Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-07-05
A REMARKABLE OLD NAN,
Who Fought Behind the Cotton
Bales at New Orleans.
jackson lTennl TrIbuns and srn, Julr u


jackson (Tenn.) Tribune and Sun, July IL
One of the peculiar and most -four
ishing products of the age, and espe-
cially Of this country, is the iconoclast.
The destruction of the pleasing myths
Of history, and the charming tradi-
lions that cling about the olden times
and golden, seem to be work of love
with modern literati. But this spirit
Of vandalism might be borne with,
If the vandals would keep their cyni-
cal pens off of those incidents of his
tory which, though unique and curious,
are none the less true. Many such
incidents are very fondly cherished
by the masses, about them have grown
sentiments aud romances that it were
cruel to disturb, and they have become
so much necessary part of the pub
tic faith, that to cast doubts upon
them is to weaken belief IN all history.
OF this character is the popular be-
lief that the breastworks behind
which jackson and his volunteers
beat back the veterans Of England at
New Orleans, in 1872, were partly
built of cotton bales or bags. Until
quite recently this fact Of history was
never questioned. But now the rest
less and cynical iconoclast has laid his
rude hands on this cherished incident
and would destroy it. Happily, how
ever, there are yet living those who
can bear personal testimony to the
facts. Among them is our venera-
bic fellow. citizen, Dr. VIM. K. Butler.
He was interviewed on the subject by
q special reporter Of the Tribune and
Sun, and the following is his vindica-
ton of the truth Of history:
DIR. Butler is now 81 years Of age.
and was at the battle of New Orleans.
He arrived after the first days fight,
bringing Mrs. jackson to her husband,
General Andrew Jackson. He was a
surgeon on General Jackson's staff
his brother, Robert Butler, being
Acknowledgement. He was or the
breastworks during the second days
battle, and afterwards. Lost his
hearing there by being pear a large
cannon when it was fred off in the
midst of the engagement, and never
recovered from the shock. He saws
that ne saw cotton bales or bags inthe
breastworks, stood on them, behind
them, and walked about them. He
further says that dirt was thrown
against the cotton bags used in the
breastworks-in front Of the bags.
His evidence is conclusive, for no
one has better reason to remember
the facts. He was on General Jack
sons staff, a relative by marriage,
stayed at headquarters with the Gen.
eral and bis family, and vas thorough
ly posted in all the material incidents
Of the heroic battle on the plains of
Chalmette.
DR.. Butler was born at Carlisle, Pa.
on the 23d of January, 1890. He set
tied in jackson November 10, 1921.
and has lived here ever since, sixty
years, except that he made one crop
in Texas before its separation from
Mexico. His first house was built Of
logs, two rooms with passage between
and stood close by spring near the
old lanyard in South jackson. IT was
standing there few years before the
war inhabited by slaves Of t. q doctor
Many grown up boy now in Jackson
will remember the water melons that
old Aunt Milly Butler used to raise
there, and more than One will remem-
Der a certain OCcasio n, after raid on
the watermelon patch, and with a
NUMBER Oh the i0 ,cious prizes the boys
had been torcCyG to fall back into the
swamp before the advances of the irate
old daTkey> and had for safety taken
refuge Id that elysium for the boys,
the step-off," in the Forked Deer,
when iol' Aunt Milly"appeared on the
6aDk, and in the slang of the present
Cay, set down" on the clothes of the
raiders, and refused to yield even a.
shirt until those watermelons were
paid for.
DR.. Butler cultivated in corn the
ground upon which the older portion
of jackson now stands. He was
candidate for the Legislature against
Dsvy Crockett, and says that Crockett
beat him by treating" the boys with
prodigality. He is one of the founders
of Jackson, the Oldest of her living
citizens, and bears his great age re-
markably well. His recollection of
events from half to three quarters of
a century ago, is still clear and it;
would be real treat to talk with him
but for his extreme deafness.
In conclusion we commend his test
mony to the fact of cotton bales or
bags, in the breastworks at Ne1 { Dr.
leans, to the especial consideration Of
the learned iconoClast of the Nash.
vile American.