Pictorial life of Andrew Jackson

II

" Universal History, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom

the hisiory of the great men who have worked here." — Carltlk.

HARTFORD.

BELKNAP AND H A ME R S L E Y

PHILADELPHLi.

MARTIN BOMBERGER.

CINCINNATI: BOMBERGER & GILLIS.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by

JOHN FROST,

In the office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

STEREOTYPED BY E. B. MEARS, PHILADELPHIA. PRINTED BY CASE, TIFFANY AND CO., HARTFORD.

PEEPACE.

A LIFE of General Jackson, written so soon after his decease as the present, may be thought premature. Perhaps in some respects it is so. There are many points in which posterity alone will be able to appreciate his merits, and do justice to his claims. But with respect to the great elements of his character, and the leading actions of his life, all parties seem now to be agreed. The number of those who will deny his ability as a soldier, or his purity, disinterestedness, and instinctive foresight as a statesman, is comparatively small. Many of those able and distinguished men who deemed it their duty to oppose his leading political measures, always regarded him, while living, with respect, and still cherish his memory with reverence. It may therefore be confidently hoped that an attempt to give an impartial biography of him may be received with candour by the great mass of his countrymen.

In the present attempt, the writer has dwelt chiefly on that part of General Jackson's life respecting

IV PREFACE.

which there is no controversy, viz : his brilhant mihtary career. In the narrative of his pohtical hfe, httle more has been attempted than a succinct statement of facts. Later biographers will be enabled to do him ampler justice, by tracing the beneficial effects of his political measures into remoter times.

For the events of the Creek war, and the defence of New Orleans, the writer is chiefly indebted to the copious and able biography of General Jackson written by his friend Major Eaton, whose access to the best means of information is undoubted. The other authorities are cited in the work. The pictorial embellishments of the book are chiefly from the prolific pencil of Mr. Croome, whose merits are well known to the public.

The author has found his esteem and reverence for the character of General Jackson to be constantly increasing, with the extent of the researches which this work has required him to make ; and he believes, that popular as the subject of this memoir always has been, his favour with the American people is destined still to increase, so long as the Republic shall continue to exist.

Chapter I. Early Life

Parentage and Birth of Jackson, 16; Death of his Father. 17; The Revolution, 18.

Chapter II. Services In The Revolution

Partisan warfare, 21 ; Marion, 22 ; Sumpter, 23 ; Death of Hugh Jackson, 24 ; Fall of Charleston, 25 ; Waxhaw Massacre, 27 ; Affair at Armsaour's Mill, 29 ; Affair at Hanging Rock, 33 ; Rocky Mount, 39 ; Jackson's first battle, 40 ; Battle of King's Mountain. 45 ; Mrs. Jackson removes to North Carolina, 45 ; Battle of Cowpens, 49 ; Battle of Guilford, 53 ; Heroic conduct of Jackson, 56 ; Death of Jackson's Mother, 61; Battle of Eutaw, 65; Close of the Southern War, 66.

Chapter III. Professional Life

Jackson studies Law, 68 ; Settles at Nashville, 69 ; Marriage with Mrs. Robards, 74.

Chapter IV

INDIAN WAR— LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL LIFE. Jackson in Congress, 76 ; In the Senate, 76 ; Acquaintance with Mr. Livingston, 77; Elected Commander-in-chief, 79 ; Jackson appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court in Tennessee, 80 ; His firmness as a Judge, 81; Resigns, 82; Aaron Burr's Conspiracy, 83; Indian Wars, 87 ; Tennessee becomes a State, 89 ; Jackson assists in forming the Constitution of Tennessee, 89.

Chapter V. Commencement Of The Creek War

Jackson offers his services to the Government, 92 ; Takes an Army to Natchez, 93 ; Ordered to disband his Troops, 95 ; Refuses to obey, 96 ;

VI CONTENTS.

His conduct approved, 99; Intri<;ues of Teciimseli, 100; Massacre at Fort Mimms, 103; Raising of Volunteers; 105; Scarcity of Provisions, 116.

Chapter VI. Tallushatchee

Battle of Tallushatchee, 123; Adoption of Lincoyer, 125.

Chapter VII. Talladega

Forced march, 129; Battle of Talladega, 131; Relief of Fort Strother, 133; Dinner of Acorns, 135; Soldiers mutiny, 136; Famine, 139; Mutiny quelled, 141.

Chapter VIII. Hillabee Towns — Desertions And Mutiny— Georgia Victories

Hillabee Deputies, 144 ; Destruction of the Hillabees, 145 ; Mutiny, 146; Letter to the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, 147; Letter to the Army, 151; .Jackson's Address, 156; Arrival of General Cocke. 161; Coffee's Brigade, 162; Governor Blount, 169; General Roberts cashiered, 175; Arrest of Kearley, 175; Lilliard's Regiment, 178; Georgia Victories, 180.

CONCLUSION OF THE CREEK WAR.

March to the Hickory Ground, 222 ; Pursuit of Indians, 222 ; Surrender of Weatherford, 225 ; Volunteers discharged, 229 ; Treaty with the Creeks, 231 ; Speech of Big Warrior, 235.

Chapter XIII. Pensacola

Hostility of the Spaniards, 241; Letter to the Spanish Governor, 243; Nicholl's Proclamation, 249; Attack on Fort Bowyer, 251 ; Jackson's Proclamation, 253 ; Attack on Pensacola. 257 ; Storming of the Battery, 259 ; Capture of Pensacola, 259 ; Destruction of the Barrancas, 260.

Chapter XIV. New Orleans— Battle Of The Twenty-third Of De- Cember

Designs of the British, 265 ; Disaffection of the Inhabitants, 267 ; Committee of Safety, 26S ; Governor Claiborne, 271; Situation of New- Orleans, 273; Jackson's force, 275; Governor Shelby's patriotism, 276 ; Fortifications, 279 ; Gunboat action, 283 ; Loss of the Seahorse, 284 ; Commodore Patterson, 285 ; Address to the Troops, 286 , Conduct of the Legislature, 289 ; Declaration of Martial Law, 290 ; Judge Hall, 292 ; Landing of the British. 293 ; Plan of March, 295 ; Night Action of the 23d of December, 296 ; Jackson's Attack, 303 ; Defeat of the British, 304 ; Fortifying. 305 ; Effects of the Battle. 307.

Chapter XV

NEW ORLEANS— BATTLE OF THE FIRST OF JANUARY. The invading army, 311; Jackson's preparations, 313; Lafitte, 314; Baratarians, 315; British ofiers eluded, 318 ; Lafitte joins the Americans. 319; British attack the works, 323; Colonel Henderson killed, 325; British erect batteries, 327 ; Attempt on Jackson's life, 327; Battle of January 1st, 327 ; Defence of the Swamp, 329 ; Jackson's second line, 331; Reinforcements. 333; Defence of the right bank, 335 ; Battle of the 8th of January, 337 ; Havoc among the British, 341; Fall of Packenham, Keane, and Gibbs. 340; Retreat of the British, 341 ; Death of Colonel Rennie, 342 ; Action on the right bank. 342 ; Loss of the British, 345 ; Burying the dead. 347 ; Re-

Viii CONTENTS.

treat of the British, 351; Bombardment of Fort St. Philip, 353; Jackson's return to New Orleans. 355 ; Peace announced, 359 ; Army disbanded, 363 ; Return to Nashville, 364.

Chapter XVI. The Seminole War

Jackson appointed Commander-in-chief of the Southern division, 368; Visit to Washington, 369 ; Visit to New Orleans, 371 ; Indian Treaty, 373; Condition of Florida, 375 ; Indian depredations, 379 ; Destruction of the Negro fort, 383 ; M'Krimmon's rescue, 385; Surprise of Lieutenant Scott, 387 ; Gaines enters Florida, 389 ; Jackson takes the command, 395 ; Fort Gadsden built, 397 ; Capture of St. Marks, 399 ; Ambrister taken, 401 ; Arbuthnot aird Ambrister executed, 405; Occupation of Florida, 411; Jackson visits Washington, 413; His justification, 414.

Chapter XVII. Jackson At The Hermitage

Jackson appointed Governor of Florida, 419 ; Nominated for the Presidency, 421 ; Election of Mr. Adams, 423 ; Jackson renominated, 425; Elected President, 429.

Chapter XVIII. First Presidential Term

Inaugural Address, 435; First Cabinet, 439; Congress of 1829, 440; Message, 442 ; United States Bank, 444 ; Debate on the Constitution, 447 ; Internal Improvements, 449 ; Second Message, 45 1 ; Rejection of Van Buren by the Senate, 457 ; Veto of Bank Bill, 459 , Nullification, 461; Proclamation, 463; Calhoun's position, 465.

Chapter XIX. Second Presidential Term

Outrage on the President, 473 ; Removal of the Deposites, 477 ; French Indemnity, 479; Attempt to Assassinate the President, 480; Expunging Resolutions, 483 ; Farewell Address, 486.