JACKSON 



3094 



JACKSON 



self by his violent opposition to President 

 Washington. In 1797 he was elected United 

 States Senator, but he resigned in the next 

 year, and was for six years judge of the Ten- 

 nessee supreme court. For a number of years 



ANDREW JACKSON 



While not the greatest, man of his day, he was 

 a unique, commanding figure, at once one of the 

 most maligned and most honored men in Ameri- 

 can history. 



Jackson conducted a store, managed his plan- 

 tation, and fought occasional duels, in one of 

 which he killed his opponent. It was about 

 that time, after 1805, that he became intimate 

 with Aaron Burr, but it is evident he did not 

 suspect Burr of treachery. 



As a Soldier. The War of 1812 gave Jackson 

 the great opportunity of his life. Up to that 

 time he was only a local figure, and even in 

 Tennessee his prestige was declining. There 

 is a striking similarity in the early careers of 

 Jackson and U. S. Grant. Both were born of 

 parents in modest circumstances, and both won 

 distinction early, Jackson in law, Grant in the 

 army. Then they seemed to squander their 

 time, and it appeared they were about to join 

 the class of middle-aged men who had' failed 

 to succeed. Jackson was forty-five when the 

 War of 1812 began; Grant was nearly forty 

 at the outbreak of the War of Secession. War 

 made both men national heroes and brought 

 to them the Presidency of the United States. 



Since 1802 Jackson had been major-general 

 of the Tennessee militia, and as soon as he 

 heard of the news of the declaration of war, 



he offered his services and 2,000 militiamen to 

 the President. On January, 4813, he was or- 

 dered to New Orleans, and in March was 

 organizing his troops at Natchez, when he 

 unexpectedly received orders to disband his 

 forces and send the men home. Jackson was 

 furious that no pay, rations or transportation 

 . had been provided for the men, 500 miles 

 from home. On his own responsibility he 

 secured transportation for the men in a body, 

 and the United States government was later 

 induced to reimburse him. Later in the year 

 1813 Jackson commanded a body of Tennessee 

 volunteers in a campaign against the Creek 

 Indians, whom he defeated decisively at 

 Horseshoe Bend in Alabama. This victory 

 brought him again into general public notice, 

 and in 1814 he was commissioned major- 

 general in the regular army. Assigned to com- 

 mand in the South, he asked permission from 

 Washington to attack Pensacola, Fla., then 

 Spanish territory but used by the British as 

 a base of operations. When an answer failed 

 to arrive promptly, Jackson took the responsi- 

 bility on himself and captured the town. The 

 victory was important because it left him free 

 to supervise the defense of New Orleans. 



Battle of New Orleans. On December 1, 

 1814, when Jackson arrived at New Orleans, 

 the city was without defenses. In a frenzy of 

 energy he inspired his army with his own en- 

 thusiasm. Breastworks were soon constructed, 

 trenches dug, and all preparations made against 

 attack. Jackson proclaimed martial law and 

 ruled the community with an iron hand. He 

 quelled a threatening mutiny and approved 

 the execution of six mutineers. He also ar- 

 rested a judge who attempted to resist 

 enforcement of martial law. When civil h 

 was reestablished the court retaliated by 

 ing Jackson $1,000, but thirty years later C( 

 gress refunded the amount with interest, a 

 of $2,700. 



Jackson's unparalleled energy, however, 

 fruit.. After several minor attacks in Decei 

 ber, 1814, the British made a grand assault 

 January 8, 1815. They were defeated 

 heavy loss, and Jackson, the victor, became 

 national hero. The Battle of New Orle 

 was the only notable victory won on land 

 the Americans during the war, and it 

 fought, strange to say, two weeks after 

 treaty of peace was signed. In those days 

 slow communication neither army knew ui 

 weeks later that the war was over. See 

 OP 1812. 



