Details
JACKSON, Andrew. Autograph letter signed ("Andrew Jackson") as Major General, to Colonel Andrew Hynes, "Headquarters 7th M. District," Mobile, [AL], 26 September 1814. 1½ pages, 4to (9¾ x 8 in.), integral address leaf, browning, small holes with loss of a few letters of text.
JACKSON AND HIS MEN PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS: "TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIBERTY OR DIE NOBLY IN THE LAST DITCH"
A letter written during Jackson's preparations to defend New Orleans from an expected British assault, containing his emotional commentary on the burning of Washington, D.C. and his hope that the "disgrace" will energize the nation against the enemy. Jackson had been commissioned Major General in May 1814, and with a modest force captured Pensacola and repelled a British land and sea attack on Mobile Bay (see preceding lot). In the meantime the principal British campaign had moved against Washington and Baltimore, culminating on August 24 with the burning of the American capital.
Writing to the Adjutant General of Tennessee, Jackson considers these recent events: "I have this moment, rec'd the news that the capital is Burnt. Was it not for the national disgrace I am glad of it. It will unite America, and warn the rulers of our nation, to prepare for defence before it is too late and leave canvassing [vote-seeking] for the executive chair, out of View when our nation is invaded and requires all her energy to defend it." Voicing criticism of the poorly organized and financed American war effort, Jackson adds "It will teach them, not to count their pence but prepose [sic] the Means, to save our country. It will warn the heads of departments, to listen to information, transmitted, that ought to put them on their guard, and prepose for energetic defence before the enemy reaches the interior, the capital." Reminding Hynes of his own as yet unfulfilled requests for support, he notes: "I have been waiting for instructions for three months. I have long since give[n] information of the intended invasion of the South." Yet, his warnings seem to have been ignored and he has been "ordered to discharge the militia." Jackson vows that "if I am only half supported I will put down the war here verry [sic] shortly. I should have I hope at least 2000 indians in the field...and I hope by that time to see the brave Tennesseans, flocking to the Standard of their country determined to maintain their Liberty or die nobly in the last ditch. The drubbing we have given the English on the 15th instant at Mobile Point was in true American stile [sic], and had the troops defended the capital [Washington], with the same spirit that the brave [Major William] Lawrence defended Fort Bowyer, the capital would have been defended and saved." Pushing Hynes to send more troops quickly, Jackson promises "I will let you hear before peace, some small retaliation for our disgrace."
After learning that the British assault would be made on New Orleans, Jackson declared martial law, dissolved the legislature and aggressively mobilized the city's defenses. These controversial actions were largely forgotten when, in the Battle of New Orleans, fought on January 8, 1815, Jackson inflicted a resounding defeat on the elite British veterans of the Napoleonic Wars.
JACKSON AND HIS MEN PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS: "TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIBERTY OR DIE NOBLY IN THE LAST DITCH"
A letter written during Jackson's preparations to defend New Orleans from an expected British assault, containing his emotional commentary on the burning of Washington, D.C. and his hope that the "disgrace" will energize the nation against the enemy. Jackson had been commissioned Major General in May 1814, and with a modest force captured Pensacola and repelled a British land and sea attack on Mobile Bay (see preceding lot). In the meantime the principal British campaign had moved against Washington and Baltimore, culminating on August 24 with the burning of the American capital.
Writing to the Adjutant General of Tennessee, Jackson considers these recent events: "I have this moment, rec'd the news that the capital is Burnt. Was it not for the national disgrace I am glad of it. It will unite America, and warn the rulers of our nation, to prepare for defence before it is too late and leave canvassing [vote-seeking] for the executive chair, out of View when our nation is invaded and requires all her energy to defend it." Voicing criticism of the poorly organized and financed American war effort, Jackson adds "It will teach them, not to count their pence but prepose [sic] the Means, to save our country. It will warn the heads of departments, to listen to information, transmitted, that ought to put them on their guard, and prepose for energetic defence before the enemy reaches the interior, the capital." Reminding Hynes of his own as yet unfulfilled requests for support, he notes: "I have been waiting for instructions for three months. I have long since give[n] information of the intended invasion of the South." Yet, his warnings seem to have been ignored and he has been "ordered to discharge the militia." Jackson vows that "if I am only half supported I will put down the war here verry [sic] shortly. I should have I hope at least 2000 indians in the field...and I hope by that time to see the brave Tennesseans, flocking to the Standard of their country determined to maintain their Liberty or die nobly in the last ditch. The drubbing we have given the English on the 15th instant at Mobile Point was in true American stile [sic], and had the troops defended the capital [Washington], with the same spirit that the brave [Major William] Lawrence defended Fort Bowyer, the capital would have been defended and saved." Pushing Hynes to send more troops quickly, Jackson promises "I will let you hear before peace, some small retaliation for our disgrace."
After learning that the British assault would be made on New Orleans, Jackson declared martial law, dissolved the legislature and aggressively mobilized the city's defenses. These controversial actions were largely forgotten when, in the Battle of New Orleans, fought on January 8, 1815, Jackson inflicted a resounding defeat on the elite British veterans of the Napoleonic Wars.