The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-01-11

That departure was taken IN t1umph-pubHc
fareweIls, private lesve-takings, exchanges of
costly gifts A purse raised to discharge the
fine imposed by Doninick Hall, but Andrew
Jackson waved ii aside, requesting that the
money be distributed among the families Of sol
diers who had fallen in battle"
Later they renamed the Place dArDes and
called il Jackson Square, q name which il bears
10 this day. In the center of it stands per-
petual reminder of the man who delivered their
city from the danger of capture by the British
q replica of Clark Mills famous rocking horse"
statue Of Old Hickory. The original of that
statue stands in Washington near the White
House where the Hero of New Orleans capped
the climax Of his career by ruling for two terms
as President of the United States.
But this is not the only reminder Of Jackson
and the historic events eliminating in the victory
of January s that may be found in the New Or
leans of today. In the St Charles hotel for more
than 80 years has hung painting by W. A c.
Pape called The Night Battle" II shows Jack
son riding TO the rescue Of the guns in the night
battle which ragged below New Orleans two days
before Christmas in 1914, an important prelude
TO the greater battle little over two weeks
later.
When the news was brought 10 jackson that
q force of 1000 British was marching 10 make
surprise attack on his uncompleted defenses of
the city, he made the most daring and most
instant, he concluded TO attack viii smash
them, so help me Godr" The result of that
decision was victory in which the Americans
lost "a killed, lis wounded and "A prisoners as
compared TO British losses of As killed 167
wounded and 81 prisoners. But more important
was the fact that this reverse to the enemy gave
Jackson muchneeded time TO perfect his de-
lenses Of the city and organize his forces-both
Of which paved the way TO the victory Of Janu-
ho-- 7r To-- 90 11-r
displayed unusual generalship in his instantane-
Gus decision to attack turning a surprise into
a counter-surprise, phenomenon so rare that
ii has in the glossary Of military terms"
In the New Orleans city hall hangs portrait
of Jackson (No. of the pictures shown above)
which has had an interesting history 1t was
painted by Ralph E. ". Earle Nashville
(Tenn) artist, at the Hermitage, Jacksons home
near that city, in 1870. The next year Earle
went 10 New Orleans, bearing with him the por-
trait and a letter of Introduction to Mayor Raj
ignac- This letter, directed 10 Monsieur Ruifen-
ack, mayor of New Orleans" and dated January
16, 1921, reads as follows:
Sir: Permit me TO present to your acQuaint-
ance and attention Mr.. Earl particular friend
of mine and resident Of this city with view of
presenting TO its corporation a full length paint
ing of myself.
sMr Earl has spent much time and labour on
this painting, and win exhibit to view a more
correct likeness of myself than perhaps you have
ever seen Mr.. Earl possesses very distinguished
merit as painter, is respectable and worthy
man, and as such present him TO you. Should
his painting meet the appreciation Of the corpora
lion he viii offer ii for sale, and any attention
viii be thankfully acknowledged by me and re-
specially received by him
Accept assurance Of my respect and esteem,
and believe me 10 be your most obedient servant,
ANDREW JACKSON
Incidentally, the original manuscript Of that
letter, lost for more than century, was found
between the Leaves Of musty old volume In the
Louisiana museum in New Orleans In 1927 and
is now preserved there
Evidently the painting met the appreciation of
the corporation for il was purchased and given
its position Of honor in the city hall which il
has held ever since -Old Hickory" may have
been great soldier and President, but that
does not mean that he was also competent art
critic At least, another man, who probably knew
more about such matters than Jackson ever did
disagreed quite decidedly with his statement that
M. Earl possesses very distinguished merit as
a painter
For John James Audubon, famous ornitholo-
gist and painter Of birds, visited the New Or
leans city hall soon after the painting was hung
there and his journal for April % 1921. con
tains this comment: Great God forgive Me II
my Judgment Is ErroneousI Never Saw A
Worst painted Sign In the streets of Paris
eby Western Nswspapsr Union-