Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-02

who knew him best aud knew him we'll never
had any distrusi Of Ius discretion as a military
commander.
But his qualities as a general and his powers
OF combination IN conducting the operations Of
an army were best illustrated and put to the
severest test in the campaign of l9l4-l5 in
the South. IL was then that ample scope was
given him Tor the exercise OF his genius and
capacity for military command.
In 1914 Great Britain, by the overthrow Of
the French Emperor, found herself in condi-
ton to employ the whole Of her great naval
and military resources in an effort to humble
or to crush the United States. The first blow
fell upon the shores of the Chesapeake. The
seat of the National Government fell into the
hands OF the enemy, and the blackened walls
OF the Capitol gave warning of the ruthless
spirit with which the war was thenceforth to be
conducted. This wound to the national pride
was inflicted at a time when the public finances
and the public credit were at the lowest ebb.
The recruiting service went on sluggishly, and
gave no promise of an adequate increase of the
| regular army; and the whole Of our extended
and almost defenceless sea coast was exposed
to the attacks OF the enemy. Rumors soon
| afterwards reached the country that still more
formidable armament was to make descent
| upon our shores; but where the storm would
burst there was no clue to determine. A gen.
eral gloom, not without some admixture OF
| dependency, then hung over the country
AT later date it became manifest that the
| Gulf coast was to be the scene Of operations.
Every day the gathering clouds of war in that
quarter became darker and more portentious.
Still 1t was uncertain upon what particular
point the bolt would fall; but wherever it might
fall on that coast it was certain that it would
be in the military department the protection
and defense of which was assigned to General
Jackson. All eyes and hopes were now turned
upon him. He had already exhibited such un.
common energy, skill, and intrepidity in his
conduct OF the war against the Creek Indians
as to inspire some confidence when there
seemed to be scarcely ground for hope. 1t was
known that he had no army in the field, save
two or three regiments of regulars and single
regiment Of mounted Tennessee volunteers,
and that there were no adequate supplies,
either OF provisions or munitions of war, at
| any point in his command for conducting mill
tary operations upon a large scale; but never
was confidence SO well repaid. His energy
and discretion and the confidence he inspired
supplied every deficiency.
When it became evident that New Orleans
| was to be the point of attack, and that the hos.
tile armament had made its appearance off the
| Gulf coast, he called upon the authorities of
Kentucky and Tennessee to send forward their
contingents of militia and volunteers with all
dispatch, as the enemy was approaching. Up
on the States threatened with invasion he
| urged the employment of all their energies
and resources to be in readiness to meet the
foe DE called, in strains Of inspiring elo-
quence, upon the free colored inhabitants of
Louisiana to protect their native soil from in.
vasion and pollution by a foreign foe. He Of
ierred pardon to and invoked the very pirates
who infested the neighboring coast to the
rescue.
BY these energetic steps General jackson
found assembled around him force Of FIVE
thousand men, of all arms-all, save two regi-
ments OF the regular army being volunteers
and militia men; and with this hastily assem-
bled army, on the 9Th Of January, he met, and,
IN sanguinary battle, overcame more than
double their number of veteran troops, led BY
experienced generals, flushed with recent vic
tory on the battle fields of Europe, and closed
the war in blaze Of glory.
Mr.. Presssent, the sword worn by the victor
on that day--the man Of stern resolve and iron
will--when gazed upon, in unborn ages, will
send n thrill through the heart Of every true
American.
ask the unanimous consent Of the Senate
to introduce "a joint resolution accepting the
sword of General Andrew jackson, and re-
turning the thanks of Congress to the family
OF the late General Robert Armstrong"
Unanimous consent was given, and the Joint
resolution was considered and passed in the
following words:
Rcsolred, DC. That the thanks Of this Con.
gress be presented to the family of the late
General Robert Armstrong for the present of
the sword worn by General Andrew jackson
while in the military service of his country !;
and that this precious relic be hereby accepted
in the name of the nation, and be deposited
for safe keeping in the Department Of State !;
and that copy of this resolution be trans
mitted to the family of the late Gen. Robert
Armstrong.
On motion Of Mr.. GWIN, it was ordered
that the addresses of Mr.. CAss and Mr.. BELL
be entered OH the Journal, and that the above
resolution and the sword be taken by the Sec
rotary to the House Of Representatives, with a
request that the House concur in the said reso-
luton.
The pressure upon our columns is such
as to compel US to defer until our next issue
the speeches on the same subject in the House
of Representatives.