Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-11
raE BATTLE oF NEW ORLEANs.
A Remiaiseence OF an old PatFist.
Knoxville Press and Herald.


Knoxville Press and Herald.
Rev John Campbell, D. D., now dc.
ceased. was leading minister Of the
Presbyterian Church, and Was we'll
known TO many Of the old citizens Of
East Tennessee, in whose midst he Ia
bored for more than 3 generation.
Twenty years ago at a dinner party
where the reverend gentleman was pres
ent, the conversation reverted TO old
times, and turning to Mr.. s. Il, Love. a
well-known citizen Of this county, he
asked in his broad Scotch accent, Han
nibal, do you know that your grandfa-
ther made the poodher that Jackson
used on the 9Th Of January. when he won
the battle OF New 0rleans2"
Mr.. Love replied in the negative, when
Mr.. Campbell proceeded to relate the cir
cumstance, in hispeculiar style and in a
manner which left no doubt of the truth
Of his narrative on the minds of his
hearers. Samuel McSpadden, the gen.
tleuian in question, vas a Revolutionary
soldier and highly esteemed for his up
ris5tness and patriotism. He was one of
tn early pioneers II the aparsely settled
region nov comprising East Tennessee,
and resided near the French Broad river,
in Jefferson county. Mr. McSpadden
was engaged in the manufacture of gun
powder, and had contract with the gov
erhment to furnish q certain quantity at
New Orleans. on or before the 10th Of
January, 1915, but being stsunch Pres
byterisn, as Mr.. Campbell put it, he was
very cons scientiouS and knowing the dan.
gers ard delays of the long journey by
water between his home and the point Of
destination, heresolved to be on time and,
il possible, to anticipate it. Accordingly.
having gotten his dangerous cargo aboard
sflatboat, with a hardy crew of boatmen,
the perilous journey was commenced in
the dead Of winter. This was long be-
fere the age Of steamboats,, and the
journey was necessarily slow as the
clumsy craft, freighted, as it afterward
proved, with the destinies of the nation,
proceeded on her way. The settlements
we're. few and far between, and hostile
Indians could at almost at any moment
have retarded their progress, but they
were undismayed, each man reckoning
himselfa match for half dozen ssvages
To add to their discomfort no FIRE was
permitted on the boat and the party suf-
tered severely from cold. Still they
persevered and reached their journeys
end about the lst of January, aud we're
received with joy by General Jackson,
who, after bis repulse of the British
fprces. G hrw days before, in which their
advance was checked, was nearly out of
powder. and With this sessonable supply
was enabled to hold his ground and the
! memorable battle was fought which
added lustre tc American arms and
crowned the brow OF jackson With the
iadeless laurels OF victory-a victory
gained over soldiers before whom the
trained legions Of Napoleon, in the
Spanish peninsula, had been compelled
to yield.
Mr.. McSpadden, ct the time Of this
exploit, was about 6fty-Hve or sixty
Yesrs OF age, and was the father Of Moe
teen children, all of whom afterward
connected themselves to the Presbyte-
riAn church, which has continued to be
the church Of their descendants to the
present time.
Mr., hannibal Love, one Of the grand
sons Of the patriot McSpadden, ia a near
resident Of this city, and is we'll known
as one Of the most modest and worthy
men Of our county. He is by no means
bosstful Of said exploits as thoae above
recorded, though he is fllly Satisfied,
from reliable family history. that his
grandfather McSpadden made the pow
der for Shelby's men, who aided in the
battle OF Kings Mountain. which turned
the tide and changed the fortunes of the
Revolutiouto to the Southern States. The
memory Of such men is worthy Of cen.
tennial record.