Memoirs of Andrew Jackson, major-general in the army of the United States

Front matter

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Introduction

Adoption of American Constitution — Pursuits of Americans — Diminution of Military ardour — Declaration of War — Militia — Volunteers — Reg-ular Troops — Andrew Jackson. p. 9

CHx\P. I.

His family, birth, and early pursuits — Enters into the army of the Revolution — is captured by the British — resists an illegal order of a British officer — receives a wound, and is committed to g'aol — loses his surviving brother — his mother dies of giief — he completes liis literary studies. p. 19

Chap. II

Incidents of early life — of Andrew Jackson's — He commences and completes the study of law — Patriotism of American Lawyers — He commences the practice of law, and emigrates to the South-West Territory — is appointed Attorney -general — member of the Tennessee Convention — a Representative in Congress — a Senator in Congress — a Judge of the Suprame Court in Tennessee — and retires to private life. p. 31

Chap. III

_Mr. Jackson's career in civil life — commencement of his Military career — Major-general of Tennessee Militia — Militia forces — American savages — reason for their hatred and vengeance against Anglo-Americans. Religious fanaticism among them— 'I'he Prophet Francis and his brother Tecamseh — Effect of their assumed divinity — Tender of Gen. Jackson, and his Volunteers to the government of the U. States. p. 40

Chap. IV

Gen. Jackson and Tennessee Volunteers — Importance of the river Missisippi — Mr. Monroe's solicitude for the security of it, and the Western States — Volunteers rendezvous at Nashville, Tenn. descend the Ohio and Missisippi — encamp at Natchez — Order for their discharge, from Mr. Armstrong — disobeyed by Gen, Jackson — Volunteer return to Tennessee, and are discharged — Approbation of the government. p. 51

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VI CONTENTS.

Chap. V

Approbation and censure of Gen. Jackson — implacable hostility of savages increased by British and Spanish emissaiies, and British ravages — Indian massacre of garrison, women and children, at Fort Mimms — Expedition from Tennessee against Creeks prepared — Gen. Jackson as'sumes the command — Colonel Coffee — difference between Militia, Volunteers, and Regular troops — Gen. Jackson proceeds to the frontiers — prepares for active service — Deficiency of provisions — Col. Dyer destroys Littaflitches — First victory over Creeks at Tallushatches — Gen. Coffee's report of it to Gen. Jackson. p. 59

Chap. VI

Tennessee forces — Collisions in armies — Establishment at Fort •Strother — Perilous situation of friendly Creeks — Dispatch to Gen. White — his conduct — Battle of Talladega — Gen. Jackson's account of it. p. 76

CHAP, VII.

Consequences of Brig. Gen. White's conduct — Hillabees sue for peace to Ge)i. Jackson — Geji. White destroys their towns — Measures of the Georgia Legislature — Victory at Avtojtsee — Brig. Gen. Floyd's account of it — Gen. Jackson's situation in December, 1813 — Mutiny among his troops — also in Gen. Coffee's Brigade — Dismissal of both. p. 85

Chap. VIII

Gen. Jackson's situation at the commencement of 1814 — his hopes revive — Victory at Eccanachaca, or Holy Ground — Witherford, the Indian Prophet — Col. Carroll joins Gen. Jackson — Victories at Emitckfaiv^ Jan. 22d — at E7iotachopco, the 24th — Gen. Jackson's ofHcial report of them — Applause bestowed upon soldiers,

p. 97 CHAP. IX.

Gen. .Jackson prepares for a new expedition — receives an account of the victory at Chatahouchee — adopts a new mode to obtain supplies — Army Contractoi's — Energetic measures — Great victory at Tohopeka — Savage warfare — British and Spanish emissaries. P- 118

Chap. X

(yonclusion of Creek W^ar — Return of Gen. Jackson and Volunteers — their reception, and separation — Gen. Jackson is appointed Bi'ig. Gen in U. S. army — also a Commissioner to treat with Creek Indians — concludes a treaty — Foreign emissaries — Indian Eloquence — Speech of Withertbrd—of Big W^an'ior — of Tecunir Beh, and his death. p. 131

CONTENTS.

Chap. XI

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Spanish agg-fessions and perfidy-'-Gen. Jackson's measures to detect Manrcquez, the Governour of Florida — his letter to him— Danger of the 7th Military district — Gen. Jackson's appeal to the g-overnment — Mr. Monroe's measures of defence — Attack upon Fort Bowyer — gallant defence of Major Lawrence — his official report of it. p. 148

Chap. XII

Gen. Jackson is appointed Maj. Gen. in U. S. army-Fort Bowyerits iiuportanee, and its-dang-er — Gen. Jackson determines to reduce Pensacola — x\n'ival of Gen. Coffee with Tennessee Volunteers and Missisippi Drag'oons — Capture of Pensacola — Gen. Jackson's account of it — Destruction of the Barancas — He returns to Mobile — Col. NicoU's proclamation — Remark. p. 166

CHAP. XIIl.

Gen. Jackson's arrival at New Orleans — ^perilous situation of that place — reliance upon distant forces — his address to the people of Louisiana-timidity of the leg-islature-evidence of disaffection, and traitorous conduct — Declaration of Martial Law — Measures of defence— Arrival of reinforcements — Landing- of the enemy —Battle of the 23d. December— Official report of it. p. 180

Chap. XIV

Benevolent exertions of the Ladies of New Orleans — Gen. Jackson selects the final position of his army — Loss of the naval force — Capt. Patterson — Lieut. Jones — Harmony between land and naval forces — Defence at the mouth of the Missisippi — American lines on the east and west side of the river described — Battle of the 28th December — of the 1st January — Attempts upon the left wing of the American army. p. 199

Chap. XV

Oen Jackson's and Sir Edward Pakenham's armies from the 1st, to 8th January — Gen, Morgan's lines — Battle of the 8th January — Gen. Jackson's report of it — Gen. Morgan's retreat — Gen. Jackson's address to the armies — he regains the right bank of the Missisippi — Bombardment, and attack upon Fort St. Philips — Maj. Overton s report to Gen. Jackson. p. 213

Chap. XVI

Situation of the armies after the battle of the 8th January — Melancholy and distressing scene — Operations at the mouth of the Missisippi — Departure of the enemy — Gen. Jackson's address to the American troops — Disparitv in the loss of the two armies.

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Chap. XVII

Gen. Jackson appoints a day of Thanksg-iving and Praise, for the Victories obtamed, and for the preservation of the city, upon the 23d January — Doct. Dubourg's address — the general's answer — continues his exertions to render the country more secure — Surrender of Fort Bovvyer — Peace proclaimed — Discharge of troops — Gen. Jackson's address to them — Remark.

p. 245 CHAP. XVIII.

Recapitulation of facts relative to the proclamation of Martial Law, writ of habeas corpus, Louaillier, and Judge Hall — Arrest of Gen- Jackson — his defence, conviction, and fine — Trial by jury — Popular feeling — Moderation of Gen Jackson— he advises to a sacred regard for civil power. p. 257

Chap. XIX

Gen. Jackson reth-es from New Orleans — anrives at Nashville, his place of residence — Reflection — He receives a message to repair to the seat of government, to assist in arranging the Peace Establishment of the U. S. army — Difficulty of that duty — Votes of thanks, 8cc. to Gen. Jackson — He repairs to the seat of government — Civilities received upon his passage, and on his arrival — Returns to his head-quarters at Nashville, and in 1816, repairs to New Orleans, and arranges tlie army. p. 271

Chap. XX

Gen. Jackson negociates a treaty for extinguishment of Indian titles to land — Issues an order relative to tliis subject— Receives a silver vase from the Ladies of South Carolina, &.c. — Returns to Nashville — Issues an important general ordei" — Prepares to defend his Division — Commencement of Seminole War — Gen. Gaines attacks the Seminoles — Gen. Jackson addresses the "Tennessee Volunteers" — repairs to Georgia- — and enters with his army into Florida — Justification of that measure — he captures St. Marks. p. 283

Chap. XXI

General Jackson at Fort St. Marks, Florida — captures and executes Francis the Prophet, and an Indian Chief— at the same place, takes Arbuthnot and Ambristie— 'details a general court-martial for their trial — approves of the sentence and orders them to be executed — Remark — Gen. Jackson marches for Pensacola — captures it — appoints Col. King to the command of it, and retires to Nashville, Tenn. p. 301

Conclusion

Fncidents of Gen. Jackson's life— his cliaracter. p. 307

INTRODUCTION.

Adoption of American Constitution — Pursuits of Americans- Diminution of Military ardour — Declaration of War — Militia— Volunteers— Regular Troops— Andrew Jackson.

FROM the conclusion of the War for American Independence, to the commencement of that war which secured it, the Americans were almost wholly diverted from the study of military tactics, and no opportunity had occurred to call into operation the military science acquired in the revolutionary struggle. The mild arts of peace were substituted for the ruthlees carnage of war ; and a rising people, who had severed the ligament that bound them to an European monarch, commenced the enjoyment of self-govern^uent.

To organize a Republic, consisting of a confe(tcracy of a number of distinct governments, having different, and in some respects contending interests, was a task which reqiiired, and called forth the science and the energies of the first statesmen which the world had produced.

Upon the conclusion of that war, the people of the American Republic, as it regarded a form of government, were " in a state of nature^ Destitute of a government of their own making, they had before them the lights of antiquity, and the practical knowledge of modern ages. With the scrutinizing research of statesmen, and the calm deliberation of philosophers, they proceeded to establish a constitution of Civil Government, as the supreme law of the land. The establishment of this constitution is, perhaps, without a parallel in the history of the civilized world. It was not the unresisted mandate of a successful usurper, nor was it a government imposed upon the people by a victorious army. It was digested by profound statesmen, who aimed to secure all the rights of the people who lidd acquired them, by their toil, their courage, and their patriotism. They aimed also to give to tlie government, sufficient energy to command respect.

To the people of the American Republic, a Constitution was presented for i/ie// deliberation, and for their adoption. It was adopted, not with entire unanimity, but by a majority of the people, sufficiently respectable to give its operation a promising commencement The people, having emancipated themselves from the power of a British monarch — having successfully resisted his lords and his commons, looked with jealousy upon those who were called to the exercise of the power which they had themselves delegated to their own countrymen. The excellency of the constitution was tested by the practical application of its principles ; and the patriotism and integrity of all the early officers who derived their power from it, were acknowledged by their admiring countrymen.

The people, having witnessed the establishment of a republican government, of their own choice, relapsed from the energetic character of republican soldiers, to the more gentle ones of agriculturalists, merchants, and mechanics.

Agriculturalists found a capacious field for the exercise of their pursuits in the widely extended and fertile regions of the Republic. Land speculation became the business of the few, who had adequate funds, and the conversion of the wilderness into fertile fields, the pursuits of those who had industry and enterprise.

The Merchants found a world before them as the theatre upon which their energies were to be exerted. Enjoying peace with all nations, while other nations were contending with each other for dominion or wealth, the merchants of the Republic became the carriers for the commercial world. Into their employ they drew thousands of their countrymen, and soon rendered the American States the second nation in the world, in point of commercial consequence.

Manufacturers began to struggle for the rank which they hold in many of the countries in the old world. It was long an ineffectual struggle — But as the " restrictive system''^ was deemed necessary from the unceasing encroachments of European governments upon the commercial rights of America, they rapidly advanced in wealth, and gave employ to a numerous class of citizens.

These three great objects of pursuit, embraced the whole American people, if we except those of the learned professions. These employments were all calculated to divert attention from military tactics, and to confine it rather to the accumulation of wealth, than to the advancement of national glory, by military achievements. In addition to this, the very nature of the American Constitution, was calculated to repress military ardour, being more calculated to make happy citizens^ than renowned soldiers. The surviving patriots of the revolution were following each other in rapid succession to the tomb, and the rising youth of America were seldom aroused to patriotism by the t^les of the revolutionary contest.

Sudden wealth was the result of the exertions of the different classes of Americans. The voluptuousness and effeminacy, usually attendants upon the possession of it, were rapidly diminishing that exalted sense of national glory, for which the Saxons, the ancient stock from which Americans and Englishmen trace their origin, were always celebrated.

As the collisions between the American Republic, and the British empire, began to assume an

INTRODUCTieN. tS

hostile aspect, frequent negociations were commenced, and as often terminated in widening the breach between the two governments.

The murder of Fierce^ by order of a British naval officer, although, from the tranquilized, and ahnost paralized state of public feeling, it did not excite the same indignation as the massacre of Boston citizens, by British troops, before the revolutionary war, yet it was no less an outrage upon humanity and national dignity, than that barbarous deed.

The constant impressment of American seamen, although in its character a less sanguinary violation of national and individual rights, was a more widely extended injury. *' The social body is oppressed, when one of its members is oppressed." That nation can hardly be said to be independent, who will acquiesce in an injury committed upon one of its citizens by another nation. It was an aphorism of the great Hollander, De Witt — " That no independent nation ought tamely to submit to a breach of equity and justice^ from another^ hoxvevcr linequal the poiuers.'*^'^ Although an injury to individuals^ is an injury to the nation; yet, in the attack upon the Chesapeake, a national vessel, the national dignity was directly insulted. To impress seamen from an U. S. frigate, belonging to an infant navy, whose gallantry in the Mediterranean, had excited the admiration, and even the jealousy of Nelson,

• History of Holland.

produced a ferment in the American Republic which could never subside until ample reparation was obtained.

The orders in Council — new and unauthorised principles of blockade^ and an invasion of the rights of neutrals, added to the other injuries mentioned, and to which might be added many more, compelled the great council of the Republic to resort to measures more efficient than non-intercourse -^ cynbargoes, and negociations.

Facts will justify the assertion, that upon the momentous question whether War or Submission should be resorted to by Americat, the American people were divided in opinion ; and this division of opinion was ascertained by a knowledge of the two great political parties in the Republic. The Republican party exclaimed, with an ancient Roman, *' Our voice is still for War,^^ The Federal party, with another Roman, exclaimed, " Our thoughts, we must confess, are turned to Feace.^^

The justice, necessity, or expediency of the second war between the American Republic and the Kingdom of Great Britain, cannot be discussed in this place ; and it might be deemed arrogance to attempt it at all, at this period of time. The authorities who alone had power " to declare War^^ made the declaration ; and to the American people w ere they responsible for the great and important measure.

It may not be inapposite to remark in this place, tliat a si/sternatic opposition to government is unknown in every part of the civilized world, excepting in America and in England. This does not arise from any deficiency of national feeling ; for DO two nations on earth are more devoted to national glory than Americans and Englishmen ; but it arises from that jealousy which intelligence and an exalted sense of liberty always produce in the governed towards their governoiirs. Having one common origin, but no longer any common interest, let the citizens of the American Republic, and the subjects of the British Monarch, judge for themselves which government most consults the happiness of the people, and upon which side of the Atlantic the greatest freedom is enjoyed.

Until the declaration of the last war, the energy of the American constitution had never been tested. Under its benign influence the people had suddenly arisen, from infancy to manhood — from vassalage to freedom — from national penury to national wealth. Its provisions were found abundantly adequate for the government of a great and growing people in a state of peace. The jealousy or the fears of the framers of this inimitable compact, had restricted the military power. It permitted the Captain-general of the militia of the United States, after proper advice to call them into action, to " execute the laws of the tmion — suppress hisurrections — and repel invar sions;^' and even this Jimited power became the subject of animated discussion.

At the commencement of the war, wc had nothing that gave any idea of a Standing Army. Six thousand troops dispersed over a country, half that number of miles in length and in width, presented nothing but a fractured skeleton of an arr jmy. The American militia, although perhaps the best in the world, were organized by the different states ; from the different state governments derived their authority, and had different attachments and different interests. An hundred thousand of them were drafted by the national authority to hold themselves in readiness to take the field at a moment's warning. But the history of modern tactics shows that the trade of war is not learned in a moment. Fifty thousand Vokinteers were invited to enrol themselves for the public defence ; but the amount and efficiency of this species of force d©*- pended upon the opinion of the people in regard to the justice of the war, and of the rectitude of the administration. ErdistmentSy from which alone an efficient army, for any considerable length of time can be produced, were authorised. In some sections of the country, the best blood in them was aroused to patriotism, and the most distinguished citizens flew to the standard of the Republic. In others, it was considered a disgrace to aid, either by men or 7nonei/, what was openly pronounced to be an " imjusi, unnatural^ wicked^ and cruel imr.^*

From such discordant meterials, was the American army of 1812, and 1813, composed. Although the melancholy catalogue of disasters in the campaigns of those years, was occasionally gilded by achievements of resplendent glory ; yet, until the commencement of the campaign of 1814, the Anierican armies had added but few laurels to those acquired in the war of the revolution. A new era in the military history of America the?i commenced. As the gathering storm, which had, for two years, hung over what was deemed in Europe the devoted Republic of America, increased in darkness and liorror, the character of the rising generation of Americans developed itself. A constellation of heroes suddenly arose and illuminated the Iiemisphere of the western world. They conquered generals who had become familiar with victory in the old world — secured for their country the independence acquired in the revolution, and for themselves, fame, as lasting as immortality.

Major General ANDREW JACKSON, the subject of the following Mejvioirs, deservedly holds a distinguished rank amongst the veteran officers of the American Republic, in the last war. But while almost every American is anxious to join his individual note, to the harmonious concord of applause

bestowed upon this distinguished chieftain, few

2* know the arduous toils, the severe privations, and the excessive fatigues, by which he acquired his fame. The writer will endeavour, in a manner as perspicuous as he is able, to do it ; and from materials of unquestionable authenticity, to present the reader, in the following volume, a brief Biography of this American Hero. If the delineations will not be so minute as they might be in a more voluminous work, it is hoped the prominent features of this great man's life and character, in his civil and military career, will be presented in their proper light and shade.

MEMOIRS

OP

ANDREW JACKSON.

His family, birth, and early pursuits — Enters into the army of the Revolution — is captured by the British — resists an illegal order of a British officer — receives a wound, and is committed to g'oal — loses his surviving brother — liis mother dies of grief — he completes his literary studies.

THE birth places of statesmen, heroes, and poets, have often been subjects of historical investi*- gation, and not unfrequently of warm dispute. Seven cities of Greece claimed the honor of giving birth to Homer. The birth of illustrious men certainly imparts a consequence to the places of their nativity ; and oftentimes the only consequence they possess. An English civilian will visit the birthplace of Alfred— the 5oMer that of Mirlboroughthepoct those of Shakespeare and Milton. Americans, although comparatively a new people, can scarcely travel in any section of their extensive Republic, but they can point to the place where some of its great benefactors were born. The catalogue would swell the volume. Among the first Statesmen in the world, might be mentioned the members of the

Old Congress — Among Heroes, the oiSicers of the Army of the Revolution. — Among Poets, a constellation of geniuses, to whom posterity will award the meed of praise.

No sooner had ANDREW JACKSON began to achieve those deeds of valour which furnished a sure presage of future eminence, than Englishmen^ and Scotsmen, claimed him as a native-born subject. They once claimed Gen. Washington. Jrishmen omitted to assert their claim to his nativity ; but he was of Irish extraction although born in America. His grandfather was one of the victims at the siege of Carrie kfergus, in Ireland ; and all his ancestors, being among the humbler classes of Irishmen, endured the sufferings which that ill-fated and oppressed people have long endured from some of the Irish nobility, born in the bosom of that country *, and from English noblemen sent there to govern tlieni.

His father, Andrew Jackson, emigrated to America with his wife and two sons in the year 1765. Desirous that his rising family should escape from the oppression of the English government in Europe, he came to this country as an asylum from the rod of abused power. He landed at Charleston in the state of South-Carolina, and soon after established himself at a settlement formerly called JFaxsaw, now the district of Marion.

His youngest son, and the subject of these Memoirs, was born at that place upon the 15th March,

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ANDREW JACKSON. ' ^1

] 767. He began to anticipate a happy close to the evening of his days, in his own domestic circle, in a land of freedom. But before the British government commenced the same systematic oppression of their subjects in their American colonies, as they long had exercised over its subjects in Ireland^ death removed him from the storm, which soon after began to hang over them. He left an unprotected wife and three young children to endure the buffetings of it. He died at near the close of the year 1767.

His surviving children, Ilugh^ Robert^ and Andrew, became the objects of the tender solicitude of their mother. Having a small patrimony left them, their mother with unceasing assiduity, endeavoured to procure for them the rudiments of an English education. Situated in a country where she could claim connection with no human being but her three sons ; the eldest but little advanced from infancy, and the youngest an infant, her situation required the highest exercise of female fortitude and vigilance. But having recently emigrated from a country where the feio roll in splendour through life, and the many begin and end it amidst sufferings, she felt animated at the idea that she was in a country where the rod of the great, or what is worse, the rod of the jietty tyrant could not reach her or her offspring.

For a number of years, no event happened to disturb the tranquility of this venerable matron or her children. By the judicious management of a small estate, she was enabled to aid her sons in the prosecution of their studies. She omitted no opportunity to detail to them the tragical scenes througlv which their early ancestors had passed in Ireland, in the stubborn resistance they always maintained against oppression. The youthful reader of history^ may be made to glow with indignation at the tales of oppression. But the most pathetic description of the historian is tameness itself when compared with the relations of those who have themselves passed through the scenes of sufferings inflicted by dying man upon dying men. The narrations of Mrs. Jackson, must have aroused the feelings of her sons to the highest pitch of enthusiasm against the tyrants who had blasted the hopes, and destroyed the lives of their ancestors. She little thought, perhaps, while she was infusing into the tender bosoms of her sons the ardour of patriotism, that she would live to see two of them fall victims in its holy cause.

Hugh and Robert, not being designed for either of the learned professions, obtained no other education than what the common schools at that period afforded. Andrew, the youngest son, was, by his excellent mother, designed for the ministry. In the Waoosaio settlement, about forty miles from Camden, was established an academical institution, in which the learned languages, and the higher branches of education were taught. As the instructor of Andrew Jackson, if he be at this time in life, will rtjoice in the celebrity of his pupil, it is but justice to remark that this academy, at the time he commenced his literary pursuits, afforded the best means of instruction in the section of the country in which he was born. The preceptor of it was a Mr. Humphries, whose christian name is unknown to the writer. Under his tuition, the subject of these memoirs, having before enjoyed no other advantages than what the ordinary schools imparted, began the study of classics. He here continued assiduously to pursue his studies, until the Vandal progress of the British armies, in the revolutionary war, brought thera to that part of South Carolina in which the family of Jackson were situated.

Mrs. Jackson once more beheld the arm of British power uplifted in wrath over her adopted country, as she had before beheld it raised over the land of her nativity. The American forces were compelled, in that section of the country, to retreat before a power which they could not then resist. Her eldest son had before enrolled himself in the armies of the Republic, and lost his life in its cause at the battle of Stono, Andrew had arrived to the age of fourteen years ; and, with his surviving brother Rcibert, was impelled, by the exalted sentiments of liberty and independence which he had learned from his mother, to fly to tlie American standard.

The scanty details which are yet received of the revolutionary contest, deprives me of the pleasure of mentioning the regiment and the commander of it, in which Andrew Jackson commenced his military career at the early age of fourteen. Suifice it to say, that at that age, with his only brother, Robert, he entered into the American service ; prepared, if such were the decrees of fate, to follow their elder brother into eternity in resisting tyrannical power. Effectual resistance, at that period, was impossible ; and the slender forces of America, in .S. Carolina, were compelled to retire before the formidable power of lord Cornwallis into the interior of N, Carolina. This confident representative of British power, finding no force at that time to resist him, left the country — leaving behind him the wide-spread tracks of desolation in every part of it- The once tranquil and happy settlers of Waxsaw returned to a place which was once a home. The deep marks of British rapacity were visible in every part of the settlement ; and the effects of Vandal warfare were every where to be seen.

Lord Rowden was in possession of Camden, and no sooner learned that the dispersed inhabitants of Waxsaio were again returned, than he availed him> self of the assistance of American tories to complete their extermination. A British major, by the name of Cojjln^ was the commander of this expedition. The inhabitants, who might all be said to belong to the forlorn hope, determined to make at least a shew of resistance. They assembled at the Waxsaw meeting-house, to which was attached the academy of Mr. Humphries, in which Andrew Jackson had devoted himself to literature. Here they awaited the augmentation of their force by the arrival of their friends, and the expected approach of the enemy. The h opes of this resolute and patriotic band of American heroes were elated atrthe distant approach of a body of citizens. At this period, the American troops could hardly be said to have had an uniform ; but the well known insignia of the British troops enabled the people to designate them at sight. While the little phalanx of Waocsaw, expected to be joined by their friends, what was their astonishment when they found themselves surrounded by a ferocious clan of American tories, covered at a little distance by British dragoons ? The conquest was an easy one— resistance would have been desperation. — Eleven of the Americans were captured, and the rest, among whom were Andrew Jackson and his brother, escaped, and concealed themselves in the adjoining forests.