Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-10-02
ADDRESS


To Messrs. Johnson, Holden, Jones and Fairbanks.
ADDRESS
Touching the Life, Character and Public Services Of
ANDREW JACKSON, delirered at Terre Haute, In
diana, 10th September, 1915, by Robert Dale
In the month of April and in the year 17s1, there
Stood on gentle emlnence that overlooked the fer
tile valley Of the Catawba, barfack-jail, surrounded
by rude redoubt and within the walls of that pri-
Tnitve fortress hudded together crowd If pri-
soners, many of them stricken with pestilentia dis
ease, and many more wounded and dying.
Early in the morning of the twenty-ffth of that
month it was, that of these prisoners, youth who
had not his fifteenth summer, lay, In uneasy
slumbers, within that redoubt, and close by high
board enclosure which formed its outmost defence, and
which wholly shut out from observation the view be-
yond.
The youthful captive's dress was scanty and travel
stained jacket and shoes both gone His left hand
was wrapped by bandage, stiff with clotted blood
and his right grasped old razor, dull and rusty
with which, it appeared, he had been seeking to Dig
out knot in of the thick pine panks of the fence
beside him but sleep had stolen over his senses,
yet his task was fully complete.
Suddenly, in the DISTANCES the roll of the drum and
the shrill notes of the fife heard; and the youth
had sprung to his feet with start The first object
that met his Weakening glance was the gorgeous stan
dard of England floating from the summit of his prl
son, its heavy folds stirred by the early breeze and
u
sun. The boy turned from the sight, the stern ex-
preston of his countenance darkening to erceness
and martial sounds from without again fell his
ear, he hastily resumed his unfinished task and, be-
fore long, had opened a crevice through which he
could obtain full view of the scene that stretched
out north from his prison walls. His eager eye fol-
lowed the road to Charlotte, which raversed coun-
try covered with thick wood and underbrus till il
reached and sufmounted, at about miles distance,
an eIhinence, partially cleared but, Its eastern
L. IL
summit of that eminence,-ah! there the boys glance
rested with look of hope and pride; for there In
open view, appeared encamPment, with its watch
fires and Its white tents, and all Its medley bustle
and above ALL streaming from the principal tent his
quick eye detected the ensign of his country the
stars and stripes, already known many hard
fought field though unacknowledged yet by Europe's
Pcwers-the virgin stars and stripes Of young Anne
RIGA.
The YOUTH destitute and captive as he was, could
not restrain cry Of joy and triumph at the sight
Yet, as he noted, more closely, the details OF the
scene, that first look of triumph gradually faded
to of deep anxiety. The sights and sounds
around his prison had informed him, that the enemy
meditated attack the American lines. And
yet there, within those lines, all, he plainly saw,
careless security Horses stood pcketed in due ORDER
and their riders, dIsnounted, strayed heedlessly
through the camp; here soldiers were cleaning their
musquets, there they busted in the humble but
necessary occupation of washing their Clothes some,
even, abandoning themselves, with light hearts, to
the amusements of the hour. How, thus thoughtess
and unprepared, might his countrymen resist the
tack, which he knew to be impending
Hours passed and still the young watcher retain
ed the post at his observatory and still, that tent
crowned eminence, the evidence of fancied Sc
curity met his anxious gaze. At last, Just as the
neghborng clock olled the hour of ten the heavy
tread of marching column sounded without, and was
gradually lost In the distance
Long and narrowly did the boy scan the space that
interviewed between himself and his friends, if haply
he might discover from what point the menaced attack
to And at length, yes he was sure of
it. there far off on the right of the road that lay be-
fore him, from out the thick underbush gttered, at
intervals, the suns ray sword bayonet and the
gay uniform and waving plume of an officer might
be here and there, through the trees he
marshalled his troops their stealthy march.
And still, on that distant hill, not sign of mis-
trust, not one note of preparation
Oh, what would not that poor boy have given-his
life would have been willing sacrifce-for the pri
vilege Of single warning word to awaken to sense
of their coming danger, his distant friends Alas he
was himself powerless, helpless; wounded and pri-
soner He could but wish, and hope, and pray.
shot another He sees the smoke arise from the
eastern slope of the hill. 1t is the first fire the
American plckets. And then, at last. from their
dream of vain security, awoke, a sudden Of
their situation, the careless hundreds in the republic
can camp. Hastily they ran to their arms. Hastily
aud mperfectly the brow of the hill, their line
was formed. And, on the instant, there emerged
from the woods and advanced steadily and rapidly
against their startled opponents the serried ranks of
the British force
1t was a moment of breathless interest for that
captive boy. His eye followed the effect of the first
volley on the half formed line. Its ranks seemed
shaken; they separated. But then, from behind it,
up the roar Of cannon; and with deadly effect
the iron shower appeared to fall the advancing foe
Fugitives were running to and fro among them
and horses already galoped, masterless the field
Hope revived in the bosom of the watcher and that
hope almost to certainty, he noted the republic
can cavalry, headed by gallant leader, dash down
the SLOPE turn the left flank of the enemy, and fall,
like thunder-bolt, on his Victory and de-
liverance the thought at his heart, and the cry
that burst from his lips, and that called around
him his comrades in captivity. Victory and deli
yerance ~ the shout echoed from every mouth, as
the delighted boy, in broken EXPLANATIONS, reported
from his lookout the eager crowd, the various incl
dents of the battle Already they saw their prison
doors opened. Already, at liberty, they trod the
greensward once more
But otherwise had Fate decreed it. Bitter and
sad-all the sadder for high hopes dashed to the
ground was the disappointment that awaited the
expectant aud exutng prisoners. The cannon ceased
TO thunder Some panic, incident to the sudden enter