The lives of Winfield Scott and Andrew Jackson

Front matter

:Jif

RY ASSOCIATION

OF

Preface

The following is designed to be the commencement of a series of biographical sketches of distinguished men of the present generation. The extent to which it is carried will depend entu*ely on the success that attends it. There are manydeserving a place in histoiy, whose hves, nevertheless, do not fm-nish sufficient material for a complete book. These will be gi-ouped together as circumstances may determine. No attempt has been made to give the various officers which served under Generals Scott and Jackson, their proper praise. This belongs to their individual sketches, or general history of the war. Scott and Jackson are here placed together, as the two military men who have made the deepest impressions on their country since the time of Washington. No other two have given it such character at home, or reputation abroad. Differing widely in some characteristics, they were very similar in others.

VI ■ PREFACE.

To those who may suspect the writer of endeavoring to wield a pohtical injfluence, he would say, that one of these biographies was completed, and the other begun, and the contract for both made before either party had nominated its candidate. Political matters had nothing to do with their production. The materials for them have been accumulating for nearly ten years, and there seems to be no reason why a publication should be deferred, because the unexpected conjunction of political events might give it, for the time being, a partizan character. If pohtical pamphleteering had been the object, the sketch of Gen. Scott would have been used alone long ago, and scattered on the wings of the wind. But if men will insist that the time of its appearance is injudicial ly chosen, the work will be compelled to wrap itself up in its own rights, and falling back on the great laws of precedence^ adduce the English Constitution, the usage of all nations, as proof that the parties should retire till its brief existence is run. In other words, the hook has the floor, and the speaker's hammer must protect its rights.

Thus much may be said without blame ; but a writer may go farther, and insist that any time is proper in which to narrate the deeds of a man who has deserved well of his country. If his actions are worthy of record, the most appropriate moment for bringing them forward is when he is about to receive the reward of his deeds. There is a wide difference between writing a man into eminence, because unforeseen occurrences may place him in pohtical power, and in defending and praising one whose claims to immortahty neither present success nor failure can affect.

Many officers under Scott have been consulted in preparing

PKEFACE. Vll

this biography, while Mansfield's History of the Mexican War is referred to as the best, or, indeed, the only reliable authority in the great movements and features of the campaign.

Kendell's and Jenkins' Life of Jackson, newspapers of the time, Niles' Kegister, etc., are the chief sources of information in sketching the hfe of Jackson.

Contents

WINFIELD SCOTT.

Chapter I

Scott's Birth and Parentage — Became a Lawyer — ^Enters the Army— His Trial by Court-martial, and Suspension — His Studies — Ee-enters the Army — Battle of Queenstown — Scott a Prisoner — Conflict with two Indians — Protection of his Irish Soldiers — Attack and Capture of Fort George, . 13

CHAPTER n.

Scott superintends the Camp of Instruction at Buffalo — Drills the Army — Crosses the Niagara — Pursues the Marquis of Tweesdale behind the Chippewa— Battle of Chippewa — Company of Backwoodsmen — Battle of Niagara — Charge of Miller— Scotfs "Wound and Last Orders— Journey to "Washington— Eeception at Princeton— Black Hawk "War— Scott amid the Cholera — Is challenged by Jackson — ^Becomes interested in the cause of Temperance — ^Takes command in South Carolina to crush the Disunionists — Settles the Diflaculties on the Northern Frontier— Pursues the Chero-

CHAPTER HI.

Scott preserves peace on the Maine boundary— Friendship between him and the Governor of New Brunswick — Appointed Commander-in-Chief —

X CONTENTS.

PAOB

Treatment at "Washington — Takes charge of the Army in Mexico— Martial Law orders — Fire in the Eear — Landing at Vera Cruz — The Siege and Capture of the City — March to Cerro Gordo — The Battle— Entrance of Jalapa— Of Puebla— Eeduction of the Army, 70

CHAPTER IV.

The Army at Puebla — Description of the Scenery — Arrival of Eeinforcements— Departure for Mexico— Ascent to the Cordilleras— Magnificent Scenery — First View of the Plain and City of Mexico — The Eoad found Impassible — Difficult March round Lake Chalco to the Acapulco Eoad— Attack on Contreras — Suffering and Anxiety of the Army at Night- Storming of the Fort — Enthusiastic Eeception of Scott by his Victorious Troops— San Antonio Taken— The Three Battles of Churubusco— The Flight and Pursuit— Scott after Battle — The Mexicans propose an Armistice, . . ' 98

CHAPTER V.

The Armistice— Scott resolves to carry Chapultepec by Storm— Description of the Fortress— Battle of Molino del Eey — The Field after the Victory— The Condition and Prospects of the Army at this time — Misbehavior of the Government — Defence of Scott— His Plan of assaulting Chapultepec — Day preceding the Battle— The Final Attack, 130

ANDREW JACKSON.

CHAPTER I.

Jackson's Boyhood— Left an Orphan— His Mother— Massacre at "Waxhaw — At thirteen becomes a Soldier — First Battle — His Courage — Taken Prisoner — His Eepublican Spirit — Is Wounded — Presence of Mind — Digs through his prison walls to see Greene's Encampment — Hobkirk-hill — His Eelease and Eeturn Home— Heroism of his Mother— Visits Charleston— Studies

CONTENTS. XI

. Law— Eemoves to Tennessee — Fights a Bnlly — Pursued by Indians— His Chivalry — Jealousy of Eobards — Marries Mrs. Kobards — Daring Arrest- Attacked by a mob— Becomes a Farmer — Duel with Dickinson — His failure — Defends the wronged — Care of tho Sick — ^Tecumseh — His Eloquence — Massacre of Fort Mimms — Jackson enters the Creek Country — Attacks the Indians — The Battle — Distress of his Troops — Mutiny in his Army — Quells a Mutiny — A second Mutiny — ^Defeats the Indians — ^Attacked by Indians— Eeinforcements— Battle of the Horse Shoe— Saves a "Warrior — Ends the War— His Eesolution, 203