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justify-content: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; font-size: 92%;} +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3.0em;} +.poetry .indent0a {text-indent: -3.5em;} +.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2.0em;} +.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1.0em;} +.poetry .indent6 {text-indent: 0.0em;} +.poetry .indent8 {text-indent: 1.0em;} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: 75%; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: 1px dashed; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: 75%; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} /* page numbers */ + +blockquote { + margin-top: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; +} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp56 {width: 56%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp56 {width: 75%;} +.illowp100 {width: 100%;} +.illowp55 {width: 55%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp55 {width: 75%;} +.illowp59 {width: 59%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp59 {width: 75%;} +.illowp62 {width: 62%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp62 {width: 75%;} + + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79059 ***</div> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="frontis" style="max-width: 56.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="full-length portrait, wearing a suit, holding a sword in his right hand; pastoral background"> + <figcaption> + <i class="cursive">Andrew Jackson.</i> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1> +<span class="muchsmaller">THE</span><br> +<span class="ls">GENERALS</span><br> +<span class="xxs">OF THE</span><br> +<span class="smaller">LAST WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.</span> +</h1> +</div> +<p class="p2 byline x-ebookmaker-important">BY JOHN S. JENKINS,</p> + +<p class="p2 center allsmcap smaller">AUTHOR OF THE “HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES +AND MEXICO,” <abbr>ETC.</abbr> ETC.</p> +<br><br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 40%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“There are deeds which should not pass away,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And names that must not wither.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 40%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p class="p2 center ls">AUBURN:<br> +<span class="small">DERBY, MILLER & <abbr title="Company">CO.</abbr>, PUBLISHERS,</span><br> +<span class="muchsmaller">BUFFALO: G. H. DERBY & CO.</span></p> +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 15%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> +<p class="center">1849.</p> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 90%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p class="center"> +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by<br> +<br> +DERBY, MILLER & CO.<br> +<br> +In the Clerk’s Office for the Northern District of New York +</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 90%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +</div> +<br><br> +<div class="p4 leftblock"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 90%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p class="muchsmaller allsmcap center"> +STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH,<br> +216 WILLIAM STREET, <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr></p> +</div><!--end leftblock--> + +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center tall2"> +<span class="smaller">TO</span><br> +<span class="larger">MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR,</span><br> +OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY,<br> +THESE MEMOIRS, OF DISTINGUISHED SOLDIERS,<br> +<span class="smaller">WHOSE BRIGHT EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN</span><br> +<span class="small">WORTHILY EMULATED IN HIS OWN MILITARY CAREER,</span><br> +<span class="smaller">ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.</span> +</p> +</div> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE"> + PREFACE. + </h2> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 25%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> +<div class="tall1"> +<p class="p2"><span class="smcap">If</span> 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,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“As tedious as a twice-told tale,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>I feel confident, however, that it would be a work of supererogation, +to offer any apology—for that is the gist of most +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">mélange</i> of <abbr>Mr.</abbr> +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.</p> +</div> + +<p><i>Auburn, December 1, 1848.</i></p> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"> + CONTENTS. + </h2> +</div> +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 25%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> +<nav data-epub-type="toc"> +<table data-summary="contents"> +<thead> +<tr><td></td> +<th scope="col" class="tdr smcap muchsmaller">Page</th></tr> +</thead> +<tbody> +<tr><td class="tdl">JACOB BROWN,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">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 <abbr title="Saint">St.</abbr> 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.</td> +<td></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl pad1">EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</span>in Florida—The War with Mexico—Patriotic +conduct of General Gaines—Personal appearance and traits +of character.</td> +<td></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl pad1">WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">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.</td> +<td></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl pad1">ANDREW JACKSON,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</span>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.</td> +<td></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl pad1">ALEXANDER MACOMB,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">Military Institution at West Point—Ancestors of General +Macomb—His Youth—Education—Enters the army as a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</span>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.</td> +<td></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl pad1">ZEBULON MONTGOMERY PIKE,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">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.</td> +<td></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl pad1">WINFIELD SCOTT,</td> + <td class="tdr pad2"><a href="#Page_338">338</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh">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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</span>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.</td> +<td></td></tr> +</tbody> +</table> +</nav> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<main> +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="i_012" style="max-width: 47.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_012.jpg" alt="portrait, in uniform, head and torso, right hand holding a sword below the haft."> + <figcaption> + JACOB BROWN. + </figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter tall2"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> +<p class="h2head ls"> +THE GENERALS</p> +<p class="center allsmcap">OF THE</p> +<p class="center larger">LAST WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.</p> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="BROWN"> + JACOB BROWN. + </h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>force of the nation was augmented; and our chivalric +young men sought eagerly for commissions in the +army.</p> + +<p>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 <span class="smcap">Jacob Brown</span>.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EARLY VICISSI­TUDES.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_1_1" href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TEACHES SCHOOL.</div> + +<p>After leaving Crosswicks, he spent two years in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SETTLE­MENT AT BROWN­VILLE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE BRITISH ATTACK OGDENS­BURGH.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">IS TEN­DERED A REGI­MENT.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>and such other preparations were made as were supposed +to be requisite.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ATTACK ON SACK­ETTS HARBOR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>While the action was at its height, a false report +reached Lieutenant Chauncey, to the effect that the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDI­TION DOWN THE ST. LAW­RENCE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span>command of the advance. Clearing the bank of the +river as he proceeded, he arrived on the ninth instant, +at the head of the <i lang="fr">Longue Sault</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The capture of York and Fort George, and the successful +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPOIN­TED A MAJOR GENERAL.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">esprit du corps</i>.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DUTIES OF HIS NEW OFFICE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF CHIPPE­WA.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>the battle was fought, and the victory won, before they +had time to participate in the conflict.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE VICTORY AND ITS RESULTS.</div> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_2_2" href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SKIR­MISHING.</div> + +<p>General Brown followed closely the retrograde movement +of the British army, and encamped at Queenstown, +or Queenston, as it is now usually written, where +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EFFORTS TO BRING ON ANOTHER ENGAGE­MENT.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>This information materially changed the aspect of +affairs. The artillery and reïnforcements, upon which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF NIAGARA.</div> + +<p>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<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> +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</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“The stern joy which warriors feel,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In foemen worthy of their steel,”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">INCI­DENTS OF THE BATTLE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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—“<cite>I +will try, sir!</cite>” said the intrepid soldier.⁠<a id="FNanchor_3_3" href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> +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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">GENERAL RIALL TAKEN PRISONER.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>posted on the right of the line. The first brigade, under +General Scott, was held in reserve.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">LAST EFFORTS OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">LOSSES OF THE TWO ARMIES.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ATTACK OF FORT ERIE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_4_4" href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span>fire on the following day, he planned a sortie, which +has been justly considered as the <i lang="fr">chef d’œuvre</i> of his +military career.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SORTIE FROM FORT ERIE.</div> + +<p>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; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>his command, and that of General Miller, being both +out of view of the enemy.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">finale</i> +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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS DECEASE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i lang="it">con amore</i>! 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 <i lang="fr">coup d’œil</i>, his intuitive +penetration, his knowledge of men and his capacity to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_1_1" href="#FNanchor_1_1" class="label">[1]</a> 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 <em>green</em>, and the other <em>brown</em>, +both were <em>true blue</em>!</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_2_2" href="#FNanchor_2_2" class="label">[2]</a> See <a href="#SCOTT">Memoir of General Scott</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_3_3" href="#FNanchor_3_3" class="label">[3]</a> The reply of Colonel Miller was adopted as the motto of his regiment, +and was worn on their buttons.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_4_4" href="#FNanchor_4_4" class="label">[4]</a> See <a href="#GAINES">Memoir of General Gaines</a>.</p> +</div> + +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="i_060" style="max-width: 45.9375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_060.jpg" alt="portrait; seated in uniform, holding a sword below the hilt in his right hand."> + <figcaption> + EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="GAINES"> + EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES. + </h2> +</div> +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> +</div> +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RECEIVES HIS FIRST COMMIS­SION.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Spanish government, being dissatisfied with the +transfer of Louisiana to the United States, refused to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPOINTED MILITARY COLLECTOR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span>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”!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RE-ENTERS THE ARMY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_5_5" href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFENCE OF FORT ERIE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The British general had fancied that the American +army was now within his grasp, and that a single blow +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PREPARA­TIONS OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE ASSAULT.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>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”!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span>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!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">FINAL REPULSE OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span>The American loss was only seventeen killed, +fifty-six wounded, and eleven missing.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_6_6" href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span>passed, and gold-hilted swords presented to him, by the +legislatures of New York, Virginia, and Tennessee.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE SEMINOLE WAR.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_7_7" href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CONTRO­VERSY WITH GENERAL SCOTT.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span>friends, who are perhaps equally proud of the military +services of both officers.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DIFFICULTY WITH THE SACS AND FOXES.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE FLORIDA WAR.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PERSONAL APPEAR­ANCE AND CHARAC­TER.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">régime</i>, who, +though he has vindicated his title to be ranked among +the military heroes of the nation, has never forgotten +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>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!</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_5_5" href="#FNanchor_5_5" class="label">[5]</a> See <a href="#BROWN">Memoir of General Brown</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_6_6" href="#FNanchor_6_6" class="label">[6]</a> See <a href="#BROWN">Memoir of General Brown</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_7_7" href="#FNanchor_7_7" class="label">[7]</a> See <a href="#JACKSON">Memoir of General Jackson</a>.</p> +</div> + +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="HARRISON"> + WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. + </h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the most successful officers of the war of +1812, was Major General <span class="smcap">William Henry Harrison</span>. +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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS FATHER.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span>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”!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_088" style="max-width: 49.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_088.jpg" alt="Portrait, wearing a heavy coat and ascot, head and uppoer torso."> + <figcaption> + WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>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, <i lang="la">nolens volens</i>. 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span>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 “<em>Congress</em>.” +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 <em>approve</em>, and that is the word +‘<em>Congress</em>’!”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFEAT OF <abbr title="Saint">ST.</abbr> CLAIR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>anxiety to take the field, and aid in inflicting a summary +punishment upon the merciless savages.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CAMPAIGN UNDER WAYNE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">Roche de Bouc</i>, on the north bank +of the river, and defeated them with great slaughter. +Their chief, Turkey-foot, and a large number of their +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_8_8" href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span>preservation of peace between the two countries may +be attributed.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">COMMEN­CES HIS CIVIL CAREER.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">GOVERNOR OF INDIANA TERRITORY.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">VARIED SERVICES.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span>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 <em>traces</em>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Many years elapsed after the conclusion of the treaty +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ENGLISH INTRIGUES.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SEIZURES BY THE ENGLISH.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TAMPERING WITH THE INDIANS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span>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”!</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">COUNCIL AT VINCENNES.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SPEECH OF TECUMSEH.</div> + +<p>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.” “<cite>My father!</cite>”—exclaimed +the chief, while he drew his form +up to its full height, and his eye flashed with the fire +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span>of insulted pride—“<cite>My father!</cite>—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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Governor Harrison was no “weak-heart;”⁠<a id="FNanchor_9_9" href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF TIPPE­CANOE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The troops were arranged in two columns, separated +on the left, one hundred and eighty yards, and about +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ATTACK ON THE LEFT.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">FORTUNATE CIRCUM­STANCE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE INDIAN VILLAGE BURNED.</div> + +<p>But when the morning broke, a general charge was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DECLARA­TION OF WAR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPOINTED A MAJOR GENERAL.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INDIAN TOWNS DESTROYED.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DISPOSITION OF THE TROOPS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">WINTER CAMPAIGN.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span>when the troops were to cross the river and invest Fort +Malden.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, <abbr>Dr.</abbr> Eustis +was succeeded by General Armstrong as Secretary of +War. The latter had imbibed strong prejudices against +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DIFFICULTIES AND EMBARRASS­MENTS.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span>and urgently entreating him to hasten to their assistance.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">MASSACRE ON THE RAISIN.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 “<em>excellent doctors</em>”! 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BRUTAL CONDUCT OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>General Harrison was three miles in advance of the +Rapids, hurrying rapidly on with his reïnforcements, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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—<em>provided he could have been successful</em>, 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">FORTUNATE ESCAPE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPROACH OF REINFORCE­MENTS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span>the fort; the remainder being killed, wounded, or +taken prisoners.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RETREAT OF PROCTOR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span>he pledged them to spare their prisoners, and to refrain +from injuring defenceless women and children.</p> + +<p>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.”</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PERRY’S VICTORY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PURSUIT OF PROCTOR.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_10_10" href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> From +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span>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!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PROCTOR AND TECUMSEH.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF THE THAMES.</div> + +<p>The original plan of General Harrison, when he saw +the advantages of the enemy’s position, was, to advance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span>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, <i lang="fr">en potence</i>, 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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_11_11" href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Just before the trumpets sounded the attack, Colonel +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span>his sword, and all his plunder, fell into the hands +of the victors.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEATH OF TECUMSEH.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">mêlée</i>, Tecumseh +fell, as it is supposed, by the hand of Colonel Johnson.⁠<a id="FNanchor_12_12" href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> +This determined the contest. On the fall of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span>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 <em>death-halloo</em> 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!</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span>a similar arrangement was entered into with the +Miamis and Potowatomies.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EFFECTS OF THE VICTORY.</div> + +<p>“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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEMONSTRA­TIONS OF RESPECT.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPOINTED MINISTER TO COLOMBIA.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span>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.</p> + +<p>He was still leading a happy and contented life in his +retirement at North Bend,⁠—</p> + +<p class="center"> +“A simple husbandman, in garments gray,”— +</p> + +<p class="unindent">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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ELECTED PRESIDENT.—HIS DEATH.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">cortège</i> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">soiree</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_8_8" href="#FNanchor_8_8" class="label">[8]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_9_9" href="#FNanchor_9_9" class="label">[9]</a> The expressive term among the Indians for “coward.”</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_10_10" href="#FNanchor_10_10" class="label">[10]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_11_11" href="#FNanchor_11_11" class="label">[11]</a> Nevertheless, it was the decided opinion of Napoleon, (Las Casas, +<abbr title="seven">vii.</abbr>, 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_12_12" href="#FNanchor_12_12" class="label">[12]</a> 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.</p> +</div> + +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="JACKSON"> + ANDREW JACKSON. + </h2> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">It</span> is not in Indian wars”, said an eloquent writer +and speaker of a by-gone age,⁠<a id="FNanchor_13_13" href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> “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.</p> + +<p>The father of Andrew Jackson, though a native of +Ireland, was of Scotch descent.—During the reign of +Henry <abbr title="Two">II</abbr>, in 1172, the subjugation of the Emerald +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS BIRTH.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INVASION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.</div> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_14_14" href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> +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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFEAT OF COLONEL BUFORD’S PARTY.</div> + +<p>A great portion of the American soldiers wounded in +this conflict were paroled on the spot, and left at the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span>but there were many who refused to waver in their +allegiance to the Confederation.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS FIRST BATTLE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span>Tories, whose cruelties and enormities were every day +becoming more barbarous and revolting.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DARING AND RESOLUTION.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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:⁠—</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ATTACK ON THE WAXHAW SETTLERS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TAKEN PRISONER TO CAMDEN.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Amid the accumulated horrors of his prison-house, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF HOBKIRK’S HILL.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CLOSE OF THE WAR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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:⁠—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry" lang="la"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hoc opus, hic labor est.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>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!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EMIGRATES TO TENNESSEE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <em>stamping grounds</em> of the buffalo,—which +were usually connected by the <em>traces</em> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Numerous anecdotes are related of the fearlessness +and intrepidity displayed by Andrew Jackson, when +performing these weary pilgrimages through the forests +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DESERTED BY HIS GUIDE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>As the settlers in Kentucky were exposed to the irruptions +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RACHAEL DONELSON.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The excited jealousy of the husband could not be allayed, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS MARRIAGE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span>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.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_15_15" href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>⁠</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ANIMOSITY OF THE DEBTOR CLASS.</div> + +<p>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.”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The necessary preliminary measures for the formation +of a state government, were taken by the citizens +of Tennessee, in 1795;⁠<a id="FNanchor_16_16" href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> and Andrew Jackson was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">REPRESEN­TATIVE AND SENATOR IN CONGRESS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="la">posse comitatus</i>. When the court adjourned +for dinner, the sheriff summoned the judge and +his colleagues, as part of the <i lang="la">posse</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>His health beginning to fail under the severe labor, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DIFFICULTY WITH GOVERNOR SEVIER.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span>their relative speed. A circumstance of this kind gave +rise to a most unfortunate affair:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HOSTILE MEETING WITH DICKINSON.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The steadiness of nerve exhibited by General Jackson +on this occasion has often been the subject of commendation, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>These personal controversies and altercations have +been mentioned here, not because they afford valuable +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span>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.”</p> + +<div class="sidenote">AARON BURR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span>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!</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDITION TO NATCHEZ.</div> + +<p>An opportunity, however, was soon presented to Jackson, +for taking the field. On the first of November, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RETURN HOME.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span>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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CESSION OF LOUISIANA.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span>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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE SOUTHERN INDIANS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_17_17" href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">WAR WITH THE CREEKS.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TROOPS IN THE FIELD.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DESIGNS OF THE BRITISH.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Rumors of Indian massacres and outrages reached +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ADVANCE TO THOMPSON’S CREEK.</div> + +<p>As his contemplated route to the Coosa lay, for some +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span>that they could be instantly formed in order of +battle, if attacked in front or in rear, or on either flank.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF TALLUS­CHATCHEE.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">KINDNESS TO THE ORPHAN.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF TALLADEGA.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span>and a strong reserve of two hundred and fifty +mounted men, under Lieutenant Colonel Dyer.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DESTITUTION OF THE TROOPS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span>among his companions, who thereafter repressed every +disposition to murmur or complain.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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?</p> + +<p>Disaffection gradually gained ground, and, in a few +days, the whole army was on the verge of mutiny. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SUPPRESSION OF THE MUTINY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">DESTRUC­TION OF THE HILLABEE TOWNS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Georgia militia, under General Floyd, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ECCANAHACA DESTROYED.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_18_18" href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>⁠</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ANOTHER MUTINY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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!”</p> + +<p>Not a word was uttered in reply, by the volunteers. +He then demanded a prompt answer. Still there was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">LETTER TO GOVERNOR BLOUNT.</div> + +<p>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,</p> + +<p class="center"> +“In thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.” +</p> + +<p>“What!” said he, in his letter, “retrograde under +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span>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!”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF EMUCKFAW.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE ENEMY REPULSED.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span>that they were forced to take shelter in a +thicket on the bank of a small creek.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, as had been anticipated by General +Jackson, who supposed the demonstration on the +right to be a mere <i lang="fr">ruse de guerre</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF ENOTO­CHOPCO.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SUDDENNESS OF THE ATTACK.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span>among the foremost, and as he approached General +Jackson’s position, the latter attempted to cut him +down with his sword.</p> + +<p>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!”</p> + +<p>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<a id="FNanchor_19_19" href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>⁠—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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A NEW ARMY RAISED.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span>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 <i lang="fr">hors du combat</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PREPARA­TIONS TO TAKE THE FIELD.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TOHOPECA.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE RED STICKS COMPLETELY ROUTED.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">sobriquet</i> of “Old Hickory,” +which was applied to him by his soldiers, and adhered +to him through life.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INDIAN TOWNS DESTROYED.</div> + +<p>The terrible vengeance taken at Tohopeka, for the +massacre at Fort Mims, and the other monstrous cruelties +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span>proposition was made known, numbers of the fugitives +were on their way to the neutral territory.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES IN FLORIDA.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span>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.”</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CAPTURE OF PENSACOLA.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span>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.</p> + +<p>New Orleans, at this time, contained about twenty +thousand inhabitants,⁠<a id="FNanchor_20_20" href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> 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 <i lang="fr">café</i> +and <i lang="fr">boudoir</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span>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 +<i lang="fr">personnel</i> and the <i lang="fr">matériel</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPROACH OF THE BRITISH FLEET.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="la">habeas corpus</i> 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PROCLAMA­TION OF MARTIAL LAW.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span>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 <i lang="fr">sans peur, sans reproche</i>, +there can be no danger. “<i lang="la">Silent leges, inter arma</i>,” +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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span>cowardice assumed the appearance of valor at his +side.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">en masse</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">LANDING OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">NIGHT ATTACK.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SKIRMISHING.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span>in getting her up the river, and anchored her on the +right of General Jackson’s position.</p> + +<p>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,⁠<a id="FNanchor_21_21" href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>These repeated efforts having proved of no avail, +General Packenham decided to carry the works by a +<i lang="fr">coup de main</i>. For a number of days all his men +were employed in deepening Villeré’s canal, for the passage +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DISAFFEC­TION IN THE CITY.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE EIGHTH OF JANUARY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_22_22" href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> +A great number of them had served in the Spanish +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span>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!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">FINAL REPULSE OF THE ASSAIL­ANTS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span>and terrified column before him, he gave the signal to +retire.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_23_23" href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span>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.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_24_24" href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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. <i lang="la">Te Deum</i> was +chanted, and a solemn thanksgiving offered to Divine +Providence.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">FINED BY JUDGE HALL.</div> + +<p>Treason and disaffection still lingered in the city; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span>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 +<i lang="la">habeas corpus</i> 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 <i lang="la">habeas corpus</i>. 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</span>General Jackson, by the passage of a bill directing the +amount of the fine to be refunded to him, with interest.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_25_25" href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE SEMINOLE WAR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">FINAL TERMINATION OF HIS PUBLIC CAREER.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<i lang="fr">Tête d’armée!</i> 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!</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent4">“Serene, serene,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">He pressed the crumbling verge of this terrestrial scene,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Breathed soft, in childlike trust,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The parting groan;</div> + <div class="verse indent4"><em>Gave back to dust its dust,—</em></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><em>To Heaven its own!</em>”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>In person General Jackson was tall and thin. His +frame was well knit, but gaunt. He had an iron visage, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS CHARACTER.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">fortes +emotions</i>. His passions were intense, and what he +did, he did with all his might. Like Cicero, he was a +<em>new man</em>; 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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_26_26" href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span>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”!⁠<a id="FNanchor_27_27" href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>⁠</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_13_13" href="#FNanchor_13_13" class="label">[13]</a> Fisher Ames.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_14_14" href="#FNanchor_14_14" class="label">[14]</a> An attempt was made on Charleston, in June, 1776; but the enemy +were repulsed with great loss.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_15_15" href="#FNanchor_15_15" class="label">[15]</a> Kendall’s Life of Jackson.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_16_16" href="#FNanchor_16_16" class="label">[16]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_17_17" href="#FNanchor_17_17" class="label">[17]</a> See <a href="#HARRISON">Memoir of General Harrison</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_18_18" href="#FNanchor_18_18" class="label">[18]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_19_19" href="#FNanchor_19_19" class="label">[19]</a> 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 <em>save the cannon</em>!”</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_20_20" href="#FNanchor_20_20" class="label">[20]</a> In 1810, the population was 17,242.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_21_21" href="#FNanchor_21_21" class="label">[21]</a> 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.—<cite>Lord Londonderry’s +War in Germany</cite>, 172.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_22_22" href="#FNanchor_22_22" class="label">[22]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_23_23" href="#FNanchor_23_23" class="label">[23]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_24_24" href="#FNanchor_24_24" class="label">[24]</a> Alison’s History of Europe, <abbr title ="chapter 76">chap. lxxvi</abbr>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_25_25" href="#FNanchor_25_25" class="label">[25]</a> See <a href="#GAINES">Memoir of General Gaines</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent" lang="fr"><a id="Footnote_26_26" href="#FNanchor_26_26" class="label">[26]</a> “L’amitie d’un grand homme, est un bienfait des dieux.”—<cite>Voltaire’s +Oedipe.</cite></p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_27_27" href="#FNanchor_27_27" class="label">[27]</a> Alison’s History of Europe, <abbr title="chapter seventy">chap. lxx</abbr>.</p> +</div> + +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_294" style="max-width: 49.9375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_294.jpg" alt="Portrait, in uniform, head and torso, arms crossed in front"> + <figcaption> + ALEXANDER MACOMB. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +</div> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="MACOMB"> + ALEXANDER MACOMB. + </h2> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alexander Macomb</span>, 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.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_28_28" href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">emigrés</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RECEIVES A COMMISSION.</div> + +<p>In May, 1798, though still but a lad, young Macomb +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span>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 <i lang="fr">élite</i> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span>his gay good humor, and his friendly attention +to the wants of those under his command.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPOINTED A LIEUTENANT OF ENGINEERS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span>the preparation of a treatise on the subject of courts-martial,—a +work which he afterwards executed.</p> + +<p>On the eleventh of June, 1805, in pursuance of the +strong recommendation of Colonel Williams, who was +ever warmly attached to his <i lang="fr">protége</i>, 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">MADE LIEUTENANT COLONEL.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_29_29" href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> +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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">STATIONED AT SACKETTS HARBOR.</div> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_30_30" href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> 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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Upon what trifling, and apparently unimportant circumstances, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDITION DOWN THE ST. LAWRENCE.</div> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_31_31" href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> He was placed +at the head of the <i lang="fr">corps d’élite</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INVASION OF NEW YORK.</div> + +<p>Shortly after this affair, General Wilkinson was recalled, +and General Macomb assumed the command of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFENCES OF PLATTSBURG.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</span>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 <i lang="it">caponnières</i>; +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ADVANCE OF SIR GEORGE PREVOST.</div> + +<p>The advance of Sir George Prevost was slow and cautious. +The example and fate of Burgoyne were before +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</span>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 <i lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>On the fourth of September, General Mooers, with +seven hundred militia, advanced about seven miles on +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">détour</i> through the woods for +that purpose. A destructive fire from his rifles, at rest, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SKIRMISHING.</div> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">REPULSE OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</span>squadrons, at the termination of which Commodore +Macdonough obtained a signal triumph over his opponent, +who fell mortally wounded in the action.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</span>Of the Americans, there were thirty-seven killed, +sixty-two wounded, and twenty missing.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RETURN OF PEACE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS DEATH.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_28_28" href="#FNanchor_28_28" class="label">[28]</a> <abbr title="Volume One page">Vol. I. p.</abbr> 288.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_29_29" href="#FNanchor_29_29" class="label">[29]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_30_30" href="#FNanchor_30_30" class="label">[30]</a> The post was attacked in May, 1813, (see <a href="#BROWN">Memoir of General Brown</a>, +<i>ante</i>,) but not until after the withdrawal of the troops for the expedition +against York and Fort George.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_31_31" href="#FNanchor_31_31" class="label">[31]</a> See <a href="#BROWN">Memoir of General Brown</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> +</div> + +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PIKE"> + ZEBULON MONTGOMERY PIKE. + </h2> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="smcap">This</span> 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.</p> + +<p class="center"> +“Brief brave, and glorious, was his young career!” +</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDITION UP THE MISSISSIPPI.</div> + +<p>After the purchase of Louisiana from France, Mr. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</span>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.”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TAKEN PRISONER TO CHIHUAHUA.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Shortly after receiving his new commission, Colonel +Pike proceeded to the Champlain frontier, where he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</span>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 <em>pikes</em>.” After his death +the short guns and pikes were no longer used.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INCURSION INTO CANADA.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</span>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_32_32" href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDITION AGAINST YORK.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</span>crash of the bayonet, but they speedily rallied, returned +the charge with a will, and drove the enemy from the +field.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPLOSION OF THE MAGAZINE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</span>within a circuit of three hundred yards.⁠<a id="FNanchor_33_33" href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS DEATH.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</span>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—</p> + +<p class="center small" lang="la"> +“Dulce, et decorum est, pro patria mori!” +</p> + +<p>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!”</p> + +<div class="sidenote">HIS CHARACTER.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</span>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:⁠—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“He died, as hearts like his should die,—</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In the hot clasp of victory!”</div> + </div> +</div> +<br> +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_32_32" href="#FNanchor_32_32" class="label">[32]</a> See <a href="#MACOMB">Memoir of General Macomb</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_33_33" href="#FNanchor_33_33" class="label">[33]</a> 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 <a href="#SCOTT">Memoir of General Scott</a>.) 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.</p> +</div> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="i_338" style="max-width: 52.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_338.jpg" alt="Portait, in uniform, head and torso"> + <figcaption> + WINFIELD SCOTT. + </figcaption> +</figure> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</span></p> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="SCOTT"> + WINFIELD SCOTT. + </h2> +</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 75%;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/dec_line2.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> learning the particulars of the defeat of Marshal +Ney at Dennewitz, says St. Cyr, in his <cite>Histoire Militaire</cite>,⁠<a id="FNanchor_34_34" href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> +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 <span class="smcap">Winfield Scott</span>, 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BIRTH AND EDUCATION.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Scott was originally designed for the legal profession. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">APPOINTED A CAPTAIN OF ARTILLERY.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The character of the connection of Wilkinson with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</span>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,⁠<a id="FNanchor_35_35" href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> 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.”</p> + +<p>The following year was spent by Captain Scott, at +Richmond, in the family of his friend, Mr. Leigh, who +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ATTACK ON QUEENSTON.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</span>two columns. Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick was to +follow the movement with a force of two hundred regulars, +under Major Mullaney.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</span>were obliged to surrender themselves as prisoners +of war.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CROSSES THE RIVER.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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!</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</span>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!”</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">TAKEN PRISONER.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</span>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!”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</span>his stay at Niagara, even to dine with the British commander, +without a strong escort.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">INTERFER­ENCE IN BEHALF OF PRISONERS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The British officers were finally obliged to retire with +the twenty-three prisoners, but before the latter left the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_36_36" href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ATTACK ON FORT GEORGE.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CAPTURE OF THE FORT.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">bête noire</i> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</span>gate, and entered the fort.⁠<a id="FNanchor_37_37" href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</span>’12 and ’13—which characterized the subsequent operations +of our principal officers in that quarter.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDITION AGAINST BURLINGTON HEIGHTS.</div> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</span>clothing, and ammunition, together with eleven +armed boats and several pieces of cannon.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</span>Major Hindman, and to join Wilkinson, in person, on +the St. Lawrence, at whatever point he could.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">SKIRMISH AT HOOPHOLE CREEK.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">corps +d’élite</i>. 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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_38_38" href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</span>part of the winter at Albany, engaged in making +preparations, in connection with Governor Tompkins, +for the ensuing campaign.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</span>the Niagara on the third of July, he crossed it with an +army of soldiers, not merely of men!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CAMP OF INSTRUCTION AT BUFFALO.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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,⁠<a id="FNanchor_39_39" href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>On the fifth of July, the battle of Chippewa was +fought,—mainly by the first brigade, under General +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.</div> + +<p>This order being given, he returned to his place in +the rear of his two infantry battalions. He now directed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</span>them to throw forward their outer flanks, so as +to form a reëntering angle, but taking care to flank +the enemy on the left.⁠<a id="FNanchor_40_40" href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The bloody battle on the heights of Niagara followed, +on the night of the twenty-fifth of July.⁠<a id="FNanchor_41_41" href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">COMPLIMEN­TARY RESOLUTIONS.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</span>State Society of Cincinnati in Pennsylvania, in the +year 1815.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_42_42" href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">PUBLICATIONS ON MILITARY SUBJECTS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</span>his system of Infantry Tactics, in three small volumes, +containing all the improvements made subsequent to the +general peace of 1815.</p> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_43_43" href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">WAR WITH THE SACS AND FOXES.</div> + +<p>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.⁠<a id="FNanchor_44_44" href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> He embarked at Buffalo, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE FLORIDA WAR.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</span>offensive operations; but he now surrendered +the command to General Scott.⁠<a id="FNanchor_45_45" href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a>⁠—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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE NORTH EASTERN BOUNDARY.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Though taking no active part in the political contests +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE WAR WITH MEXICO.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</span>summer, and whose hill-tops are covered with eternal +snow;</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent8">“where the stars,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In tropic brightness gleam,”—</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">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<a id="FNanchor_46_46" href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> 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!”</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">matériel</i> +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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">EXPEDITION AGAINST VERA CRUZ.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">LANDING OF THE TROOPS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="es">nortes</i>.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">LINE OF INVESTMENT.</div> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE BOMBARD­MENT AND CAPITU­LATION.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</span>during the siege was not ascertained, but was variously +estimated at from one to two thousand.</p> + +<p>Anticipating the speedy arrival of the dreaded +<i lang="es">vómito</i> 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 +<i lang="es">terra templada</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="es">tierra caliente</i>, to the elevated table land of +Mexico.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE HEIGHTS OF CERRO GORDO.</div> + +<p>After crossing the Rio del Plan, the road winds up +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</span>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 <i lang="es">Telegrafo</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</span>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 <i lang="es">jarochada</i>,—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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">STORMING THE FORTIFICA­TIONS.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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,⁠<a id="FNanchor_47_47" href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> and the 3rd and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">DEFEAT AND PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</span>by petty annoyances, or thwarted, at every turn, in the +most trifling circumstance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">MARCH FROM PUEBLA.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">en échelon</i>; +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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</span>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 <i lang="es">"tierra fria</i>, 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:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“Through rocky pass, o’er wooded steep,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In long and glittering files they sweep.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">FORTIFICA­TIONS OF MEXICO.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>On the opposite side of Lake Xochimilco, upon the +San Antonio causeway, was a <i lang="fr">tête du pont</i> 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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</span>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 <i lang="fr">tête du pont</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RECONNAIS­SANCES.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="es">"pedregal</i>, +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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CONTRERAS AND CHERU­BUSCO.</div> + +<p>In the meantime, Santa Anna had moved his forces +to the southern side of the city. Eight guns were +planted in battery at the <i lang="fr">tête du pont</i>; 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</span>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 <i lang="es">"pedregal</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="es">"pedregal</i>. +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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="fr">tête du pont</i>. At the same time, +General Worth moved against San Antonio in front, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">ROUT OF THE ENEMY.</div> + +<p>A general action, of more than two hours’ duration, +which was hotly contested on both sides, now took +place in and about the <i lang="fr">tête du pont</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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 <i lang="es">"azoteas</i>, 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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">THE ARMISTICE.</div> + +<p>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 +<i lang="es">"zopilote</i>—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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</span>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</span></p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</span>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.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">CAPTURE OF MEXICO.</div> + +<p>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 <i lang="es">"leperos</i>, 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 <i lang="fr">émeute</i>, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</span>and the American flag waved undisturbed over the Palacio +of Mexico.⁠<a id="FNanchor_48_48" href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</span>Guadalupe Hidalgo, which was subsequently duly +ratified.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES.</div> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p class="p2 center">THE END.</p> + +<br> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_34_34" href="#FNanchor_34_34" class="label">[34]</a> <abbr title="Tome four, page">Tom. iv., p.</abbr> 150.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_35_35" href="#FNanchor_35_35" class="label">[35]</a> 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.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_36_36" href="#FNanchor_36_36" class="label">[36]</a> See <a href="#PIKE">Memoir of General Pike</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_37_37" href="#FNanchor_37_37" class="label">[37]</a> Close behind Scott was Colonel Porter, who complained that the +long legs of the former gave him an undue advantage.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_38_38" href="#FNanchor_38_38" class="label">[38]</a> See <a href="#BROWN">Memoirs of Brown</a> and <a href="#MACOMB">Macomb</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_39_39" href="#FNanchor_39_39" class="label">[39]</a> <i>Ante</i>, <a href="#Page_34">p. 34</a>, et seq.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_40_40" href="#FNanchor_40_40" class="label">[40]</a> Captain Towson, with his three guns, was on the other flank, opposite +the enemy’s left.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_41_41" href="#FNanchor_41_41" class="label">[41]</a> <i>Ante</i>, <a href="#Page_45">p. 45</a>, et seq.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_42_42" href="#FNanchor_42_42" class="label">[42]</a> He visited Europe again in 1829, and made the tour of France, +Belgium and Germany—his principal object being to procure professional +information.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_43_43" href="#FNanchor_43_43" class="label">[43]</a> See <a href="#GAINES">Memoirs of Generals Gaines</a> and <a href="#MACOMB">Macomb</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_44_44" href="#FNanchor_44_44" class="label">[44]</a> See <a href="#GAINES">Memoirs of Generals Gaines</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_45_45" href="#FNanchor_45_45" class="label">[45]</a> See <a href="#GAINES">Memoirs of Generals Gaines</a>, <i>ante</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_46_46" href="#FNanchor_46_46" class="label">[46]</a> Macaulay.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_47_47" href="#FNanchor_47_47" class="label">[47]</a> The artillery regiments in the American service, are equipped, and +act, as infantry, with the exception of the detached companies serving +with batteries.</p> + +<p class="footnote unindent"><a id="Footnote_48_48" href="#FNanchor_48_48" class="label">[48]</a> 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.</p> +</div> +<hr aria-hidden="true" class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +</main> + +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 style="display: none; visibility: hidden;">Advertisements</h2> + <p class="center allsmcap smaller"> + BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY DERBY & MILLER. + </p> + +<hr class="full"> +</div> + +<p class="hanging"><b>The Lives of Mary and Martha, mother and +wife of Washington</b>: by Margaret C. Conkling, +with a steel portrait, 18mo, scarlet cloth.</p> + +<div class="smaller"> +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Conkling</span>, 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</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent4">“how divine a thing</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A woman may be made.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>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.—<cite>Literary Messenger.</cite></p> + +<p class="p2">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. <span class="smcap">Wm. +H. Seward</span>, and contains a finely executed engraving of the wife of Washington. +We cordially commend it to the public, and most especially our lady readers.—<cite>Syracuse +Journal.</cite></p> + +<p class="p2">This acceptable and well written volume goes forth upon a happy mission,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“To teach us how divine a thing</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A woman may be made,”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">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.</p> + +<p>The design of the volume is, to picture a <em>mother</em> 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.—<cite>Syracuse Star.</cite></p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="hanging"><b>The Life of Gen. Zachary Taylor</b>, 12th President +of the United States, brought down to his inauguration. +Steel portrait, 12mo., muslin; a new edition, by H. Montgomery. +<span class="righttext">$1,25.</span></p> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="larger">∵</span> 18,000 of the above work have been sold by us. +</p> + +<div class="smaller"> +<p class="p2">“<span class="smcap">The Life of Gen. Z. Taylor.</span>”—<cite>H. Montgomery</cite>, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr>, 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.—<cite>Albany +Evening Journal.</cite></p> + +<p class="p2">“<span class="smcap">Life of General Zachary Taylor</span>, by <cite>H. Montgomery</cite>,” 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.—<cite>N. Y. Tribune.</cite></p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="smcap">The Life of Major General Zachary Taylor.</span> <cite>By H. Montgomery.</cite>—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; <span class="allsmcap">THE MAN OF +DUTY</span> 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.</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“<span class="smcap">‘Old Zach!’ ‘Old Zach!’</span> the war cry rattles</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Among those men of iron tread,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As rung ‘<span class="smcap">Old Fritz</span>’ in Europe’s battles</div> + <div class="verse indent2">When thus his host Great Frederick led.”</div> + </div> +</div><!--end poetry-container--> +<p class="right r4"> + <cite>Literary World.</cite> +</p> +</div><!--end smaller font--> +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter transnote"> +<h3>Transcriber’s Note:</h3> + +<p>Page headers are displayed as sidenotes. Footnotes were renumbered +sequentially and were moved to the end of each chapter.</p> + +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79059 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/79059-h/images/cover.jpg b/79059-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..52c4339 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/dec_line.jpg b/79059-h/images/dec_line.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..826f078 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/dec_line.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/dec_line2.jpg b/79059-h/images/dec_line2.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d4cd8bc --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/dec_line2.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/frontis.jpg b/79059-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7308a62 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/frontis.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/i_012.jpg b/79059-h/images/i_012.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..76ab378 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/i_012.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/i_060.jpg b/79059-h/images/i_060.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e17028 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/i_060.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/i_088.jpg b/79059-h/images/i_088.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b6fd4c --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/i_088.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/i_294.jpg b/79059-h/images/i_294.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2092b13 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/i_294.jpg diff --git a/79059-h/images/i_338.jpg b/79059-h/images/i_338.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..14d2810 --- /dev/null +++ b/79059-h/images/i_338.jpg |
