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diff --git a/79059-0.txt b/79059-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d287f14 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11655 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79059 *** + +[Illustration: _Andrew Jackson._] + + + + + THE + + GENERALS + + OF THE + + LAST WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. + + + BY JOHN S. JENKINS, + + AUTHOR OF THE “HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED + STATES AND MEXICO,” ETC. ETC. + + + “There are deeds which should not pass away, + And names that must not wither.” + + + AUBURN: + DERBY, MILLER & CO., PUBLISHERS, + BUFFALO: G. H. DERBY & CO. + + 1849. + + + + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by + + DERBY, MILLER & CO. + + In the Clerk’s Office for the Northern District of New York + + + + +STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH, +216 WILLIAM STREET, N. Y. + + + + + TO + + MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR, + + OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, + + THESE MEMOIRS, OF DISTINGUISHED SOLDIERS, + + WHOSE BRIGHT EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN + + WORTHILY EMULATED IN HIS OWN MILITARY CAREER, + + ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. + + + + + PREFACE. + + +If authors would only adopt the prayer of the honest-hearted Scotch +pedlar,--“God send us a good conceit of ourselves!”--would they +not soon get rid of what is, at best, a thankless task--that of +writing prefaces? Who, then, would care a fig for the Public’s whims +or prejudices?--the Public might be satisfied, or not, just as +the Public pleased. A great many readers now regard prefaces with +abhorrence, and lengthy ones are sure to be pronounced, in advance, + + “As tedious as a twice-told tale, + Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.” + +Still, there is no end to fault-finding, if an author does not put +a window in the front of his book,--like that the old Roman wished +in every man’s breast; and yet, the poor wight who thus pretends +to gratify vulgar curiosity, racks and puzzles his brains in order +to screen and curtain his window, so that nobody will be a whit +the wiser, till the volume is opened, and the contents carefully +examined. It is no wonder that few people like to read prefaces,--or +that fewer still are satisfied, when they do read them! + +I feel confident, however, that it would be a work of supererogation, +to offer any apology--for that is the gist of most prefaces--for the +publication of these biographical sketches of distinguished generals, +whose gallant deeds, whose bravery and heroism, are enshrined in the +memories of the American people. My only fear is, that it may seem +that other officers, equally entitled to consideration, have been +intentionally overlooked, in making the selections for the work. That +it was deemed necessary to make a selection at all, is the single +excuse that need be offered for the omission,--which, it is not +impossible, may be hereafter supplied, by another volume. + +The Histories of Ramsay, Perkins, and Brackenridge, Christie’s +Memoirs of the War in Canada, Thompson’s Historical Sketches, +James’ Military Occurrences, Wilkinson’s Memoirs, The British +Annual Register, The Historical Register, Armstrong’s Notices, the +interesting, but desultory _mélange_ of Mr. Ingersoll, the National +Portrait Gallery, and numerous biographies, more or less extensive, +have been consulted in the preparation of the volume. There has been +no attempt at fine writing, but great pains have been taken to render +the notices full, comprehensive, and historically accurate; and they +are believed to be more entitled to confidence, in this respect, than +any which have preceded them. + +_Auburn, December 1, 1848._ + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + JACOB BROWN, 13 + + Situation of the country at the commencement of the war + with Great Britain--Parentage of General Brown--Early + Vicissitudes--Teaches school--Commences the Study of + the Law--Abandons his studies, and removes to Jefferson + county, New York--Settlement at Brownville--Attack on + Ogdensburgh--Gallant conduct of General Brown--Offered the + command of a regiment in the Regular Service--Declines + it--Brave defence of Sacketts Harbor--Appointed a Brigadier + General--Expedition down the St. Lawrence--Promoted to + the rank of Major General--March to Buffalo--Invasion of + Canada--Capture of Fort Erie--Battles of Chippewa and + Niagara--Severely Wounded, and temporarily surrenders the + command--Siege of Fort Erie--Successful Sortie--Close of + the war--Appointed General-in-chief--His Death. + + EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES, 61 + + The “Old Dominion”--Birth and Early History of + Gaines--Receives his first commission as an ensign--Claim + of the Spanish Government--Projects of Aaron Burr--His + arrest and trial--Temporary retirement of Gaines from the + army--Obtains a regiment--Abortive Expedition against + Montreal--Made a Brigadier-general--Siege of Fort + Erie--The Assault--Gallant defence of Gaines--Brevetted + a Major-general--War with the Seminoles--The “Black Hawk + War”--Outbreak in Florida--The War with Mexico--Patriotic + conduct of General Gaines--Personal appearance and traits + of character. + + WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, 88 + + His Popularity--Benjamin Harrison--Anecdote--Birth + and Education of General Harrison--Enters the + army--Kentuckeè--Campaign under Wayne--Defeat of the North + Western Indians--Fortunate incident--Is married--Civil + career--Secretary under Governor St. Clair--Delegate + to Congress--Improvement of the Land System--Appointed + Governor of Indiana Territory--Important services--Frontier + Life--Designs of Great Britain--Subornation of the + Indian tribes--Attack on the Chesapeake--Speech of + Harrison--Council at Vincennes--Tecumseh--Indian + Depredations--Battle of Tippecanoe--Declaration of + War against England--Patriotism of the citizens + of the West--Harrison invested with a military + command--Expedition of General Hopkins--Defence of + Fort Harrison--Destruction of Indian Towns--Harrison + appointed Brigadier-general--Dispositions for the + Campaign--Difficulties and Embarrassments--Massacre at + Frenchtown--Siege of Fort Meigs--Narrow Escape--Defence + of Fort Stephenson--Perry’s Victory--Pursuit of + Proctor--Battle of the Thames--Fruits of the + Victory--Letter to General Vincent--Demonstrations of + Respect--His Gallantry--Resigns his commission--Senator + in Congress--Minister to Colombia--Retires to Private + Life--Elected President--Sudden Illness and Death--His + character. + + ANDREW JACKSON, 163 + + Of Irish descent--English oppression--His Father Emigrates + to America--Birth of Andrew Jackson--Youthful + Adventures--War of the Revolution--Invasion of South + Carolina--Patriotic conduct of young Jackson and his + brothers--Anecdotes--His Daring and Resolution--Attack + on the Waxhaw settlers--Taken as a prisoner to + Camden--Sufferings of the Prisoners--Battle of Hobkirk’s + Hill--A Mother’s Devotion--Release from Captivity--Close + of the War--Praiseworthy Resolution--Andrew Jackson + studies law--Emigrates to Tennessee--Life in the Log + Cabin--Incidents of the Wilderness--Establishes himself at + Nashville--The Debtors--Married to Rachael Donelson--Member + of the Tennessee Convention--Representative and Senator + in Congress--Judge of the Supreme Court--Difficulty with + Governor Sevier--Duel with Dickinson--Altercation with + Colonel Benton--Aaron Burr--War with Great Britain--Jackson + tenders the services of his Division--Expedition to + Natchez--The Southern Indians--War with the Creeks--General + Jackson takes the field at the head of the Tennessee + volunteers and militia--Difficulty in obtaining + supplies--Battle of Talluschatchee--Lincoyer--Battle of + Talladega--Destitution of the Troops--Mutiny--Firmness + and determination of General Jackson--Patriotic + letter to Governor Blount--Battles of Emuckfaw and + Enotochopco--Arrival of Reinforcements--Battle of + Tohopeka--Terrible slaughter of the Creeks--Termination + of Hostilities--Return Home--Jackson appointed + a Major-general in the Regular Army--Capture of + Pensacola--Expedition of the British against New + Orleans--Defences of the city--Arrival of Jackson--Landing + of the Enemy--General Jackson attacks them with a part + of his command--Fortifications--Battle of the Eighth of + January--Complete Rout of the British Army--The enemy + retire to their Shipping--Treaty of Peace--Fine imposed by + Judge Hall--Gratitude of the citizens of New Orleans--The + Seminole War--Appointed commissioner to receive the + Territory of Florida--Resignation of his commission--Again + elected Senator--Chosen President--Important Events of his + Administration--Final Retirement--Death and character. + + ALEXANDER MACOMB, 295 + + Military Institution at West Point--Ancestors of General + Macomb--His Youth--Education--Enters the army as + a Cornet of Dragoons--Military Education and + Accomplishments--Promotions--Marriage--Superintends + the Construction of Coast Defences--Prepares a + work on Courts Martial--Appointed Colonel of + Artillery--Raises a Regiment--Stationed at Sacketts + Harbor--Projected Attack on Kingston--Participation + in the Capture of Fort George--Expedition under + Wilkinson--Promoted to Brigadier-general--Attack on + La Cole Mill--Invasion of New York by the British + under Sir George Prevost--Skirmishing--Battle of + Plattsburg--Attack and Repulse of the Enemy--Victory + of Commodore Macdonough--Thanks of Congress + and State Legislatures--Macomb appointed Chief + Engineer--General-in-chief of the Army--His Death. + + ZEBULON MONTGOMERY PIKE, 323 + + His family and Education--Receives a Commission--Fondness + for reading and study--His Marriage--Expedition to the + sources of the Mississippi--Ordered to explore the + interior of Louisiana--Hardships and Sufferings of his + party--Loses his way--Taken prisoner to Santa Fe and + Chihuahua--Permitted to Return Home--Publishes Narratives + of his Expeditions--Rapid Promotions--Deputy Quarter Master + General--Appointed Colonel of Infantry--Mode of drilling + his regiment--Incursion into Canada--Raised to the rank of + Brigadier General--Expedition against York--His Gallant + Conduct--Explosion of the Magazine--Death of Pike--Bravery + and Heroism. + + WINFIELD SCOTT, 338 + + Napoleon’s Remark in regard to Turenne--The Pretender--Scott’s + Ancestors--His birth--Education--Enters the legal + Profession--Commences Practice--Obtains a commission + as captain of Artillery--Difficulty with General + Wilkinson--Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel--Attack + on Queenston--Scott crosses the river and takes + the command--The Enemy driven off--Arrival of + General Sheaffe with reïnforcements, and surrender + of the Americans--Encounter with the Indian + Warriors--Interference in behalf of Irish prisoners--Is + exchanged and returns to duty--Colonel of the second + artillery--Attack on Fort George--Scott commands the + advanced guard--Capture of the Fort--Wilkinson’s + Expedition--Skirmishing--Appointed a brigadier + general--Camp of Instruction at Buffalo--Invasion of + Canada--Battle of Chippewa--Scott’s charge--Battle + of Niagara--His heroic conduct--Is severely + wounded--Complimentary Resolutions--Visit to + Europe--Return Home and Marriage--Military Reports and + Publications--Controversy in regard to brevet rank--War + with the Sacs and Foxes--Campaign in Florida--Disturbances + in Canada, and on the frontier--Removal of the + Cherokees--The North Eastern Boundary--Raised to the chief + command of the Army--The War with Mexico--Expedition + against Vera Cruz--Reduction of the city and the castle + of San Juan de Ulua--Battle of Cerro Gordo--March to + Puebla--Advance to the Mexican Capital--Contreras and + Churubusco--El Molino del Rey--Capture of the City of + Mexico--Treaty of Peace concluded--Return of General + Scott--Reflections. + + + + +[Illustration: JACOB BROWN.] + + + + + THE GENERALS + + OF THE + + LAST WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. + + + + + JACOB BROWN. + + +The opening scenes of the second, and last contest, between the +United States and Great Britain, were, to the former, disastrous in +the extreme. The apprehension long entertained, and, in the western +part of the Union, the openly avowed desire of a war with Spain, who +took little pains to conceal her dissatisfaction with the cession of +Louisiana,--and the protracted agitation of the various questions +in dispute with England and France; the two great powers contending +for the mastery, or, at least, the commercial supremacy in the +world,--had aroused, in some degree, the patriotic emotions of our +countrymen. The impressment of American seamen, the outrage on the +Chesapeake, the affair of the Little Belt, and the acts of violence +committed by the savages on the north-western frontier,--who were +prompted and encouraged by the agents of the British government,--had +also excited a war-spirit that needed but a breath to fan it into +a flame. Volunteer companies for improvement in discipline, were +everywhere formed; the regular military force of the nation was +augmented; and our chivalric young men sought eagerly for commissions +in the army. + +But the declaration of war, on the 18th of June, 1812, found +the country almost entirely unprepared for hostilities.--Upon +whomsoever the blame may fall, the fact is too glaring to admit of +contradiction; and its consequences, at the outset, were signally +unfortunate.--The long line of sea-coast was in a defenceless +condition. The army was feeble in numbers, and feebler still in skill +and experience. The prominent officers of the Revolution were either +dead or superannuated, and recourse was had to those who had held +subordinate positions in that great struggle, under what proved to +be the mistaken notion, that they only could be relied on in such an +emergency. One reverse followed closely after another; and it was not +until a different policy prevailed, and younger, and more skilful and +enterprising officers, were placed at the head of the brave yeomen +who flocked around the American standard, that the tide of defeat +was turned. Among those who contributed to retrieve the disasters +of 1812 and 1813, and to terminate the war by a series of brilliant +achievements that elicited the applause of the nation, and enforced +admiration at home and abroad, was Major General JACOB BROWN. + +[Sidenote: EARLY VICISSITUDES.] + +General Brown was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the ninth +of March, 1775. His ancestors, for several generations, followed the +peaceful occupations of an agricultural life. George Brown, the first +of the family in this country, emigrated from England previous to the +establishment of William Penn on the Delaware, and was well known as +a man of strong and well-informed mind. His descendants resembled him +in character, and a number of them were, for many successive years, +prominent and influential members of the provincial government. With +few exceptions, they belonged to the Society of Friends. The early +associations, therefore, of General Brown, were not calculated to +awaken a desire for engaging in those warlike pursuits, in which he +subsequently acquired so much distinction.[1] + +In the language of the inscription on the monument erected to his +memory, in the Congressional Cemetery, at Washington, he was “by +birth, by education, by principle, devoted to peace!” But the +fire of patriotism often burns the purest and the freest beneath +the plainest garb; and the heart warmed by the manly and generous +impulses which it quickens into existence, is easily moved by the +incentives that arouse the soldier’s ambition. Love of country, +where it is honest and sincere, will outweigh a thousand cold and +selfish considerations, and to him who cherishes it, in the hour of +danger, there is no post so acceptable as that which will secure the +protection of the land that gave him birth. + +Samuel Brown, the father of Jacob, was a man of intelligence and +high character. He was liberal and enterprising, though not always +successful in his undertakings. He inherited a large and unincumbered +estate, which, with proper care and attention, yielded a very +respectable income; but, unfortunately, he was not content with the +moderate gains thus realized, and, with the hope of increasing them, +was induced to embark in commercial enterprises that wholly failed of +success. A total sacrifice of property was the consequence; and his +children were left to depend upon their own efforts and exertions to +make their way in the world. + +At the time of his father’s failure, our hero was about sixteen +years of age; but, though still a mere youth, he was not unprepared +for practising that self-reliance which had now become a necessity +as well as a duty. So far from being dispirited, because he was +compelled to rely upon his own unaided resources, he nerved himself +manfully for the task before him, determined, if possible, to +secure the rewards of honest and industrious enterprise. The evil +consequences of a hasty and unwise act were brought home to him in +such a manner, that he could not well forget them; and thus it was +in after years, that caution and prudence were such conspicuous +features in his disposition. When he arrived at the age of eighteen, +he commenced teaching school at Crosswicks, New Jersey, and remained +there in that capacity, till he was twenty-one. While engaged in this +vocation,--in itself a noble school, and one that has served as the +introduction to a brilliant career of usefulness, to so many of our +most distinguished citizens,--he devoted all his leisure time, with +great assiduity, to the cultivation of his mind. + +[Sidenote: TEACHES SCHOOL.] + +After leaving Crosswicks, he spent two years in Ohio, in the +vicinity of Cincinnati, during which time he was employed in +surveying and laying out the public lands. On his return from +the west, he went to the city of New York, and, upon the urgent +solicitation of his friends, taught a public school for a few months. +This was in the year 1798--a most exciting period in the history of +the country. The depredations committed on the commerce of the United +States, the insults offered to our ministers by the French Directory, +and the arrogant tone of their Envoy and his agents, threatened +seriously to disturb the friendly relations which had formerly +existed between the two governments. + +The political discussions of that day were animated and earnest +in their tone, and there were few possessing the capacity who did +not engage in them. Young Brown had constantly kept in view the +importance of disciplining and strengthening his mental powers, and +the magnitude of the questions, in relation to which parties were +then divided, was such, that he devoted a considerable portion of +his time to their examination. He was an active participant in the +debates which took place among his associates, and wrote several +essays, that were published in the city papers, and attracted the +favorable attention of that portion of his fellow-citizens whose +views coincided with those of the writer. While he remained in +New York, he commenced the study of the law, but, on discovering +that it was not congenial with his disposition or tastes, he +immediately abandoned it. These repeated changes in his occupation +were not caused by any indecision, or want of energy on his part, +but rather by the omission to seek a field where his active and +ardent temperament would have the opportunity to develop itself, +and his love of adventure find those projects better adapted to its +gratification. + +[Sidenote: SETTLEMENT AT BROWNVILLE.] + +In 1799, he purchased, at a low price, a large tract of land on the +borders of Lake Ontario, lying between the Black river and the St. +Lawrence, and embraced within the limits of the present county of +Jefferson. As soon as his arrangements were completed, he removed +thither, for the purpose of establishing himself and effecting a +settlement. At this time the country was rude and uncultivated, +and the first human habitation within thirty miles of the lake was +erected by him. The settlement that he founded, now a large and +flourishing village, was called Brownville, and the same name was +afterwards applied to the town in which it was located. Both the +village and town, and the county of Jefferson, are much indebted to +him for their prosperity and wealth. His activity and enterprise +were rewarded by pecuniary advancement; and his kindly disposition, +his integrity and intelligence, secured him a large share of +popularity. He was appointed to fill various public situations, +and acquired an extensive influence in his own immediate vicinity, +and in the state at large. He was distinguished as an enlightened +and practical agriculturist, and for the ability and energy with +which he prosecuted such measures as were most likely to improve +the appearance and condition of the country. But these were not the +only commendable traits that deserve to be mentioned. After he had +effected the necessary improvements, he brought his parents to his +home in the wilderness, and having placed them in a comfortable +situation near him, to the end of his life did every thing in his +power to promote their happiness. + +Though occasionally meeting with reverses and disappointments, his +firmness and perseverance never deserted him, and his unconquerable +resolution enabled him to overcome every obstacle that interfered +with the success of his plans. + +In 1809, he received the appointment of colonel in the state militia, +and, in the following year, was promoted to the rank of brigadier +general. He had ever been fond of perusing works on military science, +and the certain prospect of a war with Great Britain now made him the +more anxious to prepare himself for the proper discharge of those +duties which he might be required to perform, as it was a favorite +wish with him, to acquit himself creditably in every position he +was called upon to fill. At the commencement of hostilities, in +the summer of 1812, he was placed in command of a brigade in the +first detachment of New York militia mustered into the service of +the United States, and the defence of the eastern frontier of Lake +Ontario, and the southern shore of the St. Lawrence, was intrusted to +him. + +The line under the charge of General Brown extended from Oswego +to Lake St. Francis, a distance of nearly two hundred miles; and +throughout the greater portion of its extent, it was but thinly +inhabited. The exposed situation of the country, on account of its +proximity to the Canadian provinces, rendered the duty assigned +him as responsible as it was arduous; and the small force under +his command, and the inadequate supply of means at his disposal, +frequently occasioned vexation and embarrassment. Owing to the repeal +of the orders in council, and the temporary armistice entered into +between Sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada, and Major +General Dearborn, the Commander-in-chief of the American forces, it +was late in the season before any action of importance took place on +the northern frontier of New York. Both the regular and the militia +officers were constantly employed, in the meantime, in organizing and +disciplining their respective commands. + +After completing the organization of his brigade, General Brown fixed +his head-quarters at Ogdensburgh. On the twenty-first of September, +1812, Captain Forsyth, the immediate commander of the regular troops +at that post, was directed to cross the St. Lawrence, with a small +party, in pursuit of some prisoners whom the English had taken from +that vicinity. He was met by a superior force of the enemy, whom he +defeated. He then entered the village of Gananoque, and destroyed and +brought off a large quantity of military stores, together with some +prisoners. + +[Sidenote: THE BRITISH ATTACK OGDENSBURGH.] + +In retaliation for this successful exploit, the British commenced +a heavy cannonade upon Ogdensburgh, on the second of October, from +their batteries at Prescott, on the opposite side of the river. This +was continued for two days in succession, and on Sunday, the fourth +of October, they attempted to storm the town. For this purpose, about +six hundred men were embarked in forty boats. General Brown had +anticipated the attack, and collected together a force not far from +four hundred strong to resist it. As the enemy approached the shore, +he ordered his troops, whom he had advantageously posted along the +bank, to fire upon them. The command was obeyed with alacrity, and a +spirited contest was kept up for two hours. The British made several +ineffectual attempts to land; but the galling fire poured upon them +was too severe to be endured. Deceived and disappointed in regard to +the firmness of the militia, and the spirit and energy of the officer +who commanded them, they were at length compelled to retire across +the river to Prescott, having lost a number of men, and leaving one +of their boats in the hands of the Americans. + +Frequent collisions occurred between small parties of the two armies, +in this quarter, during the autumn, and the following winter. Early +in February, 1813, a body of the enemy crossed the St. Lawrence in +pursuit of some deserters, and committed a number of wanton and +unprovoked outrages. Major Forsyth, then in command at Ogdensburgh, +determined, as the only mode of obtaining satisfaction, to make +an incursion into Canada. Passing over the river with a part of +his riflemen, and a number of militia, many of the latter being +volunteers for the occasion, in all about two hundred men, he +surprised the guard at Brockville, captured the military stores, and +returned in safety, without the loss of a single man, bringing with +him fifty-two prisoners, among whom were eight officers. + +In return for this second affront, the British attacked Ogdensburgh +in force, being near twelve hundred strong, under Colonel Frazier, +on the twenty-second of February. Major Forsyth, in connection +with Colonel Benedict, of the New York militia, made a gallant +defence; but they were finally forced to fall back into the interior, +before the superior numbers of the enemy. The latter destroyed +two schooners, two gunboats, and the soldiers’ barracks, and then +retired across the river. In consequence of this event, serious +apprehensions were entertained for the safety of Sacketts Harbor, +which had been selected as the principal naval and military dépôt on +the lake frontier, on account of the excellence of its harbor, and +prompt measures were taken for its security;--but the British made no +further attempts at invasion, during the winter. + +[Sidenote: IS TENDERED A REGIMENT.] + +The term for which he was called into service having expired soon +after the close of the campaign of 1812, General Brown returned +to his civil pursuits at Brownville. But the bravery and skill +which he had manifested in repelling the attack on Ogdensburgh, +had attracted the favorable notice of the national administration, +and they were unwilling to be even temporarily deprived of his +valuable services. Accordingly, the command of a regiment in the +regular army was tendered to him.--At the opening of hostilities, +extensive preparations had been made, and orders had been issued, for +the invasion of Canada; and it was confidently predicted that the +campaign would be signalized by the conquest of the two provinces. +The surrender of General Hull, the failure of the attempted invasion +under General Van Rensselaer, and the inaction of General Dearborn, +put an end to the brilliant hopes and expectations that had been +formed, and created a very general feeling of dissatisfaction in +regard to the manner in which the war had been carried on, and the +conduct of many of the principal officers of the army. As was quite +natural, General Brown shared in this feeling, and was unwilling to +enter the regular service if required to submit to a sacrifice of +rank. He therefore declined the appointment; but, at the same time, +acknowledging the duty of every good citizen to aid in the defence +of the country, he held himself in readiness to bestow his services, +voluntarily and gratuitously, in case they should be needed in any +emergency. + +In the spring of 1813, the American fleet and land troops were +withdrawn from Sacketts Harbor, to cooperate in the reduction of York +and Fort George at the upper end of Lake Ontario. Lieutenant Colonel +Backus, of the 1st dragoons, was afterwards placed in command of the +post, whose garrison consisted of two hundred and fifty dragoons, +Lieutenant Fanning’s artillery, two hundred invalid soldiers, and +a few seamen. This was but a feeble force for the defence of the +important military stores collected at that point, and especially so, +because the batteries on the shore, and the vessels of war that were +left behind, had been dismantled of nearly all their heavy ordnance. +The commanding officer was active and vigilant, however, and he +had been instructed to communicate with General Brown, who resided +within eight miles of the Harbor, if an attack should be threatened. +The latter was not then in military command, but he was relied on +to rally the militia from the surrounding country, if it became +necessary. Signal guns were directed to be fired, on the approach of +a hostile force, in order to give the alarm with the least possible +delay, and such other preparations were made as were supposed to be +requisite. + +On the evening of the twenty-seventh of May, the British fleet from +Kingston was discovered bearing in the direction of Sacketts Harbor, +by the small vessels under Lieutenant Chauncey, who had been sent +out to reconnoitre. The alarm guns were instantly fired, and a +messenger was also dispatched to General Brown with the information. +After issuing orders for the militia to assemble, he repaired to the +post of danger. The delay experienced by the enemy, in the attempt, +but partially successful, to capture a number of boats coming from +Oswego with troops, fortunately gave time to collect some five or +six hundred men: but not more than one thousand could be assembled, +in all, including the invalids. At the request of Lieutenant Colonel +Backus, who had been but a short time at the station, and was +unacquainted with the localities, General Brown took command of the +united force. + +[Sidenote: ATTACK ON SACKETTS HARBOR.] + +In the afternoon of the twenty-eighth, the hostile fleet, which +consisted of four ships, one brig, two schooners, two gunboats, +and thirty-three flat-bottomed boats, containing one thousand +picked troops, under Sir George Prevost and Commodore Sir James +Yeo, appeared in the offing. Under the orders of General Brown, a +breastwork was hastily, but skilfully thrown up, at the only point +where a landing could be readily effected,--the primeval forests +sweeping away, for miles on miles, in rear of the town, and on +either side of the opening leading down to the margin of the lake. +The militia, and the Albany volunteers, under Colonel Mills, who +had recently arrived, were posted behind the breastwork with a +field-piece. The regular troops, under Lieutenant Colonel Backus, +were stationed in a second line, in rear, and near the barracks and +public buildings. Lieutenant Fanning, with his artillerists, occupied +Fort Tompkins, at the barracks; and Lieutenant Chauncey and his men +were ordered to defend the stores at Navy Point. + +During the night of the twenty-eighth, General Brown was constantly +on the alert. His men slept on their arms, while he and his officers +reconnoitred the shores of the lake. All was quiet, however, save the +mournful sighing of the breeze among the dark pines and hemlocks, the +tall oaks and maples, in the neighboring forests, and the constant +dashing of the tiny waves on the pebbly beach, till the early dawn +on the following morning. The British were then descried pushing +rapidly towards the landing in their small boats. As they approached, +the American militia appeared cheerful and animated, and betrayed no +symptoms of fear; on the contrary, they seemed anxious to participate +in the conflict. + +The orders of General Brown were, to permit the enemy to come +within pistol shot, and then, taking deliberate aim, to open on +them vigorously with the field-piece and musketry. The first fire +was well-directed, and very destructive; the shot tearing and +crashing through the sides of the boats, knocking off the gunwales, +splintering the bowls of the oars, and killing and wounding several +officers and men. The British were thrown into confusion; their +advance was checked; and a few more rounds would undoubtedly have +terminated the engagement. But after firing the second round, the +militia, for the first time in action, were seized with a sudden +panic, and, in spite of the efforts of their officers, retreated in +disorder. Colonel Mills lost his life in the vain attempt to prevent +the retreat. General Brown succeeded in rallying about ninety men +belonging to the company of Captain McNitt, whom he formed in line +with the regulars, who maintained their position with spirit and +bravery. + +Meanwhile Sir George Prevost had disembarked his troops on the beach, +and commenced his march towards the village. But the enemy now +encountered the most desperate opposition from the little band of +Americans who remained firm, encouraged by the presence of General +Brown, and the heroic example of the brave but unfortunate Backus, +who fell mortally wounded during the attack. Though compelled to give +way before superior numbers, they disputed every inch of ground, and +finally took possession of the barrack buildings. Here, partially +sheltered, they poured their galling volleys on the enemy; at the +same time, Lieutenant Fanning, though severely wounded, directed the +fire of his gun with remarkable precision and effect. + +The British having made repeated efforts to dislodge the Americans, +without success, General Brown exhorted his men to continue the +defence of the position to the last extremity, while he made another +effort to rally the militia to their assistance. He then hastened +to overtake the fugitives. Having collected a large number of them +together, he earnestly addressed them, rebuking both officers and +men for their lack of courage, with such force and eloquence, that +many of them shed tears when he alluded to the brave conduct of the +regulars and volunteers, who, though strangers to the soil, were more +prompt to defend it, than they, its owners and occupants. He now +ordered them to form and follow him, declaring that he would punish +the first act of disobedience with instant death. Although his orders +were obeyed without reluctance, he was afraid to rely upon their +firmness in an open attack. + +Being unwilling, therefore, to meet the enemy with the troops whom +he had just rallied, General Brown determined to effect by stratagem +what he was fearful he could not otherwise accomplish. Directing the +militia to pass through the edge of the forest, in sight of the field +of battle, as if affecting to conceal the movement, he marched them +by a circuitous route towards the place of landing. The British, +suspecting an attempt to turn their flank and capture their boats, +became alarmed, and made a precipitate retreat, leaving behind +them all their killed, a number of their wounded, and thirty-five +prisoners. They were suffered to re-embark without serious +molestation, though a dropping fire was kept up till they were out of +reach. After retiring to his shipping, Sir George Prevost demanded +the surrender of the town, which was promptly refused. All danger had +now passed, as reïnforcements were rapidly coming in, and the British +commander subsequently modified his demand into a request that his +killed and wounded might be properly cared for, and then returned, +quite crest-fallen, to the Canada shore. + +While the action was at its height, a false report reached Lieutenant +Chauncey, to the effect that the American troops had been defeated, +and were about to surrender; whereupon, in compliance with his +orders, he set fire to the stores and shipping, to prevent their +falling into the hands of the enemy. The flames were afterwards +extinguished, but not until more damage had been done than had been +effected by the British soldiery. The loss of the enemy in this +affair was very severe; their total of killed, wounded, and taken +prisoners, being about four hundred and fifty. The Americans lost +twenty-two killed, eighty-four wounded, and twenty-six missing. + +The gallant defence of Sacketts Harbor laid the foundation of the +military fame of General Brown. As a reward for the tact, courage, +and promptitude, which he had exhibited, he was appointed, in the +ensuing month of August, a brigadier general in the regular army. +In this capacity he accompanied General Wilkinson, who had been +appointed to succeed General Dearborn, in his unsuccessful expedition +down the St. Lawrence. General Brown was sent forward to take command +of the advance, at French Creek, which had been fixed upon as the +place of rendezvous for the various detachments composing the Army +of the Centre. On the first, and again on the second of November, a +British Squadron, with a large force of infantry, attacked the troops +who had already arrived there; but, on each occasion, they were +repulsed by the fire of a battery of three 18-pounders, skilfully +managed by Captains McPherson and Fanning. After many delays, General +Wilkinson embarked from French Creek with his whole force, amounting +to near seven thousand men, on the sixth of November, General Brown +being placed in command of the second brigade. In the evening they +arrived a few miles above the British batteries at Prescott. The +main body of the army, carrying with them their powder and fixed +ammunition, now landed, and moved round to a point on the river below +the enemy’s batteries. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION DOWN THE ST. LAWRENCE.] + +The commander-in-chief, taking advantage of a dense fog which came on +early in the night, endeavored to pass down the stream, in his boat, +unobserved; but the fog rising before he had effected the passage, +the enemy discovered him, by the light of the moon, and opened their +fire. General Brown was in the rear, in charge of the flotilla, +consisting of three hundred boats; and, upon discovering that the +British were on the alert, he concluded to halt till the moon had +set. He then gave orders for the flotilla again to get under way. The +movement was discovered, however, and for three hours the American +flotilla was exposed to a heavy fire from the guns of the enemy; yet +such was the foresight and vigilance of General Brown, that not a +single boat suffered the slightest injury, and but one man was killed. + +On the seventh, the army continued its progress down the river, +preceded by an advanced corps of twelve hundred men, under Colonel +Macomb, who were ordered to remove the obstructions in the stream, +and drive the light parties of the enemy occupying the commanding +points on its northern bank. The flotilla arrived at the White House +on the eighth of November, and General Brown was then ordered forward +with his brigade, to reïnforce Colonel Macomb and take command of +the advance. Clearing the bank of the river as he proceeded, he +arrived on the ninth instant, at the head of the _Longue Sault_, +without the occurrence of any incident of unusual moment. In the +morning of the tenth he continued his march, and soon became engaged +with a strong party posted at a blockhouse near the rapids, who were +handsomely driven off by the rifles under Major Forsyth. + +In the meantime the British troops from Kingston had made their +appearance in the rear of the American army, and several skirmishes +had taken place. While General Brown was still separated from the +main body, General Boyd was ordered by the commanding general, to +face about and attack the enemy, with the remaining troops on shore. +An action was consequently hazarded on the eleventh of November, in +Chrystler’s fields near Williamsburg, which terminated in no decisive +result; the British retiring to their encampments, and the Americans +to their boats, each with the loss of over four hundred men. Without +being further molested by the enemy, General Wilkinson continued the +descent of the river to St. Regis, at which point he expected to be +joined by General Hampton, with the Army of the North. Owing to the +want of harmony and concert of action between the two generals, a +junction was not effected; the reduction of Montreal,--understood +to have been the object of the expedition,--was abandoned; and, on +the thirteenth of November, General Wilkinson retired into winter +quarters at French Mills, now Fort Covington, in the forks of the +Salmon river. + +The capture of York and Fort George, and the successful operations +of the North-western army in the early part of the season, had +raised the public expectation to the highest pitch. Every thing +was hoped from the expedition under General Wilkinson, for which +extensive preparations had been made. The Secretary of War, General +Armstrong, in person superintended the movement, yet it was attended +with complete failure. The feeling of dissatisfaction thereby +engendered, was not confined to the rank and file of the army, but +extended throughout the nation. The expedition had attracted a more +than ordinary degree of attention; and, although the censures of +the public were mainly confined to those who were alone responsible +for its unfortunate issue, all connected with it, both officers +and soldiers, felt themselves, to a greater or less extent, the +objects of reproach. The tendency of this feeling was to produce +disaffection, even where it did not already exist; to discourage the +troops; and to impair, if not to destroy, their efficiency. + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED A MAJOR GENERAL.] + +Soon after the retirement of the army into winter quarters, the +command devolved on General Brown, in consequence of the sickness +of General Wilkinson, and the absence of the other senior officers. +Early in the year 1814, he was promoted to the rank of major general, +and, in connection with the able and efficient officers under his +orders, immediately applied himself to the work of reviving and +perfecting the discipline of the troops, and restoring their _esprit +du corps_. + +The brilliant achievements of the heroic soldiers who rallied around +the eagle standard of Napoleon, and followed it, reckless of danger +and peril, to battle and to death, had awakened impulses that +prompted to like acts of daring; and it only required, among the +American troops, the presence of a gallant and chivalrous commander +to inspire that enthusiasm, and enkindle that patriotic ardor, +which were sure to accomplish the same results. General Brown was +a soldier by nature. His devotion to his profession assumed the +character of a romantic attachment. Foremost in every thought, was +a desire to redeem the honor of the flag that waved above him, and +to achieve something worthy to be recorded, side by side, with the +storied annals of the Revolution. His less fortunate contemporary, +“whose glorious name might turn a coward brave”--the accomplished +Ney--though the leader of mightier armies, and the hero of prouder +fields, was neither more brave, nor more highly gifted with those +qualities which are necessary to constitute a great and a successful +warrior. + +The withdrawal of the greater part of the troops on the Niagara +frontier, for the expedition down the St. Lawrence, left it almost +defenceless. Fort George, in Canada West, was evacuated by General +McClure who had been left in command; but, before crossing the +river, exceeding his orders, he directed the village of Newark to be +burned. In retaliation for this act, which was promptly disavowed by +the American government, Fort Niagara was surprised on the night of +the eighteenth of December, 1813, and its whole garrison, of near +three hundred men, principally invalids, with the exception of a +small number who made their escape, were put to the sword. Lewiston, +Manchester, Youngstown, Buffalo, and the village of the Tuscaroras, +many of whom had entered the service of the United States, were +burned, and the whole frontier laid waste. It was therefore +determined to remove the principal seat of war to that quarter, +during the approaching campaign, and about the middle of February, +1814, the American army abandoned their cantonments at French Mills, +in two columns;--one marching to Sacketts Harbor, and subsequently +proceeding to Buffalo, under General Brown, and the other towards +Lake Champlain, under Generals Wilkinson and Macomb, for the purpose +of making a diversion in favor of the contemplated operations on the +Niagara. + +[Sidenote: DUTIES OF HIS NEW OFFICE.] + +The column under General Brown reached Buffalo in March, where it +was joined by the new volunteer levies. Having directed a camp of +instruction to be established, for drilling the troops, and the +regimental and company officers, he went back to Sacketts Harbor, +to complete the arrangements for the effectual cooperation of the +naval force on Lake Ontario, under Commodore Chauncey. The spring of +1814 opened gloomy and inauspicious for the American cause. Party +spirit ran high; the country was laboring under severe pecuniary +embarrassments; bitter complaints were uttered in some quarters; +and in numerous instances the measures of the administration were +thwarted, and its plans defeated. The temporary suspension of +hostilities, on the European continent, left Great Britain at liberty +to employ a larger portion of her army and navy in carrying on +the war against the United States. It was now announced, that she +intended to prosecute a vigorous system of offensive measures; to +plunder and devastate our sea-coast; and desolate our frontiers with +fire and sword. When her designs were understood on this side of the +Atlantic, our citizens, with few exceptions, forgot, for the time, +their political prejudices, and rallied with enthusiasm in support of +the government. At no time during the war was the country provided +with a suitable military establishment; collections, therefore, were +now made in the principal towns and cities, and large numbers of +volunteers were equipped, and means furnished for their support, by +voluntary contribution. + +Fortunately, too, at this important crisis, there were such men as +Brown, Jackson, and Macomb, to take command of our armies, and lead +them on to victory. General Brown returned to Buffalo in June, and +resumed the command of the army, which consisted, at this time, of +the regular brigades under Generals Scott and Ripley, and a brigade +of volunteers, with a few Indians, under Generals Porter and Swift. +Notwithstanding his utmost exertions, he was unable to take the field +with his command before the first of July. It was then determined +to cross the river and capture Fort Erie, in the expectation that +the British would be compelled to abandon Fort Niagara, and fall +back on their posts on the head of the lake. During the night of the +second instant, General Brown embarked his troops, but little more +than three thousand strong, at Black Rock; and early in the morning +of the third, General Scott landed below the fort with his brigade, +and a battalion of artillery under Major Hindman, and General +Ripley, with his brigade, above. The commanding general followed +with the volunteer forces,--and a party of Indians were sent round +through the woods in rear of the enemy’s position. The fort was soon +invested, and a battery of heavy guns planted in a position that +completely commanded its defences. Without awaiting the threatened +assault, after firing a few guns, the garrison, to the number of one +hundred and seventy men, surrendered themselves prisoners of war. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.] + +The main body of the British troops in the immediate vicinity of the +river, amounting to over three thousand men, under Major General +Riall, occupied an intrenched camp at Chippewa, about two miles above +the Falls. Leaving a small garrison in Fort Erie, General Brown +advanced, on the day after its reduction, against the position of +General Riall. The brigade of General Scott, which, with Captain +Towson’s battery, formed the advance, had a running fight, for +sixteen miles, with the 100th regiment, commanded by the Marquis of +Tweedale, and finally drove it across the Chippewa Creek. In the +evening, the whole army encamped on the south bank of Street’s Creek, +the bridge over which had been destroyed by the Marquis, within two +miles of the enemy’s works. Between this stream and the Chippewa, lay +the broad plain on which the sanguinary engagement of the following +day took place. On the east were the waters of the Niagara, speeding +along in their arrowy flight, to the cataract beyond; and on the west +was a dense forest of oaks, and beeches, and maples, extending for +several miles into the interior. + +At an early hour on the morning of the fifth of July, the British +light troops, consisting of Canadian militia and Indians, who were +posted in the woods on the left, commenced making attacks on the +American pickets placed on that flank, and small parties of the enemy +occasionally appeared in the open plain in front. The commanding +officer of one of the pickets having made a hasty retreat, and left +one of his men wounded upon the ground, he was ordered instantly to +give up his command, and another officer was directed to take charge +of his party, and bring off the wounded man, which was accomplished +without loss. General Brown could never look with complacency on a +breach of discipline, or violation of orders; and when accompanied +with anything that bore the appearance of cowardice, it was sure to +be visited, not merely with an indignant rebuke, but with summary +punishment. He would tolerate the presence of no officer with the +army, who could forget, under any circumstances, the honor of the +profession to which he belonged. It is due to the officer referred +to, to remark, that he was permitted to engage in the battle as a +volunteer, and discharged his duty manfully. He was afterwards tried +by a court-martial, and honorably acquitted. + +General Brown was anxious to bring on an engagement with the +enemy, and, in order to effect this object, or, if that were found +impossible, to put an end to the annoying fire of their skirmishers, +he directed General Porter to fetch a circuit through the forest +with the volunteers and Indians, and cut off their retreat; and the +advanced parties were ordered to fall back before the fire of their +opponents, and thus favor the movement. About four o’clock in the +afternoon, General Porter encountered the light companies of the +Royal Scots and the 100th regiment, in the woods, and drove them +back upon the Chippewa, where they met the whole British column, +under General Riall, who had anticipated the intentions of General +Brown, and was now rapidly approaching, with the hope of finding the +Americans unprepared for his reception. + +The commanding general had accompanied the volunteers, but, on +hearing the roar of the artillery, and discovering the clouds of dust +rising in the vicinity of Chippewa bridge, he returned to camp, and +ordered General Scott to advance forthwith, with the first brigade +and Towson’s battery, and engage the enemy on the open plain, while +he brought up the second brigade, under General Ripley, to act at +whatever point it might be needed. The order was executed with all +possible speed. The troops under General Scott dashed across the +creek, and through the clumps of bushes fringing its bank, under a +galling fire of musketry and artillery, and were soon enveloped in +the wreaths of sulphureous smoke rising over the battle field; their +shouts and cheers, borne merrily on the breeze, and the deep-toned +thunder of their artillery, and their sharp rattling volleys, +announcing the spirit and eagerness with which they entered into +the contest. Meanwhile the British light troops had rallied, and +compelled the volunteers of General Porter, in turn, to give way. +The left flank of Scott’s brigade, therefore, became much exposed; +and the 21st infantry, forming part of General Ripley’s brigade, +which had been held in reserve, was detached to gain the rear of the +enemy’s right flank. The greatest exertions were made to reach their +position in time, but in vain; for such was the impetuosity of the +attack made by General Scott, that the battle was fought, and the +victory won, before they had time to participate in the conflict. + +After the retreat of the volunteers, the 25th infantry, commanded +by Major Jesup, on the extreme left of Scott’s brigade, in the +forest, was warmly pressed in front and in flank, being exposed to a +withering tempest of musket balls that was fast thinning their ranks; +but, at this critical period, their brave leader gave his well-known +order,--“Support arms--forward march!”--Men who could advance without +faltering in such fearful peril were not to be resisted. Having +gained a more favorable position, they returned the fire of the +enemy, with interest, and in a few minutes compelled them to seek +safety in flight. + +[Sidenote: THE VICTORY AND ITS RESULTS.] + +In the other part of the field, equal zeal and gallantry were +displayed. The strife was bloody and fiercely contested on both +sides, but of short duration. A warm fire was kept up for about an +hour, when the enemy’s artillery was silenced; but their infantry +were now ordered to move forward with charged bayonets. As they +advanced, a raking fire was poured upon them from Towson’s guns, +which Scott had posted in the road to Chippewa, and this was +followed, almost instantly, by a destructive volley from the 9th +and 11th infantry, thrown forward on their outer flanks, and that +tremendous charge which scattered the pride of the English soldiery +like chaff before the wind.[2] The enemy’s whole line now wavered +and broke, and they were hotly pursued to their intrenchments. Here +the advance of the victors was checked by the batteries which opened +their fire. General Brown had already hastened forward with the +reserve, and joined in the pursuit. He at once decided to force the +British position, which was well fortified, having a heavy battery +on one flank, and a strong block-house on the other. The ordnance +was brought up for the purpose, but, as the hour was late, and the +men burning with thirst, and wearied with the fatigues of the day, +upon consulting with his officers, it was concluded to retire to camp +rather than hazard what had been gained by an attack which might +terminate in a disastrous repulse. + +The number of troops actually engaged in this battle, on the side +of the British, was not far from twenty-one hundred: the American +force was about nineteen hundred. The loss of the enemy, according to +the official report of the action, was one hundred and thirty-eight +killed, and three hundred and sixty-five wounded and missing. Of the +Americans there were sixty killed, and two hundred and sixty-seven +wounded and missing. + +This auspicious opening of the campaign, in a quarter, too, which +had previously witnessed so much of defeat and disgrace, was +hailed with acclamations of joy, in the farthest borders of the +Union. Resolutions of thanks and congratulations were liberally +showered on the American commander, and his brave officers and +soldiers. No doubt, the associations connected with the anniversary +of Independence were of invaluable service in encouraging and +inspiriting his troops; still he was none the less deserving of +commendation, for wisely availing himself of the emotions which the +recollections of that day were calculated to arouse. But the victory, +in itself, was one of which all who participated in it might well +be proud. Exposed to the fierce radiance of a summer’s sun, with +inferior numbers, they had met and vanquished disciplined troops, +familiar with every art and device of war, and who had often fought +and conquered, with Wellington, in the Spanish Peninsula. The battle +took place in an open field; the enemy had selected their position; +and the contest was determined solely by the superior bravery and +skill of their opponents. The weapon, also, that decided the fate +of the day, had for years been the Briton’s pride and boast. To the +bayonet he had arrogantly pointed, as “the test of invincibility,” +and the sure and certain resource when all other means proved +unavailing; but courage and presumption went down together, before +the shock of the glittering steel, that flashed back the rays of +the blazing orb whose parting effulgence lingered around the spot +hallowed by the recent triumph of American valor, and the success of +the American arms! + +After their defeat at Chippewa, the British were unwilling to hazard +another action. On the eighth of July, General Ripley, who had been +detached by General Brown for that purpose, forced his way over the +Chippewa Creek, about three miles above the enemy’s camp; whereupon, +General Riall, though he had been reïnforced by another regiment, +abandoned his works, which were occupied by General Brown that +evening. On the following day the British commander continued his +retreat to Twenty-mile Creek. + +[Sidenote: SKIRMISHING.] + +General Brown followed closely the retrograde movement of the British +army, and encamped at Queenstown, or Queenston, as it is now usually +written, where he remained for several days, awaiting the arrival +of some heavy guns, and the rifle regiment, which he had ordered +from Sacketts Harbor. On the twelfth instant, a reconnaissance of +the works at Fort George, preparatory to an investment, was made +by General Swift, with a detachment of volunteers, one hundred and +twenty in number. A picket guard were surprised and taken; but, after +their surrender, one of the prisoners turned and shot the general +through the body. This cowardly act exasperated his men to such a +degree, that they attacked a patrolling party who now made their +appearance, alarmed by the report of the piece, with great gallantry, +and succeeded in driving them into the fort. They then returned to +camp, bringing with them their expiring commander, who died in a few +hours. + +On the eighteenth instant Lieutenant Colonel Stone was detached with +a small volunteer force to dislodge a party posted four miles west of +Queenston, near the village of St. David’s, who were lying in wait +to attack the reconnoitering parties of the American army. The party +was routed and driven in to the main body, with commendable alacrity +and zeal; but after the action, the village was set fire to, and +burned, by some of the volunteers, without the orders or knowledge, +as was alleged, of the officer commanding the expedition.--It had +long been a favorite idea, and very properly so, with the American +authorities, to conciliate the Canadian people. The latter were +assured by the invading forces, on this as on other occasions, that +they came “to conquer, but not to destroy;” and strict orders had +been issued against the commission of any outrages upon the persons, +or property, of private citizens. General Brown regarded the officer +in command of the detachment as being responsible for this glaring +violation of duty, inasmuch as it was scarcely possible for the act +to have been committed, except through negligence or connivance on +his part; and, on the following morning, he issued a peremptory order +directing him to retire forthwith from the army. + +This prompt mode of dismissal occasioned considerable remark in +military circles, and was pronounced, by many, an unwarranted +assumption of authority. Under ordinary circumstances, it would +certainly have been regarded as an usurpation of power that ought not +to be tolerated; but the situation of the army was peculiar--they +were in an enemy’s country, and the neutrality of the inhabitants was +absolutely essential to the accomplishment of their paramount object, +that of dislodging the enemy from the peninsula. An outrage of this +character could not remain unnoticed, and a delay, even of a few +days, in meting out the appropriate punishment, might put an end to +all the hopes and expectations of the campaign. The case, therefore, +was one that required immediate action, and, though General Brown +was always careful not to infringe the rights of other officers +unnecessarily, whether above or beneath him in rank, he never shrank +from any responsibility, or hesitated in the performance of any duty. +His course, however harsh it may seem, was approved by President +Madison, who was never fond of the exercise of doubtful powers,--and +by Mr. Monroe, then his Secretary of State, in a letter addressed to +Admiral Cochrane. + +Daring reconnaissances of Forts George and Niagara were made by +Generals Porter and Ripley, and it was then decided at a council of +war, to attack these posts, instead of following up the retreating +forces under General Riall. On the thirteenth of July, General Brown +had written a pressing letter to Commodore Chauncey, informing him +of his situation, and requesting him to hasten forward the ordnance +and the reïnforcements, which were to be transported in the vessels +under his command, and inviting his coöperation in a combined attack, +by land and water, on the forts at the mouth of the Niagara. No +answer to this letter was received till the following September, in +consequence of the illness of Commodore Chauncey. + +[Sidenote: EFFORTS TO BRING ON ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT.] + +While in this state of suspense, the General decided to make a +demonstration on Fort George, and to attempt to draw the enemy out +into the open field. The inactivity which had prevailed since the +previous battle was no longer to be endured;--and on the twentieth +instant, he advanced with his whole army, drove in the enemy’s +outposts, and encamped near Fort George, in the expectation that +General Riall would be drawn from his position, and offer him battle. +Disappointed in this, he returned to Queenston on the twenty-second, +and on the ensuing day he received a letter by express, from General +Gaines, then in command at Sacketts Harbor, informing him that that +port was blockaded by a strong naval force,--the enemy now having the +ascendancy on the lake,--and that Commodore Chauncey was seriously +ill with a fever. + +This information materially changed the aspect of affairs. The +artillery and reïnforcements, upon which he had confidently +calculated, were no longer to be expected; and his future +operations must be conducted entirely independent of them. Other +Generals, perhaps equally as brave as himself,--and the history +of modern warfare furnishes numerous examples in support of the +assertion,--would have suspended all further efforts, or ordered +an inglorious retreat, relying, for their justification, on the +neglect of the government to provide the means and supplies +which they desired. But, among the other valuable traits in his +character, General Brown possessed that highest quality of the +soldier--fertility of invention and resource. If the force placed at +his disposal was not sufficient to accomplish a favorite project, the +energies of his mind were at once employed in achieving something +besides, that would redound to the credit of the country, and the +honor of her flag. With his little army of three thousand men he had +crossed the Niagara, and established himself on British soil; there +he was determined to remain, and dispute its possession with the +enemy, while there was a single chance, or hope of success, still +left to cheer and encourage his brave and devoted band! + +Being without the heavy guns necessary for an attack on Fort George, +General Brown was forced, though much against his will, to abandon +his designs on that post. But he was anxious, nevertheless, to +bring on another engagement with General Riall; and, influenced by +this desire, continued his feigned retreat up the river, on the +twenty-fourth, recrossed the Chippewa, and encamped. If this movement +failed to draw the enemy from their position, he designed to make a +rapid march on Burlington. About noon on the twenty-fifth, while his +men were busily engaged in making preparations for the march, he was +informed that the British appeared in considerable force on Queenston +heights; that four of their vessels had arrived during the previous +night at the mouth of the Niagara; and that a number of boats were +moving up the stream. A few minutes later he received the further +information, which proved to be incorrect, that the enemy had landed +one thousand men at Lewiston, and were threatening his baggage and +stores at Schlosser. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF NIAGARA.] + +The troops were instantly ordered under arms, and in twenty minutes +General Scott was on the road to Queenston with his brigade, Towson’s +artillery, and a troop of dragoons. About two miles from the American +camp, and within a short distance of the Falls, he learned that the +enemy were in force in his front, separated from view only by a +narrow piece of wood. Having dispatched Assistant Adjutant General +Jones, to General Brown, with the intelligence, he held on his march, +and in a short time discovered the British army, treble his own force +in numbers, strongly posted on Lundy’s Lane, which led up from the +Falls to Beaver Dams. Regardless of the great disparity between the +two armies, General Scott promptly made his dispositions for battle, +fully determined to maintain his ground till the reserve came up. As +the head of his column cleared the wood on the brink of the cataract, +whose low deep thunder was echoed by the enemy’s artillery, which +immediately opened its fire, it was encircled by the rainbow that +spanned the boiling Phlegethon beside it. Like the cross that infused +new ardor into the soldiers of Constantine, this was regarded as the +omen, the sure presage of victory. With their sabres and bayonets +gleaming in the rays of the setting sun, and their faces glowing with + + “The stern joy which warriors feel, + In foemen worthy of their steel,” + +the Americans now deployed in line on the left of the Queenston road. +Major Jesup was thrown forward on the right with his regiment, and +Captain Towson was posted on the left opposite the enemy’s artillery. +All were elated with their recent victory, and animated by the best +spirit. Undismayed by the terrible fire which they encountered, they +advanced firmly and steadily against the closely serried columns of +the enemy. + +The British position was well chosen. They had seized a commanding +eminence at the head of Lundy’s Lane, upon which their battery +of nine guns was planted, and swept the field of battle with an +incessant torrent of cannon balls. Their forces, at first engaged, +consisted of the whole army under General Riall, who had marched +down from his position, directly to the Falls, with the expectation +of meeting Lieutenant General Drummond at this point. The latter +had arrived at the mouth of the Niagara on the evening of the +twenty-fourth, with large reïnforcements, collected at Kingston and +various other points on the lake, and was hastening as rapidly as +possible to join General Riall. He arrived on the ground shortly +after the commencement of the action, accompanied by his men, and +assumed the command of the united force, now between four and five +thousand strong. + +[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.] + +General Scott and his men held their ground manfully, till the +arrival of General Brown, who had hurried forward with his suite, in +advance of the brigades of Generals Ripley and Porter, as soon as the +firing was heard. Meanwhile the 11th and 22nd infantry, under Colonel +Brady and Major McNeil, both of whom were severely wounded, having +expended their ammunition, were withdrawn from action, and the whole +brunt of the battle in front, was sustained by the 9th infantry, +commanded by Major Leavenworth. With unswerving courage this regiment +resisted every effort of the enemy, though with the loss of half +their number, until their opponents suspended the attack. General +Riall was deceived by the obstinacy of their resistance, and as it +was impossible to distinguish objects with any precision in the +gloaming, he supposed the entire American army was engaged, and was +therefore content to wait for General Drummond to come up with the +reïnforcements. + +For a few moments the roar of battle was hushed, and the silence +was only broken by the unceasing murmur of the cataract, and the +groans of the wounded and the dying. During the temporary suspension +of the fire, General Ripley, with his brigade and the remainder +of the artillery under Major Hindman, and the volunteers under +General Porter, arrived upon the ground. With these fresh troops +General Brown formed a new alignment, to cover the exhausted +command of General Scott, who fell back behind their comrades. The +respite was of brief duration, and the action was soon renewed with +increased warmth. Wider and wider reverberated the deep echoes of +the artillery; higher and higher rose the sharp, continued roll of +musketry; loud was the Briton’s cheer, and louder yet the answering +shout of defiance! + +Captain Towson had failed to make any impression on the enemy’s +battery, though his guns were skilfully and actively directed; and +on the renewal of the engagement, under the advice of Major McRee, +the senior engineer officer, General Brown determined to carry +the eminence on which it was posted, at the point of the bayonet. +The execution of this enterprise was intrusted to Colonel Miller +with the 21st infantry. The reply of the gallant colonel, when he +received the order to advance, from General Ripley, is memorable in +history--“_I will try, sir!_” said the intrepid soldier.[3] The trial +was made,--nor made in vain. Supported by the 23rd infantry under +Major McFarland, while the 1st infantry, under Colonel Nicholas, +which had joined the army that day, was left to receive the enemy’s +fire in front, Colonel Miller moved up the hill through a raging +flood of missiles. The 1st staggered under the tremendous fire +to which it was exposed, the 23rd faltered, but the brave 21st, +following their heroic leader, rushed up the height with accelerated +speed. On reaching the summit they paused an instant, and then +rushed forward with shouts and cheers. The British troops had fought +bravely, for they were anxious to wipe out the discredit of their +late defeat. The cannoniers were transfixed at their posts, and for +a few seconds there was a fierce contest fought hand to hand, over +the loaded guns. But the daring onset of the Americans was not to be +resisted; the discipline of the British soldiery gave way before it; +their artillery was captured, and their routed columns, sullen and +discontented, retired slowly down the hill. + +[Sidenote: GENERAL RIALL TAKEN PRISONER.] + +Meanwhile Major Jesup had turned the enemy’s left with the 25th +infantry, and, favored by the darkness, had cautiously advanced in +their rear. A detachment from his command, under Captain Ketchum, +succeeded in reaching the place where Generals Drummond and Riall +were stationed with their suites. The former made his escape, but +the latter was taken prisoner with his staff. A large number of +prisoners, in addition, were captured by Major Jesup, and he then +moved to the left to attack the enemy in rear. Coming upon a body +of their troops posted in the Queenston road, about the time of the +capture of the battery, his men delivered their fire, as galling as +it was unexpected, and instantly dashed over the fence that separated +them. The enemy broke and fled, and, as the 1st and 23rd infantry had +been already rallied by the animated efforts of General Ripley, the +whole British line was now forced. + +General Brown was prompt to improve the advantage he had gained, as +the British officers were heard encouraging their men for a desperate +effort to recover their cannon. While they were engaged in reforming +their broken masses under the hill, he advanced his line, placing the +captured guns in his rear; General Porter being on the extreme left +with his volunteers, General Ripley’s brigade occupying the centre, +and Major Hindman being stationed in the interval between the second +brigade and the 25th infantry, which was posted on the right of the +line. The first brigade, under General Scott, was held in reserve. + +A gloomy and ominous silence prevailed for a short time, and it was +then interrupted by the lively strains of martial music, as the +British columns were again ordered to advance. General Drummond +had given his men but a few moments to recover from the effects of +their repulse. With great daring and intrepidity they marched up the +height, at double quick time, presenting an extended line outflanking +the Americans on both extremes. Within twenty yards of the crest of +the eminence, they poured forth their volleys, and prepared to rush +forward with their bayonets. In an instant the American line was one +blaze of fire. The enemy staggered; another volley, followed rapidly +by another, and still another, caused them to break and retire down +the hill in confusion, despite the exertions of their officers to +inspire them with confidence. + +Another half hour passed in suspense, and again the measured tread +of the advancing columns was heard, as they rose the hill. The +Americans reserved their fire till it could be most effective, and +when the enemy came within range, the artillery of Major Hindman +once more pealed forth its brazen notes, and, as they pressed nearer +and nearer, the rattling musketry was added to the din. But the +constant shower of shot and ball poured upon them soon checked their +advance. For nearly half an hour they strove in vain to overcome the +firmness of the American troops. The contest was warm and animated; +and, during its continuance, General Scott, who had consolidated +his brigade into one battalion, under Major Leavenworth, made +two effective charges on the left and right of the British line, +in the latter of which he received two severe wounds, that soon +after obliged him to quit the field. General Brown was always where +his presence was needed--in the front of the battle. Heedless of +the exposure of his person, he was ever ready to utter words of +encouragement where symptoms of hesitation were manifested; to +commend every act of noble daring; and to arouse his men to further +exertions. His efforts were well seconded by the chivalric bearing +and the dauntless intrepidity of Scott and Ripley and Porter. Unable +to make head against the stern and unyielding resistance of the +American soldiers, General Drummond was a second time forced to draw +off his men. + +[Sidenote: LAST EFFORTS OF THE ENEMY.] + +The contest was not yet ended. Additional reïnforcements had joined +the enemy, and, after the lapse of another hour, their hesitating +columns were encouraged to make one more effort for the victory. +Regardless of the havoc made in their ranks, the British troops +advanced boldly under a withering fire. This time they gained the +summit of the hill, never pausing after they had delivered their +fire, and closed with their antagonists. The battle was now at its +height. The beams of the rising moon struggled vainly to penetrate +the murky pall that overhung the field of combat, but the darkness +was illuminated by the constant flashing of musketry and artillery. +Two lines of armed men, merged with each other, were seen surging +to and fro. The earth shook beneath their feet. Foot to foot, and +breast to breast, they fought. Locked in the death struggle, the +Briton and the American fell together. The green sward was soaked +with blood; it collected in pools in the ridges made by the ploughing +shot; and ran down in rivulets to mingle its crimson dyes with the +limpid waters of the Niagara. + +General Brown had previously received a severe wound from a musket +ball which passed through his right thigh, and as he now moved to +the left of the American line, to encourage the volunteers to remain +firm, he was struck violently upon his left side by a missile of some +description. The blow nearly unhorsed him, and on meeting Colonel +Wood, he expressed his doubts as to his ability to keep the saddle. +“Never mind, my dear general,” was the reply, “you are gaining the +greatest victory that was ever gained by your nation!” Cheered by +these words, which indicated the spirit prevailing among his officers +and men, General Brown remained on his horse, giving his orders with +wonted firmness and promptitude. The American troops were sorely +pressed, but they were more than a match for their opponents. In vain +was every effort of the latter. The artillery on both sides was taken +and retaken during the struggle, but the British were finally forced +to yield the ground, leaving their guns in the hands of the Americans. + +At midnight the contest terminated. The British made no further +effort to regain the position, but shrunk silently away in the +darkness. Faint from excessive pain and the loss of blood, General +Brown was now assisted from the field by his staff. General Scott +being also disabled, the command was assumed by General Ripley, +under whose directions the wounded were collected, and orders were +then issued for a return to camp. The artillery horses being all +killed, and there being no drag-ropes at hand, General Ripley very +reluctantly left the captured guns on the ground, having rolled the +smaller pieces down the hill. This circumstance was seized with +avidity by the British officers to give color to their claim that +they had defeated the American army, and it has frequently served a +similar purpose in the works of British writers. A few considerations +will show how utterly unfounded was this claim. The Americans +attacked their opponents in a position of their own selection. This +position they seized, and held against three daring and desperate +efforts to regain it. It was yielded, but yielded voluntarily; and +being without the means to remove the guns, General Ripley left them +on the field, and returned to the American camp unmolested. The +enemy remained nearer the battle-ground, as their tents and baggage +were directly in rear of their line; and when they discovered on +the following morning, that the guns had been abandoned, they took +possession of them without difficulty, there being no one to oppose +them. + +[Sidenote: LOSSES OF THE TWO ARMIES.] + +The truth is, that both parties sustained a severe loss in this +sanguinary conflict, and neither desired to renew it while the +odds were in favor of their antagonists. In the morning of the +twenty-sixth, General Ripley collected all the American troops fit +for duty, and with this force, which barely amounted to fifteen +hundred men, he sallied out to seek another contest with the enemy. +On approaching the field on which the action of the previous day had +been fought, he found them strongly posted in a still more favorable +position, slightly in advance of that formerly occupied. Becoming +satisfied that it would be unwise to attack a superior force under +such circumstances, he again returned to camp, and subsequently +retired to Fort Erie, the defences of which were immediately +strengthened and extended, in accordance with the instructions of +General Brown. + +The British force engaged in the battle of Niagara, was little +short of five thousand; that of the Americans was nearly one third +less. The latter sustained the heaviest loss in killed and wounded, +however, on account of the galling severity of the British fire +previous to the capture of their guns. The Americans had seven +hundred and forty-three men killed and wounded, and the British six +hundred and forty-three. The latter lost two hundred and thirty-five +men taken prisoners, and the former one hundred and seventeen. The +aggregate loss of the British, therefore, was a trifle greater +than that of the Americans. Generals Brown and Scott, as has been +mentioned, were badly wounded; Generals Drummond and Riall, the +latter being likewise captured, also received severe wounds. + +[Sidenote: ATTACK OF FORT ERIE.] + +General Drummond did not offer to molest the American army in their +march to Fort Erie, or venture to make an attack on that post, +till the 3rd of August, when he had been reïnforced by General De +Watteville, with one thousand men. He then invested the fort, and +made preparations for its reduction. On the fifth of August, General +Gaines arrived from Sacketts Harbor, and assumed the command. +The enemy continued their approaches, and on the thirteenth and +fourteenth a heavy cannonade was kept up, which was followed by an +assault early in the morning of the fifteenth instant.[4] The work +was poorly calculated to withstand a siege, being nothing more than a +small redoubt, occupying the centre of an intrenched camp, of which +it formed the strong point. The enemy were, notwithstanding, repulsed +with great loss, by the gallantry and good conduct of General Gaines +and the officers and men under his command. During the siege General +Gaines was severely wounded by the bursting of a shell, and on the +twenty eighth instant, he retired to Buffalo, leaving General Ripley +in charge of the post. + +Having partially recovered from his wounds, General Brown once more +resumed the command on the second of September. The defences of +Fort Erie had already suffered considerable injury from the enemy’s +fire, and the garrison were kept constantly at work repairing the +damages, and adding to the works. Frequent skirmishes took place, and +the cannonading on either side was maintained, at intervals, with +spirit and warmth. Reïnforcements were daily expected to arrive from +the army on Lake Champlain, but they did not make their appearance, +and it was soon evident that the post could not be held much longer +against the efforts of the enemy. General Brown fretted like an +imprisoned lion, and, on the seventeenth of September, discovering +that General Drummond had constructed another battery, that would +open a destructive fire on the following day, he planned a sortie, +which has been justly considered as the _chef d’œuvre_ of his +military career. + +The infantry of the besieging force was divided into three brigades, +each containing twelve or fifteen hundred men, one of which was +stationed alternately in the works in front of the fort, for the +protection of the artillerists, and the other two occupied the main +camp about two miles in the rear. The circumvallation consisted of +two lines of intrenchments supported by blockhouses, in advance of +which the enemy had constructed their batteries. It was General +Brown’s intention “to storm the batteries, destroy the cannon, and +roughly handle the brigade on duty, before those in reserve could be +brought up.” The project was well conceived and admirably executed. + +[Sidenote: SORTIE FROM FORT ERIE.] + +At noon on the seventeenth, the troops intended to make the sortie +were paraded under arms. The sallying force was divided into two +columns; the left, commanded by General Porter, and consisting of the +rifles and a body of Indians under Colonel Gibson, the Pennsylvania +volunteers under Colonel Wood, the New York volunteers under General +Davis, and the 1st and 23rd infantry under Major Brooks, was ordered +to move cautiously upon the enemy’s right, by a circuitous road +previously opened through the woods; and the right, commanded by +General Miller, and consisting of the first brigade, was directed to +enter a ravine between the fort and the British lines, and advance +rapidly upon the enemy’s works as soon as General Porter became +engaged. General Ripley remained in reserve with the 21st infantry, +between the new bastions of the fort; his command, and that of +General Miller, being both out of view of the enemy. + +The day was dark and lowering. A thick mist rested upon the lake and +river, and floated lazily along their banks. The clouds overhead were +surcharged with moisture, and sent down copious showers of rain. +Favored by these circumstances, the American columns gained their +positions unperceived. General Porter advanced with such celerity and +caution, that his men sprang upon the enemy’s pickets before they +were aware of his presence. As soon as the rapid volleys of General +Porter were heard, General Brown ordered General Miller to advance, +the head of his column being directed towards the interval between +batteries 2 and 3. Dashing forward at full speed, General Miller +reached the enemy’s line and pierced their entrenchments. The British +were taken by surprise, yet they fought bravely and well. The contest +was close and animated, but brief. Within thirty minutes after the +first gun was fired, batteries 2 and 3 were in possession of the +American troops, who swept every thing before them with the bayonet. +Battery number 1 was then abandoned by the enemy, and the Americans, +without loss of time, commenced the work of demolition. The British +guns were spiked or otherwise destroyed, their breastworks levelled, +and the magazine of battery number 3 was blown up. + +General Ripley had now brought up the reserve, and was making +preparations for a demonstration on the enemy’s camp, when he +was disabled by a severe wound. The object of the sortie having +been accomplished, in the destruction, by a force of regulars and +volunteers, only two thousand strong, of the labors of four thousand +men for a period of near fifty days, General Miller ordered his men +to fall back to the ravine, and General Brown then directed all the +corps to return to camp with their prisoners, which was done in good +order. In this affair the Americans had eighty-three men killed, two +hundred and sixteen wounded, and there were two hundred and sixteen +missing. Three hundred and eighty-five of the enemy were taken +prisoners, and there were between four and five hundred killed and +wounded. + +This daring sortie put an end to the leaguer. During the night of the +twenty-first of September, General Drummond broke up his camp, and +retreated to his intrenchments behind the Chippewa. Not long after, +General Izard arrived from Sacketts Harbor with large reïnforcements, +and on the twelfth of October, being the senior officer, he +superseded General Brown in the command. No further incident of +importance occurred, however, on this frontier. The gallant exploit +of the seventeenth of September was the appropriate _finale_ of a +bloody campaign, unsurpassed, during the war, for the display of +firmness, valor, and intrepidity. Leaving a sufficient garrison at +Fort Erie, General Izard moved down towards the Chippewa with the +remainder of his forces, and offered battle to the enemy, but they +declined leaving their intrenchments. A partial engagement took place +between detached corps on the nineteenth of October, which closed the +operations of the campaign; and early in November the American army +retired into winter quarters on the opposite side of the Niagara. + +[Sidenote: HIS DECEASE.] + +The treaty of Ghent, in December of this year, terminated the war, +and the services of General Brown in the field. Upon the reduction of +the army he was retained on the peace establishment, and placed in +command of the northern military division. In 1821 he was appointed +General-in-chief, and from that time till his death, which occurred +on the twenty-fourth of February, 1828, he resided at Washington. +The disease which terminated his life was superinduced by another +contracted at Fort Erie, from which he was never wholly exempt. + +General Brown did not enter the military profession solely from +motives of patriotism, though these ever guided and governed his +conduct;--he was a soldier _con amore_! Early disciplined in the +school of adversity and trained to habits of self-reliance,--and +gifted with superior mental endowments, which had been carefully +cultivated,--he possessed that happy combination of faculties +and acquirements which rarely fails to achieve success. He was a +correct and thorough disciplinarian; industrious, methodical, and +indefatigable; brave, both physically and morally; stout in person +and strong of nerve; bold and energetic in carrying out his offensive +movements; firm, but cautious, when acting on the defence; sagacious +in council; and cool, calm, and collected, amid the roar of battle. +In the language of the general order announcing his decease to +the army--“Quick to perceive and sagacious to anticipate, prompt +to decide and daring in execution, he was born with the qualities +which constitute a great commander. His military _coup d’œil_, +his intuitive penetration, his knowledge of men and his capacity +to control them, were known to all his companions in arms, and +commanded their respect; while the gentleness of his disposition, +the courtesy of his deportment, his scrupulous regard to their +rights, his constant attention to their wants, and his affectionate +attachment to their persons, universally won their hearts, and bound +them to him as a father.” + +The death of one so highly esteemed produced a deep impression, and +was sincerely lamented, not only by his brethren in arms, but by +all to whom he had become endeared in the relationships of private +life. Cut off in the vigor of manhood by a disease contracted in +the service of his country, she still treasures his memory as that +of one among the most honored of her sons. Like the amaranth, his +fame is enduring and imperishable; and while the ceaseless murmurs +of the cataract rise beside the battle-field of Niagara, his gallant +daring and determined courage will be gratefully remembered by his +countrymen. + +[Illustration: EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [1] General Brown is frequently compared with General + Greene, who, like him, was descended from a Quaker + family; and it has been jocularly said of them, + that, although one was _green_, and the other + _brown_, both were _true blue_! + + [2] See Memoir of General Scott. + + [3] The reply of Colonel Miller was adopted as the motto + of his regiment, and was worn on their buttons. + + [4] See Memoir of General Gaines. + + + +EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES. + + +It is no slight praise to say of the subject of this memoir, that +his name is honorably associated with the war of 1812, from its +commencement to its termination. When disasters were so frequent, +and defeat so often sustained, where others were concerned, it is +refreshing to find, that he never wanted the will, and when his means +were sufficient, never lacked the ability, to retrieve the one, and +to wipe out the disgrace of the other. Ever to be found where duty +placed him,--prompt, brave, and skilful,--these are high merits in +a soldier, and entitle their possessor to a worthy place among his +compeers. + +Virginia is often termed “the mother of statesmen,”--and she may +also be regarded as the birth-place of heroes. Like Harrison and +Scott, General Gaines drew his first breath in the Old Dominion. +He was born on the twentieth day of March, 1777, in Culpepper +county, near the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, where it looks +down upon the rolling table land, and undulating slopes,drained +by the waters of the Rappahannock. His father, James Gaines, was +a nephew of Edmund Pendleton,--after whom his son was named,--a +profound and able lawyer, who was for many years presiding judge of +the Court of Appeals of the state of Virginia. In the latter part +of the Revolution, the father commanded a company of volunteers, +and did good service in that capacity. At the close of the war he +removed to the northwest border of North Carolina. He represented +the county in which he resided, in the legislature of that state, +and was afterwards a member of the convention by which the federal +constitution was rejected. Like many of the most patriotic citizens +of Virginia, North Carolina, and other states, he was at first +opposed to that instrument; but, his objections having been removed +by the adoption of the “bill of rights,” he voted in its favor. + +Young Gaines was early familiarized to scenes of war and bloodshed. +Born in a frontier settlement, during the perilous times of the +revolutionary struggle, when the whole colony was in a state of +constant ferment and agitation, though not old enough to appreciate +the importance of the principles for which his countrymen were +contending, he was deeply imbued with the spirit that animated +the men of that great era in the history of our nation. In the +sparsely-peopled region to which his parents had removed, the means +of obtaining information were very limited, and, as his father +was in moderate circumstances, he enjoyed but few advantages of +that character. These were carefully improved, however, under the +direction and superintendence of his mother, who possessed a fine +mind, and had received a good education. A friend, by the name of +Ralph Mitchell, whose acquaintance he formed while a mere youth, +instructed him in mathematics, and he subsequently became an accurate +surveyor. + +When he was about thirteen years of age, his father emigrated to +Sullivan county, in that mountainous tract of country, now known as +East Tennessee, lying between the Stone and Cumberland mountains. +This section of the union was then new, and but thinly inhabited. +Being in the immediate vicinity of the theatre of the depredations +committed by the Creeks and Cherokees, tales of border warfare were +rife, and the legends of “the dark and bloody ground” were often +repeated by the fireside of the elder Gaines. Themes like these +were calculated to enkindle a desire for entering the profession +of arms in the bosom of his young son, who listened to them with +eager interest, and he soon gave unequivocal indications that his +thoughts were turned in that direction. From boyhood he had been +taught to labor,--to swing the axe, and follow the plough. When not +thus employed, or busy in storing his mind with useful information, +he rambled through the forests in search of game. In his hours of +pastime the rifle was his constant companion, and he is said to have +excelled all his companions in the use of that weapon. Passing his +time in these occupations, his constitution, naturally strong and +vigorous, had become hardened and invigorated, and fitted to endure +the sufferings and vicissitudes of a soldier’s life. He was likewise +bold and fearless, daring and determined;--no difficulty retarded +him, no danger deterred. + +[Sidenote: RECEIVES HIS FIRST COMMISSION.] + +He now occupied his leisure hours in reading and studying such +military and historical works as he could procure; and at the age of +eighteen he was elected to a lieutenancy in a rifle company commanded +by Captain J. Cloud. No opportunity was yet presented for gratifying +the first wish of his heart, and he concluded to turn his attention +to another profession. When not otherwise busied, much of his time +had latterly been spent in surveying. In this way he had provided +himself with a small supply of funds, and on attaining his majority, +he commenced the study of the law, and pursued it as fast as his +limited means would allow. While thus engaged, he was recommended by +his friend, the Hon. W. C. C. Claiborne, then a member of Congress +from the state of Tennessee, and afterwards governor of Louisiana, +for an appointment in the army The recommendation proved successful, +and on the tenth of January, 1799, he received his first commission, +as an ensign. + +The long-cherished desire of young Gaines was now gratified, and +the way opened for him to win honor and renown in the armies of +his country. In the autumn of 1799, he was promoted to the rank +of 2nd lieutenant in the 6th infantry, and sent on the recruiting +service. His regiment being afterwards disbanded, he was attached to +the 4th infantry, then under the command of Colonel Thomas Butler. +In the summer of 1801, Colonel Butler received orders from the +War Department, to select a subaltern from his regiment to make a +topographical survey from Nashville to Natchez, for the location of a +military road. Lieutenant Gaines was selected for this duty, and was +employed in discharging it, and in the survey of some Indian boundary +lines, till the winter of 1803–4,--having, in the meantime, been +raised to the rank of 1st lieutenant. + +The Spanish government, being dissatisfied with the transfer of +Louisiana to the United States, refused to withdraw her troops +from Fort Condé, at Mobile, and from Baton Rouge,--and to deliver +up possession of the country lying north of the Isle of Orleans, +and the Gulf of Mexico, and between the Mississippi and the +Perdido,--insisting that the territory embraced within those limits +formed a part of her Floridian possessions, and was not included +in the cession to France. Mr. Jefferson well knew that the country +was wholly unprepared for war, and, in conformity with the peaceful +policy of his administration, was unwilling, at that time, to submit +the question in dispute to the arbitrament of the sword; yet, lest it +might be said that the United States had tacitly acquiesced in the +claim of the Spanish authorities, he resolved to appoint a military +collector for the district of Mobile. The appointment was conferred +on Lieutenant Gaines, in 1804, and he immediately established himself +at Fort Stoddart, thirty-six miles north of Mobile. + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED MILITARY COLLECTOR.] + +He at once looked forward, with eager hope and expectation, to +the time when he would be required “to flesh his maiden sword;” +a collision seemed unavoidable, and he supposed it would soon be +necessary to assert the rights of his government, and the authority +deputed to him, by force of arms. In this he was disappointed; but +a circumstance shortly after transpired, that brought him into +notoriety,--of a very different character, indeed, from what he +had desired or anticipated, yet it is not at all probable that he +ever regretted his connection with the transaction.--In 1806 he was +appointed postmaster, and selected as the confidential agent of the +post-office department, being clothed with the power of suspending +postmasters and contractors concerned in what was called, “the +conspiracy of Aaron Burr.” Young and ardent, in heart and soul +a patriot, it is not strange that he should have shared in the +prevalent feeling, and approved the public judgment that denounced +Colonel Burr as a traitor. He may have been mistaken in this, and +if so, it was an error into which he was very likely to fall:--the +projects of Colonel Burr are still shrouded in mystery; he who was +chiefly interested in removing the odium attached to them in the +estimation of his countrymen, if that were possible, refused to make +any explanations; to the close of his life he maintained a studied +reserve, and when he died, “he made no sign”! + +Lieutenant Gaines was quite active in discharging the extraordinary +mission intrusted to him, and in ferreting out the parties implicated +in the supposed conspiracy. He arrested Colonel Burr; and, on +account of his acquaintance with the western country, he received +the temporary appointment of marshal, in which capacity he summoned +a number of witnesses to attend the trial. About the same time he +was promoted to the rank of captain. Although his conduct had been +governed by the best and purest motives, and he had but faithfully +carried out the instructions of those whom it was his duty to obey, +he incurred the bitterest animosity of the friends of Colonel Burr, +and was severely attacked on the trial; and, in his subsequent life, +he was often taught to feel, that they had neither forgotten nor +forgiven him. + +[Sidenote: RE-ENTERS THE ARMY.] + +Soon after his connection with this affair terminated, seeing nothing +before him but a life of inaction wholly unsuited to his active +temperament, he decided to retire from the army, and enter the +legal profession. Before announcing his determination, he wisely +hesitated--there was a prospect of war with England,--though, after +the settlement of the affair of the Chesapeake, a remote one,--and he +therefore concluded merely to apply for leave of absence. This was +cordially granted by his commanding officer, General Hampton, and he +now commenced the practice of the law in the counties of Washington +and Baldwin, in what was then the Mississippi territory, but now the +State of Alabama. He had just rode his second circuit, under auspices +highly flattering to his talents and abilities, when the alternative, +of rejoining the army or finally throwing up his commission, was +presented. The call of his country was the call of duty. The summons +to arms was joyfully obeyed, and at the commencement of the war of +1812, he resumed his sword, and his position in the service. + +The year 1812 closed without furnishing him an opportunity to +distinguish himself. In the spring of 1813, he was attached to the +North-western army, and rose, by rapid promotions, to the command of +a regiment. A long and tedious illness prevented his participation in +the battle of the Thames, but he recovered in time to accompany the +ill-fated expedition of General Wilkinson down the St. Lawrence.[5] +He was present at the battle of Chrystler’s fields, on the eleventh +of November, and for his gallantry on that occasion was mentioned +in terms of high commendation, in the official dispatch of General +Boyd. In the action he commanded the 25th infantry, one of the finest +and most effective regiments in the service, and after the British +had been beaten back, in accordance with the instructions of the +commander-in-chief to General Boyd, he was directed to cover the +re-embarkation of the American troops. + +This service was performed with skill, fearlessness, and promptitude. +Colonel Morrison, of the 89th British foot, the officer in command +of the enemy, animated by the hope of achieving some certain success +during the day, pushed hard upon him with a large body of troops. +His men stood firm and immovable as the rocks beneath their feet. A +desperate onset was made by the enemy to overwhelm him, but after +an obstinate struggle they were completely repulsed. He then joined +the advance, retiring with his command slowly and deliberately to +their boats. Colonel Morrison was so well pleased with the brave +conduct of the regiment, that, after the action, he sent his card to +its commanding officer, with a message expressing his admiration, +and desiring to know his name, in order that if they should chance +to meet when the two countries were at peace, he might claim the +privilege of an old friend and fellow soldier. It need not be added, +that Colonel Gaines promptly complied with the request and returned +the compliment. + +[Sidenote: DEFENCE OF FORT ERIE.] + +Colonel Gaines accompanied the army into winter quarters at French +Mills, and, on the ninth of March, 1814, he received the commission +of a brigadier general. At the opening of the following campaign, we +find him placed in command at Sacketts Harbor, upon the departure +of General Brown and his army for the Niagara frontier. Here he was +assiduously employed in providing for the defence of the post, and, +when it was blockaded by the British squadron, in preventing their +attempts to cut off the supplies and munitions of war, conveyed +through the interior of New York, by way of the Mohawk, the Oneida +Lake, and the Oswego river, and the connecting canals, and then +transported over Lake Ontario to Sacketts Harbor. He remained at this +post, till he was summoned by General Brown to join the army on the +Niagara, after the battle of the twenty-fifth of July. On the fifth +of August he arrived at Fort Erie, then beleaguered by the British +forces under General Drummond, and assumed the command. + +The construction of the additional defences of the fort had already +been commenced, under the direction of General Ripley, with whose +arrangements he interfered no further than to press the rapid +completion of the works. The main structure was a small unfinished +redoubt, and in a very dilapidated condition. It was situated about +one hundred yards from the lake, above which it was elevated some +fifteen or twenty feet. Towards the water it was left exposed, though +partially repaired; on the right it was strengthened, and extended by +a breastwork, to the river, where it terminated in a battery, and on +the left a line of intrenchments and abattis was formed, extending to +an eminence called Snake hill, which formed the southern angle, and +on which a redoubt was constructed. From thence eastwardly, to the +shore of the lake, there was a defence of abattis. + +The British general had fancied that the American army was now +within his grasp, and that a single blow would be followed by +their immediate surrender, or their withdrawal from the Canadian +territory. Upon his arrival before the post he found its occupants +much better prepared for his reception than he expected to find them. +He therefore sat himself down coolly and deliberately, established +his main camp about two miles distant, threw up two lines of +intrenchments, supported by strong block houses, in front of the +works, planted his batteries at favorable points, and contented +himself with drawing closer the investment, but, nevertheless, +pushing his operations with great activity. + +The American soldiers labored incessantly on the fortifications; and +on the seventh of August, though still incomplete, they were in a +sufficient state of forwardness to withstand an attack. From that +time till the fourteenth instant, a constant cannonade was kept up, +on one side or the other; the earth shaking for miles around, as the +thunders of the artillery boomed over the lake, or rolled along its +shores, echoing from one headland to the other, and muttering among +the fissures of the rocks and recesses of the forest, till they were +lost in the distance. Several skirmishes also took place, in which +the British were generally defeated. The works were considerably +crippled, however, as they were enfiladed by one of the enemy’s +batteries; but the garrison did not suffer materially from the fire, +there being but seven men killed, and thirty-six wounded, up to the +night of the fourteenth instant. + +[Sidenote: PREPARATIONS OF THE ENEMY.] + +Towards evening on the fourteenth a bustle was observed in the +British lines, from which General Gaines rightly conjectured that the +enemy designed to hazard an assault, and his dispositions were at +once made to repel it. The garrison was feeble enough, there being +but about twenty-five hundred effective men, while the besieging +force was nearly double that number; but what they lacked in this +respect was more than made up in the cheerfulness with which the +officers seconded the wishes of the commander, the unflinching +firmness of the men, and the readiness with which they obeyed every +call of duty. The main fort and its bastions were placed under the +command of Captain Williams, of the artillery; the battery on the +margin of the lake, on the right, was commanded by Captain Douglass, +of the engineers; the batteries in front were placed in charge of +Captains Biddle and Fanning; and Captain Towson’s battery occupied +the south-western angle of the works,--all being under the command +of Major Hindman, chief of artillery. The first brigade, under +Lieutenant Colonel Aspinwall,--its former commander, General Scott, +having been wounded at the battle of Niagara, on the twenty-fifth of +July,--was posted on the right, and the second brigade, under General +Ripley, on the left. The riflemen and volunteers, under General +Porter, were directed to support the batteries in front, and the +block house, near the salient bastion of the fort, was occupied by a +detachment of infantry, under Major Trimble. + +The preparations of General Drummond were completed soon after +nightfall on the fourteenth; it was arranged that the projected +assault should be made early on the following morning, in three +columns,--that on the right designed to attack the left of the +American works, consisting of thirteen hundred men, being placed +under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fischer, that on the left, +of about the same number, under Colonel Scott, and the central +column, composed of eight hundred select troops, under Lieutenant +Colonel Drummond. A few hours before the assault was ordered, one +of the enemy’s shells lodged in a small magazine in the fort, which +exploded with a deafening noise, shaking the solid earth, and +shooting a vast pillar of smoke and flame up towards the sky, which +expanded at the top, and rained down showers of fragments on the +heads of the garrison. Not a man was injured, or a gun disabled, by +the explosion; but the British soldiers, fancying some serious injury +had been effected, raised a loud and joyous shout. This was promptly +answered by the Americans, and in the midst of the confusion, and +before the smoke had cleared away, Captain Williams discharged his +heavy guns. For a few moments an animated fire was kept up, and the +air was filled with a storm of projectiles, with crashing balls, and +falling shells,--but it died away again, and all was still. It was +the silence that forebodes the storm--the hush that precedes the +whirlwind! + +It had been rainy throughout the day, and the rolling thunders of +the tempest mingled with the loud roar of cannon, and the noise of +exploding bombs. When the night set in, the rain continued to fall; +heavy masses of clouds swept athwart the sky, curtaining the scene +with a dark and gloomy pall; and the fires in the enemy’s camp could +scarcely be discerned, glimmering feebly through the obscure haze. +The breastworks of Fort Erie sheltered many an anxious bosom, but +the fire of a noble courage, that knew not how to falter, sparkled +in every eye, and beamed on every countenance. General Gaines, +whose dauntless intrepidity was never more conspicuous than on this +occasion, was active in encouraging and inspiriting his men, both by +his language and his example. Every necessary order was issued with +promptitude, and obeyed with alacrity. + +[Sidenote: THE ASSAULT.] + +Midnight came,--and yet there were no indications of an attack. +Another, and another hour passed by in silence. Ere the next half +hour was told, a low, faint sound was heard, like the rustling of +the wind among the leaves of the forest. It approached nearer and +nearer,--and the eager listeners soon caught the measured tread of +the approaching columns, enveloped in thick darkness, but hurrying +onward with rapidity to the assault. The column led by Lieutenant +Colonel Fischer was the first to reach the works. The enemy advanced +steadily and quickly,--one portion approaching the battery at the +southwestern angle, with scaling ladders; and the other advancing +against the line between it and the lake, with the design of +terminating the contest, in an instant, by the decisive shock of the +bayonet. They were allowed to approach within good range, when the +American musketry and artillery opened suddenly upon them. Broad +sheets of flame leaped from the breastworks; shot and shell were +vomited in torrents from the batteries; and the dense waves of smoke +that surged over the combatants, were lighted constantly by the vivid +flashes of the artillery. + +The effect was terrific. The enemy were mowed down in platoons, +and scores were swept away at every discharge. They hesitated +for a moment,--another scorching blast burst from the American +batteries,--and they recoiled in terror and alarm. They were soon +rallied, however, and again led to the attack; but they were again +repulsed with fearful slaughter. The British officers once more +succeeded in animating their wavering troops for another onset. +They now attempted to pass round the abattis by wading through the +lake, the water of which came nearly to their arm-pits. The American +soldiers, cheered by the presence of General Gaines, who had mounted +his horse and hastened at the first alarm to participate in the +dangers, and share the perils of the conflict, made every preparation +to receive them. Some few succeeded in reaching the firm earth on +the opposite side of the abattis, but it was only to be pierced by a +dozen wounds. Many were drowned in the lake; others sank exhausted by +their wounds, beneath the water dyed with the life blood which they +had vainly shed; and others found their only safety in surrendering +themselves prisoners of war. The officers no longer endeavored to +prevent the retreat, but all, as if animated by one impulse, hurried, +in haste, from the scene of their disaster. + +[Sidenote: INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.] + +On the other flank the enemy were equally unsuccessful. The column +under Colonel Scott became entangled in the rocks near the river, +on the right of the intrenched camp, and were delayed for a short +time; but when they discovered their error, and regained their line +of march, they pushed on more rapidly than before. The sleepless +vigilance of the besieged could not be taken by surprise. The +assailing column were heard distinctly behind the ramparts as they +approached, and when within fifty yards of the American lines, they +encountered an appalling fire that forced them to halt. To advance +further was impossible. The batteries before them presented a +constant blaze of fire, and the air was full of bursting balls +and missiles. In the meantime, the central column, commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Drummond, had advanced boldly against the fort +in front. A rapid, and well-directed fire was turned upon them by +Captain Williams, but, unappalled by the carnage, they succeeded in +applying their ladders to the walls of the salient bastion. As they +were striving to gain the parapet, their officers shouted to their +comrades, in the column under Colonel Scott, to “cease firing”! + +This proved to be a mere trick, but it succeeded for a moment. The +order was heard by Captain Douglass, and supposing that it emanated +from his own superior officers, both he and his infantry support +temporarily suspended their fire. Favored by this circumstance, +Colonel Scott once more led on his men,--but they had only provoked +their doom. The deception was now manifest, and a still more galling +fire was sustained, which caused them again to pause. Their commander +and a number of his officers were cut down; their loss was dreadfully +severe; they were unable to continue the advance, and a retreat was +ordered. They commenced retiring slowly, but the movement terminated +in a disorderly flight. + +Drummond’s column, however, had achieved a slight advantage, yet +it was brief as it was unimportant. The first attempt to carry the +bastion entirely failed; a second, and a third effort was made, with +similar results. But the British commander lacked not in brutal +courage, though sadly deficient in the more ennobling qualities of +the gallant soldier. Under cover of the intense darkness, just +before the break of day, he led a portion of his men silently along +the ditch, applied his ladders at a point where he was not expected, +and mounted the parapet. With a daring intrepidity worthy of a better +cause, he led his men forward to the charge, shrieking out in the +tones of baffled rage and hate--“No quarter!--give the Yankees no +quarter!” This dastard order was faithfully obeyed. A fierce and +maddening contest took place for the possession of the bastion. +Major Hindman and his artillerists, with their supporting force, +bravely stood their ground. Their efforts proved unavailing. Captain +Williams, and a number of the men, were killed or mortally wounded, +and his lieutenants, Watmough and Macdonough, were also severely +wounded. The latter disdained to yield till he was completely +disabled, and then asked for quarter. This was refused,--when, +rallying his remaining strength, he snatched a handspike, and, +with the madness of despairing humanity, strove to beat off his +assailants. As he held them at bay, the infuriated Drummond rushed +forward, and shot him down with his own hand. But this coward act +received a fearful retribution. The next instant an avenging bullet +found its way to the heart of the British leader, and he fell beside +his victim,--a horrid blasphemy gurgling, with the death rattle, in +his throat! + +[Sidenote: FINAL REPULSE OF THE ENEMY.] + +Notwithstanding the fall of their commander, the men who had effected +a lodgment in the bastion, successfully resisted every attempt to +dislodge them till daylight. General Gaines then ordered up larger +reinforcements, and the enemy began speedily to fall back. They were +now at the mercy of the American soldiers, who had not forgotten the +savage cry which had been the death-knell of many a brave spirit. +Expecting no favor, as none was merited, they had commenced tumbling +pellmell over the parapet into the ditch, when a strong reserve +was descried rapidly coming up under Lieutenant Colonel Tucker. An +enfilading fire from Captain Douglass’ battery upon the approaching +column, and a few rapid and effective discharges from the guns of +Captains Biddle and Fanning, checked their advance. Between three +and four hundred of the enemy advanced to within a short distance of +the bastion; but, at this moment, and while the Americans, under the +orders of General Gaines, were preparing for a vigorous rush upon the +remnant of Drummond’s column, a number of cartridges deposited in one +end of the stone building adjoining the bastion, caught fire, and +exploded, with a tremendous roar, carrying away the whole platform. +The loss of the enemy by the explosion was small in comparison +with what they had previously sustained, but it served to add to +their confusion, and to increase their anxiety to escape beyond +the reach of the American guns. No effort was made to pursue the +assault further, and a general retreat of the enemy now took place, +as tumultuous and disorderly, as their advance had been brave and +imposing. + +The British lost one hundred and fifty-seven men killed, in the +assault, three hundred and eight wounded, and one hundred and +eighty-six prisoners; besides a number who were drowned in the lake, +and a still greater number who deserted under cover of the darkness. +The American loss was only seventeen killed, fifty-six wounded, and +eleven missing. + +General Drummond had indulged the hope that a single giant stroke +would retrieve the fortunes of the British arms in the peninsula, +and enable him to “ride in triumph over all mischance.” The attack +was well-laid, but failed in every respect. This abortive attempt +sadly crippled his strength, and though he was reïnforced by two +regiments on the following day, he durst not hazard a second assault. +His batteries were enlarged, and the bombardment continued, though +without any sensible effect. On the twenty-eighth of August, General +Gaines, having been severely wounded by the bursting of a shell, was +obliged to retire to Buffalo, leaving General Ripley in charge of +the post which had been thus bravely defended. General Brown resumed +the command on the second of September, and soon after compelled the +British commander to raise the siege, and retire to his intrenched +camp beyond the Chippewa.[6] + +General Gaines did not recover from his wound in time to take part +in the further operations of the belligerent forces during the few +months which elapsed previous to the conclusion of the treaty of +peace.--His gallant service in the defence of Fort Erie, did not go +unrewarded. He was brevetted a major-general; Congress honored him, +also, and the officers and men under his command, with a vote of +thanks, and authorized the president to procure and present him with +a gold medal. Similar votes of thanks were likewise passed, and +gold-hilted swords presented to him, by the legislatures of New York, +Virginia, and Tennessee. + +[Sidenote: THE SEMINOLE WAR.] + +After the termination of hostilities with Great Britain, being +retained on the peace-establishment, General Gaines was ordered to +relieve General Jackson in the command of the southern district. +He was engaged in the discharge of the duties appertaining to his +position, in the summer of 1817, when the Seminoles, a branch of the +Creek tribe, and the Red Sticks, or Mickasaukians, also a branch of +the same nation, who were driven from the Mississippi territory by +General Jackson, in 1814, in connection with a number of runaway +negroes,--all instigated by Nichols and Woodbine, and other British +agents, and the Spanish authorities of Florida,--began to renew +their depredations on the southern frontiers of Georgia. In July, a +large band of these savages and outlaws were dislodged from a fort +in which they had established themselves, on the Appalachicola, by a +body of regulars and friendly Indians, under Colonel Clinch; but, as +their outrages were frequently repeated, General Gaines immediately +commenced erecting forts for the defence and protection of the border +settlements. Fort Scott was constructed on the Flint river, a short +distance above Spring Creek; Fort Gaines on the left bank of the +Chatahoochee, about midway between the Petawla and Yattayabba creeks; +and a third fort on the Conecuh. + +In order to put an end to the atrocities perpetrated by the hostile +savages and their associates, orders were issued to General Gaines +from the War Department, “to remove the Indians still remaining +on the lands ceded by the treaty made by General Jackson with the +Creeks;” and, in pursuance of these instructions, on the nineteenth +of November, he sent an officer to Fowltown, with a message requiring +the removal of the Indians at that place. The chief in command +returned a haughty refusal; whereupon, Major Twiggs was dispatched +with a strong force, to compel an observance of the order, and to +bring the chief and his party to Fort Scott. He was attacked on the +way, but succeeded in repulsing the Indians, and arrived safely +at Fowltown, which was found entirely deserted. On the thirtieth +instant, Major Muhlenburgh arrived in the Appalachicola, with three +vessels, containing supplies for Fort Scott, but was unable to ascend +the river on account of the adverse winds. Lieutenant Scott was +therefore sent down to his assistance, with a boat and forty men. +Twenty of his men were left with the vessels, and their places in +the boat were filled by sick soldiers and women. Lieutenant Scott +then started to return to the fort, but on reaching the mouth of the +Flint river, he was suddenly attacked by a band of Indian warriors, +under their chief Hornotlimed. The whole party, with the exception of +six soldiers, who made their escape by swimming to the shore, were +inhumanly butchered, and their scalps taken to the Indian town of +Mickasauky, to adorn the war-pole, striped with red paint, which had +already been erected. + +Offensive measures of the most rigorous character, were now rendered +unavoidable. The experience acquired by General Jackson in his Indian +campaigns, led to his being selected to conduct the war against the +Seminoles and their allies. He arrived at Fort Scott, with nine +hundred Georgia militia, on the ninth of March, 1818, and, as the +senior officer, assumed the command. General Gaines acted under his +orders during the short, but decisive campaign, that terminated +in the effectual chastisement of the savages, and their Spanish +abettors.[7] The services of the former were invaluable to the +commanding general; he was always to be relied on, ever ready for +any service, prompt, skilful, persevering and industrious. He was +present at the reduction of Fort Barrancas, on the twenty-eighth of +May, and immediately thereafter was ordered to St. Augustine, with a +detachment, which surrendered to him without serious opposition. + +[Sidenote: CONTROVERSY WITH GENERAL SCOTT.] + +The hostile Indians being now quieted, General Jackson was relieved +from duty, and General Gaines again took the command. He continued +in charge of the southern district, till the further reduction of +the army in 1821. He was then selected as one of the two brigadiers +retained in service, and assigned to the command of the western +military division. Upon the death of General Brown, in 1828, he +was a candidate, with General Scott, for the vacant office of +General-in-chief. The appointment, however, was conferred on General +Macomb, then at the head of the engineer bureau. Pending the +selection of an officer to supply this vacancy, a warm controversy +took place between General Scott and himself, in relation to their +respective priority of rank, which led to an unfortunate estrangement +between them, and has since been a fruitful subject of contention and +difficulty, occasioning not more embarrassment to the individuals +particularly concerned, than to the national authorities, and their +mutual friends, who are perhaps equally proud of the military +services of both officers. + +General Gaines was continued in command of the western division, his +head-quarters being established at Jefferson barracks, and on the +breaking out of disturbances with the Sacs and Foxes, in May, 1831, +he promptly repaired to the theatre of contention, having previously +dispatched thither a large body of troops. The principal village +of the Sacs and Foxes lay in the beautiful peninsula between the +transparent waters of the Rock river, and the Mississippi. In 1804, +a treaty was concluded by Governor Harrison with their principal +chiefs, by the terms of which all their lands east of the Mississippi +were ceded to the United States; the Indians reserving to themselves +the right of living and hunting upon the territory ceded while +the same was unsold. A large number of the Sacs remained in the +peninsula, and continued peaceably to enjoy the rights which had been +reserved, till the admission of Illinois into the Union. The state +then began to be more rapidly populated, and the valuable lead mines +at Galena attracted a vast body of emigrants. In a few years the +Indians were entirely surrounded by the settlements of the whites. +Collisions frequently occurred; excesses were committed on one side, +and retaliatory measures, far more aggravated in character, were +adopted on the other. + +[Sidenote: DIFFICULTY WITH THE SACS AND FOXES.] + +With a view of removing the cause of dispute, the general government, +in 1829, ordered the lands occupied by the Indians to be sold. +The Sacs, under their celebrated chief, Black Hawk, now insisted +that the treaty of 1804 was concluded by a few chiefs without the +knowledge or consent of the nation at large, and refused to give up +possession to purchasers. The authorities of the state were called +upon to interfere for the protection of the whites, and in May, 1831, +Governor Reynolds called out seven hundred militia, to remove the +Indians by force. A collision had been anticipated by the Executive +of the United States, and General Gaines had received orders to +proceed to the seat of disturbance, if it should appear to be +necessary. He instantly ordered six companies of regular troops from +Jefferson Barracks to Rock Island, and four companies from Prairie +du Chien. On the thirteenth of May, General Gaines arrived with this +force at Fort Armstrong. A conference was here held with the Indian +chiefs, but as they were unwilling to agree to any satisfactory +terms, he called on Governor Reynolds of Illinois, for an additional +force of militia. The governor joined him on the Rock river, with +sixteen hundred mounted men, on the twenty-fifth of June, and in +the morning of the ensuing day, General Gaines took possession of +the Indian town, at the head of the united force, without firing a +gun, or meeting a single Indian,--the late occupants of the village +having crossed the Mississippi, with their women and children, on the +previous night. + +General Gaines again dispatched a message to the Sac chiefs, +proposing another conference. This was finally acceded to, and on the +thirtieth of June they entered into a treaty with him and Governor +Reynolds, by which it was agreed that they should permanently remove +beyond the Mississippi. Having brought this affair to what, at the +time, promised to be a satisfactory termination, General Gaines +returned to his headquarters. The treaty stipulations of the Indians +proved to be delusory, however. In the following year Black Hawk led +his warriors across the Mississippi, and refused peremptorily to +retire, till he and his band were completely routed at the battle of +the Bad-Axe, on the twenty-seventh of August, after which a treaty +was concluded with General Scott and Governor Reynolds, in accordance +with which the Sacs and Foxes removed to the vicinity of the Iowa and +Des Moines rivers. + +Another long interval of comparative inaction now occurred in the +military service of General Gaines. Little more can be said of him, +during this time, than that all his duties as the commander of the +western division, were discharged with punctuality and dispatch. +We hear nothing further from him of especial moment, till the +renewal of hostilities with the Seminoles of Florida, in the fall +of 1835. On receiving intelligence of the massacre of Major Dade’s +command, and the battle of the Withlacoochee, he collected all the +disposable troops in the vicinity of New Orleans, to which point +his head-quarters had been removed, and immediately repaired to the +seat of war. He landed at Fort Brooke, at the head of Tampa Bay, on +the fourth of February, 1836, and at once proceeded in search of the +savages, following the route of the unfortunate Dade down the right +bank of the Withlacoochee. On arriving at the scene of the massacre, +he caused the remains of the brave soldiers who had fallen victims +to the wiles of the Indian warriors, to be decently and carefully +interred. On the twenty-eighth of February, he encountered a body of +Indians not far from Fort King, but repulsed them with loss. Soon +after this affair he entered into a parley with Asceolah, or Osceola, +the principal chief of the Seminoles, which, like most obligations +and pledges of a similar character, proved to be a mere ruse,--the +object of which was to gain time for the removal of the women and +children to places of security, in the marshy everglades, and leafy +hummocks, in the southern part of the peninsula. + +[Sidenote: THE FLORIDA WAR.] + +Previous to these occurrences, General Scott had been ordered to +take command of the troops, and to prosecute the war in Florida. He +arrived at St. Augustine on the eighth of February, and on receiving +authentic information of the fact, and on being informed of the +orders issued at Washington, General Gaines gave up the command, and +shortly afterwards returned to New Orleans. + +His skirmish with the Indians, on the banks of the Withlacoochee, +terminated, in all probability, forever, the active service of +General Gaines in the field. Incapacitated, by reason of his age, +and physical inability to endure the hardships and privations of a +campaign, he was not employed in the prosecution of the war with +Mexico, except in forwarding supplies, and hastening on troops, to +the camp established by General Taylor at Corpus Christi, in the +summer of 1845, and in discharging the other duties, in connection +therewith, that devolved on him as the commanding officer at New +Orleans. Though yielding to the influence of advancing years, he +still possessed the chivalric fire, and the ardent patriotism, +which had distinguished him in his younger days. Like the war-horse +no longer fitted to endure the shock of battle, he snuffed the +breeze that came from the field of strife, afar off, and when the +information was received that General Taylor and his little band of +soldiers were surrounded on the Rio Grande, and cut off from their +supplies, he was impatient to rush to the assistance of his gallant +brother in arms. + +Restraining his impulses, he did all that was possible to be done, +to relieve the army supposed to be in such imminent peril. All the +regular troops that could be sent to the seat of war, were dispatched +thither as expeditiously as possible. He also caused a large number +of volunteers to be enrolled, mustered into service, and transported +to the Rio Grande, without waiting for orders from Washington; in +this he exceeded his authority, and it was thought proper to submit +his conduct to a court of inquiry. The court assembled at Fort +Monroe, in July, 1846, and after a full investigation, determined +that he had transcended his powers, but that the act was prompted +by the purest and most praiseworthy motives. The executive and +the people of the United States, it is needless to say, cordially +approved of the decision. Not long after General Gaines was assigned +to the command of the eastern division, and established his +head-quarters at New York, where he remained till the close of the +war with Mexico, when he was relieved from duty at his own request. + +[Sidenote: PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER.] + +General Gaines yet lives, in the enjoyment of “all that should +accompany old age,” to recount the thrilling incidents of his +campaigns, and “fight his battles o’er again.” One of that class of +men is he--but too few in number--belonging to a past _régime_, who, +though he has vindicated his title to be ranked among the military +heroes of the nation, has never forgotten those noble qualities +which characterize the gentleman of the old school. He is scarcely +above the ordinary height, and slight of person, but straight as +the arrow of an Indian warrior. He is somewhat reserved, but not +taciturn,--courteous and urbane in his manners, but dignified and +high-minded. Though his head is silvered with the frost of many +winters, he is still hale and erect, and brave and generous, as in +the hey-day of youth, when he rambled along the banks of the Yadkin; +or, in the pride of manhood, when he stood unmoved, gazing with an +unblenched eye on the carnage around him, and issuing his orders with +an unfaltering lip, amid the whirling balls and blazing shells, on +the ramparts of Fort Erie! + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [5] See Memoir of General Brown, _ante_. + + [6] See Memoir of General Brown, _ante_. + + [7] See Memoir of General Jackson. + + + +WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. + + +Among the most successful officers of the war of 1812, was Major +General WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. Descended from a good old +revolutionary stock, and thoroughly imbued, in his boyhood, with +sentiments of the most sincere and devoted patriotism, he laid the +foundation, at an early age, of the fame and distinction which +he acquired in maturer years. Throughout a long life,--one full +of interest, and replete with important incidents,--he enjoyed a +wide-spread popularity, which, in the western states of the Union, +was sometimes manifested with all the fervor of enthusiasm. No one +better deserved the respect and esteem of his countrymen, and there +are few whose character has come brighter or purer from the ordeal, +when submitted to that Areopagus of public opinion, whose decisions +admit not of dispute. + +[Sidenote: HIS FATHER.] + +He was born at Berkeley, the family seat of his father, on James +river, Virginia, on the ninth day of February, 1773; being the +youngest of three sons. His father, Colonel Benjamin Harrison, was a +descendant of the celebrated officer of the same name, who fought by +the side of Cromwell for civil and religious liberty, but, preferring +a turbulent democracy to a quiet despotism, opposed the ambitious +projects of the Lord Protector, with the same stubborn vehemence +with which he had contended against the attempted usurpations of +the tyrant Charles. But--what is of more immediate value to us +as Americans--he was one of the signers of the Declaration of +Independence, and “the intimate friend of Washington”! + +[Illustration: WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.] + +Colonel Harrison took his seat in the Congress of the Confederation, +as one of the delegates from Virginia, in 1774, and remained a +member of that body, during that and the two following years. On the +resignation of his brother-in-law, Peyton Randolph, the president +of Congress, he was urged by a number of friends to take the vacant +place, but declined the honor, and, on his nomination, John Hancock +was appointed to fill the station. It is also stated, in connection +with this circumstance, that when the latter manifested some +hesitation about accepting the office, Colonel Harrison caught the +modest patriot in his arms, and almost carried him to the chair, +_nolens volens_. He took an active part in the discussions and +deliberations that preceded the adoption of the Declaration, and +was the chairman of the committee of the whole when the vote to +agree to it was taken. There is an anecdote related of him at this +juncture, which attests the warmth of his feelings, and the sterling +genuineness of his patriotism. Although John Dickinson was openly +and avowedly opposed to the separation from the mother country, his +honesty and integrity were never questioned, and his conceded ability +secured the respect of the other members of Congress. Upon his urgent +request, he was permitted to draw the second petition to the King, +which was adopted, though with considerable reluctance. After the +vote was taken, Mr. Dickinson could not refrain from expressing +his satisfaction, and, at the close of his remarks, said, that +there was but one word which he disapproved, and that was the word +“_Congress_.” Colonel Harrison sprang to his feet the instant Mr. +Dickinson was seated, and exclaimed with emphatic earnestness--“There +is but one word in the paper, Mr. President, of which I _approve_, +and that is the word ‘_Congress_’!” + +Colonel Harrison was afterwards, for several years in succession, a +member of the Virginia house of delegates, and filled the office of +speaker till the close of the year 1781, when he succeeded Governor +Nelson in the executive chair of that state. On the expiration of his +official term in 1784, he retired to private life, but to the time of +his death, which occurred in 1791, he was known and esteemed by the +ablest men in the nation, and revered and honored by all classes and +parties of his fellow-citizens. + +The subject of this biography, William Henry Harrison, was early +placed at Hampden-Sidney college. At the age of seventeen he left +the institution with his mind well stored with classical lore, and +not long after, in compliance with the wishes of his father, whose +liberal hospitality forbade the bestowal of large fortunes on his +children, commenced the study of medicine. Having completed a short +preparatory course of reading, he proceeded to Philadelphia, in the +spring of 1791, to attend the lectures at the University, and avail +himself of the other facilities afforded in that city for obtaining +a knowledge of the profession which he had selected. He had but +just arrived there and resumed his studies, when the intelligence of +his father’s death reached him, and effected an entire change in his +plans for the future. + +[Sidenote: DEFEAT OF ST. CLAIR.] + +Notwithstanding the earnest remonstrances of his guardian, Robert +Morris, the celebrated financier, who depicted, in glowing colors, +the fatigues and hardships which he would be compelled to undergo, +he determined to enter the army, and with his own good sword hew +out a way to distinction. Preparations were then making for another +campaign against the Indians on the northwestern frontier,--the +expedition of the previous year, under General Harmar, having failed +of accomplishing any decisive results. This added fire to the spirit +of young Harrison. Washington was applied to,--and respect for the +memory of the father, and esteem for the son, whose importunities +could not be disregarded, procured for the latter an ensign’s +commission in the regular service. He departed immediately for Fort +Washington, now Cincinnati, but, though he hurried forward with +eager impetuosity, did not succeed in joining the army, then but a +remnant of what it had once been, till after the disastrous defeat +of the brave and honest, but unfortunate St. Clair, on the fourth +of November, 1791. On joining his regiment, at Fort Washington, +he learned the particulars of the sad tragedy which had just been +enacted. The melancholy fate of Butler, Oldham, Hardin, and their +companions, who had fallen victims to the wiles of a barbarous +and cruel enemy, so far from damping his ardor, or chilling his +enthusiasm, only heightened the fire of patriotic indignation that +burned in his bosom, and increased his anxiety to take the field, +and aid in inflicting a summary punishment upon the merciless savages. + +At this time there were no settlements of consequence north of the +Ohio, except those at Kaskaskia, Vincennes, Fort Washington, and +Marietta; and, on the south, between that river and the Tennessee, +there were comparatively few inhabitants scattered over the territory +previously known as Kentuckeè, “the Bloody Land,”--for many years the +battle-ground of the Northern and Southern Indians. The protection, +therefore, of the exposed frontiers, depended mainly on the regular +force of the General Government, and the militia of Pennsylvania and +Virginia; for, though the citizens of this remote region were ever +prompt to obey the call to arms, they were too feeble in numbers, to +cope, unassisted, with so powerful a foe. General St. Clair, governor +of the “Territory north-west of the Ohio,” had moved upon the Miami +villages with over fourteen hundred men; of this number, six hundred +and thirty-one were killed in the fearful onslaught of the fourth +of November, and there were two hundred and sixty-seven wounded; +consequently, it was necessary to raise a large additional force, +before offensive operations could be further prosecuted. President +Washington immediately recommended a considerable increase of the +army, and Congress adopted his suggestions. + +[Sidenote: CAMPAIGN UNDER WAYNE.] + +In the then state of the country, it required no little time and +preparation to fit a great body of troops for the field; numerous and +unavoidable delays occurred; and, in the meanwhile, attempts were +made to conclude a peace with the hostile Indians. The messengers +dispatched by the Executive of the United States were treacherously +murdered, and negotiation was no longer admissible, save at the point +of the bayonet. In the autumn of 1793, a force of twenty-six hundred +men, nearly all of whom were regulars, under the command of General +Wayne, were concentrated at an encampment established near Fort +Washington on the Ohio. + +While these preparations were in progress, young Harrison, who +had been promoted to a lieutenancy, was sedulously employed in +studying his profession. His skill and proficiency as a tactician, +attracted the attention of the officer selected to take command of +the projected expedition, and he was designated as one of his aids. +Having completed his arrangements, General Wayne took up the line +of march for the Indian country, early in October. The lateness +of the season rendered it impossible to accomplish anything till +another campaign, and on his arrival at one of the tributaries of the +Stillwater branch of the Big Miami, he established himself in winter +quarters, and commenced organizing and disciplining his troops. +Lieutenant Harrison was prominent among the young officers engaged in +the work of instruction, and his services were flatteringly noticed +by the commanding general. + +In the summer of 1794, General Wayne was joined by upwards of one +thousand mounted militia, and without delay set out in pursuit of +the enemy, who, he learned, were in strong force at the Rapids of +the Maumee. On the twentieth of August, he encountered the Indians, +who had vainly attempted to draw him into an ambush, near the _Roche +de Bouc_, on the north bank of the river, and defeated them with +great slaughter. Their chief, Turkey-foot, and a large number of +their best and bravest warriors, were slain; and the remainder +either dispersed, or sought shelter under the guns of Fort Maumee, +then occupied by a British garrison. The bravery and intrepidity of +Lieutenant Harrison in this affair, were conspicuous; and in the +official report of the action, his name is mentioned in terms of high +commendation.[8] While the army lay in the vicinity of Fort Maumee, +an incident transpired, which came very near terminating, in all +probability, the life of General Wayne, and that of his gallant aid. + +Positive instructions had been received to demolish the fort occupied +by the English troops, in utter disregard of the provisions of +the treaty of 1783, and in order to enable him to decide upon the +propriety of an attempt to reduce it, General Wayne, accompanied by +his suite, advanced to reconnoitre. In this daring reconnaissance, +the general, who possessed a constitutional indifference to danger, +with Lieutenant Harrison at his side, rode within eighty yards of +the fort, and within point blank range of its guns. While making +their observations, with the utmost coolness, an English captain of +marines turned one of the pieces upon them, and was about to apply +the port-fire, when Major Campbell, the commandant of the garrison, +interposed, just in time to prevent the catastrophe that would most +likely have occurred. Major Campbell subsequently apologized for the +unofficer-like conduct of his subordinate, and to his gentlemanly +behavior the preservation of peace between the two countries may be +attributed. + +General Wayne did not deem it advisable to attack the post with +the means at his command, and having destroyed the Indian villages +within fifty miles of either side of the river, he returned to Fort +Defiance, at the confluence of the Au Glaize and Maumee. The defeat +which the Indians had sustained was decisive; everything remained +quiet during the ensuing winter; and in July, 1795, General Wayne +concluded a favorable treaty, at Greenville, with a number of chiefs +representing ten different nations. + +Upon the conclusion of the treaty, Harrison, now raised to the +rank of captain, was placed in command of Fort Washington, and, +shortly after, was married to a daughter of Judge Symmes,--a most +amiable woman; distinguished for high moral worth, for her piety and +benevolence; and esteemed and loved by a large circle of friends and +acquaintances. + +[Sidenote: COMMENCES HIS CIVIL CAREER.] + +Captain Harrison soon became dissatisfied with the idle routine of +a garrison life; there seemed to be no prospect that his serviced +would be required in the field; and he longed for more active +employment. Accordingly he resigned his commission, and in 1797, at +the age of twenty-four, commenced his civil career, as secretary +of the territory, under Governor St. Clair. His talents and many +estimable qualities had already brought him into favorable notice, +and the duties of his office were discharged with so much promptitude +and fidelity, that he was regarded as one of the ablest young men +in the territory. His popularity steadily increased, and in 1799, +he was elected as the first delegate in congress. On taking his +seat, in December, of that year, he was appointed, upon his urgent +solicitation, chairman of the committee on the public lands,--the +only instance, it is stated, in which a delegate was so distinguished. + +The improvement of the existing land system had long been a favorite +object with him. Many of its features were wholly inconsistent with +the genius and spirit of democratic institutions, and calculated +to retard the growth and prosperity of the great West. Among other +provisions equally odious in their character, was one forbidding +the sale of land by the government, in quantities of less than +four thousand acres, except where there were fractions on the +banks of large streams. Harrison had the forecast to discover, +what a boundless field would be opened for the enterprising youth +and industrious laboring classes of the Atlantic states, by the +removal of this obstacle to the settlement of the territory, the +development of the resources which nature had so lavishly bestowed +upon it, and its rapid advancement to wealth and greatness. Through +his instrumentality, aided by the efforts of other able members of +both houses, who united with him in procuring this reform, a law was +enacted, requiring one half of the public lands remaining unsold, to +be divided into sections of six hundred and forty acres each, and the +remaining moiety into sections of three hundred and twenty acres; the +old system of forfeiture for non-payment was abolished, and payments +were directed to be made, in future, one quarter down, and the +remainder in two, three, and four years, with a further forbearance +of one year on the last payment, if desired. + +[Sidenote: GOVERNOR OF INDIANA TERRITORY.] + +This was not all that Harrison wished to effect; but an important +point was gained. Emigrants flocked into the territory by scores +and hundreds, and the gratitude of the citizens, both the old +inhabitants, and the new-comers, who had been benefited by his +exertions, never failed to follow his footsteps as those of a +benefactor and friend.--Such was the estimation in which he was +held by his constituents, that he was solicited, on all hands, to +take the place of Governor St. Clair. In reply to every intimation +of this kind, Harrison steadily refused to permit any effort to be +made, to supersede the war-worn veteran, whose only fault, if fault +it be, was, that fortune had been chary of her favors to him, when +her smiles, doubtless for some wise purpose, were showered upon those +not more able, not more deserving, nor more prompt in the performance +of every duty. The desire of Harrison’s friends was soon gratified, +however, in his appointment by President Adams, in 1800, as the first +governor of the newly erected territory of Indiana. Though deprived, +by his position as a delegate, from taking part in the general +legislation of the country, his sound judgment and sterling worth had +secured him an enviable reputation, and when he left Congress, he was +followed by the regard and cordial good wishes of his associates. + +Shortly before his leaving the Capital, a circumstance occurred, +which deserves to be mentioned, as illustrating the purity of +motive, and honesty of purpose, which marked his public conduct. +His father-in-law, Judge Symmes, was the proprietor of the Miami +purchase; and previous to obtaining his patent, he had made a number +of sales. It was doubtful whether the rights thus acquired were of +any value, even in equity; but, upon the introduction of a bill in +Congress providing for the settlement of the purchase, although the +interests of Judge Symmes, and, indirectly, his own, were jeoparded, +Harrison went before the committee having the bill in charge, and +successfully urged the insertion of a clause amply protecting the +claims of the purchasers. + +In 1801, Governor Harrison entered upon the discharge of his official +duties, at Vincennes, an old military and trading post, on the left +bank of the Wabash, which was settled by the French about the year +1730. Though invested with extraordinary powers, the office to which +he had been appointed was no sinecure. Besides the settlement at +Vincennes, there were but two others, of importance, in the whole +territory, out of which was afterwards formed the states of Indiana +and Illinois, viz.; Clarke’s Grant at the falls of the Ohio, and +the settlement extending along the Mississippi, from Kaskaskia to +Cahokia. The white population did not exceed five thousand souls, and +they were entirely surrounded, on the north and west, by numerous +bands of Indians, who were either openly and avowedly hostile, or +wanted but a favorable opportunity to manifest their hatred and +ill-will. + +[Sidenote: VARIED SERVICES.] + +To provide for the security of the settlements in the territory, +however remote, or widely separated; to overawe the savages, or +hold them in check; to encourage immigration; and to promote, in +all things, the happiness and welfare of the inhabitants,--were +the objects to which Governor Harrison unremittingly devoted his +time and attention. In addition to his other duties, he acted as +commissioner of Indian affairs, in which capacity he concluded +fifteen treaties, and extinguished the title of the aborigines to +more than seventy million acres of land--then, for the most part, +an unbroken wilderness, but now dotted all over with the abodes of +wealth and contentment, and teeming with a thriving and industrious +population. Frequent journeys were performed by him, along the wild +forest paths, and miserable _traces_, which led from one station or +settlement to another. Dangers were fearlessly encountered; fatigue +never disheartened him. He cheerfully shared the privations of the +settlers; partaking with them of the rudest cheer, or, seated on a +hewed block before a roaring fire, listening attentively to tales +of trial and hardship, and offering the kind word of sympathy and +encouragement. Wrapt in his blanket, or enveloped in the folds of a +bear skin or buffalo robe, he slept, too, as soundly and sweetly on +the bare earth in the hunter’s lodge, or the puncheon floor of a log +cabin, as upon the beds of down in his father’s mansion. + +In 1802, Ohio was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wayne +county,--afterwards the territory, and, still later, the state of +Michigan,--was then attached to the territory of Indiana. The duties +of Governor Harrison were thus rendered still more arduous. He was +relieved from this additional care, however, in 1805, when Michigan +was erected into a separate territory. The country filled up so +rapidly, that it became necessary, in a few years, to relieve him +yet further, and in 1809, a territorial government was formed for +Illinois. + +Many years elapsed after the conclusion of the treaty of peace, +in 1783, before Great Britain entirely abandoned her expectations +of reëstablishing, at some future, and not very remote day, her +authority over her revolted American colonies. It was customary for +her writers and politicians to underrate the importance, and sneer +at the pretensions of the young republic, till they saw, in the +rapidly-extending commerce and growing prosperity which followed the +restoration of peace and tranquillity, unmistakable indications that +the daughter would soon be no mean rival of the mother country in the +race of nations. To check these germs of greatness, ere they should +bud and blossom, was now the favorite object of English statesmen. As +no pretext existed for open hostilities, resort was had to the low +arts of diplomacy--to intrigue and cunning; and amid the moral and +political corruption, which, at that era, polluted the atmosphere of +St. James, plans were concocted, whose atrocity must ever stand out +in bold relief on the page of impartial history. + +[Sidenote: ENGLISH INTRIGUES.] + +Disregarding the provisions of the treaty of 1783, the British +authorities retained possession of the military posts northwest of +the Ohio, and to these, and similar establishments in the Canadas, +agents were sent, to suborn, and tamper with, the savages on the +northern frontiers of the American Union, and incite them to commit +acts of hostility upon the persons and property of the settlers who +had found their way into the rich valley of the Mississippi. It was +the policy of Washington,--and, after him, of Adams, Jefferson, and +Madison,--to purchase the lands belonging to the Indian tribes, +required by the increasing white population of the country, at a fair +equivalent; to furnish them the means of civilization; to provide +for them the restraints of well-ordered and wholesome regulations; +to enkindle new desires, and implant new motives in their breasts; +to enlighten their minds and Christianize their hearts. England, on +the contrary, forgetting the eloquent and indignant denunciations of +her Chatham, and careless how she sullied the national escutcheon, +already stained by many a foul blot, supplied them with arms and +ammunition,--with blankets, tobacco, and “fire-water,”--not to induce +them to cultivate harmony and good-will with their neighbors, the +citizens of the United States; but to minister to their most depraved +appetites, and arouse the most vindictive passions of their natures. +She asked them, not to lay aside the implements of death, and +engage in the pursuits of peace; but invited them to continue their +barbarous warfare, and glut their vengeance, to the full, with the +tomahawk and scalping-knife! + +Under the auspices of Simcoe, and other agents of Great Britain, +immediately after the peace, a combination was formed among the +Northwestern Indians, the object of which was to prevent the +Americans from extending their settlements beyond the Alleghanies. +The border inhabitants were constantly harassed by the irruptions +of the savages; scenes of bloodshed and murder were of frequent +occurrence; and when efforts were made to chastise the perpetrators +of these outrages, they found in England a fast and firm friend, +whose assistance, though not openly rendered, proved of essential +service to her allies. Her influence was felt in the defeat of Harmar +and St. Clair, and when the mounted volunteers under the gallant +Wayne scattered the savages in confusion, on the banks of the +Maumee, they fled for protection beneath the guns of a fortress over +which floated the red cross of St. George. + +The defeat of the Indians by Wayne was a severe lesson, and it was +long remembered. Fortunately, too, for our country,--who needed only +a season of peace, and repose from “war’s alarms,” to advance with +rapid strides to the high destiny before her,--the revolutionary +spirit had, at this time, crossed the Atlantic, and the watch-fires +of liberty were blazing on the continent of Europe. Alarmed for the +stability of her institutions at home, England had no time to spend +in courting the favor of the North American savages, even though +her machinations promised to terminate in the restoration of “the +brightest jewel of her crown.” In November, 1794, three months after +Wayne’s victory, Mr. Jay concluded his commercial treaty, in which it +was stipulated that the western posts should be surrendered by the +first of June, 1796, which was accordingly done; and in the summer +of 1795, as we have seen, the treaty of Greenville was made with the +Indian tribes.--The quiet thus restored was deceitful, and temporary +in its duration. + +[Sidenote: SEIZURES BY THE ENGLISH.] + +The treaty of Mr. Jay provided, among other things, for compensation +for British spoliations on American commerce, growing out of the war +with France; yet the ratifications of that instrument had scarcely +been exchanged, when outrages of the same character, but greater in +degree, were committed. Taking advantage of the distracted state of +affairs on the continent, the enterprising citizens of America had +extensively engaged in the carrying trade; and their commerce had +increased with so much rapidity, that the jealousy of England was +again awakened. Large quantities of American provisions were also +shipped to Europe, and especially to France, and to her possessions +in the West Indies, the prices paid for which, during the continuance +of hostilities, afforded handsome profits; but this interfered, +very materially, with the determination of England, by means of her +maritime supremacy, to starve the French people into an abandonment +of their republican notions, and to prevent it, she caused blockades +to be declared, which were enforced by no suitable naval power, and +orders to be issued, in defiance of the law of nations, requiring +neutral vessels to be seized though not carrying articles contraband +of war. + +Remonstrance on the part of the authorities of the United States, was +of no avail. The example set by England was followed by France--every +act of injustice on the one side being succeeded by a still more +odious one on the other. The treaty of Amiens, in 1802, afforded the +Americans a brief respite; but, on the renewal of the war, in the +following year, seizures and condemnations of our vessels became more +frequent than ever. England joined the coalition formed to establish +Continental despotism on a firmer basis, and restore the Bourbon +dynasty to the throne which they had disgraced; and she stopped at +nothing to accomplish her purposes. Not content with watching the +ports of France, she sent her privateers and vessels of war, under +her pirate flag, to hover on our coast, and plunder our commerce. Her +navy having been seriously reduced, in men, by the long continued +warfare in which she had been engaged, she likewise resorted to the +impressment of American seamen, to fill up the complements of her +crews. Large numbers of sailors were taken from our merchantmen; and, +to conclude these high-handed offences, the frigate Chesapeake was +despoiled of a portion of her crew, on the twenty-second of June, +1807. + +In the meantime the emissaries of Great Britain had been busy +among the savages on the Northwestern frontier. So complete and +irrefragable were the proofs furnished to Congress of this fact, +that, in 1797, a law was passed to prevent the tampering of +foreign agents with the Indians, which imposed severe penalties +and punishments. This law was easily evaded, and it was therefore +ineffectual. The Indians were invited to the British posts; they were +flattered and caressed, and loaded with gifts and favors; their minds +were soured; and no means were left untried to keep up a constant +strife between them and the settlers. It has often been said, that +the interference of British agents in this particular existed only +in imagination, and that the Indians were provoked to hostilities by +acts of violence committed by the Americans. Doubtless, there were +isolated cases of wrong and injustice, which cannot, and should not, +be palliated or excused; but it is idle to suppose, that the settlers +generally would have so causelessly endangered their own security, +and so recklessly jeoparded the lives of those who leaned on them for +protection, and looked up to them for sympathy and love. + +[Sidenote: TAMPERING WITH THE INDIANS.] + +Governor Harrison was not an indifferent, nor, from his position, an +uninterested spectator, of these events. The movements of the British +emissaries did not escape his attention; he repeatedly cautioned +his government against their designs, and labored incessantly to +counteract them. He endeavored in every way to conciliate the +savages, but his efforts were often frustrated by the unseen power +so long felt in these border troubles. When the attack on the +Chesapeake was made known in the United States, it excited a general +sentiment of indignation. He shared deeply in this feeling, and +embraced the first public opportunity to make known his opinions. +In his speech delivered on the eighteenth of August, 1807, before +the General Assembly of Indiana Territory, at their regular session, +he referred, in emphatic terms of condemnation, to the conduct of +the British agents who were secretly instigating the Indians on the +frontier, and, avowing himself in favor of immediate hostilities, +alluded to the affair of the Chesapeake, as being necessary, perhaps, +to arouse the American people from their lethargy, and awaken them +to the importance of teaching other countries and governments, that +“a nation of freemen,” to quote his own language, “are not to be +insulted with impunity”! + +France, at length, ceased her unjust and oppressive measures; but +England refused to abandon her position. Embargo and non-intercourse +were tried in vain. The commercial relations of the country suffered +more and more. Jefferson and Madison both desired peace; yet, +notwithstanding their pacific inclinations, affairs daily grew worse, +and war seemed inevitable. While matters were fast verging towards +the crisis, the agents of Great Britain were actively engaged among +the Northwestern Indians. Governor Harrison watched their movements +with a vigilance that never slumbered, and sought by every means in +his power to defeat their plans and combinations, and, at least, +to prevail upon the Indians not to take up arms in favor of either +party, in case hostilities should commence between England and the +United States. + +In the winter of 1810–11, crowds of Indian warriors collected around +the British posts in Upper Canada,--their war-plumes streaming from +their scalp locks, and their checks disfigured with the war-paint; +and when the sweet notes of the blue robin, the welcome harbinger of +spring, were heard echoing through the western forests, they went +forth upon their bloody mission. Nature’s hymn of melody was hushed, +as their shrill war-whoop resounded through valley and woodland, and +the heavens became resplendent with the glow of blazing ricks and +cabins. + +[Sidenote: COUNCIL AT VINCENNES.] + +Meanwhile Governor Harrison had succeeded in partially conciliating +the Kickapoos, and some other tribes, and had effected the purchase +of a large tract of land from them. It was the anxious desire of the +General Government, to secure, at every hazard, the neutrality of +the Indian tribes, in the event of a collision with Great Britain. +This was regarded as of paramount importance; for the sad experience +of the past had shown how much they were to be feared and dreaded, +particularly when the military strength and resources of the nation +should be employed in a contest with a powerful opponent. Governor +Harrison faithfully reflected the views, and carried out the wishes +of those whom he represented, and in the summer of 1811, a council +was held at Vincennes, for which extensive preparations were made, +and at which the leading, and most influential chiefs, of the +Northwestern tribes, were present, by his invitation. The object of +this assemblage was, to conclude a more general treaty, and complete +the efforts which had been made to induce the Indians to remain +neutral. + +Among the forest warriors who came to Vincennes, in pursuance +of the summons of Governor Harrison, was Tecumseh, the Shawano +chief,--conspicuous, then, for his tall and manly frame, his earnest +and thrilling eloquence, his hostility to the whites, his boldness, +bravery, and sagacity, and his feats of daring in the chase and valor +on the war-path; and afterwards celebrated, for the ascendancy he +acquired over his red brethren, and for his steadfast devotion to the +English cause. Deep rankling in his heart there had long existed a +feeling of inveterate hatred towards the American people, which had +been carefully nurtured and cherished. Several years previous, he had +formed the project of uniting the tribes, north, south, and west of +the United States, in a combination, to refuse to sell any portion +of their remaining lands, to resist every effort to dispossess +them, and, if possible, to drive back the white settlers from the +Mississippi valley. Motives of ambition may have been mingled with +his aspirations, and it is not improbable, that he looked forward to +the day when a grand native confederacy should be established beyond +the Alleghanies, with himself as its leader and head. + +The project of this “forest-born Demosthenes” was a vast one, +and he devoted himself with untiring zeal and pertinacity to its +accomplishment. His exertions were powerfully seconded by his +brother, Tensquataway--so well known as the Shawnee Prophet, or +Impostor. The latter was blind of one eye, and lacked the oratorical +powers of Tecumseh; but, claiming to receive direct revelations +from the Great Spirit, which, though always possessing a singular +resemblance to the public harangues of his brother, he imparted to +his savage hearers,--and availing himself of that superstitious +reverence, that, in a rude and uncultivated people, renders them so +impressible, so credulous, and so easy to be governed and directed, +by the practice of rites and incantations which are said to have +thrilled and terrified the hearts of those who witnessed them--he +acquired an influence second only to that of the chieftain whose +ambitious designs he hoped to further. Tecumseh had already visited +most of the Northwestern tribes, and was only waiting for the +anticipated war with England, to marshal his bands and lead them out +under her banner, hoping with her assistance to accomplish the great +object he had so much at heart; and he now appeared in the council +held at Vincennes, not to bury the tomahawk and smoke the calumet of +peace, but to remonstrate against the purchase from the Kickapoos and +other tribes, and hurl the gauntlet of defiance. + +[Sidenote: SPEECH OF TECUMSEH.] + +What excited the indignation of Tecumseh, more than all, was the +claim of the white man to superiority, and the arrogance, as he +termed it, evinced in calling the Indians his children. Upon the +opening of the council, Governor Harrison kindly handed him a chair, +saying, at the same time, in a courteous, yet dignified tone, “Your +father offers you a seat.” “_My father!_”--exclaimed the chief, while +he drew his form up to its full height, and his eye flashed with the +fire of insulted pride--“_My father!_--the Sun is my father, and +the Earth my mother; she gives me sustenance, and I will rest on her +bosom!” Thus speaking he seated himself upon the ground, with as +lofty and commanding an air, as if the green sward beneath him had +been the throne of the Cæsars. + +After the preliminary business of the council was disposed of, +Tecumseh rose, and in a strain of impassioned eloquence, which has +rarely been equalled, and never, perhaps, surpassed, by any native +orator, reviewed the conduct of the whites, and the wrongs of the +Indians, from the time when the former first disembarked on the +Atlantic coast, to that moment--insisting that the land was given +by the Great Spirit to the red men in common, and that no portion +of it could be sold without the consent of all. His speech was well +calculated to inflame the prejudices, and arouse the passions, of +his savage listeners, and when he had concluded, Governor Harrison +commenced a reply. While the latter was speaking, Tecumseh, carried +away by his emotions, sprang to his feet, and, grasping his tomahawk, +boldly charged the governor with having uttered a falsehood. Twenty +or thirty of the warriors followed the example of the chief, and +instantly arrayed themselves in a hostile attitude. + +Governor Harrison was no “weak-heart;”[9] nor was he to be +intimidated by menace. Anticipating a sudden outburst of ill-temper, +as he had discovered some unfriendly indications, he had posted a +guard of soldiers within call. At the signal, they darted forward to +take part in the threatened struggle. But Tecumseh was as politic +as he was brave; he saw that the time had not yet come for him to +strike; and he wisely avoided a conflict. The council was broken up, +however; and all hope of securing the neutrality of the Indians was +abandoned. The savages returned to their homes in the wilderness, +and shortly after renewed their outrages, murdering the frontier +settlers, plundering and burning their homes, and destroying or +carrying off large quantities of property. + +Governor Harrison’s decision was soon taken. Having obtained +permission from the government to march into the Indian country +with a military force, he made his preparations with his accustomed +promptness and energy. Orders were sent to Colonel Boyd, of the +4th infantry, then at Pittsburgh, to join him forthwith with his +regiment, and a strong militia force, part of whom were mounted, were +imbodied in Kentucky and Indiana--the citizens gladly responding to +the call of patriotism--and marched to Vincennes. Leaving that place +at the head of about fourteen hundred men, considerably less than one +half being regulars, the governor moved up the Wabash. About fifty +miles above Vincennes he constructed a stockade fort, afterwards +known as Fort Harrison, and then directed his course, without loss of +time, to Tippecanoe, the Prophet’s Town, which lay on the west bank +of the Tippecanoe river, not far from its junction with the Wabash. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE.] + +On approaching the Indian town, on the sixth of November, Governor +Harrison proceeded slowly and cautiously; as the enemy’s warriors +were frequently seen flitting through the woods in advance of the +army, and their scouts were discovered posted on the hills in every +direction. Within a short distance of the village, he was met by +the principal chiefs--Tecumseh himself being absent on a mission +to the southern tribes--who, in reply to Harrison’s demand of +satisfaction for the outrages which had been perpetrated, proposed +that an amicable conference should be held on the following morning, +and that, in the interim, neither party should commit any act of +hostility. During the day he had made repeated efforts, without +success, to bring the Indians to a parley, and he still distrusted +their sincerity; but, being willing to grant them favorable terms of +peace, if his demands were complied with, he acceded to their request. + +Orders were now issued to encamp for the night. Majors Clarke and W. +Taylor were sent forward to select a suitable position, and on their +report Governor Harrison marched his command to an elevated knoll +of dry oak land, rising in the midst of the open prairie, about one +mile northwest of the village. The horses were picketed, the guards +posted, and every preparation made for the bivouac. Having partaken +of their evening meal, the Americans lay down upon the bare earth, +to refresh their wearied limbs. From his long acquaintance with the +character of Indian warfare, Governor Harrison was familiar with the +arts and devices of the savages; and apprehending treachery, and +knowing, that, if attacked at all, it would be under cover of the +darkness, he required his men to sleep on their arms, and directed +that the order of encampment should be the order of battle. + +The troops were arranged in two columns, separated on the left, one +hundred and eighty yards, and about half that distance on the right. +The front line consisted of the first battalion of the 4th infantry, +under Major Floyd, flanked, on the right, by two companies, and on +the left by one company, of the regiment of Indiana militia, under +Colonel Bartholomew; and the rear line was composed of the second +battalion of the 4th infantry, under Captain Baer, flanked by four +companies of the Indiana militia, under Lieutenant-Colonel Decker. +Two companies of Indiana and Kentucky rifles, under General Wells, +were thrown out to cover the left flank, and Captain Spencer’s troop +of Indiana rifles was posted on the right. Two troops of dragoons +were stationed in rear of the left flank, and one in rear of the +front line, under Major Daviess. The left front and left rear +angles,--that flank being the most exposed to an attack,--were turned +by a portion of the regular troops. A strong guard was also detailed, +each man of which was instructed to be prompt and vigilant. In the +event of an assault, the different corps were ordered to maintain +their respective positions till they were relieved; and the cavalry +were directed to parade on foot, with their swords and pistols, and +wait for orders. + +[Sidenote: ATTACK ON THE LEFT.] + +These dispositions being completed, Governor Harrison lay down among +his men, having his horse near him, saddled, and in readiness for him +to mount at a moment’s warning. Hour after hour went by in silence. +The camp fires gleamed brightly in the distance till long after +midnight, when they were suffered partially to die away. The cold +chilling wind moaned dismally as it swept through the encampment, +gently lifting the locks of many a tired sleeper who had looked +for the last time on the setting sun, and fanning into a brighter +glow the smouldering embers of the watch-fires. The beams of the +young moon struggled almost vainly to pierce through the thick +veil of clouds, from which a drizzling rain descended that hissed +and sputtered as it fell on the heated ashes. The hour of darkness +which precedes the dawn had nearly passed, when the governor rose +from his rude couch, and ordered the réveille to be beaten. He then +sat down before the fire, and commenced a conversation with some +of his officers. While thus engaged, the stillness was suddenly +broken, by the sentinels discharging their pieces, on the left of the +encampment, and a fierce and hideous yell that roused every man from +his slumbers. + +Wistful and inquiring glances were at once turned towards the quarter +from whence the alarm proceeded; the cry, “To arms!--To arms!” was +raised on every side; and the wild slogan of the savage bands, rising +higher and higher as the conflict deepened, was echoed far down the +valley of the Wabash. For a few moments the encampment presented a +scene of confusion; but the active exertions of Governor Harrison, +Colonel Boyd, and other officers, soon restored order and discipline. + +At first the attack was partially successful. The stealthy approach +of the enemy was not observed until they were in the immediate +vicinity of the pickets. It was their intention to creep up to +the sentinels as close as possible, and then to spring upon them, +and kill them, before they could fire; but, on finding that they +were discovered, and the alarm given, they gave a deafening yell, +rattled their deer hoofs--by which their movements in battle were +guided--and rushed furiously on the guard posted on the left flank. +The latter gave way almost instantly, and the whole brunt of the +onset was sustained by Captain Barton’s regulars, and the mounted +rifles of Captain Guiger, who occupied the left angle of the rear +line. In every other part of the encampment the fires had already +been extinguished, in obedience to the directions of Governor +Harrison;--but, on this flank, there was not sufficient time, and +the troops were exposed to the murderous aim of the Indian warriors, +without even the protection afforded by the darkness. Nevertheless, +they held their position gallantly, amid the storm of bullets that +whistled incessantly through their ranks, till they were reinforced +by two companies from the centre of the rear line, ordered to their +support by the governor. + +Such was the desperation evinced by the savages, at the outset of +the action, that a number of them forced their way into the centre +of the encampment. Here, for a brief space, the contest was foot to +foot, and man to man. Fire brands were hurled, and rifles and muskets +clubbed. The scalping knife glistened momentarily, as it cut the +air in its descending course; and a dull crashing sound was heard, +as the tomahawk sank into the quivering brain of some unfortunate +victim. Louder and louder rang the Indian war-whoop; but the American +soldiers--their confidence now regained--returned shout for shout, +and yell for yell. Vengeance was not long deferred. Not one of the +enemy who had entered within the lines was suffered to escape:--all +were cut down, uttering, as they fell, in shrieking tones, their +bitter and unrelenting curse upon the white man. + +[Sidenote: FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE.] + +A short distance in front of the American left, there was a small +group of sturdy oaks, which afforded shelter to a number of the most +skilful marksmen among the assailing band, who poured a galling +and intense fire, mingled with rapid flights of arrows, from their +concealment. Major Daviess instantly requested permission to charge +upon the cover with his cavalry. Governor Harrison granted the +request, and the major ordered his bugles to sound the charge. His +manly tones rung cheerily out on the night air, as he called upon his +men to follow. Nobly did they second him. The charge was made, and +the Indians scattered like the leaves of the forest before the fury +of the autumn blast; but it was the last bold stroke of him, whose +eloquence is yet remembered, and whose memory is still carefully +treasured, among the people of the West. By his side, too, fell +Colonel White, of the Indiana militia, like him, mortally wounded, +in that sanguinary fray. Disheartened by the loss of their leader +and many of their comrades, the cavalry fell back, and the Indians +recovered the ground, opening a still more destructive fire on their +opponents. As the dragoons retired, Captain Snelling promptly led +forward his company of the 4th infantry, and again drove the savages +from their shelter with the bayonet. + +In the meantime, a heavy fire had been opened on the companies of +Captains Spencer and Warwick, on the right of the line. The former, +and his two lieutenants, were killed, and Captain Warwick was +mortally wounded. All immediate danger being over on the left flank, +Governor Harrison hastened to the right, to encourage the men to +remain firm, and maintain the ground till daylight. At the first +alarm, he had fortunately mounted the horse nearest him, without +waiting for his own to be brought up, which was well known to the +enemy. The dark eyes of many a red warrior glared fiercely, as they +were turned hither and thither through the encampment, in search of +the favorite steed of the governor. As he dashed to the right, he was +accompanied by his aid, Colonel Owen, who rode a horse similar in +color to that on which he had been mounted the previous day. A shower +of rifle balls fell around them. Colonel Owen was killed, and the +governor’s cravat was pierced by a bullet, that chanced not to injure +his person. + +In passing to the right flank, the governor found the company of +Captain Robb, which had fallen back at the commencement of the +attack, in the centre of the camp. Leading them to the support of +Spencer’s and Warwick’s companies, he strengthened this part of +the line, and by his presence encouraged the men to more animated +exertions. A warm fire was now kept up till the early dawn, in front, +on both flanks, and partly in rear of the encampment; the sharp crack +of the rifle, and the prolonged rattle of musketry, mingling with +the shouts and cheers of the American soldiers. Governor Harrison +well knew, as the great father of the English drama had written years +before, that “advantage is a better soldier than rashness,” and he +did not hazard the safety of his command, though suffering severely +from the heavy fire, by any offensive movement, till the light of day +enabled him to ascertain the position and numbers of the enemy. + +[Sidenote: THE INDIAN VILLAGE BURNED.] + +But when the morning broke, a general charge was ordered. The left +wing, consisting of five companies of the 4th infantry, and a party +of dragoons, led by General Wells,--and the right, consisting of the +remaining companies of the 4th infantry and cavalry, and the mounted +rifles and militia,--moved rapidly upon the positions occupied by +the savages. The latter made no further effort to continue the +fight. Their desperate bravery had proved of no avail against the +disciplined valor and persevering courage of the American troops. +Hotly pursued by the gallant soldiers of Harrison, they fled in +dismay to the neighboring swamps and thickets, in whose impenetrable +recesses they at length found a secure retreat. The Prophet’s town +was entirely abandoned by its late occupants. Having collected his +wounded, and buried his dead, Governor Harrison advanced with his +forces to the village, which he ordered to be burned. The surrounding +district was also laid waste, and he then returned into the settled +country. + +The battle of Tippecanoe was one of the bloodiest engagements +recorded in the annals of Indian warfare. It was bravely fought and +bravely won. The cautious foresight, the prudence and vigilance of +Governor Harrison, alone saved his little army from destruction. His +loss in killed and wounded, was one hundred and eighty-eight; that of +the enemy was supposed to be about the same. + +Tecumseh, as has been mentioned, was absent at the time of this +engagement. Had he been present, perhaps the result might have been +different. When the particulars of the disaster reached him, he +affected to regard it as of little moment, and always spoke of it, +as the “unfortunate transaction that took place between the white +people and a few of his young men”; yet it is very evident that this +untoward occurrence preyed deeply on his spirits, since it tended, +probably more than any other single circumstance, to the defeat of +his plans. The result of the action intimidated many of the tribes +who were preparing to join his confederacy, and they immediately sent +deputations to Governor Harrison to sue for peace. + +The general assembly of Indiana territory passed a resolution, at the +next session after the battle of Tippecanoe, complimenting Governor +Harrison in the highest terms, and the Legislature of Kentucky +also testified, in a similar manner, their approbation of “his +cool, deliberate, skilful, and gallant conduct.”--Thus was laid the +foundation of that military reputation, which secured him the regard +and esteem of his countrymen, and elevated him, in after times, to a +memorable distinction among the great men of the Nation. + +[Sidenote: DECLARATION OF WAR.] + +Another effect of the battle of Tippecanoe was soon witnessed. The +tone of the public press became more bold and warlike, and the public +temper was inflamed to the highest degree. Doubts as to the necessity +of a war with England were speedily transformed into settled +convictions. After a long and tedious negotiation, in the summer of +1811, reparation was offered for the attack on the Chesapeake; but +Great Britain abandoned not one of her objectionable positions, nor +ceased the piratical plunder of our commerce, so long stimulated and +encouraged by Lords Liverpool and Castlereagh. Forbearance could +no longer be regarded as a virtue; nor was peace desirable, when +it could only be preserved by the sacrifice of national honor and +dignity. War was therefore declared, on the eighteenth of June, 1812, +and publicly proclaimed by President Madison on the following day. + +The declaration of war found Governor Harrison actively engaged in +the discharge of his duties as governor of the territory of Indiana, +and in his endeavors to secure the neutrality of the Northwestern +savages. The general sentiment of that section of the country would +then have applauded his selection as the commanding officer of the +forces destined to operate in that quarter; but the appointment was +conferred on William Hull, governor of the territory of Michigan, an +officer who had served with credit and ability during the war of the +Revolution. + +The campaign of 1812 was signalized by General Hull’s invasion of +Canada, in July, and his humiliating surrender, at Detroit, in the +following August. When the tidings of this event were made known +in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, they were scarcely credited. +Subsequent information confirmed the rumor, however, and the +intelligence produced a spontaneous outburst of indignation. To +retrieve the tarnished honor of the country, was the first impulse +of every heart. An irrepressible feeling of enthusiasm pervaded +all classes. The people rose, in a mass, like the upheaving of the +ocean. Places of rendezvous were appointed, and the hunters of the +west flocked in crowds around the national standard--all animated by +one motive, and influenced by one desire. They were cheered, too, +by the approving smiles, and encouraged by the kind words of their +wives and mothers, their sisters, daughters, and sweet-hearts, whose +hands were constantly employed in furnishing them with clothing and +other necessaries for the march. Such was the alacrity displayed in +responding to the call to arms, that whole companies were frequently +enrolled, and equipped, in a single day! + +In Ohio, the most patriotic exertions were made by Governor Meigs, to +fit the militia of that state for the field. In Kentucky, an unusual +degree of ardor was manifested. The fire of ’76 was rekindled in the +bosom of the veteran Shelby. Infected with the spirit prevailing +among their constituents, several members of Congress enrolled +themselves as privates, and cheerfully shouldered the rifle or +musket. Henry Clay, the eloquent advocate of the war on the floor +of Congress, though not under arms, appeared at the musters, and +addressed the volunteers in fervid and impassioned appeals to their +patriotism, that thrilled the hearts of those who heard him. Large +numbers of militia were also imbodied, in Virginia, and in the +western part of Pennsylvania. In Tennessee, likewise, the utmost +eagerness to take the field was exhibited by the hardy yeomanry, who +were doubtless influenced by the noble example of General Jackson and +his patriotic division. + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED A MAJOR GENERAL.] + +In a few weeks, about eight thousand men were collected at various +points on the Ohio river and in its vicinity. The selection of an +officer to take command of the army, was attended with considerable +difficulty; but it was finally determined, at a sort of military +caucus, at which Isaac Shelby, Judge Todd of the Supreme Court of the +United States, Mr. Clay, and other leading men, were present, that +Governor Harrison should be commissioned a major general by brevet, +by Governor Scott, of Kentucky, and temporarily invested with the +command. This was accordingly done, and General Harrison immediately +entered upon the performance of his duties. His military life had +been an irregular one, and his experience, therefore, was extremely +limited; yet he found himself placed at the head of a numerous body +of troops, under such disheartening circumstances, and in a season of +despondency and gloom. To add to his embarrassments, he discovered, +on examination, that everything was in confusion. Men there were in +abundance; but they were deficient in arms and ammunition, and poorly +provided with supplies of every kind. Still, he did not lack the +moral courage necessary to sustain him at so important a crisis, but +labored indefatigably to correct what had been done amiss, and to +secure the efficient action of the army placed under his orders. + +The capture of Detroit, and the consequent occupation of all the +important posts in the territory of Michigan, and about the head +of Lake Erie, by the British troops, removed every restraint from +the savages on the frontier, who poured down from their northern +hives in torrents. The security of the border settlements against +their murderous incursions was the first object to be attained; and +in order to accomplish this effectually, it was necessary to move +without delay to the relief of the frontier posts,--particularly Fort +Harrison, on the Wabash; and Fort Wayne, at the confluence of the +St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s, which form the Maumee, or Miami of the +Lakes, as it was originally called. It was determined to penetrate +the Indian country in two columns; one, under General Harrison, being +ordered to rendezvous at Cincinnati and Urbanna, and the other, under +General Hopkins, of the Kentucky militia, at Vincennes. + +General Harrison put his troops in motion from Cincinnati, on the +twenty-ninth of August, and reached Piqua on the thirtieth instant, +with about twenty-five hundred men. Here he completed his final +arrangements, and received his military stores; and, on the sixth of +September, he resumed his march for Fort Wayne, where he arrived on +the twelfth, to the great joy of the garrison, which consisted of +only seventy men. The post had been for several days invested by a +large body of Indians who resorted to every stratagem and device to +induce the garrison to surrender, and, failing in this, made repeated +attempts to carry the fort by assault. On hearing of the approach +of General Harrison, the savages retreated precipitately, after +destroying everything outside the works. + +On his arrival at Fort Wayne, General Harrison forthwith organized +two expeditions to lay waste the Indian villages. Colonel Wells, of +the 17th infantry, was dispatched on the fourteenth of September, +with his regiment, and that of Colonel Scott of the Kentucky militia, +and two hundred mounted rifles, against the Potowatomie town on the +upper St. Joseph, which disembogues into Lake Michigan. Another +detachment, commanded by General Payne, consisting of two Kentucky +regiments, under Colonels Lewis and Allen, and one company of +mounted men, marched against the Miami villages. Both expeditions +were successful. Nine Indian towns, which had been abandoned by the +inhabitants, on the approach of the American troops, were utterly +destroyed; the wigwams and wooden huts were burnt, and the growing +corn cut up. + +[Sidenote: DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON.] + +Meanwhile, the column under General Hopkins, which had rendezvoused +at Vincennes, had moved to the relief of Fort Harrison. This post +was occupied by Captain Z. Taylor, of the 7th infantry, with a +feeble garrison of fifty men, not one half of whom were effective. +On the night of the fourth of September, it was assaulted by between +four and five hundred Indians, who succeeded in firing one of the +block-houses, in which a large quantity of spirits was stored. +The flames spread with great rapidity, and the garrison were fast +giving way to despair, when Captain Taylor directed the roofs of the +adjoining barracks to be removed. This was quickly accomplished, and +the fire prevented from extending to the other buildings in the fort. +Animated by the heroic example of their commander, and reässured by +the admirable coolness and presence of mind which he had exhibited, +the soldiers then engaged in the defence of the post, with a courage +akin to desperation. The assailants failed to make any further +impression, and after daylight on the morning of the fifth, the +American fire became so destructive, that they moved out of range. +They lingered near the post during the day, but retired early on the +following morning, though they still hovered in the vicinity, keeping +watch on the principal roads, cutting off the communications with +the fort, and committing their depredations through the surrounding +country. + +The long-continued anxiety of the garrison was relieved on the +sixteenth of September, by the arrival of Colonel Russell, with +eleven hundred men, and a few days later General Hopkins came up +with the remainder of his column. Preparations were now made for an +expedition against the Peoria villages, on the Illinois river, and +other Indian towns on that stream and the Wabash, which had been +determined on previous to the march of the troops from Vincennes. It +was agreed that Colonel Russell should proceed directly across the +country, with his corps of Kentucky rangers, and a party of mounted +rifles under Governor Edwards of Illinois Territory, three hundred +and sixty men in all; and that General Hopkins, with the main body, +should advance by a more northern route, and effect a junction with +him at the Peoria towns. Another detachment, of eighty men, under +Captain Craig, was ordered to move up the Illinois, and join them at +the same place. + +[Sidenote: INDIAN TOWNS DESTROYED.] + +Colonel Russell left Fort Harrison with his command on the seventh +of October, and General Hopkins commenced his march on the fifteenth +instant. The route pursued by the latter lay through a pleasant +champaign country, and his force was strong enough to set all +opposition at defiance. But the men were totally undisciplined +and unaccustomed to restraint; and on the fourth day out refused +to proceed any further. The remonstrances and entreaties of the +general produced no effect, and he was compelled to follow his +refractory troops, in their retrograde march to Fort Harrison. +Colonel Russell, however, continued his course to the Illinois river. +Though disappointed in not meeting General Hopkins, he persevered in +his enterprise, and destroyed one of the principal villages of the +Peorias, called Pamitaris’ town, together with their winter stock of +provisions. The Indians were pursued into a swamp in the vicinity +where they had fled for shelter,--Colonel Russell and his men wading +for several miles up to their waists in water,--and upwards of twenty +of them were killed on the bank of the river. After the destruction +of the town, the detachment returned to Fort Harrison, where they +arrived on the twenty-first of October. + +In November, General Hopkins made a more successful foray. Leaving +Fort Harrison on the eleventh instant, at the head of about twelve +hundred men, he proceeded up the Wabash, and destroyed the Prophet’s +town, and a large Kickapoo village near it, with the store of corn +provided by the savages for the coming winter. The Winnebago towns on +Ponce Passu creek were also destroyed by a detachment under Colonel +Butler. + +About the same time, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, of the 19th +infantry, was dispatched from Greenville, with a party of six hundred +men, against the Indian towns on the Mississinewa river, one of +the tributaries of the Wabash. On the seventeenth of November, he +surprised a village inhabited by Delawares and Miamis, captured +thirty-seven prisoners, and killed eight of the enemy’s warriors. The +town, and two others in the neighborhood, were then burned, and the +party encamped for the night. Just before daylight, the next morning, +they were attacked by a party of Indians three hundred strong. A +desperate contest was kept up for nearly an hour, when the enemy +were driven off by a charge of cavalry, leaving forty of their best +and bravest warriors dead on the field. The Americans lost eight men +killed, and about thirty wounded. Another attack was anticipated, +as Tecumseh was understood to be in the vicinity with four or five +hundred warriors, but reïnforcements soon coming up from Greenville, +the detachment completed the destruction of the towns on the river, +and returned without molestation. + +These repeated incursions had the desired effect. Frequent +hostilities afterwards arose and engagements took place, but these +were confined to small parties of volunteers and similar bands of +savages; exempted from the irruptions of the Indians, the border +settlements continued to enjoy, for a long period, a degree of +tranquillity which they had never before witnessed. + +[Sidenote: DISPOSITION OF THE TROOPS.] + +After the return of the troops sent out by General Harrison, from +Fort Wayne, it was his intention to advance towards Detroit, and +recover the territory occupied by the British forces, as soon as he +found his means adequate to the object. His plans were temporarily +disarranged by the arrival of Brigadier General Winchester, who had +originally been designated for the command of the northwestern army, +with large reïnforcements from Ohio and Kentucky. General Harrison +accordingly relinquished the command, and set out on his return to +Indiana territory, accompanied by a considerable force of mounted men +with which he designed to break up the Indian towns in that quarter. +It subsequently appeared, that President Madison was ignorant of his +brevet appointment, and of the general desire of the western people +that he should be placed in command, at the time the orders to +General Winchester were issued. General Harrison had not proceeded +far on his return, when he was overtaken by an express bearing a +commission as brigadier general in the regular army, together with +instructions requiring him to take command of the forces on the +northwestern frontier. + +General Harrison returned to Fort Wayne, and resumed the command, on +the twenty-third of September. Arrived here, he learned that General +Winchester had marched on the previous day, for Fort Defiance, on his +way to the Rapids of the Maumee, the place fixed upon for the general +rendezvous preparatory to the contemplated movement for the recovery +of Michigan, with four hundred regulars, a brigade of Kentucky +militia, and a troop of horse,--in all two thousand men. He then +proceeded to Fort St. Mary’s to make further preparations for the +campaign, and dispatched Colonel Jennings down the Au Glaize, with +a detachment, having in charge a quantity of supplies for General +Winchester, whose men had but a limited stock of provisions. + +The march of General Winchester was impeded, not only by the natural +obstacles of the wet and marshy country through which he was +compelled to pass, but also by a series of annoying skirmishes with +the advanced parties of a force lying in and near Fort Defiance, +consisting of two hundred British regulars and one thousand savages, +which was destined for the capture of Fort Wayne. Making his way +through the numerous difficulties that retarded his progress, and +forcing the enemy to retire down the river as he advanced, he reached +Fort Defiance on the thirteenth of September, where he was joined +by the detachment under Colonel Jennings. While on his way, he had +sent an express to General Harrison, informing him of the situation +of his troops, and the harassing warfare kept up with the enemy. The +latter arrived at the fort on the third of October, with additional +reïnforcements, but returned again, on the ensuing day, to the +settled country, to bring the remainder of the troops, composing the +centre and right wing of his army, into the field. General Winchester +remained at Fort Defiance in command of the left wing. + +Before leaving the fort, General Harrison directed General Tupper to +proceed down the river with the Ohio mounted men, about one thousand +strong, and drive the enemy from the Rapids. The command of General +Tupper consisted of raw and inexperienced militia, and, though he +made every effort, he was unable to comply with the orders he had +received. In consequence of some misunderstanding between himself and +General Winchester, he soon after returned with the Ohio cavalry, +to Urbanna, whence he was ordered forward, with the centre of the +northwestern army, which was composed of one regiment of regulars, +and the Ohio volunteers and militia, to Fort M’Arthur. About the same +time, the right wing, consisting of the Pennsylvania and Virginia +brigades, under Generals Crooks and Leftwich, was advanced to +Sandusky. + +On his arrival at Fort M’Arthur, General Tupper organized another +expedition to proceed to the Rapids. He left the fort on the tenth +of November, with six hundred men, carrying five days’ rations +in their knapsacks. On the evening of the thirteenth instant, he +arrived within thirteen miles of the Rapids, and sent an officer +in advance to reconnoitre. It was ascertained that Fort Maumee, and +the settlement, were still occupied by the British and their savage +allies, and their boats and vessels were discovered in the stream +below. General Tupper made several unavailing attempts to cross +the river, and then endeavored to decoy the enemy over. In this he +was more successful; a large party of Indians crossed the river, +whom he attacked and routed; but, on account of the failure of his +provisions, he was soon obliged to return to Fort M’Arthur without +accomplishing the object of the expedition. On the thirteenth of +December, he conducted another detachment to the Rapids, between +fifteen hundred and two thousand strong. On this occasion he +encountered about three hundred British regulars and seven hundred +Indians, on the right bank of the stream, a few miles above the +Rapids. These he attacked and completely routed. The enemy left one +hundred of their number on the field, and many were killed while +attempting to swim across the river. Shortly after this affair, the +British evacuated the post and retired to Malden and Detroit. + +[Sidenote: WINTER CAMPAIGN.] + +In the meantime, General Harrison, whose headquarters were +established at Franklinton, had labored unceasingly, in connection +with Governor Meigs, to complete his preparations for the projected +winter campaign. It was designed that the army should advance, in +three divisions, from Fort Defiance, Fort M’Arthur, and Sandusky, to +the Rapids of the Maumee, where they were to receive their supplies +of ordnance and provisions. A feint was then to be made upon Detroit, +when the troops were to cross the river and invest Fort Malden. + +The army under the orders of General Harrison nominally consisted +of ten thousand men. But little over six thousand of these were +effective, and many of the latter number were undisciplined and +inexperienced. All were poorly clothed and worse fed. The efforts +of the commanding general were unwearied and untiring, but he +encountered obstacles and difficulties at every step. The army +rendered an important service in holding the Indians in check, yet +they were unable to move forward, and General Harrison was warmly +censured, by those who were unacquainted with the real state of +things, for his inactivity. A simple statement of the position of +affairs on this frontier will be his best defence.--The enemy had +the command on Lake Erie, and it seemed almost impossible to furnish +the troops in this remote region with the supplies that they needed, +and without which it would have been mere fool-hardiness to advance. +It was necessary to transport the ordnance and heavy stores over the +Alleghanies, and down the Ohio, and thence they were hauled, over +land, hundreds of miles, along blazed forest paths and miserable +trails, across half-frozen swamps and through trackless forests, to +the banks of the Maumee. + +Against such embarrassments, General Harrison struggled almost +hopelessly, yet as it proved in the sequel, successfully, +notwithstanding that his plans were frequently thwarted, and his +measures disconcerted, by the War Department. In January, 1813, Dr. +Eustis was succeeded by General Armstrong as Secretary of War. The +latter had imbibed strong prejudices against a militia force, and +entertained a marked dislike towards General Harrison, who,--though +possessing the confidence of Madison himself,--never knew what it +was to be cordially sustained by the executive officers of the +government, while he remained in service. + +[Sidenote: DIFFICULTIES AND EMBARRASSMENTS.] + +While General Harrison was busily engaged in distributing the +supplies, and organizing the reïnforcements, as they arrived, an +event took place, which, it has been truly said, “clothed Kentucky +in mourning.”--The left wing of the army, under General Winchester, +remained at Fort Defiance, on the site of which they constructed +a new fort, named, after the general in command, Fort Winchester, +till November. Having constructed a number of pirogues, for the +transportation of their baggage, they moved down the river about six +miles, to camp No. 3, where they were delayed until the eighth of +January, 1813--suffering greatly, in the meantime, for the want of +clothing and provisions. Orders were then issued for the advance. +The weather was exceedingly inclement, the river blocked up with +ice, and the ground covered with snow to the depth of twenty-seven +inches;--yet the brave Kentuckians, of whom General Winchester’s +command was almost exclusively composed, harnessed themselves to +sleighs on which they placed their baggage, and performed the weary +march of twenty-seven miles, to the Rapids, in two days. Immediately +after his arrival at this point, the general received a message from +the inhabitants of Frenchtown, a small village situated on the left +bank, and near the mouth, of the river Raisin, informing him that +a large body of British and Indians were about to make a descent +on that place, and urgently entreating him to hasten to their +assistance. + +Sickness, and the expiration of the terms of service of the +volunteers, had reduced the strength of his column to but little +over eight hundred men; and General Winchester hesitated to place +any portion of this small command, within a single day’s march,--as +the Detroit river was then frozen over,--of the British forces +concentrated at Malden. His officers, however, unanimously, and +earnestly, advised a compliance with the request; and, impelled by +motives of humanity, without waiting to communicate with General +Harrison, and, indeed, contrary to his own better judgment, he +detached Colonels Lewis and Allen, with about five hundred men, on +the seventeenth of January, instructing them to proceed to Presque +Isle, and there await his arrival with the remainder of the column. + +At Presque Isle, Colonel Lewis, who had been placed in command of the +detachment, learned that an advanced party of British and Indians +were already in possession of Frenchtown. He therefore determined +to hasten forward and attack them. The march was resumed, through +the ice and snow, and at three o’clock in the afternoon of the +eighteenth instant, he arrived on the southern bank of the river, +opposite to the village in which the enemy, about five hundred in +number, under the command of Major Reynolds, were posted. The stream +being bridged with ice, Colonel Lewis formed Irishmen for action, +and advanced steadily to the further shore. A warm contest ensued, +which was terminated only by the darkness. The enemy were forced from +their position, and driven nearly two miles into the woods, under a +continual charge. Colonel Lewis had twelve men killed and fifty-five +wounded. The enemy’s loss was supposed to be far more severe, as +fifteen Indian warriors were found on the field,--though it could +never be ascertained with certainty. + +Colonel Lewis was joined on the twentieth instant by General +Winchester, with two hundred and fifty men,--the latter having +previously advised General Harrison, then at Lower Sandusky, of +the advance to Frenchtown. General Harrison received the dispatch +of General Winchester on the nineteenth of January, and, though +deeply chagrined at this interference with the general plan of his +operations, he set out immediately for the Rapids. His inspector +general, Captain Hart, was dispatched to General Winchester, with +orders to maintain the position to which he had advanced at all +hazards. On the twenty-third instant, a reïnforcement of three +hundred men, under Major Cotgreves, took up the line of march for +Frenchtown, and on the same day General Harrison followed, with +another corps, three hundred and sixty strong. + +[Sidenote: MASSACRE ON THE RAISIN.] + +It was all too late! The catastrophe which General Harrison feared +had already occurred;--the blow had been struck that desolated +so many homes, and widowed so many hearts, in the fair state of +Kentucky.--Early in the morning of the twenty-second, General +Winchester was attacked by an overwhelming force of British and +Indians, numbering at least fifteen hundred men, with six pieces +of artillery, under Colonel Proctor and the chiefs Round-Head and +Split-Log. His men maintained a stout resistance--fighting bravely +for hours, exposed to a most murderous fire. At length, after one +half their number were either killed or wounded, the remainder--a +sadly diminished band--surrendered themselves prisoners of war, upon +the pledge of the British commander to protect them from Indian +violence. + +The pledge was basely violated. Another, and still darker feature, +was added to the worse than brutal warfare waged on the part of +the English government. On the day after the engagement, Colonel +Proctor returned to Detroit, leaving between fifty and sixty wounded +prisoners at Frenchtown, who were cruelly butchered by his savage +associates,--a half-breed, who held a high commission in the Royal +service, boasting, in the presence of the British officers, that +the Indians were “_excellent doctors_”! The houses in which the +unfortunate victims perished were set on fire, and their bodies +consumed. Other prisoners, not wounded, were murdered in cold blood; +the rites of sepulture were denied to their remains, and those of +their comrades who had fallen in the action; and their bones were +left to whiten in the wintry storm that howled its requiem above +their resting place. Some perished by the way side, on the march to +Detroit, from the inclemency of the weather; others sank beneath +the tomahawk of the savage. The survivors,--few in number,--to the +lasting dishonor of a nation whose sovereign rewarded the officer, +who connived at, or tolerated these abuses, with the commission of a +brigadier general, were stripped and plundered, and subjected to the +grossest indignities and outrages. + +[Sidenote: BRUTAL CONDUCT OF THE ENEMY.] + +General Harrison was three miles in advance of the Rapids, +hurrying rapidly on with his reïnforcements, when he received the +intelligence of this sad disaster. Selecting a picked corps of one +hundred and seventy men, he detached them to the assistance of +the fugitives, but few of whom made their escape from the field +of battle, in consequence of the great depth of snow. He also +dispatched a surgeon, with two companions, provided with money, +under a flag of truce, to attend the sick and wounded prisoners of +General Winchester’s command. One of the party was murdered by the +Indians, and the others were robbed, and otherwise inhumanly treated, +by both British and savages. After suffering for several months in +confinement, having been transferred from one dungeon to another, +they were finally set at liberty in Quebec. + +Had General Harrison consulted his first impulses, he would have +hastened forward with his whole disposable force, to avenge the +massacre at Frenchtown. Doubtless, it would have been better, had +he done so--_provided he could have been successful_, which is not +entirely free from doubt--and he would then have escaped the censure +bestowed on his conduct, undeserved and ungenerous though it was. +But the roads, miserable as they were in the most favorable weather, +were covered with three feet of snow, and almost impracticable for +artillery; it was not then known that Proctor had himself retired; +the force of the enemy was greatly exaggerated; and the unanimous +advice of his officers counselled him to fall back without delay. +It might be improper to call him a bold man,--because he did not +court danger unnecessarily. Yet he did not lack bravery; he was not +timid; nor was his courage like “fire in a flint which will not +show without knocking.” He was firm, resolute, and unflinching, +when occasion required,--he was only not rash, not reckless. He was +responsible for the success, or failure, of the whole campaign; the +security of the entire frontier depended on his army alone,--the only +barrier against the swooping torrent of Indian warriors who wanted +but the opportunity to precipitate themselves on the defenceless +settlements, in terror and blood. + +In conformity with the advice of his officers, General Harrison fell +back to Carrying river, about midway between the Sandusky and Maumee, +on the twenty-third of January, in order to effect a junction with +the troops in the rear, and to cover the transportation of artillery, +and other stores, from Upper Sandusky. Having been reïnforced by two +Ohio regiments, promptly dispatched to his assistance by Governor +Meigs, he again advanced, in the month of February, to the Rapids, at +the foot of which, and nearly opposite Fort Maumee, he commenced the +construction of a fort, named, in honor of the governor, Fort Meigs. + +The advance of General Winchester to Frenchtown, and the consequent +defeat and surrender of his command, entirely deranged the plans +of General Harrison for the winter campaign. The term of service +of a large portion of his militia force shortly after expired, and +it became necessary to call out new levies before anything further +could be attempted. He therefore returned to the interior of Ohio, to +procure additional troops from that state, and Kentucky. In neither +was there any lack of patriotism exhibited,--but, in the latter, +where there was scarcely a family that did not mourn the loss of +some near friend or relative, one general outcry was raised, for +vengeance upon the perpetrators of that bloody massacre on the banks +of the Raisin. + +The legislature of Kentucky, at its winter session, authorized +Governor Shelby, who had been elected the year previous, to take +command in person of three thousand militia; and Colonel Richard M. +Johnson, also of that state, was empowered by the War Department to +raise a regiment of mounted men--which troops were designed for the +reïnforcement of General Harrison in the spring. + +[Sidenote: SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS.] + +Early in April, General Harrison, now promoted to the rank of major +general by brevet, and appointed to the command of the eighth +military district, learned that extensive preparations were being +made by General Proctor and Tecumseh, for a combined attack on Fort +Meigs. He immediately returned to the fort, and, in connection +with the engineer officers, Captains Wood and Gratiot, labored +indefatigably, night and day, to put it in a more favorable posture +of defence. The fort was an octagon, containing about nine acres, +and was situated on the rising ground overlooking the river bottom. +At each corner there was a strong block-house, “with cannon planted +so as to rake each front and command every elevated point near the +fort”; the block-houses were connected by strong picketings fifteen +feet high, against which a breastwork of clayey earth was thrown up, +on either side. There were several long batteries also constructed, +which were well garnished with cannon. The means of defence were +ample, with the exception of the garrison, which consisted of only +twelve hundred men, the greater part of whom were volunteers. The +regulars were the 19th infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Miller; and +the volunteers present, composed the Pennsylvania brigade commanded +by General Crooks. The term of service of the Pennsylvanians had +expired, but they generously volunteered to remain and defend the +fort. All were animated by the best spirit, and determined on holding +the work as long as it proved tenable; and, when their defences +failed, to sell their lives dearly. + +On the twenty-eighth of April, one of the patrolling parties reported +that the enemy were ascending the river from the lake, and that +they were in great force about three miles below. A few British and +Indians were also discovered on the opposite bank of the river, who +were driven off by the fire of an eighteen-pounder gun. A brigade of +Kentucky militia, twelve hundred strong, under General Green Clay, +were, at this time, approaching the fort from Cincinnati, and a +dispatch was now sent to quicken their march. + +It was the intention of General Proctor, who commanded the British +force, which consisted of between nine and ten hundred regulars +and Canadian militia and twelve hundred Indians, to make a dash at +the American works, and carry them, before the garrison could be +reïnforced. The wary foresight of General Harrison frustrated his +design. Disappointed in his original purpose, the British commander +sat down deliberately before the fort, and began his preparations for +a regular investment. The light troops, and a part of the Indians, +were thrown across the river, with directions to occupy the most +favorable positions for annoying the garrison, while General Proctor +superintended the erection of batteries on the left bank. The fire +from the fort prevented the speedy completion of the batteries, as +the enemy were obliged to perform most of the work under cover of the +night. A warm fire was kept up on the garrison by their skirmishers, +but it produced little effect. No inconvenience, of especial +importance, was felt by the Americans, except the want of water; the +well in the fort not being completed, it was necessary to procure it +from the river, after nightfall, which was attended with considerable +risk, as bands of Indians were constantly lying in wait to intercept +stragglers. + +[Sidenote: FORTUNATE ESCAPE.] + +General Proctor completed his batteries, and mounted his guns, on +the first of May, and immediately opened a vigorous fire from one +twenty-four, one twelve, and one six-pounder, and one howitzer. +The guns in the fort were effectively served, in return. The enemy +produced no sensible impression, although General Harrison made a +fortunate escape. During the cannonade, he was seated on a bench +attentively watching the play of the guns, when a ball came plunging +down into the fort close beside him. With Napoleon at Montereau, +he might have said, “The bullet which is to kill me, is not yet +cast!”--The bench on which he was sitting, was shivered in pieces, +but he himself received no injury. + +An additional battery was opened, on the third instant, at a distance +of two hundred and fifty yards from the fort, on the south side +of the river. On this a mortar was planted, from which a number +of shells were thrown. The Americans turned their guns upon it, +however; and their fire told so well, that it was soon silenced. +After the opening of the fire from the mortar battery, the garrison +was for the first time summoned to surrender. General Proctor assured +the American commander, in his summons, with the most bare-faced +effrontery, that he was actuated solely by the desire of sparing the +effusion of blood; that successful resistance was out of the question +against so numerous a force; and that a prompt surrender could alone +save the garrison from the horrors of Indian warfare. The reply of +General Harrison was such as became him:--while he had the honor to +command an American fort, he said, it should never be surrendered, +and, least of all, to General Proctor and the savage hordes with whom +he fraternized. + +The enemy now pressed the siege with increased zeal, and the garrison +suffered far more than they had previously done, from the fire of the +Indians on the right bank of the river, who climbed the tall forest +trees, and, sheltered by the intertwining branches, rained their +rifle balls upon the heads of the American troops. A brisk fire was +maintained on both sides, till the morning of the fifth instant, when +a small party from the brigade of General Clay, then descending the +river from Fort Defiance, arrived at Fort Meigs, with the information +that the column to which they belonged was rapidly approaching. +General Harrison’s decision was soon taken: be resolved on making an +effort that day to raise the siege, and, having matured his plans, +dispatched a messenger to General Clay, with orders to land eight +hundred of his men on the left bank of the river and destroy the +enemy’s batteries, while a sortie should be made from the fort upon +those on the other side. The remainder of General Clay’s brigade were +directed to descend the right bank of the stream to the fort. + +[Sidenote: APPROACH OF REINFORCEMENTS.] + +General Harrison’s plan was a skilful one, and would have +been attended with complete success, had it not been for the +“superabundant bravery” of the Kentuckians. In compliance with his +orders, General Clay detached eight hundred of his best troops, +under Colonel Dudley, who landed his men in good order, and advanced +boldly upon the enemy’s batteries, in three columns. The British +were surprised at the suddenness of the attack, and abandoned their +guns almost instantly, leaving them in possession of the victors. +Unfortunately, the American officers lost all control over their +men. Animated by a burning thirst for vengeance, they refused to +obey the orders of General Harrison, directing them to spike the +cannon and retire across the river, but eagerly pursued the fugitive +artillerists, or engaged in a straggling contest with the Indians +who now made their appearance. The consequence was what might have +been foreseen. The enemy rallied, and being joined by a reïnforcement +from the main camp about two miles below, and a strong body of Indian +warriors under Tecumseh, who had just arrived, they became, in turn, +the aggressors. Colonel Dudley exerted himself to the utmost, to +draw off his men in safety, and lost his life in the attempt. The +Americans fought bravely; but they lacked discipline, as they wanted +discretion. But one hundred and fifty men of the command succeeded +in crossing the river and reaching the fort; the remainder being +killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. + +The sortie on the right bank of the river was made by a detachment of +three hundred and fifty men, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Miller, of +the 19th infantry. Imitating the intrepid conduct of their leader, +they dashed upon the batteries, and drove out the artillerists and +their supporting party, at the point of the bayonet. After spiking +the cannon and destroying the carriages, Lieutenant Colonel Miller +returned with forty-two prisoners. While in the act of retiring, the +enemy rallied and pressed upon him; but he gallantly held them at bay +till he reached the fort,--having accomplished the object for which +his command was detached, in a short time, and with comparatively +trifling loss. + +Meanwhile the remainder of General Clay’s command encountered the +Indians on the right bank of the river, where they landed, and routed +them with great ease. Incautiously advancing too far, they came very +near being drawn into an ambush, from which they were timely rescued +by General Harrison, who dispatched a troop of horse to cover their +retreat into the fort. + +[Sidenote: RETREAT OF PROCTOR.] + +On the sixth a tacit suspension of hostilities took place, which +continued during that and the two following days. After the sortie, +the Indian warriors, in accordance with their custom, began +to return, in large numbers, to their villages,--the eloquent +remonstrances of Tecumseh proving powerless to detain them. General +Proctor now feared that the Americans would soon turn upon him, +and he well knew that he had but little to hope from the outraged +Kentuckians, should the fortune of war place him in their power. +He therefore decided to abandon the attempt on the fort, and on the +evening of the ninth instant commenced embarking his ordnance and +stores. A warm fire from the American guns checked the movement +for the time; but, early in the morning of the tenth, he made a +precipitate retreat down the river with his whole command. + +The Americans lost two hundred and seventy men, killed and wounded, +during the siege. That of the enemy was probably about one hundred. +Although the defence of the fort was attended by no brilliant +successes, the savages were thereby prevented from making their +hostile incursions into the settlements. + +At the opening of the season, General Harrison became convinced that +the command of Lake Erie would be decisive of the campaign, and +that without it a column could not be supplied with the ordnance +and heavy stores necessary for a march on Detroit, or Malden. He +therefore recommended the construction of a fleet, and Captain Perry +was detailed for this service. While the naval preparations were in +progress, General Harrison left Fort Meigs in charge of General Clay, +and repaired to Franklinton, where the new regiments from Ohio and +Kentucky were ordered to rendezvous. At this place, also, he received +into the service a large body of Indian warriors, belonging to the +friendly tribes in the state of Ohio, and the territories of Indiana +and Illinois, who could not be induced to remain neutral, especially +as they had recently been attacked by the hostile Indians; but, +unlike the British officers, whose conduct throughout contrasts so +unfavorably with his, he pledged them to spare their prisoners, and +to refrain from injuring defenceless women and children. + +During the summer months, while General Harrison necessarily remained +inactive, the British made several threatening movements upon Fort +Meigs, Fort Stephenson, (at Lower Sandusky,) Cleveland and Erie. +Towards the latter part of July, General Proctor again made his +appearance before Fort Meigs, with between three and four thousand +troops, including his Indian allies. General Clay was well prepared +for his reception, and on discovering this, he retired down the +river. Accompanied by about five hundred regulars and militia, and +seven or eight hundred savages, he proceeded to Fort Stephenson, then +garrisoned by Major Croghan, with one hundred and sixty men, and +a single six-pounder gun. The fort was invested, and the garrison +summoned to surrender; the usual threat in regard to the ferocity +of the Indians being added, with a view of terrifying the garrison. +Nowise intimidated by the superior force of the enemy, the gallant +Croghan replied that, “when the fort should be taken, there would be +none left to massacre,--as it would not be given up while a man was +able to fight.” + +[Sidenote: PERRY’S VICTORY.] + +The breaking day was spreading its warm bright flush over the +surrounding scenery, on the second of August when the enemy opened a +vigorous fire from three six-pounders planted on the shore during the +night, and two six-pounders and a howitzer in their gunboats lying +in the Sandusky. The fire was kept up all day, though with trifling +effect, and just before sunset, an assaulting column of three +hundred and fifty men, led by Lieutenant Colonel Short, advanced to +the storm,--several feints being made, at the same time, to draw +the attention of the besieged from the real point of attack. Major +Croghan was not to be deceived; loading his six-pounder to its utmost +capacity, with grape and slugs, he placed it at a masked porthole in +a blockhouse at the northwestern angle of the work, so as to rake the +ditch. This proved to be the point assailed. Enveloped in smoke, the +assailants advanced rapidly up the glacis. When within twenty paces +of the ditch, a volley of musketry caused them to stagger. Rallied by +their commander, the foremost files sprang with him into the ditch. +At the instant, the charge of the six-pounder was poured in upon +them, strewing its fiery pathway with the dying and the dead. The +head of the column was completely cut off, and the remainder fled +in confusion, leaving behind them their fallen leader, and a great +number of their comrades. + +General Proctor made no further effort to reduce the fort. Retreating +in haste to his boats, he retired down the river to the lake, and +thence to Malden,--having lost, in this fruitless attempt, one +hundred and fifty men, either killed or wounded. The Americans had +but one man killed and seven wounded. + +After weeks and months of incessant toil, Commodore Perry finally got +his fleet in readiness. On the fourth of August he crossed the bar at +Erie with his squadron,--consisting of three brigs, five schooners, +and one sloop, carrying fifty-four guns,--and sailed in quest of the +enemy. On the tenth of September, off Put-in Bay, he encountered the +British squadron, under Captain Barclay, consisting of two ships, one +brig, two schooners, and one sloop, carrying, in all, sixty-three +guns. A desperate engagement, of three hours’ duration, terminated +in the surrender of the hostile fleet. This well-fought action was +the prelude to one equally glorious, and removed the only obstacle to +the advance of the northwestern army into Canada. + +Commodore Perry immediately returned to Put-in Bay, to coöperate with +the land forces in an expedition already projected. General Harrison +soon concentrated all his disposable troops, among whom were between +three and four thousand Kentucky volunteers, under Governor Shelby, +at this point. The regiment of mounted men commanded by Colonel R. +M. Johnson, one thousand strong, was ordered to proceed to Detroit +by land; and the remainder of the army embarked on the vessels of +Commodore Perry, in which they were transported to the islands in the +vicinity of Malden. On the twenty-seventh of September they effected +a landing on the Canada shore, about three miles below that post. + +The hour of reckoning had come for General Proctor and the savage +banditti whom he had gathered round him. Strong in his position +at Malden, and in the men and means necessary for its defence, he +yet lacked the courage to maintain it. The earnest exhortations of +Tecumseh and the other Indian chiefs, who entreated him to remain +firm, failed to reässure him. He felt that a cause which had been +sullied by so much of dishonor, was, indeed, hopeless; and he +feared, as well he might, to meet the awakened wrath of the kinsmen +and friends of the brave men who perished on the Raisin. Under his +orders, the fort was dismantled and blown up, and the navy yard, +barracks, and store-houses were burned. He then retreated hastily +towards the river Thames, or La Tranchée, with his whole force, +taking with him large stores of private property, which he had +plundered from American prisoners, and the citizens of Detroit. + +[Sidenote: PURSUIT OF PROCTOR.] + +General Harrison followed the flying Proctor on the twenty-eighth, +moving forward with as much rapidity as was possible. Many of the +Kentuckians were mounted men, but they had been obliged to leave +their horses on the American shore. The enemy had taken away +everything of the kind, except a single horse, on which Governor +Shelby was mounted; who, though in his sixty-third year, pressed +forward with all the ardor and enthusiasm of twenty-one. The army +reached Sandwich on the twenty-ninth instant, and General Harrison +sent a detachment across the river to take possession of Detroit, +then occupied by hostile Indians. On the thirtieth, Colonel Johnson +joined the army with his regiment, and preparations were at once made +for continuing the pursuit of General Proctor,--who, on arriving +at the Thames, had proceeded up the valley of the river, with the +intention of making his way to the British posts about the head of +Lake Ontario. + +The Americans resumed the march on the second of October,--the +mounted rifles of Colonel Johnson leading the van. General Harrison +was accompanied by Commodore Perry and General Cass, as volunteer +aids; his whole force consisted of about thirty-five hundred men, +most of whom were Kentuckians.[10] From the highest to the lowest, +all manifested the same eager spirit; every heart throbbed high with +excitement. The time to which they had looked forward with so many +anxious hopes, had arrived: Proctor and Tecumseh,--the marauders of +the one, and the murderers of the other,--were before them! + +[Sidenote: PROCTOR AND TECUMSEH.] + +General Harrison and his men pressed forward with such rapidity, +that, on the first day of their march, they made twenty-six miles. +On the next, they captured a British officer and eleven men, from +whom they learned that Proctor had not received any intimations of +their approach that he could rely upon. On the fourth instant, they +were detained several hours at Chatham, seventeen miles above Lake +St. Clair, at a deep creek that flowed into the Thames, the bridge +over which had been partly destroyed by the enemy. While the men +were engaged in repairing it, they were fired on by some Indians who +appeared on the opposite bank; but the latter were quickly dispersed +by the artillery of Colonel Wood, and the rifles of Colonel Johnson’s +command. At this place, also, the Americans found two thousand stand +of arms, and a quantity of clothing, which had been abandoned by +Proctor in his flight. After crossing the creek, General Harrison +continued the pursuit for four miles, capturing several pieces +of cannon, and forcing the enemy to destroy three of the vessels +containing their supplies. His men being considerably jaded by the +march, he encamped, late at night, almost within striking distance +of the allied force of British and Indians. On the morning of the +fifth of October, the mounted men, marching from two to three miles +in front of the infantry, discovered the enemy drawn up in order of +battle, across a narrow strip of woodland on the north bank of the +Thames, near the Moravian village. + +The nobler aspirations of the soldier,--if, indeed, they ever +existed in the breast of General Proctor,--had long since given +way to cowardice and avarice. His chief anxiety now was, to escape +with his ill-gotten booty. Unwisely incumbered with baggage, his +army was delayed till their pursuers were close upon them. On the +afternoon of the fourth instant, it became evident that he must soon +be overtaken. When he halted for the night, he was still uncertain +what to do. After all was still, at a late hour, Tecumseh and himself +silently descended the river in a boat, and reconnoitred the American +position. The former earnestly advised a night attack, but the latter +dared not risk the encounter, and determined to make one more effort +for escape on the morrow. + +What a study would that be for the painter!--Proctor and Tecumseh +on the Thames, at the dead hour of night--no moon to cheer or light +them--the stars gleaming dimly over their heads--and the solemn +stillness unbroken, save by the gentle murmuring of the river, the +low sighing of the breeze, or, it might be, the deep, melodious +notes of the wood thrush, echoing sweetly through the forest; the +red warrior arrayed in all the gorgeous attire of his race, his tall +frame swelling with a manly pride, and his eye blazing like the young +eagle’s, as, in clear ringing tones, he thundered forth his fierce +invectives on the American people, and entreated his companion to +give the signal for a midnight onset; the other shrinking, like a +craven, beside him, and with faltering lips expressing his fears +and doubts,--his fears, lest the vigilance of Harrison had provided +against a surprise, and his doubts as to the issue! + +General Proctor persevered in his retreat, on the morning of the +fifth, until he found that it would be absolutely impossible to make +his escape. He then decided to make a stand. Ordering a halt, he +prepared his men for action. His regular troops, about eight hundred +strong, were formed across the road, in two lines, in open order, on +a narrow isthmus covered with thrifty beeches; their left, supported +by the artillery, resting on the river, and their right on a swamp +Tuning parallel to the stream. The Indians, under Tecumseh, to the +number of two thousand, were posted beyond the swamp, their right +thrown forward, and resting on another dense morass,--thus forming +an obtuse angle with the alignment of the regular troops. It was the +intention of the British general, that the Indians should precipitate +themselves upon the left flank of the American troops as soon as the +latter were engaged with the regulars; and the ground highly favored +his purpose. Had he protected his front by an abattis, or even thrown +a few trees horizontally across the road, the result might have been +more doubtful, but, as it was, the action was scarcely contested, so +far as he was concerned, and soon became a complete rout. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF THE THAMES.] + +The original plan of General Harrison, when he saw the advantages of +the enemy’s position, was, to advance upon them with his infantry +regiments; and for this purpose he had formed the division of General +Henry, in three lines, on the right, with the division of General +Desha, _en potence_, on their left. The regulars, but one hundred +and twenty in number, were stationed on the margin of the river, and +instructed, at the favorable moment, to advance upon and seize the +enemy’s guns. But on the return of Colonel Wood, who had been sent +forward to reconnoitre, the fact was disclosed, that General Proctor +had formed his men, as has been mentioned, in open order; whereupon +General Harrison instantly varied his mode of attack, and directed +Colonel Johnson, who had urgently solicited the honor, to charge +upon the British line with his regiment of mounted rifles, while +the infantry should promptly follow the movement.--This order was +certainly an unusual one, in military tactics,--although the regiment +had been carefully drilled to charge upon infantry, especially in +the woods,--and it has been severely criticised, and sometimes +censured. It was, doubtless, unexpected by General Proctor; and for +that reason, if no other, was the best, as it proved to be the most +fortunate, that could have been adopted under the circumstances.[11] + +Just before the trumpets sounded the attack, Colonel Johnson +discovered a narrow passage of firm earth leading across the swamp +on his left. He then directed his brother, Lieutenant Colonel James +Johnson, to charge the British line with the first battalion of his +regiment, while he crossed the swamp with the second, and engaged +the Indians. At the signal, the two battalions advanced slowly, in +parallel columns,--the infantry following closely in their rear. + +At the first fire, the horses in front of the column led by +Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, recoiled,--but it was corrected in +a moment. The bugles pealed forth their cheering notes; the men +plunged their rowels into their chargers’ sides; and away they all +went, thundering down upon the enemy--an army of avengers--ready to +smite and to slay. Bounding over every obstacle, receiving another +fire almost unharmed, and riding down all who opposed, with fearful +yells they dashed through and through the British columns, showering +their balls on every side. In an instant they turned and delivered a +most effective volley. Stupefied and disconcerted by the suddenness +of the onset, and nearly hemmed in between two walls of fire, the +enemy made no resistance, but threw down their arms, and begged for +quarter. The brave Kentuckians--to their honor be it said--spared +all who surrendered. Proctor himself, accompanied by about forty +regulars and some mounted Indians, made his escape, though hotly +pursued, to Burlington heights, where he was publicly reprimanded for +his cowardly conduct, by the same officer--Sir George Prevost--who +had commended his brutality at Frenchtown. His private carriage and +papers, his sword, and all his plunder, fell into the hands of the +victors. + +On the left, Tecumseh and his warriors refused to fly. The advance +of the column headed by Colonel Johnson was retarded by the uneven +character of the ground; his horses floundered in the morass, and +strove in vain to penetrate the dense thickets of underbrush. He soon +found that the charge must fail, and directed his men to dismount +and take cover. Darting from tree to tree, they now pressed upon the +enemy, and after a short, but animated contest, broke through the +line and gained their rear. The Indians quickly rallied in force, +further to the left, and threw their whole weight on the column of +infantry under General Desha. A slight impression was at one time +made, but Governor Shelby immediately restored the line by leading up +another regiment to the support of the wavering column. + +[Sidenote: DEATH OF TECUMSEH.] + +Still the battle raged with great fury. The voice of Tecumseh was +heard above the din of arms, and his tones rang loud and clear as the +notes of a trumpet, as he called upon his gallant braves to stand +firm to the last. Colonel Johnson, though severely wounded, and a +number of his best officers and soldiers, had already made their way +to the spot where the undaunted chieftain and his bravest warriors +had collected. Here the battle was fiercely fought. In the _mêlée_, +Tecumseh fell, as it is supposed, by the hand of Colonel Johnson.[12] +This determined the contest. On the fall of their leader, the +Indians abandoned the ground, and with an unearthly whoop, like +the wail of lost spirits, disappeared in the forest. It was the +_death-halloo_ for their leader--the most formidable enemy among the +red men with whom the whites have had to contend, since the days of +Pontiac. With him their cause was prostrated--with him perished their +hopes, forever! + +The American force actually engaged in this battle, numbered about +twenty-five hundred; the enemy had eight hundred and forty-five +regular troops, and there were two thousand Indians. The former +lost fifty killed and wounded; of the British there were eighteen +killed, twenty-six wounded, and about six hundred made prisoners. +The Americans also captured a large quantity of arms, ammunition, +and provisions, and six pieces of artillery--three of which were +captured in the Revolution, at Saratoga and Yorktown, and had been +surrendered by General Hull. But, what was of vastly more importance, +the territory which had been overrun by the enemy, was recovered, +and the frontiers were rescued from the depredations of the savages. +By the result of this engagement, the hostile Indians were cut off +from their communications with the British posts in Canada, except +the remote one at Mackinaw. Previous to the battle, an armistice +had been entered into with the Ottawas and Chippewas, who agreed to +take up arms against the British, and shortly afterwards a similar +arrangement was entered into with the Miamis and Potowatomies. + +[Sidenote: EFFECTS OF THE VICTORY.] + +“The victory of Harrison,” said Langdon Cheves, alluding, on the +floor of Congress, to the battle of the Thames, “was such as would +have secured to a Roman general, in the best days of the republic, +the honors of a triumph.” It was the first considerable action in +which the American arms were triumphant, and, in connection with +Perry’s success on Lake Erie, served greatly to revive the drooping +spirits of the American people. The heroes of the two engagements +were toasted and fêted wherever they went; salutes, bonfires, +illuminations, and resolutions of thanks, attested, alike, their +merits, and the gratitude of their countrymen. + +Having completed the object of the expedition, and not having orders +to proceed further into the enemy’s country, General Harrison +commenced his retrograde march to Detroit, eighty miles distant, on +the seventh of October, and arrived there on the tenth. The Kentucky +volunteers were soon after conducted to their homes by the venerable +Governor Shelby, and in a few days General Harrison embarked in the +fleet of Commodore Perry, for Buffalo, with the brigade of General +M’Arthur,--General Cass remaining with his brigade at Detroit. +Harrison reached Buffalo on the twenty-fourth of October; the +brigade of General M’Arthur proceeded down Lake Ontario to join the +unsuccessful expedition under General Wilkinson; and there being a +sufficient number of general officers already assigned to that duty, +General Harrison was permitted to return home on a furlough. + +While at Buffalo, General Harrison addressed a letter to General +Vincent, the officer commanding the British troops in the Peninsula, +in reply to one he had received from General Proctor, immediately +after the battle of the Thames, requesting the restoration of the +private property and papers captured on that occasion. The letter +entered into a lengthy review of the course of the English government +in employing the savages, the barbarities committed by their allies, +and the cruel manner in which prisoners of war had been treated by +both Indians and British; contrasting with the conduct of the English +and their allies, the kindness and clemency which had distinguished +the American officers and soldiers, during the war. While he declared +that, in future, retaliation would be made for Indian outrages, he +appealed to General Vincent, as a man, to exert his influence in +preventing the commission of such atrocities. “Use, I pray you, +your authority and influence,” said the letter of Harrison, “to +stop the dreadful effusion of innocent blood which proceeds from +the employment of those savage monsters, whose aid, as must now be +discovered, is so little to be depended on when most wanted, and +which can have so trifling an effect on the issue of the war.” The +reply of General Vincent to this letter, so creditable to the heart +of the writer, was evasive, although he pledged himself to join with +General Harrison in attempting to alleviate the calamities to which +the latter had referred. + +[Sidenote: DEMONSTRATIONS OF RESPECT.] + +This was the last important act of the military service of General +Harrison. Shortly after the letter was written, he returned home, on +a visit to his family, by way of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, +and Washington; being received at each place on his route with the +most flattering demonstrations of respect. After spending a few +weeks at the capital, he continued his journey homeward, everywhere +encountering the same unmistakable evidences of esteem and gratitude. + +Connected with his stay at Washington, there is an anecdote on +record, which shows that his gallantry towards his fair countrywomen, +was fully equal to that other quality, bearing the same name, that +he had exhibited on the field of battle. At one of the drawing rooms +of Mrs. Madison, a handsome and highly connected lady, one of the +reigning belles at the capital, informed the president that she had +laid her commands on General Harrison to meet her there on that +occasion.--“That he cannot do,” said Mr. Madison, in his usual bland, +but positive tone; “he left Washington this morning, with his horses +and attendants, and must now be some twenty or thirty miles on his +way to the west.”--“Still,” replied the lady, archly, “he must be +here, for I laid my commands on him, and he is too gallant a man to +disobey me!”--“We shall soon see,” returned the president, “whose +orders he obeys.”--After the lapse of a few moments, the question +was settled by the appearance of General Harrison and his suite in +full military costume, and President Madison was for once obliged to +acknowledge that he was mistaken. + +The military districts into which the country was divided during +the war of 1812, were so extensive, that it was very often deemed +necessary to transmit orders directly from the War Department to a +subordinate officer, at the same time forwarding duplicates to the +commander of the district. This practice frequently occasioned, as it +has since done, ill-feeling and dissatisfaction. It was condemned by +General Harrison as being wholly inconsistent with subordination, and +similar views were afterwards taken by some of our most distinguished +officers--among others, Generals Jackson, Scott, and Taylor. Harrison +remonstrated against the practice in earnest terms. The Secretary of +War, General Armstrong, being not well disposed towards him, a sharp +and acrimonious correspondence ensued. President Madison insisted on +continuing the practice, and in the spring of 1814, General Harrison +tendered his resignation. The president was absent from Washington at +the time the letter was received, and the resignation was accepted by +the Secretary. + +President Madison sincerely regretted the separation of General +Harrison from the army, and in a letter soon after written to +Governor Shelby, he said, that the resignation “would not have +been accepted, had he been in Washington.” That his confidence in +Harrison was never in the least degree weakened, is evident, from the +fact that he afterwards employed him to conduct several extremely +difficult negotiations with various tribes of Indians. + +General Harrison continued to discharge the duties of governor of +the territory of Indiana, until it was admitted into the Union as +a state, in 1816, when he retired to his farm at North Bend, a few +miles below Cincinnati, in Hamilton county, Ohio. In the same year +he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the +United States. He afterwards represented the district in which he +resided in the State Senate, and in 1824 was chosen a Senator in +Congress. As a legislator, General Harrison was distinguished for his +practical common sense. Though he spoke but rarely, he was considered +an efficient debater. His views on all subjects were regarded +with respect, and those having reference to the reörganization of +the army, and the peculiar interests of the western states and +territories, were listened to with especial deference. + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED MINISTER TO COLOMBIA.] + +In 1828, at his solicitation, he was appointed by President J. Q. +Adams, Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Colombia. The +distracted condition of the country prevented his accomplishing +anything of importance, though his brief residence there was +signalized by a letter addressed to Bolivar, replete with good +advice, and full of noble and manly sentiments. “To be esteemed +eminently great,” said he, “it is necessary to be eminently good. +The qualities of the hero and the general must be devoted to the +advantage of mankind, before he will be permitted to assume the title +of their benefactor; and the station which he will hold in their +regard and affections, will depend, not upon the number and splendor +of his victories, but upon the results, and the use he may make of +the influence he acquires from them.”--Trite and common-place as +these sentiments may at this day seem to the American reader, had +they but formed the rule of the public conduct of Bolivar, he would +now be remembered only as the Liberator, not as the Dictator. + +On the accession of General Jackson to the presidency, in 1829, +as the views of General Harrison in regard to the Panama question +differed from those of the new administration, he was recalled, and +again returned to the avocations of private life. Though he had had +numerous opportunities of amassing wealth in the various offices +which he had filled, he was still in moderate circumstances. In 1834, +on the almost unanimous petition of the citizens of Hamilton county, +he was appointed prothonotary of the county court, the duties of +which he discharged, in person, for several years. In 1836, he was +supported, in some of the states, though with no expectation of being +elected, for the office of President, and received seventy-three of +the electoral votes. + +He was still leading a happy and contented life in his retirement at +North Bend,-- + + “A simple husbandman, in garments gray,”-- + +when he was nominated as the candidate of the Whig party for the +presidency, in December, 1839. In the following year, he was elected +to the office, over his competitor, Mr. Van Buren, by an overwhelming +majority,--receiving two hundred and thirty-four out of two hundred +and ninety-four electoral votes. On the fourth of March, 1841, he +took the oath of office, and delivered his inaugural address, amid +a large concourse of spectators. Selecting as his cabinet advisers, +some of the most distinguished statesmen of the country, from the +party to which he belonged, he entered on his administration under +the most flattering prospects of success. + +[Sidenote: ELECTED PRESIDENT.--HIS DEATH.] + +One brief month terminated his earthly career, and marred all the +bright hopes of those who had elevated him to that high station. +Instead of the brilliant _cortège_ that accompanied him on the +occasion of his inauguration, another procession--without the joyous +salvos of artillery, or the lively strains of martial music--but +clothed in the habiliments of mourning, with banners shrouded in +crape, with weeping plumes, with arms reversed, and muffled drums, +followed his remains to the Congressional Cemetery. + +A few days after his arrival at Washington, the president caught a +severe cold, which, in connection with the unaccustomed excitement, +and the harassing nature of his new duties, soon prostrated him on a +sick bed. In spite of the utmost efforts of his medical attendants, +he rapidly grew worse. His system had received a fatal shock; and on +the fourth day of April, 1841,--in the same mansion where, nearly +thirty years before, he had attended the gay _soiree_ of Mrs. +Madison--he died, expressing, with his latest breath, as his spirit +gathered its pinions for its eternal flight, his anxious desire, that +the constitution of the country should, in all things, be the guide +of those upon whom his official duties were about to devolve. + +General Harrison was simple and frugal in his habits, and, until +his last fatal illness, enjoyed good bodily health. He was tall and +slender in person, and his dark eyes gleamed with intelligence. An +analysis of his character presents few marked, or striking points. +The qualities of his heart were probably more conspicuous than +those of his head. He was liberal and friendly, social and generous +in his disposition. “His heart,” says Governor Metcalfe, “was +expanded, and always in the right place”:--it was brimful of kindly +affections--overflowing with benevolence and love. + +He possessed a happy combination of mental faculties; he was a +plain, practical man,--a man, not of pretence, but of action. His +voluminous correspondence, as governor of Indiana Territory, his +speeches in Congress, his official dispatches, and his inaugural +address, indicate a sound judgment, strong good sense, and a +well-cultivated mind. His integrity was of that sterling character +which is proof against temptation. As a soldier, he was usually +successful, because he was not rash or impulsive, but cautious and +prudent. He was patient in adversity, and never easily disconcerted; +he was calm, collected, and resolute--and therefore always fitted +for an emergency, how trying soever it might be. But, what was still +worthier and better, throughout his life, even to the closing hour +of his existence, he was cheered and sustained, by the hopes of the +patriot, and the consolations of the Christian. + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [8] The dispatch of General Wayne has been erroneously + printed, without the commendatory notice of + Lieutenant Harrison, and other officers, but it may + be found in the original. + + [9] The expressive term among the Indians for “coward.” + + [10] Among the Kentucky volunteers, concerned in this + expedition, were William T. Barry and Charles A. + Wickliffe, afterwards Postmasters-general of the + United States, and John J. Crittenden, for many years + a distinguished senator in Congress, subsequently + attorney general, again a member of the Senate, and, + at the present time, (1848,) governor of the State of + Kentucky. + + [11] Nevertheless, it was the decided opinion of + Napoleon, (Las Casas, vii., 184,) that cavalry must + always break infantry, if led by equally brave + and resolute men. His cavalry won the victories + of Marengo, Austerlitz, and Jena; and a charge of + English dragoons, on the flank of his Old Guard, lost + him the day at Waterloo. It should be borne in mind, + however, that the mounted men of Colonel Johnson were + armed with rifles only, and, with the exception of + the officers, were without pistols and sabres. + + [12] The honor of killing Tecumseh has been denied + Colonel Johnson upon strong circumstantial evidence. + In opposition to this we have the sincere belief of + the Colonel himself, that he shot the distinguished + Indian chief with his pistol; he could not well + be positive upon the subject, as he sank upon his + dying steed, the moment after he fired his piece, + completely exhausted from the loss of blood. His + bravery, however, cannot be questioned,--though + Tecumseh may not have fallen by his hand,--as he was + borne from the field in a blanket, while his blood + ran out at the ends. + + + + + ANDREW JACKSON. + + +“It is not in Indian wars”, said an eloquent writer and speaker of a +by-gone age,[13] “that heroes are celebrated; but in them they are +formed.”--Applied to the subject of this biographical sketch, the +remark is partly correct, partly not correct. His brilliant success +at New Orleans undoubtedly eclipsed all his former victories; but, +had that battle never been fought, it may be questioned whether the +Creek campaign would not have established his celebrity as a hero, +beyond dispute. Yet it must be admitted, that his military experience +was mainly acquired, and his military character formed, amid the +hardships and vicissitudes, the trials and dangers, of that campaign. +In this respect, he resembles some of the most eminent warriors that +America has produced, many of whom laid the foundation of future +renown and distinction, in the border wars with the aboriginal +inhabitants, which grew out of the discovery and settlement of the +country, or the subsequent encroachments of the whites. + +The father of Andrew Jackson, though a native of Ireland, was +of Scotch descent.--During the reign of Henry II, in 1172, the +subjugation of the Emerald Isle was effected,--not so much by the +superior bravery of the English soldiery, as by the defection of +her own sons. The conquest entailed, on both oppressor and victim, +a fruitful legacy of war and bloodshed. It was followed by years of +strife and dissension--by centuries of tyrannical misrule on the one +hand, and resistance to wrong on the other. Time did not change the +character of the Irish peasantry; they were no loyal subjects of +their new masters,--neither did they remit their efforts to regain +their independence. Among other expedients resorted to by the English +government, for confirming their ascendancy, was the confiscation of +all the lands in Ulster, and large portions of the other provinces. +These were granted to new proprietors, and measures were taken to +colonize them from England and Scotland. + +The Jackson family emigrated from Scotland at a very remote period, +and settled in the county of Antrim. Whether it was on account of +their proximity to the ancient seat of the O’Neals, in Tyrone, or +their intermarriage and intercourse with the original natives of +the country, is unknown; but it is nevertheless certain, that they +soon became imbued with the spirit of disaffection that had so long +prevailed in that quarter; and when the colonists began to experience +the bitterness of oppression, they, too, learned to hate the name and +authority of England. + +Hugh Jackson, the grandfather of General Jackson, was a linen-draper, +and resided near Carrickfergus, on the Lough of Belfast. He had four +sons, who were plain respectable farmers, liberal and hospitable, +of strict integrity, and, like their forefathers, firm in their +adherence to the Church of Scotland. Andrew, the youngest, married +Elizabeth Hutchinson, by whom he had two sons, Hugh and Robert, +born in Ireland. Tired of the ceaseless turmoil and confusion that +distracted the country, and despairing of the success of any attempt +to relieve the Irish people from the grievances of which they +complained, he sold his farm, and, in 1765, determined to seek a more +tranquil and peaceful home in the western wilderness. Accompanied by +three of his neighbors, James, Robert, and Joseph Crawford, the first +of whom had married a sister of his wife, he embarked for America +with his family, and landed in safety, at Charleston, South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: HIS BIRTH.] + +Dissatisfied with the low country bordering on the coast, the +immigrants pushed into the interior of the colony. Lands were +purchased, and they all settled near each other, on Waxhaw creek, +one of the branches of the Catawba, in Lancaster district, about +forty-five miles above Camden, and near the boundary line of +North Carolina. Here, in this fine and healthy region, agreeably +diversified with hills and dales, and drained by the romantic +Catawba, Andrew Jackson, the younger, was born, on the fifteenth day +of March, 1767. + +Not long after the birth of his third son, the elder Jackson died, +leaving to his wife and children a limited property, yet with +an honest and unsullied name. A double duty now devolved on the +surviving parent. Faithfully and nobly was it discharged. To the +resolute firmness and unflinching fortitude of the Spartan mother, +she united the piety and resignation, the trustful faith and +confidence, of the devoted Christian. Naturally gifted with a strong +mind, early disciplined in the school of adversity, and strengthened +by Him who is ever the stay and helper of the widow and orphan, no +difficulties deterred her from the accomplishment of her high and +holy task. + +The property of which Mrs. Jackson was left in possession, consisted +of a new farm, without slaves; and it required the constant practice +of the most rigid economy and prudence, to enable her to provide +for the maintenance and education of her three young sons. After +her husband’s death, she took charge of Mr. Crawford’s family,--her +sister, Mrs. Crawford, being in feeble health. Her two younger sons, +Robert and Andrew, remained with her, and the oldest went to reside +with a neighbor. Hugh and Robert received only a common-school +education; but Andrew was designed by the, perhaps, partial mother, +for a more enlarged sphere of usefulness. She intended him for the +church, and therefore sent him to the Waxhaw Academy, then under the +charge of Mr. Humphries, where he acquired a knowledge of the various +English branches taught at that time, and had made considerable +progress in the Latin and Greek languages, when the ravages of the +revolutionary war, approaching nearer to this remote settlement, put +an end to his studies. + +Sentiments of patriotism were early imbibed by the sons of Mrs. +Jackson. Her instructions, and the example of their friends and +kindred, inspired them, in childhood, with an ardent love of +liberty. Reminiscences of “father-land” were often mingled with +her teachings; she recounted deeds of cruelty and oppression that +fired their youthful bosoms with indignation; she told them of the +injustice under which their ancestors had suffered, and from which +their father had fled; and she reminded them, also, that the same +tyrannical power which had perpetrated these wrongs, was endeavoring +to reduce the American colonists to a state of abject and hopeless +slavery. Soon they beheld the watch-fires of liberty blazing up +on every hill-top and mountain, and heard the deep thunders of +war echoing through the pine-barrens and savannas of their own +sunny clime. The young and middle-aged men, in the Waxhaws and its +vicinity, were enrolled in companies, and met frequently for military +discipline, while their gray-headed sires looked on approvingly, and +bade them never shame the blood from which they sprung. + +Boys though they were, the young Jacksons became deeply imbued with +the prevailing spirit. This was especially the case with Andrew, who +longed for the hour to arrive, when he would be able to shoulder +a musket, and perform some doughty enterprise, in defence of the +liberties of his country. + +[Sidenote: INVASION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.] + +The officers charged with, what proved to be the Sisyphian task, of +subjugating the colonial rebels, made their first principal efforts +in the northern provinces.[14] Foiled, or beaten here, they turned +their attention to the South. Savannah was reduced in December, 1778, +and South Carolina invaded in the spring of 1779. Among those who +marched out to meet the enemy, was Hugh Jackson, the oldest of the +three brothers; he belonged to the company commanded by Captain, +afterwards Colonel Davie, and was present at the battle of Stono, on +the twentieth of June, where he lost his life from the excessive +heat of the day. Early in 1780, a more formidable effort was made by +the enemy, in South Carolina. Charleston was invested by a strong +force, under Sir Henry Clinton, on the thirtieth of March; General +Lincoln, then at the head of the southern army, stoutly defended the +post, but was compelled to capitulate on the twelfth of May. + +After the surrender of Charleston, the British commander divided his +army into three columns; one being directed to move up the Savannah +river to Augusta, another up the Congaree and Saluda to Ninety-six, +and the third, under Lord Cornwallis, up the Wateree to Camden. At +this time, there were several detachments, belonging to the American +army, in the country, who were not included in the capitulation. +One of these, consisting of about four hundred men, with two pieces +of artillery, was commanded by Colonel Buford, who, on the advance +of Cornwallis, retired up the Catawba, towards Charlotte, in North +Carolina. Colonel Tarleton was immediately dispatched, with two +hundred and seventy mounted men, in pursuit; by making rapid marches, +he came up with the party under Colonel Buford, at the Waxhaw +settlement, on the twenty-ninth of May. A brief, but bloody contest, +took place; the Americans were soon overcome by the dragoons of +Tarleton; quarter was rarely given when demanded; upwards of two +hundred and sixty of the detachment were killed, or desperately +wounded; and their artillery, with their ammunition and stores, fell +into the hands of the enemy. + +[Sidenote: DEFEAT OF COLONEL BUFORD’S PARTY.] + +A great portion of the American soldiers wounded in this conflict +were paroled on the spot, and left at the Waxhaws, to the humanity +of the inhabitants. The latter were not wanting in kind and generous +feelings, and their sympathy was freely bestowed on those who had +suffered and endured so much in behalf of the common cause. The +meeting-house in the settlement was speedily converted into a +hospital; nurses were provided,--Mrs. Jackson offering her services +with others; and every attention was paid to the comfort and wants of +the unfortunate victims of the brutal ferocity of Tarleton and his +followers. This was the first lesson learned by Andrew Jackson from +actual observation, in regard to the horrors of war,--and it produced +a powerful impression on his mind. So far from being intimidated, +however, by the sufferings which he witnessed, his desire for taking +part in the struggle was only stimulated and quickened. + +Not long after this bloody catastrophe, Lord Rawdon was dispatched by +Cornwallis into the Waxhaw settlement, with a large body of troops, +to practice the same sanguinary measures which had been adopted in +other parts of the province. Upon the fall of Charleston, marauding +parties of British dragoons were sent out to scour the country; +the timid were conciliated, and the refractory punished; rapine, +murder, and violence, were committed with impunity; members of the +same family were arrayed against each other, and all were made to +suffer the misery and wretchedness ever attendant on civil war. The +loyalists, or Tories, gladly hailed the appearance of the British +troops; others consented to take protection, as it was called, in +the hope, often a mistaken one, of enjoying an immunity from attack; +but there were many who refused to waver in their allegiance to the +Confederation. + +Mrs. Jackson and her two sons, with a number of the Waxhaw settlers, +retired before Lord Rawdon, into North Carolina, where they remained +for several days, and until he was recalled to Camden. Resistance +had now nearly ceased; and the British officers began to flatter +themselves with the belief that the province was completely subdued. +But a few weeks elapsed, however, ere General Sumter, who resided +near the Waxhaws, returned from North Carolina, where he had also +been a voluntary exile, and raised the patriot standard, at the head +of his small but gallant band. Other partisan corps, under Marion, +Pickens, and Davie, were soon formed. Without pay; scantily supplied +with clothing and subsistence; provided with guns of every form and +calibre, and swords and lances fashioned out of the rude implements +of husbandry; and mainly relying for ammunition on their captures +from the enemy,--these brave yeomen rendezvoused in the swamps and +forests of South Carolina, where they bivouacked, night after night, +in the open air, and from which they darted forth on detached parties +of British and Tories, like the eagle on its prey. + +[Sidenote: HIS FIRST BATTLE.] + +On the thirtieth of July, General Sumter, with about six hundred +men, made an unsuccessful attack on the advanced post of the +British, at Rocky Mount. Three desperate efforts demonstrated the +impracticability of carrying the enemy’s fortifications, and being +entirely without cannon, he was obliged to draw off his command. He +was now reïnforced by a party of the Waxhaw settlers, under Colonel +Davie, and, on the sixth of August, proceeded against the post +at Hanging Rock, midway between Camden and the Waxhaws. The first +onset was attended with complete success. The enemy were driven +from their camp, and took shelter in the main work. Unfortunately, +many of Sumter’s men had fasted so long, that they preferred to +search for something to eat and drink, rather than to advance and +secure the victory, by carrying the post, which might then have been +easily accomplished. A quantity of liquor was found in the camp, and +they commenced drinking, in opposition to the urgent remonstrances +of their commander. Apprehending the worst consequences if they +remained, he resolved to retire to his encampment before they became +wholly ungovernable. + +The corps of Colonel Davie particularly distinguished itself +on this occasion. Prominent among its members, were Lieutenant +James Crawford, and Robert and Andrew Jackson,--the latter a mere +stripling, but thirteen years of age; yet, in heart and soul, he was +a man. This was his first battle, and the accounts we have of it show +that both he and his brother rendered good service. + +Ten days after this affair, General Gates was terribly defeated by +Lord Cornwallis, and, two days later, General Sumter, overburdened +with baggage and prisoners--having recently captured a convoy of +British stores, with their escort, coming up from Charleston to +Camden--was surprised by Colonel Tarleton, and his band routed and +dispersed. Following up the advantage he had gained, Cornwallis +marched with his whole army, on the eighth of September, in the +direction of Charlotte, whither the remnant of Gates’ army had +fled. On his approach to the Waxhaw settlement, Mrs. Jackson again +retired into North Carolina, passing through Charlotte, on her way to +Guilford county, on the morning of the day upon which the British van +approached the town. She was accompanied by her two sons, neither of +whom, on account of their youth, was yet permanently attached to a +military corps. + +Cornwallis soon found great difficulty in maintaining himself at +Charlotte. His communications with the seaboard were cut off, and his +supplies intercepted, by the partisans; and his position became still +more embarrassing, upon the defeat, and almost total annihilation, +of Major Ferguson’s command, at King’s Mountain, on the seventh of +October. He therefore determined to retreat, before he was entirely +surrounded by the aroused and patriotic militia of the Carolinas. On +the fourteenth of October, he retraced his steps to the Waxhaws, and +shortly after established himself at Winnsborough, where he awaited +the arrival of reinforcements. + +Besides other affairs, of minor importance, but equally honorable +to the American cause, the battle of the Cowpens, and the masterly +retreat of General Greene, took place during the ensuing winter, +while Mrs. Jackson and her sons, with other Waxhaw settlers, remained +in North Carolina. Early in February, 1781, Cornwallis crossed the +Yadkin, in pursuit of Greene; and she and her friends thereupon +returned to their homes, although they were in the immediate vicinity +of the British posts, and the country around was full of armed +parties of Tories, whose cruelties and enormities were every day +becoming more barbarous and revolting. + +[Sidenote: DARING AND RESOLUTION.] + +The struggle now began to assume, especially in the Carolinas, a yet +more direful aspect. A fierce war of extermination was waged between +Whigs and Tories. The two parties, or factions--call them what we +may--could not exist on the same soil. The former had imperilled +everything in the effort to secure their independence, and they +fought for the safety, not merely of themselves, but of their wives +and children, their property, their all! Boys, as well as men, +engaged in this bloody warfare, and it was amid its trying scenes, +that the stern and inflexible daring and resolution were formed and +manifested, which distinguished Andrew Jackson in after life. + +The two young Jacksons kept their horses and guns, like their +neighbors, and were always ready for any enterprise of danger or +difficulty. Among other services which they performed, was that +of keeping guard at the houses of the Whig officers who resided +near them, when they desired to visit their families. The conduct +of Andrew on one of these occasions,--his rapidity of thought and +action,--afforded a signal presage of future ability:-- + +A captain in the colonial service, by the name of Lands, desired to +spend a night with his family, at his house, on the right bank of the +Catawba, a short distance below the mouth of the Waxhaw. Robert and +Andrew Jackson, one of the Crawfords, and five other men, including +a recent deserter from the British army, constituted his guard. With +the captain, there were nine men, and but seven muskets. Having no +apprehensions of an attack, they laid down on their arms, upon the +floor of the house, and all went to sleep, except the deserter, whose +fears of a recapture kept him awake. Meantime a party of Tories, who +had been apprised of Lands’ return, were on the way to surprise and +kill him. The house was approached on the south, by a road leading +through a wood. The Tories gained the rear of the stable, that stood +in one corner of the inclosed yard around the house, unobserved. +Behind this their horses were tied, and, dividing into two parties, +they then advanced against the dwelling, which had two doors; one +facing the east,--in front of which was a forked apple tree,--and the +other the west. + +The deserter, who remained on the watch, hearing a noise about the +stable, went out to discover from whence it proceeded. He had gone, +but a few steps from the door, when he descried the party of Tories +approaching the east end of the building. Instantly darting back, +he caught Andrew Jackson, who lay nearest the door, by the hair, +crying out in alarm, “The Tories are upon us--the Tories are upon +us!” Andrew was on his feet in a moment; seizing his gun, he darted +out of the house, and thrusting the piece through the fork of the +apple tree, loudly hailed the advancing party. No answer was given. +He repeated the hail,--still there was no reply. He then fired, +and at the same instant a volley was returned by the enemy, which +killed the deserter, who stood at his side. This prompt movement on +his part, however, saved the inmates of the house. The first party +of Tories were brought to a stand, and, in the darkness, their fire +was mistaken by their comrades, who were moving towards the west +door, for that of a sallying party. The latter also halted, and a +brisk fire commenced between the two parties. After discharging his +piece, Andrew Jackson returned into the house, and, with two others, +commenced firing from the west door. Both his companions were shot +down, one of them being mortally wounded; but he escaped untouched. +The two bands of Tories still continued to pour their volleys into +each other, and upon the house, till they were alarmed by the notes +of a cavalry trumpet, sounding the charge, in the distance, when they +mounted their horses, and fled in hot haste. The charge was sounded +by a Major Isbel, who was in the neighborhood, but had not a single +man with him. He had heard the firing, and, presuming that Lands’ +house was attacked, had taken this means to alarm the assailants, +which fortunately proved effectual. + +[Sidenote: ATTACK ON THE WAXHAW SETTLERS.] + +After the departure of Cornwallis from South Carolina, Lord Rawdon, +whose head-quarters were at Camden, was left in command. By this +time, the stubborn patriotism of the Waxhaw settlers was well +understood; and on being advised of their return, he dispatched +Major Coffin, with a corps of light dragoons, a company of infantry, +and a number of Tories, to capture them. On being informed of +their danger, the settlers resolved that they would no longer fly, +but maintain their ground at all hazards. A day was appointed for +the male inhabitants in the settlement, capable of bearing arms, +to assemble at the Waxhaw meeting-house, which was fixed upon as +the place of rendezvous. Punctual, at the time and place, about +forty of the settlers,--Robert and Andrew Jackson being among the +number,--had collected, and were waiting for a friendly company, +under Captain Nesbit, when they saw what they supposed to be the +expected reïnforcement,--but which, in reality, was the detachment +of Major Coffin, with the Tories, who wore the usual dress of the +country, in front,--approaching at a rapid rate. The deception was +not discovered, till the British dashed in among them, cleaving down +all who stood in their way. Eleven of the party were taken prisoners; +the remainder sprang upon their horses, and most of them made their +escape. + +Andrew Jackson was accompanied in his flight, by his cousin, +Lieutenant Thomas Crawford; but, in passing over a piece of marshy +ground, the horse of the latter mired and fell, and he was wounded +and taken prisoner. Young Jackson shortly after encountered his +brother, who had also eluded pursuit. They remained together +during the night, and, at dawn on the following morning, concealed +themselves in a dense thicket, on the bank of Cain Creek, near the +house of Lieutenant Crawford. During the day they became very hungry, +and, deeming themselves secure, ventured out to the house. A boy was +directed to watch the road; but while* they were satisfying their +hunger, a band of Tories and dragoons, who had discovered their +retreat, and captured their horses and guns, which were left behind +them, suddenly made their appearance, and surrounded the house. +Resistance could be of no avail, and escape was impossible. They +therefore surrendered themselves prisoners of war. + +[Sidenote: TAKEN PRISONER TO CAMDEN.] + +Not content with the capture of the two young men, the dragoons +and Tories commenced abusing and maltreating Mrs. Crawford and her +children. The crockery and furniture in the house were broken in +pieces; and the beds and bedding, and all the clothing of the family, +including that of an infant at the breast, was torn into shreds. +While the work of destruction was going on, the British officer, in +command of the party, directed Andrew Jackson to clean the mud from +his boots. As might be supposed, he indignantly refused to do the +menial office. Enraged at this reply, the officer drew his sword, +and aimed a dastard blow at the head of his unarmed prisoner. The +latter parried it with his left hand, but, in so doing, received a +cut, the scar of which was carried to his grave. Disappointed in the +spirit of the intrepid youth, the officer turned to his brother, and +required him to perform the task. Robert likewise refused; a furious +blow from the infuriated Briton, was the consequence; and a wound was +inflicted, from the effect of which his victim never recovered. + +Andrew Jackson was then placed on a horse, and directed, under +a threat of instant death if he refused, to guide the party to +the house of Major Thompson, a well-known Whig, who lived below +Crawford’s, on the same side of the stream. Fearing that Thompson +might be at home, our hero resorted to a stratagem to save him; +which, though it might naturally have suggested itself to his mind, +seems strange enough when we reflect that it was not only conceived, +but executed, by a lad scarcely fourteen years of age.--Leading the +party by a circuitous route, he brought them within full view of +Thompson’s house, at the distance of a half mile. Nothing more was +necessary. The dragoons spurred onward, but they were still several +hundred yards distant, when they saw the major issue forth, mount +his horse, which, as was then customary, was kept ready saddled, and +dash towards the creek. The British darted after him in pursuit, but +reached the stream only in time to hear his loud shout of defiance, +as he rode leisurely off along the opposite bank. The current was so +much swollen by the influx during the rainy season, that they dare +not attempt to cross it, and therefore reluctantly abandoned the +chase. + +After this unsuccessful attempt to capture the Whig officer, the +two Jacksons, with about twenty other prisoners, were mounted on +captured horses, and the party set out on their return to Camden. Not +a mouthful of food, or drop of water, was given them on the road; and +when they reached Camden, they were thrust into a redoubt surrounding +the jail, in which some two hundred and fifty prisoners, besides +those taken at the Waxhaws, were confined. Here they were stripped of +part of their clothing,--Andrew losing his jacket and shoes; their +wounds were undressed; no attention was paid to their wants; and when +the relationship between the two Jacksons and Lieutenant Crawford was +discovered, they were instantly separated, and kept in ignorance of +each other’s fate. The Provost was a Tory from New York, who, it was +afterwards said, took the provisions intended for the prisoners, to +feed a number of negroes whom he had collected from different Whig +plantations, with the intention of disposing of them for his own +benefit. Be that as it may, the prisoners were but sparingly supplied +with bad bread; and to add to their wretchedness, the smallpox +appeared among them, and made frightful ravages. + +Amid the accumulated horrors of his prison-house, with sickness +and starvation staring him in the face, the groans of the dying +constantly ringing in his ears, and hourly exposed to the +ill-treatment of his captors,--Andrew Jackson never lost the +fearlessness of spirit which ever distinguished him. Availing himself +of a favorable opportunity, he boldly remonstrated with the officer +of the guard, in behalf of himself and his suffering companions. His +remonstrances had the desired effect; meat was added to the rations, +and, in other respects, the condition of the prisoners was decidedly +improved. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF HOBKIRK’S HILL.] + +Matters were in this situation, when General Greene returned from +North Carolina, in April, 1781, and encamped, with his army, on +Hobkirk’s Hill, a little over a mile north of Camden, waiting only +the arrival of his cannon, before making his dispositions to assault +the post. + +On the morning of the twenty-fourth of April, Andrew Jackson +discovered indications of a design to attack General Greene. The jail +and redoubt stood on the eminence upon which Camden is situated, and +a fine view would have been afforded of the encampment on Hobkirk’s +Hill, had not the British taken the precaution to construct a +high and tight plank fence on the redoubt, immediately after the +arrival of the American army in the neighborhood. He was determined, +nevertheless, to obtain a view of the anticipated conflict; and, by +working nearly all night, with an old razor-blade, furnished the +prisoners to cut their rations, he succeeded in digging out a knot in +one of the planks. When Lord Rawdon led out his men, on the morning +of the twenty-fifth, for a bold stroke at the American leader, +Andrew mounted the breastwork, and placed himself at the look-out, +while his fellow prisoners gathered in groups below him, listening +attentively, as he detailed the varied incidents of the day. + +His voice was tremulous with apprehension, as he informed his +companions, that the Americans had been taken unawares, and their +pickets were driven in; it was pitched to a louder key, when the +cannon of Greene opened their brazen throats, and vomited forth +torrents of flame and iron, tearing and rending through the British +columns; again it sank, as the enemy rallied, and pushed boldly +forward; it rose once more, when the regiments of Ford and Campbell +pressed gallantly upon their flanks--when Washington and his brave +dragoons came thundering down in their rear--and he caught sight of +the glistening bayonets of the 1st Maryland, and the Virginians, as +they prepared to charge home upon their assailants; it fell again, +as the veteran regiment of Gunby recoiled before the British fire, +and died away into a whisper, when all hope of deliverance vanished, +as the beaten, but not routed Greene, retired slowly over the hill, +and the pursuit was only checked by the timely charge of Washington’s +cavalry. + +[Sidenote: RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY.] + +The Jacksons were not deserted by one friend, in their +confinement--the mother who had reared them to serve their country, +and who knew no prouder joy, than to see them do their duty well. She +followed them to Camden, to aid and succor them, and, soon after the +battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, procured their exchange, with five of their +neighbors, for thirteen British soldiers, captured by a Whig partisan +captain, by the name of Walker. Pale, emaciated, barefooted, almost +naked, and infected with the smallpox, they presented themselves +before their surviving parent. The wound in Robert’s head had never +been dressed; and this, in connection with hunger, and the disease +that had fastened itself upon him, had reduced him so low, that he +was unable even to ride, except as he was held on a horse. + +There were but two horses for the whole party, consisting of +Mrs. Jackson and her sons, and the other released prisoners, who +accompanied them home. Mrs. Jackson rode one, and Robert was +supported on the other by his companions. Thus wearily and sadly, +did they perform their melancholy journey of more than forty +miles, through a country blighted by the ravages of war, as if the +lightnings of Heaven had scathed it. Within two hours’ ride of the +Waxhaws, they were overtaken by a shower of rain, by which the +company were completely drenched. The smallpox was driven in on +both the boys; Robert died in two days; and Andrew at once became +delirious. The fever raged violently for several days, and his +case was regarded nearly hopeless. The kind nursing of his patient +and devoted mother, and the attentions of his physician, at length +triumphed over the disease, and restored him to consciousness and +health. + +He had scarcely recovered his strength, when his mother, with +characteristic energy and fortitude, in company with four or five +other ladies, providing themselves with such necessaries as could +be conveniently carried on horseback, set out to visit a number +of the Waxhaw settlers, including some of the Crawfords, who had +been taken by the enemy, and were confined on board the Charleston +prison-ship--whose history, like that of the Old Jersey, at New +York, is but a tale of unmitigated horror and suffering. These good +Samaritan women reached Charleston, obtained permission to visit +the vessel--a privilege that had always been refused to relatives +and friends of the other sex--and delivered the supplies which they +had brought. Mrs. Jackson, however, never returned from this errand +of love and mercy. Enfeebled by constant care and privation, worn +down by the numerous hardships and fatigues which she had endured, +she was seized with the fever prevailing among the prisoners, which +soon terminated her existence. She was buried near the enemy’s +lines, in the vicinity of Charleston, in an unknown grave;--but her +memory, in after times, was doubly honored, as that of the noble, +self-sacrificing mother, of Andrew Jackson! + +Solitary and alone, her orphan son, at the time when he most needed +the care and advice of a parent, was cast upon the world, to buffet, +as he might, the billows of adverse fortune. His home was, indeed, +desolate. Like Logan, there ran not a drop of his blood in the veins +of any living creature. Mother and brothers,--all had perished--the +victims of English cruelty!--Is it to be wondered, then, that he +cherished such a feeling of animosity towards the British name; or +that he hated everything akin to oppression, with a hatred so deep +and fervent? + +[Sidenote: CLOSE OF THE WAR.] + +Early in the summer of 1781, the British voluntarily evacuated, or +were driven from, all their advanced posts outside of Orangeburg. +General Greene retired with his army, during the hot season, to the +hills of Santee, but again made his appearance in the lower country, +near the close of the month of August, with his command refreshed +and reïnvigorated. In September, he fought the indecisive battle at +Eutaw Springs. The palm of victory was disputed, but the substantial +advantages of the action were his; and when the campaign closed, the +enemy were cooped up in Charleston and Savannah.--In October, the war +was finally terminated, by the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. + +After the evacuation of Camden, the Waxhaw settlers, or rather, +those of them who had survived the perils of war, found the security +and repose which had so long been denied. Andrew Jackson remained, +for some time subsequent to the death of his mother, at the house +of Major Thomas Crawford; but, in consequence of a difficulty with +Captain Galbraith, an American commissary, whose quarters were at +the same place, and who became offended with him for some trifling +cause, he afterwards entered the family of Mr. Joseph White, an uncle +of Mrs. Crawford. Mr. White’s son was a saddler, and Andrew, though +suffering all the while with the fever and ague, entered his shop, +and assisted him as far as he was able. + +Unfortunately for him, the enemy still remained in the possession of +Charleston, and many of its wealthiest and most polished citizens +resided, temporarily, at the Waxhaws, and in the neighborhood. It +was quite natural, in the reäction of his ardent temperament, after +the first shock of his sad bereavement had passed away, that a +carelessness and recklessness of disposition should be manifested. +His associates were the young men from the city, and, with them, he +spent most of his time in idle sports and amusements. The studies, +which had been necessarily interrupted during the war, were totally +neglected; his books were thrown aside; and a large portion of his +little patrimony was squandered, in the vain effort to compete with +his more wealthy associates, in the liberality of his expenditures. +When they returned to Charleston, in the winter of 1784, he followed +them on a fine mare belonging to him. He found some of his old +companions in the tavern where he stopped, with whom he engaged in a +game of dice, called “Rattle and Snap.” His mare was staked against a +sum of money--and he won. Inspired by a sudden thought, he pocketed +the money, paid his bill, and returned home; with a determination, to +which he inflexibly adhered, to change his course of life. + +How many there are, who would have yielded, like Andrew Jackson, to +the Circean charms and fascinations of a career of dissipation!--how +few, like him, would have paused at the very entrance of the vortex, +and, in an instant, effected an entire reformation!--The descent to +Avernus is easy, said the Cumæan Sibyl:-- + + “Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras, + Hoc opus, hic labor est.” + +Had he remained in Charleston another day, perhaps another hour, he +might have gone down to an early grave, unhonored and unlamented. +Though he came off conqueror in a dozen well-fought fields, this was +the noblest of his victories--the conquest over himself! + +[Sidenote: EMIGRATES TO TENNESSEE.] + +Arrived at the Waxhaws, young Jackson collected together the remains +of his small property, and, bidding adieu to his friends, repaired +to Salisbury, in North Carolina; where he commenced the study of +the law, in the office of Spruce McCay, an eminent counsellor, and +afterwards a distinguished judge of that state. His untiring industry +and zeal, his talents, and his correct and manly deportment, soon won +the favorable esteem of Judge McCay, and other prominent citizens +of North Carolina, whose acquaintance he formed. His professional +studies were completed under Colonel John Stokes, and, in 1786, he +was admitted to the bar. He remained in the state about two years +subsequent to this, constantly gaining ground in the regard of his +new friends and acquaintances; and in 1788, at the age of twenty-one, +without solicitation on his part, he was appointed by the governor, +solicitor for the western district, which afterwards became the state +of Tennessee. + +Near the close of the year 1788, in company with John McNairy, +the newly appointed judge of the western district, he crossed the +mountains, for the purpose of entering upon his official duties, and +establishing himself in practice. Jonesborough was then the principal +seat of justice, and they remained there for several months. + +The country was rapidly filling up with the hunters of North Carolina +and Virginia,--“the pioneers of civilization,”--who fearlessly +entered the unbroken forest, with the axe in one hand and the rifle +in the other. The territory lying between the Ohio and Tennessee +rivers had long before received the name of Kentuckeè, or the +“Bloody Land,” on account of its being the battle, as well as the +hunting ground, of the Northern and Southern Indians. The valley +of the Cumberland river contained some of the most fertile and +beautiful lands, and abounded in the finest game. The principal +tide of emigration, therefore, naturally turned in this direction, +notwithstanding the settlers thereby brought upon themselves the +animosity of both parties of Indians. + +In 1789, Judge McNairy, and his friend, first visited the infant +settlements on the Cumberland, including that at French Creek, +near the present site of Nashville. Most of the settlers resided +in stations,--frequently built on the _stamping grounds_ of the +buffalo,--which were usually connected by the _traces_ of the wild +beasts, that everywhere intersected the surrounding forests. The log +cabin was the abode of all classes,--but these primitive dwellings +were, perhaps, oftener tenanted by happiness and joy, than the marble +palaces of the great and opulent. Theirs was a life of peril, indeed; +but it was well suited to Jackson’s adventurous disposition, and he +gladly shared their dangers and vicissitudes, and participated in +their sports and festivities. + +He was still undecided in regard to locating permanently in the +district, when he arrived at the settlements on the Cumberland. He +found, however, that the debtor class constituted a large proportion +of the population, and that, having retained the only lawyer in West +Tennessee in their interest, they were enabled to set their creditors +at defiance. The latter flocked around him in crowds, and in a few +days after his arrival he issued a great number of writs. Threats of +personal violence were employed, in vain, to intimidate him; they had +only the opposite effect, and induced him to remain, and establish +himself in the neighborhood of Nashville. At that time there were no +hotels, or regular boarding-houses, in the country, and none were +needed,--as travellers, men of business, and professional men, were +cheerfully entertained by private families. Jackson, and the late +Judge Overton, boarded together, with Mrs. Donelson, the widow of +Colonel John Donelson, who had, some years previous, emigrated from +Virginia to Kentucky, and thence to Tennessee. + +[Sidenote: ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS.] + +Business of a public, or private nature, often called Jackson to +Jonesborough, about two hundred miles distant from Nashville, from +which it was separated by a dense wilderness, with only here and +there a small station. In those days, a journey was not the pastime +which it has latterly become; and the traveller enjoyed few of +the comforts, and none of the luxuries, which modern civilization +has introduced. A horse; a rifle, to be slung over the shoulder; +a hunting knife; a portmanteau, containing a few clothes and +provisions; and a blanket,--constituted his preparations for the +road. Sometimes journeys were performed singly, but, more generally, +in companies. At night, the travellers lighted a fire with a +tinder-box, or the flash of a rifle; and their horses were picketed. +If they were supplied with bacon, or game, it was roasted on a stick; +otherwise, jerked meat, parched maize, and the tough corn-dodger, +formed their frugal repast. After partaking of this, sentinels were +posted, if an attack from the Indians was apprehended; and, wrapping +themselves in their blankets, they lay down to sleep, with naught but +the blue canopy of heaven over their heads. + +Numerous anecdotes are related of the fearlessness and intrepidity +displayed by Andrew Jackson, when performing these weary pilgrimages +through the forests of Tennessee. On one occasion, in the month +of March, he was on his way from Jonesborough to the Cumberland, +with three companions, and reached the east side of the Emory, just +below the gap in the mountains, shortly after dark. The fires of a +large party of Indians being discovered on the opposite bank, he +instantly assumed the direction of affairs, and, enjoining silence +upon his comrades, led them back some distance into the mountains. +They then left the road at different points, in order to elude +pursuit,--reunited again, and proceeded up the stream, until two +o’clock in the afternoon of the following day, when they attempted to +cross it, at a basin between two cataracts. + +A raft was constructed of logs bound firmly together with hickory +withes, upon which their clothes, blankets, saddles, rifles and +ammunition, were placed; Jackson and one of his companions intending +to cross first with these, and then, at a second trip, with their +comrades, to swim the horses over alongside the raft. But on pushing +from the shore, the under-tow seized the frail craft, and hurried +it rapidly down the stream. Jackson and his friend vainly exerted +themselves to arrest its progress; they were fast nearing the brink +of the cataract, when the former, wrenching one of the rude oars +from its fastenings, sprang to the stern, and braced himself there; +at the same time holding out the oar to his companions on shore. +They eagerly seized it, and drew the raft safe to land, just as it +was quivering on the edge of the fall. On being chided for his too +venturesome disposition, Jackson replied, “A miss is as good as a +mile; you see how near I can graze danger--come on, and I will save +you yet.”--The route up the stream was now resumed, and, after +spending another night, supperless, in the woods, they found a ford +the next day, at which they crossed, and ultimately reached a log +cabin on the road, about forty miles in rear of the Indian encampment. + +[Sidenote: DESERTED BY HIS GUIDE.] + +At another time, he reached Bean’s Station, the appointed rendezvous +of a party with whom he designed to cross the wilderness, on the +evening after they had left. Nowise daunted by the perils of the +way, he provided himself with a guide, and set out to overtake +them. He travelled all night, and, in the gray of the morning, +came to the fires just deserted by the party before him. Pushing +on, with increased speed, he soon discovered the trail of a body +of Indians, twenty-two in number, who were evidently pursuing his +friends in front. He still followed on, until he was close upon the +savages, when the guide began to hesitate about advancing further, +and finally refused, absolutely, to proceed. This was an unexpected +dilemma, but Jackson neither feared danger, nor was he the man to +desert his friends. Dividing provisions with his timid guide, the +latter returned to the station, and he continued on cautiously, in +the opposite direction. Presently he found that the Indians had +turned off to the right, as he supposed, to get ahead of the party, +and lay an ambush for them, or attack them at night. He at once +hastened forward with greater rapidity, and came up with his friends, +as they were preparing to encamp for the night. Being apprised +of their danger, in a few moments they were again in motion, and +continued their march without halting, till the evening of the next +day. Nothing further was heard from the Indians, till the party had +reached their destination, in safety; when it was ascertained that +a company of hunters, who had refused to shelter them in their log +cabins, had been murdered by the same band of savages from whom they +had so fortunately escaped. + +Besides crossing the wilderness intervening between Jonesborough +and the Cumberland twenty-two times, while the country was yet new, +Jackson frequently volunteered, with others, to go out and meet +parties of emigrants from Virginia, or the Carolinas, who were +escorted half way by their friends in the states, or the settlers in +East Tennessee. The same service was often performed for emigrants, +or travellers, going from Nashville to Lexington. An occasion of +this kind furnished him an opportunity to display his gallantry as +well as bravery:--He was proceeding with a company, from Nashville +to Lexington, among whom was a lady going to join her husband at the +latter place. The second night out, she was suddenly taken sick, and, +in the morning, was unable to proceed on her journey. Disregarding +her situation, a number of the party prepared their horses as usual, +and were about to resume the march. Jackson earnestly remonstrated +against leaving the woman alone in the forest, but, finding words +of no avail, and that they insisted on proceeding, he levelled his +rifle, and solemnly declared that he would shoot the first man who +put foot in the stirrup. His companions cowed before the chivalric +rage that lighted up his cheek, and kindled in his eye; and they +consented to remain for a day at the encampment, at the expiration of +which the lady was able to travel. + +As the settlers in Kentucky were exposed to the irruptions of the +Shawanese, so those in Tennessee were liable to similar visitations +from the Choctaws and Cherokees. Whenever the savages had committed +any depredations, volunteer parties were always formed to pursue +them. Andrew Jackson was usually one of the first to make his +appearance at the rendezvous. He once accompanied a party, between +forty and fifty strong, under Colonel Elijah Robertson, on an +expedition of this character, to the head of a creek flowing into +Duck river. It was then proposed, that a part of the company should +penetrate through the cane-brakes, a distance of ten miles, to the +river, where the Indians were supposed to have encamped. Colonel +R. Weakly, with Jackson and fifteen others, volunteered for the +enterprise. It was accomplished with great gallantry; the savages +were surprised, and fled without firing a gun,--leaving their camp, +and their arms and ammunition, in the hands of their pursuers. + +Jackson was repeatedly engaged in affairs of the same kind, and +acquired a high, and wide-spread reputation, for his bravery and +skill. He also became well-known to the red warriors, and received +from them the epithets of “Sharp Knife” and “Pointed Arrow.” The +most important expedition in which he was concerned, was undertaken +in 1794, when a large party from Nashville and its neighborhood, +including himself, proceeded against the Indian town of Nickajack, +near the Tennessee river, and razed it to the ground. + +[Sidenote: RACHAEL DONELSON.] + +When Andrew Jackson entered the family of Mrs. Donelson as a +boarder, her daughter, Rachael, who had married a man by the name +of Robards, in Kentucky, but had separated from him on account of +his violent temper and vicious habits, resided with her. Judge +Overton and himself occupied another cabin, a few steps distant from +that in which Mrs. Donelson lived, but met with her family, at the +same table. Mrs. Robards was as distinguished for her beauty, her +sweetness of temper, and her winning deportment, as was her husband +for the possession of the opposite qualities. Through the mediation +of Judge Overton, Robards was at one time reconciled to his wife, +rejoined her at Mrs. Donelson’s, and commenced preparations for +erecting a cabin, on a tract of land that he had purchased, in which +he intended to reside. + +Jackson was then a young man, frank and engaging in his manners, +and fond of female society. He undoubtedly paid Mrs. Robards many +flattering attentions, which--neither thinking aught of evil, or +cherishing an impure thought--were reciprocated as they deserved, +with kindness and friendly esteem, but nothing more. So far from +rendering her husband more morose and ill-tempered, this should only +have led him to appreciate better her charms and social virtues, and +encouraged him to become more pleasing and agreeable. But Iagos were +not wanting to instil the doubts and suspicions of jealousy, had +not his gloomy and distrustful temperament predisposed him to such +impressions. She was, in consequence, rendered very unhappy. On being +made acquainted with this fact, Jackson sought an interview with her +husband, and remonstrated with him, in a manly and honorable way. +This was of no avail, and he then left Mrs. Donelson’s, and took +board at Mansker’s Station. + +The excited jealousy of the husband could not be allayed, however; +and, in a few months, he abandoned his wife a second time, and +started for Kentucky,--declaring to a companion on the road, that +he designed never to return. Mrs. Robards now determined that the +separation should be final; and on being afterwards informed, +that he intended to visit Tennessee and take her back with him to +Kentucky, under the advice of her friends, she accompanied the +family of Colonel Stark to Natchez, in the spring of 1791. Stark +was an elderly man, and fearing that the Indians might attack him, +he invited Jackson to make one of the party. The latter, perhaps +unwisely,--though he certainly never regretted it,--accepted the +invitation, and descended the rivers with them, to Natchez. + +[Sidenote: HIS MARRIAGE.] + +Robards had previously applied to the Legislature of Virginia for +a divorce, and, soon after the return of Jackson to Nashville, the +intelligence was received that his application had been granted. +Desirous of testifying to the world, in the highest and most solemn +manner, his confidence in her purity and innocence--pleased, alike, +with the charms of her person, and the graces of her mind--and +deeming her at perfect liberty to form a new connection--Jackson +forthwith repaired to Natchez, and tendered his hand to Mrs. Robards. +She at first hesitated, but finally accepted him. They were married +in the fall, and she returned with him to the Cumberland, where she +was greeted with the warm and affectionate congratulations of her +relatives and friends. + +Two years after his marriage,--in December, 1793,--Jackson was +on his way to Jonesborough, with Judge Overton, when he learned, +for the first time, equally to his chagrin and surprise, that +the intelligence received in 1791, and upon which he had acted, +was incorrect.--Robards had, in 1791, procured the passage of an +act in the Virginia Legislature, authorizing a suit to be brought +for a divorce in a court in Kentucky, which suit had just been +determined in his favor,--no opposition, of course, being made to +the proceedings. Communications between the Atlantic country and +the interior were then very irregular, and the exact particulars of +the affair were not known, or inquired into, as it was universally +supposed in Tennessee, that the divorce had been actually granted. On +his return home, in January, 1794, Jackson took out a license, and +was now regularly married. + +The circumstances of his acquaintance and marriage with Mrs. +Robards, were long after seized upon by his opponents, when he +became connected with the political controversies of the day, as +a candidate for the presidency, and were made the foundation of +unmerited and groundless calumnies. There were features in the case, +which, unexplained, might appear suspicious; but the evidence of +all who were personally acquainted with them, whose assertions are +worthy of a moment’s consideration, acquit both parties of blame, +and bear witness to the correct demeanor of Mrs. Robards, and the +chivalric conduct of Andrew Jackson.--“While he would have sacrificed +his life,” says his biographer, “to prevent Mrs. Robards’ falling +unwillingly into the hands of her cruel tormentor, her husband +though he was, he never cast a look upon her, or indulged a thought, +unworthy of the purest knight in the days of honorable chivalry. +But, when no longer restrained by law, honor or religion, pity, +admiration, and a species of regret, though free from guilt, yet akin +to remorse, kindled into love as pure and as holy as ever glowed +in the heart of man. Nor was the object unworthy of this exalted +passion. The united testimony of all who had the pleasure of her +acquaintance, the happiness which during life she shed over the +domestic circle, radiating into the cabins of her servants and the +houses of her neighbors, and, above all, the sacred fervor with which +the bosom on which she rested in youth, cherishes her memory, bear +unequivocal testimony, that she was one of the best of those beings +whom God has given as the companion and solace of man.”[15] + +[Sidenote: ANIMOSITY OF THE DEBTOR CLASS.] + +After his marriage, Jackson devoted himself with more assiduity than +ever, to the practice of his profession. His firm and independent +course in espousing the cause of the creditors, though it elevated +him in the esteem of the better part of the community, rendered the +debtors peculiarly inimical towards him. His daring and prowess were +so well known, however, that those who were nominally his equals in +standing, dared not assail him; but they stimulated others to do so, +belonging to the very lowest class of bullies and desperadoes, so +many of whom are always to be found in a new country, who had neither +character nor self-respect to lose, but were not deficient in that +brutal courage, which the philosopher of Ferney terms, “a fortunate +quality, of which fools partake as well as great men.” + +A flax-breaker, of great strength and courage, was the first person +instigated to attack Jackson; but the latter soon tamed his spirit +with his own winding-blades, the only weapon within reach. A noted +bully next assaulted him, while he was conversing with a gentleman +on business, at a court in Sumner County. Jackson seized a slab, and +in a few seconds obliged the desperado to make his escape into the +woods.--These encounters resulted so unfavorably to those who were +induced to come in contact with him, that he was ever after exempt +from annoyances of a similar character. + +In the course of his practice as a lawyer, Jackson discovered +that extensive frauds had been committed in the North Carolina +Land-Office, which he deemed it his duty, as the former attorney of +that State, to expose. Through his instrumentality, the perpetrators +were indicted and punished. Some of the most prominent citizens of +the western district were directly, or indirectly, concerned in these +transactions, and had profited largely by them. Consequently, he +incurred their hostility; and they sought by every means to injure +him. In the state of society then existing, a man, like him, exposed +to the hatred of powerful enemies, may be said to have constantly +carried his life in his hand. Unawed by threats, he pursued his way +steadily and unerringly--daily adding to the number of his friends, +and gaining ground in the confidence and regard of the wise and good. + +The necessary preliminary measures for the formation of a state +government, were taken by the citizens of Tennessee, in 1795;[16] and +Andrew Jackson was chosen one of the delegates to the convention, +without even offering himself as a candidate. The forest Solons and +Numas composing that body, met at Knoxville, in the wilderness, on +the eleventh of January, 1796, and adjourned on the sixth day of +February following; having, in the short space of less than four +weeks, framed and adopted a state constitution, which, for its +republican simplicity, compared most favorably with those of other +states. + +[Sidenote: REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR IN CONGRESS.] + +On the first day of June, 1796, Tennessee was admitted into the Union +as a State, and became entitled to one representative in Congress. +Andrew Jackson was elected to the office, with great unanimity, +and took his seat in the House of Representatives on the fifth of +December, 1796. His reputation and popularity continuing to increase, +he was chosen a senator in Congress the following year, when he had +just reached the age prescribed by the Constitution. He appeared in +the Senate of the United States on the twenty-second of November, +1797. At this session, the alien and sedition laws were passed. +Jackson coïncided and voted with the republican members, and was +therefore in the minority. During the session, he became so much +dissatisfied with the course of the administration, to which he was +opposed in sentiment, that he returned home in April, 1798, and +shortly after resigned his seat. He was succeeded by his friend and +neighbor, Daniel Smith. + +Upon his resignation of the office of senator, Jackson was appointed, +by the Legislature of Tennessee, Judge of the Supreme Court of Law +and Equity. The office was conferred on him unsolicited, and was +accepted with reluctance. As a lawyer, he had been distinguished for +his fair and honorable dealing; for his abhorrence of low tricks and +artifices; and for the ability with which he seized the strong points +of a case, and presented them to a court or jury:--as a judge, he +became equally well known, for his firmness and independence; for his +integrity of purpose; and his plain, common sense adjudications. + +His first court was held at Jonesborough, at which a man, by the +name of Russell Bean, was indicted for cutting off the ears of his +infant child, in a drunken frolic. The sheriff dared not arrest the +offender, who was notorious for his strength and ferocity, though +present in the courtyard, and returned to the court, that he would +not be taken. Judge Jackson told the officer that such a return was +an absurdity, and that the man must be taken, even though it became +necessary to summon the _posse comitatus_. When the court adjourned +for dinner, the sheriff summoned the judge and his colleagues, as +part of the _posse_. Jackson saw that the officer desired to avoid +performing his duty, and therefore accompanied him. Learning that +Bean was armed, he provided himself with a loaded pistol. At sight of +him, the former attempted to make his escape; but the judge directing +him to stop and submit to the law, in a tone that showed he was not +to be trifled with, his weapons were thrown down, and he quietly +surrendered. This incident was not lost upon other turbulent spirits +who had previously treated courts and officers with contempt, and +nothing of the kind was afterwards attempted. + +His health beginning to fail under the severe labor, both mental and +physical, required of him in the performance of his official duties, +Jackson determined to resign the judgeship; but, when his intentions +became public, he was urged, in such flattering terms, to abandon +his design, in a communication addressed to him by some of the most +prominent citizens of the state, and a large number of the members of +the Legislature, that he consented to remain in the office. + +[Sidenote: DIFFICULTY WITH GOVERNOR SEVIER.] + +In 1801, an election was held by the brigadiers and field-officers +of Major General Conway’s division, to fill the vacancy occasioned +by his death. Andrew Jackson, and John Sevier, formerly governor of +the state, were competitors for the office; and the vote was equally +divided between them. The appointment then devolved upon Governor +Roane, who wisely conferred it on Andrew Jackson. + +Governor Sevier was connected, to some extent, with a combination +of land jobbers at Nashville, associated together for the purpose +of manufacturing fraudulent grants of land, which Jackson had aided +in breaking up. This circumstance, and the preference of Governor +Roane, rendered him a most implacable enemy and opponent. In 1803, +he was a candidate for re-election as governor, and in the course of +the canvass, his antipathy towards Judge Jackson, was imbibed by his +party friends. This was particularly the case in East Tennessee. In +the fall, the Judge proceeded to Jonesborough, to hold his court; +and, having been taken seriously ill on the road, he retired to his +room, immediately after his arrival, and lay down on the bed. In a +few moments he was waited on by a friend, who begged him to lock his +door--informing him that a large mob had collected, under a Colonel +Harrison, and loudly threatened to tar and feather him. Jackson +declined securing his door, but throwing it wide open, sent his +friend to Colonel Harrison, with the message, that he was ready to +receive him and his party, whenever they chose to wait on him, and +that he hoped the colonel’s chivalry would induce him to lead his +men, and not follow them.--This bold message operated like a charm; +the mob dispersed; Colonel Harrison apologized for his conduct, and +thereafter remained on good terms with Jackson. + +The next court held by the latter, was at Knoxville, where the +Legislature were then in session. They had just investigated the land +frauds, of which mention has been made, and had found some evidence +tending to implicate Governor Sevier. His excellency evinced a great +deal of exasperation, and on leaving the courthouse, on the first day +of the term, Judge Jackson found a large crowd gathered in front of +the building, in the midst of which was Governor Sevier, with a sword +in his hand, haranguing them in a violent manner. An altercation +ensued between them, in which the governor was the aggressor, and +the Judge sent him a challenge. This was accepted, but the governor +failed to give the promised meeting, and Jackson at once published +him in the usual form. A second meeting was then appointed to take +place, though without any formal arrangement. + +Jackson repaired to the designated spot, but the governor failed to +meet him. After waiting two days, he set out to return to Knoxville, +but had proceeded only a short distance, when he encountered Governor +Sevier, escorted by about twenty men, and armed with a brace of +pistols and a sword. His friend instantly bore a challenge to the +governor, who refused to receive it. Jackson was provided with a +brace of pistols and a cane. On the return of his friend, with the +insulting message of the governor, he levelled his cane, as the +knight, in olden times, couched his spear in the rest, and dashed +furiously upon his opponent. The latter hastily dismounted, in +order to avoid the shock, but, in so doing, trode on the scabbard +of his sword, and was thus rendered incapable of resistance. In the +governor’s escort there were mutual friends of both parties, who +interfered to prevent any further collision, and Jackson accompanied +them back to Knoxville. + +[Sidenote: RETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE.] + +Although Jackson was always prompt to defend himself from insult or +injury, these altercations and disputes were by no means congenial +to his spirit, and, anticipating their more frequent recurrence, for +the reason that a number of cases, growing out of the fraudulent land +sales, were about to be brought before him for decision, he concluded +to retire from the bench; and his resignation was accepted by the +Legislature, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1804, about six years +after his original appointment. + +Previous to his resignation of the judgeship, the services of +General Jackson, in a military capacity, were invoked by the General +Government, in consequence of the threatening aspect of its relations +with Spain, who had taken umbrage at the purchase of Louisiana from +France. Preparations were made to reïnforce General Wilkinson, then +at Natchez, at the head of a small force, with fifteen hundred +men from the upper country, including five hundred cavalry from +Tennessee. In October, 1803, General Jackson was requested to +procure, without delay, a sufficient number of boats to transport the +troops to New Orleans, and to keep them in readiness. The request was +complied with; the boats were procured; and the general tendered his +services to the government if they should be needed. + +The firmness, caution, and prudence, of Jefferson, rendered a +resort to arms unnecessary; and in February, 1804, General Jackson +sold the boats prepared for the expedition down the Mississippi. +After resigning the office of judge, General Jackson retired to a +plantation on the Cumberland, which he had purchased; to enjoy, +what he had long coveted, the quiet scenes of domestic life, its +gentleness and tranquillity, and the society of his devoted wife. His +fortune was not large, but amply sufficient to satisfy his wants. +He devoted most of his time to superintending the labor on his +plantation, setting an example of methodical industry, and careful +economy, worthy of general imitation, and often wielding the axe, +or guiding the plough, with his own hands. Fond of society, and +frank and generous by nature, he was distinguished far and wide for +his hospitality; and it was remarked of him, that, “though he was a +private citizen, he was the most public man in Tennessee.” + +He was passionately fond of fine horses, and took every pains to +improve his stock, by importations from the Atlantic States. Like +other planters around him, he brought his favorite animals out upon +the race-courses, and, though not a sportsman, in the ordinary +acceptation of the term, made many a venture upon their relative +speed. A circumstance of this kind gave rise to a most unfortunate +affair: + +[Sidenote: HOSTILE MEETING WITH DICKINSON.] + +A match race was agreed upon by him, and a Mr. Erwin and his +son-in-law, Charles Dickinson, between their two horses, for a +wager of two thousand dollars, with a forfeiture of eight hundred +dollars, to be paid in cash notes. Erwin and Dickinson subsequently +chose to pay the forfeit, and withdraw their horse. Some difficulty +arose in regard to the character of the notes offered, but it was +finally adjusted, to the apparent satisfaction of all parties. But +the enemies of Jackson were anxious that he should fight a duel +with Dickinson, who was reputed to be the best shot in the country. +Through them, the dispute was revived. Several publications appeared +in the newspapers, Dickinson grew more and more insulting, and at +length made a direct imputation of cowardice. Jackson could endure +his provocations no longer, and on the twenty-third of May, 1806, +sent him a challenge. It was accepted by Dickinson, and the meeting +was arranged to take place at Harrison’s Mills, Kentucky, on the +thirtieth instant. + +Dickinson spent the intervening time in practicing; frequently +boasting how often he had hit his opponent chalked out on a tree, and +offering to bet that he would kill him. This was reported to General +Jackson, and the effect on his excitable temperament may be imagined. +The parties met, as had been agreed on. At the word, Dickinson fired, +and the dust was seen to fly from the clothes of his antagonist. +Jackson fired the next instant, and the other fell mortally wounded. + +The steadiness of nerve exhibited by General Jackson on this occasion +has often been the subject of commendation, even with those who +condemned the practice, then not only tolerated, but actually +encouraged, by nearly all classes and parties, in the section of +country in which he resided. It afterwards appeared, that he was +himself severely wounded, at the time he fired; but his feelings had +been so wrought upon, and the ardency of his temper was such, that he +was insensible to physical suffering, and he declared to a friend, +that he would have killed Dickinson, if he had been shot through the +brain! + +Several years later,--in the summer of 1813,--General Jackson was +concerned in an affray with Colonel Thomas H. Benton, so well and +widely known, for many successive years, as a Senator in Congress, +from the State of Missouri. The former had acted as the second of +Governor Carroll, in a duel with a brother of Colonel Benton, which, +the latter thought, was inconsistent with the friendly relations +existing between himself and the general. An angry correspondence +passed; bitter recriminations were made on both sides; and they +afterwards encountered each other, and interchanged shots, at a +public house in Nashville. In the affray, General Jackson’s left +arm was shattered by a pistol shot, and he was confined to his room +for several weeks. The imbittered feelings engendered during the +progress of this controversy, were cherished for many years after +the encounter, but they were subsequently entirely allayed; and when +General Jackson became President of the United States, he had no +firmer supporter, or warmer friend, than Colonel Benton. + +These personal controversies and altercations have been mentioned +here, not because they afford valuable examples worthy, at this day, +of imitation, but rather, for the reason, that they are not more +illustrative of Jackson’s nice sense of honor, his stern will, and +his indomitable courage, than of the rude state of society in which +he lived. If, like General Wayne, he manifested “a constitutional +attachment to the decision of the sword,” he, too, had a warm and +generous heart; and, though like the aroused lion, when he felt +himself the object of wrong or injustice, no man possessed more of +the gentler and softer affections of our natures. As Sir Walter Scott +said of the Covenanter: “His faults were those of his times and +associates, his virtues were eminently his own.” + +[Sidenote: AARON BURR.] + +Aaron Burr made his first appearance in the western country, prior +to the completion of his arrangements for his mysterious expedition, +in the spring of 1805, and, on two occasions, during the summer, +spent several days in the family of General Jackson. The people of +Tennessee, like all the residents in the valley of the Mississippi, +were exceedingly hostile to the Spaniards; and so long as Burr was +supposed to be concerned in making arrangements for the invasion +of Mexico, in the event of a war with Spain, General Jackson, with +most of the influential citizens of that section, warmly seconded +his projects. In 1806, Burr returned to the west and began his +preparations. In the fall, the suspicions of General Jackson were +awakened, and the friendly intercourse between them entirely ceased. +Whatever may have been the designs of Burr, he dared not reveal them +to General Jackson, though he ever entertained a high opinion of him, +and always mentioned him in terms of respect. His patriotism was +much too earnest and sincere to be tempted; and, notwithstanding +his previous intimacy with Burr, the special agent dispatched by the +President to secure the arrest of the latter, was directed to call on +him, with instructions to order out a military force, if necessary. +General Jackson promptly ordered out twelve companies, but Burr had +already left the mouth of the Cumberland, and was on his way down the +Mississippi; and on ascertaining this fact, he dismissed his troops, +and reported his proceedings to the government. + +Not long after General Jackson retired to private life, he entered +into partnership with a merchant in Nashville. For a time their +business appeared to be prosperous; Jackson took no active part in +its management, but trusted everything to his associate. Some slight +circumstances at length aroused his fears, and, upon examination, +he found that the firm was not only insolvent, but that their +liabilities exceeded their assets, by many thousand dollars. But +one course--that dictated by honor and right--could be pursued. He +instantly closed the business, sold his fine plantation where he +lived, paid off the debts of the firm, and removed to a log cabin +on another plantation, to begin the world anew. By the exercise of +strict economy and prudence, in a few years he once more gathered +around him the fruits of prosperous industry. + +In 1811, General Jackson had occasion to visit Natchez, to bring up +a number of negroes, who had become his property as the surety of +a friend, or belonged to a nephew; and, on reaching the station of +the Choctaw agency, along which the road passed, he found seven or +eight families of emigrants, and two members of the Mississippi +Legislative Council, whom the agent had detained, upon the pretence +that it was necessary to have passports from the governor of +Mississippi Territory. Justly indignant at this outrage, Jackson +demanded what right he had to stop American citizens who were +travelling on a public road. The agent replied, in a sharp tone, +by inquiring whether he had a pass? “Yes, sir,” said the general, +warmly; “I always carry mine with me:--I am a free-born American +citizen; and that, under the constitution and laws, is my passport to +go wherever my business calls me!” He then told the emigrants to gear +up their wagons, and if any one attempted to obstruct them, to shoot +him down. He himself set the example, and proceeded on his journey, +utterly regardless of the threats of the agent. + +Upon his return from Natchez, he was informed that the agent had +collected fifty white men, and one hundred Indians, and intended to +stop him unless he produced a passport. On approaching the station, +he armed his blacks with clubs and axes, and directed them to regard +no order unless it emanated from him. The agent was at first inclined +to stop him, but, being overawed by his firm and determined manner, +made no attempt to oppose him. He afterwards reported the conduct of +the officer to the President, and he was removed from the agency. + +[Sidenote: WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.] + +The period now arrived which Jackson had long anticipated.--War +was declared against the enemy of his country and his race, on the +eighteenth of June, 1812. It is easy to conceive the emotions which +the intelligence must have awakened in his bosom. Recollections of +the past came rushing and thronging into his mind. The cycles of Time +rolled backward. Again he stood upon the threshold of his desolate +home,--on “the forest-clad banks of the Catawba,”--orphaned by the +cruelty of British officers and agents. Let him not be reproached, +if motives of revenge quickened and sharpened his patriotism. His +desire for vengeance was almost holy in its character--it was based +on fraternal affection, on filial love! + +When the tocsin of war was sounded, the glad, prolonged echoes, came +up from every valley and hamlet; but in no quarter of the country +was the response more enthusiastic, than in the valley of the +Mississippi. General Jackson immediately issued a stirring address to +his division, twenty-five hundred men of which volunteered to follow +wheresoever he saw fit to lead them. A tender of their services was +made to the President, through Governor Blount, on the twenty-fifth +of June, which was accepted on the eleventh of July. No immediate +duty being required of the patriotic volunteers belonging to his +division, General Jackson became impatient to participate in the +struggle, and solicited the appointment of brigadier general in +the regular army, which was conferred on General Winchester. Could +President Madison have foreseen the sad catastrophe that occurred +on the banks of the Raisin, in the following January; or had he +possessed any correct idea of the military qualifications of General +Jackson, we may well suppose that the latter would have been his +choice. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION TO NATCHEZ.] + +An opportunity, however, was soon presented to Jackson, for taking +the field. On the first of November, Governor Blount issued an +order, in conformity with a requisition from the War Department, +directing him to organize and equip fifteen hundred infantry and +riflemen, with whom he was instructed to descend the river to New +Orleans, and reïnforce General Wilkinson, then commanding that +department. The necessary proclamation was issued, and, on the tenth +of December, upwards of two thousand men rendezvoused at Nashville, +many of whom had come miles upon miles, through cold, and sleet, +and snow, undaunted by the rigors of the climate, and intent only +on obeying the call of their country. On the thirteenth instant, +the organization of the command, which consisted of one regiment +of cavalry, not embraced in the requisition, but enrolled with the +consent of Governor Blount, under Colonel Coffee, and two regiments +of infantry, under Colonels Hall and T. H. Benton, was fully +completed. + +Numerous difficulties were yet to be encountered before the troops +could be put in motion. Arms had been sparingly furnished by the +government, and funds for the payment of the men had not been +provided. Discontents naturally arose, and a mutiny was threatened. +The firmness and determination of General Jackson prevented any +outbreak, and his energy and perseverance ultimately overcame every +obstacle. On the thirty-first of December, Colonel Coffee commenced +his march with the mounted men, six hundred and seventy strong, by +the overland route, to Natchez. On the seventh and eighth of January, +1813, General Jackson embarked on the Cumberland, in flat boats, +with the two infantry regiments, numbering about fourteen hundred. +Descending the rivers slowly,--his progress being constantly impeded +by large masses of floating ice,--he reached Natchez on the fifteenth +of February, near which he found the cavalry under Colonel Coffee. + +At this point, General Jackson was met by a request from General +Wilkinson, whose headquarters were at New Orleans, to halt his +command, and report to him his force and instructions. Wilkinson held +the rank of brigadier general in the regular army, with the brevet +of major general; and it is not unlikely, that he suspected it was +the intention of the government, that Jackson should supersede him. +His request, doubtless, was prompted by this apprehension. As there +was no indication of an attack on New Orleans, Jackson cheerfully +complied with it. Natchez was a much more salubrious position for his +troops, and having disembarked them, he marched to Washington, a few +miles distant, where a cantonment had been previously established by +a corps of regulars. The troops were placed in comfortable quarters, +and a strong guard was detailed to protect the boats at Natchez. + +[Sidenote: RETURN HOME.] + +Camp regulations were now adopted, and strict orders issued by the +commanding general, to proceed with the discipline and instruction +of the troops. Becoming impatient for active duty, he wrote to the +Secretary of War on the first of March, suggesting the employment +of his force on the northern frontier, if there was no prospect of +invasion in the south, or if Congress did not authorize the taking +possession of Florida. This suggestion was repeated in a second +letter written on the seventh of March. Before these letters reached +Washington, an order had been issued from the War Department, +directing him, on the receipt thereof, to consider his force +dismissed from the service, and to take measures for the delivery +of all articles of public property in his possession, to General +Wilkinson. This unfeeling mandate concluded with a cold tender of +thanks to himself and the corps under his command. + +Jackson was fairly astounded at the blow. His whole command, officers +and men, joined in denouncing, in unmeasured terms, the Secretary of +War, General Armstrong, by whom the order was issued. He was still +more indignant, when he discovered the probable key to the movement, +in a letter from General Wilkinson, who suggested his encouraging +the regular recruiting service from the troops he commanded, “in an +appropriate general order.” Jackson did no such thing;--but, when +a recruiting officer made his appearance, informed him that if he +attempted to seduce a single volunteer from the corps, he would drum +him out of the camp. + +The patriotic volunteers who had accompanied General Jackson to +Natchez were mostly young men--the flower of West Tennessee--the +sons and brothers of his dearest friends and neighbors. The order he +had received, required him to abandon these men, who looked up to +him as a parent, in a strange land, five hundred miles from their +homes; to deprive them of their arms, their tents and provisions; +and to leave the sick uncared for, and unattended. This he could +not, and did not do. He immediately wrote to the Secretary of War, +denouncing his order, in no very honied words, and to the President, +complaining of its barbarity, and giving his reasons for partially +disregarding it. The necessary orders were then given to provide +wagons and supplies; the men were directed to retain their arms; he +borrowed five thousand dollars of a merchant in Natchez, on his own +responsibility, to make up deficiencies; and, as soon as everything +could be got in readiness, set out on his return march with his whole +command,--declaring that not a single man should be left behind, “who +had any life in him.” + +Two hundred miles of the route lay through the Choctaw and Chickasaw +country, and the only essential service rendered by the expedition +was this homeward march, which overawed the Indians, and deterred +them from joining the hostile Creeks and Cherokees.--Jackson paid +every attention to the comfort of his soldiers, up to the last +moment, strictly fulfilling his solemn pledge not to abandon one of +them. Frequently he gave up his own horse to the sick, or exhausted +soldier, and trudged along on foot, cheering all by his example, and +ever ready with a kind word, to encourage those who faltered. + +[Sidenote: CESSION OF LOUISIANA.] + +Deeply chagrined though he was, at the result of the expedition to +Natchez, General Jackson was still anxious to take part in the active +scenes of the war. The disasters on the northern frontier in 1812, +and the failure of the projected winter campaign under Harrison, +in consequence of the incautious advance of General Winchester to +Frenchtown, had produced a deep impression on his mind. His proud +spirit smarted under the discredit of defeat; and, on the eighth +of April, when on his way home, he wrote to the Secretary of War, +informing him that he should be glad to execute any orders of the +government in Canada, with his detachment, which could be augmented, +if necessary. “I have a few standards,” said he, “wearing the +American eagle, that I should be happy to place upon the ramparts of +Malden.” + +About the middle of May, the Tennessee volunteers reached home and +were discharged. The Secretary of War informed General Jackson +that the order to dismiss his force was designed to reach him at +Fort Massac, near the mouth of the Cumberland; it being supposed +that he had not yet moved down the river. Though this explanation +appeared inconsistent with the orders at the same time issued to +General Wilkinson, its sincerity was not questioned by General +Jackson. It was sufficient for him that his conduct was sanctioned +by the government, and that he was relieved from the pecuniary +responsibilities he had incurred. + +Within a few months after his return from Natchez, General Jackson +was again called from his retirement, to lead a large body of troops +into the Indian country on the southern borders of Tennessee. + +By the treaty of San Ildefonso, concluded on the first day of +October, 1800, Louisiana was ceded by the Spanish government to +the French republic. The territorial rights thereby acquired, were +transferred to the United States, by a treaty concluded at Paris, +on the thirtieth of April, 1803. Spain was highly incensed at the +assignment of the territory, and threw every possible obstacle in +the way of its occupation by the authorities of the United States. +For a long time she refused absolutely, to yield up a large tract of +country lying between the Perdido and Mississippi rivers, upon the +pretence that it belonged to Florida. + +During the war on the European continent, a community of feeling +and interest was established between Spain and England; and it +was only by the assistance and coöperation of British fleets +and armies, that Ferdinand VII was able finally to preserve his +throne. When hostilities commenced between the United States and +Great Britain,--though solemnly bound by the provisions of a +treaty concluded with the former, in 1795, to restrain the Indians +on the frontiers of Florida, by force, from attacking American +citizens,--Spain, through her officers, permitted British agents sent +from Canada, to establish themselves at the posts belonging to, or +occupied by her, and countenanced, or connived at, their efforts to +stir up the savages to begin an exterminating warfare. + +[Sidenote: THE SOUTHERN INDIANS.] + +The principal Indian nations in the southern part of the Union +were the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws. The two last +mentioned tribes, together about thirty-five thousand strong, resided +on the Yazoo, Pearl, and Pascagoula rivers, in the Territory of +Mississippi; and after the occupation of Louisiana, and the march +of General Jackson through their country, with his large army, +on his return from Natchez, they could not be induced to take up +arms against the Americans. The Cherokees, also, who occupied the +mountainous country, where the two Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, +and Alabama,--the last a part of Mississippi Territory at the time +of which I am speaking,--adjoin, or approach each other, with the +exception of a very small portion of the younger members of the +tribe, remained on friendly terms with their white neighbors. The +Creeks, numbering near twenty-five thousand, inhabited the fertile +and beautiful Aulochewan country; their settlements extending from +the Gulf of Mexico to the Tennessee river, and from the Chatahoochee +to the Tombigbee, in the centre of which was the famous Hickory +Ground, a rich tract of land lying in the forks of the Coosa and +Tallapoosa, which its aboriginal occupants, from time immemorial, +held peculiarly sacred. Besides these tribes, there was the Seminole +band, an off-shoot of the Creeks, who had their homes in the swamps +and hummocks on the borders of Georgia and Florida. + +The Creeks and Seminoles, from their situation, in the vicinity of +St. Augustine, St. Marks, Pensacola, and Fort Condé, were rendered +particularly liable to be influenced by the British agents at those +posts. In the winter of 1811–12, Tecumseh visited the Creeks, and +exhorted them earnestly to dig up the hatchet. After his departure, +prophets arose among them, who practiced the same rites and +incantations with the brother of the Shawano Chief, and, like him, +professed to have received important revelations from the Great +Spirit.[17] The older and wiser warriors were exceedingly averse +to war, but, through the influence and machinations of British and +Spanish officers who attended their councils, they were overruled by +the younger and more ambitious spirits of the tribe. + +Soon after war was declared, the Seminoles commenced their +depredations; but in the following winter, a body of Georgia militia, +with two hundred volunteers from East Tennessee, followed them into +Florida, burned several of their towns, and returned home again +in the spring of 1813. Matters were not yet ripe for a general +outbreak, although it was confidently anticipated, as English vessels +were known to be sent from the Bahamas to Florida, laden with arms, +clothing, and ammunition, for the hostile Indians. In January, +1813, President Madison requested authority from Congress, to take +possession of the territory claimed by Spain, lying west of the +Perdido. After some delay, an act was passed, and on the fifteenth of +April, General Wilkinson appeared before Fort Condé, near Mobile, and +demanded its surrender. The Spanish commandant made no resistance, +and the American standard was for the first time planted in the +disputed territory. Other prominent points in the vicinity of Mobile +were also occupied by the American troops. + +Occasional outrages were committed during the summer of 1813, and +the white settlers residing in the neighborhood of the Creeks and +Seminoles lived in a state of constant alarm and agitation. On the +fifteenth of August, Governor Blount, of Tennessee, was directed to +detail fifteen hundred of the militia of that state, and hold them in +readiness for immediate service. These troops were not called out, +however; and as time wore on without the occurrence of any serious +calamity, the border inhabitants began to fancy themselves almost +secure from attack. They were soon aroused from their lethargy, by +the glare of burning villages, and the rattling war-cry of the Indian +warrior. + +[Sidenote: WAR WITH THE CREEKS.] + +On the thirtieth day of August, 1813, Fort Mims, about forty miles +from Mobile, on the left bank of the Alabama river, and a short +distance above its junction with the Tombigbee, was surprised +by a party of Creeks, seven hundred strong, under their chief, +Weatherford; the garrison, consisting of one hundred and fifty of the +1st Mississippi volunteers, under Major Beasely, and twenty white +families who had taken refuge in the fort, with their negroes, in +all about three hundred and fifty persons, were cruelly massacred. +But seventeen of the whites made their escape. The perpetration of +this horrid tragedy excited the utmost consternation at the forts and +stations on the Tombigbee, of which there were nearly twenty within +a distance of seventy miles above Fort Stoddart. Most of the forts +were abandoned, and the affrighted fugitives fled down the river to +Mobile, which was itself extremely insecure. + +General Claiborne, and Governor Holmes of the Mississippi Territory, +immediately called out a small militia force,--all that it was in +their power to bring into the field,--for the protection of the +Mobile country. In Tennessee, the alarm was universal, and the whole +population were aroused. But little aid could be expected from the +General Government, all whose means and energies were employed in +the prosecution of the northern campaign, and the defence of the +Atlantic coast from the ravages of the more civilized, but not less +brutal enemy. A public meeting of the citizens of Nashville was held +on the eighteenth of September, at which resolutions were passed, +urgently recommending the adoption, by the State Legislature, of +prompt measures for the invasion of the Creek country. In accordance +therewith, an act was passed on the twenty-fifth instant, authorizing +the governor to call out thirty-five hundred men, in addition to the +fifteen hundred already required by the General Government, who were +to be immediately put in service, and pledging the faith of the state +to pay them, if Congress should refuse. A resolution was also adopted +on the twenty-seventh instant, directing the governor to tender the +services of the Tennessee troops to the United States. + +The public sentiment, with one accord, fixed upon Andrew Jackson +as the leader of this force. He was still confined to his room, on +account of the arm fractured in the affray with Colonel Benton, +which has been mentioned; but when his country called him to the +field, he was ready to obey her behest. On the twenty-fourth of +September, Governor Blount directed him to call out, without delay, +two thousand men of his division, to rendezvous at Fayetteville,--and +to order Colonel Coffee into immediate service, with five hundred +cavalry previously raised. The necessary instructions were issued, +on the same day, to Colonel Coffee, who was further instructed, to +incorporate with his regiment any companies of volunteer riflemen +that might present themselves. He also ordered into service the +volunteers who had accompanied him to Natchez, together with one +thousand militia from his division. + +On the twenty-fifth of September, General Jackson directed a part +of the cavalry to repair to Huntsville, by forced marches. On the +twenty-sixth, Colonel Coffee was ordered to move upon the same point +and wait further orders, and on the twenty-eighth, he was instructed +to proceed to Fort St. Stephen’s which was said to be threatened by +the enemy. The state of his health did not permit the general to +appear at Fayetteville on the fourth of October, the day appointed +for the rendezvous; but he was represented on that occasion, by his +aid, Major Reid, through whom he delivered to the assembled troops a +most eloquent and spirited address. On the seventh instant he reached +the place of rendezvous, with his arm in a sling, where he found +a dispatch from Colonel Coffee, who had marched a short distance +beyond Huntsville, with near thirteen hundred men, informing him that +the Creeks had divided their forces,--one portion moving towards +the Georgia line, and the other advancing upon the frontiers of +Tennessee,--and that, in consequence of this, he had not proceeded to +Fort St. Stephen’s. + +[Sidenote: TROOPS IN THE FIELD.] + +It had been generally supposed that the next blow would be struck at +Mobile--more particularly, because of the facilities which would have +been afforded to the Indians, by its possession, of communicating +with their British allies; but the report of Colonel Coffee allayed +all the fears that had been entertained in regard to the safety of +that post. Relieved on this point, General Jackson commenced his +preparations for taking the field. Delay, however brief, was hardly +admissible, as he desired to terminate the campaign by a few bold and +decisive movements, but it was necessary, in order to furnish the +volunteers and militia, who had rendezvoused at Fayetteville, with +the requisite arms and supplies. + +The hostile Creeks, or Red Sticks, numbered only about four thousand +warriors, and they were now surrounded by an American force large +enough, had it been properly provided, and directed by a single +commander, like General Jackson, to have driven them into the Gulf +of Mexico, or exterminated them in a very few weeks. On the west of +their settlements, there were six hundred Mississippi volunteers, +under General Claiborne; the 3rd regiment of regular infantry, six +hundred strong, under Colonel Russell; and two hundred militia, at +Fort St. Stephen’s. On the north, were the Tennessee volunteers and +militia, five thousand in number,--twenty-five hundred from West +Tennessee, with General Jackson in person, and twenty-five hundred +from East Tennessee, under Generals Cocke and White,--all under +the orders of General Jackson; and in addition to these, there was +a force of two hundred Mississippi volunteers, near Huntsville, +under Colonel Perkins. On the east were twenty-five hundred Georgia +militia, commanded by General Floyd. Besides the troops mentioned, +there was a body of Cherokees and friendly Creeks, sometimes with one +party and sometimes with another, and varying, at different times, +from one or two, to seven or eight hundred. + +[Sidenote: DESIGNS OF THE BRITISH.] + +Had they not been grossly deceived and deluded by their prophets, the +Creeks could never have hoped to accomplish anything against this +formidable array. Indeed, they seem to have been strangely infatuated +throughout; for, instead of concentrating their whole force in an +attack on Mobile, or the Mississippi or Georgia troops, neither of +whom were yet fully prepared for the field, they advanced with their +main body, weakened by a detachment sent towards the frontiers of +Georgia, against the column under General Jackson, who was ready to +meet them at any odds, and determined to defeat, when he did meet +them. It is not probable that the British agents who instigated the +Creeks to hostilities, anticipated that the latter would achieve any +certain success. They only supposed that the savages would hold the +Americans at bay, until a British army could be brought to succor +them. The resistless energy and perseverance of General Jackson, +defeated any such project. Long before England was able to dispatch a +considerable force to the Gulf, he had fallen upon the Creeks like a +thunderbolt, scattered their warriors, who escaped the deadly aim of +his rifles, like chaff before the wind, spread terror and devastation +through their settlements, and forced them, as suppliants, humbly to +beg for peace. + +About one o’clock in the morning of the eleventh of October, an +express from Colonel Coffee,--who had crossed the Tennessee river +south of Huntsville, at Ditto’s Landing, and posted his command on +a high bluff on the opposite shore,--arrived at Fayetteville, with +the information that the Red Sticks were rapidly approaching his +position. Jackson instantly replied, that he would be on the march to +reïnforce him, in two hours. It had been sometime before understood, +between General Jackson and General Cocke, that the latter would +send supplies down the river, from East Tennessee, where provisions +were abundant, to meet the other column at Ditto’s Landing. Hoping, +rather than believing, that he would be supplied with provisions, +in sufficient quantities, if he advanced into the enemy’s country, +Jackson ordered all his disposable force under arms, and left +Fayetteville early in the morning of the eleventh. + +Rumors of Indian massacres and outrages reached the command at every +stage of their progress. They scarcely halted during the day, and at +eight o’clock in the evening were in Huntsville, thirty-two miles +distant. Here General Jackson ascertained that the report in regard +to the advance of the Creeks was not well founded; and he therefore +concluded to rest his men till the following morning, when he resumed +his march, and in the evening effected a junction with the troops +under Colonel Coffee. + +From the positive assurances contained in letters received from +Generals Cocke and White,--the latter of whom had concentrated +about eight hundred and fifty men, at Highwassee Garrison, in the +Cherokee country, on the fourth of October,--General Jackson was +led to believe that he should find ample stores of provisions when +he reached the Tennessee river. On the thirteenth of October, he +dispatched Colonel Coffee, with six hundred men picked from his +regiment, against Blackwarriors’ Town, on the Blackwarrior river, +about one hundred miles south of Ditto’s Landing. Day after day +passed by, and still the supplies did not arrive. The time was +profitably spent, under the circumstances, in drilling the troops, +but the delay was, nevertheless, intolerable. Repeated messages +were received from Chenubby, Pathkiller, and other friendly chiefs, +informing him that they and their families were liable to be cut off, +at any moment, by the Red Sticks, who were collecting in force near +the Ten Islands, on the Coosa River, and urging him to hasten to +their assistance. He at length determined that he would not longer +remain inactive. + +[Sidenote: ADVANCE TO THOMPSON’S CREEK.] + +As his contemplated route to the Coosa lay, for some distance, up +the Tennessee river, he resolved to advance, hoping to meet the +stores which he supposed were descending the stream; and so confident +was he upon this point, that he sent forward expresses to stop them +at Thompson’s Creek. On the nineteenth of October, he commenced his +march for that point, with scarcely a week’s rations on hand, having +previously dismissed the former contractors for his army and supplied +their places with others. + +He was obliged to cut a road for the passage of his wagon train +through dense forests, and over almost impassable mountains; but he +only smiled at obstacles when he possessed the means to overcome +them. On the twenty-second instant, he arrived at Thompson’s Creek, +but it was only to be again disappointed. No supplies were to be +found, and nothing could be heard of any. Other generals would have +given up in despair; but it was not in his nature to falter. Though +environed by difficulties, which might well have appalled a braver +spirit, he formed the stern resolution to breast them nobly and +manfully. To retreat now, would be to abandon the friendly Creeks, +of whose danger he was again reminded, by a message from Pathkiller, +at Turkey Town, to their fate,--and to leave the southern frontiers +of Tennessee exposed to the ruthless ravages of the savage enemy. +Though the hideous monster, Famine, stared him in the face at every +step, he resolved to advance to the Ten Islands, and then sweep down +through the country where the hostiles, or Red Sticks, as they were +called, in allusion to the emblems which they had adopted, were +concentrating, to the forks of the Coosa and Tallapoosa. + +He addressed earnest and importunate letters to the governors of +Tennessee and Georgia, to Colonels Meigs and McKee, the Cherokee +and Choctaw agents, to General Flourney, the commander of the +seventh military district, to the friendly chiefs, and several +private citizens of wealth and influence, urging them to leave no +means untried to throw forward the necessary supplies for his army, +and pledging himself, if properly furnished in this respect, to +terminate the war in a very few weeks. While at Thompson’s Creek, he +received a letter from General White, who had increased his force at +Highwassee to about thirteen hundred men, besides one or two hundred +friendly Cherokees, informing him that no flour could be spared at +that post. He immediately dispatched expresses to Generals Cocke and +White, apprising them of the condition of his troops in regard to +provisions, and requiring them to join him as soon as possible in the +Creek country. + +On the twenty-fourth of October, Colonel Coffee returned from his +expedition, having destroyed Blackwarriors’ Town, and captured three +hundred bushels of corn, though he had not seen an Indian. The +provisions of his men were so nearly exhausted, that, during the +last four days of their excursion, they were obliged to subsist on +parched corn. In the evening of the twenty-fourth, the preparations +of General Jackson for a forward movement were completed; a dépôt +was established at Thompson’s Creek, called Fort Deposit, and means +provided for forwarding such supplies as might arrive; and, on the +morning of the twenty-fifth, he put his army in motion for the +interior, marching, as was his invariable custom, in three columns, +so arranged that they could be instantly formed in order of battle, +if attacked in front or in rear, or on either flank. + +In two days General Jackson reached Wills’ Creek, a tributary of the +Coosa, where he encamped till the morning of the twenty-ninth, to +collect corn from the neighboring Indians,--his army being entirely +out of bread. On the twenty-eighth instant, Lieutenant Colonel +Dyer was detached with two hundred cavalry, against the village of +Littefutchee, which he attacked the following night; the village was +burned; twenty-nine prisoners were taken; and considerable corn, +and a number of beeves, were collected from the vicinity. While at +Wills’ Creek, Jackson was again obliged to remove his contractors, +and employ others. On the thirtieth instant, he reörganized his +troops. General Hall was placed in command of the first brigade, +consisting of the first and second regiments of volunteer infantry, +under Colonels Bradley and Pillow; and General Roberts in command +of the second brigade, consisting of the first and second militia +regiments, under Colonels Wynne and M’Crory. General Coffee, promoted +from colonel, was placed in command of the cavalry brigade, which +consisted of the volunteer regiment, Colonel Alcorn, and the mounted +rifles, Colonel Cannon. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF TALLUSCHATCHEE.] + +The march was then resumed for the Ten Islands. While General Jackson +was cutting his way over the Coosa mountain, General Coffee was +ordered to cross the river, at the fish-dams, with one thousand +men of his brigade, to scour the country in the direction of the +Ten Islands, and attack the Indian town of Talluschatchee, about +thirteen miles distant, in an easterly direction, where a large +force of the enemy had collected. The orders issued to General Coffee +were gallantly executed. On the morning of the third of November he +approached the town; the savages in vain attempted to oppose his +march; and they were driven rapidly back upon their buildings, in and +about which a fierce and bloody contest took place, that terminated +in their complete rout and overthrow. Both men and women fought with +the utmost desperation. One hundred and eighty-six of the enemy, +including one of their prophets, and a number of women and children, +were found dead on the field of battle; and there were eighty-four +taken prisoners, all of whom were women and children. General Coffee +had five men killed and fourteen wounded. Having destroyed the town +and buried his dead, he rejoined the main army, at the Ten Islands, +in the evening of the same day, with his wounded and prisoners. + +[Sidenote: KINDNESS TO THE ORPHAN.] + +Harassed by constant care and anxiety,--exposed, at every turn, +to vexatious delays and hindrances, that fretted and annoyed +him,--General Jackson never lost that kindness and gentleness of +spirit, which bloomed, bright and pure, amid the intenser passions +that burned and blazed around it. Among the prisoners taken at +Talluschatchee, was an infant boy found clinging to the breast of +his dead mother. He was brought to camp with the others, and General +Jackson endeavored to hire some of the captive women to take care +of him. They refused, saying, “All his relations are dead; kill +him too!”--Jackson then caused him to be fed with sweetened water, +and afterwards sent him to Huntsville, where he was nursed at his +expense. After the close of the campaign, he took the little orphan, +who was named Lincoyer, home with him to the Hermitage, where he was +reared and educated with parental care and kindness. At a proper age, +he was apprenticed to a saddler in Nashville; but he never lost his +Indian tastes. His health began to fail before he reached the age of +manhood, and he was removed to the Hermitage. He sunk rapidly into +a consumption, and soon died, sincerely mourned and lamented by the +general and his wife, who had watched over his sick bed with untiring +assiduity. + +At the Ten Islands, General Jackson established a post, called Fort +Strother, on the right bank of the Coosa, opposite the mouth of +Talluschatchee creek. The prisoners brought in by General Coffee +were forthwith sent to Huntsville. No supplies had yet arrived; +the army could not be furnished with regular rations; and it was +hardly known, one day, what they were to subsist on the next. Once +more the commanding general appealed to the contractors, by every +consideration of humanity and patriotism, to forward the provisions +which could alone save his troops from starvation. He likewise again +wrote to General White, who had arrived at Turkey Town, twenty-five +miles above Fort Strother, to join him immediately. His dispatch was +written on the seventh of November, and, late in the evening, before +it was closed, a runner came in from Lashly’s fort, at Talladega, +about thirty miles south of Fort Strother, and a short distance east +of the Coosa, with the intelligence that a large body of Red Sticks +had encamped near that place, which was occupied by friendly Indians, +and were preparing to destroy it and the inmates. General Jackson +could not hesitate to grant the desired succor. He determined to +march forthwith; the urgent circumstances which induced him to +advance, were mentioned in the dispatch to General White; and the +latter was entreated to lose no time in reaching Fort Strother, to +protect his dépôt and cover his rear. + +Marching orders were issued in a few moments after the arrival of +the runner, and at midnight General Jackson was on the march for +Talladega, with his whole disposable force, consisting of twelve +hundred infantry, and eight hundred cavalry and mounted rifles. His +sick, wounded, and baggage, were left at Fort Strother. Crossing the +Coosa in the night, he pressed forward with such celerity--officers +and men vieing with each other in zeal--that, on the evening of +the eighth instant, he encamped within six miles of the fort at +Talladega, which was occupied by one hundred and sixty friendly +warriors, with their women and children. About midnight the chief +Chenubby arrived from Turkey Town, with a letter from General White, +informing General Jackson that he had received an order from his +division commander, General Cocke, to join him at Chattooga, higher +up the Coosa, and that he could not, therefore, advance to Fort +Strother. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF TALLADEGA.] + +Jackson’s cup of disappointment was almost full. Neither General +Cocke, nor General White, wanted in patriotism; but they seem, more +particularly the former, to have been impressed with the belief, +that by remaining aloof from General Jackson, they would secure a +larger share of the honors of the campaign. It seems almost painful +to contemplate the struggles of the proud and ambitious spirit +constantly thwarted by their unwise movements. Had they joined him +at once, the war would have been brought to a close in a few weeks; +but they preferred to linger behind, in safety and security, eating +up the provisions better deserved by those who were enduring the +severest fatigues and privations; and when they recovered from their +inactivity, and advanced to strike a blow, it proved to be the only +unfortunate one of the whole campaign. + +The dispatch from General White made no change, however, in the +determination of General Jackson. He resolved to dispose of the +enemy in his front, and then fall back, with all possible speed, +to Fort Strother, before the enemy would have time to profit by +its defenceless condition. The prospect before his troops was +disheartening in the extreme; if they conquered, there would be no +food to refresh or reïnvigorate them; yet his example inspired them +with confidence, and they obeyed his commands without hesitation or +reluctance. + +Long before daylight on the morning of the ninth of November, the +army was again in motion. Silently threading their way through the +luxuriant forests, winding over the hills, and crossing the rich +intervals, that separated them from the enemy, they approached their +position. Within a mile, they were halted, and formed in order of +battle. The infantry brigades were placed in the centre,--General +Hall’s on the right, and General Roberts’ on the left. They were +flanked, on the right, by Colonel Alcorn’s volunteer cavalry, and, on +the left, by the mounted rifles of Colonel Cannon. An advanced corps +of riflemen, spies, and artillery, was formed under Colonel Carroll, +the inspector general, and a strong reserve of two hundred and fifty +mounted men, under Lieutenant Colonel Dyer. + +At eight o’clock the attack was ordered; and the whole column moved +rapidly forward, all full of animation and enthusiasm. Colonel +Carroll preceded the main body, with the advance, having received +orders to rouse the enemy from the thicket on the banks of a small +rivulet, in which they had concealed themselves, and then to retire +towards the centre. The sharp quick report of his rifles, and the +hideous yells and screams, soon apprised the remainder of the column +that the savages had been started from their cover. Meantime, the +infantry regiments, which had previously advanced by heads of +companies, had displayed, in accordance with the orders of General +Jackson, and the cavalry were extending themselves, to the right +and left, so as to encircle the enemy. The orders issued by the +commanding general required the cavalry to keep up their connection +with the flanks of the infantry. This was neglected on the right, and +the plan of attack, which was most skilfully formed, was partially +defeated by this untoward circumstance. Colonel Bradley, the officer +commanding the infantry regiment on the right, also halted his men on +a rising ground, before he came in contact with the enemy, and the +gap was thereby considerably widened. + +[Sidenote: DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY.] + +When the fronts of the cavalry columns met on the further side of the +enemy, they faced inwardly, and a general rush was made towards the +centre. The Indians did not appear inclined to fly, at first, but +made a bold onset upon the right wing of General Roberts’ brigade. +Three of the companies, after delivering their fire, began to +stagger, and finally fell back in the rear. Colonel Bradley was then +ordered to advance with his regiment, and fill up the vacancy. This +he declined doing; and General Jackson, much against his will, as he +designed the reserve to pursue the enemy if they attempted to escape, +was forced to direct Lieutenant Colonel Dyer to dismount his men, and +engage them. Observing this movement, the retiring militia rallied +and did good service. + +The action was not of long continuance. The savages could not +withstand the destructive fire poured in upon them from every side, +and in fifteen minutes they commenced flying hither and thither, +within the circle, seeking some avenue of escape. Whichsoever way +they turned, they encountered the rifle and the bayonet. At length, +they discovered the opening between Colonel Alcorn’s regiment of +cavalry, on the right, and the volunteers of Colonel Bradley. +Through this numbers of them dashed, hotly pursed by both cavalry +and infantry, who followed them for nearly three miles, strewing the +ground throughout the whole distance with their dead bodies. The +Indian force numbered one thousand and eighty warriors, of whom two +hundred and ninety-nine were found killed on the field of battle, and +many more must have perished in the woods. The Americans lost but +fifteen killed, and eighty-five wounded, some of the latter mortally. + +The occupants of the fort thus timely relieved, crowded around +General Jackson and his brave troops, and poured forth their thanks +in eloquent and impressive terms. There were only one hundred and +sixty warriors, with their women and children, and the arrival of +the Tennesseans was most opportune, as the Red Sticks were to have +assaulted the fort in a few hours. They had been entirely cut off +from their supply of water, and had suffered considerably for want of +it. Their stock of provisions was also limited; but on discovering +the condition of Jackson’s troops, who had left Fort Strother with +but little over one day’s rations, they cheerfully furnished them all +they had to spare, which scarcely amounted to a single meal. + +General Jackson complimented his troops, in the highest terms, for +their gallantry in this action. All the officers, with the exception +of Colonel Bradley, who was placed under arrest, but afterwards +released, were mentioned in his dispatches in terms of marked +approbation. + +[Sidenote: DESTITUTION OF THE TROOPS.] + +An instant retreat to Fort Strother was now necessary. The +horses were suffering for the want of forage, and the men were +half-famished, when they turned their backs on the field of victory, +and commenced their retrograde march. Jackson was with the van of the +army, and on the way discovered a quantity of acorns lying on the +ground. Dismounting from his horse, he threw the bridle over his arm, +and, having gathered a few of the nuts, sat down on the roots of a +tree to eat them. He was thus engaged in satisfying his hunger, when +a soldier approached him, and demanded something to eat. “I never +turn away the hungry,” said the general, “while I have anything to +give them.” He then offered the soldier a few acorns, adding, “I will +most cheerfully divide with you such food as I have.” Mortified and +surprised, the man shrunk back among his companions, who thereafter +repressed every disposition to murmur or complain. + +The army reached Fort Strother on the evening of the eleventh +of November, but it was only to be once more disappointed. No +provisions, except the limited quantities forwarded by the +contractors, had yet arrived; and the private stores of the general +had been almost exhausted, in order to supply the wants of the sick +and wounded. Still he assumed a cheerful and confident tone, though +sad enough at heart, and resorting to the slaughter-pens, provided +himself with tripes, with which he made what he termed a comfortable +repast. His example was imitated by the soldiers, who seemed inclined +willingly to endure the hardships of the campaign. + +But matters could not long continue in this situation. The battles of +Talluschatchee and Talladega had satisfied, to a considerable degree, +the desire for adventure which had previously animated the troops in +the midst of the most embarrassing difficulties, and they soon began +to pine for the comforts of home. Starvation was far more terrible to +them than “an army with banners.” They were brave,--this could not +be doubted,--and they would have gladly followed their general into +the very heart of the Creek country, if they could only have been +assured that a reasonable supply of food would be provided; of the +two enemies whom they met in the wilderness, they feared the savage +least; and was it not asking too much that they should encounter both? + +Disaffection gradually gained ground, and, in a few days, the whole +army was on the verge of mutiny. The militia regiments were the +first to make known their determination to leave the camp, and return +to Tennessee. Apprised of their intention, General Jackson ordered +the volunteer brigade under arms, and when the militia attempted to +move off, the former were directed to fire upon them unless they +returned to their duty. This had the desired effect. The overawed +militia retired to their tents, but, on the following morning, +they were themselves paraded, in a similar manner, to prevent +the volunteers from deserting their colors. This arraying of one +species of force against another was a bold and happy conception of +Jackson’s; but it would not bear repetition. No one could be better +aware than himself, that the men had reasonable cause for complaint, +even though he insisted on a rigid compliance with his orders to +remain at Fort Strother. The horses were suffering so much, however, +for the want of forage, that the mounted men received permission to +go back to Huntsville, upon their pledge to return promptly when +required to do so. + +[Sidenote: SUPPRESSION OF THE MUTINY.] + +Having been positively assured by the new contractor, Colonel +Pope, in reply to his earnest and pathetic appeals, that supplies +would soon reach his camp, General Jackson made a most eloquent +and animated harangue to his troops on the fourteenth of November, +exhorting them, by every consideration and argument which should +influence brave and patriotic citizens, not to abandon the service, +and leave the frontier settlements exposed to the desolating +incursions of the Indians. He also promised them, that if a supply +of provisions did not arrive within two days, he would himself +lead them back where there was plenty. The militia consented to +remain; but the volunteer regiments, forgetful of the heavy debt +of gratitude which they owed to their commander, for his refusal +to desert them the previous winter, at Natchez, when they had been +abandoned by their government, determined to march forthwith to +the settlements. Discovering that it was useless longer to attempt +compulsory measures, General Jackson issued the necessary orders to +General Hall, to conduct his brigade to Fort Deposit. Before the +march was commenced, the second regiment wisely reconsidered their +determination, and concluded to stay with the general; whereupon the +first regiment moved off alone. + +The specified time elapsed, and still no provisions had arrived. +On the sixteenth, General Jackson commenced his preparations for +the abandonment of Fort Strother; but, on reflecting how much +this movement would reïnspirit the savages, he declared that he +would not leave the post, if only two men would remain with him. +Captain Gordon, of the spies, instantly volunteered to be one of +his companions, and through his exertions, and those of some of the +members of the general staff, one hundred and nine men were found who +agreed to stay. + +Feeling confident, however, that supplies were close at hand, General +Jackson marched with the militia, apprising them, in advance, that +they would be ordered back if his expectations should be realized. +Within ten or twelve miles of the fort, they met one hundred and +fifty beeves. The column at once halted; the cattle were knocked +down, and eagerly cooked and eaten by the half-starved troops. But +when the order to return was issued, none obeyed it. One company, +indeed, had resumed the march, before the general discovered the +mutinous disposition which prevailed among the troops. He immediately +dashed ahead of the men who were moving off, and with General Coffee, +a part of the staff, and a few soldiers, formed a line across the +road, and declared that he would fire on them if they endeavored +to pass. Well knowing that he was not the man to forfeit his word, +they fell back to the main body, who were soon discovered to be +likewise infected with the spirit of mutiny. Arguments and entreaties +proved of no avail,--the troops all formed, and were on the point of +continuing their march to Fort Deposit. As a last resort, the general +snatched a musket, threw it across the neck of his horse, and placing +himself in front of the column, declared that he would shoot down the +first man who moved a single step in advance. + +The piece which General Jackson had seized was too much out of order +to be fired, and his arm was so weak that he could not aim it with +any precision; but the men before him knew nothing of this, or, if +they did, thought not of it. They only saw his flashing eye, and his +determined look. General Coffee and some of the staff took their +places in silence beside him. Two faithful companies also formed in +his rear. All were ready to fire when he gave the signal. For several +moments not a word was uttered. At length the power of numbers +quailed before the iron will, the moral greatness of that one man. +The mutineers signified their willingness to return, and in a short +time they were retracing their steps to Fort Strother. + +[Sidenote: DESTRUCTION OF THE HILLABEE TOWNS.] + +While General Jackson was engaged in quelling the disturbances in +his camp, the East Tennesseans, under General White, were proceeding +against the Hillabee towns, the warriors from which had been present +at the battle of Talladega. Intimidated by the result of this action, +they had applied to General Jackson, on the thirteenth of November, +for terms of peace. On the seventeenth he replied, making known to +them the conditions upon which their request would be granted. On the +same night, General White, who had been detached for this service by +General Cocke, on the eleventh of November, with all his cavalry and +mounted infantry, approached the principal Hillabee village, having +previously destroyed Little Oakfuskie, Genalga, and Netta Chaptoa. +At daylight the town was surprised, sixty warriors were killed, and +two hundred and fifty taken prisoners, without the loss of a drop of +blood on the part of General White’s command. + +This unfortunate movement--unfortunate, inasmuch as the blow fell +with crushing weight upon a people already subdued, and anxious to +make peace on any terms--confirmed General Cocke in the opinion which +he had previously formed and communicated to General Jackson on the +fourteenth of November, that it was far better to unite his forces +with those of the latter, and act in concert with him, than, by +remaining separate, to paralyze his efforts, and defeat his plans. +Thereafter he made no attempt to operate independently of General +Jackson, and on the twelfth of December joined him at Fort Strother, +with fourteen hundred and fifty men. + +Meanwhile the Georgia militia, under General Floyd, though, like the +Tennessee troops, much embarrassed by the want of supplies, had been +advancing from the frontier of that state into the Creek country. +Early in the morning of the twenty-ninth of November, they surprised +the Indian town of Antossee, situated on the left bank of the +Tallapoosa, about twenty miles above its junction with the Coosa, and +which the savages had been taught by their prophets to consider holy +ground. The force under General Floyd consisted of nine hundred and +fifty Georgians, and between three and four hundred friendly Indians. +Antossee, and another town about five hundred yards lower down, were +occupied by large parties of the enemy. Both were attacked at the +same moment; the houses were set on fire; and a furious contest took +place amid the surrounding flames. The Indians were ultimately routed +and dispersed, with the loss of two hundred killed and wounded. +General Floyd was himself severely wounded; and there were eleven +of his men killed, and fifty-four wounded. As the principal Creek +towns were within a short distance of Antossee, he completed the work +of destruction, and immediately retired to the Chatahoochee, which +he reached without molestation. On the ninth of December, another +detachment of Georgia militia, under General Adams, consisting of +five hundred and thirty men, marched on a second expedition against +the towns on the Tallapoosa. They were unable to bring the enemy to +action, but destroyed two of their villages, and then returned to +camp. + +[Sidenote: ECCANAHACA DESTROYED.] + +While these operations were going on, east and north of the Creeks, +the regulars and militia on the west, though cut off from all +communication with the other columns, by the trackless forests which +separated them, were not inactive. On the thirteenth of December, +General Claiborne moved up the Alabama river, from Fort Stoddart, +with a detachment, in order to destroy the towns above the mouth of +the Cahawba. On the twenty-third instant he attacked Eccanahaca, or +Holy Ground, a new town erected since the commencement of the war, +in the midst of tangled thickets, and almost impenetrable swamps +and morasses. This village was the general dépôt of the Indians in +this section, and contained large quantities of property and stores +of provisions. It consisted of about two hundred houses, and was +occupied by a considerable body of the enemy, under the half-breed +chief, Weatherford. General Claiborne advanced upon the town, with +his force divided into three columns. The Indians were quickly driven +out, leaving thirty dead on the ground. Having no facilities for +removing the property or provisions, the general ordered them to be +consumed with the town. He also destroyed another village, containing +sixty houses, eight miles higher up the river. + +Among the slain at Eccanahaca were three Shawnee warriors, who had +probably joined the hostile Creeks after the terrible defeat of their +tribe on the banks of the Thames, in October previous; and among +the trophies of the expedition, was a letter to Weatherford, from +Manriquez, the Spanish governor of Florida, dated at Pensacola, the +twenty-ninth of September, affording ample and conclusive evidence of +his connivance with the Red Sticks.[18] + +The troops called out under the authority of the Legislature of +Tennessee, were accepted by the General Government, and on the +seventh of November, General Pinckney, previously in charge of +the sixth military district, was ordered to assume command of the +seventh. His plan of conducting the campaign contemplated the +junction of the various corps operating in the Creek country, at the +confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa; and instructions were issued +by him to the different commanders, requiring them to take possession +of the country as they advanced, so as, at all times, to keep open +their communication in the rear. + +[Sidenote: ANOTHER MUTINY.] + +After allaying the mutiny in his camp, in November, General Jackson +visited Fort Deposit and Ditto’s Landing, to make arrangements for +supplying his army, preparatory to another forward movement which +he had in contemplation. Requisitions were issued for furnishing +a suitable number of rations at Fort Strother, Talladega, and the +junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa, together with wagons and +pack-horses for their transportation. He then returned to Fort +Strother with the first regiment of volunteers. Shortly after +his return a new cause of disturbance arose. The volunteers had +originally engaged to serve for twelve months, and they claimed that +their term of service would expire on the tenth of December. General +Jackson, however, contended that the period which elapsed between the +time of their dismissal, after their return from Natchez, and that +of their subsequent remuster, at Fayetteville, must be deducted. Each +party insisted on its particular view of the case; and in the evening +of the ninth of December, General Jackson was informed by General +Hall, that his brigade were preparing to move off, with, or without +permission, on the following morning. + +General Jackson had become familiar with scenes of this character, +and he immediately issued an order, stating that an actual mutiny +existed in the camp, and commanding all officers and soldiers to +unite in putting it down. He further directed the volunteer brigade +to parade on the west side of the fort; the company of artillerists +were ordered to take post, with one piece in front, and one in rear, +of their line; and the militia, under Colonel Wynne, were instructed +to occupy the eminences in advance. These dispositions being made, +the general rode in front of the volunteers, and addressed each +company separately, in eloquent and animated terms, informing them +that he had submitted the question in dispute to the governor, and +that, until his decision was known, or reïnforcements joined him, he +could not dispense with their services. He appealed to every noble +and worthy motive to induce them to remain; but declared, that he +should do his duty, regardless of consequences; and that they could +not leave him, without passing over his dead body. “Now,” said he, in +conclusion, “argument is at an end; and you must choose, and that at +once, whether you will go or stay!” + +Not a word was uttered in reply, by the volunteers. He then demanded +a prompt answer. Still there was no response. He now ordered the +artillerists to prepare their matches. Ere the order was obeyed, the +obstinacy of the men gave way before his unyielding firmness. “Let us +return,” was whispered from one to another, with trembling lips; and +the officers soon came forward, and pledged themselves and their men, +to remain until the general should hear from the governor, or the +expected reïnforcements arrive. + +On the twelfth of December, General Cocke reached the camp, from Fort +Armstrong, with the East Tennesseans. General Jackson then issued +an address to the volunteer brigade, offering to permit those who +desired to leave him, to return at once to Nashville, and those who +chose to remain, to organize themselves into a separate corps, with +officers of their own selection. But one man in the whole brigade, +Captain Williamson, consented to stay; the remainder were marched +back to Nashville, by General Hall, and soon after discharged from +the service. + +The regiment of volunteer cavalry belonging to General Coffee’s +brigade, claimed the same indulgence with the volunteer infantry, +and the mounted rifles insisted that they were only bound for a +three months’ tour of duty. About one-half the brigade abandoned the +service, at Huntsville, and the other half returned to Fort Deposit, +but they also subsequently deserted their commander,--General +Coffee exerting himself, in vain, to induce them to remain,--and +returned home. These defections, and the expiration of the terms of +service of a portion of General Cocke’s division, reduced the force +under General Jackson, at Fort Strother, to six hundred militia, +two companies of spies, under Captains Gordon and Russell, one of +artillery, under Captain Deadrick, and a few volunteers from the +various corps, who had been, “faithful among the faithless found.” +The militia demanded their discharge at the expiration of three +months, although it had been supposed they were enlisted for six, and +it was not thought advisable to compel them to remain. + +All these difficulties in keeping the troops in the field arose from +the want of sufficient supplies. Had General Jackson been properly +supported in this respect, it is probable there would not have been +a single case of defection, and the first of January, 1814, would +have witnessed the complete subjection of the Creeks. Still he was +determined to prosecute the campaign, as soon as he should be in +a condition to move forward. After the return of the militia, he +was left with only about one hundred men, and was, in consequence, +obliged to employ the friendly Cherokees in garrisoning Fort +Armstrong and protecting the stores at Camp Ross. Generals Cocke and +Roberts, Colonel Carroll, and Major Searcy, the aid of the commanding +general, were at this time absent in Tennessee, exerting themselves +to raise additional troops. + +[Sidenote: LETTER TO GOVERNOR BLOUNT.] + +On being informed of the situation of General Jackson, Governor +Blount advised him to fall back from his advanced posts, and content +himself with defending the frontiers of the state, until he was +placed in sufficient force to carry on the war. On the twenty-ninth +of December, 1813, the general unburthened his whole soul to the +governor, + + “In thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.” + +“What!” said he, in his letter, “retrograde under such +circumstances! I will perish first. What! a governor of a patriotic +state, whose citizens pressed for war, who bawled for permission +to exterminate the Creeks, to pause or hesitate at such a crisis +as this? Such conduct cannot be justified, cannot be excused. Hear +the voice of a friend: If you compel me to retrograde, the awful +responsibility must and will be ascribed to you.... I shall do my +duty. I will retain the post, or die in the struggle, unless ordered +to retreat by my commanding general!” + +The earnest appeals of General Jackson, whose intrepidity of spirit +and resoluteness of purpose appeared only the more conspicuous, when +fortune smiled the most unkindly on him, were not without effect. On +the thirteenth of January, 1814, he was joined at Fort Strother, by +two regiments of mounted men, eight hundred and fifty strong, under +Colonels Perkins and Higgins, who had volunteered for sixty days. +Previous to this time, he had ascertained that the hostile Indians +from several towns on the Tallapoosa, had concentrated in a bend of +the river, thirty-five miles south-east of Talladega, near the mouth +of the Emuckfaw Creek, and were either preparing to attack Fort +Armstrong, or the Georgia troops. + +The volunteer, cavalry having been enlisted for so short a period, +it was necessary to act speedily if he desired to avail himself of +their services. On the day of their arrival at Fort Strother, he +issued orders directing them to hold themselves in readiness for the +march, and, on the fifteenth and sixteenth of January, crossed the +Coosa with his whole force, numbering seven hundred and sixty-seven +men, though the official reports, which were not corrected lest the +army should be intimidated by the knowledge of its weakness, showed a +total of nine hundred and thirty. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF EMUCKFAW.] + +At Talladega, General Jackson was joined by two hundred friendly +Creeks and Cherokees. The march was continued without intermission, +and on the night of the twentieth instant, he encamped at +Enotochopco, one of the Hillabee villages, within twelve miles of +Emuckfaw. In the morning of the twenty-first, the army proceeded +direct towards the bend of the river where the enemy were said to be +fortified. About the middle of the afternoon, the spies discovered +two Indians, who were pursued, but made their escape. Advancing a +short distance further, they came upon the main trail of the savages. +The general then determined to encamp and reconnoitre the surrounding +country. A proper position having been selected, the army encamped +in a hollow square. Pickets and spies were thrown out on every side; +the sentinels were doubled; fires were built in a circle around the +encampment; and every precaution taken to guard against a surprise. + +Though General Jackson knew it not, as his spies could obtain but +little information, he was in the immediate vicinity of the three +principal, and most formidable, bands of the Red Sticks. Girded by +the belt of watch-fires which their vigilant and sagacious commander +directed to be formed, in order to prevent the approach of an enemy +undiscovered, his troops reposed in security. All remained quiet till +ten o’clock in the evening, when three of the savages were descried +stealing cautiously towards one of the pickets. They were instantly +fired on, and one of them was shot down. About an hour later, the +spies came in, and reported that there was a large Indian encampment +three miles distant, and that its occupants were whooping and +dancing, as if preparing to go out on the war-path. The general was +further informed by one of the spies, an intelligent Indian, that the +enemy were sending away their women and children--a sure indication +that they intended to decamp, or attack him, before morning. Orders +were now given for the men to be prepared for action, at any moment. + +Moments and hours passed by in anxious suspense. From time to time +the orders enjoining strict caution and vigilance were repeated. +The darkest hour of the morning--the time usually selected by the +Indians for their attacks--approached; and when everything was the +most quiet and undisturbed, all at once there rose a loud pealing +yell on the left of the encampment, and with it came a hurtling +volley of rifle-balls. A deafening responsive shout went up, within +that fiery circle, like the wild pibroch of some Gaelic clan, rousing +the martial spirit of all who heard it. The enemy kept up a rapid +and unintermitting fire; but they could not approach near enough to +effect any execution, without entering the line of light which the +timely precaution of Jackson had thrown around his men; and whenever +a single swart form, or painted visage, was disclosed, the American +bullet sped away on its sure errand of death. + +[Sidenote: THE ENEMY REPULSED.] + +When the alarm was first given, General Coffee, Colonel Carroll, and +Colonel Sitler, the adjutant general,--who, with a number of other +officers previously belonging to different detachments, had remained +with the commander to whom they were devotedly attached, and formed +themselves into a corps, without privates,--mounted their horses +and rode to the left. Their presence inspirited and encouraged the +troops, and the savages were held firmly at bay till the dawning +light enabled objects to be distinguished with precision. A company +of infantry was then ordered to that flank, and thus strengthened, +General Coffee, supported by Colonels Higgins and Carroll, led the +whole line to the charge. The red warriors were driven from their +coverts at the point of the bayonet, and pursued for more than two +miles; the friendly Indians joining in the chase, and marking their +pathway with the blood of the slain. + +The enemy having been effectually repulsed, General Coffee was +ordered to advance to the Indian encampment, with four hundred men +and all the friendly warriors, and destroy it. On approaching it, he +found that it was too strongly fortified to be carried by assault, +and therefore returned to bring up the company of artillery. Before +he again set out, his services were required at the camp. Within half +an hour after his return, a body of savages were observed on the +right, who opened a brisk fire on a party searching for the Indian +shot by the picket on the previous night. General Coffee solicited +the honor of attacking them. He was directed to take two hundred +men with him, but through some mistake, he was followed by only +fifty-four men, all of whom belonged to the company of volunteer +officers which he commanded. With this small force, he fell with such +fury on the left flank of the assailants, that they were forced to +take shelter in a thicket on the bank of a small creek. + +In the meantime, as had been anticipated by General Jackson, who +supposed the demonstration on the right to be a mere _ruse de +guerre_, the main body of the enemy came rushing like demons, with +the most hideous and discordant yells, on the left of the American +encampment. He instantly repaired thither in person. His men always +knew how to fight under his eyes, and they stood their ground with +veteran intrepidity and firmness. A few well-directed and effective +volleys were delivered, and resort was then had to the bayonet; the +men advancing to the charge under the orders of Colonel Carroll. Once +more the enemy fled with precipitation, and were hotly pursued some +distance from the camp. + +The savages were now completely repulsed on the left, and General +Coffee and his little band, who had been forced back into the open +wood where the battle commenced, were reïnforced by one hundred +friendly warriors. General Coffee, though severely wounded in the +fierce conflict, which had deprived him of several of his best +officers, including his aid, Major Donelson, placed himself at the +head of the united force, and charged home upon the assailants. They +could no longer make head against him, but retreated in confusion. +The pursuit was continued for about three miles, in which forty-five +of the enemy were killed. + +Victorious as he was, General Jackson was still in a precarious +position. His men had but few rations left, and the horses had not +had corn or cane, for two days. The main object of the expedition--a +diversion in favor of the Georgia troops--had been accomplished; yet +his small force was seriously crippled, and it was to be feared, if +he remained at Emuckfaw, that the Red Sticks would rally in greater +numbers, and attack him once more, under all his disadvantages. +He therefore decided to fall back to Fort Strother as soon as +practicable. The remainder of the day was spent in burying the +dead, in taking care of the wounded and preparing litters for their +transportation, and in fortifying the camp. The militia sentinels +were repeatedly alarmed during the night, probably by their own +fancies, as no enemy was discovered; and on the morning of the +twenty-third, without having been again molested, the army commenced +the return march. + +Not a solitary Indian was seen through the day, except those attached +to the command. They defiled, without interruption, through a +hurricane, covered with the huge bolls of prostrate oaks and pines, +with straggling branches of trees flung in every direction, and +closely-matted weeds and brambles, in which there were numerous +hiding-places that might have afforded shelter to an enemy; and just +before sunset, they arrived at Enotochopco, where they halted for the +night, selecting a strong position, which they fortified, within a +quarter of a mile of the creek. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF ENOTOCHOPCO.] + +In the evening, small parties of the hostile savages were seen +prowling about the encampment, although no attack was made. This +circumstance, in connection with the fact that he had not been +molested during the day, convinced General Jackson that the enemy had +got in the advance, and were lying in wait for him at a dangerous +defile where he had forded the creek on his outward march. He +therefore sent out his pioneers, who discovered another crossing, +about six hundred yards lower down, which was approached through open +woodlands; and, unlike the other, its banks sloped gently down, and +were tolerably free from reeds and underbrush. The lower ford was, of +course, selected, in preference to the one above. + +Presuming that the Indians would rush upon his men, when they were +engaged in passing the stream, the general made his preparations with +great care, and issued his orders with unusual precision. Colonel +Carroll was ordered to take command of the centre of the rear-guard; +Colonel Perkins of the right column; and Colonel Stump of the left. +Captain Russell was directed to bring up the rear with his company +of spies. If attacked, Colonel Carroll was instructed to face about, +display, and maintain his ground; while the right and left columns +were to face outward, wheel back on their pivots, and then attack the +Indians on both flanks. + +[Sidenote: SUDDENNESS OF THE ATTACK.] + +In this order the crossing proceeded on the morning of the +twenty-fourth. The front-guard, the wounded, and a part of the flank +columns, had passed over; and the artillery were in the act of +entering the creek--General Jackson being on the bank superintending +the movement--when an alarm gun was fired in the rear. The instant +after, the whole troop of Indians, who had discovered the effort to +turn their position, came plunging down upon the rear-guard. Captain +Russell received them gallantly, and fell back in good order. Colonel +Carroll had scarcely given the order to halt and form, when the right +and left columns, headed by their officers, broke and fled down the +bank. Colonel Stump was among the foremost, and as he approached +General Jackson’s position, the latter attempted to cut him down with +his sword. + +All was now confusion and disorder. The panic was communicated to the +rear-guard, most of whom followed the example of their companions. +Colonel Carroll, and Captain Quarles, were left with only twenty-five +men, yet they sustained the unequal contest with unflinching bravery. +The savages were checked in their advance, but the men were rapidly +falling, and the iron hail came thicker and faster. General Jackson +fairly boiled over with rage and indignation; yet, smothering his +passion, he gave his orders coolly and calmly, but in a tone that +rang like the blast of a trumpet. Words of encouragement were not +wanting; and when the fearless and intrepid Coffee sprang from +his litter into the saddle, he cried, “We shall whip them yet, my +men!--the dead have risen and come to aid us!” + +The company of artillery, who were armed with muskets, now rushed +up the acclivity, and ranged themselves by the side of Colonel +Carroll and his little band, while their commander, Lieutenant +Armstrong[19]--Captain Deadrick being absent--and a few of his men, +dragged up their six pounder. The gun had been unlimbered at the +foot of the height, and when they prepared to load it, the rammer +and picker were missing. No time was to be lost, as the savages were +fast closing upon them. One of the men instantly wrested off his +bayonet, and rammed the cartridge home with his musket; another used +his ramrod as a picker, and primed with a musket cartridge. Twice was +the gun loaded and fired with grapeshot. At the second discharge, the +enemy were thrown into confusion, when Colonel Carroll pressed upon +them with the bayonet, and forced them to retire a short distance, +though they still persisted in the attack. + +Meanwhile, Captain Gordon, whose company had been in the advance, had +moved round and thrown himself upon the left flank of the Indians; +and a few moments later, General Jackson brought up a considerable +number of the rear-guard and flankers, whom he had rallied and +reformed, with the assistance of General Coffee, Colonel Higgins, and +other officers. Finding themselves baffled at every point, the enemy +gave up the contest and made a hasty retreat, throwing away their +packs as they fled, and leaving twenty-six of their warriors dead on +the field. + +In this series of engagements, at Emuckfaw and Enotochopco, General +Jackson lost twenty men killed, and seventy-five wounded, four of +them mortally. One hundred and eighty-nine dead bodies of the enemy +were counted; but they removed all their wounded, and, probably, many +who were killed outright. + +[Sidenote: A NEW ARMY RAISED.] + +Important as were these actions in their immediate results, they +assumed additional consequence, as effecting a fortunate diversion +in favor of the troops under General Floyd. He was attacked by the +savages, at Camp Defiance, shortly before daylight, on the morning +of the twenty-seventh of January, three days after the battle of +Enotochopco. The furious onset of the savages was with difficulty +resisted, and they were only repulsed with the loss of seventeen +men killed, and one hundred and thirty-two wounded. Three hundred +warriors, at the least, were rendered _hors du combat_ in the several +contests with General Jackson, and many more were intimidated from +again taking up arms; and had they been present, the Georgia force +might, not unlikely, have been overpowered. + +After caring for his dead and wounded, General Jackson resumed his +march, and arrived at Fort Strother on the twenty-seventh of January. +On the twenty-eighth, General Coffee and his corps of officers were +directed to return home, and wait the orders of the government; and +on the thirty-first instant, General Roberts was ordered to conduct +the volunteer regiments, whose bravery and patriotism were highly +commended by the commanding general, back to Fayetteville, where they +were discharged. + +The brilliant successes of General Jackson in the Creek country now +began to attract unusual attention. The commander of the military +district, General Pinckney, referred to his conduct in terms of +strong approbation, and suggested his name to the Secretary of +War, for an appointment in the regular army. He had fought himself +into the confidence and affections of the public, and he had no +further need to depend on the reluctant services of a disorderly and +half-mutinous soldiery. + +So far from being offended at the tone and language of General +Jackson’s letter, Governor Blount properly appreciated the feelings +of the writer, and made every possible exertion to send him both +troops and supplies. Men were not wanting to enrol their names; +but there were hundreds and thousands who longed to fight beneath +the standard, and under the eye, of Andrew Jackson. On the third of +February, General Doherty arrived at Camp Ross with two thousand +men from East Tennessee; and, shortly after, General Johnston +reported himself at Huntsville, with over seventeen hundred men, +from West Tennessee. Two regiments of cavalry, one from each section +of the state, under Colonels Dyer and Brown, also appeared, and +were organized into a brigade, under General Coffee. On the sixth +of February, the 39th infantry, under Colonel Williams, about six +hundred strong, joined General Jackson at Fort Strother, and about +the same time, the Choctaws took up the hatchet against the Red +Sticks, and offered him their services. + +It was the intention of General Jackson to advance as soon as +possible towards the bend of the Tallapoosa, near which the battle +of Emuckfaw had been fought, and where, he was assured, the main +strength of the enemy lay. The want of supplies, as usual, retarded +his movements. It was now the rainy season; the streams were very +much swollen, and the bridges swept away; the roads were soaked with +water, and terribly cut up; and, although he kept five hundred men +at work on the route between Fort Deposit and Fort Strother, several +weeks elapsed before he was able to collect twenty days’ rations at +the latter place. + +[Sidenote: PREPARATIONS TO TAKE THE FIELD.] + +While the general was making his preparations at Fort Strother, most +of the detachments composing the force under his command remained in +the rear, that the supplies thrown forward to that post might not be +too quickly consumed. During this period of inaction, the spirit of +mutiny again made its appearance, among the West Tennessee troops. He +felt that he had so far dealt too leniently with this offence, and +determined to visit it with summary punishment. A private belonging +to General Johnston’s command was convicted of open mutiny, and +sentenced to death. This was his second offence, and the general +firmly refused to pardon him. The sentence was carried into effect, +and the example thus presented exerted a most salutary influence on +the whole army. + +Early in March, General Jackson had finally completed his +arrangements. Colonel Dyer was ordered to scour the country between +the Coosa, Blackwarrior, and Cahawba, as low down as the old Coosa +towns; the Choctaws and Chickasaws were directed to watch the +country west of the Tombigbee, and prevent the escape of any of +the Red Sticks beyond the Mississippi; and the Cherokees received +instructions to range about the headwaters of the Tallapoosa. At +the same time, there was a large force of North Carolina and South +Carolina militia, under Colonel Pearson, who had relieved the Georgia +troops under General Floyd, on the eastern borders of the Creek +country, in readiness to coöperate in any simultaneous movement upon +the fastnesses of the hostile Indians. + +Leaving a garrison of four hundred and fifty men at Fort Strother, +under Colonel Steel, General Jackson commenced descending the Coosa, +having embarked his stores in boats, with the remainder of his force, +on the sixteenth day of March. Arrived at the mouth of Cedar Creek, +he established a dépôt at this point, and commenced the construction +of a fort, which he named Fort Williams. The work on the fort being +in a sufficient state of forwardness, he took up the line of march +across the country to Emuckfaw, on the morning of the twenty-fourth +instant, with about two thousand men. A strong detachment was left at +Fort Williams, to protect the supplies, and continue the labor on the +fortifications. + +Not far from five miles below the battle-ground of the twenty-second +of January, at Emuckfaw, is the great bend of the Tallapoosa, called +by the Indians, Tohopeca, or Horse Shoe. At this place, the warriors +from the hostile towns of Oakfuskie, Oakchoya, Eufaulee, New Youca, +the Hillabees and Fish Ponds, had concentrated their forces, near +one thousand strong, for a last desperate struggle. Across the +narrow neck of land, or isthmus, by which the peninsula formed by +the crooked river was entered, they had erected a breastwork of +logs, from five to eight feet high, with double portholes, arranged +with no little skill and ingenuity. Within the inclosure, there were +about one hundred acres of land; the centre was high ground, covered +with brush and fallen timber; and on the river bottom, at the lower +extremity of the peninsula, was the Indian village. + +[Sidenote: TOHOPECA.] + +On the night of the twenty-sixth of March, General Jackson encamped +within six miles of the Horse Shoe, and early on the following +morning, General Coffee was detached, with the mounted men and most +of the friendly Indians, under instructions to cross the river at +a ford two miles below Tohopeca, and take possession of the high +grounds on the opposite bank, so as to cut off all chance of escape +in that quarter. General Jackson then marched the remainder of his +force to a position in front of the enemy’s breastworks, where he +halted his men, until the preärranged signal announced that General +Coffee had drawn a cordon of soldiers around the elevated ground +overlooking the river and the hostile town and fortification. The +main column immediately moved forward; the two pieces of artillery, a +six and a three pounder, were planted on a hill eighty yards distant +from the left of the enemy’s line; and at half past ten o’clock in +the forenoon, the action was opened by a brisk fire, which was warmly +returned by the Red Sticks. + +The firing on the American side was mainly confined to the artillery, +though a rifle or musket was occasionally discharged, whenever the +dark warriors incautiously exposed their persons. For nearly two +hours, the cannonade was kept up, with spirit and activity, though +without producing any sensible impression. Meantime the friendly +Indians had advanced to the left bank of the river, while General +Coffee remained on the high ground with the rest of his troops. Some +of the Cherokees now discovered that the enemy’s canoes, which were +drawn up on the shore, near their village, had been left unguarded. +They instantly plunged into the stream, swam across, and, in a few +moments, returned with a number of the canoes. Means being thus +provided for passing over, the Cherokees, headed by their chief, +Richard Brown, and Colonel Morgan, and Captain Russell’s company of +spies, crossed to the village, set it on fire, and attacked the enemy +in the rear. + +Surrounded though they were, the hostile Indians fought with the +utmost bravery and desperation. Every avenue by which they might +have fled was occupied by the American troops, and their habitations +were in flames; still they refused to surrender, and successfully +resisted every attempt of the spies and Cherokees to dislodge them. +The soldiers with General Jackson, clamored loudly to be led to the +assault, but he hesitated to give the order, till he became convinced +that the party in the rear were not strong enough to overcome the +opposition they encountered. The command to storm the works was then +received with shouts and acclamations. General Doherty’s brigade, +and the 39th infantry, under Colonel Williams, promptly advanced to +the attack. The result of the contest did not long remain in doubt. +A fierce struggle was maintained for a short time, through the +portholes, muzzle to muzzle; the action being so close, as remarked +in the dispatch of the commanding general, that “many of the enemy’s +balls were welded to the American bayonets.” Major Montgomery, of the +39th infantry, was the first to spring upon the breastwork, but was +shot dead among his comrades, who were rushing forward to sustain +him. A smothered cry for vengeance rolled along the line,--and the +whole column dashed over the feeble barrier, like the avalanche, +crushing and bearing down everything before it. + +[Sidenote: THE RED STICKS COMPLETELY ROUTED.] + +The Indians, fighting with the fury of despair, met the shock with +clubbed muskets and rifles, with the gleaming knife and tomahawk. +Some few attempted to escape by swimming the river, but were +shot down in their flight, by the spies and mounted men under +General Coffee. Most of them, however, fought and died, where they +stood--behind the ramparts which they were unable to defend. The +conflict--nay, we may call it, without reproach to the victors, +the butchery--was continued for hours. None asked for quarter. The +Tallapoosa ran red with the blood of the savages, and the dead were +piled in mangled heaps upon its banks. + +Driven from the breastwork, a considerable number of the enemy took +refuge among the brush and fallen timber on the high ground in the +centre of the peninsula. General Jackson sent them an interpreter, +to offer terms of capitulation, but they fired on and wounded him. +The cannon were brought to bear on their position, and a partially +successful charge was made, yet they were not dislodged. Finally, +the brush was set on fire. The flames spread with rapidity, snapping +and crackling as they caught the dry bark and leaves, and licking up +everything in their way, like some huge, greedy monster. The Indians +were now forced from their concealment; and all who attempted to fly, +or offered resistance, were shot down. Night at length put an end to +the carnage, and, under cover of the darkness, a few of the survivors +of that fatal field escaped into the adjoining forests. + +Five hundred and fifty-seven dead bodies of the enemy were found +within the peninsula; and there were over three hundred taken +prisoners, nearly all women and children. The total loss of the Red +Sticks, in killed alone, must have been near eight hundred; as a +number of the dead were thrown into the river previous to the final +rout, by their surviving friends, or shot by General Coffee’s men +while attempting to make their escape. Among the slain were three +prophets, one of whom, by the name of Monohoe, was struck by a +grapeshot in his mouth, out of which had issued the lies which had +lured his nation to their ruin. + +General Jackson lost fifty-five men killed, and one hundred and +forty-six wounded. Twenty-three of the killed, and forty-seven of the +wounded, were friendly Creeks and Cherokees. + +After completing the destruction of the Indian fortifications +at Tohopeka, General Jackson commenced his return march to Fort +Williams, where he arrived on the second of April. He instantly began +his preparations for scouring the country lying in the forks of the +Coosa and Tallapoosa; and, on the seventh of April, his army was in +motion for Hoithlewalee, one of the principal towns on the Hickory +Ground;--the men being provided with eight days’ rations, which they +carried on their backs. The campaign was now drawing to a close, but +its hardships were not quite ended. The roads were flooded by the +heavy rains, and the streams scarcely fordable; and, consequently, +the march was tedious and difficult. General Jackson was much worn +by the fatigues and privations which he had encountered, but his +capability of endurance was not yet exhausted; and the strength of +constitution he manifested, though belied by the apparent weakness of +his frame, gave rise to the _sobriquet_ of “Old Hickory,” which was +applied to him by his soldiers, and adhered to him through life. + +[Sidenote: INDIAN TOWNS DESTROYED.] + +The terrible vengeance taken at Tohopeka, for the massacre at Fort +Mims, and the other monstrous cruelties perpetrated by the Red +Sticks, put an end to the war. The great body of the hostile savages +fled in dismay, before the advancing columns of General Jackson. Many +of the fugitives were killed by a detachment of the 3rd infantry, +under Colonel Russell, but numbers effected their escape into +Florida, on account of the remissness of Colonel Milton, the officer +in command of the South Carolinians, who were then on the left +bank of the Tallapoosa, not far above its junction with the Coosa. +McQueen, one of the most prominent chiefs among the Red Sticks, was +captured, but afterwards escaped to the Escambia river, with five +hundred adherents. + +Arrived at Hoithlewalee, General Jackson found the town abandoned. +On the fourteenth of April it was destroyed, with several other +villages in the vicinity. The general then divided his command +into two columns; one scouring the country on the left bank, and +the other, with which he remained in person, advancing down the +right bank of the Tallapoosa, to the confluence, where a fort was +constructed, called by General Pinckney, in honor of the gallant +Tennessee commander, Fort Jackson. At this point most of the Hickory +Ground chiefs came in and submitted to the conqueror. Weatherford +also voluntarily surrendered, and the great prophet of the Creeks, +Hillinghagee, was taken prisoner. The only terms prescribed by +the victorious general were, that all who surrendered themselves +should retire to the country north of Fort Williams, where, if their +conduct was good, they would be permitted to remain proposition was +made known, numbers of the fugitives were on their way to the neutral +territory. + +On the twentieth of April, General Pinckney arrived at Fort Jackson, +and on the following day assumed the command. General Jackson shortly +after repaired to his home in Tennessee, to recruit his health and +strength, which had suffered materially during his long and arduous +campaign. The thanks of the government and the applause of the nation +followed him in his retirement. An opportunity was soon afforded for +rewarding his services by an appointment in the regular army.--On +the resignation of General Harrison, President Madison nominated +him as a brigadier general, and major general by brevet; and, a +short time afterwards, he was appointed a full major general, to +fill the vacancy occasioned by the retirement of General Hampton. +Both commissions were received at the same time, and the latter was +accepted. + +In the summer of 1814, General Jackson was ordered to take command +of the seventh military district, and established his headquarters +at Mobile. Associated with Colonel Hawkins, he concluded a favorable +treaty with the Creek nation, by which, with the exception of a +small portion of the tribe who chose to remain in Florida, they were +prevented from again taking up arms during the continuance of the war +with England. + +[Sidenote: THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES IN FLORIDA.] + +The hostile tribes were now entirely quieted, and a chain of military +posts established through the former theatre of their outrages. No +sooner had this been done, than the attention of General Jackson +was directed to the alarming state of affairs at Pensacola. He had +long been convinced that the Spanish authorities in Florida were +lending their aid and assistance to the English, in the prosecution +of hostilities. Indeed, the facts and circumstances which forced +him to such a conclusion, were so glaring and palpable, that it was +impossible to form any other opinion. It is barely probable that +Spain was the passive agent of Great Britain in this respect; but +if so, her pusillanimity, in thus tamely surrendering her neutral +rights and character, was equally censurable. If she was, in fact, +the coädjutor of England, the measures adopted by General Jackson +were justifiable; but if she was the creature only, they were +necessary. This is the only argument that need be offered, in defence +of the attack on Pensacola, which, in after times, was so severely +criticised and censured, by his political opponents. + +In the month of August, Captain Gordon, of the spies, visited +Pensacola, and ascertained that a large body of savages had been +organized there by Colonel Nicholls, of the British army, and were +then being instructed and drilled by British officers, in the +presence, and with the knowledge, of the Spanish governor; that Fort +Barrancas was occupied by between two and three hundred British +troops; and that there were three armed vessels belonging to the +same nation, in the bay, from which a considerable quantity of arms +and provisions had been disembarked. Another reconnaissance was +subsequently made by Lieutenant Murray, of the Mississippi militia, +which fully confirmed the report made by Captain Gordon. On the +twenty-ninth of August, also, Colonel Nicholls issued a proclamation, +dated at his “headquarters, Pensacola,” addressed to the inhabitants +of the southern and southwestern states, and inviting them to join +his standard, in which he informed them that he was “at the head of +a large body of Indians, well armed, disciplined, and commanded by +British officers; a good train of artillery, with every requisite; +seconded by the powerful aid of a numerous British and Spanish +squadron of ships and vessels of war.” + +General Jackson was not disposed to stand idly by, and see the rights +of his country violated, and her interests jeoparded. He forthwith +dispatched an express to the governor of Tennessee, requesting the +whole quota of the militia of that state to be brought into the +field without delay, and commenced his preparations for a march on +Pensacola. On the fifteenth of September Colonel Nicholls appeared +before Fort Bowyer, thirty miles below Mobile, at the entrance of +the bay, with four vessels, containing a number of siege pieces, and +several hundred sailors, mariners, and savages. The heavy guns were +landed, the fort invested, and a lively cannonade opened upon it. +Major Lawrence, of the 2nd infantry, the commander of the post, with +its garrison of one hundred and twenty men, made a brave defence, and +finally forced the enemy to retire, with the loss of one of their +ships, and over two hundred killed and wounded. + +[Sidenote: CAPTURE OF PENSACOLA.] + +Having been joined by about two thousand men from Tennessee, General +Jackson took up the line of march for Pensacola, with all his +disposable troops. His whole force consisted of upwards of three +thousand men, but a small part being regulars, and the remainder +militia from Mississippi and Tennessee, with a few Choctaw warriors. +On the sixth of November he arrived near Pensacola, and sent a flag +to the Spanish governor, to communicate the purpose of his visit. The +bearer of the flag was fired on from the batteries in the town, and +forced to return. Dispositions were then made for carrying the fort +by assault, which was discovered to be defended by both British and +Spanish troops, on the following day. On the morning of the seventh, +the general entered the town with his troops, under a heavy fire +from the fort, and the British flotilla in the harbor, and carried +one of the advanced batteries at the point of the bayonet. The +governor now supplicated for mercy, and surrendered the town and fort +unconditionally; the British troops retiring to Fort Barrancas, and +their savages allies seeking shelter in the everglades of Florida, +whither they were driven by a detachment from the American army under +Major Blue. + +On the morning of the eighth of November, just as General Jackson +was making ready to march upon Fort Barrancas, the British spiked +and dismounted the cannon, blew up the works, and retreated to +their shipping. The object of his visit to Pensacola being thus +accomplished, and the enemy driven from the rendezvous, where they +had been invited, or welcomed, by the Spanish authorities, General +Jackson restored the town and fort to Governor Manriquez, and +immediately returned to Mobile with his troops. + +Intimations of an intended attack, or descent, on the southern +frontier of the United States, had been previously given, and they +were corroborated by the statements of the pirates of Barrataria, +who, with their leader, Lafitte, had been solicited by Colonel +Nicholls to join the projected expedition, but were afterwards +induced, under a promise of pardon for their offences, to take an +active and important part in the defence of New Orleans. It was for +a long time uncertain at what point the blow would be struck; but, +early in September, it became known that formidable preparations +were making for the invasion of Louisiana, and the reduction of +New Orleans. Governor Claiborne promptly ordered the two militia +divisions of the state, under Generals Villeré and Thomas, to hold +themselves in readiness to march at a moment’s notice, and issued a +patriotic address to his fellow citizens, calling upon them to turn +out, in a mass, if necessary, in defence of their homes and families. +No immediate attack was then made, however, and the alarm subsided. +It was renewed again towards the close of November; the apprehensions +of danger were evidently well founded, and General Jackson at once +hastened to the city of New Orleans, giving directions, before he set +out, for his troops to follow as rapidly as possible, and dispatching +an express to expedite the movements of the Kentucky militia, who +were required to join him without loss of time. + +[Sidenote: THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.] + +Important as was the position of New Orleans, as the great emporium +of the southwestern part of the Union, commanding the extensive +trade and navigation of the Mississippi and its tributaries, the +means provided for its defence were lamentably insufficient. It had +been understood for some time, that the expedition under Admiral +Cochrane, baffled at Baltimore, but subsequently reïnforced by a +large body of troops, supposed, after the conclusion of the Treaty of +Paris, to be no longer needed in Europe, was destined, ultimately, +to operate upon the Gulf coast. Although New Orleans was the most +liable to attack, and the most vulnerable point, in that quarter, few +preparations were made for its protection; for the reason, probably, +that the plundering and harassing warfare carried on by the enemy +on the Atlantic shore, and the operations on the Niagara frontier, +furnished constant employment for all the men and means at the +disposal of the General Government. Late in the fall of 1814, the new +levies raised in Kentucky and Tennessee, were ordered to proceed to +that city, and supplies of arms and ammunition were also sent down +the Mississippi. + +New Orleans, at this time, contained about twenty thousand +inhabitants,[20] a great number of whom were of Spanish or English +descent, and, consequently, but little reliance was to be placed on +their fidelity to the American cause; so far from this, many were +known to be in correspondence with the enemy, and only waiting for +a favorable opportunity to act in a more open and decided manner. +General Jackson arrived in the city on the second of December, and +found everything in confusion and alarm. The apprehended invasion was +the principal topic of conversation in every _café_ and _boudoir_. +The opponents of the administration there, as elsewhere throughout +the union, confidently predicted that New Orleans must fall; and its +friends more than half feared that the prediction would be verified. + +It was no easy task to reänimate those who had grown faint-hearted +under the influence of the pitiful Jeremiads which were constantly +sounding in their ears. The American commander was accompanied by +but few of his men, and his presence alone could not go very far +towards the restoration of confidence. Yet he set himself vigorously +to the work, and in a brief space of time, his impulsive energy, his +earnest zeal, and his determined patriotism had wrought marvellous +changes. The timid were reässured; the wavering were encouraged +to remain steadfast; and those who had never doubted or faltered, +derived new strength from his example. As yet, there were but a few +hundred regular troops in the city, and the imminence of the danger +was such, that it was necessary to commence operations without delay. +The general was deficient both in the _personnel_ and the _matériel_ +of war; but the exigencies of his military career had long since +taught him to rely on his own unaided efforts. He was ever full of +resources,--but never more than now. + +The geographical position of New Orleans was highly favorable to its +defence. It is situated on the left bank of the Mississippi, around +a bend of the river, shaped like a crescent, about midway between +the high ground at Baton Rouge, and the Gulf. On either side of the +river, there is a strip of arable alluvion, protected from inundation +by levees, and varying in width, from three hundred, to one thousand +yards. Beyond this there are dense cypress brakes and swamps, with +here and there a few acres of salt prairie, extending, on the east, +to Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain. The river debouches into the Gulf +through several mouths, which are obstructed by numerous sand bars; +and its ascent, at all times difficult, is especially so in high +water, when the current is unusually rapid. Under the direction of +General Jackson, the militia were imbodied; the defences of Forts +St. Philip and Bourbon, on the Mississippi, below New Orleans, +were enlarged and strengthened; batteries were constructed at the +Rigolets, and on the Chef Menteur; all the numerous bayous and +inlets, intersecting the lower valley of the river, between the Chef +Menteur and the Atchafalaya, were obstructed, or guarded by strong +pickets; and lines of intrenchments and fortifications were traced, +below the city, extending from the Mississippi to the swampy grounds, +and their construction commenced. Commodore Patterson, the officer +in command of the naval station, zealously coöperated with General +Jackson, in carrying out the measures of defence which he projected. + +[Sidenote: APPROACH OF THE BRITISH FLEET.] + +Positive intelligence was received in New Orleans, on the ninth of +December, that the British fleet had been descried standing off +the Chandeleur islands; and Lieutenant Thomas ap Catesby Jones was +immediately dispatched by Commodore Patterson, with a flotilla of +five gun boats, and one hundred and eighty-two men, to watch the +motions of the enemy. On the twelfth instant, they were discovered +in such force, off Cat island, at the eastern extremity of Lake +Borgne, that Lieutenant Jones judged it safer to retire up the lake +and guard the passes leading towards the city. On the following day, +the schooner Seahorse, which had been sent to the bay of St. Louis, +to assist in the removal of some public stores at Shieldsboro, was +attacked by three of the enemy’s barges. These were driven off, +but they soon returned with four others. The crew then abandoned +the vessel and blew her up; and the storehouse on the bay was set +on fire. The flotilla under Lieutenant Jones was attacked on the +fourteenth instant, while becalmed, by a detachment of seamen and +marines, twelve hundred strong, under Captain Lockyer, in forty-two +launches and barges. Lieutenant Jones and his men made a brave +defence; but after an obstinate contest of more than an hour, during +which the enemy lost two of their boats, and over three hundred men, +they were obliged to surrender, with the loss of forty killed and +wounded. + +In the meantime, large appropriations had been made by the +legislature of Louisiana for the defence of New Orleans; but that +body appeared extremely reluctant to adopt all the suggestions of +General Jackson and Governor Claiborne. Many of the members were +disaffected, and others had been led to believe, by the British spies +and emissaries who infested the city, that all attempts at resistance +would be unavailing, and that it would be far wiser to propose terms +of capitulation, immediately upon the appearance of the British +force. General Jackson in vain urged the legislature to suspend the +_habeas corpus_ act; and despairing of accomplishing anything, except +by the adoption of rigorous and decided measures, as a last resort, +he finally ordered martial law to be proclaimed in the city and its +vicinity. The functions of the civil authorities were only suspended +in part, however, and the legislature continued its sessions. + +[Sidenote: PROCLAMATION OF MARTIAL LAW.] + +This high-handed exercise of power, rendered necessary by the +temporizing and vacillating course of the legislature, naturally +provoked considerable comment. Those who were really and truly +devoted to the American cause had no fears, when they saw the +general wielding the authority which he had seized into his own +hands; those only clamored against what they termed this infraction +of the rights of the citizen, who were prepared to surrender the city +to the enemy, at the first summons. The proclamation of martial law, +though, perhaps, scarcely warranted by the law and the constitution, +was one of those acts which are sometimes absolutely requisite in +great emergencies. The power acquired under such circumstances, is, +doubtless, liable to abuse; but in the hands of one whose patriotism, +like that of Andrew Jackson, is _sans peur, sans reproche_, there can +be no danger. “_Silent leges, inter arma_,” is a maxim, as applicable +to free, as to monarchical governments. General Jackson was extremely +loth to assume any questionable power, until he became penetrated +with the conviction that the safety of the country demanded this +step, and he surrendered it the very moment he felt assured that the +crisis was past. His course was subsequently approved by the General +Government, and pronounced by the Secretary of War, both “just as it +respected the responsibility of the commanding general, and safe as +it respected the liberties of the nation.” + +A new impetus was given to every movement, by the active and +energetic conduct of General Jackson. The fruitful and varied +resources of his great mind were in constant requisition. His +determined spirit, manifested in his expressive remark to Governor +Claiborne--that he would “defend the country, or die in the last +ditch!”--was communicated to those around him. Treason shrunk abashed +from his presence, and cowardice assumed the appearance of valor at +his side. + +After the capture of the flotilla under Lieutenant Jones, it became +impossible to watch the movements of the British squadron; and +hence it was extremely difficult to foretell what point would be +first attacked. Large requisitions were made by General Jackson, +of negroes to work on the projected fortifications, intended to +secure the different approaches; and all those found in the streets, +together with the drays and carts, were impressed for the same +purpose. The militia were ordered out _en masse_, and disciplined +regularly every day. Orders were likewise again sent to hasten +the march of the reïnforcements; and to General Coffee, who was +rapidly approaching with his brigade of mounted men from Tennessee, +the commanding general said, “You must not sleep until you arrive +within striking distance!” The order was obeyed with characteristic +promptitude;--General Coffee marched his command eighty miles on +the last day, and arrived near the city late in the evening of the +twenty-first of December. + +All the arrangements of General Jackson for the defence of New +Orleans were made with consummate skill. The batteries commanding the +passes from Lake Borgne into Lake Pontchartrain were well manned; the +colored battalion, under Major Lacoste, with the Feliciana dragoons, +were ordered to take post on the Chef Menteur, to cover the Gentilly +road; Major Plauche’s battalion, with Lieutenant Wagner’s company of +light artillery, were stationed at Fort St. John, on the bayou of +that name; the Tennessee cavalry and infantry, under Generals Coffee +and Carroll, remained about four miles above the city; the regular +troops, and the remainder of the state militia, occupied the city, +and the fortifications on the river below; and the schooner Caroline +and brig Louisiana were moored in the stream. + +[Sidenote: LANDING OF THE ENEMY.] + +The watchful care and vigilance of the American commander were +frustrated, however, by the want of due caution on the part of a +picket posted near the mouth of the bayou Bienvenu, which led up +from Lake Borgne. On the twenty-second of December, the picket +was surprised by a party of the enemy, belonging to the division +of General Keane, whose whole command, about four thousand five +hundred in number, with their heavy cannon and stores, immediately +proceeded, in their small boats, up the bayou, and, at four o’clock +in the morning of the twenty-third, arrived opposite the opening of +Villeré’s canal, which connected with the Mississippi. They halted at +this point for a few hours, and then continued up the canal. Early +in the afternoon of the same day, they gained the bank of the river +unmolested, and established themselves on the plantations of General +Villeré, Colonel La Ronde, and Major Lacoste, about eight miles below +the city. + +General Jackson did not wait to be attacked. Within an hour after +receiving the information that the enemy had effected a landing, +he put his troops in motion. Anticipating that the city might be +simultaneously threatened by way of the Chef Menteur, General Carroll +was left posted on the Gentilly road, with his command and the city +militia; and the remainder of the troops, under General Jackson +in person, consisting of General Coffee’s brigade, Major Hind’s +dragoons, a detachment of artillery and marines, under Colonel +McRea, parts of the 7th and 44th infantry, the battalions of Majors +Plauche and Daquin, and two six pounder guns in charge of Lieutenant +Spotts, moved down the left bank of the river, to attack the enemy +who had landed below. The schooner Caroline, Captain Henley, with +Commodore Patterson on board, and the brig Louisiana, Lieutenant +Thompson, also dropped down the river. It was understood that the +signal of attack would be the fire of the Caroline, when she had +arrived opposite the position of the British troops. + +At six o’clock in the evening of the twenty-third, the different +corps composing the main column, in all not far from two thousand +men, effected a junction at the canal Rodriguez, within sight of +the watch fires of the enemy, which were discovered gleaming dimly +in the distance. The night was prematurely dark, owing to the dense +fog rising from the river. This circumstance, however, favored +the movement, as it was thereby concealed from the enemy; and the +very best spirit pervaded the whole command. The troops were now +formed for the attack;--the artillery and marines, and the regular +infantry, on the right; the battalions of Plauche and Daquin, both +under Colonel Ross, in the centre; and the brigade of General Coffee, +dismounted, on the left. General Coffee was directed to turn the +enemy’s right, and attack them in the rear; while the rest of the +column advanced against them in front. + +[Sidenote: NIGHT ATTACK.] + +At half-past seven o’clock, the long looked-for signal was given +by the Caroline. The first intimation received by the enemy, of +the approach of the Americans, was the raking broadside of the +schooner, which completely swept their encampment. Before they had +fairly recovered from their astonishment, General Jackson fell upon +them like a thunderbolt. Though taken by surprise, General Keane +ordered his fires to be extinguished, and finally succeeded in +forming his men to beat off the attack. Before order was entirely +restored, General Coffee had forced his way into the enemy’s camp, +and General Jackson was moving upon them in front with equal daring +and impetuosity. + +Notwithstanding the intense darkness, the American soldiers were +kept to their duty, and displayed the most praiseworthy gallantry. +The enemy were driven from their position, and several successive +charges were made, with great success. At length, it was discovered +that the troops were falling into confusion, on account of the thick +mist which shrouded everything around, and General Jackson thought +it best to call off his men. During the remainder of the night they +lay on the field of battle, and in the morning fell back to the canal +Rodriguez, about two miles nearer the city, where the swamp and the +Mississippi approached within a few hundred yards of each other. + +The American loss in the engagement on the evening of the +twenty-third, was twenty-four killed, one hundred and fifteen +wounded, and seventy-four taken prisoners; that of the British +was forty-six killed, one hundred and seventy-four wounded, and +sixty-four missing. But the most important result of the action, was +the check given to the operations of the enemy. They were taught to +respect their antagonists far more than they had done; and, when they +were informed by their prisoners, who designed to deceive them, that +the American force was at least fifteen thousand strong, they began +to think the conquest of New Orleans would not, after all, be a mere +holiday affair. + +General Jackson decided to make a stand at the position to which +he retired on the morning of the twenty-fourth of December, as it +was ascertained that reïnforcements were constantly arriving at the +enemy’s camp. The work of fortifying it was instantly commenced. +The canal Rodriguez, which was about four feet deep, served the +purpose of a ditch; and, behind this, a breastwork was constructed, +stretching from the Mississippi on the right, about one thousand +yards, to the cypress swamp on the left. The line extended some +distance into the marsh and then inclined to the right, in order to +prevent any attempt to turn that flank. The underbrush and trees in +this quarter were also cleared away for a considerable space, so +that an assailing column could not approach without being exposed to +a destructive fire. Earth being scarce in this low country, General +Jackson had recourse to a novel expedient. Bales of cotton, in large +numbers, were brought from the city, which were placed in line and +covered over with dirt. Flank bastions to enfilade the works, and +strong batteries, were also constructed, at irregular intervals. + +On the right bank of the Mississippi, about half a mile in advance of +General Jackson’s main position, a line of intrenchments, extending +from the river to the low grounds, was also formed, and a heavy +battery of fifteen guns established, which enfiladed the whole front +©f the position on the left bank. In addition to this principal line +of intrenchments, there were others formed in the rear, to which +General Jackson designed to retreat, in succession, if the enemy +forced him to abandon his first position. Another precautionary +measure was likewise adopted, to render his main line more secure +against attack. Sluices were opened through the levee, and the +plains in front flooded with water from the river. The general was +so carried away with zeal and enthusiasm, and so deeply impressed +with the great responsibility resting upon him, and the importance +of every step, that for four days and nights, while his preparations +were in progress, he scarcely took a moment’s rest. No crisis seemed +to be too great for him; his vigilance became more keen sighted, +and his spirits rose higher, as dangers thickened around his path; +his resources grew more ample as the occasion required, and his +resolution hourly grew more stern and unbending. + +[Sidenote: SKIRMISHING.] + +Sir Edward Packenham, the Commander in Chief of the British land +forces, joined General Keane on the twenty-fourth of December with +heavy reïnforcements, and an additional supply of artillery. Frequent +skirmishes took place between detached parties of the hostile +commands, and on the twenty-seventh instant, the schooner Caroline, +which had been prevented from ascending the river by a strong +norther, was blown up by hot shot thrown from a battery erected by +the enemy, on the night of the twenty-sixth. Fortunately, the crew of +the vessel had previously made their escape. A similar attempt was +made upon the brig Louisiana, but her commander, Lieutenant Thompson, +succeeded in getting her up the river, and anchored her on the right +of General Jackson’s position. + +It was at first designed by the British commander, to commence +regular approaches against the formidable line of intrenchments +occupied by the American troops. On the twenty-eighth of December, +a brisk cannonade was opened from a battery planted near the levee, +within half a mile of the river. Showers of Congreve rockets were +also thrown, which, although a new implement of warfare,[21] failed +to excite either fear or astonishment in the opposing ranks. The +firing was kept up for several hours without producing any sensible +effect; and the attack was then relinquished. During the night of +the thirty-first, heavy batteries were constructed on the plain, +directly in front of the American position; and the advent of the new +year was welcomed by a tremendous burst of artillery, accompanied by +incessant flights of rockets, which was continued till three o’clock +in the afternoon, when the batteries were effectually silenced by the +American guns. The casualties on these two occasions were,--on the +side of the Americans, eighteen killed and thirty-one wounded; and, +on the side of the enemy, forty-eight killed, and eighty-two wounded. + +These repeated efforts having proved of no avail, General Packenham +decided to carry the works by a _coup de main_. For a number of +days all his men were employed in deepening Villeré’s canal, for +the passage of the boats, by which a detachment could be thrown +across the river to attack the fortifications on the right bank. +On the sixth instant, General Lambert joined the main body of the +enemy, already on shore, with his division; and the whole command was +thus increased to upwards of twelve thousand men. Everything being +in readiness for the contemplated assault, on the evening of the +seventh instant, it was directed to take place at dawn of day on the +following morning. + +Meanwhile General Jackson had been actively employed in completing +his preparations. Near the river, and in advance of the cotton +embankment, he commenced the construction of a redoubt, with +embrasures, calculated to rake the ditch in front of the +intrenchments, and the road down the levee; but this was still +incomplete on the eighth of January. The line Dupré, about two +miles in rear of the main line, to which he designed to retreat and +make a second stand, if he should be compelled to retire, was also +strengthened as far as practicable. Various devices were employed +to mislead the enemy in regard to his position, and the strength of +his command, which was daily rendered more necessary, on account +of the increasing disaffection in the city. The number of his men +was represented to be greater than it was; their deficiency in arms +was carefully concealed; and no intercourse was allowed between the +lines and the city, except through officers in whom he had the most +implicit confidence. + +[Sidenote: DISAFFECTION IN THE CITY.] + +In spite of all his precautions, the enemy were informed by their +agents of every movement that took place, and the disaffection which +they eagerly fomented, ultimately increased to such an extent, +that it was seriously proposed that terms of surrender should be +offered by the legislature. On being apprised of this treasonable +design, General Jackson directed Governor Claiborne, whenever such +a proposition was made, to close the doors of the state-house. +The order was misunderstood by the governor, who closed the doors +forthwith, and the members of the legislature were thus prevented +from assembling. The commanding general did not design to interrupt +their ordinary deliberations, but it was probably fortunate for the +safety of the city, that they were not allowed to convene. + +On the fourth of January, the anxiously-expected reïnforcements +from Kentucky, under Generals Thomas and Adair, twenty-five hundred +strong, reached New Orleans. They were poorly furnished with arms, +however, and, like most of the other troops, were nearly destitute of +clothing. The city was ransacked in search of weapons, but a scanty +supply could be obtained; and the other deficiency was partially +remedied, by the patriotic exertions of Mr. Girod, the mayor, and the +ladies of New Orleans. + +General Jackson now made a final disposition of his troops. +Governor Claiborne was posted on the Gentilly road, with a portion +of the Louisiana militia; another portion, under General Morgan, +was stationed on the right bank of the river, and the battery on +that shore was manned by the sailors and marines under Commodore +Patterson. General Morgan was further reïnforced, on the night of +the seventh of January, when it was ascertained that the enemy were +opening a passage into the river, by a detachment of the Kentucky +troops. On the left bank, General Jackson was posted with his main +column, consisting of about thirty-five hundred men. There were eight +distinct batteries along the line, mounting, in all, twelve guns and +two howitzers. On the right, were the 7th and 44th infantry, between +which were the battalions of Majors Plauche, Lacoste, and Daquin; +in the centre was General Carroll’s command, supported by that of +General Adair; and, on the extreme left, were the Tennessee rifles +under General Coffee. The remainder of the Kentucky troops, under +General Thomas, remained in the rear. + +The brave troops whom General Jackson had gathered around him calmly +awaited the approach of the enemy, behind the breastwork of cotton +bags which their sagacious commander had provided, not as a shelter +for cowardice, but as a protection against the onset of a superior +force. Night after night they slept upon their arms; the soldiers +of Coffee lying far out in the swamp, on heaps of logs and brush, +half benumbed with the cold, and covered with the moist ooze of the +morass; yet all indifferent to the inclemency of the weather, to +hardship and suffering, and anxious only to win new laurels for the +general whom they loved and honored. + +[Sidenote: THE EIGHTH OF JANUARY.] + +The wintry dawn was just breaking, and the cold silvery sheen of the +early morning was rapidly spreading over the plains of Chalmette, on +the memorable eighth of January, 1815, when the dark masses of the +British assaulting columns were discerned from the American lines, as +they emerged from the thick veil of mist which intercepted the view +of their encampment, and rapidly pressed forward to the storm. At the +same time, their batteries, planted on the previous night, within +eight hundred yards of the intrenchments, commenced an active fire, +which soon deepened into a continuous roar, that shook the whole +valley, and started the inhabitants of the city from their slumbers. + +Simultaneously with the movement on the left bank of the river, +Colonel Thornton crossed the stream with five hundred picked men, +ascended the levee, and, by a sudden charge, turned the position, and +made himself master of the battery, which formed the strong point of +the line. General Morgan was at the head of a much superior force, +but finding himself unable to maintain his ground, he fell back +towards the city, followed slowly by the British troops. + +Upon the other shore, the most desperate and unflinching valor failed +to achieve the least substantial success. The main attack, on this +bank of the river, was made in two columns, sixty or seventy deep; +that on the right, between eight and nine thousand strong, led by +General Gibbs, moving upon the centre of Jackson’s position; and the +left, about twelve hundred in number, under General Keane, advancing +along the levee road. The British troops moved forward slowly and +steadily, many of them carrying scaling ladders and fascines. “Beauty +and booty” was the watchword which inspired their zeal, and quickened +their steps.[22] A great number of them had served in the Spanish +Peninsula; and it is not to be wondered that this appeal to the +unholy passions that were suffered to riot unchecked at the storming +of St. Sebastian, produced its legitimate effect. + +[Sidenote: TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF THE ENEMY.] + +Three hearty cheers rose from the American lines, when the enemy +came within range. Every piece was instantly put in requisition. +A well-sustained rolling fire welcomed the assailants as they +approached. Still, the regularity of their array was unbroken. +Torrents of grape and round shot, hissing hot, swept through the +solid columns, rending them asunder like ropes of sand. Yet they +pressed on undaunted, through the driving storm of missiles poured +upon them from the different batteries, whose converging fires smote +them more and more heavily at every step of their advance, and +strewed the plain with the dying and the dead. + +Meantime the American infantry and riflemen had remained at their +posts, with their hands clenched about the locks of their pieces, +attentively watching the movements of the enemy. General Jackson +himself occasionally rode along the lines, to cheer and animate his +men. It was, indeed, a critical period for his own fame, for the +martial reputation of his country. His chivalric courage, his proud +and lofty self-reliance, rose with the emergency. His eagle eye +blazed with an almost unearthly light, and the shrill notes of his +trumpet voice rang high above the roar of battle. + +Making their way through the heaps of their comrades, who lay +weltering in their gore, pale, distorted, and stiffening in death, +the British soldiers advanced within reach of the American rifle and +musket. In an instant, a vivid stream of fire rolled down from the +whole line of intrenchments. The way was now blocked by a glistening +wall of flame. The bravest shrank back aghast. Stout-hearted men, +who had never faltered amid the sea of carnage whose crimson waves +dyed the ramparts of Badajoz, trembled like the aspen. The American +fire was never for a moment interrupted,--the western riflemen making +their mark at every discharge, and the men in the rear constantly +loading and exchanging pieces with their companions in front. At the +head of the glacis, the right column of the assailants staggered and +halted. Generals Pakenham and Gibbs dashed forward, eager to retrieve +the fortunes of the day ere all was lost. In vain was every effort to +turn the tide of battle. Both officers fell mortally wounded, while +hundreds were swept down around them, as the grass before the mower. +Some few pressed on,--on and on,--to sure destruction! + +[Sidenote: FINAL REPULSE OF THE ASSAILANTS.] + +On the left, the advance of General Keane’s column, led by Colonel +Rennie, gained the redoubt in front of the line of intrenchments; +but it was only to find a soldier’s grave. A murderous fire was at +once directed upon them from the main fortification, and every man +who had entered the work, including the gallant officer who headed +the attack, was cut down. General Keane made an ineffectual effort +to rally the troops for another onset, and was borne from the field +severely wounded. The command now devolved on General Lambert, who +promptly led up the reserve; but on discovering the dreadful havoc +which had been made in the shattered and terrified column before +him, he gave the signal to retire. + +At mid-day the battle was ended; the bright sun looked down on that +red waste, everywhere marred by the ploughing shot, and dotted +all over with huge piles of festering corruption; and the cool +breeze that murmured among the acacia and orange groves, was loaded +with scents of slaughter, with the steam of the battle-field. The +appalling fire from the American lines was most terrible in its +effects. The British lost two hundred and ninety-three killed, +twelve hundred and sixty-seven wounded, and there were four hundred +and eighty-four taken prisoners. The American loss was trifling in +comparison; there were but thirteen killed, thirty-nine wounded, and +nineteen missing, on both sides of the river, during the day.[23] + +General Lambert determined, on the day after this bloody repulse, +not to prosecute further the hopeless enterprise. The detachment +thrown across the river was recalled, and preparations commenced for +the reëmbarkation. The ditches and field in front of the American +line, were cleared of the débris of the assaulting army, and a warm +cannonade was kept up by the artillery for several days; but, on the +night of the eighteenth of January, the enemy evacuated all their +positions, and retreated to their shipping. Eight of their heavy guns +were abandoned, and eighty of their wounded were left to the humanity +of General Jackson, a duty which, in the language of a not too +partial historian, he discharged “with a zeal and attention worthy +of the ability and gallantry he had displayed in the action.”[24] +About the same time, the British fleet, which had ascended the +Mississippi, and bombarded Fort St. Philip, unsuccessfully, for about +eight days, from the eleventh to the nineteenth of January, retired +down the river. Having taken the land forces on board, the squadron +proceeded to Mobile bay and invested Fort Bowyer, which surrendered +after a short resistance. This proved a barren victory, however, as +a treaty of peace had been concluded in December previous, which was +officially proclaimed on the eighteenth of February. + +All immediate danger having vanished, General Jackson, and his +victorious troops, entered the city of New Orleans in triumph, on +the twentieth day of January. Fêtes and rejoicings now took the +place of the consternation and alarm which had prevailed. The hero +of Chalmette was “the observed of all observers,” and no festive +occasion could be complete without his presence. A procession was +formed to the cathedral, in the midst of which walked the gallant +conqueror, ladies dressed in white strewing his path with flowers. +_Te Deum_ was chanted, and a solemn thanksgiving offered to Divine +Providence. + +[Sidenote: FINED BY JUDGE HALL.] + +Treason and disaffection still lingered in the city; and anonymous +articles appeared in one of the public journals, designed to excite +mutiny and sedition among the American troops. These were traced +to one Louailler, a member of the state legislature, whom General +Jackson instantly ordered to be arrested. A writ of _habeas corpus_ +was shortly after issued by Judge Hall, the district judge, for +the purpose of procuring the release of the prisoner. The order +proclaiming martial law was still in force, and the judge was +promptly ordered into confinement. Two days later, intelligence was +received of the conclusion of the treaty of peace. On being restored +to his authority, Judge Hall summoned General Jackson before him. The +latter readily obeyed the summons, and appeared with his counsel. +The judge, whose only title to immortality is this one act of +injustice, refused to hear either reason or argument, and, to satisfy +his offended dignity, imposed a fine of one thousand dollars on the +general, for disregarding the writ of _habeas corpus_. A spontaneous +burst of indignation at once rose from the spectators, but General +Jackson magnanimously interposed to shield the trembling judge from +outrage. The fine was paid, and when he left the court room the +multitude followed him in crowds. In a few moments, he was waited +on by a committee of ladies, who had already raised the amount of +the fine among the citizens of New Orleans, and now entreated him to +accept it. He refused to take the money, and, at his suggestion, it +was distributed among the widows and orphans of those who had fallen +in defence of the city. After the lapse of many years, at the session +of Congress in the winter of 1843–4, tardy, though merited justice, +was done to General Jackson, by the passage of a bill directing the +amount of the fine to be refunded to him, with interest. + +General Jackson remained in command at New Orleans, until the month +of March, when he was relieved by General Gaines. He immediately +retired to the tranquillity of the Hermitage, though compelled to +witness, everywhere on his homeward route, the evidences of the +respect and gratitude which thrilled the hearts of his countrymen. +The war with the Seminole Indians on the southern frontiers of +Georgia again called him from his retirement, in the winter of +1818.[25] Shortly after the breaking out of hostilities, he was +ordered to assume the command of the forces operating in that +quarter. On the ninth of March, 1818. he joined General Gaines at +Fort Scott, with nine hundred Georgia militia. Early in April, he +was reïnforced by one thousand volunteers from West Tennessee, and +fifteen hundred friendly Creek warriors, under their chief, McIntosh. + +[Sidenote: THE SEMINOLE WAR.] + +General Jackson now found himself at the head of four thousand five +hundred men, with whom he marched to the Indian town of Mickasauky, +which he laid waste. The hostile savages fled into Florida, whither +he followed them, and took refuge in the neighborhood of St. Marks, +the Spanish authorities of which endeavored to protect and shelter +them. Accordingly, the American commander took possession of the +town, and sent the garrison to Pensacola. On the sixteenth of April, +he destroyed the Suwanee villages, and then returned to St. Marks, +where two of the principal instigators of the Indian outrages, whom +he had captured, a Scotchman and an Englishman, whose names were +Arbuthnot and Ambrister, were tried by a court martial, sentenced +to death, and executed. Not long after, intelligence was received +that the governor of West Florida, at Pensacola, in violation of +the treaty with Spain, was affording countenance and protection to +the fugitive Seminoles. General Jackson proceeded thither without +delay, seized Pensacola, on the twenty-fourth of May, and on the +twenty-seventh Fort Barrancas surrendered to his authority. St. +Augustine was also captured by a detachment under General Gaines. +The seizure and occupation, by the American troops, of these places +of refuge for the hostile Indians put an end to the outbreak, and in +the month of June, General Jackson, whose health had become seriously +impaired by the unfriendliness of the climate, returned home, and +subsequently resigned his commission. + +The Spanish posts in Florida seized by General Jackson were +afterwards ordered to be restored, but his conduct was approved +by President Monroe, and a resolution of censure, offered in the +House of Representatives, was voted down by a large majority. Any +difficulty with Spain that might have grown out of his proceedings +was obviated, by the cession of Florida to the United States, in the +winter of 1819. General Jackson was very appropriately selected by +the American Executive, as the commissioner to receive the territory, +and on the first of July, 1821, he issued a proclamation at +Pensacola, officially announcing its annexation to the United States. +His administration of the executive affairs of the new territory, +owing to the bad state of his health, was quite brief; during +it, however, he came in collision with the Spanish ex-governor, +in an effort, which proved successful, to protect the rights of +several orphan females. His firm and unyielding will, and his +determined purpose, were never exhibited in a more characteristic, +or more creditable manner. His health continuing to grow worse, he +transferred the authority with which he had been clothed, to his +secretaries, on the seventh of October, 1821, and immediately set out +for Nashville. + +The gallant soldier was not forgotten. In August, 1822, he was +nominated for the presidency as the successor of Mr. Monroe, by +the legislature of Tennessee. In 1823 he declined the appointment +of minister to Mexico, tendered to him by the President, and, in +the same year, he was elected to the Senate of the United States. +On becoming a prominent candidate for the presidential office, he +resigned his seat. At the election in 1824, he received a plurality +of the electoral votes, but as there was no choice by the colleges, +the question was referred to the House of Representatives, by whom +his principal competitor, John Quincy Adams, was elected to the +office. In 1828, he was again a candidate, and received one hundred +and seventy-eight of the two hundred and sixty-one electoral votes. +In 1832 he was elected for a second term, by a still larger majority. + +It is not within the scope of this work, to notice in detail the +political services of General Jackson. A brief recapitulation of +some of the most important acts of his administration must suffice. +On the twentieth of May, 1830, he vetoed the Maysville road bill, +and on the tenth of July, 1832, the bill to recharter the United +States Bank. On the sixteenth of January, 1833, his celebrated +nullification message, recapitulating the facts, and many of the +arguments, contained in his proclamation of December previous, was +issued. In October, 1833, the public deposits were removed from the +United States Bank. On the fifteenth of April, 1834, he protested +against the resolutions of censure adopted by the Senate, which were +afterwards, in January, 1837, expunged from their journal; and on the +fifteenth of January, 1835, his warlike, but patriotic message, in +regard to the refusal of the French government to pay the stipulated +indemnity, made its appearance. + +[Sidenote: FINAL TERMINATION OF HIS PUBLIC CAREER.] + +His long public career finally terminated on the third of March, +1837, when he issued a farewell address to the people of the +United States, and retired forever from the harassing cares and +responsibilities of an official position, to the peaceful shades of +his own quiet Hermitage. The wife whom he had so ardently loved, no +longer lived to bless him with her affection, and cheer him with her +smiles;--she had been taken from his side, by death, in December, +1828,--yet her memory was ever a sweet solace throughout the closing +hours of his earthly pilgrimage. + +General Jackson had gained a world-wide reputation by the bravery and +skill displayed in his Indian campaigns, and in the war with Great +Britain. Lafayette was a guest at the Hermitage, on his visit to +this country in 1825, and, twenty years later, the portrait of the +general was painted, when almost in a dying condition, to adorn the +gallery of Louis Philippe, the King of the French. He was known and +honored by the great and good in every land. Whatever may be said of +the domestic policy of his administration, in his intercourse with +foreign nations he inspired or enforced respect, and few, perhaps +none, of our presidents, Washington alone excepted, ever commanded +greater consideration abroad. + +A peaceful close was vouchsafed to the stormy and eventful life, +the prominent incidents of which have been briefly portrayed in +this sketch. The Imperial prisoner of St. Helena died amid a raging +storm, shouting, in imagination, to his marshalled legions, while the +winds howled and shrieked above his head; the words, _Tête d’armée!_ +were the last to leave his lips, as his eye glazed in death, and +his frame was convulsed with the last agony. At the close of a +Sabbath afternoon, in the bright summer time, when Nature had spread +her richest garniture over her wide domains, and grove and forest +were vocal with sweetest melody; in the presence of his family and +friends; by his own fireside; on the eighth of June, 1845; Andrew +Jackson calmly yielded up his spirit. For weeks and months he had +suffered under a painful disease, yet not a murmur escaped him. +His heart was stayed on a noble hope--a hope sure, steadfast, and +unfading--the priceless hope of the Christian! + + “Serene, serene, + He pressed the crumbling verge of this terrestrial scene, + Breathed soft, in childlike trust, + The parting groan; + _Gave back to dust its dust,-- + To Heaven its own!_” + +In person General Jackson was tall and thin. His frame was well knit, +but gaunt. He had an iron visage, and a commanding look. His eyes +were a deep blue, bright and penetrating. He was frank and easy in +his manners, courteous and affable in his address. + +[Sidenote: HIS CHARACTER.] + +His character was decidedly pronounced. It was full of salient +points, remarkable for their strength, and the fitness and harmony +of their combination. He was kind and affectionate, benevolent and +humane; pure and earnest of purpose; inflexibly honest; physically +and morally brave; ardent and sincere in his patriotism; direct in +his professions; and resolute and unflinching in determination. +He possessed a firm will, was clear in judgment, and rapid in his +decisions. His temperament was restless, though not mercurial. He had +an abundance of what the French call _fortes emotions_. His passions +were intense, and what he did, he did with all his might. Like +Cicero, he was a _new man_; and, by his own unaided exertions, raised +himself from comparative obscurity, to the highest distinction. He +was a good hater, but he never forgot his friends; and there are many +who still prize his friendship, bestowed while in life, as a favor +from heaven.[26] + +All these traits and characteristics were strikingly exhibited, both +in his civil, and military career. His style as a writer partook of +his mental peculiarities; it was rugged and uneven as the mountain +torrent; yet it had a nervous eloquence, that never failed to produce +a deep impression, and indicated a powerful grasp of thought. +As a soldier, he was fruitful in expedients; he had the genius, +perseverance and skill, of Hannibal,--the indomitable will and +energy, without the selfishness, of Napoleon. He was persevering, +cool, and intrepid,--hardy in endurance, and gifted with rare +courage. In a word, as the historian remarks of the French soldier of +fortune,--“He was not a great man because he was a great general: he +was a great general because he was a great man”![27] + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [13] Fisher Ames. + + [14] An attempt was made on Charleston, in June, 1776; + but the enemy were repulsed with great loss. + + [15] Kendall’s Life of Jackson. + + [16] In 1790, the “Territory South of the Ohio,” of + which Tennessee formed a part, was erected. Kentucky + was admitted into the Union as a State, in 1792. + + [17] See Memoir of General Harrison, _ante_. + + [18] Manriquez stated in his letter, that he had + requested the Captain General, at Havana, to forward + him a supply of arms and ammunition, for distribution + among the Indians. This was one of the circumstances + which justified the attack on Pensacola, by General + Jackson, in the fall of 1814. + + [19] Lieutenant Armstrong evinced the utmost bravery on + this occasion. He was shot down, when the action was + at its height, but cried out to his men, as he lay + upon the ground,--“My brave fellows some of you must + fall, but _save the cannon_!” + + [20] In 1810, the population was 17,242. + + [21] Rockets were first used at the battle of Leipsic, + in October, 1813. The English rocket brigade in + that bloody engagement, was commanded by Captain + Bogue; and, after playing ten minutes on a solid + square of French infantry, they forced them to + surrender.--_Lord Londonderry’s War in Germany_, 172. + + [22] In 1833, a card was published by General Lambert, + and four other British officers, of high rank, who + were engaged in the expedition against New Orleans, + denying, most emphatically, that this was the + countersign on the occasion alluded to in the text. + An order-book was found, however, on the field of + battle, which shows that the watchword was given. It + is very possible that the word may have been used + by a different division from that to which those + officers belonged; this is much more probable than + that they could be mistaken in their assertion. + + [23] There is one consideration not often noticed in + connection with the defence of New Orleans, which + gives it additional importance. It is extremely + doubtful, whether the city would have been + surrendered to the Americans, under the treaty of + peace, had it been captured. Spain never cordially + acquiesced in the transfer of the territory of + Louisiana from France to the United States, and + her minister at Washington, the Marquis of Trujo, + formally protested against it. At this time England + was peculiarly zealous in taking care of Spanish + interests, and in a letter addressed to the American, + by the British Commissioners, at Ghent, on the 8th of + October, 1814, these facts were stated, and the right + of France to make the cession was seriously called in + question. + + [24] Alison’s History of Europe, chap. lxxvi. + + [25] See Memoir of General Gaines, _ante_. + + [26] “L’amitie d’un grand homme, est un bienfait des + dieux.”--_Voltaire’s Oedipe._ + + [27] Alison’s History of Europe, chap. lxx. + + + + +[Illustration: ALEXANDER MACOMB.] + + + + + ALEXANDER MACOMB. + + +Alexander Macomb, late General-in-Chief of the Army of the United +States, was one of the first fruits of the military institution +at West Point, suggested by General Washington, and established +during the administration of President Jefferson. Like all the most +prominent officers in the army, at the close of the war of 1812, he +was indebted, however, for his rapid promotion, to that “exfoliation +of veteran commanders,” which, says Mr. Ingersoll, in his Historical +Sketch of the second war with Great Britain, “was one of the +processes which the young army of that war had to suffer, before +becoming fit for action.”[28] + +He was born at Detroit, then a frontier garrison town, on the third +day of April, 1782. His father, whose name was, also, Alexander +Macomb, was of Irish parentage, though a native of the city of New +York; he was highly esteemed as a citizen, and subsequently became +a member of the New York legislature; and it is said, to his honor, +that he furnished five sons for the regular army and the militia, +in the war of 1812. The elder Macomb removed to Detroit, just +previous to the American Revolution, and engaged in the fur trade, +in which he acquired a large property. His wife, the mother of +young Alexander, was a grand-daughter of Robert de Navarre, a French +officer, who came to America in 1745, and was appointed Notaire Royal +and Sub-Deligué, on the early establishment of Detroit. + +Shortly after the restoration of peace, and while Alexander was yet +a mere infant, his father returned with his family to New York. +When the latter was eight years of age, he was placed at the Newark +Academy, in New Jersey, then under the charge of Bishop Ogden. +Many of his associates at this institution were the sons of French +_emigrés_, whom the revolution in France had driven to seek an asylum +in the western world. In their society, he acquired that polished +grace, and that polite ease of manners, for which he was always +remarkable, after he had arrived at the age of manhood. + +He early manifested an unusual fondness for military studies and +accomplishments, and his infantile recollections were associated +with the martial displays he had witnessed at Detroit. When +preparations were made for the defence of the country, on account of +the threatening aspect of our relations with Great Britain, he, with +other lads of the same age, assisted in throwing up the projected +works; and when the nation became agitated with the almost certain +prospect of a war with France, his playmates and companions divided +themselves into parties, he being usually selected as the leader of +the American faction, and, like Napoleon and his school-fellows at +Brienne, built forts and castles in the snow, which they alternately +stormed and defended. + +[Sidenote: RECEIVES A COMMISSION.] + +In May, 1798, though still but a lad, young Macomb was elected a +member of a select company, called the “New York Rangers,” attached +to the third regiment of the state militia, who took their name +from those provincial bands, that, from 1755 to 1763, formed the +_élite_ of the armies operating on the borders of Canada. Congress +had recently passed a law authorizing the enrollment of a large +body of volunteers, and the services of this corps were tendered +to the General Government, and accepted. Previous to this time, +when only fourteen years of age, young Macomb had intimated to his +father a desire to enter the army or navy, but the latter gave no +encouragement to his wishes. He was bent, however, on accomplishing +the object which was now the favorite one of his heart; and, in the +autumn of 1798, he applied for a commission in the regular service, +through the commander of his regiment, Colonel Jacob Morton. His +application was supported by the recommendation of General Alexander +Hamilton, who had been attracted by his manly bearing, and his +personal and mental accomplishments; and on the tenth of January, +1799, he was commissioned a cornet of light dragoons, under the act +providing for the enlistment of an additional force of regulars. + +Immediately after his appointment, through the kind partiality of +General Hamilton, he was selected as an assistant adjutant general, +and assigned to duty in the office of General North, the Adjutant +General of the Army. No opportunity was offered for signalizing +himself in the field, on account of the amicable settlement of the +matters in dispute with France; though, by the prompt and faithful +discharge of the duties which devolved upon him, he secured the +respect and confidence of his superior officers. With the permission +of General Hamilton, he visited Canada, to make himself acquainted +with the discipline and tactics in the British service; he was +kindly received by the officers at Montreal, visited the troops in +their quarters, and was present at several reviews for manœuvre and +inspection. + +The American army was now reduced to a peace establishment; a great +portion of the troops were disbanded; and most of the officers +returned to private life. Macomb, however, was retained in the +service, and on the tenth of February, 1801, was appointed a second +lieutenant of dragoons. Upon his return to the United States, he was +ordered to Philadelphia, on the recruiting service. While in this +city, he eagerly embraced every opportunity to cultivate and improve +his mental abilities, by reading, and associating with learned and +scientific men. The valuable public libraries were open to him, and +he became a constant visitor. He here met with a French officer of +engineers, under whom he passed through a course of instruction +in fortification and military topography. He likewise formed the +acquaintance of Major Williams, of the 2d artillery, the Inspector of +Fortifications, an able and intelligent officer, who was afterwards +placed at the head of the corps of engineers, and the Military +Academy at West Point. + +Having raised a body of recruits, he received orders to conduct +them to Pittsburg, the headquarters of General Wilkinson. Being +accompanied by a number of subaltern officers of infantry, he +cheerfully waived his privilege of being mounted, and walked +with them on foot, enlivening the weary march by his sprightly +conversation, his gay good humor, and his friendly attention to the +wants of those under his command. + +Arrived at Pittsburg, Lieutenant Macomb was employed in instructing +the recruits preparatory to joining their respective regiments. He +also renewed his intimacy with Major Williams, then on a tour of +inspection upon the Niagara frontier, whom he assisted in preparing +his drawings, calculations, and estimates. He was subsequently +attached to the military family of General Wilkinson, as an extra +aid-de-camp, and accompanied him, in that capacity, to the camp of +instruction formed at Wilkinsonville, at the mouth of the Ohio, +for practicing the evolutions of the line. In August, 1801, he was +selected as the secretary of the commission, consisting of Generals +Wilkinson and Pickens, and Colonel Hawkins, appointed to treat with +the Indian tribes inhabiting the Southwestern territory. He was +engaged in this service, and in other collateral duties, until June, +1802--spending the winter of 1801–2 in the Creek nation--when he was +dispatched to Washington by the commissioners, with the treaties +and accounts. During all this time, he kept a journal, in which he +carefully noted the geological and geographical features of the +country which he traversed; and he also constructed a topographical +map of the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, which was deposited +in the War office, and noticed by President Jefferson in the most +commendatory terms. + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED A LIEUTENANT OF ENGINEERS.] + +Upon his arrival at the seat of government, he found that the corps +to which he belonged had been disbanded, but that he had been +retained, and attached to the 1st infantry, with the rank of first +lieutenant. At the same time authority had been given to raise +a corps of engineers, to consist of one major, two captains, two +first, and two second lieutenants, and ten cadets--which corps, when +organized, was to constitute the Military Academy. Being dissatisfied +with his new appointment, he remonstrated with the Secretary of War; +Major Williams, the head of the corps of engineers, seconded his +appeal; and, in consequence, he was transferred to that corps, as a +first lieutenant, in October, 1802. + +He now proceeded to West Point, to take his place as a student,--the +lieutenants, as well as the cadets, being obliged to go through +the course of study,--in conformity with the provisions of the law +organizing the Academy. He was one of the first graduates, and was +then appointed adjutant of the corps. It was his duty to instruct the +cadets in their military exercises, and he was the first officer who +organized them into a body, and put arms in their hands.--This was +the beginning of an institution, which has since made the world ring, +with the heroism and daring of the gallant officers whose military +character and education were there formed and acquired. + +In July, 1803, Lieutenant Macomb was married to his cousin, +Catharine Macomb, a young lady of rare beauty, of refined mind, and +highly-polished manners. + +So highly were his talents appreciated, that in the autumn of the +same year, he was appointed Judge Advocate of a general court-martial +held at Frederick, Maryland, for the trial of Colonel Butler. In +discharging this duty he acquitted himself with such marked ability, +that the members of the court suggested to him the preparation +of a treatise on the subject of courts-martial,--a work which he +afterwards executed. + +On the eleventh of June, 1805, in pursuance of the strong +recommendation of Colonel Williams, who was ever warmly attached to +his _protége_, he was further promoted to the rank of captain in +the corps of engineers; and, immediately thereafter, was ordered +to Portsmouth, to oversee the repairs on the fortifications in +that harbor. The next year he was appointed superintendent of the +public works, then erecting at Mount Dearborn, on the Catawba river, +thirty-six miles above Camden, where it was designed to establish +a national armory and dépôt. While at this place, he prepared his +treatise on courts-martial,--receiving the benefit of the advice +and suggestions of General William R. Davie, and General Charles +C. Pinckney, both equally accomplished as soldiers and civilians. +The work was soon after printed, and submitted to the President and +Secretary of War, by whom it was adopted as the standard for the +government of courts-martial. + +[Sidenote: MADE LIEUTENANT COLONEL.] + +Captain Macomb remained at Mount Dearborn, until 1807, when he was +instructed to take the general direction, as chief engineer, of the +works then in process of construction for the defence of Georgia and +the two Carolinas. He made a careful reconnaissance of the whole +coast, from Ocracoke inlet to the river St. Mary’s, and projected a +complete system of defences for all the principal harbors and inlets. +In February, 1808, he was raised to the rank of major, and, in 1811, +was made a lieutenant colonel. He remained at Charleston, and in +its neighborhood, superintending the fortifications on the coast, +till the month of April, 1812, when he was called to Washington, to +assist the Secretary of War in organizing, arranging, equipping, and +providing supplies, for the new regiments ordered to be raised, in +anticipation of a collision with England. + +War was declared in June following, and Colonel Macomb promptly +solicited a command in the line of the army. Much to his chagrin +this was refused, as being incompatible with the existing rules of +the service.[29] Still he was not to be balked in his determination +to take a far more active part in the approaching contest, than as +a mere cabinet and staff officer. He now applied for an appointment +in one of the new regiments of artillery; the delegation in Congress +from the State of New York endorsed his application; and, on the +sixth of July, 1812, he received a commission as colonel of the 3rd +artillery, a double regiment, to consist of twenty companies, of one +hundred and eighteen men each. + +Colonel Macomb forthwith repaired to New York, and by his own +personal efforts and exertions, soon succeeded in raising the +requisite number of men to compose his regiment. The different +companies rendezvoused at Greenbush, where they were completely +organized and instructed. Their fine state of discipline, their +soldierly appearance and deportment, and the high character of their +officers for ability and intelligence, attracted general attention, +and elicited tokens of approbation in every quarter. In November, the +colonel marched his regiment to Sacketts Harbor, with the intention +of embarking it on board the fleet, and making an attack on Kingston. +On his arrival at that post, he found that Commodore Chauncey had +sailed in quest of the enemy, whereupon, in accordance with the +advice of a council of war, the contemplated movement was abandoned, +and the regiment went into winter quarters. + +[Sidenote: STATIONED AT SACKETTS HARBOR.] + +During the winter, Colonel Macomb was invested with the command of +the land forces at Sacketts Harbor. In addition to his own regiment, +there was a large body of militia and volunteers stationed there, +together with a number of sailors and marines belonging to the +squadron. All the troops were drilled with great regularity and +precision--being often paraded on the frozen lake, to inure them to +the cold, and to fit them for a projected march, across the ice, upon +Kingston. This was ascertained to be practicable, by a reconnaissance +made by Captain Crane, and in order to cover the design, a rumor was +set afloat, to the effect that Sir George Prevost was concentrating +his forces at Kingston for an attack on Sacketts Harbor.[30] By some +means or other, the rumor reached the ears of General Dearborn, the +commander-in-chief, at Albany, in such a shape, that he could not +be induced to believe it was a mere device designed to lull the +suspicions of the enemy. He left Albany in a sleigh drawn by four +horses, reached Sacketts Harbor in forty-eight hours, and soon after +ordered up the brigades of Chandler and Pike from Plattsburg. + +Kingston, therefore, remained unmolested,--and the army at Sacketts +Harbor continued inactive, till the opening of the lake navigation +in the spring of 1813, when General Dearborn proceeded against York +with the greater part of his forces. A portion of Colonel Macomb’s +regiment took part in the expedition, but their commander himself, +much against his own inclination and wishes, was left at Sacketts +Harbor,--it being deemed of the highest importance that an officer of +skill and ability should be placed in command of that post. + +Having made every possible preparation for the defence of Sacketts +Harbor, and received permission to join General Dearborn on the +Niagara frontier, Colonel Macomb sailed up the lake, in company with +Commodore Chauncey, with the remainder of his regiment, and joined +the main army on the twenty-fourth of May; passing, in the night, +a schooner dispatched by the general-in-chief, with an officer on +board, bearing positive orders for him to remain at the post he had +left. The arrangements for the attack on Fort George had previously +been made; but a sort of second reserve was formed, under Colonel +Macomb, consisting of his regiment and the marines. The attack was +made on the twenty-seventh of May, and was eminently successful. None +of the troops participated in the action, except the advanced guard +under Colonel Scott, and the brigade of General Boyd; consequently, +Colonel Macomb had no opportunity to gather the laurels he longed to +win; and, immediately after the battle took place, he was ordered to +return to Sacketts Harbor, with four companies of his regiment. + +Upon what trifling, and apparently unimportant circumstances, does +the destiny of individuals, like that of nations, depend!--The +temporary absence of Colonel Macomb from Sacketts Harbor enabled +General Brown, then only an officer of the militia, to distinguish +himself, and to obtain a high command, followed by rapid promotion, +in the regular service; while the former, though equally brave and +patriotic, was defeated in his most ardent hopes, by his impatience +and anxiety to meet the enemy in the field. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION DOWN THE ST. LAWRENCE.] + +In the summer of 1813, General Wilkinson relieved General Dearborn +in the command of the Northern army. Colonel Macomb accompanied him +in the fruitless and unfortunate movement down the St. Lawrence, +in the autumn of that year.[31] He was placed at the head of the +_corps d’élite_, which consisted of his own regiment, the 20th +infantry, Forsyth’s rifles, and Major Herkimer’s New York volunteers, +numbering, in all, about twelve hundred men. On the march over land, +to avoid the fire of the British batteries at Prescott, he led the +advance; and when the army resumed its progress down the river, he +was detached with his corps, to remove obstructions from the stream, +and drive the enemy’s skirmishers and light troops from the line of +the route. While on this service, several slight affairs occurred +with the enemy, in which he and the officers and men of his command, +displayed commendable zeal and gallantry. + +Being in the advance, Colonel Macomb had no part in the action fought +on the eleventh of November, near Williamsburg. After the death of +General Covington, who fell on that occasion, Macomb succeeded to +the command of his brigade, and conducted it to the winter quarters +of the army, at French Mills, where he was placed in command of the +artillery. + +On the twenty-fourth of January, 1814, Colonel Macomb was promoted to +the rank of brigadier general, and, on the receipt of his commission, +was regularly assigned to the command of Covington’s brigade. In +conformity with orders from the War Department, the cantonment at +French Mills was broken up in February, 1814, and the troops divided +into two columns,--one moving to Sacketts Harbor, under General +Brown, and the other proceeding to Plattsburg and Burlington, under +Generals Wilkinson and Macomb. The latter was appointed to the +command of the troops on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and +established his headquarters at Burlington. + +In the month of March following, General Wilkinson concentrated his +forces at Champlain, on the New York frontier, in order to make a +demonstration, or attack, as might be most practicable, upon the +British outposts. General Macomb joined him with his brigade, and +proceeded, with the column, to La Cole Mill, on the St. John’s, a +strongly fortified position of the enemy. An attempt was made to +carry the work on the thirtieth of March, which wholly failed of +success. General Macomb, who had opposed, to the last, the order of +attack laid down by the commanding general, and suggested an entirely +different plan of operations, commanded the reserve, and displayed +his usual ability in covering the retrograde march to Odletown. + +[Sidenote: INVASION OF NEW YORK.] + +Shortly after this affair, General Wilkinson was recalled, and +General Macomb assumed the command of the army, till the arrival +of General Izard. Commodore Macdonough was then actively engaged in +constructing and equipping his fleet, at Vergennes. Early in May, the +enemy’s flotilla appeared off Plattsburg, on their way towards the +naval dépôt, intending, doubtless, to destroy the vessels and stores. +General Macomb instantly penetrated their design, and dispatched the +light artillery under Captain Thornton, to man the batteries which he +had caused to be erected on Otter Creek, to protect the dépôt. The +British flotilla attempted to pass up the creek, but were so roughly +handled by the American batteries, that they judged it expedient to +return to the Isle Aux Noix. + +When General Izard arrived at Plattsburg and took the command, +General Macomb resumed his position at Burlington, till the departure +of the former, on the twenty-seventh of August, 1814, with the +greater part of his troops, to reïnforce General Brown on the Niagara +frontier. + +Meanwhile, the British force in the Canadas had been largely +augmented, by the arrival of successive detachments from Wellington’s +victorious army on the Garonne. At the close of the month of August, +there were, at least, sixteen thousand regular soldiers, under the +orders of the governor-general, Sir George Prevost,--twelve thousand +of whom were in the lower province. This formidable force was +designed for the invasion of the United States, by the way of Lake +Champlain, in conjunction with the fleet then preparing to coöperate +with it, under Commodore Downie. At the same time, a strong naval +expedition, under Sir John Sherbrooke and Admiral Griffith, was +moving along the New England coast, landing at different places +on their route, and encountering but a feeble opposition, except +on the part of the regular troops or the navy. These two movements +were parts of a general plan, formed by the Prince Regent and his +cabinet--based, in all probability, on the well-known disaffection +in the New England States. But Sir George Prevost found, to his +cost, that the want of patriotism manifested in Massachusetts, Rhode +Island, and Connecticut, was not shared, to any considerable degree, +by the yeomen of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. + +The preparations of the English commander for the projected invasion +were nearly completed, when General Izard set out for the theatre +of General Brown’s operations. General Macomb, whose brigade was +now broken up, was left in command at Plattsburg, to which he +again removed his headquarters. His whole force numbered about +twenty-five hundred men, most of whom, however, were convalescents, +or new recruits belonging to different regiments; there was but one +organized battalion in the entire command; many were sick; and, +on examination, it was found that there were only fifteen hundred +fit for duty. This was, indeed, a dilemma; and especially so, as +there was no time given to bring up new regular troops,--it being +announced, on the first of September, that the advance of Sir George +Prevost’s army had that day crossed the lines at Odletown, where he +was issuing his proclamations inviting the inhabitants to remain +neutral, and impressing wagons and teams--thus plainly indicating +his intention to sweep down the western shore of the lake, in the +direction of Plattsburg. + +General Macomb never paused to count the number of his enemies, or +to consider his own weakness, any further than was necessary for the +defence of his position, which he was determined to maintain at all +hazards. General Mooers, of the New York militia, was invited to +consult with him, and to coöperate in the obstruction of the enemy’s +advance, with all the troops under his orders. Messengers sped off +in every direction, bearing spirited appeals from General Macomb, +to arouse the people of Vermont and New York; and every exertion +was made, in the meantime, to reduce the confusion prevailing +at Plattsburg into something like order, and to strengthen the +fortifications prepared to resist the “rushing onslaught” of the +British legions. A spirit of emulation was carefully fostered among +the officers and men, who were divided into detachments, and placed +near the different forts; General Macomb announcing, in orders, that +each party must be the garrison of its own work, and defend it to the +last extremity. + +[Sidenote: DEFENCES OF PLATTSBURG.] + +The village of Plattsburg is situated on the north-western bank of +the Saranac river, which flows into Cumberland bay, an arm of Lake +Champlain. On the south-east, between the river and the bay, there +is a triangular peninsula, from four to six hundred yards wide. +The American works were constructed, under the direction of Major +Totten, of the engineers, on this peninsula. There were, at first, +three redoubts, and two strong blockhouses. The principal work, +called, by General Izard, Fort Moreau, stood in the centre,--having +on its right, on the Saranac, Fort Brown, and on its left, resting +on the lake, Fort Scott; so named by General Macomb, in honor of +his gallant brothers in arms. Fort Brown and Fort Scott were deemed +inaccessible, on their water fronts, as the banks of the river and +bay were high and precipitous. On all the other sides, the several +works were surrounded by deep and wide ditches; they were defended by +_caponnières_; and each glacis was covered with rows of abattis. The +blockhouses occupied favorable positions for guarding the river, and +the ravines on the northern bank leading to the redoubts. The general +afterwards constructed a fourth redoubt, which he called Fort Gaines, +in advance of the other forts, on the south side of the river. + +All the works occupied by the American troops were well supplied +with artillery, and their position was further strengthened, by the +presence of the fleet under Commodore Macdonough, which lay moored in +the bay on the right of their position. Besides the regular garrisons +detailed for the different redoubts, General Macomb formed four +small corps of observation,--placing two hundred and fifty men under +Major Wool, of the 29th infantry; two hundred under Major Sproul, of +the 13th; one hundred rifles under Captain Grosvenor, of the 26th; +and one hundred and ten rifles under Lieutenant Colonel Appling. +These corps were thrown forward on the different routes, to watch +the movements of the enemy. Most of the citizens of Plattsburg had +fled with their families and effects, but a small party of young men +remained behind, received rifles, and organized themselves into a +separate company. They also did good service as skirmishers. + +[Sidenote: ADVANCE OF SIR GEORGE PREVOST.] + +The advance of Sir George Prevost was slow and cautious. The example +and fate of Burgoyne were before him, and he desired to profit by +the lesson. He wished to penetrate into the country as far as Crown +Point and Ticonderoga, before the winter set in, but he did not care +to be caught in a trap. He therefore felt his way at every step, +repeatedly urging Captain Downie, however, to hasten the completion +and equipment of his fleet. Without the command of the lake he +naturally felt that his position, far advanced into the enemy’s +country, would be extremely hazardous and insecure. On the third of +September, the whole British army entered the town of Champlain, +and on the following day moved forward upon Plattsburg. They found +the roads blocked up with felled trees, the passes obstructed by +_chevaux-de-frise_ and abattis, and the bridges broken down,--the +corps of observation pushed out by General Macomb having faithfully +obeyed his orders, to impede, in every way, the progress of the +enemy’s troops. + +The eloquent appeals of the American general to the yeomanry of +Vermont and New York were nobly answered. Hundreds and thousands +of the brave Green Mountain boys, and the patriotic militia and +volunteers of New York, daily poured into his camp. Those who +were destitute he furnished with arms, and all were supplied with +provisions. The militia were, of course, organized and enrolled under +their respective commanders, but the volunteers, at his suggestion, +usually separated into small parties, to lie in wait in the woods, to +fall upon detached parties of the enemy, to annoy their flanks, to +harass them by every possible means, and to obtain information and +intercept stragglers. + +On the fourth of September, General Mooers, with seven hundred +militia, advanced about seven miles on the Beekmantown road,--which +passes over the swelling uplands overlooking the lake, and the lower, +or lake road, on its margin,--to reconnoitre, and obstruct the +approaches. Captain Sproul was then at Dead Creek bridge, on the lake +road, with his corps and two pieces of artillery; while Lieutenant +Colonel Appling and his rifles, who had been stationed on the Great +Chazy, were still further in front. When the enemy moved forward, on +the fourth instant, Appling retreated leisurely before them, tearing +up the bridges, cutting down trees and flinging them across the road, +and throwing every possible obstruction in the way of their advance. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG.] + +Sir George Prevost halted his troops at Little Chazy, on the fifth +instant, and it was the same day ascertained by General Macomb, that +they would take up the line of march on the following morning, in two +columns, on the Beekmantown and lake roads, which divided below Chazy +village. The general was urged by many warm and zealous friends, to +abandon Plattsburg to its fate, to remove the stores while there was +yet time, and to retire higher up the lake. He was not the man to +follow such advice; though a retreat, under the circumstances, could +not justly have been termed dishonorable. He had already decided to +dispute every inch of ground, and he felt confident, that if the +narrow peninsula, between the Saranac and the Champlain, should, +indeed, prove the Thermopylæ of himself and his gallant little band +of regular soldiers, the sacrifice would not be in vain. The militia +and volunteers who had flocked around his standard, or were operating +in the neighborhood, numbered from eight to ten thousand men, and +before the enemy could have improved any advantage gained over his +command, the forests around them would have been filled with an +overwhelming force of citizen soldiers, burning with impatience to +drive back the invader. + +In the evening of the fifth instant, Major Wool was ordered forward +with his corps, to support the militia on the Beekmantown road. It +was designed to reïnforce him with two pieces of artillery, before +daylight; but the officer having charge of the guns did not join him +in season. At early dawn on the sixth, the enemy were in motion. +The column on the Beekmantown road, consisting of the divisions of +Generals Power and Robinson, pushed forward with great rapidity. +Major Wool and his men withstood them for some time with matchless +hardihood and bravery, killing Lieutenant Colonel Wellington, of +the Buffs, the leader of the advanced parties; but the militia were +seized with an unhappy panic, occasioned, in part, by the red coats +of the New York cavalry, stationed as look-outs on the hills, whom +they mistook for the British soldiers. The firmness and intrepidity +of Major Wool and his command failed to encourage them, and their +premature flight soon compelled him to retire. + +The right column of the enemy having approached within one mile of +Plattsburg, General Macomb dispatched his aid, with orders to Captain +Sproul, to fall back by the lake road; and to Lieutenant Colonel +Appling, to attack the British right. Appling retired just in time +to escape being cut off; as he soon after encountered the head of a +detachment from the left column, which had made a _détour_ through +the woods for that purpose. A destructive fire from his rifles, at +rest, checked their advance, and enabled him to effect his retreat +in safety. The different corps, under Appling, Wool, and Sproul, now +united, and slowly continued their retrograde movement; the field +pieces were kept actively playing; the gunboats lying off the mouth +of Dead Creek, poured a lively and galling fire upon the enemy; and +their advanced parties were severely handled. + +[Sidenote: SKIRMISHING.] + +Every road and lane leading into Plattsburg was now full of British +soldiers. The artillery, which had supported the American advanced +corps, was pushed across the bridge in the town, where it was placed +in battery, to cover the retreat of the infantry, who retired in +alternate detachments. As the last platoons reached the southern +bank of the river, the planks of all the bridges spanning the stream +were torn up, by order of General Macomb, and breastworks formed +from them, to protect the parties left to guard the crossings. The +enemy promptly entered the town, flattering themselves that the +victory was more than half completed. The heavy artillery in the +redoubts immediately opened on them, and the staff officers, who +ascended the roofs and balconies to reconnoitre, were speedily +dislodged by the hot shot, poured upon them “like burning lava,” +while the buildings of which they had taken possession were set on +fire. The British commander, discovering that his men were suffering +considerably from the fire of the heavy metal, and not being prepared +to force the passage of the river, drew off the main body of his +army,--leaving only a few light troops to skirmish at the different +fords and bridges,--and encamped in a semicircle, about two miles +from the American forts. It was of the highest importance that the +weakness of his army should be concealed from the enemy, and General +Macomb took extraordinary precautions to prevent their obtaining +any positive information, and to deceive them in regard to his real +strength. All the troops were paraded at guard-mounting; and, as +several days elapsed before anything of moment transpired on either +side, a portion of the barracks constructed for General Izard’s army +was burned every night, to prevent the enemy from approaching the +works unobserved, and to march the troops through the light, as if +they were reïnforcements just arriving from the opposite shore of the +lake. + +From the evening of the sixth of September, till the morning of the +eleventh, Sir George Prevost was zealously engaged in planting his +batteries, both open and masked, and bringing up his heavy artillery. +During all this time he refrained from offensive operations, though +there were constant skirmishes between advanced corps of the two +armies, at the bridges and fords. The reason alleged for the delay +on his part, was the want of his battering train, that came up very +slowly; but the absence of the fleet under Captain Downie, which had +not yet arrived,--and without which, as appeared in the sequel, he +dared not make an attempt on the American position,--was, probably, +the main consideration that influenced him. + +In the meantime, a lively and effective cannonade was directed upon +the enemy’s lines from the American forts,--the sullen thunder of +their artillery echoing for many a mile through the sweeping forests +whose rich foliage enamelled the borders of Lake Champlain. The +repeated assaults of the enemy at the different crossings of the +river were repelled with ease and alacrity; and on one occasion, +Captain M‘Glassin, of the 15th infantry, gallantly crossed the river +in the night, with fifty men; attacked a working party one hundred +and fifty strong, constructing a battery opposite Fort Brown; +defeated both them and their support, also one hundred and fifty in +number, killing seven of the enemy; and completely demolished the +work. The regular troops, besides performing regular tours of duty +at the bridge and fords, labored incessantly, in strengthening the +fortifications. + +On the night of the tenth of September, General Macomb was apprised +of the intention of the enemy to make an attack the next day; and, +by his orders, the roads and passes leading to the south of his +position, as he suspected they designed to turn it, were covered with +felled trees, and strewed with leaves, so as to deceive them, and a +new road was opened leading towards Salmon river. + +[Sidenote: REPULSE OF THE ENEMY.] + +At the earliest dawn of day, before the welkin began to glow with +the purple light of morning, a general movement was reported, by the +advanced parties, to be making in the enemy’s camp; and when objects +could be distinguished from the main line, all their different corps +were observed under arms. Shortly afterwards, the British fleet +rounded Cumberland head. As the Confiance, the flag ship of Captain +Downie, entered the bay, she scaled her guns,--the signal agreed +on with Sir George Prevost for the commencement of the action. A +desperate conflict, of rather more than two hours’ duration, now +took place between the rival squadrons, at the termination of which +Commodore Macdonough obtained a signal triumph over his opponent, who +fell mortally wounded in the action. + +Nearly all the enemy’s vessels were captured or destroyed, and +their crews, with the exception of those who were killed during the +engagement, were taken prisoners. + +Sir George Prevost only waited to give his men their breakfast, when +the attack was ordered on the land. Showers of bombs, shrapnels, +balls, and rockets, were hurled across the river; and immediately +after the bombardment commenced, the enemy advanced to force a +passage across the stream, and assault the American works, in three +columns--one approaching the bridge in the village, another the +upper bridge, and the third a ford about three miles above the +forts--all of which were provided with scaling ladders. The attack +was vigorously met by the American artillerists; fire answered fire; +and the ringing shot and shout resounded far and wide. + +The two columns of the enemy which attempted to pass the bridges, +were gallantly driven back by the regulars; the remaining column was +led astray in the woods--the artifices of the American commander +being entirely successful--and after spending a long time in marching +and countermarching to no purpose, wearied and worn with fatigue, +they arrived in sight of the American works, only to hear the glad +shouts of victory at the brilliant success of the brave Macdonough. +A further advance was no longer to be thought of; the recall was +sounded; the scaling ladders were thrown down; and a hasty retreat +was made. The volunteers and militia stationed in this quarter, +pressed warmly upon them, and succeeded in cutting off an entire +company of the 76th foot, not a single man of whom escaped. The +cannonade was kept up till sunset, when the enemy’s batteries were +all silenced by the effective fire from the American forts. + +Before another morning dawned, Sir George Prevost and his powerful +army had all disappeared, like “the baseless fabric of a vision.” +Their sick and wounded were left behind, with a message to the +American general commending them to his kindness and generosity. Vast +quantities of provisions were also abandoned or destroyed, together +with large stores of ammunition, tents, and intrenching tools. +The retreat was made so unexpectedly, and with such extraordinary +precipitance, that it was not discovered till the enemy had nearly +reached Chazy, about eight miles distant. The light troops, +volunteers, and militia, were instantly detached in pursuit of the +flying Britons; but a violent storm of rain impeded their progress, +and they were only able to capture a few prisoners, and to cover +the escape of between three and four hundred deserters. Sir George +Prevost succeeded in effecting his return to Canada, without further +molestation, where he resigned the command of the army and demanded a +court martial. Before the investigation took place, he died, as it is +said, of grief and mortification at the ill-success of an expedition +so well equipped and provided, and upon which depended so many hopes +and expectations. + +The actual loss of the British army in this expedition was only +two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, but there were over four +hundred deserted in the retreat. Of the Americans, there were +thirty-seven killed, sixty-two wounded, and twenty missing. + +The double victory of Macomb and Macdonough was everywhere hailed +by their countrymen with acclamations of joy. The legislatures of +New York and Vermont were foremost in offering their thanks and +congratulations. The freedom of the city of New York was presented to +General Macomb, in a gold box, and the State legislature voted him a +magnificent sword. Congress also passed a vote of thanks, and ordered +that a gold medal, emblematical of the victory, should be struck and +presented to him. The brevet of major general was likewise conferred +on him--his commission bearing date on the memorable eleventh of +September, 1814. + +[Sidenote: RETURN OF PEACE.] + +Upon the conclusion of the treaty of peace, the negotiations for +which were undoubtedly hastened to a close by the disastrous result +of the expedition under Sir George Prevost, the army was reduced +to the peace establishment, which was fixed at ten thousand men. +Two major generals, and four brigadier generals, were retained in +the service; among them was General Macomb, who stood at the head +of the brigadiers. He was now assigned to the command of the 3rd +military department, and established his headquarters at New York; +subsequently he was transferred to the 5th department, and removed +to Detroit. While in charge of the latter department, he established +the posts at Fort Gratiot, Chicago, Mackinaw, Prairie du Chien, St. +Peter’s, and St. Mary’s. So highly was he esteemed by the people +of Detroit, that when he was called to Washington, on the further +reduction of the army, in June, 1821, to take charge of the Engineer +Bureau, an address, in their name, with a piece of plate, was +presented to him, by Governor Cass; and the clergy, and all the most +prominent citizens, called upon him to take their leave, and express +their regret at his departure. + +General Macomb now removed to Georgetown, in the District of +Columbia, in order to enter upon the duties of his appointment as +Chief Engineer. His military studies, his talents and experience, +eminently fitted him for this post; and it is not strange, therefore, +that he should have received, as he did, the repeated thanks of every +head of the War Department, during his administration of the affairs +of the engineer bureau. Millions of dollars were appropriated under +his directions, not a single cent of which was unaccounted for to the +government. + +In the first year of his residence at Georgetown, General Macomb was +called upon to mourn the loss of his excellent wife, who had so long +shared with him the toils and dangers, the hardships and sufferings, +of a soldier’s life. He was married a second time, in May, 1826, to +Mrs. Harriet Balch Wilson, a lady richly meriting the praise awarded +to the possessor of so many graces and accomplishments. + +On the death of General Brown, in February, 1828, General Macomb +was raised to the full rank of major general, and appointed +General-in-Chief of the army. His claims to this preference were +disputed by Generals Scott and Gaines, the two brigadiers; but +President Adams, and his successor, General Jackson, decided in favor +of Macomb, on the ground that his military service was the longest, +and that, even if this were not the case, the Executive possessed +the unquestioned right to go beyond the pale of the army, if thought +advisable, in making the selection. + +While at the head of the army, General Macomb devised and recommended +various plans for its improvement, and that of the military school +at West Point, many of which were adopted by Congress, or the War +Department, and all of which would no doubt materially conduce to +the elevation of the military character of the country. He was not +again required to take the field, except that he was absent for a +few months in Florida, during the second Seminole war, and, in 1839, +concluded a treaty of peace with the refractory Indians, which proved +to be illusory and deceptive. + +[Sidenote: HIS DEATH.] + +As General Macomb advanced in years, he grew somewhat corpulent, and +became subject to apoplectic attacks. On the occasion of the funeral +ceremonies of President Harrison, in the city of Washington, he +commanded the funeral escort; and his tall and manly form, his noble +and dignified presence, rendered him the most conspicuous personage +in that brilliant pageant. But little more than two months elapsed, +when he was struck by the same relentless enemy of our race. He died +in a fit of apoplexy, on the twenty-fifth of June, 1841, universally +lamented by his associates and brethren in arms, and by his numerous +friends and acquaintances throughout the Union. + +The personal appearance of General Macomb was decidedly in his favor. +He was above the ordinary height, and, until a few years previous to +his death, was finely proportioned. His eyes were blue, and beamed +with intelligence and kindness. His look was lofty and imposing, and +his whole cast of countenance indicated great decision and firmness, +coupled with intellectual ability of the highest order. + +He was polished and easy in his manners; at all times accessible; +but never forgetting his own self-respect, or losing sight of the +dignity of his position. In his military career, he evinced unusual +promptness and energy, appropriately tempered by wisdom and prudence. +He made no pretences to extraordinary courage; but a braver soldier, +in the better sense of the term, never lived. His scientific +attainments in the line of his profession, and in general literature, +were remarked, and admired, by all who had the pleasure of his +acquaintance. He was singularly accurate in his judgment; correct +and exact in the discharge of every duty; patient and assiduous, but +decided, in anything he undertook. His disposition and character were +equable; and he wore well, as a soldier and a citizen,--as a friend, +a father, and a husband. + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [28] Vol. I. p. 288. + + [29] Colonel Williams, the chief of the corps of + Engineers, resigned his commission in 1812, for the + reason that he was denied a command in the line of + the army, which he solicited. + + [30] The post was attacked in May, 1813, (see Memoir + of General Brown, _ante_,) but not until after the + withdrawal of the troops for the expedition against + York and Fort George. + + [31] See Memoir of General Brown, _ante_. + + + + + ZEBULON MONTGOMERY PIKE. + + +This gallant officer, whose fate so closely resembles that of the +chivalric, ardent, and romantic Montgomery, was bred in a camp, lived +a soldier’s life, and died a soldier’s death. + + “Brief brave, and glorious, was his young career!” + +Like Sidney before the walls of Zutphen, he perished in the hour of +victory, when he had just plucked the coronal of his fame; like him, +too, rejoicing that his death was for the honor of his country. + +General Pike was descended from a family of soldiers. One of his +ancestors, Captain John Pike, was highly distinguished, according to +the traditionary accounts, in the early Indian wars of the colony. +His father, Major Zebulon Pike, entered the army of the United +States as a captain of infantry, in 1792, having served, with high +credit, in the levies of the previous year, and was promoted to +the rank of major in 1800. His son, the hero of this sketch, was +born at Lamberton, New Jersey, the residence of the family for many +generations, on the fifth day of January, 1779. While he was yet a +child, his father removed to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and thence +to Easton. In his boyhood, he was remarkable both for his spirit and +bravery, and his thoughtful and studious habits. He enjoyed but few +advantages, and obtained a knowledge only of the ordinary branches of +an English education. + +At an early age, he accompanied his father to the western frontiers +of the Union, and served for some time as a cadet in his company. +On the third of March, 1799, he received a commission as ensign +in the 2nd infantry, and on the twenty-fourth of April, 1800, was +promoted to a first lieutenancy in the same regiment. During the +year 1800, he was transferred to the 1st infantry. Unlike most of +the young officers around him, who contented themselves with going +through the customary routine of barrack duty, he devoted all his +leisure time to reading and study. Without the aid of an instructor, +he became tolerably well acquainted with the French, Latin, and +Spanish languages, and made considerable proficiency in mathematics +and general science. He was not indifferently versed in polite +literature, though much could not have been expected from him in this +respect, as his reading and studies were very desultory in their +character. He possessed an inquiring mind, habits of investigation +and reflection, and was a nice observer of men and things; he +was likewise patient and assiduous in his efforts to improve his +mind,--but all these good qualities did not make up for the absence +of a regular system. + +In March, 1801, Pike was married to Miss Clarissa Brown, of +Cincinnati. He was tenderly and devotedly attached to his wife, and +had several children by her, only one of whom, a daughter, survived +him. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION UP THE MISSISSIPPI.] + +After the purchase of Louisiana from France, Mr. Jefferson projected +several expeditions of discovery in the territory newly acquired. +Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Clarke were selected to ascend the +Missouri, to cross the mountains, and trace the Columbia river to its +mouth; and about the same time, Lieutenant Pike was ordered by his +commanding officer, General Wilkinson, to conduct an expedition to +the sources of the Mississippi. On the ninth of August, 1805, he left +St. Louis in a keel boat, seventy feet long, with provisions for four +months; his whole party consisting of one sergeant, one corporal, +and seventeen private soldiers. There was not a scientific man +attached to the expedition; his men were totally unacquainted with +the country; and Pike himself was required to perform the duties, as +he remarks in the Preface to his published Narrative, “of astronomer, +surveyor, commanding officer, clerk, spy, guide, and hunter.” + +He was absent on this expedition nearly nine months. He visited +a great number of Indian tribes, attended several councils, made +treaties with them, and purchased valuable tracts of land. On the +sixteenth of October he erected a stockade, and established a winter +station for his men, two hundred and thirty-three miles above the +falls of St. Anthony. He was determined to pursue his explorations +still further, and accordingly commenced his preparations as soon +as practicable. While he remained at the encampment, its tedious +monotony was relieved by the excitement of the chase. In December, +he continued his journey in canoes and on foot--his men drawing +their baggage on sleds over the frozen snow. After visiting Sandy, +Leech, and Red Cedar lakes, and making his surveys and examinations, +he returned to his stockade, where he had left his sergeant, and +invalid soldiers, on the eighteenth of February, 1806. He was +compelled to wait here till the breaking up of the ice in the spring, +when he descended the river to St. Louis, arriving there on the +thirtieth of April. + +General Wilkinson was so well pleased with the manner in which +Lieutenant Pike had conducted the expedition up the Mississippi, that +within four months after his return, he selected him to undertake +a similar enterprise. On the fifteenth of July, 1806, he embarked +at St. Louis, with his party, consisting of one lieutenant, one +sergeant, two corporals, sixteen privates, and an interpreter, +together with forty Osage captives, who had recently been recovered +from their enemies, the Potowatomies. Dr. Robinson, a professional +gentleman, accompanied the expedition as a volunteer. + +Proceeding up the Missouri river to the Osage country, Lieutenant +Pike restored the captives to their friends, and then made his way +to the Pawnee towns, with whom he partially succeeded in cultivating +friendly relations. His efforts, however, were in a great measure +frustrated, by their proximity to the Spanish settlers of New Mexico, +a large body of whom had lately visited their country. + +Having fulfilled the duties required of him in the Indian country, +Lieutenant Pike proceeded to obey his further instructions, to +explore the territory lying on the headwaters of the Arkansas and +Red rivers. After leaving the Indian neighborhood, he and his party +encountered the severest hardships and fatigues. On reaching the +Arkansas, he directed Lieutenant Wilkinson to descend the river to +the military post on its lower waters, with seven men of the party. +He then held on his way with the remainder of his command, and, at +length, after days and weeks of toil and suffering--he and his men +being compelled for a portion of the time to carry seventy pounds +each on their backs--he arrived on what he supposed to be the bank of +the Red river, but which proved to be the Rio Grande. + +[Sidenote: TAKEN PRISONER TO CHIHUAHUA.] + +While encamped in the vicinity of the river, he was visited by a +detachment of Spanish and Mexican lancers, by whom he was conducted +to Santa Fé. The Spaniards were at that time extremely inimical +towards the people of the United States, and it was probably supposed +that Pike was connected with the expedition of Colonel Burr. He was +treated with great respect, however, but was carefully watched, +and shortly afterwards sent, with his party, to Chihuahua, the +residence of the Captain-general of the Internal Provinces, under +a strong escort. All his papers, with the exception of his private +journal, were here taken from him, and he was then permitted to +return home, accompanied by an escort, by way of San Antonio and +Nacogdoches,--though he was forbidden to take any notes, or make any +observations, on the route. He evaded this prohibition, by making +his memoranda on small scraps of paper, which were concealed in the +gunbarrels of his men. On the first of July, 1807, the long and +arduous expedition terminated, by the arrival of himself and party at +Natchitoches. + +On his return to the United States, Pike found himself promoted to +the rank of captain. His conduct received the express approbation of +the Secretary of War, and his zeal, perseverance, and intelligence, +elicited a high, but richly deserved encomium, from a committee of +Congress. He subsequently prepared a Narrative of his Expedition, +abounding in interesting and useful information, and accompanied with +valuable maps and charts, which was published in 1810. + +In 1809, Pike was raised to a majority in the 6th infantry, and, in +1810, was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 4th infantry. Being +engaged on detached service at the southwest, he was not present at +the battle of Tippecanoe, in November, 1811, in which his regiment +bore so prominent a part. While holding the rank of lieutenant +colonel, he was appointed deputy quartermaster general, the duties of +which office he discharged with commendable fidelity and punctuality. + +On the twentieth day of May, 1812, Colonel Pike was present at a +numerous meeting of the citizens of Philadelphia, held in the State +House yard, the object of which was to embolden the government +to declare war against Great Britain. He took no part in the +proceedings, but was not an uninterested spectator. His whole soul +was in his profession; his heart glowed with the noble ambition of +the soldier; and he gladly welcomed these expressions of the popular +will, as the certain indications that he would soon be summoned to +the field. He panted for action, for glory and fame. His ardent wish +was soon gratified, by the declaration of war in June following, +and on the increase of the army, in July, he was promoted to the +colonelcy of the 15th infantry. + +Shortly after receiving his new commission, Colonel Pike proceeded +to the Champlain frontier, where he was stationed for some months, +under the immediate orders of General Dearborn, with a command +consisting of twenty-five hundred men. He found the troops in great +need of discipline, and labored earnestly and indefatigably to +correct the difficulty. No regular system of tactics had then been +adopted; some officers adhering to that of “Old Steuben,” in vogue +during the revolution, and others adopting the more modern French +system. Pike was active in his temperament, enthusiastic, ambitious +to excel, and, perhaps, too fond of innovations. He felt himself +at liberty to choose for himself, and therefore drilled his own +regiment in three ranks, according to the French mode; the rear rank +being provided with short guns and long pikes. They made a bristling +appearance in the charge, but were not very serviceable, and soon +became known in the army as “Pike’s regiment of _pikes_.” After his +death the short guns and pikes were no longer used. + +One of the innovations introduced by Pike, was that of drilling +his men with snow shoes, in anticipation of a winter campaign in +Canada; and there are many amusing anecdotes related of the singular +appearance presented by his men when going through their manœuvres +and evolutions on parade. + +[Sidenote: INCURSION INTO CANADA.] + +In October, 1812, Colonel Pike made a successful incursion into +Canada, with his regiment; the northern army being then stationed +near the frontier, in the town of Champlain. On the nineteenth +instant, he surprised a body of British and Indians stationed at a +blockhouse, destroyed a large quantity of public stores, and returned +to camp without sustaining much loss. In the winter of 1813, he +was assigned to the command of a brigade, and was ordered from +Plattsburg to Sacketts Harbor, in consequence of a report that Sir +George Prevost designed to attack that post.[32] + +At the opening of the campaign of 1813, Pike was promoted to the +rank of brigadier general, and accompanied General Dearborn in his +expedition against York. It was the great fault committed by our +generals in the war of 1812, that no permanent lodgment was made on +the Canada shore, between Kingston and Montreal. Had this been done, +the two provinces would have been effectually detached, and the upper +one must of necessity have submitted to the authority of the United +States. The instructions issued from the War Department to General +Dearborn, in the spring of 1813, specified Kingston and York, Forts +George and Erie, as suitable points of attack. It was, of course, +designed that an attempt should be first made on Kingston; but the +commanding general was deceived by a false report as to its strength, +intended by the enemy to produce that effect, and therefore selected +York, the capital of Upper Canada, now known as Toronto. + +Pike was constantly employed at Sacketts Harbor, in drilling the men +intended for the expedition, which was to be a secret one,--it being +understood that he was to have the actual command of the forces, +though General Dearborn decided to accompany him. The troops, to +the number of about seventeen hundred men, were embarked on board +Commodore Chauncey’s fleet, on the twenty-third of April, 1813, +and set sail on the twenty-fifth instant. On the morning of the +twenty-seventh, they hove in sight of York, and the landing instantly +commenced, in the small boats, under the direction of General Pike, +who had previously made all the necessary arrangements, and issued +the most precise orders, which were directed to be read at the head +of every corps. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION AGAINST YORK.] + +It was originally designed that the debarkation should take place +on the open shore, near the ruins of old Fort Toronto, about two +miles above York; but the prevalence of a strong east wind forced +the boats on a part of the coast fringed with trees and underbrush, +which afforded an excellent cover to the enemy’s sharpshooters. Major +Forsyth led the descent with his rifle corps. His men cheered lustily +as their boats skimmed over the blue waters, and rapidly neared the +beach. The alarm had already been communicated to General Sheaffe, +the commandant of the garrison at York; a strong body of grenadiers, +with the Glengary fencibles, were paraded on the shore to oppose the +landing; a still larger force of regulars and militia, at least seven +hundred strong, were observed in the rear; and there were five or six +hundred Indians scattered through the woods in detached parties. + +As Major Forsyth approached the shore, a heavy fire of musketry and +rifles was poured on his command. He at once ordered his men to rest +a few seconds on their oars, and return the enemy’s fire. General +Pike was at this moment standing on the deck of his ship, intently +surveying the scene with his glass. Observing what he thought a +cowardly pause on the part of the advance, he exclaimed to his staff, +“I can stay here no longer,--come, jump into the boat!” As he spoke, +he leaped into the boat, followed by his officers, gave the order to +make way, and pushed into the thickest of the fire. + +Meantime, Major Forsyth and his men had gallantly driven the enemy +from the bank, and effected a landing. They then sheltered themselves +behind the trees and bushes, and opened a lively fire. The first +volley of the enemy had killed their armorer, the best shot in the +corps, and they now made the woods ring with the shrill report of +their pieces, and their loud shouts for vengeance. + +General Pike soon landed, with Major King’s infantry, the light +artillery under Major Eustis, the volunteer corps of Colonel +McClure, and Lieutenant Riddle’s rifles. The general placed himself +at the head of the platoon first formed, and ordering the rest to +follow, dashed up the bank under a fierce shower of bullets from +the grenadiers. His noble example inspired his men with confidence. +Willing hearts found ready hands. At the word they sprang forward +with the utmost vivacity and firmness, and charged impetuously upon +the enemy, who almost immediately broke, and retired in disorder +towards their works in the town. At the same instant, Forsyth’s +bugles pealed forth their merry notes of victory. The effect on the +Indians was electrical; they gave a loud yell and fled in every +direction; but the Glengary fencibles still maintained an irregular +fire. A fresh body of grenadiers now issued from the wood, and made +a dash at Major King’s regiment; at first, the latter faltered under +the terrible crash of the bayonet, but they speedily rallied, +returned the charge with a will, and drove the enemy from the field. + +All the troops having landed, they were formed in order of attack, +and led on by General Pike in person, against the enemy’s works. +Advancing through the wood, they came within range of a twenty-four +pounder gun planted in one of the batteries. The battery was stormed +and cleaned in an instant. A second work was soon after entered, +which had previously been abandoned. The assailants then moved +forward, in columns, upon the principal intrenchment, whither the +enemy had retreated. On approaching it, the barracks appeared to have +been evacuated. Suspecting some trick, General Pike ordered a halt, +and sent Lieutenant Riddle forward to reconnoitre. + +[Sidenote: EXPLOSION OF THE MAGAZINE.] + +In the meanwhile, General Pike, ever as humane and generous, as he +was brave, had aided in removing a wounded British soldier with his +own hands to a place of safety, and then sat down on the stump of a +tree with one of the enemy’s sergeants who had been taken prisoner. +He was busily employed in examining him, with the assistance of his +aids, when the hill-side was suddenly convulsed as if with the throes +of an earthquake. The magazine in the main work of the enemy exploded +with a deafening roar. Huge volumes of smoke darkened the air; +vast columns of flame shot up towards the sky; and large masses of +fragments were thrown into the air, where they hung suspended for a +moment, and then descended with a sharp hissing sound, crushing into +the earth both friends and foes within a circuit of three hundred +yards.[33] The magazine was constructed of stone, and one of the +heaviest masses fell upon the group gathered about General Pike. All, +except one of the aids, were mortally wounded,--the general himself +receiving a severe contusion on the breast. + +The American troops for an instant recoiled before this terrible +catastrophe; but they were quickly reformed by Colonel Pearce, of +the 16th infantry, who now assumed the command, and his subordinate +officers; the lively strains of martial music soon reïnspired them; +and they were again led forward to the attack, rending the air, +as they advanced, with their loud hurrahs. As they filed past the +suffering, but heroic Pike, whose breast and sides were literally +crushed in, he said, “Push on, my brave fellows, and avenge your +general!”--They instantly dashed on with redoubled zeal; though the +plume of their gallant leader was no longer to be seen, his influence +was still upon them; and in a few hours the victory was completed, +by the capture of the town and fort; General Sheaffe making a +precipitate retreat with his regulars, in the direction of Kingston. +The public buildings and barracks were destroyed, and the military +stores removed; and the place was then abandoned. The enemy lost +about two hundred men in killed and wounded, and nearly three hundred +were taken prisoners. The loss of the Americans was three hundred and +twenty killed and wounded, principally caused by the explosion of the +magazine. Between thirty and forty of the enemy were also killed and +wounded by the explosion. + +[Sidenote: HIS DEATH.] + +After the advance of the troops, Pike was taken up by some of his +men, under the direction of the surgeons, to be conveyed on board +the ship. As they reached the shore of the lake, a loud prolonged +shout was heard, evidently proceeding from his brigade. The cheering +sound revived the dying hero. Like Wolfe upon the plains of Abraham, +he turned his head with an inquiring look. This was noticed by a +sergeant beside him, who instantly cried, “The British union jack +is coming down, general--the stars are going up!” Pike struggled +to speak, but the effort was vain; he heaved a deep sigh, and a +glad smile lighted up his fine features. He was then rowed to the +Commodore’s ship and taken on board. He lingered a few hours in great +pain, being unable to articulate a single syllable. Just before he +breathed his last, as his eye was glazing in death, the British +standard was brought to him; he made a sign to have it placed under +his head, and calmly breathed his last. + +The personal intrepidity of General Pike was not his only good +quality. He was devotedly attached to his profession, and jealous of +the preservation of its honor,--as was evinced by the orders issued +on the morning of the fatal twenty-seventh of April. Among them +was one, in which he prohibited any molestation of the persons or +property of private citizens, and strictly enjoined upon his troops +that they should refrain from committing outrages of every character, +however much they might be provoked. He was pure-minded, frank and +ingenuous; firm in danger, and resolute in adversity; blameless in +life, and heroic in death,--exemplifying, under circumstances that +required the exhibition of unusual fortitude and resignation, the +truthful sentiment of the Roman poet-- + + “Dulce, et decorum est, pro patria mori!” + +On the day previous to the embarkation at Sacketts Harbor, General +Pike addressed a letter to his father, in which he said: “I embark +to-morrow in the fleet at Sacketts Harbor, at the head of a column +of fifteen hundred choice troops, on a secret expedition. If success +attend my steps, honor and glory await my name; if defeat, still +shall it be said that we died like brave men, and conferred honor, +even in death, on the American name. Should I be the happy mortal +destined to turn the scale of war, will you not rejoice, O my father? +May Heaven be propitious, and smile on the cause of my country! But +if we are destined to fall, may my fall be like Wolfe’s--to sleep in +the arms of victory!” + +[Sidenote: HIS CHARACTER.] + +The hero’s wish was gratified. The same breeze that fanned his cheek, +and cooled the aching forehead on which the death-damp was rapidly +gathering, unfurled the victorious banner, welcomed, as it shook +its star-gemmed folds above the heads of his brave soldiers, with +a deafening shout that went up like the gush of many waters. He +desired no higher, or greater distinction, in life, than to serve his +country in the tented field--he asked no nobler death than that which +awaited him, in the hour of his proud triumph:-- + + “He died, as hearts like his should die,-- + In the hot clasp of victory!” + +[Illustration: WINFIELD SCOTT.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [32] See Memoir of General Macomb, _ante_. + + [33] Some of the escapes made on this occasion were + rather amusing;--one officer saved himself by dodging + under a gun, and another by springing into an + empty pork barrel. It was for a long time supposed + that the explosion was the work of design, and + the circumstance of finding the lighted trains at + Fort George, (See Memoir of General Scott.) in May + following, tended to strengthen this impression. + General Sheaffe, however, repelled the dishonorable + imputation, and declared that it was wholly + accidental. The most critical and reliable biographer + of General Pike, (See Memoir of Pike, by Colonel + Whiting, in Sparks’ American Biography.) adopts the + opinion that it was a mere accident, and could not + have been designed. + + + + + WINFIELD SCOTT. + + +On learning the particulars of the defeat of Marshal Ney at +Dennewitz, says St. Cyr, in his _Histoire Militaire_,[34] Napoleon +remarked, that “he knew of but one general who had constantly +gained by experience, and that was Turenne, whose great talents +were the result of profound study.” A similar remark might, not +inappropriately, be applied to WINFIELD SCOTT, the General-in-Chief +of the Army of the United States. For more than forty years he has +been in the military service of the American people, constantly +improving in reputation, as in the knowledge appertaining to his +profession,--the experience of each year furnishing new and useful +lessons to its successor, which have not been permitted to remain +unimproved,--and he now stands before the country and the world, +occupying a high place among the heroes of modern times, and towering +far above his compeers, in stature and in fame. + +[Sidenote: BIRTH AND EDUCATION.] + +Among the Scottish gentlemen who rallied around Charles Edward, when +he unfurled the banner of his kingly race on the hills of Glenfinnan, +on the nineteenth of August, 1745, were two brothers, by the name +of Scott. They adhered to “the young Chevalier” through weal and +woe, through good and evil report, till the fortunes of the Stuarts +sank forever on the bloody field of Culloden. The elder brother +sealed his loyalty with his life on that fatal day; and the younger, +being seriously compromised by his participation in the rebellion, +emigrated to America, and established himself in the practice of +the law, in the then Colony of Virginia. His son William, a farmer +by occupation, married into one of the most respectable families in +Virginia, and died in 1791, leaving two sons and several daughters. +The elder son, James, commanded a regiment of Virginia militia, at +Norfolk, in 1812; the younger was Winfield, the subject of this +biographical notice, who was born near Petersburg, Virginia, on the +thirteenth of June, 1786. + +Within two years after the death of his father, young Scott was +also deprived of his mother, and, at the age of seventeen, was left +his sole master, possessed of but limited means, to make or mar his +fortune, as he himself decided to guide the little bark freighted +with his boyish hopes and aspirations. Happily, he had been early +accustomed to habits of self-government and self-reliance. He was +frank and ingenuous by nature; ardent, ambitious, and chivalric, +in his temperament; gifted with a superior intellect; industrious +by inclination, as well as from a consciousness of its importance; +quick to perceive, and ready to learn. Qualities like these, properly +improved and directed, are always sure to reward their possessor a +hundred fold; for mind, like water, will, sooner or later, find its +own appropriate level. + +Scott was originally designed for the legal profession. He pursued +a regular course of instruction in mathematics and the classics, +in the High-School at Richmond, then in charge of a distinguished +teacher of the name of Ogilvie, and afterwards repaired to William +and Mary College, where he spent between one and two years, and +attended a course of law lectures. His legal studies were completed +in the office of David Robertson, a learned and able lawyer, and +in 1806 he was admitted to the bar. He spent the following year in +his native state, riding the circuit two terms in the vicinity of +Petersburg, and residing most of the time with Benjamin Watkins +Leigh, subsequently one of the most eminent counsellors and advocates +in Virginia. In the fall of 1807, he visited South Carolina, +intending to establish himself in practice in the city of Charleston. +Failing, for want of time, to procure the passage of a bill by the +legislature, specially exempting him from the statutory provision +requiring a year’s residence in the state, he returned to Virginia. + +This was, perhaps, the most fortunate disappointment he has ever +experienced. The whole country was then in a complete ferment of +agitation. The attack on the Chesapeake took place in June previous, +and a war was confidently predicted as the inevitable result. +President Jefferson issued a proclamation prohibiting British armed +vessels from entering the harbors of the United States, and bodies +of militia were called out for the defence of the coast, and the +enforcement of the prohibition. The first blast of the trumpet roused +young Scott from his studies, and dissolved many of his gayest +and brightest dreams of future eminence and distinction among the +gentlemen of the gown and wig. He enrolled himself as a member of a +volunteer troop of horse raised in Petersburg, and, in the summer of +1807, performed a tour of duty on Lynnhaven Bay. + +Visions of military greatness and renown danced constantly before +him, while on his visit to South Carolina, which more than half +compensated for his disappointment. He took a deep interest in +the progress of the difficulties with England and France, and his +sympathies were warmly enlisted in behalf of his country. His voice +and his pen were both employed in defence of the administration of +Mr. Jefferson, and of that of his successor, Mr. Madison; and from +the time of the attack on the Chesapeake, till the declaration of +war, he was an active and energetic supporter of war measures. + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED A CAPTAIN OF ARTILLERY.] + +Immediately after his return to Virginia, he determined to abandon +his profession and enter the army. Accordingly, he applied to the +President, for a commission in one of the new regiments proposed to +be raised by a bill introduced in Congress at the session of 1807–8. +The bill lingered sometime on its passage, and, in the meanwhile, +Scott returned to his circuit. It finally became a law in April, +1808; and on the third day of May following, through the influence of +his friend, the Hon. Wm. B. Giles, then a senator in Congress, and +afterwards governor of the State of Virginia, he was commissioned, +by President Jefferson, a captain of light artillery. Briefs and +black-letter tomes, red tape and parchment, were now thrown aside; +his company was raised and organized; and early in 1809, he joined +the army under General Wilkinson, at New Orleans. + +The character of the connection of Wilkinson with the intrigues +of Colonel Burr, as indicated by the testimony elicited on the +trial of the latter, which took place while Scott was in Virginia, +had not produced a very favorable impression on his mind. General +Wilkinson, however, was pleased with the appearance and talents of +his subordinate; he mentioned him as a young man “who could speak, +and write, and fight”, and made repeated attempts to attach him to +his interest. Scott calmly, but firmly, declined to meet his advances +in a similar spirit, and took no pains to conceal the opinions he +had formed. In the autumn of 1809, General Wilkinson was relieved by +General Hampton, in the command of the southern army,--the main body +of which was stationed near Natchez. Scott was now more unguarded +in his conversation, and on one occasion, perhaps unwisely, though +his sincerity cannot be doubted, indulged in the strongest terms of +reprehension. Charges were soon after preferred against him,[35] +and in January, 1810, he was tried and found guilty, of having +uttered disrespectful language towards his superior officer, General +Wilkinson. The sentence of the court was, that he should be suspended +“from all rank, pay, and emoluments, for the space of twelve months.” + +The following year was spent by Captain Scott, at Richmond, in the +family of his friend, Mr. Leigh, who tendered him the free use of +his large library. The opportunity thus afforded, for benefiting +his mind, was faithfully improved. The greater part of the period +of his suspension was spent in the careful and diligent study of +works on military science; and he thus laid the foundation of that +vast and comprehensive information, which subsequently embraced +every department of knowledge belonging to, or connected with, his +profession. + +[Sidenote: PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL.] + +A further augmentation of the army, consequent upon the declaration +of war against Great Britain, was made in the summer of 1812, and in +the month of July, upon the urgent recommendation of the Virginia +delegation in Congress, Scott was promoted to the rank of lieutenant +colonel in the 2nd artillery. He at once proceeded to the Niagara +frontier, with two companies of his regiment, and took post at Black +Rock, to protect the naval dépôt at that place. + +It is well known that the venerable Albert Gallatin, whose varied +learning, and great abilities, are so highly honored and esteemed at +home and abroad, was decidedly opposed, as a member of Mr. Madison’s +cabinet, to the war with England, or to a war with any foreign power; +and the younger, and more ardent and ambitious, members of the +party to which he belonged, often complained that he did not render +that hearty support to the administration, in the management of the +affairs of his department, necessary to the vigorous prosecution +of hostilities. On one occasion he is reported to have doubtingly +inquired of Lieutenant Elliott, of the navy, what they were to do +for vessels on Lake Erie, when they had none, and there was no money +to build any? “Take them!” said the lieutenant, in whose patriotism +calculations of dollars and cents had no place.--The theory of the +young officer was gallantly put in practice on the night of the +eighth of October, 1812, on the shores of the Niagara. The Caledonia, +a British brig of war, the next year employed in Perry’s squadron, +and the Detroit, formerly the Adams surrendered by Hull, were cut out +from under the guns of Fort Erie, where they were lying at anchor, +and brought off with their crews, by a party in two boats, headed +by Elliott in person. Captain Towson, of the 2nd artillery, and a +portion of his company, belonging to Scott’s command, took part in +the expedition. Scott himself volunteered to accompany his men, but +was not permitted to go; he rendered important assistance, however, +by the fire of his guns, in preventing the recapture of the Detroit, +which grounded on Squaw Island. It being found impossible to get her +off, she was subsequently burned, by order of General Smythe. + +Early in the month of October, 1812, there were near fifteen hundred +regular troops at Buffalo and Fort Niagara, under the command of +General Smythe; and General Stephen Van Rensselaer, of the New York +militia, the commander of the united force, known as the Army of the +Centre, had concentrated about twenty-five hundred men at Lewiston. +Nothing was talked of but the invasion and conquest of Canada. The +successful enterprise under Elliott infused new zeal into the breasts +of the really patriotic, but raw and undisciplined militia; and all +that was then required to have terminated the campaign, and perhaps +the war, by a bold and successful stroke in the upper province, was +the presence of resolute and energetic general officers. General +Smythe possessed few of the qualifications requisite in a skilful and +successful soldier, and there was very little cordiality of feeling +existing between him and General Van Rensselaer,--when, had they +zealously coöperated together, and made a vigorous irruption into the +enemy’s country, at the head of their combined forces, the power of +England in Upper Canada, would have been at an end in three weeks. + +[Sidenote: ATTACK ON QUEENSTON.] + +General Van Rensselaer was high-minded and patriotic, and not +deficient in ability or personal bravery, but he was, to some extent, +jealous of the regular officers, and did not infuse that energy into +his operations, which, after all, is the great secret of converting +militia into reliable troops. Day after day passed by, and the army +still remained inactive. Action and excitement are always necessary +to keep up the spirits of a newly organized militia force. Nothing +was done in this respect, until the men threatened to return home, +when an attack was planned on the British post at Queenston, nearly +opposite Lewiston; it being understood that the greater part of the +enemy’s forces had been withdrawn from the peninsula, for the defence +of Malden. + +The morning of the eleventh of October was fixed upon for the attack; +but on account of the violence of the weather, and the want of a +sufficient number of boats, it was postponed to the thirteenth, when +it was arranged to take place in two columns, one of militia, and +the other of regulars, each to consist of three hundred men. Colonel +Solomon Van Rensselaer, of the New York militia, and Lieutenant +Colonel Chrystie, of the 13th infantry, were selected to command the +two columns. Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick was to follow the movement +with a force of two hundred regulars, under Major Mullaney. + +The arrangements for storming the heights of Queenston were completed +on the twelfth of October, and late in the evening of that day +Lieutenant Colonel Scott hastened to Lewiston, through mud, and +rain, and sleet, and entreated General Van Rensselaer to permit him +to serve as a volunteer with the attacking force. His services were +declined, but he was authorized to bring his command to Lewiston, +there to act as circumstances might require. He instantly returned +to Schlosser, where his men were posted, ordered them under arms, +and just before daylight arrived at Lewiston, bringing with him two +pieces of artillery which were conveyed down the river in a boat, +in consequence of the bad state of the roads. The troops under Van +Rensselaer and Chrystie had already passed the river,--though with +not much regularity, on account of the deficiency of boats,--under +a heavy fire from the enemy’s batteries; and they were now warmly +engaged on the opposite bank. Colonel Van Rensselaer and Lieutenant +Colonel Chrystie were both known to be severely wounded, and +Scott was finally ordered to cross over and take the command. The +detachment under Major Mullaney, had previously attempted the +passage, but their boats being seized by the eddies, they were +driven below the point designated for the landing, and directly +under the British batteries; the whole detachment, therefore, with +the exception of Major Mullaney and a few of his men, who made their +escape, were obliged to surrender themselves as prisoners of war. + +[Sidenote: CROSSES THE RIVER.] + +Leaving his train in battery on the American shore, under the command +of Captains Towson and Barker, who opened an effective fire on the +enemy, Scott crossed the stream, about eight o’clock in the morning, +when he found that the British force, consisting of two flank +companies of the 49th, and a body of militia, had been driven from +their position; that Captain Wool had stormed the heights south of +the town, with three companies of the 13th infantry, and carried the +enemy’s batteries; and that the British commander, General Brock, +had been killed in an unsuccessful charge, which he had gallantly +headed in person. He also ascertained that General Wadsworth, of the +New York militia, had reached the Canada shore, though without the +knowledge of General Van Rensselaer, and, of course, was entitled +to the command. General Wadsworth, however, magnanimously waived +all claims of superior rank, and requested Scott to make such +dispositions as he thought proper. + +Although the American detachments, who had made a lodgment on the +Canada shore, remained for several hours unmolested, it was not +doubted that the enemy would rally again before night. Scott arranged +his men, therefore, so as both to cover the ferry, in order that +he might be reinforced if necessary, and to repel an attack. About +the middle of the day, General Van Rensselaer came over, and having +examined and approved of his arrangements, returned to superintend +the crossing of the remainder of the troops. But the sight of the +action in the morning had cooled the ardor and impatience of the +militia. Some few parties were induced to cross over,--though most of +them might as well have remained behind; but the great body of the +command had entirely forgotten their former boisterous professions of +patriotism. General Van Rensselaer alternately coaxed and threatened, +but it was all to no purpose. Every circumstance was calculated to +discourage them; many of the boats, originally too few in number, had +been crippled, the current was rapid, the stream one complete sheet +of eddies, and the weather cold, wet, and stormy. They would not, and +they did not go; but they stood still, and with the utmost unconcern +and indifference, saw their countrymen sacrificed on the opposite +shore of the river, when their presence would have changed the fate +of the day. + +Between two and three o’clock in the afternoon, small parties of the +enemy were seen hovering along the slopes of the hills, and, shortly +after, the action was fiercely renewed by the rallied militia and +grenadiers, and about four hundred Indians, under Norton, who had +heard the previous firing, and had hurried down from Chippewa. With +a mixed command of regulars and militia, not far from three hundred +and fifty strong--nearly four hundred of the militia being seized +with a panic, and refusing to take part in the action--Scott boldly +encountered the enemy. A sharp conflict ensued for a few moments, and +the assailants were then driven back, and put to flight, by a forward +movement of the bayonet. + +[Sidenote: GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY.] + +The protection of the ferry rendered a pursuit impossible. Scott +therefore reformed his line, in readiness for another attack. He +had just returned to the rear, to direct his men how to unspike a +captured cannon, when the enemy rallied again, and forced in the +advanced picket. The main line, too, had commenced a retreat ere +he could reach them. Instantly springing to the front, by great +exertions, in which he was ably seconded by General Wadsworth and +Lieutenant Colonel Chrystie, he brought the retreating line to the +right about. His earnest enthusiasm produced a sudden revulsion of +feeling, and the enemy were soon a second time repulsed. + +Meanwhile, General Sheaffe, who commanded the troops at Fort George, +had hastily collected all his disposable forces, and the provincial +militia in the neighborhood, and was rapidly approaching the scene of +action. About four o’clock, his column, numbering rather more than +eight hundred men, emerged into open view just below the village of +Queenston. He advanced with much caution, though fully aware that +the Americans were greatly inferior to his own force in point of +numbers, especially when he had effected a junction with the light +troops and Indians. Leaving Queenston on his left, he took a wide +circuit through the woods, gained the heights, and opened the action +anew, with a rapid fire of musketry and artillery. For half an hour, +the little band headed by the dauntless and heroic Scott, manfully +held their ground, and breasted the volleys that met them on every +side. All that bravery and skill could do, was nobly performed,--but +performed in vain! + +Scott fearlessly exposed his person to the enemy’s bullets. His tall +form, six feet and five inches in height, was the most conspicuous +object on the field. He was arrayed in full uniform, and was +entreated again and again to cover up or change some part of his +dress. “No, no!” said he, smiling; “I will die in my robes!” Others +were constantly falling around him, but he escaped unharmed.--After +the action, when he had surrendered himself a prisoner of war, +an Indian warrior came up to him, and surveying him attentively, +said--“You are not born to be shot; so many times--(holding up all +the fingers of both hands)--so many times did I fire at you!” + +The bloody and desperate contest was soon ended. Overpowered by +superior numbers, and nearly surrounded on all sides, the Americans +retreated to the bank of the river, under cover of the precipice, +where they found the faint-hearted militia concealed in the clefts +and fissures. Retreat was hopeless; the troops were disheartened; +there were no boats in which they could cross the river; and the +twilight was fast settling over the field of combat. General +Wadsworth and the other principal officers now held a consultation, +and it was decided that they should surrender themselves to the +enemy. Several messengers were sent with a flag, but they failed to +reach the British commander, as they were shot down on the way by +the Indian rifles. Scott then volunteered to go himself. He attached +a white handkerchief to his sword, and, accompanied by Captains +Totten and Gibson, made his way to the enemy’s rear, by taking a +circuitous route under cover of the precipice overlooking the river. +He and his companions had all the while been exposed to a random fire +from the Indians, and on approaching the road leading up from the +village to the heights, they were suddenly beset by two warriors, +who discharged their rifles at them, and were preparing to rush +forward with their knives and hatchets,--paying no heed to the sacred +character of the flag which they carried,--when a British officer +came up with a file of men, and compelled them to desist. + +[Sidenote: TAKEN PRISONER.] + +The three officers were forthwith conducted to the presence of +General Sheaffe, and terms of capitulation agreed on. The force +surrendered with Wadsworth and Scott, consisted of one hundred and +thirty-nine regulars, and one hundred and fifty-four militia; about +four hundred militia, who had taken no part in the engagement, were +afterwards included in the surrender; and there had been about +one hundred killed during the day--making a total of casualties, +including the two hundred regulars under Major Mullaney, who +surrendered in the morning, of near one thousand. + +This disastrous action was the first, as it was the most unfortunate, +in which Scott was engaged. His conduct throughout the day was +worthy of all praise. He was but a few years older than young Condé, +when the latter routed the famous corps of Spanish infantry; yet he +exhibited the skill and intrepidity of a veteran officer, and had +he been supported by anything like an equal force, it can scarcely +be doubted that the setting sun would have witnessed the American +banners floating in triumph on the heights of Queenston. + +After the surrender, the American prisoners were taken to the +village of Niagara, or Newark, under an escort, and the officers +temporarily lodged in an inn. While there, a message was brought in +that some one at the door wished to see the “tall American.” Scott, +presuming, of course, that he was intended by the designation, went +out into the hall, where he was surprised to find the two warriors +who had so cowardly attacked him when bearing the flag of truce. +Both were distinguished chiefs--one being the son of the renowned +Mohawk leader, Joseph Brant, and the other known by the name of +Captain Jacobs. They eagerly commenced questioning him in regard to +his wounds, and attempted to examine his person. Scott bore with +them for some time, but they soon became angry and insulting, and at +length Jacobs seized him by the arm to turn him round. Scott promptly +resented the indignity, and hurled the savage from him, with ease, +exclaiming, “Off, villain!--you fired like a squaw!” + +The savages at once clenched their knives and tomahawks, and sprang +towards him, crying out--“We kill you now!--we kill you now!” +Fortunately, in one corner of the hall, underneath the staircase, +stood the swords of the American officers. Scott darted back, caught +up a long heavy sabre, turned upon his heel, and in a breath stood +on his defence; with an unflinching eye and look regarding the dark +warriors, whose painted visages lowered fiercely upon him. At this +moment, Captain Coffin, a member of General Sheaffe’s staff, entered +from the street; he instantly cried out for the guard, caught Jacobs +by the arm, and placed his pistol at the head of young Brant. This +had the desired effect. The Indians were intimidated, and on the +appearance of the guard, retired from the inn. Their people, however, +were so much excited, that Scott could not venture out into the +street, during his stay at Niagara, even to dine with the British +commander, without a strong escort. + +General Brock was buried on Queenston Heights, immediately after the +surrender of the American troops, and at the request of Lieutenant +Colonel Scott, who so well knew what was due to the memory of the +gallant dead, minute guns were fired from Fort Niagara, on the +American shore, during the sad ceremony. + +[Sidenote: INTERFERENCE IN BEHALF OF PRISONERS.] + +Scott was sent to Quebec with the other prisoners, where he was +placed on a cartel to be conveyed to Boston; and in January, 1813, he +was regularly exchanged. When the transport was about leaving Quebec, +a party of British officers came on board, and commenced mustering +the prisoners, with a view of selecting those who were ascertained to +be Irishmen, by their speech, to be sent to England for trial. Great +Britain has ever denied the right of expatriation in the subject, and +hence these men, if found in arms against her authority, were liable, +according to her laws, to be convicted of the crime of treason. Scott +was seated in the cabin; but hearing the tumult, he rushed upon deck. +By this time, the British officers had selected twenty-three men +from the detachment. On learning the cause of the disturbance, he +forbade the remainder of the prisoners to utter a single syllable, +when questioned. The men readily obeyed him; the British officers +threatened to use violence, but he was in nowise intimidated by their +menaces; he felt, justly, that the honor of his country was for the +time in his keeping, and, in spite of threats and frowns, persisted +in the order he had given. + +The British officers were finally obliged to retire with the +twenty-three prisoners, but before the latter left the side of the +vessel, Scott pledged himself to secure their liberation, if it were +possible; but if not, he solemnly declared that he would retaliate, +on the first prisoners whom the fortune of war should place in his +power. He faithfully kept his word. On his return to the United +States, he made a full and faithful report of the transaction to +the Secretary of War, and in May, 1813, at the capture of Fort +George, selected twenty-three prisoners to be held as hostages for +the unfortunate Irishmen. The British government persisted in their +determination to try the men and execute them; consequently, they +ordered forty-six other prisoners into confinement; the Americans +reciprocated their conduct, in kind; but after venting a great deal +of spleen and ill humor to no purpose, the British ministry finding +their braggadocio of no avail, tacitly surrendered their position, +and shortly after the peace, the twenty-three prisoners taken to +England from Quebec, were sent home to the United States. Twenty-one +of them--the remaining two having died natural deaths--landed in New +York, in July, 1815. Almost the first object which they encountered, +was the tall form of the gallant Scott, upon whose brow the laurels +were yet fresh and green which he had won at Chippewa and Niagara. +They eagerly hailed him as their deliverer, caught him in their arms, +and nearly overwhelmed him with their enthusiastic manifestations of +gratitude. + +At the opening of the campaign of 1813, Scott was appointed adjutant +general in the staff of General Dearborn, the head of the army, and +the commander of the ninth military district. It was stipulated, +however, on his part, that he should be entitled to his command in +the line, on all extraordinary occasions. On the second of March, +he was promoted to the colonelcy of the 2nd artillery, a double +regiment, consisting of twenty companies. + +The campaign of this year opened auspiciously. The forests of +Canada were scarcely robed in the bright array of spring, when the +American soldiers precipitated themselves on her shores. On the +twenty-seventh of April, York capitulated to the surviving comrades +of the heroic Pike.[36] General Dearborn remained for several days +in the vicinity; but on the fifth of May he reëmbarked, and, having +been joined by successive reinforcements, increasing his command to +about five thousand men, effected a landing on the American shore, +at Four Mile Creek, on the evening of the eighth instant. Colonel +Scott joined the army shortly after the capture of York. The duties +devolving upon him, as chief of General Dearborn’s staff, were +intricate and multifarious, as the army was newly organized, or +composed of different corps recently brought together; but they were +performed with untiring zeal and industry, and in a manner that gave +satisfaction to all parties concerned. + +[Sidenote: ATTACK ON FORT GEORGE.] + +The next object of attack, was the British post of Fort George, +situated opposite Fort Niagara, at the mouth of the river. The +boats built for the occasion were launched on the afternoon of +the twenty-sixth of May, and their stations assigned; and careful +reconnaissances were made of the Canada shore, in order to ascertain +the most feasible points for landing. The movement in the American +camp being discovered by the enemy, a severe cannonade was opened on +Fort Niagara and the adjacent batteries. The roar of the howitzers +was incessant; and peal on peal of heavy ordnance reverberated +along the beach, with a loud crashing noise, and then died away, in +deafening echoes, among the distant hills and ridges. The fire was +soon returned from the American fort; shells were rained without +intermission on the enemy’s batteries, and balls sent whistling +through the lanes and streets of the village of Niagara. + +[Sidenote: CAPTURE OF THE FORT.] + +At three o’clock in the morning of the twenty-seventh of May, all was +in readiness for the expedition, and the signal was given for the +flotilla of boats to get under weigh. The descent was to be made in +six divisions of boats, though, in consequence of the early retreat +of the enemy, all the troops were not landed. In the first division +was the advanced guard, or forlorn hope, of five hundred picked men, +led by the intrepid Scott; in the second was the field train, under +Colonel Porter; and these were followed, in the order of attack, by +the brigades of Generals Boyd, Winder and Chandler, and a second +reserve under Colonel Macomb. Owing to a strong wind then prevailing, +the rapid current, and the heavy surf, the landing on the Canada +shore was not effected as easily as had been anticipated. Under cover +of the guns of the fleet and of Fort Niagara, which opened a terrible +fire, that crushed down the walls and batteries in and about Fort +George, in huge masses, at nine o’clock in the morning, Colonel Scott +gained the beach, and prepared to land. General Vincent, the British +commander, had previously disposed his whole regular force, about +nine hundred strong, with five or six hundred militia, in a ravine +near the shore; and as the Americans approached, they were met by +several warm volleys of musketry. + +With shouts and cheers, the American advance leaped into the water, +and waded to the beach. They instantly formed on the shingle, +covered by an irregular bank, from seven to twelve feet high, above +which flashed the bristling bayonets of the enemy. Colonel Scott +forthwith ordered a charge. The first attempt to scale the bank +was unsuccessful; on the second, the men clambered up in spite of +resistance,--Scott himself being among the foremost, and knocking +up the British bayonets with his sword. The enemy retired a short +distance, and stoutly maintained the ground for twenty minutes; +but on the arrival of Colonel Porter and General Boyd, with their +commands, portions of which participated in the skirmish near its +close, they commenced retreating in haste, in the direction of +Queenston,--having already laid trains to their different magazines. +Scott pushed his column after them, without delay, and, at the +village of Niagara, was joined by the 6th infantry, under Colonel +Miller. + +On approaching Fort George, one of its magazines exploded. The sad +calamity that befel the American troops at York, had produced its +probably natural effect; and a similar mishap was the _bête noire_ +which they always dreaded throughout the early part of the campaign. +Colonel Scott was struck by a piece of timber, thrown from the horse +which he had borrowed from a British colonel taken prisoner, and +considerably bruised; but he sprang to his feet in an instant, and +accompanied by a few equally brave spirits, forced the gate, and +entered the fort.[37] Captains Hindman and Stockton extinguished +the lighted matches, and General Boyd and Colonel Scott made their +way to the flag staff. The British standard soon fluttered in the +wind,--Captain Hindman being the fortunate individual who first +seized it, though the staff was cut down by Scott,--and the stars and +stripes speedily rose in its place. + +Colonel Scott continued the pursuit for some distance beyond the +fort,--Lieutenant Riddle, with his party, following the enemy almost +to Queenston, and picking up a number of stragglers--but he was +soon recalled by General Boyd, in conformity with the directions of +General Lewis, who had assumed the command on shore. With the return +of the advanced corps, the battle terminated. The Americans had +thirty-nine killed and one hundred and ten wounded in the attack; +while the British lost one hundred and eight killed, and one hundred +and sixty wounded,--and there were one hundred and fifteen regulars, +and five hundred militia, taken prisoners. + +After the loss of Fort George, General Vincent withdrew all his +forces from the peninsula, including those previously stationed at +Chippewa and Fort Erie, to Burlington Heights; and the Americans +established themselves in a solid manner on the Niagara frontier. +This lodgment would undoubtedly have been permanent, had it not been +for the inaction--the pest and bane of the northern army during +the campaigns of ’12 and ’13--which characterized the subsequent +operations of our principal officers in that quarter. + +It has been said that the campaign of 1813 opened auspiciously. So, +indeed, it did,--but it terminated in disaster and disgrace. The +bold stroke of Lieutenant Colonel Harvey, which resulted in the +capture of Generals Chandler and Winder, on the third of June, and +the defeat and surrender of Colonel Boerstler on the twenty-fourth of +the same month, were, in themselves, affairs of no great importance; +or rather, they would not have been considered such, had they been +relieved, as might, and should have been the case, by those successes +which it was in the power of the American army to have achieved. +Immediately after the surrender of Boerstler, General Dearborn was +recalled, and subsequently resigned his commission. General Boyd +succeeded to the command, during the summer, but the War Department +refused to give him authority to act offensively; consequently, +he remained cooped up the whole season in Fort George, with four +thousand men, when General Vincent had very little over two thousand. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION AGAINST BURLINGTON HEIGHTS.] + +General Dearborn surrendered the command on the fifteenth of July, +and Colonel Scott then returned to his duty in the line, and took +charge of his regiment. In September, an expedition was projected +against Burlington Heights, and he volunteered to command the +land troops. Embarking on board Commodore Chauncey’s fleet, he +proceeded to the Heights, but found neither enemy, nor stores, at +that point. On his return, he landed at York, burned the barracks +and storehouses, and brought off a large quantity of provisions, +clothing, and ammunition, together with eleven armed boats and +several pieces of cannon. + +Upon the resignation of General Dearborn, the command of the army +was given to General Wilkinson, under whose auspices the famous +expedition down the St. Lawrence, in the fall of 1813, was conducted. +In the original arrangements of Wilkinson, Colonel Scott was to be +left in command at Fort George, which had been considerably enlarged +and strengthened after its occupation by the American troops. At +the urgent request of the latter, who ardently desired to take part +in the great movement of the campaign, his orders were made so far +discretionary, that he was authorized to give up the fort to General +McClure, of the New York militia, when it had been placed in a +proper state of defence, provided it was not seriously threatened +by the enemy. The works were soon completed, and the enemy retired +to Burlington Heights, and afterwards concentrated at Kingston, +which post they supposed to be threatened by General Wilkinson. +On the thirteenth of October, General McClure took charge of Fort +George, and Colonel Scott proceeded with the regular troops, who had +previously garrisoned the post, to the mouth of the Genesee river, +where he expected to find transportation for his men. Disappointed +in this, he marched his column, with all possible expedition, to +Utica, and then directed his course towards Sacketts Harbor. A short +distance north of Utica, he met General Armstrong, the Secretary of +War, who informed him that the expedition had already set out, but +gave him permission to leave his command with Major Hindman, and to +join Wilkinson, in person, on the St. Lawrence, at whatever point he +could. + +[Sidenote: SKIRMISH AT HOOPHOLE CREEK.] + +Thirsting for distinction, Scott eagerly availed himself of the +permission granted, and dashed off on horseback, through the rain and +mud. On the sixth of November, he joined the army at Ogdensburgh, +and accompanied General Brown in the descent of the river, with the +flotilla, under the heavy fire of the British batteries at Prescott. +Being without a command, Colonel Macomb magnanimously surrendered +to him one of his battalions, which he had reserved for himself in +case the regiment was divided; and, on the seventh instant, he was +regularly assigned to the _corps d’élite_. He commanded the advanced +guard during the subsequent movement of the army down the river, +almost daily encountering and defeating large or small parties of +the enemy. He was not concerned in the action on the eleventh of +November; but, on the following day, he engaged a detachment of +the enemy, under Colonel Dennis, about equal to his own command in +numbers, at Hoophole Creek, near Cornwall, routed them with ease, +captured a number of prisoners, and hotly pursued the remainder of +the enemy till dark. The army now retired into winter quarters at +French Mills,--the young and ambitious officers, like Brown and +Macomb, Gaines and Scott, literally overcome with mortification and +chagrin.[38] + +Not long after this memorable expedition terminated, Colonel Scott +was relieved from duty, and made a visit to his friends in Virginia, +and at the seat of government. By the direction of the president, +he spent a part of the winter at Albany, engaged in making +preparations, in connection with Governor Tompkins, for the ensuing +campaign. + +On the ninth of March, 1814, when scarcely twenty-eight years of +age, Colonel Scott was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, +and immediately joined General Brown, then moving with his column +from Sacketts Harbor to Buffalo. At the latter place, a camp of +instruction was established by General Scott,--General Brown leaving +him temporarily in the command, while he returned for a few weeks to +Sacketts Harbor, with authority to adopt such measures as he thought +proper, to secure the efficient discipline and instruction of the +troops, preparatory to taking the field. + +New officers,--more active, more ambitious, and more +enterprising,--were now at the head of affairs on the Niagara +frontier. General Brown properly appreciated the skill and abilities +of the talented Scott, and gave him almost unlimited power. The +latter infused new spirit and energy into every corps belonging +to the army; superannuated, infirm, or incompetent officers, no +matter how high in rank, were relieved from duty; the strict +rules of military discipline were rigidly enforced; and the whole +command was daily paraded for instruction. All were drilled, from +the highest to the lowest, officers as well as men, under the eye +of Scott himself,--first in squads, then in companies, then in +battalions, and, finally, carried through the evolutions of the line. +The brilliant, but practical genius, of the youthful general, his +unwearied efforts and exertions, accomplished wonders. When General +Brown crossed the Niagara on the third of July, he crossed it with +an army of soldiers, not merely of men! + +[Sidenote: CAMP OF INSTRUCTION AT BUFFALO.] + +The fruits of the camp of instruction at Buffalo, established +and directed by General Scott, were witnessed on the plains of +Chippewa,--on the blood-stained heights of Niagara,--when “Greek met +Greek,” when steel clashed against steel, and the American soldiers +stood firm and unflinching as the rocks beneath their feet. They +may still be witnessed, in the wide-spread renown and eminent glory +indissolubly connected with the achievements of the gallant army +which Brown and Scott led out to battle,--in the noble deeds and +feats of lofty daring, paralleled only on the brightest pages of +by-gone martial story. + +The incidents of the campaign on the Niagara frontier, in the summer +of 1814, have been so fully detailed in the memoir of General +Brown,[39] that it seems unnecessary to recapitulate them here. On +the third of July, the American commander crossed the Niagara with +his whole army, little more than three thousand strong, consisting +of the regular brigades of Scott and Ripley,--the former leading the +van,--and the militia under Porter. Fort Erie was reduced on the same +day, and, immediately thereafter, he proceeded against the position +of General Riall, at Chippewa. On the fourth of July, General Scott +had a running fight for more than sixteen miles, with the 100th +British foot, under the command of the Marquis of Tweedale, whom he +drove at full speed across the Chippewa. + +On the fifth of July, the battle of Chippewa was fought,--mainly by +the first brigade, under General Scott. “To him more than any other +man,” said General Brown, in his official dispatch, “am I indebted +for the victory.” This was high praise; but it was well deserved by +the personal intrepidity, the chivalric bearing, and the dashing and +dazzling manœuvres, which decided the result of the action. The day +had opened with skirmishes of light troops, but the main action was +brought on about four o’clock in the afternoon, when Scott dashed +across Street’s creek, and engaged the British army on the plain +south of the Chippewa. The light troops on the left of the field were +in the meantime warmly engaged, but the principal struggle took place +in the open field, which was as brief as it was decisive. + +Scott’s brigade numbered only about fourteen hundred men, consisting +of three small battalions, and the battery of Captain Towson. After +crossing Street’s creek, he continued alternately to advance, halt, +and fire, till he was not more than eighty yards from the enemy’s +line. It being evident that preparations were making to outflank +him, he detached one of his battalions into the woods on his left, +to protect that flank. With the remainder of his small force, he +prepared to meet the enemy, who were making ready to charge,--their +artillery having been already silenced. Spurring his horse through +the dust and smoke, he dashed up to the side of Captain Towson, who +was posted on the Chippewa road, on the right of the field, and +directed him to maintain his ground, and pour a raking fire into the +British columns as they came up. + +[Sidenote: BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.] + +This order being given, he returned to his place in the rear of his +two infantry battalions. He now directed them to throw forward their +outer flanks, so as to form a reëntering angle, but taking care to +flank the enemy on the left.[40] The two battalions did not touch +each other; but the interval would be every instant lessened by the +movement which he contemplated. Having given the necessary orders, he +cried out to the battalion of Major McNeil--the 11th infantry, which +had not a recruit in it--on the left,--“The enemy say we are good at +long shot, but cannot stand the cold iron! I call upon the Eleventh +instantly to give the lie to that slander!”--“Charge!” he added, as +the shot from Towson’s guns ploughed through and through the British +ranks. “Charge!--Charge!” he repeated in thundering tones, rising up +in his stirrups, and waving his men on with his sword. + +This masterly charge, so well conceived and executed, put an end +to the contest. The front lines of the enemy staggered, and rolled +back in a confused mass on the reserve. All caught the infection of +defeat, and the slope leading down to the Chippewa was soon darkened +by a cloud of fugitives. The pursuit was ordered, but was checked +when the Americans reached the stream, by the hostile batteries that +frowned on the opposite shore. + +The bloody battle on the heights of Niagara followed, on the night of +the twenty-fifth of July.[41] General Scott opened the action with +his brigade, and for nearly two hours gallantly sustained himself +against the vastly superior numbers of the British army. When the +enemy’s batteries were ordered to be stormed, he piloted Colonel +Miller, who was directed to execute this daring enterprise with the +21st infantry, through the smoke and darkness, and the iron shower +that swept unceasingly down the hill-side. Twice, during the height +of the engagement, after being relieved by the troops under Ripley +and Porter, Scott precipitated his brigade on the British left and +right. Two horses were shot under him--one literally torn from its +rider. Though badly wounded in the side by a spent ball, he persisted +in remaining on the ground, wading on foot through the blood and +carnage, and his clear ringing voice ever and anon heard above the +roar of artillery, as he cheered and encouraged his men. At length, +about eleven o’clock, he was finally disabled by a musket ball, which +shattered his left shoulder; and at midnight, just as the battle +closed, he was borne from the field, with his aid, Lieutenant Worth, +also severely wounded. + +[Sidenote: COMPLIMENTARY RESOLUTIONS.] + +For more than a month it was extremely doubtful whether General Scott +would recover from his wounds. Kind friends were not wanting, to +provide for the comfort, and to soften the pillow, of the gallant +soldier. He remained for several weeks,--suffering, in the meantime, +great pain,--at Buffalo, Williamsville, and Batavia, and was thence +borne, in a litter, to Geneva, to the house of his friend, the Hon. +John Nicholas. As soon as he became able to travel, he proceeded to +Philadelphia and Baltimore, in order to procure the best surgical and +medical aid in the country. His journey was like the triumphal march +of a conqueror. Passing through Princeton on commencement day, he +was waited on by a committee of the faculty of the College of New +Jersey, who requested his presence at the exercises. He complied with +the invitation, and was received by the large audience assembled, +with the most rapturous demonstrations of applause. Before he left +Princeton, he was also complimented with the honorary degree of +Master of Arts, bestowed upon him by the authorities of the College. +As he approached Philadelphia, he was met by Governor Snyder at the +head of a division of militia, who formed his escort into the town. + +Being incapacitated by his wounds, which were a long time in +healing, from any active duty, General Scott was prevailed upon, +at the instance of the congressional delegations from Maryland and +Pennsylvania, to take the nominal command of the troops collected +for the defence of Baltimore and Philadelphia. On the sixteenth of +October, 1814, he entered upon the duties of commanding officer of +the tenth military district,--his headquarters being at Washington +city. + +On the third day of November, 1814, Congress passed a resolution of +thanks, complimenting General Scott for his skill and gallantry at +Chippewa and Niagara, and for his uniform good conduct “in sustaining +the reputation of the arms of the United States.” A massive gold +medal was also struck and presented to him, by order of Congress, +and he was brevetted a major general. Resolutions of thanks were +likewise adopted by the Legislatures of New York and Virginia, and +splendid swords publicly presented to him, in accordance with their +directions. He was further honored, by being chosen an honorary +member of the State Society of Cincinnati in Pennsylvania, in the +year 1815. + +After the ratification of the treaty of peace, in February, 1815, +General Scott was requested, temporarily, at least, to take charge +of the War Department. This he declined, but solicited permission to +travel in Europe, for the restoration of his health and professional +improvement. The request was granted without hesitation. Having +assisted in reducing the army to the peace establishment--being +himself retained as one of the four brigadier generals--he embarked +for England, and then crossed over to the Continent. While abroad, +he was honored with the notice of Kosciusko, who gave him letters +of introduction to the most distinguished marshals of France. He +attended several courses of public lectures, in the most eminent +literary institutions, and visited all the principal fortresses +and naval establishments in western Europe. He returned home in +1816, fully restored in strength and spirits; and in the same year +was assigned to the command of the Eastern Division, with his +headquarters at the city of New York.[42] + +In March, 1817, General Scott was married to Miss Maria Mayo, +a Virginia lady, distinguished alike for rare beauty and +accomplishments. By her he has had several daughters, but no living +son. + +Shortly after his marriage, General Scott purchased a residence in +the village of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, which he still regards as +his home. For nearly twenty-five years, from the fall of 1816 to the +summer of 1841, with brief intervals, he was continued in command of +the Eastern Division, and his family, during that period and since, +have spent most of their time at Elizabethtown. + +[Sidenote: PUBLICATIONS ON MILITARY SUBJECTS.] + +The commanding talents, and extensive military information of +General Scott--his whole life having been spent in storing up +valuable knowledge in every department of science connected with his +profession--have been of vast service to his country, even in time +of peace. In 1821, he published an octavo volume, entitled “General +Regulations for the Army, or Military Institutes,”--a complete manual +for both regular and militia officers. In the winter of 1814–15, he +was president of a board appointed to prepare a system of infantry +tactics, similar to that taught in the camp of instruction at +Buffalo, which was afterwards revised by another board, of which he +was also president, and published in 1825. In 1826, he presided over +another board, composed of regular officers and militia generals, +ordered to convene by the War Department, and to report--1. A plan +for the organization and instruction of the whole body of the militia +of the Union--2. A system of tactics for the artillery--3. A system +of cavalry tactics--and 4. A system of infantry and rifle tactics. + +The reports made by the board, on the first and fourth subjects, were +prepared exclusively by General Scott, and reflect high credit on his +military knowledge and abilities. They were published for the use +of the army, and the information of the country; and in 1835, under +a resolution of Congress, he prepared a new edition of his system +of Infantry Tactics, in three small volumes, containing all the +improvements made subsequent to the general peace of 1815. + +On the death of General Brown, in February, 1828, General Scott was a +candidate for the vacant office of General-in-Chief. His claims were +founded, mainly, on the fact, that his commission as a brevet major +general, which bore date July 25, 1814, was older than that of Macomb +or Gaines, both of whom were candidates for the same station. It was +decided, however, by President Adams, and, subsequently, by President +Jackson, that brevet rank was merely honorary in its character; and +the appointment was therefore conferred on General Macomb, the oldest +brigadier.[43] Pending the decision of this question, a warm personal +controversy sprung up between the different parties concerned, in +regard to brevet rank; and on the decision of the government being +made known, General Scott tendered his resignation. Under the advice +of his friends, he afterwards reconsidered this hasty step, withdrew +his resignation, and resumed the command of the Eastern Division. + +On the fourth of July, 1831, the melancholy duty devolved upon +General Scott, of closing the eyes of his esteemed and venerable +friend, Ex-President Monroe, who expired at the city of New York on +that day. + +[Sidenote: WAR WITH THE SACS AND FOXES.] + +In the summer of 1832, General Scott was ordered to assume the +command of the troops sent to suppress the disturbance with the +Sacs and Foxes, under Black Hawk, on the Illinois frontier.[44] He +embarked at Buffalo, in July, on board a steamer, with two hundred +and twenty men; Colonel Twiggs proceeding on another vessel, with a +detachment of four hundred; and a third detachment, of over three +hundred men, taking still another vessel. Bunches of cypress, rather +than wreaths of laurel, were the trophies of this expedition. On the +route to Chicago, the command was overtaken by that terrible scourge, +the Asiatic Cholera. More than one half of the men composing the +detachments died of the disease, or were left in hospital. General +Scott paid every necessary attention to the wants of his soldiers; +nurses and medical attendants, suitable food and clothing, were +provided; and everything in his power was done, that could assuage +the sufferings of disease, or the pangs of death. After a long +delay, he left Chicago, at the head of only four hundred men. With +these he pushed forward as rapidly as possible, but did not come up +with General Atkinson, the officer in command of the troops then +operating in that quarter, till the third of August, the day after +the battle of the Bad-Axe, which put a finishing stroke to the war. +On the twenty-seventh instant, Black Hawk surrendered himself to the +American officers, and in September following, advantageous treaties +were concluded with the Sacs and Foxes, and the Winnebagoes, by +General Scott, and Governor Reynolds, of Illinois. + +During the agitation of the nullification question, when a conflict +was daily expected to take place between South Carolina and the +General Government, General Scott was ordered to Charleston and +Savannah, to take command of the regular troops in that section, if +a collision should become unavoidable. His firmness, and manly and +dignified conduct, were productive of the happiest results. The state +receded from her position, and the angry waters which discord had +lashed into fury, were hushed and stilled by the blessed influence of +Peace. + +Osceola, or Asceolah, “the black drink,”--as the name signifies,--and +the hostile Seminoles of Florida under his command, commenced their +depredations in the summer of 1835, and in the autumn the everglades +resounded with their shrill war-whoop. On the twenty-eighth of +December, Major Dade and his command were attacked and massacred, +when on the march from Fort Brooke, and General Thompson, the Indian +agent, and several companions were waylaid and killed, in sight of +Fort King. On the thirty-first instant, General Clinch encountered +the savages, under Osceola, on the banks of the Withlacoochee, and +after a severe action, though of brief duration, put them to flight. + +[Sidenote: THE FLORIDA WAR.] + +Immediately on the receipt of the intelligence of this outbreak, +General Scott was ordered to take command of the army in Florida. +At four o’clock in the afternoon of the twentieth of January, +1836, he reported to the Secretary of War, and was asked when he +could set out? “To night!” he replied promptly. His instructions, +however, could not be prepared until the following day; and, on +the twenty-first instant, he left Washington, travelling night and +day until he reached Florida. On the twenty-second of February, he +arrived at Picolata, and issued his orders forming the army into +three divisions.--Previous to this time, General Gaines had repaired +to the seat of war and commenced offensive operations; but he now +surrendered the command to General Scott.[45]--The troops on the +west of the St. John’s were placed under General Clinch; those on +the east of the river under General Eustis; and those at Tampa Bay +under Colonel Lindsay. The three divisions then moved towards the +Withlacoochee, where they met, in what was supposed, with good +reason--as this had been the theatre of the disturbances--to be the +heart of the Indian country; but they failed to discover the retreats +of the savages. + +The object of this expedition not having been attained, another +movement was ordered. Six different corps were organized, with which +the whole country, between the twenty-eighth and thirtieth degrees of +north latitude, was effectually scoured. One of these detachments was +led by General Scott in person. Passing the scene of the massacre on +the twenty-eighth of December, he crossed the Ocklewaha, and ascended +the St. John’s from Volusia, in a steamboat. Still the Indians could +not be discovered, in any large bodies, though very small parties +were occasionally seen, with whom the troops had several skirmishes. +The soldiers had suffered considerably by their long and fatiguing +marches through the sickly and malarious swamps in the interior, the +deadly exhalations of which brought on severe diseases, and filled +the hospitals with the sick and suffering. It was now rendered +certain that the savages had retired among the dense live oak and +cypress forests, and the marshy hummocks, in the southern part of the +peninsula. To follow them, at that time, was out of the question; +and General Scott decided to suspend his operations until another +campaign. He then repaired to the Creek country, in Georgia and +Alabama, where a number of outrages had recently been committed. Here +he had fewer difficulties of climate or country to contend with. He +arrived in Georgia, in May, and in less than one month, nearly five +hundred of the refractory Creeks had surrendered themselves. + +While General Scott was actively engaged in the discharge of his +duties in the Creek country, he was unexpectedly recalled, and, on +the ninth of July, gave up the command to General Jesup. It being +evident that he labored under the displeasure of the Executive, +General Jackson, he demanded a court of inquiry, on his arrival at +Washington. The court assembled at Frederick, Maryland, in October, +and after a long and tedious investigation, fully approved of +his conduct. The finding of the court was sustained by the then +president, Mr. Van Buren, and General Scott soon after returned to +the command of the Eastern Division. He requested permission to +be again sent to Florida, but as the war was at that time being +prosecuted by other officers, it was not thought advisable to comply +with his request, and thus disturb the arrangements which had been +made subsequent to his recall. + +[Sidenote: THE NORTH EASTERN BOUNDARY.] + +In the winter of 1837–8, General Scott rendered efficient services +in the preservation of neutrality on the northern frontier, and in +preventing the war which threatened to grow out of the outbreak in +Canada, and what was called “the patriot excitement.” No collision +took place with the British forces, although General Scott was +fully prepared for such an emergency. In the summer of 1838, he was +ordered to take command of the troops in the Cherokee country,--in +Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee,--and to superintend +the removal of the Indians west of the Mississippi. This duty was +discharged with so much promptitude and humanity, that he received +the grateful thanks of the Cherokees, as well as the express +approbation of his own government. + +Having terminated his mission among the Cherokees, General Scott +hastened to the north, where his almost unbounded popularity had +produced such a favorable result the previous year, to take command +of the troops ordered to preserve the integrity of the territory +of Maine, a large part of which had long been in dispute, and the +subject of negotiation, between the governments of England and +the United States. He found in Sir John Harvey, the lieutenant +governor of New Brunswick--in the campaign of 1813, Lieutenant +Colonel Harvey--an old acquaintance, whom he had known during the +late war with England. The former discovered that the militia of +Maine were too numerous, and too well disposed, to be attacked by +his inferior force, and he readily met the friendly, but dignified +advances, of General Scott, in a similar spirit. A cessation of all +hostile movements and operations, was mutually agreed on between +them,--which received the approval of the Governor of Maine, the +American Executive, and the British Minister. The disputed boundary +was finally adjusted, under the Treaty of Washington, concluded in +1842. + +Though taking no active part in the political contests of the day, +and never solicitous to venture in “the fiery chase of ambition,” +the opinions of General Scott on all leading questions, were so well +known to coincide with those of the Whig party, that he was warmly +supported as a candidate for the presidency, at their National +Convention, held at Harrisburg, in December, 1839. He received +sixty-two votes, on the last ballot but one; the choice of the +convention, however, fell on General Harrison, who was elected to the +office in the autumn of 1840. In the summer of 1848, General Scott +was again proposed as a candidate for the same high station, by his +numerous friends in different sections of the Union, and received a +highly flattering vote in the Whig National Convention, which met +at Philadelphia in the month of June,--though the nomination was +conferred on General Taylor, also a distinguished officer of the army. + +General Macomb, the commanding general, died at Washington on the +twenty-fifth of June, 1841, and General Scott, to the universal +satisfaction of the American people, was elevated to the head of the +army, with the full rank of major general. The services performed by +him in this capacity were chiefly those of a cabinet officer, and +nothing more need be said of them, than that they were faithfully and +appropriately rendered. + +[Sidenote: THE WAR WITH MEXICO.] + +We now approach the most brilliant epoch in the military history of +General Scott,--his splendid campaign amid the burning sands and +lofty mountains of Mexico--the land of the citron and the orange, of +the fragrant acacia and the spreading banana; whose valleys teem with +the glowing vegetation of an unending summer, and whose hill-tops +are covered with eternal snow; + + “where the stars, + In tropic brightness gleam,”-- + +and the overhanging rocks and rough buttresses of the sierras, +intrenched by the “deep scars of thunder,” look down upon sweet +Paphian bowers, blooming with the fragrant shrubs and flowers whose +soft intoxicating odors lull the senses to repose, and bright with +the plumage of the parrot and mocking bird, and the scarlet and +purple blossoms of innumerable creepers, twining about the columnar +stems of the tulip tree, or depending in heavy festoons from the +graceful palm. Like the Alpine scenery, to which the reviewer[46] +compares the poetry of Milton, “Nooks and dells, beautiful as fairy +land, are imbosomed in its most rugged elevations. The roses and the +myrtle bloom unchilled on the verge of the avalanche!” + +Repeated insults and outrages, for a long series of years, were +heaped upon the American people and the American flag, by the +authorities of Mexico. Her weakness, and her position as one of the +family of republics on the Western Continent, alone shielded her +from attack. Injuries perpetrated by her were tolerated, which, had +they been committed by a monarchical power, would have been promptly +redressed. At length, after the annexation of Texas to the United +States--the citizens of which had revolted from her authority and +achieved their independence--on the twenty-fourth of April, 1846, a +body of Mexican lancers committed an unprovoked attack upon a small +party of American troops, on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and +within what was claimed to be the territory of the State of Texas. +The Congress of the United States was at this time in session, and +on receiving official intelligence of the transaction, an act was +passed, with great unanimity, declaring that a state of war existed +between the two countries “by the act of the republic of Mexico.” +Provision was made for filling up the regular regiments, the +President was authorized to accept the services of fifty thousand +volunteers, and the sum of ten millions of dollars was appropriated +to carry on the war. + +Consultations were immediately held between the President, the +Secretary of War, and General Scott; and the various staff officers +and heads of bureaus were directed to prepare estimates, and furnish +the _matériel_ for the large army about to be called into the field. +It was originally intended that General Scott, whose abilities as a +skilful and scientific officer were admitted to be unequalled in the +American service, should proceed to the seat of war and assume the +chief command. An unfortunate misunderstanding, however, occurred +between him and the Executive, and he was directed to remain at +Washington. During the summer of 1846, nearly twenty thousand men +were thrown forward. General Taylor, the officer commanding on the +Rio Grande, was largely reïnforced, and strong columns of attack +were directed upon Chihuahua and New Mexico, under Generals Wool and +Kearny. Previous to this, General Taylor had driven the Mexicans from +the left bank of the Rio Grande, by a series of brilliant victories, +and taken possession of Matamoras. On the arrival of reïnforcements +and supplies, he proceeded against Monterey, the capital of New Leon, +where the shattered columns of the enemy had rallied; and after a +stout resistance, this town also surrendered to his arms, on the +twenty-fourth of September. + +[Sidenote: EXPEDITION AGAINST VERA CRUZ.] + +Before the close of the campaign, most of the northern provinces +of Mexico had been overrun, or occupied, by the American troops. +Victory everywhere perched on our banners. Still, the enemy made no +propositions for peace. Artful demagogues, availing themselves of +the dissensions which they had fomented among the Mexican people, +had obtained the control of affairs; and they hoped to preserve +their influence and authority, only by the successful prosecution +of hostilities. It was therefore determined to land a strong and +well-appointed column at Vera Cruz, and after reducing the formidable +castle of San Juan de Ulua--the Gibraltar of America--to march upon +the Mexican capital. This service demanded the highest military +talents in the Nation, and, in accordance with the general desire, +the hero of Chippewa and Niagara was selected to lead the American +armies to victory and triumph. + +The expedition against Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulua, was planned by +General Scott; great pains had been taken to procure the necessary +information in regard to the defences of the city and castle; and he +was engaged for several weeks in making the necessary preparations. A +corps of sappers and miners, mountain howitzer and rocket batteries, +heavy ordnance, large quantities of missiles and ammunition, +transport vessels, bomb-ketches, and surf-boats, to land the troops, +were ordered to be organized and prepared, and dispatched to the +Gulf of Mexico without delay. The troops destined to take part in the +expedition, who were to proceed from the United States, were ordered +to rendezvous at the island of Lobos, lying just off the Mexican +shore, about one hundred and twenty miles northwest of Vera Cruz--a +lovely perfumed island, hanging suspended in the waters like a basket +of flowers. The remainder of the force was to be withdrawn from the +army under General Taylor, and to embark for the same point, at +Tampico, or the Brazos. + +General Scott received his final orders on the twenty-third of +November, 1846, and on the twenty-fourth left Washington for New +York, where he embarked for New Orleans. From thence he proceeded +to the Rio Grande, and, having selected the troops to compose his +column, repaired to the general rendezvous. + +It was late in the month of February, 1847, before all the troops +reached the island of Lobos; the arrangements were then speedily +completed; and just before nightfall on the fifth of March, the whole +fleet came bearing down into the roadstead of Vera Cruz, under a +full press of canvas, and blocking up the bay with a dense forest +of masts and spars. The American naval squadron, under Commodore +Conner, previously employed in blockading the Mexican ports, was +present to coöperate in the expedition. Careful reconnaissances of +the enemy’s coast were immediately made by the Commodore and General +Scott, and the debarkation was ordered to take place on the ninth +of March, opposite the island of Sacrificios, between four and five +miles south of the city of Vera Cruz. The surf-boats, sixty-five in +number, were properly marked, and the troops arranged in divisions, +and transferred from the transports to the vessels of war, so as not +to crowd the contracted anchorage with too many sail. + +[Sidenote: LANDING OF THE TROOPS.] + +At eleven o’clock in the morning of the ninth, the squadron weighed +anchor, and at three in the afternoon hove to abreast of Sacrificios. +The arrangements of Commodore Conner and General Scott were all +perfect; nothing was amiss or in confusion; and not a single accident +occurred to interrupt the movement. The small boats, which had been +towed astern of the larger vessels, were ranged alongside, manned by +the sailors, and received their complements of men, all fully armed +and equipped, and their bright muskets and bayonets glistening with +sunbeams. The steamers Spitfire and Vixen, with five gun boats, then +formed a line parallel with the beach, within good grape range, to +cover the descent. The regular brigade of General Worth, was the +first to land. As the signal gun fired from the Massachusetts boomed +over the waters, the line of boats darted for the shore. + +The day was highly favorable for the landing. It was bright and +clear, and a soft southeasterly breeze, fresh from groves of balm +and forests of citron trees, just rippled the surface of the bay, +and died away in gentle murmurs on the sandy beach. The harbor was +crowded with American, and foreign vessels of war; and every deck, +mast and spar, were alive with anxious spectators. But a few moments +elapsed ere the boats reached the shore, and the American flag was +unfurled amid the joyous shouts and loud hurrahs of the brave tars +and gallant soldiers. The remainder of the troops--the volunteer +division of General Patterson, and the regular brigade of General +Twiggs--numbering, in all, between ten and eleven thousand men, were +landed by the surf-boats, in successive trips, before ten o’clock in +the evening. + +No attempt was made by the enemy to oppose the disembarkation of +General Scott’s army. There were between six and seven thousand men +in the city and castle, all under the command of General Morales, +Governor of the State of Vera Cruz; but that officer contented +himself with remaining in security behind his defences, which he +might well have deemed almost impregnable. The city was entirely +surrounded by a stone wall, with towers at irregular intervals,--the +two most important ones, the Santiago and the Conception, being on +the water-front, twelve hundred and seventy yards distant from each +other. The castle of San Juan de Ulua, the reduction of which was +the great object of the expedition, stood on a bar, or small island, +in front of the town, one thousand and sixty-two yards from the main +land. The armament of the castle was very heavy; it contained about +one hundred and fifty guns, of different calibre; and there were over +one hundred guns mounted upon the fortifications of the city. In the +rear of the town was a wide stretch of country, dotted here and there +with thickets of chaparral, originally a level plain; but the loose +sand had been drifted into hillocks, from twenty to two hundred and +fifty feet high, by the perpetual blowing of the fierce _nortes_. + +[Sidenote: LINE OF INVESTMENT.] + +General Scott landed on the morning of the tenth of March, and made +immediate preparations to invest the town. He had rendered himself +familiar with the topography of the country, and his columns moved +as regularly to their positions, as if they had been on parade; +General Worth occupying the right of the line with his command, +General Patterson the centre, and General Twiggs the extreme left. +Though half blinded by the whirling sand, the men cheerfully mounted +over the clumps and ridges, dragging after them their baggage, +tents, and artillery, and entirely indifferent to the fire of the +enemy’s guns, which kept up a continued and incessant roar. Several +slight skirmishes occurred, but the Mexicans appeared nowhere in +force outside their strong fortifications, frowning with cannon, +and bristling with bayonets. The investment was completed on the +thirteenth of March, and on the same day safeguards were sent to the +foreign consuls in the town. The whole line, extending from the beach +opposite Sacrificios, to the hamlet of Vergara, on the coast north of +Vera Cruz, was about seven miles in length, with an interval of from +two and a half to three miles between it and the city. + +The plan of attack fixed upon by General Scott, was, in the first +place, to compel the city to surrender, and then to take up battering +positions near it, and assault the castle. A succession of severe +northers cut off all communication with the fleet for several +days, and prevented the landing of the mortars and heavy guns; but +in the afternoon of the twenty-second of March, three batteries +were finally established, within eight hundred yards of the city, +under the direction of Colonel Totten, the Chief Engineer, and +seven mortars planted. The city was then regularly summoned; but +Governor Morales affected to regard the castle as being embraced +in the demand, and peremptorily refused to capitulate. Orders were +therefore given to open the fire, and the squadron, under Commodore +Perry, who had relieved Commodore Conner, moved up to prevent any +further intercourse between the town and the foreign vessels of war. +The command of the trenches was assigned to Colonel Bankhead, of +the 2nd artillery; and shortly after four o’clock on the afternoon +of the twenty-second, the three batteries commenced bombarding the +town. A strong battery, manned by officers and men of the navy, and +mounting three 8-inch Paixhan guns, and three long thirty-two’s, +opened its fire on the following day; and early in the morning of +the twenty-fifth, a fifth battery, with four 24-pounders and two +8-inch howitzers, added its deep-toned thunders to the ceaseless din. +The enemy returned the fire, with considerable spirit, from their +batteries in the city and castle; but little injury was done to the +trenches, and the Americans sustained but a trifling loss. + +In the city, the horrors of a bombardment were soon witnessed. +The American fire was terribly destructive. Deep channels were +ploughed in the streets, and the walls sunk in large masses. The +air was full of blazing shells; houses were set on fire, and the +affrighted inmates fled hither and thither, seeking, in vain, some +place of refuge and safety. The city resounded, in every quarter, +with the groans of the dying, the shrieks of pale-faced women and +orphaned children. On the night of the twenty-fourth, the foreign +consuls dispatched a memorial to General Scott, praying him to +grant a truce to enable the neutrals to withdraw, with the Mexican +women and children. All the terrors which they depicted, had been +foreseen by the American commander, and they had been forewarned in +time. They had chosen to remain in the city till it was too late. +There could now be no alternative but a surrender. The request of +the memorialists was therefore refused, and the siege pressed with +increased vigor. + +[Sidenote: THE BOMBARDMENT AND CAPITULATION.] + +The firing was continued without intermission during the day, +on the twenty-fifth, and the following night. Governor Morales +resisted every appeal on the part of the inhabitants of Vera Cruz, +to surrender, and it was only when the streets had become deluged +with blood, that he resigned the command to General Landero, who +immediately opened negotiations with General Scott, which terminated +in the capitulation of the city and castle, with their armaments, +and the surrender of the garrison as prisoners of war. The American +batteries ceased playing on the morning of the twenty-sixth; and on +the twenty-ninth, the Mexican troops marched out and lay down their +arms, while the victors entered and took possession of the formidable +strongholds which they had evacuated. + +There were but thirteen killed, and sixty-three wounded, on the side +of the Americans, including the losses sustained by the navy, during +the operations before the city of Vera Cruz, from the landing to the +capitulation; except that there were a few casualties occurred on the +twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth of March, in brief skirmishes with +mounted parties of the enemy, who made their appearance in the rear +of the line of investment, but were driven off by detachments under +the command, respectively, of General P. F. Smith and Colonel Harney. +The loss of the Mexicans during the siege was not ascertained, but +was variously estimated at from one to two thousand. + +Anticipating the speedy arrival of the dreaded _vómito_ on the low +and sickly coast of Mexico, General Scott hastened to put his army in +motion for the interior, hoping to find among the cool retreats of +the _terra templada_, a refuge from the scorching sun of the tropics. +Lieutenant Colonel Belton, of the 3rd artillery, was left in command +of Vera Cruz and the Castle, with a suitable garrison; and, on the +eighth of April, General Twiggs took up the line of march for Jalapa, +about ninety miles distant. The remaining columns followed in a few +days. + +Meanwhile, Santa Anna, the Provisional President of Mexico, and +General-in-chief of her armies, had sustained a terrible repulse +near Buena Vista, on the twenty-third of February, when he had +attacked the American army under General Taylor, with a force four +times greater than that of his opponents. Escaping from the scene of +disaster, with the wreck of his forces,--as the Americans did not +design to penetrate further into the country in that direction,--and +augmenting their numbers by forced levies, together with large +additions from the National Guard, and considerable bodies of +guerillereros, he proceeded to the heights of Cerro Gordo, nearly +thirty miles east of Jalapa, and commenced fortifying his position. +The National Road, along which the victorious columns of General +Scott were approaching, here commences the ascent from the _tierra +caliente_, to the elevated table land of Mexico. + +[Sidenote: THE HEIGHTS OF CERRO GORDO.] + +After crossing the Rio del Plan, the road winds up among the +hills--now scaling a bold sierra, and now disappearing in the +wooded depths of some dark ravine--until, at the distance of two +or three miles, it enters a narrow defile, flanked, on the left, +by three ridges jutting out from the plateau above,--beyond which +is the impassable channel of the river,--and, on the right, by the +tall mountain peak of Cerro Gordo, crowned with the _Telegrafo_, a +fortified citadel, or tower. Intrenchments were thrown up on the +eastern extremities of the hills on the left, which terminated +abruptly, and upwards of twenty guns placed in battery. In addition +to the work on the lofty summit of Cerro Gordo, which contained six +guns mounted on carriages, there was a strong battery, of six large +brass guns, at the foot of the height, which completely enfiladed the +defile. Breastworks for the protection of infantry were constructed +in and about this chain of defences, within which Santa Anna posted +about one half of his army, altogether consisting of not far from +fifteen thousand men. With the remaining half, he encamped on the +National Road, about half a mile west of the tower, where he had, +also, a battery of five guns. + +The march of the American army from Vera Cruz to the Rio del Plan was +entirely unobstructed,--though, on account of the deep sandy roads, +very tedious and difficult. For most of the distance, the wayside +was skirted with thickets of chaparral, with occasional openings, +through which glimpses could be caught of plantations of maguey, +whose bright clustering flowers shed their rich golden radiance +on everything around; of waving fields of corn and sugar cane; of +groves of citrons, oranges, and pomegranates,--the trees bending +down with their luscious fruit, or loaded with rare foliage; or of +sylvan nooks, where the waters of some gentle streamlet trembled in +the faint light stealing softly down through the overhanging branches +of the majestic plane-tree, the dark-leaved banana, the lofty cedar, +or the gigantic arbutus. Now and then, too, they passed the rude +sheds, covered with green palmetto leaves, of the _jarochada_,--the +humblest class of Mexican peasantry,--who looked upon the advent of +these strange warriors, with emotions similar to those with which the +ancient Aztecs regarded the mail-clad followers of Hernando Cortés. + +General Twiggs arrived at the Plan del Rio, on the eleventh of April, +with his division, and encamped for the night; his advanced guard, +under Colonel Harney, having driven a party of Mexican lancers from +the ground. On the following day reconnaissances were pushed in the +direction of the enemy’s position, which, it was ascertained, could +be turned on the right, by the construction of a road leaving the +main route some distance below the defile, and winding round to the +north of the height of Cerro Gordo. The first and third brigades of +General Patterson’s volunteer division, commanded by Generals Pillow +and Shields, came up on the twelfth instant; the second brigade, +under General Quitman, did not arrive in time to take part in the +action. General Scott soon followed, and, on the sixteenth of April, +General Worth reached the ground with his division. Dispositions were +forthwith made for carrying the whole Mexican line of intrenchments +by assault. The operations on the line reconnoitred by General +Twiggs, were pushed with great activity, and a road was constructed, +extending for two or three miles, through thickets of chaparral, +underneath jutting precipices, and across deep stony chasms. The +fatigue parties continued at work, until they came within range of +the enemy’s batteries, and orders were then issued to prepare for the +storm. + +[Sidenote: STORMING THE FORTIFICATIONS.] + +The division of General Twiggs was thrown forward on the new road, +and in the afternoon of the seventeenth, his advanced parties seized +a commanding eminence directly below the frowning height of Cerro +Gordo, upon which several heavy guns were planted, that were drawn +up during the evening by the 4th artillery and the volunteers of +General Shields, who had been directed to reïnforce the regular +division. The main attack was now ordered to be made at sunrise on +the eighteenth of April; General Twiggs being directed to carry the +works on the right of the road, with his division and the brigade of +General Shields; and General Pillow receiving orders to attack the +intrenchments on the series of hills on the left, aided by the fire +of an 8-inch howitzer put in position on the heights, on the opposite +bank of the Rio del Plan. General Worth was required to follow the +movement under General Twiggs with his division. + +With the first light of dawn, the command of General Twiggs was in +motion. The main height of Cerro Gordo, from the sides of which the +enemy’s skirmishers were driven by the fire of the mounted rifles, +was gallantly ascended by the 1st artillery,[47] and the 3rd and 7th +infantry, headed by Colonel Harney, under a plunging and withering +fire of grape and musketry, and the fortified work on its summit +carried at the point of the bayonet. General Shields crossed a +ravine, hitherto deemed impassable, further to the west and right, +with his brigade, and boldly attacked the battery in the rear near +the principal camp of Santa Anna; being desperately wounded, he gave +up the command to Colonel Baker, who promptly led on the column, +and, with the assistance of Colonel Riley, who moved up with the +2nd infantry and 4th artillery, succeeded in carrying the battery +and routing the main body of the enemy. The private carriage of the +Mexican President, his baggage, and the military chest of the army, +were captured; but Santa Anna himself, and his principal officers, +succeeded in effecting their escape. + +General Pillow was less successful in the attempt to carry the +batteries and intrenchments on the left of the road. The fire of the +enemy proved so destructive, that he was obliged to call off his men; +but, nothing daunted by one repulse, they were preparing for a second +and more determined effort, when white flags were thrown out over +the breastworks,--the Mexican force in this quarter being completely +in the power of the American troops, who had carried the height of +Cerro Gordo and the battery in the rear. A large number of the enemy +having escaped just previous to the capture of the works, the way +was cleared, and the mounted men and light batteries, with portions +of the infantry, dashed after them in pursuit, under Generals Twiggs +and Patterson. The intrenchments and fortifications were all carried +before the sun had reached its meridian, and at eventide the advanced +corps halted and encamped within sight of the white towers of Jalapa. + +[Sidenote: DEFEAT AND PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY.] + +The American force in this action barely exceeded eight thousand +men; but the network of defences constructed by Santa Anna to impede +their advance, proved as frail and powerless as the gossamer’s web. +Yet the victory was not achieved without a severe loss; there being +four hundred and thirty-one officers and men killed and wounded. +The Mexican loss, however, was much greater; there were upwards +of one thousand killed and wounded, and over three thousand taken +prisoners, including five general officers. Forty-three pieces of +artillery, four thousand stands of arms, and a large quantity of +fixed ammunition, were also captured by the Americans. + +Jalapa surrendered to the victors on the nineteenth of April, and +on the twenty-second General Worth took possession of the important +castle of Perote. No resistance was now made to the arms of General +Scott. Panic and dismay were visible on every side, and had the +American commander been in a situation to advance immediately upon +the Mexican capital, it is more than probable that he would have +encountered but feeble opposition. But, when he arrived at Jalapa, +the terms of service of more than three thousand of his volunteer +force were about to expire; and they returned at once to the +coast, to reëmbark for the United States before the sickly season +came on. Although his army was thereby reduced to less than seven +thousand effective men--a feeble band left to maintain themselves +in the heart of the enemy’s country, whose communications with the +sea-board were soon after cut off by the guerilleros, who swarmed +during the whole season on the road to Vera Cruz--he determined, +nevertheless, to surrender not one of the advantages which he +had gained, but to penetrate still further into the interior. +Accordingly, General Worth moved forward, in May, to Puebla de los +Ángelos--the City of the Angels--with his division and the volunteer +brigade of General Quitman, in all but little more than four thousand +men. On the fourteenth instant, near Amasoque, he had a slight +skirmish with a body of lancers three thousand strong, under Santa +Anna; but he drove them before him with ease, and on the fifteenth +instant entered the city and took formal possession. + +Like Jackson and Harrison, General Scott had no sooner evolved +his plans, than he found them counteracted by the orders or +proceedings of the War Department. The experience, oftentimes the +bitter experience, of the Revolution and the second war with Great +Britain,--in which it was over and over again demonstrated, that it +was essential to success that there should be as little interference +as possible with the details and incidents of a campaign,--seemed +to be forgotten by the Executive authorities at Washington. The +general object of a campaign, or expedition, may, perhaps should be, +designated by the President, as commander in chief of the army; but +it may be unhesitatingly affirmed, that no officer is fit to conduct +either, to whom a large discretion may not be safely confided. He +will find cares and vexations enough, without being fretted by +petty annoyances, or thwarted, at every turn, in the most trifling +circumstance. + +[Sidenote: MARCH FROM PUEBLA.] + +It was a long time before General Scott found himself in sufficient +force to warrant him in continuing his march upon the Mexican +capital. On the twenty-second of May, General Twiggs marched from +Jalapa for Puebla, with his division. General Scott followed him +on the twenty-third, in company with Mr. Trist, the American +Commissioner sent to confer with the Mexican government, in case +negotiations for peace should be proposed. Strong garrisons were +left at Jalapa and Perote, under Colonels Childs and Wynkoop. At +Puebla another tedious delay took place; but the time was wisely and +profitably spent in drilling the troops. At length, the long-expected +reïnforcements began to arrive. Generals Pillow and Cadwalader +reached Puebla on the eighth of July, with over three thousand men, +including the command of Colonel Childs; and on the sixth of August, +General Pierce came up with twenty-five hundred men. Both columns had +repeated, and, in every instance, successful encounters, with the +guerilleros. + +Arrangements had already been made for the contemplated movement +towards the far-famed halls of the Montezumas. The army, now +consisting of ten thousand seven hundred men, moved forward _en +échelon_; General Twiggs marching on the seventh instant with his +division, preceded by the cavalry brigade of Colonel Harney, and +the remaining divisions, under Generals Quitman, Worth, and Pillow, +following on successive days. General Scott left Puebla in person on +the eighth instant, and on the same day overtook, and then continued +with, the leading division, under General Twiggs. The line of march +followed the National Road, which ascends gradually through a rich +rolling country, to the _tierra fria_, the third of the great +terraces into which Mexico is divided.--Elated with past victories, +and the brilliant promise of future triumphs, the serried columns +press on, through groves and gardens decked out in the most gorgeous +array, through fields of maize and barley, and amidst towering cedars +and lofty pines: + + “Through rocky pass, o’er wooded steep, + In long and glittering files they sweep.” + +Not an enemy appeared to obstruct their march, until, on emerging +from the pass of Rio Frio, they commenced descending into the valley, +in the midst of which, like some bright vision of fairy land, lay +the city of Mexico, whose shining domes and sculptured façades were +bathed in the rich flood of golden light that streamed down through +the transparent atmosphere. On approaching the hacienda of Buena +Vista, Major Sumner, of the 2nd dragoons, who commanded the advanced +corps, descried a party of Mexican lancers apparently drawn up to +defend the passage. Dashing fiercely upon the enemy, without pausing +to count their numbers, he compelled them to make a hasty retreat. +General Twiggs’ division halted at Ayotla, fifteen miles from Mexico, +on the eleventh of August, and as the other divisions came up, they +encamped in the rear, about the head of Lake Chalco. + +The Mexican capital lies about three miles west of Lake Tezcuco, +and six miles from the northwest point of Lake Xochimilco. It is +approached by six principal roads, which terminate in massive stone +causeways, elevated from ten to twenty feet above the low marshy +grounds that surround the city. On the east, is the National Road, +along which the American army moved; on the south, the Acapulco road, +entering on the San Antonio causeway; on the south-west, the Tacubaya +road and causeway; on the west, the San Cosmé road and causeway; and +on the north, are the remaining two roads. + +[Sidenote: FORTIFICATIONS OF MEXICO.] + +After his repulse at Amasoque, Santa Anna returned to the capital, +and began diligently to fortify it. The National Road, which runs +close to the southern shore of Lake Tezcuco, was defended by El +Peñon, an isolated hill three hundred feet high, seven miles from the +city, on the south side of the road; this was garnished with twenty +batteries mounting fifty-one guns, and fifteen infantry breastworks; +and there was, also, a strong battery on the road, or causeway, four +hundred yards in advance of the height, another by its side, and a +third about a mile from the gate of San Lazaro. Between the National +Road and Lake Xochimilco, is a lateral road, leading to the San +Antonio causeway by way of the village of Mexicalcingo, which lies on +the outlet or canal reaching from the lake to the city. The bridge +over the outlet was fortified, and flanked by strong works,--there +being, in all, eight batteries, with thirty-eight guns, and one +breastwork for infantry. + +On the opposite side of Lake Xochimilco, upon the San Antonio +causeway, was a _tête du pont_ of heavy mason work, at the bridge +over the Churubusco river, over two miles south of the city. To +the left of the bridge, were the church and convent of San Pablo, +surrounded by a high wall and designed to be used for purposes of +defence. Between two and three miles further south, at San Antonio, +there were extensive field works, containing seven batteries, +mounting twenty-four heavy guns, and two infantry breastworks. Five +miles northwest of the _tête du pont_, on the Tacubaya causeway, and +distant only one and a half miles from the Belén garita, or fortified +gateway, was the frowning fortress of Chapultepec, situated on a +rocky eminence in an oblong inclosure, the walls at the foot of +which, on the north and south, were formed by aqueducts extending +into the city, over heavy arches, by the Tacubaya and San Cosmé +causeways, which were thus divided into double roadways. On the +heights of Chapultepec, there were seven batteries, including those +in the main fortification, which mounted nineteen guns, and seven +infantry breastworks. Beneath this fortress, on the west, twelve +hundred yards distant from the acclivity, was El Molino del Rey--“the +Mill of the King”--a long range of stone buildings now occupied by +the Mexican troops; and four or five hundred yards further to the +west, on a retired line, was Casa de Mata, an old square building, +with thick stone walls, and surrounded by ditches and bastioned +intrenchments. + +In addition to the exterior chain of defences, there was an interior +line equally formidable. A wide and deep navigable canal, extremely +difficult, if not impossible, to bridge in the face of an active +enemy, girded the city throughout its greater extent. There were +eight main entrances, at each of which there was a fortified garita; +and on the left and north of the Tacubaya causeway, a short distance +in rear of the garita Belén, was the Ciudadela, or citadel, a +rectangular work, containing fifteen heavy guns. Batteries and +redans were constructed upon and near the causeways and garitas, and +preparations were made to connect all the works of the interior line +by a continuous chain of redoubts. Guns could not be obtained in +sufficient quantities to arm all the works, but it was the intention +of the Mexican commander to withdraw his pieces from the outer +batteries, whenever it became necessary to take up a new position. +For the defence of these fortifications, and the protection of the +city, he had collected an army of over thirty thousand men, mainly +consisting of the battalions of the National Guard, but all well +armed and equipped. + +[Sidenote: RECONNAISSANCES.] + +From his camp at Ayotla, General Scott threw forward several +reconnoitering parties, through whom he obtained definite and +reliable information in regard to the enemy’s fortifications. He was +able to break through the chain at any point, but his army was weak +in numbers, and no reïnforcements could be expected for some time to +come; consequently, he decided to husband his strength, and avoid +the more important and stronger works at El Peñon and Mexicalcingo, +by making a détour to the left, round Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco. +He had long had this project in contemplation, and on the fourteenth +of August, a reconnaissance was made in that direction, which +demonstrated its entire practicability. Directions were forthwith +given for the columns to be put in motion. The order of march was +now reversed; General Worth leading the van, with Colonel Harney’s +brigade in the advance, and the other divisions closely following the +movement. + +The enemy’s light troops and skirmishers were repeatedly encountered +while making the circuit of the lakes; the route was found to be low +and uneven, sometimes crossing deep pits and marshes, and at others +running underneath overhanging scaurs which threatened to fall down +upon the heads of the soldiers; but the tedious march was terminated +on the evening of the seventeenth of August, by the arrival of +General Worth at San Augustin, on the Acapulco road,--twenty-seven +miles from Ayotla by this circuitous route, and nine miles south of +the city of Mexico. In the morning of the eighteenth, General Worth +moved along the causeway, towards San Antonio, to allow the other +divisions to close on him. + +Reconnaissances having been made by the engineer officers, it was +found that the fortifications at San Antonio commanded the causeway +and the marshes on their left, as far as Lake Xochimilco. West of the +road there was a vast field of volcanic rocks, called a _pedregal_, +utterly impassable for cavalry or artillery, and nearly so for +infantry, which extended some four or five miles, to the San Angel +road, leading from the factory of Magdalena, down the valley of the +Churubusco river, to the San Antonio causeway. General Scott again +resolved that the skill of the enemy should avail them nothing. His +plan--to gain the San Angel road, and then move round to the attack +of San Antonio in rear--was soon formed, and the necessary orders +given to carry it into effect. A mule path was discovered running +westward from San Augustin, and connecting with the San Angel road, +which the engineers reported could be made practicable for artillery. +On the morning of the nineteenth instant General Pillow advanced +to open the path with his division and the corps of sappers and +miners,--the movement being covered by the division of General Twiggs. + +[Sidenote: CONTRERAS AND CHERUBUSCO.] + +In the meantime, Santa Anna had moved his forces to the southern +side of the city. Eight guns were planted in battery at the _tête +du pont_; the defences of San Pablo were increased, and seven guns +mounted; and General Valencia was thrown forward on the San Angel +road, with a corps of seven thousand men, and twenty-four pieces +of artillery, half of which were of heavy calibre. In the morning +of the eighteenth of August, he had been directed to fall back to +Coyoacan, near San Pablo; but he proceeded to the Hill of Contreras, +situated in a bend of the San Angel road, opposite the opening of the +mule path leading from San Augustin, where he intrenched himself and +planted his guns. + +The working parties under General Pillow encountered innumerable +difficulties, but they overcame them all, with cheerfulness and +alacrity; and at three o’clock in the afternoon, he opened a lively +and well-directed fire from a battery of field pieces, and a mountain +howitzer battery, which he had planted within nine hundred yards +of the Hill of Contreras. The fire was answered with spirit; and +slugs, shot, and fragments, were thrown from the enemy’s guns with +terrible effect. Meanwhile, Colonel Riley had moved round to the +right, with his brigade of General Twiggs’ division, across the field +of lava,--officers and men, the latter divested of their knapsacks, +picking their way on foot,--to attack the Mexicans in the rear. +Strong detachments of the enemy’s infantry, supported by heavy +guns, being discovered moving up the slopes west of the San Angel +road, General Pillow detached General Cadwalader, with his brigade, +to the support of Colonel Riley. General Smith also crossed the +_pedregal_, with the remaining brigade of General Twiggs’ division; +and, subsequently, General Scott dispatched Colonel Morgan, with the +fifteenth infantry, and General Shields, with his brigade, in the +same direction. + +No serious impression being made against the heavier metal of the +enemy, by the American guns, they ceased playing after nightfall. A +violent storm of wind and rain now came on, which served to heighten +the anxiety of General Scott and his officers, to learn the situation +and prospects of the troops who had crossed the _pedregal_. Late +at night, when all was uncertainty and gloom, Captain Lee, of the +engineers, returned from the opposite side of the bed of lava, with +the information that General Smith, who had taken the command of the +detachments, numbering altogether about thirty-three hundred men, +would storm the camp of General Valencia at sunrise. Shortly after +the day broke on the twentieth instant, the intrenchments on the hill +of Contreras were gallantly carried, as had been promised, and the +enemy driven from their position with great loss. + +General Scott immediately followed the mule path to the San Angel +road, with the brigades of General Pierce and Colonel Harney, +and ordered a rapid pursuit of the retreating enemy, who were +concentrating at San Pablo and the _tête du pont_. At the same time, +General Worth moved against San Antonio in front, with his division; +but the enemy evacuated their works on his approach, and retired to +the bridge, whither he pursued them as rapidly as possible. + +[Sidenote: ROUT OF THE ENEMY.] + +A general action, of more than two hours’ duration, which was hotly +contested on both sides, now took place in and about the _tête du +pont_ and the defences of San Pablo. At length, the fierce onset of +General Worth compelled the enemy to give way on the right; the whole +line soon staggered and broke, and a complete rout ensued. At the +request of Colonel Harney, the way was cleared, and he was permitted +to follow the retreating columns of the enemy along the San Antonio +causeway, to the very gates of the city. His squadrons dashed through +and through the files of Mexican infantry, smiting terrible blows on +every side; spurring in upon the crowding fugitives, they cleft down +all who refused to surrender; and up to the very garita, their shouts +and cheers, their pistol shots and sabre strokes, spread terror and +alarm. + +In this action, the old war-spirit of General Scott was fully +aroused. When the clangor of the battle was the wildest and the +highest, careless and indifferent in regard to the exposure of his +person, he ventured again and again within range of the enemy’s guns. +In the course of the engagement, he received a slight wound from a +grape-shot, but he entered the church of San Pablo soon after it was +taken, and was received by his brave soldiers with many a glad hurrah. + +This series of bloody contests finally terminated at sunset. During +the day, the enemy lost four thousand men in killed and wounded, +and there were over twenty-five hundred taken prisoners. Among +the prisoners were eight general officers. Thirty-seven pieces +of artillery, and large quantities of small arms and ammunition, +standards, pack-mules and horses, were also captured. The American +loss was far less in proportion, yet it was very severe; there were +one hundred and thirty-seven killed, eight hundred and seventy-nine +wounded, and forty missing. + +It is not improbable, that General Scott might have forced his way +into the city, on the night after this action; but it was far too +hazardous an undertaking for eight thousand men to enter a hostile +town, containing a population of two hundred thousand souls, whose +convents and public edifices could be readily converted into +fortifications, and the _azoteas_, or flat roofs, of whose dwellings, +would afford a secure shelter for thousands upon thousands of +sharp-shooters. It was not half so well provided for defence, when +Guatemozin, “the last of the Aztecs,” resisted for three months the +utmost efforts of Cortés, though the latter was aided by two hundred +thousand Tlascalan allies. + +[Sidenote: THE ARMISTICE.] + +On the night of the twentieth of August, while the thunders of the +battle were yet echoing among the gorges of the Cordilleras, and +ere the dark flocks of the _zopilote_--the voracious vulture of the +country--which hovered over the ensanguined plain, had descended to +their unhallowed carnival, General Scott was visited by the British +Consul, and other foreign residents of the Mexican capital, at whose +suggestion, in the spirit of a magnanimous victor, he addressed a +note to Santa Anna on the following morning, proposing an armistice +with a view to negotiation. Previous to this time, on the morning +of the twenty-first, General Scott was waited on by General Mora y +Villamil, who came out to propose a truce; but the terms not being +satisfactory, nothing was agreed on. Upon the receipt of General +Scott’s note, Santa Anna appointed commissioners to confer with such +as might be appointed on the other side. An armistice was ultimately +signed, and ratified on the twenty-fourth instant. + +Negotiations were instantly opened; but the duplicity and bad faith +of the Mexican government daily became more and more apparent. +Infractions of the armistice constantly took place; and on the +sixth of September General Scott notified Santa Anna, that unless +full satisfaction was made, before twelve o’clock, meridian, on the +following day, he should consider it at an end from and after that +hour. The reply of the Mexican President was both insulting and +evasive,--and General Scott made immediate preparations to renew +offensive operations. Having been informed that there was a cannon +foundry in El Molino del Rey, to which a number of bells had been +sent from the city to be cast into guns--though this afterwards +proved to be a mistake--and that there was a large deposit of powder +in Casa de Mata, he determined to drive the enemy from these works, +and to seize the powder and destroy the foundry. The performance +of this service was confided to General Worth, with his division, +reïnforced by the brigade of General Cadwalader and other small +detachments. It was brilliantly executed on the eighth of September, +in spite of the opposition of nearly the whole Mexican army, but +with the loss of near eight hundred men killed and wounded, out of +thirty-four hundred. + +The capital itself still remained in the possession of the enemy, who +labored night and day to complete their defences. Including the works +at the garitas, there were forty-seven batteries, designed for one +hundred and seventy-seven guns, and seventeen infantry breastworks, +constructed around the city. All the batteries, however, could +not be manned at the same time, in consequence of the deficiency +in artillery. The most formidable works were at the garita of San +Antonio, and on the heights of Chapultepec. + +After completing his reconnaissances, General Scott made a +demonstration before the southern gates of the city, with the +divisions of Generals Pillow and Quitman, on the afternoon of the +eleventh of September, in order to deceive the enemy; but when it +became dark, he directed those officers to join him with their +columns, at Tacubuya, whither his headquarters had been sometime +previous removed. General Twiggs was left at Piedad with his +division, to threaten, or make false attacks, on the batteries near +the garita of San Antonio. + +On the twelfth instant, four heavy batteries were planted, and +opened, on the castle of Chapultepec, less than a mile distant from +Tacubaya,--while General Twiggs directed a vigorous fire upon the +batteries in the vicinity of the southern gates. The cannonade was +very effective; the enemy were driven from their outworks on the +heights of Chapultepec, and the main fortification was seriously +crippled. On the night of the twelfth, final arrangements were made +for storming the castle early on the following morning. Before midday +on the thirteenth, the works were bravely carried at the point of +the bayonet, by the divisions of Generals Pillow and Quitman,--the +former being supported by the division of General Worth, and the +latter by the brigade of General Smith. Immediately after the +reduction of the castle, Generals Worth and Quitman followed the +retreating masses of the Mexican troops along the San Cosmé, and +Chapultepec, or Tacubaya causeways. The latter was the first to gain +a foothold in the city; the garita of Belén being carried by his +men shortly after one o’clock in the afternoon. The route taken by +General Worth was much longer, but he steadily advanced on his way, +driving the enemy from every redoubt and battery; and, during the +evening, he securely established himself inside of the garita of San +Cosmé. Between nine and ten o’clock, a few shells were thrown from +a mortar brought up to his column, in the direction of the National +Palace, on the great plaza, in order to obtain the exact distance. + +[Sidenote: CAPTURE OF MEXICO.] + +Santa Anna and his ministers did not think it advisable again to +encounter the American army, or to bring upon the city the horrors +of a bombardment. During the night of the thirteenth, the Mexican +commander hastily evacuated the capital with all his forces; and on +the morning of the fourteenth of September, General Scott entered +and took possession with his troops,--the civil officers making an +unconditional surrender of the town. For upwards of twenty-four +hours, the Americans were annoyed by the _leperos_, and lower classes +of the populace, who fired, and hurled missiles upon them, from the +roofs and windows. The vigilant measures of General Scott speedily +checked the _émeute_, and the American flag waved undisturbed over +the Palacio of Mexico.[48] + +A rigid system of police was at once established and enforced by the +American commander,--whose watchful care for the comfort and welfare +of his men, whose regard for the rights of the citizens, and whose +respect for his vanquished opponents, manifested at all times and on +all occasions, won golden opinions from both friends and foes. + +The brilliant campaign of General Scott,--especially remarkable +for the wonderful display of his military knowledge and ability, +his rapidity of decision, the power and compass of his mind, the +clearness of his plans, and the strategical skill which so often +rendered all the labors of the enemy completely nugatory,--terminated +with the fall of the Mexican capital. Large reïnforcements were sent +to join him, by the aid of which his communications with the seacoast +were effectually opened. For a few weeks, Santa Anna, who had +resigned his office of provisional president, attempted to continue +the war, but he eventually abandoned the contest and quitted the +country. The new administration exhibited a more friendly and pacific +disposition; the negotiations were resumed, and on the second day of +February, 1848, a treaty of peace was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, +which was subsequently duly ratified. + +[Sidenote: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES.] + +On the nineteenth of February, General Scott was relieved from duty +in Mexico, at his own request; and shortly thereafter he returned to +the United States, where he was received with the most flattering +demonstrations of respect. The thanks of Congress and a gold medal +were voted to him. Resolutions of congratulation were adopted by a +number of State Legislatures, and in the city of New York and other +towns, public processions and festivities were had, in honor of the +gallant commander and successful soldier. + +The athletic frame and robust constitution of General Scott indicate +that his life may be prolonged for many years. While he is still +living, and occupying so high a place in the estimation of his +countrymen, it would, perhaps, be as unwise, as it is unnecessary, +to speak of his character more in detail. It may be, that he is +reserved for other and higher honors,--but whatever fortune befal +him, it will ever be a proud satisfaction to his friends, to point +to his triumphant march to the Mexican capital, as the most splendid +achievement recorded in modern history. + + +THE END. + + +FOOTNOTES: + + [34] Tom. iv., p. 150. + + [35] The charge was, in substance, that General Scott + remarked at a public table, that he had never seen + but two traitors, viz.: Generals Wilkinson and + Burr,--and that General Wilkinson was a liar and a + scoundrel. Whatever may have been the justice of + Scott’s sentence, for violating the rules of military + subordination, he had certainly strong reasons for + associating the name of Wilkinson with that of Burr, + inasmuch as there were then weighty suspicions + attaching to the conduct of the former which have + never been wholly removed. + + [36] See Memoir of General Pike, _ante_. + + [37] Close behind Scott was Colonel Porter, who + complained that the long legs of the former gave him + an undue advantage. + + [38] See Memoirs of Brown and Macomb, _ante_. + + [39] _Ante_, p. 34, et seq. + + [40] Captain Towson, with his three guns, was on the + other flank, opposite the enemy’s left. + + [41] _Ante_, p. 45, et seq. + + [42] He visited Europe again in 1829, and made the tour + of France, Belgium and Germany--his principal object + being to procure professional information. + + [43] See Memoirs of Generals Gaines and Macomb, _ante_. + + [44] See Memoir of General Gaines, _ante_. + + [45] See Memoir of General Gaines, _ante_. + + [46] Macaulay. + + [47] The artillery regiments in the American service, + are equipped, and act, as infantry, with the + exception of the detached companies serving with + batteries. + + [48] The casualties consequent upon the capture of + Chapultepec and the reduction of the city, on the + side of the Mexicans, were 1,000 killed, 1,500 + wounded, and 823 taken prisoners. The Americans lost + 130 killed, 704 wounded, and 29 missing. Among the + captures of the latter, were 100 pieces of artillery, + a number of colors and standards, and small arms and + ammunition in sufficient quantities to supply an army + during a campaign. + + + + + BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY DERBY & MILLER. + + + =The Lives of Mary and Martha, mother and wife of Washington=: by + Margaret C. Conkling, with a steel portrait, 18mo, scarlet cloth. + +MISS CONKLING, who is a daughter of Judge Conkling of Auburn, is +favorably known as the author of Harpers translation of “Florian’s +History of the Moors of Spain.” She also wrote “Isabel, or the Trials +of the Heart.” In the preparation of the pretty little volume she has +done a praiseworthy deed, and we hope she will receive the reward she +merits. She has taught us in the work + + “how divine a thing + A woman may be made.” + +The mother and wife of Washington were, in many respects, model +women, and the daughters of America will do well to study their +character--which is finely drawn on these pages.--_Literary +Messenger._ + + +This beautifully printed and elegantly bound little work, reflecting +the highest credit upon the skill and task of the publishers, +contains biographical sketches of Mary, the mother, and Martha, the +wife of the Father of his country. It is a most valuable contribution +to the history of the American people, embracing not only the great +public events of the century during which the subjects lived, but +those pictures of home life, and that exhibition of social manners +and customs, which constitute the most important part of life, but +which, from the fact of their apparent triviality and intangibility, +the historian generally passes over. The authoress evidently +sympathises earnestly with her subject, and feels that in the +exhibition of those womanly virtues which characterized the heroines +of her narrative, she makes the most eloquent plea in favor of the +dignity of her sex. It is dedicated to Mrs. WM. H. SEWARD, and +contains a finely executed engraving of the wife of Washington. We +cordially commend it to the public, and most especially our lady +readers.--_Syracuse Journal._ + + +This acceptable and well written volume goes forth upon a happy +mission, + + “To teach us how divine a thing + A woman may be made,” + +by unfolding those charms of character which belong to the mother and +wife of the hero of the Land of the Free; and in the companionship +of which, while they illustrated the watchful tenderness of a +mother, and the confiding affections of a wife, is shown those +influences which made up the moral sentiments of a man, whose moral +grandeur will be felt in all that is future in government or divine +in philosophy; and one whose name is adored by all nations, as the +leader of man in in the progress of government, to that perfection of +human rights where all enjoy liberty and equality. To say that Miss +Conkling has fulfilled the task she says a “too partial friendship +has assigned her” faultlessly, would perhaps be too unmeasured +praise, for perfection is seldom attained; but it will not be denied +but that her biographies are traced in the chaste elegances that +belong to the finished periods of a refined style, which fascinates +the reader with what she has thus contributed to our national +literature. + +The design of the volume is, to picture a _mother_ fitting the +“Father of his Country” in a light full of the inexhaustible +nobleness of woman’s nature, and yet as possessing that subdued and +quiet simplicity, where Truth becomes the Hope on which Faith looks +at the future with a smile. The mother of Washington was tried in +a school of practice where frugal habits and active industry were +combined with the proverbial excellences of those Virginia matrons, +who were worthy mothers of such men as Washington, Jefferson, +Marshall, and Henry. Miss C. has pictured with fidelity and elegance, +her views of this remarkable woman; not less beautifully has she +sketched the character of Martha, the wife; following her from +her brilliant manners as the Virginia belle, through the various +phases of her lite, she gives a rapid but comprehensive view +of those characteristics which make up the quiet refinement of +manners native to her, and which ever gave her the reputation of an +accomplished wife and lady. And with peculiar delicacy Miss Conkling +has portrayed the thousand virtues with which she embellished a +home; her amiable disposition and winning manners made the happiest +to the purest and best of all men fame has chosen for its noblest +achievements.--_Syracuse Star._ + + + =The Life of Gen. Zachary Taylor=, 12th President of the United + States, brought down to his inauguration. Steel portrait, 12mo., + muslin; a new edition, by H. Montgomery. $1,25. + + ∵ 18,000 of the above work have been sold by us. + + +“THE LIFE OF GEN. Z. TAYLOR.”--_H. Montgomery_, Esq., editor of the +Auburn Daily Advertiser, has found leisure, amid the multitude of his +engagements, to get up the most respectable looking and carefully +prepared biography of the old General we have yet seen. It makes a +neat volume, and is printed on excellent paper and new type, and +bound in the very best style. It cannot fail to find a tremendous +sale; a result due alike to the book itself, and the enterprise of +its busy publishers.--_Albany Evening Journal._ + + +“LIFE OF GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR, by _H. Montgomery_,” is the latest +and most complete of the numerous volumes purporting to be ‘Lives’ +of the General. The author of this work--likewise editor of the +Auburn Journal--is already known as a forcible and pleasing writer, +handling his subject with a masterly hand; these characteristics are +fully developed in the book before us. The stirring incidents of +General Taylor’s life, and the recent battles on Mexican soil are +well portrayed--the very fair and impartial style of narration being +a rare quality in depicting battle scenes. The book will repay an +attentive perusal.--_N. Y. Tribune._ + + +THE LIFE OF MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. _By H. Montgomery._--Another +and still another “illustrated” Life of the great American, (would +that he had as many lives as the publishers give him,) the American +whom Carlyle would recognise as “a hero” worthy of his pen’s most +eloquent recognition; THE MAN OF DUTY in an age of Self. An American +in everything; in valor, in strong muscular sense; in simplicity and +directness and cordiality of feeling; an American in every thing, +save in devotion to our new political God of Expediency. + +The volume before us is put forth in Auburn, by the editor of the +Auburn Daily Advertiser, whose vigorous, fluent style, and skill +in compressing his materials, must make his elegant volume very +generally acceptable. Many of the traits ascribed to General Taylor +have been assimilated by some of his admirers to the leading military +characteristics of Frederick the Great. But, unlike Frederick, Taylor +is anything but a martinet in discipline; and, though his movements +of small bodies of troops against vast odds, are characterized by +the vigorous will and iron determination of Frederick, the arbitrary +disposition of the Prussian despot is wholly alien to his tolerant +and candid nature. Taylor’s affectionate and almost parental relation +to his soldiers, perhaps, alone first suggested the parallel, as we +find it hinted in the following stanza of some verses upon one of his +battles, quoted by Mr. Montgomery: + + “‘OLD ZACH!’ ‘OLD ZACH!’ the war cry rattles + Among those men of iron tread, + As rung ‘OLD FRITZ’ in Europe’s battles + When thus his host Great Frederick led.” + + _Literary World._ + + +Transcriber’s Note: + +Page headers are displayed as sidenotes. Footnotes were renumbered +sequentially and were moved to the end of each chapter. + +Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like +this_. Those in bold are surrounded by equal signs, =like this=. +Words may have multiple spelling variations, inconsistent +hyphenation, or inconsistent use of diacriticals. Eleven misspelled +words were corrected. Obvious printing errors, such as backwards, +upside down, or partially printed letters and punctuation, and +missing or excess space between words, were corrected. Final stops +missing at the end of sentences were added. + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79059 *** |