Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-07-24

rushed to the charge! The Americans
retreated behind their entrenchment.
Flushed with their momentary success,
The flower Of British chivalry advanced
with a firm, quick and steady pace. in
one deep and solid pbalanx. Three
loud and long cheers from the Ameri-
can troops, rent the air; and in an in
slant their whole line was lighted up
with blaze of their fire. Loud peal
ed the artillery's dreadful roar; pour
ing, with its destructive aim, deyasta-
ton and death upon the terrified ranks
of the invader! The British forces re-
treated; for what earthly power could
long have faced the deadly fire sent
from the American batteries' Pierced
by mortal wound, the gallant though
misguided Rockingham fell; and An
DREW JACKSON was proclaimed the
"Hero Of .Neao Orleans!"
Never, perhaps, my countrymen,
were officers more disappointed IN their
expectations, than We're those of Brit
ain, in the result of this eyer-memora-
bic battle! The thought had never
crossed their minds, that militia would
so nobly resist the aggressions Of a
foe! Firmly had they maintained the
belief, that when warmly assailed by a
veteran troop, proud Of its name, and
distinguished for the valor Of its deeds,
|forsaking the contest, they would seek
lefuge in flight. By a deserter from
our ranks they had been appraised OF
the position of the militia in The Amer
lean lines, and influenced by a belief
of their want Of nerve and deficiency in
bravery, upon them were the main as
sault OF the invaders directed. They
were militia indeed-men who had al
ready won, in other struggles, repu-
tation too dear to be sacrificed! Let
the dreadful havoc made in the assail-
ingranks speak of their warm reception;
and in all future trials with our coun-
trymen, may old England be no less
deceived than she was upon the plains
of New Orleans.
With this hasty examination, we
close the military career of ANDREW
JACKSON, the splencor Of whose "a
chievements was "above all Greek, a.
bove all Roman fame y and could the
feeble ken Of man penetrate the dim
obscurity that wells from human eyes
the future, he would behold, enblazon-
ed upon her records, in imperishable
characters, this truth: When the bloc
dy laurels of Napoleon shall have grown
dim with time; when the daring usur-
patton of Cromwell shall be forgotten;
when the almost incredible career of
Caesar shall be remembered only as a
dream, floating dimly thro' the mist of
the past,-the bright star of our JACK
sons glory shall shine forth fresh and
immortal as upon the morning of its
rise!
Yet great, and almost unparalleled,
as were JAcKsoN's military achieve
ments, it is not alone upon the unfad-
ing laurels reaped in defence of nation
al rights, that the eternity ofhis renown
must depend. We ask your attention
for moment to his political life.
Upon the first of March, 1921, bill
was passed by Congress, authorising
the President to take possession of the
Floridas. Three days from the pas
sage of this bill, Mr.. Monroe entered
upon his second term Of office, and one
OF the earliest and most important du-
ties that devolved upon him was the
appointment of some one qualified to
take possession of this newly-acquired
territory. His mind naturally turned
toward the man whose untiring and pa
triotlc exertions had been instrumental
in bringing the war in that region to a
successful termination; and ANDREW
JAcKsoN's appointment as Governor
of the Floridas was upon the 10Th of
March, officially announced. With
honor to himself and his country was
the responsible trust bestowed uponhim
discharged; and having accomplished
the objects Of his appointment, on the
29th OF Dec. following, rendered his
resignation TO the President.
Thirty days, how ever, had scarcely
elapsed from the period oe his resigna-
ton OF the government Of the Floridas,
and he was again honored BY Mr.. Mon
roe with an appointment OF still great
er political consequence--envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipoten,iary to
the court of Mexico This unsolicited
honor, however, JACKSON respectfully
declined, assigning as reason, that
he could not reconcile it 10 his feelings
to sanction the usurpation Of nations
rights, by appearing as an American
envoy 10 the court Of the Tyrant Ttur.