A LIFE of General Jackson, written so soon after his decease as the present, may be thought premature. Perhaps in some respects it is so. There are many points in which posterity alone will be able to appreciate his merits, and do justice to his claims. But with respect to the great elements of his character, and the leading actions of his life, all parties seem now to be agreed. The number of those who will deny his ability as a soldier, or his purity, disinterestedness, and instinctive foresight as a statesman, is comparatively small. Many of those able and distinguished men who deemed it their duty to oppose his leading political measures, always regarded him, while living, with respect, and still cherish his memory with reverence. It may therefore be confidently hoped that an attempt to give an impartial biography of him may be received with candour by the great mass of his countrymen.
In the present attempt, the writer has dwelt chiefly on that part of General Jackson's life respecting
which there is no controversy, viz: his brilliant military career. In the narrative of his political life, little more has been attempted than a succinct statement of facts. Later biographers will be enabled to do him ampler justice, by tracing the beneficial effects of his political measures into remoter times.
For the events of the Creek war, and the defence of New Orleans, the writer is chiefly indebted to the copious and able biography of General Jackson written by his friend Major Eaton, whose access to the best means of information is undoubted. The other authorities are cited in the work. The pictorial embellishments of the book are chiefly from the prolific pencil of Mr. Croome, whose merits are well known to the public.
The author has found his esteem and reverence for the character of General Jackson to be constantly increasing, with the extent of the researches which this work has required him to make; and he believes, that popular as the subject of this memoir always has been, his favour with the American people is destined still to increase, so long as the Republic shall continue to exist.
SERVICES IN THE REVOLUTION.
Partisan Warfare, 21; Marion, 22: Sumpter, 23; Death of Hugh Jack-
son, 24; Fall of Charleston, 25; Waxhaw Massacre, 29; Affair at
Armsaour's Mill, 31; Affair at Hanging Rock, 35; Rocky Mount, 43;
Jackson's first battle, 44; Battle of King's Mountain, 49; Mrs. Jack-
son removes to North Carolina, 49; Battle of Cowpens, 53; Battle
of Guilford, 59; Heroic conduct of Jackson, 62; Death of Jackson's
Mother, 67; Battle of Eutaw, 71; Close of the Southern War, 72.
INDIAN WAR-LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL LIFE.
Jackson in Congress, 82; in the Senate, 82; Acquaintance with Mr.
Livingston, 83; Elected Commander-in-chief, 85; Jackson appointed
a Judge of the Supreme Court in Tennessee, 86; His firmness as a
Judge, 89; Resigns, 90; Aaron Burr's Conspiracy, 91; Indian Wars,
95; Tennessee becomes a State, 97; Jackson assists in forming the
Constitution of Tennessee, 97.
HILLA BEE TOWNS-DESERTIONS AND MUTINY-GEOR- GIA VICTORIES.
Hillabee Deputies, 160; Destruction of the Hillabees, 161; Mutiny, 162;
Letter to the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, 163; Letter to the Army, 167;
Jackson's Address, 172; Arrival of General Cocke, 179; Coffee's
Brigade, 180; Governor Blount, 187; General Roberts Cashiered,
193; Arrest of Kearley, 193; Lilliard's Regiment, 196; Georgia
Victories, 198.
NEW ORLEANS-BATTLE OF THE TWENTY-THIRD OF
DECEMBER.
Designs of the British, 289; Disaffection of the Inhabitants, 291; Com-
mittee of Safety, 292; Governor Claiborne, 297; Situation of New
Orleans, 299; Jackson's Force, 301; Governor Shelby's Patriotism,
302; Fortifications, 305; Gunboat Action, 309; Loss of the Seahorse,
310; Commodore Patterson, 311; Address to the Troops, 312; Con-
duct of the Legislature, 317; Declaration of Martial Law, 318; Judge
Hall, 322; Landing of the British, 323; Plan of March, 327; Night
Action of the 23d December, 328; Jackson's Attack, 337; Defeat of
the British, 338; Fortifying, 339; Effects of the Battle, 341.
NEW ORLEANS-BATTLE OF THE FIRST OF JANUARY.
The Invading Army, 345; Jackson's Preparations, 347; Lafitte, 348;
Baratarians, 349; British Offers eluded, 352; Lafitte joins the Ameri-
cans, 353; British attack the works, 357; Colonel Henderson killed,
359; British erect Batteries, 361; Attempt on Jackson's Life, 361;
Battle of January 1st, 361; Defence of the Swamp, 363; Jackson's
Second Line, 367; Reinforcements, 369; Defence of the Right Bank,
371; Battle of the 8th of January, 373; Havoc among the British,
379: Fall of Packenham, Keane, and Gibbs, 378; Retreat of the
British, 379; Death of Colonel Rennie, 380; Action on the Right
Bank, 380; Loss of the British, 385; Burying the Dead, 389; Retreat
of the British, 393; Bombardment of Fort St. Philip, 395; Jackson's
Return to New Orleans, 397; Peace announced, 401; Army Dis-
banded, 405; Return to Nashville, 406.
Jackson appointed Commander-in-chief of the Southern division, 410;
Visit to Washington, 411; Visit to New Orleans, 413; Indian Treaty,
415; Condition of Florida, 417; Indian Depredations, 421; Destruc
tion of the Negro Fort, 425; M'Krimmon's Rescue, 427; Surprise of
Lieutenant Scott, 429; Gaines enters Florida, 431; Jackson takes
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