Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-27
DAILY SENTINEL.
How Ale Received the sobriquet OF
sold Hickery"-An Interesting His
toricaI n Reminiscence.


From the Jackson Mss News
All Americans are familiar with this sobriquss
of Gen. Andrew Jackson; yet very few know
how il was earned by the old hero. ! happen 10
be able to inform your readers.
10 1886 was intimately acquainted with Col.
John Allen, United States Agent Of the Chicka-
saw indians. residing in POntOtoc; and with his
brother, Capt Vim. Allen, then a merchant in
that town. learned from Capt. WH,. Allen thst
his father was a near DeighboT and devoted friend
OF Gen Jackson, and thai be and bis brother
John served az soldiers in bis escort. in all his
campaigns, and eamped at the same fire, aud
messed with aim during the Creek war. They
we're certainly great favorites with him and he
rewarded them for their friendship by giving
them lucrative appointments in the Chickssav
nation while be was President. la conversation
with Captain Allen about General Jackson, on
one occasion, asked him how he acquired the
name of "Old Hickory" give his reply, as
we'll as / can remember in his own words:
During the campaign which included the bat
tie OF Emucktiw Greek, the army was moving
rapidly 10 surprise the Indians and we were with
out tents In the month Of March, a cold equi.
noctisl rain fell on u, Mingled with .leet, which
lasted several days. The General was exposed
TO the weather, and was suffering severely with q
bad cold and sore throat At night We bvou
acked in a muddy bottom, while il was pouring z
down rain, which froze as il fell. Nv brother
John aud L, finding that he was unwel, became
uneasy about him, although he did MOI complain,
/ and laid down upon the blanket by the camp FIRE
with mis- soldiers. Seeing him wet 60 the skin
stretched in ihe mud and water 10 his suffering
condition, determined "a iTy aud make bim
more comfortable
I've cut down stout hickory tree, in winch
the sap rising, and peeled the bark from il in
large fake; cut two forks and pole. laid down
floor OF bark snd dead leaves, and rooted Il
closed side or rather one end of the structure
against the wind with bark, and left the other
open. We then dried our blankets and made
him pallet in the tent we had constructed We
woke up the old General. and with some difficulty
persuaded him to crawl in With his saddle for
pillow. wrapped 10 our dry blankets, and BIZ.
feet 10 the Ere. be slept snugy and soundly all
night. well cased in hickory bark
The next morning. an old maa from the
neigDorhOod came into camp with 3 jug Of
whisky, with which after imbibing quite freely
himself, he gave Us all a treat. as far 40 the
liquor would go. he seemed to be a kind
hearted joyisl, ana patriotic old fellow SORT
OF privileged character il his country. While
staggering about among the camp 6res full of
fur ard whisky, he blundered upon our little
hickory bark tent which Immediately ssrestsd bis
attention After eyeing if foT a moment he ex-
clsimed: 'Whst sort OF sr ou.landish Indian
ixin Is this and gave j. kick, which tumblsd
down The queer looking structure, and CON-
pleiely buried the old hero in bark As he
struggled out of the rnins and looked iercely
around for the author ol the mischief, the old
topper recognized him. ana exclaimed; Hello,
Old Hickory, como out of your bark. and Join
Us in a drink -
There was something 20 luiicrous in he
whole scene that respect ior his presence and
rank could not restrain our merIiment. lie very
coed humoredly joined u in laughing at the
mishsp. As he rose up, and shook the bark
from him, ell gave him rirI 'Hsrrah for
Old Hickory. This was the frs, time he ever
heard these words, which were afterwards shou-
ted by the millions of his couHrymen whenever
he appeared among them.
+ will only add that Capt William Allen. OF
/ Davidson county, Tennessee, who died ia Pom
totoc in 1887. was distinguished for courage, in
i tegrity and strict veraciiy; and the above may
f be regarded ss true account of the origin Of
thenicknsme of Gen Andrew Jackson