The life of Andrew Jackson, to which is added an authentic narrative of the memorable achievements of the American Army at New Orleans, in the winter of 1814, '15.

II No. 439 CHESTNUT STKEET, 1860

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by

G. G. EVANS,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Introduction

There is no campaign in modern military liistory, wliich, for ita fxtent, was more complete in all its parts, and more brilliant in its results, than that conducted by Andrew Jackson in 1814-15, in the defence of New Orleans. In the brief period of twenty-six days, a town of less than eighteen thousand inhabitants, including all sexes and ages, without forts — natural or artificial defences — exposed to approach and attack on all sides, by land and water — with an army of less than five thousand militia, hastily raised en ynasse, and illy armed and accoutred — was not only successfully defended against a veteran army of ten thousand of the best soldiers in Ibe world, but was made forever glorious by the most brilliant victory, which has been achieved since the invention of gunpowder. The peculiarities of this victory are the astonishing and unprecedented disparity of loss between the combatants, and the marvellous proofs of steadiness, of skill and rapidity in the use of fire-arms, displayed by the American militia. The splendor of the closing victory has obscured many features of this campaign, which contributed largely to the final result, and, as valuable lessons and glorious illustrations of the valor of our citizen soldiers, and of the genius of the great Chief and Hero — whose lofty soul was the fountain of inspiration, from which all engaged in that defence, drew courage, confidence, and patriotic resolution — ought not to be forgotten or hastily glanced over. These sketches have been written with the hope of preventing Buch unpatriotic lapses of memory in the present generation.

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It is believed that the campaiga of 1814-15 has uot received full justice, ia the narratives, which have been published, the numerous merits of which have been marred by serious errors. By comparing these various versions and by constant consultations with those, who played prominent parts on both sides in this drama, it is believed that the following account, which does not aspire to the dignity of history, and is divested of cumbrous details and of military technicalities, is as faithful and exact as it is practicable to render a narrative of this description.

There are in most of the histories of this campaign, errors of a serious character, which ought to be corrected before the evidence thereof haa perished or disappeared. Personal and political feeling and prejudice, which, in so many histories, have warped and tinged the facts of this epoch, have been studiously excluded from the mind of the writer of these sketches. His sole desire has been to do full justice to American valor and patriotism, and to present truthful and vivid pictures of that memorable defence, and of the conduct of the great Chief, who, springing from the people, a frontier warrior, without science, art or experience in military affairs, was enabled through the smiles of Providence, by his stout heart, his sagacious intellect, and ardent patriotism, to repel, punish, and nearly destroy one of the best appointed armies ever sent forth by the greatest Power of the earth. Ought such deeds to be permitted to fade from the memories of a patriotic people ? Is it not a reproach to the present generation, that modern events of far less splendor and importance should occupy their minds, to the exclusion of memories like these we have invoked? It is demonstratable that in every aspect ia which it may be viewed, the defence of Sevastopol in 1854-55 by the Russians, against the allied armies of Great Britain and France, is far less remarkable as a military exploit, than the defence of New Orleans in 1814-15 ; whilst the operations of the Allies have displayed less resolution and energy than were evinced by the veteran army of Packenham. The occurrence of the former operations presents a favorable occasion for the reproduction of the facts of the last-named campaign, in which will be found some remarkable coincidences, with the events of the Crimean Expedition. Thus, it will be perceived that the failure of the one, and the disastrous 4elays of the other expedition, may be traced to

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the same cause, namely the lack of promptitude and decision in the commander of the attacking party. It is conceded on all sides that if the Allied Army had advanced upon, and stormed Sevastopol immediately after the victory at Alma, it could have entered and captured the town. So, it is equally clear that General Keane could have marched into New Orleans after the battle of the 23rd December 1814. The strength of earth-works against the most powerful batteries, which was so strongly shown in Jackson"'s defence, was again illustrated on the southern side of Sevastopol, against the same British Engineering-officer who constructed the redoubts which Jackson's Artillery destroyed in three hoars on the plains of Chalmette, on the first of January 1814 ; this unfortunate officer is Sir John Burgoyne, Inspector of Fortifications in the British army. The lesson at New Orleans should have taught another wholesome truth to the projectors of the Crimean Expedition — that of the great peril and difficulty of all attempts to capture a town, the communica-tion of which, with the interior, is left open and unobstructed. In this respect the positions of New Orleans and Sevastopol were identical. Finally these two campaigns have demonstrated this other valuable and encouraging truth ; that in the most remote and exposed points of a united Nation, we often fiud the most brilliant proofs of patriotism, courage, and devotion.

A. W