The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-06-23

N.--HJ
Soon after his victory at Pensacola he
was made major-general i'll the regular
army, and was appointed to command
the Department OF the South.
On Sept. ID, while Jackson was gar
risoned at Mobile, the English made an
attack UPON his army, but were repulsed
and retreated to Pensacola, whittier
Jackson followed them with 5000 men,
By these and subsequent events he
drove the British from Florida. Learn
ing that the English were to attack New
Orleans, Jackson devoted all his ener-
gies to the task of defending the city,
and after an arduous journey he arrived
on Dec. E. "The British expedition di-
rected against New Orleans" says the
historian, "was more formidable than
any other that we had to encounter dur
ing our second war with Great Britain.
In the North the British warfare had
been directed chiefly toward defending
Canada and gaining such foothold
upon our frontier as might be useful in
making terms at the end of the war.
But the expedition against New Or
leans was intended to make perma-
nent conquest of the lower Mississippi
valley, and to secure for England the
western bank of the river"
AS this crowning triumph of Jack
sons career has so often been told in
these columns, a glance at this battle
will suffice. On Dec. 3 and 2S lie i'll
flicted severe defeats on the Englisl,
outside the city. On Jan. 8, 1875, Sir
Edward Pakenham, the Englis, COM
mander, having been SO strongly rein
forced, felt that he could vanquish the
American forces. With 14,ooo veterans,
thoroughly disciplined troops, he ad-
vanced upon the small column of 4,ooo
raw militia under Jackson's command
but suffered crushing defeat In the
English army was large number OF
soldiers who had seen service under
Wellington at Waterloo. Pakcnham
and his second in command, General
Gibbs, were killed. Two thousand
wounded and slain were left by the Eng
lish on the field, while the loss of the
Americans was only seven killed and
six wounded out of an army of 5000.
Jackson's feelings OF pride i'll his race,
his sympathy with its struggles for free
dom, is made clear in his reply to the
address OF the Charitable Irish Society
OF Boston, when he visited that city in
1883. He said, in the course of his ad-
dress: "It is with great pleasure that
see so many of my fathers countrymen
assembled on this occasion. have al
ways been proud OF my ancestry, and Of
being descended from the noble Irish
race, and rejoice that am so nearly
allied to that land which has so much
to recommend it to the good wishes Of
the world. Irsllmen have never been
backward in giving their support to the
cause OF liberty"
In 1919 the purchase of Florida from
Spain was effected, and in 1921 Jackson
was appointed governor OF that terri
tory. In 1923 he was elected to the
United States senate. In 1928 General
Jackson was elected president OF the
United States by 178 electoral votes to
80 given for John Quincy Adams. Upon
receiving intelligence that his friends
we're working 10 secure his nomination
he cast much ridiculc upon the idea
"Do you suppose" said he, "that ]
think myself fit for president of the
United States? No, sir; l know what
am fit for. l can command body oi
men in a rough way, but am not fit tc
be president" He was reelected ir
1882, securing 21o votes out OF tota
of 228. His death took place in Nash.
vile, June 8, 1845.