Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-12-21
P0FITYC4i

P0E4TfC8h
The following letisIs from General
Adair, in relation TO Che battle Of New.
Orleans, presents a singular contrast.
There is an evident difference Between
bis statements Of 1917 and 1876.
From the Maysviile E,gie.l
GEMS. JAJkSuN AND ADAiR.
snuHsvILLr. sEsr o. 1896.
Dear Sir: Many considerations iaduce
me TO obtrude this letter rpon YOU /
solicit you,as briefly as you shall choose,
10 let me know your opinion Of The
f'ertts OF General Jaekson, for bis de-
.fence OF New-0rieans, in the late war,
Is we'll as his ctai..s upon the West, and
the Union ct large. for thoee services.
| am aware OF the Importance Of THIS re-
quest and that it will be reluctantly
granted bot, ishpeiled as am, from
considerations Of Justice to distin.
gusshed citizen, free from party mo.
tives, ! hope that you will give me an
aps'ver as soen as your convenience
will permit.
am, SIT, with sentiments of high re-
gard, your obedtert servant,
WORDEN POPE.
GEM JOHN ADttR,
nEEc IN Co 0ctt5,ls26
Dear Siri Owing TO ar absence of ten
days from home, yours 81 the 29th aft
was not received until last evening:
and being new on the eve Of setting out
on Journey TO Washata aud n Orleans,
have but little time Tor reflection cr
recollection on the subject OF your LETT
ter | viii, however, in justice to Gen
jackson, state that all bis measures Coz
the defence Of New Orleans, after arr.
we'd there, were well calculated TO en-
sure success, If success coaid be hoped
for, from the very slender and made
quate means under his command. did
not reach has camp urtn the Sd OF JaR-
nary, OF which sia,e, bis i;ne of defence
was nearly finished, and his men at their
posts. lie had fought bis first battle
on the 9Sd December, which, although
a victory could not be claimed or either
side, was certainly of the utmost irnpor-
tance TO him, from the effects II pro-
duced IL bis own camp, as we'll as on the
enemy.
To appreciate fully and fairly the mi
fitary talents display ed, or services per-
formed by General jackson, during the
siege, would require a detail of the diff
hculties and dangers which he had dali
~ and hourly to meet; such a detail
would not be proper at this time, Dor is
it necessary for me to make it. An o.
pinion seems to prevail with many, that
an officer may do himself much honor,
and acquire great fame, who possesses
little more than daring courage and boz
Oily strength. This may happen with
en- inferior officer, colonel of regiment
or even a general of brigade, who
acts always under the orders ol sUpe-
Fior, and has no occasion to think for
himself. But the commander in chief
Of an army, in difficult aud complica-
ted service, must possess COOK ralcu-
lating head, vigorous mind, rapidly
of reasoning, with clear perceptions
that will bring him at once to his con-
clusiohs upon which he isresdy to act
for time, with MIN, is often all impor.
iant---and from experience through life,
| believe there are fewer men thus high
ly qualified 10 distinguish themselves at
the head of an army, than to fill any o.
Their station in any goyernment--yet,
such qualifications alone, ever did, and
ever win enable commander in chief
TO acquire great fame. and perform EN-
inent services; and il would be illiberal
and unjust to deny TO General jackson
the possession of,hese qualifications. In
truth, il was the prompt and FIRM display
OF these qualities that inspired the raw
and unframed materials of which hls
army was composed, with confidence
and resolution 10 resist successfully the
Tremendous assault Of the veteran army
ofthe invaders. Respectfully, your obi
servant,
JOHN ADAlR.
WoanxE Poer, ESQ.
General Adair's opinion Of the MIR