The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-18

the Horseshoe where an entrenched camp, defended
by 1000 chosen warriors, was carried by storm
$50 chiefs stretched upon the EARTH ana 5VO prison.
ers taken. The Indians then sued forpeace; and on
the 10Th of July an advantageous tgeaty was con-
cluded with them, by the brave ehieftain who had
carried terror and destruction through their borders
This campaign against the Creeks illustrates
most frciby the native vig0r Of his character, and
the fertility of his resources. IL was undertaken
with most limited means--the greater portion of the
time his troops had not five days rations at COM
mand. IL was prosecuted in distant and savage
country, with levies Of militia, against the most
warlike of the Indian tribes, in the face of mutny
want, desertlon, and panic, by n maior-eeneral of
militia who had never served in a subordinate rank,
and never before commanded in battle. If anything
were wanting exhibit in bold relief the splendor
of this achievement, il is abundantly furnished by
the history of subsequent Indian wars. In this his
tory may be found many contrasts but no parallel
shall allude to but one other event in his military
career. His gallant and successful conduct drew
towards him universal attention.; and President Mad
ison but conformed to the general expectation by
rendering TO him, hey did, on the resignation OF
Gen. Hampton the post of brigader.g general in the
army. The resignation of Gen. Harrison, shortly
AFTER enabled the president TO offer him the post of
enlargement; and the two commissions were re-
ceived simultaneously, and the latter accepted.
On the 22d November, 1914, General Jackson
left Mobile for New Orleans, where he arrived on
the LIST December. II was known that large Brit
ish force was on its wav 10 New Orleans. The I'M
portance of defending that city could not be over
rated The troops that to invade II were flushed
with the victories Of Badensburgh and Washing.
ton. Citizens who should have defended it, were
strongly suspected of disafiection. Whilst hostile
army of tried veterans, strong in numbers, exact IN
discipline, confident of success, were advancing IN
'front.' the ill-reguated levies Of militia who were TO
oppose them were surrounded by the tmid, the
doubtful and the treacherous. No command was
aver viz will ore NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
met them with greater spirit and success. His Won
derful power of inspiring confidence in those around
him, and the vigor and skill of his movements for
the defence of the city, changed the aspect of
affairs When he reached New Orleans few thought
it capable of being defended; in two days after,
thought it susceptible of being taken.
But ii was obvious to Gen. Jackson that success
depended on prompt defensive movement--an at
tack must be made on the invading army the instant
they landed In answer to an express from Gen
Carroll, whose division had been delayed on its way
to New Orleans, he said: 81 resolved, feeble as
my force is, to assail the enemy on his first landing
and perish sooner than he shall reach the city," The
determination, thus nobly expressed, was promptly
executed The British landed on the 23d Is miles be-
low NJ Orleans. The intelligence was communicated
to Jackson at one O'Clock in the afternoon; and the
same evening he attacked them with his whole dis
possible force.
For a most interesting account of this desperate
and bloody engagement, refer you to the narration
of an English officer who was engaged in it, in
work entitled "Campaigns in America, by subal-
term" we'll remember his description ofthe con-
fusion, dismay, and death of that eventful night.
Com. Patterson commanded schooner, which
dropped down the Mississippi abreast of the British
line, and anchored. When hailed by their sentinels
third time, he said, 'Give them this, boys for the
honor of America" accompanied by shower of
grape and canister.
This battle saved New Orleans II checked the
treacherous, confirmed the wavering, inspired the
true. 1t was, too, in the judgment of the military
men, mastery movement. The enemy till then
had been unmoesed; they had reason to expect
friendly receptions; the next day they would have
advanced ON New Orleans. The night assault on
the 23d checked and drove them back-lt taught
them respect for the American arms, and led them
to oyer-estimate the number of our forces. II came
upon them at night, in strange land unexpected,
and when but part of their forces were landed 1t
carried confusion and panic into their ranks, and
dspeled the terror Of their invincbility; and al
though the brilliant victory of the LIST January, and
the total and memorable ront of the 9th, finally ex-
PEELED the invaders, they but completed and perfect
ed what the master-stroke ofthe 23d had well be-
gun. The forces of the British vastly exceeded
those of the attacking party; and this fact strongly
illustrates the natural and intuitve skill of General
Jackson in the art of war. II was the maxim OF
Napoleon the great master of this science, that an
inferior force should wait to be attacked; for,
by advancing they either fell with all their strength
on single point when they are not expected or
met the opposing columns on the advance when
bravery gave the victory-or, in his own nervous
language, 'eest aaire de tefes de COLONIES Oh Ia
| brapo,re seuie decide tout"
| There were many points of resemblance between
| Napoleon and Jackson. Both were remarkable for
impetuosty both acted the offensive; both, in
emergencies, hazarded much If not all, the cele-
rty and Of their assaults both carried war
into the heart of an enemy's country; both were
celebrated for rapdty and exactness of combination;
hoth oforfled fheir hv sddeu and n
looked-for attacks. There similarity even in
the impassioned, sententious, and sanguine appeals
of both to their respective armies and both attained
signal and brilliant But fortunately for our
country, and for him whose fame we cherish, the
points Of difference are equally striking. Napoleon
aimed at the conquest of world, and would have
established sole monarchy, if not despoasm; his
restless ambition knew no goal short of universal
dominion; and, after overrunnng, with his success
full armies, great part of the globe, he driven
from his Kingdom and his throne, confined in a
solitary and remote island, and his uncomfortable
spirit retted itself against the bars of the prison.
Jackson drew his sword only at his country's call /;
il was never welded but in defence Of her soil her
rights, and liberties he sheathed It but to return to
the bosom of his family and the pleasure of domes-
| tic life; he was attended always by the grateful
paudits of people whose liberties he had defended
and after receiving the hghea honors of the repub.
lie, his last days were cheered with the sight of
country's prosperity, TO whose service his life had
\ Deen QeVOteu, anu lie IN fOHOWCu W grave ny
| nation of mourners.
Fellow-citizens: l have thus far spoken exc!u-
sively of the martial conduct Of the illus,rous de-
ceased. few of the marked events of his life have
been referred to Illustrating it. He had other
traits of character, which drew to him large share
of the public attention and regard; and, in referring
to them, may incidentally advert, in some degree
to portions Of his public and private life, which have
rbcen the subject of angry discussion. do so IN no
spirit of party shall even seek to forget that his
great name was ever connected with party divisions
If a of ordinary propriety did not induce me
to this course, the scene now around me, ana the
circumstances which have led to it, admonish me
to abstain. Here, in the city of Albany, where
party conflicts run highest and hottest, where the
annual assemblage Of the legislature freshens and
renews political divsions-here, streets which
have resounded for ten years with the slogan OF
Jackson's name, and on the very spot from which
his praise and his censures have been freely
spoken--our citizens, under the lead of the common
council, without distinction of party, are assembled
to do honor to the memory of a great democratic