V
I h 0^
V
^ THE KEW YORK
t PUBLIC LIBRARY
A6TOR, LENOX
TILD.EN > GUN DATIONS i
Death of Tecumseh, Oct. Wi, 1813. P. 154.
Burning of the frigate Philadelphia, Feb. 1804. P. 196,
"" ' tlA^.-
THE KEV/ YORK
f PUBLIC LIBRARY
1
ASTOR, LENOX
ITT-LDEN FOUNDATIONS i
E^^
*
PRESIL^E^TT Or THE UlIITED STATES.
From 4 '''March 1829. W March 4 '^18S7.
THE
GLORY OF AMEEICA;
COMFBISING
MEMOIRS
OF THE
LIVES AND GLORIOUS EXPLOITS
OF so:je of the
DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS
EHGAOED IN THK
LATE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
AMONG WHICH AP^
.Andrew Jackson, Richard Mr^ntor Johnson, Stepiien Decatur, David PcTter, Zebuion Montgonary Pike,
Leon-ird CoWngton, Joha ' "h-ystie, AViliiam Henry Alien, John Gushing Aylwin, William Burrows, Jame
^ iLawrence, WiUiain Baiiibrid^e, Eleszsr \Vlieelock Ripley, Thomas Macdonough, AVm. Carrol], Jacob Brown,
John Rogers, James Biille, ^yinfield Scott, Lewis Warrington, George Croglian, Henry H. Dearbore,
Alesander Macomb, OUver Hazard Perry. Jacob Jones, Isaac Hall, Joseph Warren, Richard Montgomar,
Daniel Morgan, John Barry, John Maniy, Baron De Kaib, William Heath. Aathoiiy Wayne, Cl;arle* Lee,
Nathaniel Green, Nicholas Bildle, Thomas Truxton, Hagh Mercer.
EMBELLISHED WITH PLATES FROM ORIGINAL DESIGK8,
BY R. THOMAS, A. M.
PUBLISHED BY EZRA STRONCi, . ' .'i,''^. "
1S43.
THS NEW YORK
I ASTOR, LENOX AND
I TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
|R 1919 L
En.ered according to the Actof (/ongress, in the year 1833, by Ezra Strong,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court o( the Southern District of New
York.
. .
*..:
;-i
t
PREFACE.
If, among readers, as some very shrewdly imagine, the
greater part would willingly dispense with a preface, the
fact is certain, that whatever may be their wishes, or,
mayhap, their caprices, few authors or editors are willing
to dispense with this preliminary to a hook. My own plea
if plea be required is necessity, a necessity growing
out of the circumstances under which the work was per-
formed ; the writing of which is more for the edification
of the reader, than to please the fancy of the editor.
Few^ if any, who are not experimentally taught the
lesson, have any adequate conception of the difficulties
under which an editor labours, in compiling a work con-
sisting of biographical sketches of various individuals,
residing, or acting, in different sections of an extensive
country, with, few of whom he can be personally acquaint-
ed. If every Johnson has not a Boswell, neither has
every Washington a Marshall and a Weems, nor every
revolution a Thacher. But still biographers must toil,
and che public will read ; and till writers shall be endued
with the power of ubiquity, and the gift of annihilating
both time and space, errors will unavoidably occur in
their works ; the captious will cavil ; and the ill natured,
who perhaps can hardly pen a sentence of good English,
will be furnished with abundant matter on which to veni
the^r harmless venom.
In preparing the following pages for publication, three
points have been constantly in view : 1st. To obtain aU
PREFACE.
the information relative to the different subjects, which
was within reach ; to compare and digest which has cost
much labour and care. 2dly. To search for truth;
and, 3dly, To choose the best language in which to con-
vey the information thus obtained.
The materials are principally gathered from the cur-
rent publications of the day, which are sometimes too
loosely written at others, penned with evident partiality
or prejudice, and occasionally so embellished with altilo-
quence, or garnished with superlatives, as to appear rather
as the work of an exuberant imagination, than like a re-
lation of substantial and indisputable facts. Amidst these
various difficulties, more than human ken is requisite to
guide the inquiring mind to the fount of truth. If, on
this, or any other point, mistakes shall be discovered, the
editor claims the meed furnished by the poet
" Who does the best his circumstance allows,
Does well, acts nobly ; angels could no more."
In the present enlightened age, perhaps an error in the
use of lanoTiage will be the least likely to escape censure
albeit, the most classical scholars often use the very
rudiments of literature with the carelessness of sciolists.
To these censures, should they pass on this work, the
editor will certainly not plead ignorance. Confident of
possessing the power to write correctly, and to thread the
sense of the worst penned paragraphs if sense they con-
tainin case of failure on this point, he will plead guilty.
But, if the re-construction of whole paragraphs, which
were too ill-constructed for emendation, and numerous
marginal corrections, are any proof of good intention, and
industry, the reasons for fault-finding on this score, will
be " few and far between."
PREFACE.
One error relative to the facts as stated in the account
of the capture of the President, has escaped in the pro-
gress of the work, which is here corrected. The Peacoclc
and Hornet did not accompany the President, though
their appointed rendezvous was at the same place. Other
similar nnstakes may probably have occurred, the impor-
tance of which, even if they should be detected, is of little
consequence to the reader. A knowledge of ,h; principal
facts IS all which the nature of the cas^ requires On a
trial before a court martial, the case would assume a dif-
lerent aspect.
Perhaps a better opportunity will not offer to remark
on the general tendency of the martial spirit engendered
''JTof, '""'"'T '^' '^=^- - ''-ff-ts'so far as
affairs of honour" are concerned. That duels which
occur in the service are mostly the offspring of an over-
weening pride-jealousy of compeers m the i-ace of Wor.
-IS equally obvious, as that the desire of distinction: per
haps, makes as many heroes as the love of country. So
far as this principle animates to mortal combat, in so far
does 1 detract from the merit supposed to actuate th se
ottrrTtt'ir"'""' ""*" '" ^^f - f *-
country. That the power over life and hmb, which is
perhaps unavoidably, connected with naval and milita y
ZZ 'th ? "" '''' '""'' ' despotism-that those
^^'ho fi^nd themselves invested with this power, often for-
get right-we have all seen, and thousands have felt it
as a curse That the compulsion to submit to that disci-
pline which sinks the citize. into the .nere soldier, is un-
a wt '^^^''''^''' ^vhich is uniformly accompanied
by the higher virtues, is obvious at the first blush To
say nothing of the ether " thousand ills" of which war i?
f) PREFACE.
the cause, are not these considerations sufficient to call
into action all the resources of human genius, all the
better principles of humane and intelligent beings, for its
extinction 7
Little appropriate as some of these remarfe may seem
to be for an introduction to tales of blood-stained weapons,
and ensanguined fields, they may not, perhaps, be the
less pertment and useful. Inquiiy on every topic connect-
ed \\'ith man's happiness and interests is travelling with
accelerated velocity, "the schoolmaster is'' emphatically
" abroad,"- and man seems lately to have arisen from the
torpor of ages, the mental charnel house, to a new and
hitherto unknown state of intellectual activity. May we
not hope that the prophecy shall yet be literally fulfilled,
that nation shall not rise against nation, nor ever more
practise the art of human butchery 1
THE
GLORY OF AMERICA.
ANDREW JACKSON.
In whatever sphere of life a man lias become con-
spicuous, whether m the department of literature, of art
or o( scjence-whether he shines in the cabinet, or in ?he
field-the cimosity natural to our species is exc ted. to in-
?vkr hif ^'' .''"' ^"'^ *^ circumstances connected
ou"ht o hf'^'^/fi /'"? '^^''' ^^'"'^ i laudable-it
Sr Jj f'T^''^ more particularly so when the
subject ot biography has arisen from apparent obscurity
wh^chT;' """'' "fo^Phanage, to thi'highest hZu^^
which freemen can bestow. We have laid this pro-
pensity is natural and laudable, and so far as informadon
IS within our power, it shall be gratified. '^ation
Tile father of the subject of the present memoir emi-
Ke veri7rt"V"* \'''. ^"'' ^"'J '- " - "-
fL, fl^ , ^/- ^^ ^''"^^'^ in South Carolina, about
Mar\h75]'^^/'"^?^'"'^^"' ^^*^^^ A~ - - -a^ born
March 15, 1^6/. While yet a child, his father died in
consequence of which his two elder broth" s received
Sy at tL w/""'''' ^''"^i"'''' '^^' P'^'^^d at an aca-
Mr Humnhril ?^ meeting-house, under the care of a
liberal eZnVfnn v ' ^ T'''^"'^ ^"^ rudiments of a
S office Th ^?*er designing him for the minis-
ISnn nf h ^ ^-evolution, which ended in the eman-
iipation of his country from British thraldom, h .vin^
8 GLORY OF AMERICA/
besfiin, his studies were interrupted by the ravages of a
ruthless enemy, who made an incursion into that quarter
of his native state. Consequently, witli his brotiier Robert,
by his mother's permission, he joined the American army
at fourteen vears of age. His eldest brother had pre-
viouslv pursued the same course, and died of heat and
fatio^-^e at the battle of Stono.
i^lie superiority of the British, in numbers and disci-
pline, caused the Americans to retire into ]N'orth Carolina,
from which they returned to South Carolina in small
parties, after they had learned that the British, under
CornwaUis, had crossed the Yadkin. Lord Rawdon was
then in possession of Camden, and had desolated the sur-
rounding countiy.
In the attack upon the "Waxsaw settlers after their re-
turn, a party of the British, under a ^lajor Coffin, captured
the two young Jacksons. While prisoners, both were
severely wounded with swords by two British officers, for
refusing to perform menial services required of then..
The wound of Andrew was in his left hand, that of his
brother on his head, which terminated his existence
shortly after their exchano;e. which took place a few days
before the memorable battle of Camden. Worn down
with grief and affliction, his mother expired shortly after,
near Charleston, leaving Andrew an unprotected orphaJi,
then conffiied to a bed of sickness, which had nearly closed
his sorrows and his life.
After his recovery, he did not again join the army, but
expended without restraint a part of his patrimony before
reflection had warned him of the consequences. Finding,
however, that his exertions alone were to waft him throuofh
the tumultuous sea of life, he returned to his studies at ]N'ew
Acquisition, near Hill's iron works, under a ]Mr. ]\rCulloch.
Here he completed his academic course as far as the
place in vdiich he lived, and his limited means, would
permit. Havinof relinquished all thoughts of the clerical
profession, in 17S4, at the age of eiofhteen, he repaired to
Salisbuiy. North Carolina, and studied law under Spruce
jM'Kay, Esq., and afterwards under Colonel Jolui Stokes.
In the Tvinter of 1786. he was licensed to plead at the bar.
MEMOIRS OF ANDREW JACKSON.
and remained at Salisbury until 1788, Tvhen he accom-
panied Judge M'Nairy to the state of Tennessee. Although
it was his intention to return, he was so well pleased vvfth
the place, that he determined to make Nashville his future
residence Here the road to preferment was open and
plain and his industry and application to business, soon
paved the way for his future elevation. He was several
years attorney for the district wherein he resided The
trontiers of Tennessee were much indebted to his enersr
and patriotism for defence against the remorseless depre-
dations Oi tiie savages. When that section of the United
fetates was about to be admitted a separate member of
the federative body, in 1796, he was chosen a member of
the Gonveniion for the formation of the State Consti-
tution. 1 he same year he was elected one of the Re-
presentatives in Congress from Tennessee, and in the
lollowin^ year the Legislature of that state appointed him
one of Its members m the Senate of the United States.
1 his SI nation he resigned in 1 799. He succeeded Major-
Creneral Conway m the command of the mihtia of that
state, which formed but one division. He retained his
commission of Major-General of militia, until May 1814
wheri he was appointed to the same rank in the army of
?r.h Q f^^T'r. ^.^i^e^iateiy after he resigned his seat
m the Senate of the United States, he was appointpd to a
seat on the l^ench of the Supreme Court of the state of
- Tennessee. This he likewise held but a short time, and
retired to a handsome farm about ten miles from Nash-
ville, on Cumberland river.
The clouds which had hovered over the pohtical hori-
zon of America for some years, at last burst furiously into
a tornado, and war was declared by the American Go-
vernment against Great Britain, on the 18th of June. 1812
^non ti^ X^''''%^ '''^^^ ^^ the manifold injuries heaped
I pon it^ citizens from a spirit of commercial jealousy by
tett^^nJ^F/'"'^ ^^^^- ^^^^ unjustifiable con-
es with France. His mihtary talents unfolded themselves
m the various occasions he had to inflict chastisement on
Z Sr^tllet.'^^^^^ ''' ''-'''''''^^ ^^^ -P-^ ^'
[0 GLORY OF AMERICA.
Conorress havins; passed two laws in the year 1812,
authorfzing the President of the United States to accept
the services of fifty thousand vokmteers, General Jackson
addressed the militia of his division on the subject, and
Uventy-five hundred, with himself at their head, tendered
their services to their country.
This offer being accepted, in November of the same
year, he was directed to descend the Mississippi with this
force, for the defence of the lower country, which ap-
peared to be menaced.
The troops accordincrly met at Nashville on the lUtnot
December, ready to proceed to the place of destination.
The weather was at that time severe, and the ground
covered with snow. However, they began to descend the
Ohio on the 7th of January, and having reached the
Mississippi, they descended to Natchez, where his orders
directed him to halt and wait for farther instructions.
He encamped his troops on a healthy spot, two miles from
Washington, Mississippi territory. Here he received an
order from the War Department, dated January 5th, di-
rectino- him to dismiss them, in consequence of the
cessatfon of the cause which called for their services in
that quarter, and directinc: him to deliver to General
AVilkinson. the United States' commanding officer in that
section, all the public property in his possession. At this
time he had one hundred and fifty men on his sick list,
fifty-six of whom were confined to their beds. This, with
the low state in which many were placed with regard to
their finances, and the promise he had made their relations
to act the father to them, determined him not to obey so im-
politic and so unjust an order, as that which had emanated
from the Secretary at War, the author of " the Newburgh
Letters," so famed as the sticlder for '' soldiers' rights" ot
which determination he made the War Department duly
acquainted. .
An attempt was made at this time to enlist men Irom
his corps for the res^ular army, whicli he totally prohibited,
determining to carrv^ with him such of the United States
property as'' was necessary for the return of his forces to
their original place of rendezvous prior to their discharge.
MEMOIRS OF ANDREW JACKSON. 11
His resolve to disobey his instructions from the War
Department respecting the discharge of his men at that
distance from their homes, he communicated to his field
officers, whom he had convoked for the purpose ; and not-
withstanding their assent, three of his Colonels, Martin,
Allcorn, and Bradley, with some platoon officers, veiled
with the mantle of night, retired into conclave, the result
of wliose deliberations was, a recommendation to him of an
immediate discharge of his troops in compliance with his
orders. This duplicity of conduct he treated with the in-
dignation he conceived it merited.
When once taken, his resolution was as unalterable ^
the laws of the Medes and Persians. Notwithstandino- the
remonstrative letter of General Wilkinson, General Jack-
son ordered the quarter-master to furnish the means neces-
sary to convey the sick and baggage of his army back to
Tennessee. Seeming to comply, the quarter-master pro-
cured eleven wagons, but on the day allotted for the troops
to commence their return march, he came forward and
discharged them all, in order to defeat the General's in-
tention, by which it was judo^ed the regular army mio-ht
procure a multitude of recruits, General Jackson, how-
ever, seized upon the wagons ere they left his encampment
and thus frustrated a design the quarter-master had in
view I of which disappointment the latter informed Gene-
ral Wilkinson by express.
He arrived with his troops at Nashville, in May foUow-
nig, when he disbanded them according to order, with the
exception of place and time, and advised the President of
the United States of the course he had pursued, and his
reasons therefor. On the march he deprived himself of
the comforts allotted his rank for the benefit of the sick
Tneir repose was but of short duration. The Creek In-
dians between the Chatahoochee and Tombigbee rivers
be^ran to manifest strong symptoms of a hostile conduct
towards their white neighbours in the United States, and
this was by no means allayed by the conduct of the North-
ern tribes, who, at the instigation of Great Britain, were
preparmg to " let slip the dogs of war" on the frontier set-
tlements of the United States.
12 GLORY OF AMERICA.
At this time appeared among the Shawanees, an impos-
tor, calUng himself - the Prophet/* who, at the mstigation
of I3ritish asfents, urged the various tribes to hft tlie toma-
hawk, and no longer smoke the calumet of peace. The
brother of this villain, named Tecumseh. was sent to the
Southern Indians to excite a like hostile temper. To effect
these objects everv' artifice which duplicity and cunning
could susrgest was resorted to, and the success of these
machinations was evinced in the manifold cruelties exer-
cised on those whom the fortune of war threw into their
vray. On the decrepitude of old age or the imbecihty of
infancy, ahke did the savages display their hellish refine-
ments ill torture and death. At first these intrigues were
veiled in secrecy : and the garb of deceit was first thro-^^ii
aside at Fort ]\Iimms, on the 30th of August, when the sa
vaofes havins: provided themselves with arms and ammu-
nition from the Spaniards at Pensacola, slaughtered in the
most cruel and ferocious manner nearly three hundred
men, women, and children, who had fled thither for safety,
seventeen only escaping to bear the doleful tale to the
United States.
The news of the massacre at Fort Mimms electrified, as
it were, the wliole state of Tennessee to avenge their mur-
dered brethren. The Legislature of that state enacted a
law, authorizing the Stale Executive to call into actual
service three thousand five hundred militia, for the purpose
of cariying devastation and the sword into the heart of the
Creek countiy, and appropriated .9300.000 for their equip-
ment and support. The Creeks were divided into two
parties ; the war party prevailed, and the other looked to
the United States'for protection. The war party had ga-
thered a formidable body, and were directing their course
towards the frontiers of Tennessee, vrhen the governor of
that state issued his order to General Jackson to call out
immediately two thousand militia, to render\'0us at Fay-
ette ;ville. Jackson, at this time, was confined in conse-
quonce of a fractured arm received in a duel a short time
before.
Notwithstanding" this, he with alacrity obeyed the call.
Yk ordered Colonel Cofiee with his cavalry, five hundred
MEMOIRS OF ANDREW JACKSON". 13
Strong, and mounted riflemen, to proceed with all speed to
Huntsville, in order to cover the frontier until the infantry
could come up with them. A part of this latter force was
composed of the volunteers who had descended the Mis-
sissippi with Jackson the preceding season. The 4th of
October was the time appointed for their assemblage.
The General had not sufficiently recovered from his
wound w^ien the day for assemblage arrived. He conse-
quently addressed them on the subject of the campaign
through the medium of his aid, Major Reid.
His first care was tlie establishment of strict and whole-
some regulations in camp, which he caused to be rigidly
observed.
The greatest obstacles he encountered in this campaign
proceeded from the contractor's department, the direction
of which he was obliged to change more than once.
The friendly Creeks acted in unison, and served as spies
in conveying information regarding the situation of the
war party. The Ten Islands seemed to be their place of
rendezvous, and to this place was the march of the army
directed. They had reached almost to the Coosa river,
and as yet, the East Tennessee troops had not formed a
junction. On the march, the 28th October, twenty-nine
prisoners of both sexes, and all ages, were brought into
camp, from Littafuchee, a to^vn on the head of Canoe
Creek, which empties into the Coosa, by a detachment of
two hundred cavalry, under Colonel Dyer, despatched for
the purpose. Failures of contracts continued to obstruct
the march of the army.
In the beginning of November, General Jackson learn-
ed from some prisoners and negroes, that the enemy were
posted in force at Tallushatchee, distant about thirteen
miles, on the south banks of the Coosa. General Coffee,
with a body of nine hundred men, was sent to dislodi^e
them. This service he completely effected, having Idlled
one hundred and eighty-six, and taken eighty-four women
and children prisoners, with the loss of five killed and
forty-one wounded. His dead being buried, and his
wounded taken care of, he joined the main army the same
evenino-.
y
14 GLORY OF AMERICA.
General Jackson took the necessary steps to create a
depot at the Ten Islands, on the north side of the Coosa,
supported by strong 2:)icketmg and a chain of block-houses.
He then desio;ned to descend the Coosa to its confluence
with the Tallapoosa, near which he was informed the sa-
Yaofes were in force. The army exerted their strenoih in
hasteninof the execution of the General's design, and the
works were dignified with the name of ' Fort Strother."
On the 7th of December, in the evening, he was advised
of a hostile force collected about thirty miles below, which
meditated an attack on Talladeg-a, in Avhich the friendly
Lidians were shut, momently expecting an assault.
Notwithstanding the disappointment he experienced
from the jealous conduct of General Cocke, who was of
equal grade with himself. General Jackson moved his
force judiciously to attack the enemy, in their then position,
before they attempted an assault upon the friendly Creeks,
or by a circuitous movement, could steal upon his en-
campment at Fort Strother. Arrived in the vicinity- of
Talladega, eveiy disposition of force vras made to ensure
\'ictory. The attack beofan. The savage foe was routed,
and victor\' vras complete. The enemy numbered one
thousand and eighty, of whom two hundred and ninety-
nine were left dead on the field : m.any were 1-iilled in the
flight, and few escaped unhurt. Not less than six hun-
dred were left useless, while the Americans lost but fifteen
killed and eighty wounded, several of whom afterwards
died.
To detail the difficulties General Jackson had to en-
counter m providing sustenance for his troops, in quelling
mutinies, resulting from deprivations, and in surmounting
difficulties, springing from the jealousies of rival officers,
would too far exceed the limits of this work, which con-
"sequently confines the writer to a brief sketch of the more
important transactions of his life. It is sufficient to men-
tion, that the conduct of General Cocke to weave for him-
self a distinct chaplet for his own brow, was deleterious to
the public service, and in a great degi'ee marred the ope-
rations of General Jackson, who, if well seconded by his
contractors, and the troops under the General from East
MEMOIRS OF ANDREW JACKSON. 15
Tennessee, would have inflicted an early castigation,
greater by far than they experienced at Talladega, and
have put a speedy termination to the Creek war. Thus
would many valuable lives have been saved to families
and to ihe State, which were immolated on the altar of a