Evening star., 1938-01-16
By John Clageft Proctor.

MAJOR part, should be annually cele-
brated, for Jackson is surely one of
Americas foremost heroes, and his
military achievements, particularly,
should never be forgotten, while the
fact that he was elected and reelected
President of the United States, serv-
ing from March 4. 1929. to March 3,
1887. but adds additional luster to his
name. and all the more justification
for remembering him for once a year
ct least, If not oftener.
But jackson was a politician besides
being general, though it was, un-
doubtedly, his military achievements
that gained for him the nomination for
the presidency and led the people to
vote him into Office.
Like many another great man, "Old
Hickory" knew an opportunity when he
saw It, and when the second war with
Great Britain took place he was ready
Tor military service, having previously
had much field experience, for as a
major general of volunteers, when
war with Spain seemed inevitable, he
led q large number of Tennessee VOL
unteers from Nashville to Natchez In
the autumn and winter Of 1928.
with the expectation OF taking part in
1T should an engagement take place.
But this did not occur. Then came the
Greek War, in which jackson took q
prominent part-completely defeating
the Indians and causing the submis-
sion OF Weatherford, their leader, fol-
lowed by the cession Of q great part
OF their lands to the United States.
ON APRIL 10, 1914, Jackson was
commissioned a brigadier general,
U. 8. A., and on May /, following, he
was promoted to be major general,
and this was his rank when he fought
and defeated Gen. Sir Edward PAX
enham. the hero of Salamanca" then
only 80 years of age. and in command
OF the British invading forces. For this
gallant act on the part of the Amer
ican troops, led by their intrepid leader,
Gen. Jackson, he received the thanks
OF Congress on February 81, 1915, in
the following communication:
THAT the thanks of Congress be,
and they are hereby given to Maj. Gen.
Jackson, and through him to the Off
GERS and soldiers of the Regular Army,
OF the militia, and of the volunteers
under his command, the greater pro-
portion OF which troops consisted Of
militia and volunteers suddenly COL
1ected together, for their uniform gall
lantry and good conduct conspicuously
displayed against the enemy from the
time OF his landing before New Orleans
until his final expulsion therefrom;
and particularly for their valor, skill
and good conduct on the 9th of jan
uary last in repulsing. with great
slaughter, a numerous British army of
chosen veteran troops when attempt
ing, by a bold and daring attack, to
carry by storm the works hastily
thrown up for the protection of New
Orleans; and thereby obtaining a most
signal victory over the enemy, with a
disparity Of loss on his part unex-
ampled in military annals.
Resolved, That the President of
Tho United States be requested to
cause to be struck a gold medal. with
devices emblematical of this splendid
achievement, and presented to Mai
Gen. jackson as q testimony of the
high sense entertained by Congress
OF his judicious and distinguished
conduct on that memorable occasion.
Resolved, That the President of
the United States be requested to
cause the foregoing resolution to be
communicated to Maj. Gen. Jackson.
IN such terms as he may deem best
calculated to give effect to the objects
thereof"
Gen. JACKSON, in 1917, led an
expedition that captured Florida,
and for this special service he was
made military governor OF that Ter
ritory, and served from March 10 to
July 49, 1921. His Army service ended
when his command was disbanded
June l, 1921.
1t IS possible, though not probable.
that Gen. Jackson did not come to
Washington until 1923, when he took
his seat In the Senate that year,
though he had served in both branches
OF Congress before the Federal Gov
ernment was moved to Washington
in 1900. However, when he did come
to Washington in 1923 he went to
live at O'Neale's Franklin House,
where resided Gen. John H. Eaton,
his colleague from Tennessee, and
here, Of course, also resided the
famous Peggy O'Neale, later Eaton's
wife, the daughter of the proprietor
Of the hotel, William O'Neile.
The anniversary of the battle of
New Orleans was celebrated more
than a hundred years ago in Wash
tngton, one Of the earliest celebrations
being the ball given on the eve of
January 8, 1924, at the home of the
Secretary of State, John Quincy
Adams, then residing at 1885 F
street NV, to which President Mon
roe was invited but did not accept,
as he deemed it improper for the
President to attend private functions
Of this nature.
However, Old Hickory was invited
End attended, together with a COM
pany Of about 1000, and, as he was
the Hero of New Orleans" little
else could have been desired. Since
that day there may have been many
balls and receptions that surpassed
this one in many ways, but none
has become more celebrated or more
historic. Regarding this grand affair
IN early item says:
There was no illumination possible
tn that day except from the whale
OIL lamp and tallow, wax. or sperm
candle, but what was lacking on the
inside was made up by series of bon
fres outside, which extended all the
way from Thirteenth to Fifteenth