Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-12-14
From the Globe.
GEN. ARMSTRONG, OF NASHVILLE.

/ This excellent soldier received from Ge,er,,
Jackson mark of respect worth much more N, n
the knlgh,hood and nobility bestowed now. a .days
oy European sovereigns. 1t was the gift of his
own sword, worn on fields of battle, where he had
seen Gen. Armstrong perform feats of vaIor be.
coming chief under the lion. hearted Richa rd.
Al EnotichoPco, Gen. Armstrong maintained his
position unsupported, with scarcely mon enough to
load his cannon, against host of savapes. until
General Jackson rallied a retrea,ing regiment,
and turned the fortune Of the day. After General
rmstrong Chen capt.) and most of his men were
shot down by his gun, his courage and exhor.
tations still animated the little remnant to main.
tam the battle. 1t was the recollection of such
deeds, doubtless. that prompted the vener able he
70 OF the Hermitage to signaIize a late visit of
his friend and companion in arms in tho manner
so we'll described in the following letter:
NASHVILLE, Oct. 80, lS44.
FRANCIS p. BLAIR, ESQ.,,
DEAR SIR: have just returned from visit to the
Hermitage, and must take the liberty of describ.
ing 10 you an interesting scene which witnessed
'here to-day. General Armstrong and myse If
were the only persons present. We found the
General IN very delicate heath--much enfeebled
and emaciated, laboring under distressing cough
and dIschaging matter freely from his lungs
His. face was pale, and his countenance inIica,ed
severe suffering: Still he was seated at his table.
surrounded with books. letters, and papers, and
ready TO engage, with his usual emphatic earnest.
ness' In conversation on all the agita,ng topics Of
the times. had visited him some four weeks
ago. when his appearance indicated far more
strength OF body, and more freedom from pai than
on to-day. Tho impression made upon nv mind
on this visit was, that cannot reasonably exnec,
his life to be prolonged more III n a few months.
He-s seems hmsefto be deeply impressed with the
near approach of his final departure from this
world, and refers to that event with all the calm
comPosure and submissive resignation of the true
christian.
Whilst we were seated in his room. enca ocd in
conversation about the probable result of the pre.
sldentlal election, he took up his pen and was oc
cuPIcd ior a few minutes in writing at his table,
tie then requested mo to draw out from under the
sofa on which was sitting, small pine box, and
TO take off the top of it. On doing so. discover
ed that the box contained sword. The Old &c.
neral remarked to me that. as he saw that his re-
naming days must be few, he felt that i, was
time he was making disposition of ,ha, sword,
which had been his companion durin the creates,
portion of the last Indian and British war. Turn.
ing to General Armstrong, he reniar rkcd. 81 de-
sire, General, TO make you tender of that sword.
which trust you will accept, and which know
you Will never dlshonor"--at the same time ha nd.
ing to General Armstrong the paper drawn up on
his table, which contained most beautiful tribute
10 the bravery and patriotism of that gallant soldier
General Armstrong accepted the sword and with
the deepest emotion thanked him for the honor con-
ierred on hlm IN being selected as tho depository
OF so invaluable relic of bravery and patriotism.
Geneal !ackson's sword, the trusty compa n ion of
his signal victories as warrior, is now held bv
his faithful friend and chivaIrous fellow. soldier.
General Robert Armstrong. Whilst General
Armstrong cherishes this faithful companion of
the old hero as the richest mem,enio that he could
give him, he still feels that he only holds it as
trustee for his country, ready to use it in defence
of her honor, or to surrender it up to be held by
the nation, as worthy to ropose by the side of the
sword of General Washington.
have thought that as evrything connected with
the old hero is interesting to his countrymen, it
might be OF some consequence that they might
know how he has disposed of his sword.
Very respectfully,
A. O. p. NICHOLSON