354 Life of Andrew Jackson. 



if it should become necessary, in defending and supporting the 

 natural rights of man. 



" Inheriting but a small patrimony from their father, it was im- 

 possible 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 Waxsaw meeting-house, superintended by Mr. Humphries. 

 Here he was placed on the study of the dead languages, and con- 

 tinued, 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. Therefore, at the 

 tender age of fourteen, accompanied by his brother Robert, he has- 

 tened to the American camp, and engaged actively in the service of 

 his country. 



"At this time Lord Rawdon was in possession of all the lower 

 parts of South Carolina, and after several unsuccessful skirmishes 

 with detachments of the British troops, Andrew Jackson and his 

 brother 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 street. 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 ex- 

 pect. 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 

 bears to this hour. His brother, at the same time, for a similar of- 

 fence, received a deep cut on his head, which subsequently occa- 

 sioned 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, they were both released from confinement. Ro- 

 bert, during his confinement in prison, had suffered greatly ; the 

 wound on his head all this time having never been dressed, was 

 followed by an inflammation of the brain, which, in a few days after 

 his liberation, brought him to the grave. To add to the afflictions 

 of Andrew, his mother, worn down by grief and her incessant exer- 

 tions 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. Andrew, the last and only surviving child, confined 

 to a bed of sickness, occasioned by the sufferings he had been com- 

 pelled to undergo whilst a prisoner and by getting wet on his return 

 from captivity, was thus left in the wide world without a human 

 being with whom he could claim a near relationship. The small- 

 pox about the same time having made its appearance upon him, 

 had well-nigh terminated his sorrows and his existence. 



"Having at length recovered from his complicated afflictions, he 

 entered upon the enjoyment of his estate, which, although small, 



