala f]:Ms. By MRS. ESLING, (Lute Miss Watebmas.) Price in Cloth, Gilt Backs, $1 00. i "They are the poems of the afTectioan, sweliinR forth from a heart chastenn) by th« dnnp!i»e at J life, syiiipalhizing wiUi all human sorrow, and lovinj the beauuful m nature aaJ the (r«M ■■ i— t i i ment with unaffected fervour. > TREASURED THOUGHTS FROM FAVOURITE AUTHORS. \ i i BY CAROLINE MAY, AUTHOR OK TIIK "AMKKRA.N KKMALE POETS," KTC. A neat ]2tuo. volume. Price $1 00. In this book all is sound, rational, and iniprovin?. calculated lo pnMMil* tfalmey rf frvfaac »«d j , loftiness of sentiment, full of rcxkI »en»e and good u»le. It m the bMt timamrf of lka«(Ma M ik* language.— CArM<«ac.aa4 fixed upon the nn-morv. » » FOREST FLOWERS OF THE WEST. i)Y .MK.S. K*'* IlioKKT.) { WITH PORTRAIT, ETC. i In Cloth, Gilt Backs, 75 ceoU. Full Gilt, $1 00. J She possewes a warm, lively fancy, and true poeUc feeling : her verw do«MC P«» »»* the waters of her own Went.— flu/Z*(in. _ This volume is d«iined to Uke lU place amoo« the nnmeroas Km*nna pim»mam w^m verses expressive of womanly feelinc ennrh our litera'.ofe.-/*rT»»»«^««^ ^^^■%%%%% JL_£ jTriiitjtT- 1 r «r.gi:3'ia/i : fi i'^?' ty ' w:-h y^yr'-^ifc ^