Pictorial life of Andrew Jackson; embracing anecdotes, illustrative of his character

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 mihtary 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 highsouled American ; he is even now contemplated by th.e ii^en of every opinion and party.

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 companionship with the greatest and purest of all the ages.

We have, in this httle volume, sketched his history 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.

Philadelphia, July 4, 1845.

CONTENTS,

Chapter I

Birth 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 Waxhav^r Settlement — Jackson enters the American Army — His first Field — His quickness of conception — A desperate Affair — A Stratagem of the Enemy — Capture of Jackson — Attempted indignity — Resistance of Jackson — He is wounded — Hobkirk Hill — Anecdote 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 23

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. Robards — His Marriage 31

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter 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 XVI

Southern Campaign against the British — Jackson is appointed a Major-General of the United States — Duplicity of the Spanish Governor of Pensacola — Defeat of the British at Fort Bowyer — Jackson captures Pensacola — Approach of a large hostile Force 95

Chapter XX

Eighth of January, 1815 — A Deserter — The British advance to the attack — Terrible slaughter — Fall of Packenham — Defeat of the British — Reward of Treachery 130

CHAPTER XXL

New Orleans after the Battle — Jackson is fined one thousand dollars. . . 141

Viii CONTENTS.

Chapter XXII

Jackson returns to Tennessee — Difficulties with the Seminoles — Jackson enters Florida — Captures St. Mark's — Execution of Arbuthnot and Arabrister

Destruction of Suwaney and Mickasuky — Jackson takes possession of

Pensacola — End of the Seminole Campaign 145

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 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 Carolina. 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 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 settled 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 influential, is General Jackson indebted for the high place he occupies in 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 country. (,J^ Shortly ^aiier the birth of Jackson, his father died, TeavTng 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 many great 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 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 exemplary woman, and to have executed the arduous duties which had devolved on her with great faithfulness 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 opposition to British tyranny and oppression which afterward 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 Carrickfergus, and the oppressions exercised by the nobility of Ireland over the labouring 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, therefore, only taught the rudiments of their mother 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.

Here he was placed on the study of the dead languages, and continued until the revolutionary war, extending its ravages into that section of South Carolina where he then was, rendered it necessary that every one should betake himself to the American standard, seek protection with the enemy, or flee his country.

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 footsteps 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 training 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 butcheries 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.

On the 29th May, 1780, a division of the American army, under Colonel Buford, was 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 Waxhaw meeting-house was converted into a hospital ; and here had the young Jackson an opportunity of witnessing the horrors of war. The mangled 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 Carolina. Here she remained but a short time, and, returning to the Waxhaws, her two sons entered the ranks of the American army, and were 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.

i

GEME-RAL ANDREW JACKSON.

In the month of September following, Mrs. Jackson and her sons, with most of the Waxhaw settlers, were again compelled to retire before the British army into North Carolina. They returned, however, in February, 1781, as soon as they heard that Lord Cornwalhs 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 were no courts to protect innocence or punish crime, — men hunted each other like beasts of prey, and the savages were outdone in cruelty. In such a school was our hero tutored. Boys, big enough to carry muskets, 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, without danger of being surprised and murdered.

It w^as upon such an occasion, that Andrew Jackson gave the first illustration of that quickness of conception, and readiness of action, which afterwards placed him in the highest rank of military chieftains. A patriot captain, named Lands, desired to spend a night with his family. The two

Jacksons and six otliers constituted his guard ; they were in all nine men and seven muskets. Having no expectations of an attack, they all, with the exception of a British deserter, who was one of the party, went to sleep. Lands' house was in the centre 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 parties, one going round the east end of the stable, intending 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 terror, he seized Andrew Jackson, who was nearest

JACKSONS PRESENCE OF MIND 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 hred. A volley was returned, which killed the soldier, who, having aroused the inmates of the house, had followed young Jackson, and was standing near him. The other band of Tories had now emerged 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 commenced 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 betook themselves to their horses, and fled. The charge was sounded by a Major Isbel, of the neighbourhood, who had not a man with him, but, hearing the firing, and knowing that Lands was attacked, gave the blast upon his trumpet to alarm the assailants.

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 Ions after the above occurrence that about forty of the Waxhaw settlers, among whom were young Jackson, had rendezvoused at the meeting-house. After their return from North Carolina, the British commander had despatched Major Coffin, with a corps of light dragoons, to the settlement. When the enemy approached the place of rendezvous, they kept a band of Tories, dressed in the common garb of the country, in front, so that the patriots who had been in expectation of a friendly company, under Captain Nisbett, were completely deceived, and fell an easy prey to this stratagem. Eleven of them were taken prisoners, the rest with difficulty fled, scattering, and betaking themselves 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 neighbouring house for the purpose of procuring something to eat, they were broken in upon, and made prisoners, by Coffin's dragoons and a party of Tories who accompanied them. The young men, with a view to security, had placed their horses in the wood, on the margin of a small creek, and posted on the road which led by the house a sentinel, that they might have information of any approach, and in time to be able to elude it. But the Tories, who were well acquainted with the country and the passes through the forest, had unfortunately passed the creek at the very point 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 discovered. 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.

which had become muddied in crossing the creek. This order he positively and peremptorily refused to obey ; alleging that he looked for such treatment as a prisoner of war had a right to expect. Incensed at his refusal, the officer aimed a blow at his head 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 bore until his death. 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, separated and confined, they were treated with marked severity, until a few days after the battle before Camden, when, in consequence of a partial exchange, effected by the intercessions and exertions of their mother, and Captain Walker of the militia, they were both released from confinement.

An anecdote may here be related, illustrative of young Jackson's energy of character. During his confinement at Camden, General Greene made his unsuccessful attack on the British forces stationed there under Lord Rawdon. Camden is situated on a hill. Greene had encamped on Hobkirk's Hill, about a mile distant, and in full view of the redoubt in which the prisoners were confined.

By the signs and sounds around him, on the 24th of x\pril, young Jackson became satisfied that the British intended to surprise the American army, which, under no apprehension of an attack, rested in perfect security. Jackson felt convinced that this would be attempted on the morning of the 25th, and he was most anxious to witness the conflict. This, however, was forbidden by the intervention of a thick plank fence, that ran around the redoubt, and completely shut out the view of the surrounding country. The board fence was thoroughly examined, but not a hole or crevice was to be found through which his eager eye could obtain a view of Greene's encampment. As a last resource, he set to work with an old razor-blade, which had been furnished the prisoners to eat their rations with, and working during most of the night, he continued to dig one of the knots out of the pine planks, with which the fence was constructed, and through this he obtained a full view of Greene's encampment.

During the next day, however, he was doomed to witness the defeat of the American army, with the reflection that his imprisonment was not only to be protracted, but to be shared with new victims to British cruelty.

Chapter III

CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. STUDY OF LAW.

HORTLY after their release, Andrew Jackson lost his only brother, who died from the effects of the wound received at the hands of the brutal officer, as related in the preceding chapter. To add to his afflictions, his mother, worn down by grief, and her incessant exertions to provide clothing and other comforts for the suffering prisoners who had been taken from her neighbourhood, expired in a few weeks after her son, near the lines of the enemy, in the vicinity of Charleston. He — the last and only surviving child, confined to a bed of sickness, occasioned by the sufferings he had been compelled to undergo while a prisoner, and by getting wet on his return from captivity — was thus left in the wide world without a human beinjT with whom he could claim near relationship. The small-pox, about the same time, having made its appearance upon him, had well-nigh terminated his sorrows and his existence.

Recovering, however, from his comphcated afflictions, he entered upon the enjoyment of his estate, which, though small, would have been sufficient to have given him a liberal education. Circumstances, however, led to his expending this patrnnonial property with too profuse a hand. During the occupation of Charleston by the British, a number of the polished inhabitants of that city had retired to the Waxhaw settlement, and there remained. With some of these young men Jackson had contracted habits of intimacy, and at the evacuation of Charleston he accompanied them in their return to the city. Not wishing to be behind his companions in expenditure, his small property soon melted away, and he was left with only a fine mare, which he had carried along with him from the Waxhaw settlement. She too was at length staked against a sum of money in a game of " rattle and snap." Jackson won the game, and, taking a sudden resolution, he put the money in his pocket, paid his bill, and bidding adieu to his friends, he started for the Waxhaws. Here, having collected the httle remains of his property, he took leave of the friends of his youth, and starting for Salisbuiy, N. C, he placed himself in the office of Spruce M'Cay, ICsq., then an eminent counsellor there, with the view of preparing himself for the practice of law. This was in the winter of 1784.

Thus did young Jackson, with an effort of his inborn energy, cut short his career of dissipation — and his reformation was thorough and enduring. He afterwards continued his studies under Colonel Stokes, also an eminent lawyer, and in a little more than two years received a license to practise law. As an evidence of the estimation in which he was at that time held by the influential men of North Carohna, he soon after received from the governor the appointment of Solicitor for the western district of that state — embracing the present state of Tennessee.

Chapter IV

GENERAL JACKSON's EMIGRATION TO TENNESSEE. ANECDOTES

OF HIS LIFE WHILE PRACTISING AS A LAWYER.

N the year 1788, accompanied by Judge M'Nairy,GeneralJackson, then twentyone years old, crossed the mountains, for the purpose of discharging the duties imposed upon him by his recent appointment, and seeking employment in his profession. He took up his residence for some time at Jonesborough, then the principal seat of Justice in the Western District. In the year 1789, he visited the settlements on the Cumberland River. On account of the frequent and terrible forays made by the Choctaw and Cherokee Indians from the South, most of the settlers at this time were living in stations, and but few separate cabins were to be found ; and it was some time before these were scattered over the country. During this time, Jackson made frequent professional visits from

Jonesborough to the settlements on the Cumberland, a distance of two hundred miles ; the hardships and perils of which journeys, it is difficult for the modern traveller, in steamboats and stages, to conceive. — Often, with his loaded rifle on his shoulder, his pistols, blanket and provisions strapped to his saddle, the young lawyer might be met on the dangerous route alone. Having to sleep out under the open sky, to ford deep and swollen streams, and not unfrequently to pass whole days without eating, while fat turkeys, and pheasants, and deer were on every side, which he dared not kill, lest the report of his rifle might alarm the lurking savage. Many anecdotes and incidents occurring to our hero at this time, are strongly illustrative of the life of these early Western pioneers.

On one occasion, with three companions, he was on his way from Jonesborough to the settlements on the Cumberland. When arriving, just before dark, on the east side of the Emory, where it issues from the mountains, they saw the fires of a large party of hostile Indians on the opposite bank. The party, by that instinct which discovers who among them is the master mind, immediately put themselves under the guidance of Jackson. He at once led them backwards into the mountains, keeping up the stream, for the purpose of fording it at some distance above, taking care, however, to leave no traces by which the Indians might follow them. They kept up the stream during the whole night, guided by the noise of its current, and in the morning attempted to ford it, but found that it was too much swollen to be waded, and too rapid to be swum. Still fearing pursuit, they kept on until two o'clock, when they came to a place where the stream presented a smooth surface, with a cataract below, and another fall above. Still anxious to get the river between them and their late trail, they set about forming a raft. This being constructed from rude logs, bound together by hickory withes, and having made two oars, as well as a rudder, they commenced the passage across. It was cold March weather, and therefore of the utmost importance to keep their blankets and saddles, as well as their rifles and powder, from getting wet. It was concluded, therefore, that Jackson, with one other of the party, should first carry over all the moveables, and, returning, they could swim the horses after the raft. As soon as the raft had been pushed out from the shore, a strong under-current commenced forcing it toward the falls below. Jackson, regardless of the admonitions of his companions on the shore, continued for some time to struggle with his oars against the current, but perceiving that his exertions would be in vain, he at last endeavoured to bring the raft back to the bank from w hich he had started.

With all his strength he was unable to bring it to land — the suck of the cataract had already seized it. A moment more, and the raft, with its passengers, would have been dashed to pieces, — when Jackson, wrenching one of his oars from its fastenings, sprung to the stern, and bracing himself there, held it out to his companions on the shore, who, fortunately being \\ithin reach, seized hold of it and brought the raft to land. Reproached by his companions for not heeding them when they had first warned him, Jackson coolly replied, " a miss is as aood as a mile — ye see how I can crraze dancrer — come on, and I will save you yet." Re-equipping themselves, the parly resumed their march up the stream ; and having spent another night in the woods, supperless, they found a ford next morning — and next day reached a log cabin on their road, about forty miles from the Indian encampment.

On another occasion, he reached the rendezvous of a party at Bean's Station, with which he was to cross the wilderness, the evening after they had left. With the intention of overtaking" them, he took a

THE ESCAPE guide with him, who was well acquainted with Indian traces, and travelled all night. Just before day he came to the place where his friends had encamped the night previous, and from the traces the guide discovered that a party of Indians had gone in pursuit of them. Following on, they came so near the Indians that the guide refused to go any further. Jackson was determined to save his friends or perish ; and dividing his provisions with the guide, he suffered him to return, while he kept on after the Indians. At length the traces Df the Indians turned to the right from the route which the travellers had taken. Jackson, rightly concluding that they had made a circuit, to head the party and attack them in the night, hastened his speed, and overtook his friends just before dark. Having just forded a deep and frozen stream, they were drying their clothes and warming themselves by the fires which they had kindled. Taking advice from Jackson, they resumed their journey, and continued it during the whole night and the next day. It had now commenced to snow, and the sky portended a severe storm. Arriving at the log cabins of some hunters, they requested shelter and protection during the night. They were, contrary to their expectations, rudely refused. Jackson, wearied with

So LIFE OF

the journey, and having been two nights without sleep, wrapped himself in his blanket, and lay down by the trunk of a large tree, where he slept soundly ; and when awaking in the morning, he found himself covered with six inches of snow. The party resumed their march, and reached their destination in safety ; but they afterwards learned that the hunters, who had refused them shelter, had been every one butchered by the Indians who had pursued them.

Chapter V. Jackson Locates Himself Permanently At Nashville

HIS MARRIAGE.

FTER making several professional visits, back and forth, from Jonesbo- ^ rough to the settlement on the Cum- ' berland, Jackson, wisely judging that Nashville offered tempting inducements to a young lawyer, concluded to make a permanent W location in that place. \ It had not been Jackson's intention certainly

to make Tennessee the place of his future residence; 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. To one of refined feelings, the prospect before him was certainly 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 different 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 the delinquents the execution of their contracts. In this state of things, Jackson made his appearance at Nashville, and, while the creditor class looked to it with great satisfaction, the debtors were sorely displeased. Applications were immediately made to him for his professional services, and on the morning after his arrival he issued seventy writs. To those prodigal 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 anything through this channel.