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

placed them under the command Of Jackson. The
first great battle that Of Talladega in which the
Creeks defeated with great slaughter; and at
forwards followed those Of Emuckfaw and the
Horseshoe. These victories annihilated nation
that had for twenty years and more kept our IRON
tiers in continual dread of massacre and bloodshed,
and gave peace to that part of the country. They
attracted the notice Of the general government; ana
General Jackson received, unsolicited, the appoint
ment of major general in the United States service
In approaching the importance and diihcuines OF
this peculiar service we must look to the clrcum-
stances under which they were performed, and the
hardships and trials that were to be undergone,
amidst the horrors of desolation and death. II was
matter of no trifing importance for man like
jackson quit his home and Preside, TO become an m
habitant of a wilderness, surrounded by savage
tribes and savage men, TO prosecute IN the MIDST OF
blood and carnage, a savage war. Those who have
traced the footsteps OF the savage by deso9-
ton and blood; who have never heard his midnight
yell and war-whoop; whose peaceful habltations
have never been wrapt in flames; who have had no
parent, or wife, or child, friend, massacred or
butchered under the scalping-knife or tomahawk of
the Indian; who know nothing, and have felt moth
ing, of the dangers and horrors of savage war
are,-wi never be able justly to realize the perls
and hardships which this gallant man and his hardy
warriors had to undergo, in restoring peace to the
western country. In relation to the particular char
acter and importance of these services we can form
no Just idea, unless by comparison with those of
other commanders. If we look back, however, 60
the early history Of our Indian wars, and especially
to the battles fought by Sullivan after the massacres
Of Wyoming; to those at Point Pleasant, under the
gallant Lewis who there lost his life; the more
recent ones under Gen. Wayne; and compare them
with those of Gen. Jackson, I'VE may then be bet
ter able to appreciate his merits and qualifications as
military commander and the services he rendered.
The victory alone over the Creeks has been regarded
a nfad in Ind In
country that rich and valuable domain embraced
within the State of Alabama. These victories
would alone have stamped him as great military
captain.
But time presses, and must pass on to that scene
of glory which awaited him, and which closed the
bloody drama of our last war with Great Britain.
This scene was reserved for Louisiana--galant
Louisana-that State which had, but few years
before, come to us by treaty and alliance, and was
now to have opportunity of binding herself to us
by her blood. And it was in her bosom that the
gallant Jackson TO receive his great reward, and
finish his career of military glory.
History and experience teach that great military
powers can only be displayed where great exigen-
ces point field which to act; and that these oc-
casions are the means which conduct men, as well
| as nations, to eminence and glory!
| It was the battle of New Orleans which now
to afford the opportunity for the full display Of all
| those high qualities which to stamp General
Jackson Of the first generals in the world, con-
sdered either IN relation to the battle ITSELF or the
| magnitude of its consequences.
| Whilst the Offices Of this day, am aware, do not
admit of recital, which would include even the
leading incidents of this great strugglebeonging as
they do more properly TO history and biography
yet it is needful, in order to appreciate justly the
general Importance of the victory, but especially the
vast and varied powers of him who achieved 1t, to
glance very briefly at some Of the more important
Incidents and more especially to the situation of the
country, before and at the time of the battle.
| 1t will be borne in mind that Louisiana was yet
amongst the youngest of our sister States, and form
ed one of the remotcst parts of our Union Its pop
ulation small and scattered and it was filed
with coored population, which required constant
| force to prevent its becoming a domestic enemy.
Its remote situation the pressing dangers on the
whole Atlantic coast, and at the seat of the national
government, together with other causes, had been
the means Of leaving this part of the country desti
tute Of defence, and depending, in great measure,
on its own resources Although accessible by nt-
merous nsts from the sea, there but two forti
cations, i'll provided, and inadequately garrisoned;
and few gun-boats, the only maritime defence,
The military force amounted to not more than two
incomplete regments--the militia and volunteers of
| the city. There were few cannon, and no arms
in the arsenals. All intercourse had been cut off
with the by bockading squadron of the enc
my, and which, it was known, preceded the arrival
of formidable feet and an invading army Of great
| force.
| This was the perilous and almost defenceess
state Of New Orleans Immediately previous to the
| battle.
II was at this juncure, that General Jackson was
called to defend this extreme point, with small
force, unpractsed in war; and with few or no other
resources than their spirit, against proud ma
tion in possession of all the means, and strong with
all the sinews of war, and able to carry its HOSTILE
ties against any part of this extensive country;
which had drawn within its limits the greater por-
ton of the wealth and industry of the country
When thus summoned by his country, he did not
hesitae! In instant he resolved; and his resolu-
tons, let me tell you were as firm as the DEGREES of
Heaven. His mind once made up, he was impa-
tent of counsel or control, as all know who knew
him well--and few better than myself; and when
he felt conscious that he was right and must act,
he would proceed, regardless of what might happen,
and without the sightest dread of consequences;
and never were the words of the poet more appli-
cable than to him
"From orbs convused should all the planet fly,
World crush world, and ocean mix with sky;
He, unconcerned, would view the falling whole
And still maintain the purpose OF his soul"
He repaired to New Orleans. Great as the diff
culties and dangers were that encompassed it, and
which might have appalled, the stoutest heart, he
instantly resolved to surmount them, orperish in the
attempt. Having taken this lofty stand, he sum-
moned to his aid his gallant countrymen, and espe-
cially those who had served with him in his Indian
campaigns; and, at the first tread of danger, the
West, and more particularly gallant Kentucky and
Tennessee poured forth their sons like legions of
armed men! Tennessee furnished nearly one-fourth
of her physical force. Then it was that confidence
revived, and the great work of preparation began.
He intermted no watch against the wakefu foe.
He visited the forts, organized the forces that were
placed under his command, and instied into his
soldiers confidence in themselves, and ultimate vic
tory. He appealed to their PASSIONS their prejudi-
ces, and love Of country. He kndled up spirit Of
determined resistance-a lofty and unconquerabe
spirit--and, what was more, a contagious spirit,
which proved terrible to its opposers. He raised
money on his own credit; reused the people to a
sense Of their DANGER and soon filed the ranks of
the army by volunteers, drawn from every part Of
the western country. Like our revolutionary pa
triots he did not fail to count the cost Of the contest
He felt that it was no common one in which he was
about to engage, and no common enemy to whom
he was to be opposed On the contrary, il was a
contest which was again to put in hazard of the
sword the honor Of name, and the liberties and
glory of our country The sentiment Of ancient
patriotism, "never to desparof the commonwealth"
tad se haa tIxy