Evening star., 1945-01-07
BY John Clagett Proctor.


January 8, 1915, just 1870 years ago to-
morrow, will always mark a memorable
day in the history of this country. On
this date a powerful feet and force of
$4,000 men under Gen. Packenham, un-
dertook the capture of New Orleans,
which was successfully defended by Gen.
Andrew Jackson. He was subsequently
rewarded by being elected to serve two
terms as President of the United States.
Like many another great man, "Old
Hickory" was an astute politician besides
being great military leader and above
all else he knew good opportunity when
he saw it. When the second war with
Great Britain took place he was ready
for military service, having previously
had much field experience. AS major
general of volunteers, when the war with
Spain seemed inevitable, he led large
number of Tennessee volunteers from
Nashville to Natchez in the autumn and
winter of 1928, with the expectation
of taking part in it should an engage
ment take place. But this did not occur.
Jackson took prominent part In the
Creek War-completely defeating the
Indians and causing the submission of
Weatherford, their leader, followed by
the cession of great part of their lands
to the United States.
Thanks of Congress
On April 49, 1914, jackson was COM
missioned brigadier general, U. S. A.,
and on May /, following, he was pro-
NOTED to be major general, which was
his rank when he fought and defeated
Gen. Sir Edward Packenham, the hero
of Salamanca, then only 38 years Of
age, and in command of the British
invading forces. For this gallant act on
the part of the American troops, led by
their inrepid leader, Gen. Jackson, he
received the thanks of Congress on Feb
ruary 27, 1915, in the following commun-
ication:
That the thanks of Congress be, and
they are hereby given to Maj. Gen, Jack
son, and through him tc the officers and
soldiers of the Regular Army, of the
militia, and of the volunteers under his
command, the greater proportion of
which troops consisted of militia and
volunteers suddenly collected together,
for their uniform gallantry and good
conduct conspicuously displayed against
the enemy from the time of his landing
before New Orleans until his final ex-
pulsion therefrom, and particularly for
their valor, skill and good conduct on
the 9Th of January last in repulsing, with
great slaughter, a numerous British
Army of chosen veteran troops when at
tempting by bold and daring attack,
to carry by storm the works hastily
thrown up for the protection of New Or
leans, and thereby obtaining most sig
nal victory over the enemy, with dis
parity of loss on his part unexampled in
military annals.
Resolved. That the President of the
United States be requested to cause to
be struck a gold medal, with devices
emblematical of this splendid achieve
nent, and presented to Maj. Gen. Jack
son as testimony of the high sense en-
tertained by Congress of his judicious
and distinguished conduct on that men,
orable occasion. ~--sa. }s,,s.
Resolved, That the President of the
United States be requested to cause the
foregoing resolution to be communicate
ed to Maj. Gen. Jackson, in such terms
as he may deem best calculated to give
effect to the objects thereof"
Made Military Governor
Gen. Jackson, in 1917, led an expedi-
ton that captured Florida, and for this
special service he was made military
governor of that Territory, and served
from March 10 to July 10, 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
served in both branches of Congress be-
fore the Federal Government was zaoved
to Washington in 1900. However, when
he did come to Washington he went to
live at ONeale's Franklin House, where
resided Gen. John H. Eaton, his COL
league from Tennessee, and here, of
course also resided the famous Peggy
OyNeale, daughter of the proprietor Of
the hotel, William O'Neale, later Gen.
Eaton's wife.
The anniversary of the Battle of New
Orleans was celebrated more than a
hundred years ago in Washington, one
of the earliest celebrations being the
ball given on the eve of January g.
1924, at the home of the Secretary Of
State, John Quincy Adams, then residing
at 1885 street NV to which Presi-
dent Monroe was invited but did not ac-
cept, as he deemed it improper for the
President to attend private functions of
this nature.
Hero of New Orleans
However, Old Hickory was invited and
attended. together with company 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 hany ways,
but none has become more celebrated or
more historic. Regarding this grand af-
fair an early item says:
There was no illumination possible In
that day except from the whale-eil lamp
and tallow, wax or sperm candle, but