Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-04
Jackson Used Cotton
In New Orleans Battle.
To the Editor OF The Star:


criticism which regards nothing as
too well established for it's invidious
detraction has not spared the sacred
legend Of the use Of cotton az fea-
ture OF the defensive works erected
by Gen. Jackson in the defense OF
the City of New Orleans before and
at The battle near that city in Janu-
airy. 1872.
Mr. Vincent Nolte.. who was then
a cotton merchant in New Orleans
and one of the volunteers in that city,
was engaged in the battle. and in his
remarkable autobiography gives a
very thorough and interesting ac-
count of the circumstances connected
with that campaign. The lighting
commenced on the afternoon or De
cember %. 1911, at Where's plantation
about twilight. The succeeding night
was very cold and fires which were
made by the American forces were
extended so far that it gave the Brit
iSh the impression that at least II 800
American troops were encamped
there. whereas there were not more
than half so many. Mr.. Nolte tells
; of the courageous and determined
aspect Of Gen. Jackson under ali CIR
Cumstances, and that in selecting ms
line OF defense he was governed by
the advice of Mai. st. Gene. who when
Gen. Moreau. the victor of Hohen-
! Linden visited New Orleans few
years before. discussed with him the
best arrangements for the defense OF
the city. The Macarty Canal or Chan
mel was accordingly selected as the
best line of defense of Impractical
| troops. of which Jackson : troops
were largely composed.
r = 4
The principal defect in this posi-.
/ ton was that the soil was soft and
marshy. and at the depth OF tw" or
three feet revealed soft mud and
! water. which rendered it practically
| Impossible to find an earth founda'
! ton for the platforms for the heavy
cannon. Nolte At that time was the
J owner OF a cargo of 245 bales Of cot
/ ton on a ship named the Pallas. then
lying in the Mississippi River within
! a short distance from the line OF de
Tense. This and about go bales more
Jackson seized and used as founda
! ton for the cannon platforms. Among
/, The first of these bales which reached
/ the redoubt Nolte recognized as his
own property. His sense of economy
was shocked by the fact that they
! were using his cotton. which was
( worth from 10 to II cents a pound
! while there was plenty that might
! have been obtained in the city al
(, or 8 cents n pound He made that
objection 10 Gen. Jackson's chief OF
I staff. who replied with caustic humor
Well Mr.. Nolte. If this is your cot
ton. you. at least. will not think II
! any hardship to defend it.
/ Nolte also tells of the remarka bic
! accuracy Of the fire of the ] 500 Tel
! nessee riflemen whom Jackson had in
, his command. who had taken their
stations in the Cypriers. which were
! low woods which bordered the shores
OF Lake Borcne. through which they
| had cut narrow openings so as TO get
a better sight at the enemy
They We're SO troublesome in de
/ srroyinG the English pickets thai
those pickets had to be several times
replaced
The results OF the battle are a mat
e. ter of common history which il would
; be tireSOme to relate
He says that the only missiles that
! Gen. Jackson lodged were the con
grove rockets which came in showers
from the British camp and which
! were particularly abundant on the
/ morning OF the Sth Of January. For
! the benefit OF predestinarians. he re
lates that while one OF the men in
! his company. who was standing ex
! actIy in front OF another. leaned down
! to light his pipe from one of the men
| who was sitting down. cannon hall
went over his back and cut in hall
| the standing man in the rear rank
! Tobacco users will not he at a.. loss
10 pervert this incident into moral
in their defense.
/ After the excitement from the bat
! tie had subsidized. Nolte made A claim
! to be paid for his cotton. for which
] he received only s cents A pound. and
In response to his protest was told
| by Gen. Jackson:
! Come. sir. take glass of whisky
! and water: you must he damned dry
after all your argument.
! WILLIAM TINDA1L.