Civil and military history of Andrew Jackson

Front matter

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Introduction

Adoption of American Constitntion — Pursuits of Americans — Diminution of Military ardour — Declaration of War — Militia — Volunteers — Regular Troops — Andrew Jackson. - - p. 11 CHAP. 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 gaolloses his surviving brother — his mother dies of grief— he completes his literary studies. - - - - - - - p. 21

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 Ten» nessee Convention — a Representative in Congress — a Senator in Congress—a fudge of the Supreme Court in Tennessee — and retires to private life. - - - - - - p. 33

Chap III

-Mr. Jackson's career in civil life — commencement of his Military career — Major-General cf Tennessee Militia — Militia forces- American Savages — reason for their hatred and vengeance against Anglo-Americans— Religious fanaticism among them— The Prophet

A 2

VI CONTENTS.

Fra-^icis and his brother Tecuraseh — Effect of their assumed (divinity — r(/iu*^tof (ien. Jackson. and ins V'olunteerSj to tlie govern* ment of the Li. States. - - - - >. - p 42

CHAT^o IV.

€!eo. .Jackson and Tennessee Volunteers — Importance of the river Mississippi- — Mr. Vlo r(,c's soiicitude for the security of it, and the WosUj-n -tates — Volunteers rendezvous at Nashville, Tenn — descend the Ohio and Mississippi- -encamp at Natchez — Order for their discharge, from Mr. Armstrong — disobeyed by Gen. Jackson—Volunteers return to Tennessee, and are discharged- Approbation of the government. - - - - - p. 53

GHAP. V.

Approbation and censure of Gen. Jackson — implacable hostility cf savages increased by British and Spanish emissaries, and British ravages -Indian massacre of garrison, women and children, at Fort Mimins — Expedition fiom Tennessee against Creeks prepared — Gen. Jackson assumes the command — Colonel Coffee — difference between Mi. ilia, Volunteers, and l^egular Troops — General Jackson pioceeds to the frontiers — prepares fo; active service — Deficiency of provisions — Col. Dyer destroys Littafiitchcs — First victory over the Greeks at Tallushatchcs — Gen. Coffee's report oi it to Gen. Jackson. ------- p. 62

CHAP. vr.

Tennessee forces — Collisions in armies—Establishment at Foit Strother — Perilous situation of friendly' Creeks — Despatch to Genera! White — his conduct— Battle of Talladega — Gen. Jackson's account of it. - - - - - - - - P' 80

CHAP. VII.

Consequences of Hrig Gen, White's conduct — Hillabccs sue for peace to Gen. J.ickson — Gen. White destroys tlscir towns — Measures of the Georgia Legislature — Victory at Autoussee — Brig G<i . Floyd's account of it — Gen. J.ickson's situation in December, 1813 — Mutiny among his troops — also in Gen. Coffee's brigade — dismissal of both. ----.,«.-- p. 90> eOXTENTS.. Til

CHAP. VIIT,

Gen. Jackson's situation at the conamencement of 1814 — bis hopes revive — Victory at Eccanacbacf,, or Holy Ground — Witherford, the Indian Prophet — Col. Carroll joins Gen. Jackson — Victories at Emuckfaw, Jan. 22d — at Enotachopco, the 24th— Gen. Jackson's official report of them — Applause bestowed upon soldiers. p. lOS

CHAP. IX.

Gen Jackson prepares for a new expedition — receive* an account of the victory at Chatahouchee — adopts a ntw mode to obtain supplies — Army Contractors — Energetic measures — Great victory at Tohopeka — Savage warfare — British and Sjianish emissaries p. 125

CHAP. X

Conclasion of the Creek war — Return of Gen. Jackson and Volunteers — their reception and separation — Gen. Jackson is appointed Brigadier-General in U» S. army — also a Commissioner to treat with Creek Indians — concludes a treaty — Foreign emissaries — Indian eloquence — Speech of Witherford — of Big Warrior — of Tecumseh, and his death. - - - - •'« - p. 139^

CHAP. XI.

Spanish aggressions and perfidy — Gen. Jackson's measures to detect

Manrequez, the Governor of Florida — his letter to him — Danger

of the 7th Military district — Gen. Jackson's appeal to the govern-

jnent — Mr. Monroe's measures of defence — Attack upon Fort Bow-

ver— gallant defence of Major Lawrence — his otEcia! report of it.

p. 167 CHAP. XII.

Gen. Jackson is appointed Maj. Gen, in U. S. army— Fort Bowyer— its Importance, and its danger — Gen Jackson determines to reduce Pensacola — Arrival of Gen. Coffee with Tennessee Volunteers and Mississippi Dragoons — Capture of Pensacola — Gen. Jackson's account of it — Destruction of the Barancas — He returns to Mobile— Col. Nicoll's proclamation — Remark. - - p. 176

CHAP. XIII.

Geaera! Jackson's arrival at New-Orleans— perilous situation of that

Viii CONTENTS.

place — reliance upon distant forces — his address to the people oi Louisiana — timidity of the legislature — evidence of disafftction, 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. 190

CHAP. XIV.

Benevolent eyertions of the Ladies of Ncw-Orlcans — 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 Mississippi — American lines on the east and west side of the river descrihed — Battle of the 28th December — of the 1st January — Attempts upon the left wing of the American army. - - - - - - - p. 210

CHAP. XV.

Gen. Jackson's and Sir Edward Pakenham's armies from the Isl to the 8th January — Gen Morgan's lines — Battle of the 8tb January —Gen. Jackson's report of it- Gen Morgan's retreat — General Jackson's address to the armies — he regains the right bank of the Mississippi — Bombardment, and attack upon Fort St. Philips — Maj. Overton's report to Gen. Jackson - - - - p. 224

CHAP. XVL

Situation of the armies after the battle of the 8th January — Melancholy and distressing scene — Operations at the mouth of the Mississippi—Departure of the enemy — Gen. Jackson's address to the American troops — Disparity in the loss of the two armies, p. 243

CHAP. XVII.

Gen. Jackson appoints a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise, for the victories obtained, 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 Bowyer -peace proclaimed — discharge of troops — General Jackson's address to them— Remark. - - - p. 258

CHAP. XVIII.

Recapitulation of facts relative to the proclamation of Martial Law,

CONTENTS. IX

writ of habeas eorpuSy Louaillier, and Jadge WaM~- Arrest of Gen, Jackson — his defence, conviction, and fine — Trial by jury— Popular feeling — Moderation of Geo. Jackson — he advises to a sacred regard for civii power. - - - - - - p 270

CHAP. XIX.

Gen. Jackson retires from New-Orleans — arrives 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^ &c. 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 the army. - - - - p. 286

CHAP. XX.

Gen. Jackson negociatcs a treaty for the extinguishment of Indian titles to land — Issues au order relative to this subject — Receives a sliver vase from the Ladies of South-Carolina, &c.^ — Returns to Nashville — Issues an important general order — 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 — Hecaptujes St. Marks.

p. 297 CHAP. XXL

Oen. Jackson at Fort St Marks, Florida — captures and executes Francis the Prophet, and an Indian Chi^f— at the same place, takes Arbuthnotand Ambrister — details a general court-maitial for their tiial -Trial of Arbi.thnot and Ambrisier — Remark — Gen. Jackson marches for Pensacola — captures it — appoints Col. King to the command of it, and retires to Nashville, Tenn, - p» 315

Conclusion

lacidents of Gen. Jackson's life — his character«, - - p. 354

INTRODUCTION.

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

From the concliision 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 Uie ruthless carnage of war; and a rising people, who had severed the ligament that hound them to an European monarch, commenced the enjoyment of self-government.

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

Upon the conclusion of that war, the i)eopIe of

12 li^TRODtJCTION.

the American Republic, as it regarded a form oi government, were " in a state of nnture.^* 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 civilize d world. It v\as not the iinresisttd mandate of asuccesslul usurper, nor was it a government imposed upon the people by a victorious army. It was digested by profound statesmen, who aimed to secure ail the rights of the people who had acquired them, by their toil, their courage, and their patriotism. They aimed also to give to the government, sulhcient energy to command respect.

To ihQ people of the American Republic, a Constitution was presented for ?A<2> 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 pouer 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 powinthoductiox. 18

©1' ulucli tliey had themselves delegatetl 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 cf 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.

JgricuUurallsts 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 fund§, and the conversion of the wilderness into fertile fields, the pursuit of those who had industry and enterprise.

The Merchants found a world before them as the theatre upon which ^/^t-zV energies were to be exerted. Eujoying peace with all nations, whilf other nations were contending with ^ach other for dominion or wealth, the merchants of the Republic became the carriers for the commercial world. Into their cmpioy they drew thousands of their countrymen, .and soon rendered the American States the second nation in the world, in point of commercial cowstquence.

Manufacturers began to struirgle for the rank B which they hold in many of the countries in the old world. It was long an ineffectual struggle. — But as the " restrictive sr/stem''* 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 accumoJation 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, beinjij 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 tales 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 SaxoiiSy the ancient stock from which Americans and Englishmen trace their origin, were always celebrated.

i

INTRODUCTION.

As the collisions between the American Republic, and the British empire, began to assume an hostile SLsp^cti frequent 7iegociations were commenced, and as often terminated in widening the breach between the two governments.

The murder of Pierce, by order of a British naval officer, although from the tranquillized and almost paraJized 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 cf itS citizens by another nation. It was an aphorism of the great Hollander, De Witt — '« That no independ' ent nation ovght tamelij to submit to a breach of equity and justice, from another, however tmcqual the poncrs.''^ Although an injury to individuals, is m 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 gal-

* History of Holland,

Jantry in the Mediterranean, had excited the admiration and even the jealousy of Nelson, 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 rii^hts 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 ih.d.i\ noiwintercourse^embar' cfocs and negociatlons»

Facts will justify the assertion, that upon the momentous question whether War or Submission should be resorted to by America, 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 IFar." The Federal party, with another Roman, exclaimed, " Our thoughts, we must confess, are turned to Peace. '^

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 aione had power ^Ho declare War,''' made the declaration; and to the American people wcpg

INTRODUCTIOIT. 17

they responsible for the great and important measure.

It may not be inapposite to remark in this place, that a sijstematic 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 no 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 ^ot'^r/?^^^ towards their governors. 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 stale of peace. The jealousy or the fears of the framers of this inimitable compact, had restricted the militarTj power. It permitted the Captain-General of the militia of the United Stated, after proper advice, to call them into action, to ^^ execute t Fit' laws of the Ujiion — suppress insurrections — and re' pel invasions ;" and even this limited power became the subject of animated discussion.

At the commencement of the war, we had no* thing that gave any idea oid, Standing Annjj. Six thousand troops dispersed over a country, half that number of miles in length and in width, presented nothing but the fractured skeleton of an army. 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 diff'erent 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 thousan<l Voluntiers were invited to enrol themselves for the public defence; but the amount and efficiency of this species of force depended upon the opinion of the people in regard to the justice of the war, and of the rectitude of the administration. EnlistmentSf 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 biood in them was aroused to patriotism, and the most distinLHiished citizens flew to the sUndard of the Republic. In others, it was considered a disgrace to aid, either by men or monei/, what was openly pronounced to be an ** unjust^ iin^ natural, wicked arid crvel 7var.''

From such discordant materials, 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 American armies had added but few laurels to those acquired in the war of the revolution. A new era in the military history of America then 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 horror, the character of the rising generation of Americans developed itself. A ccnstellation of heroes suddenly arose and illuminated the hemisphere 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' Memoirs, 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 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 characte**, in his civil and military career, will be presented in their proper light and sha,de.

MEMOIRS

OP

ANDREW JACKSON.

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

The birlh places of statesmen, heroes, and poets, have often been subjects of historical investigation, and not uofrequently of warm dispute. Seven cities of Greece claimed the honour 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 birth place of Alfred — the soldier that of Marlbobough — the ^06-^ those of Shakspeajie and Milton. Americans, although comparatively a new people, can scarcely travel in any section of their extensive Republic, but they can point to ihe 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 officers of the Ari\iy of the Revolution — Among Poets, a constellation of geniuses, to wliom posterity will award the meed of praise.

No sooner had ANDREW JACKSON began to achieve those deeds of valoiir which furnished a sure presage of future eminence, than Englishmen and Scotsmen^ claimed him as a native born subject. They once claimed Gen. Washington. Irishmen omitted to assert their claim to his nativity ; but he was of Irish extraction, although born in America. His srrandfather was one of the victims at the siege of Carrickfergus, 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 trhat country ; and from English noblemen sent there to govern them.

His father, Andrew Jackson, emigrated to Ameri* ca, with his wife and two sons, in the year ITGa. Desirous that his rising family should escape from the oppression of the English government in Europe, became 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 estalWished himself at a settlement formerly called Wcuvsawy now the district of Marion.

ANDREW JACKSO^% 23

His youngest son, and the subject of these Memoirs, was born at that [ilace, upon the I5th March, 1767. 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 had long 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

irer.

His surviving children, Hugh, Robert, and ^ndrejv, 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 infcmcy, and the youngest an infant, her situation required the highest exercise of female fortitude and vigilanc*e. But having recently emigrated from a country w here the/<?7y roll in splendour through life, and the man?/ 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 r^j of the petty tyrant, could not reach her or her offspring.

24 MEMOIRS ©r

For a number of years, no event happened todis- (iirl) the tranquillity of this venera!)Ie 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 through which their early ancestors had passed in Ireland, in the stubborn resistance they always maintained against oppression. The youthful reader of hi^tor?/, may be made to ^]qw 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 suilerings inflicted by dying man upon dying men. The narrations of Mrs. Jackson, must have aroused the feelings of her sons to I he 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 aiiorded. Anj)revv, the youngest son, was, by his excellent mvither designed for the njinistry. In the W^ax- 5rt7Z'^\tUen)ent, about forty miles from Camden, was established an academical institution, in which the

' ANDREW JACKSOI?. '2b

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 rejoice in the celebrity of his pupil, it is but justice to remark that this academy, at the time he commenced hia 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. Humphriesy 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 the classics. He here continued assiduously to pursue Ms studies, until the Vandal progress of the Britisii armies, in the revolutionary war, brought them 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 s^he had before beheld it raised over the Und 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 fr.urteen years ; and, with his surviving brotiicr Robert, l^^as impelled, by the exalted sentiments of liberty C and independence which he had learned from hie mother, to fly to the American standard.

The scanty details which are yet received of the revolutionary contest, deprives me of the pleasure of mentioning the regiment and tlie commander of it, in which Andrew Jackson commenced his military career at the early age of fourteen. Suffice 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 South-Car olinat were compelled to retire before the formidable power of Lord Cornwallis^ into the interior of North-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 Rewden was in possession of Camden, and no sooner learned that the dispersed inhabitants of Waxsaw were again returned, than he availed himself of the assistance of American tories to complete their extermination, A British major, by the name

AKDREW JACKSON. ^7

af Coffin, was the commander of this expedition. The inhabitants, who might all be said to belongto the forlorn hope, determined to make at least a shew of resistance. They assembled at the WcLvsa?v 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 hopes of this resolute and patriotic band of American heroes were elated at the distant approach of a body of citizens. At this period, the American troops could hardly be said to have had an iimform ; but the well known insignia of the British troops enabled the people to designate them at sight. While the little phalanx of Waxsaw expected to be joined by their friends, what was their astonishment when they found thems^'^^'*' «•"- "'