Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-01-29

This is the anniversary Of the day OF
which General Jackson "discomforteC
the pesky British at the Battle of New
Orleans" the closing act Of the dreadful.
drama Of 1872.
am informed on what seems to bt
good authority that there are patriots
living in this country who vote for An
drew Jackson at every Presidential cleo
ton. Perhaps they vote for his memory
II so, l do not blame them in the least
for who doubts for one moment that /,
is better to vote for the memory Of such
a hero than for many of the socalled
statesmen Of today?
The Sth of January, 1914, is a date in
history that should ever be fixed in the
American mind, and 1t might be well
for England to be remined frequently OF
the events of that day.
In 1914 peace was secured by Great
Britain In Europe. She compelled Ma
poleon to leave France to live on the
Island Of Elba in the Mediterranean,
Great Britain was consequently free and
strong to direct all her forces against the
United States, The Atlantic coast was
blockaded by Lord Cookburn, Canada
was reinforced, but the main body Of the
army was sent on an expedition against
New Orleans, with the purpose to obtain
that city and finally to conquer Louisi-
N
During the war Of 1872 the Spanish
authorities Of Florida sympathized with
the British. In August 1914, Jackson,
who was the commander of the Ameri-
can forces in the South and whose head
quarters were at Mobile, received the
intelligence that an English squadron
had landed at Pensacola and was har-
bored then by the Spanish Governor,
Jackson demonstrated with the Span
iards against the violation of neutrality,
but he received no satisfaction, There
upon having been reinforced by 1000
militia he proceeded to Pensacola, forced
the Spanish Governor to capitulate,
and drove the British out of Florida.
Jackson then returned to Mobile. The
design of the enemy to attack New
Orleans and to attempt the conquest of
Louisiana having now become public,
Jackson Immediately left Mobile, 22nd
of November, fastened to New Orleans,
reaching the city December2 1914. On his
arrival he discovered that the most Wig
orous measures would be necessary to
place the city in a state of defense. He,
therefore, proclaimed martial law, mus.
tered the militia, and availed himself to
the utmost extent of all the materials
for defense within his reach.
Three days afterJackson's arrival in the
city, the enemy, numbering 1900, under
command of Sir Edward Packenham, ap.
peared off the coast. They had sailed
from Jamaica, with the motto Of "Beauty
and Booty" to stimulate the soldiers.
December 10 the squadron entered the
outlet of Lake Borgne, and on the l4th
captured the American gun boats. On
the Ord of the month, having awaited
himself Of a pass, called the bayou Bi.
%envenue, Packenham reached the bank
of the Mississippi, scarcely nine miles
below the city. The news of the ap.
preaching enemy spread CONSERVATION
throughout the city. In this crisis
jackson, acting with that decision and
promptness that always characterized
his military movements, resolved to
n1aka tho fret attach do attach fbap,
in their first position," and not wait to
be assailed. Therefore on the night OF
the 23d of the month, the armed schooner
Caroline, having been ordered down
the river to lombard the British flank
which was exposed to the water, Jack.
son and Coffee advanced with 1000 Ten
nessee rifiemen under the cover Of the
darkness to attack Packenham's camp
in the front. The signal being given
that a battle was on, the British ex,
tinguished their watch fires, rallied tt
the combat; and after a bloody fight
Jackson drew off his men, in conse
quence of a dense fog. This battle, it il
thought, decided the battle of New Or
leans. 1t inspired the Americans with
confidence, while it impressed the enemy
with a magnified idea of the American
forces, thus postponing the great battle
during which time Jackson got Thorough
ly prepared.
In the morning, thinking it pruden
to act now on the defensive, jackson
withdraw IN q pncit;op forr rn;IaS ha1ox,
the city, back of a canal, upon a narrow
plain flanked on the right by the rive
and on the left by an impregnable c!
press swamp. With almost incredibl,
swiftness he began to fortify his posi-
, ton.
Our histories say that bales of cottol
were successfully used for the breas
works. 1t would be impossible, 1 sup
pose, to make the people today disbe
lieve the story that Jackson fought be
hind breast works of cotton bales a
, New Orleans. Nevertheless, "Old Hick
Dry" always denied the truth of tn
story. The only foundation, I believe
J for the story is that a few bales Of cot
| ton goods were flung into the breas
works, forming but a very small part O
, the material.
On the 18th Of December the BritisI
~cannonaded the American position, bu
soon retired with loss. On New Year
| day another unsuccessful attempt wa
made or Jackson's lines. Then TO
. seven days nothing of interest oc
CURED in the movements of either army
3 save the preparations for the awful fina
struggle, the British for the attack, tn
Americans for the resistance. Jacksol
seldom slep during these seven day
I With unremitting exertion aud constan
! vigilance he made ready for the BIRTHS.
assault. On the 4th night of the mont