like all around him, a soldier, and one whose activity and resolution soon made him as conspicuous as he was useful. The progress which he made in public estimation, by his abilities and services, is marked by his election, in 1796, to the Convention assembled to frame a constitution for the state. In this body he acquired additional distinction, which placed him, the same year, in Congress, in the House of Representatives, and the following year, in the Senate of the United States. He acted invariably with the Republican party in the National Legislature, but grew tired of an unavailing struggle in a small minority, and of a scene of discussion and intrigue for which he did not deem himself as well fitted as the successor, for whose sake, no less than for his own gratification, he resigned his post in 1799. We have heard some gentlemen who were members of Congress during the time he remained in it, remark that he was generally esteemed for the soundness of his understanding, and the moderation of his demeanour. Though stedfast and earnest as a party politician, he manifested neither violence nor illiberality. While a senator, he was chosen by the field officers of the Tennessee militia, without consultation with him, major-general of their division, and so remained until 1814, when he took the same rank in the service of the United States. On his resignation as senator, he was appointed one of the judges of the supreme court of Tennessee. He accepted this appointment with reluctance, and withdrew from the bench as soon as possible, with the determination to spend the rest of his life in tranquillity and seclusion, on a beautiful farm belonging to him, and lying on the Cumberland river about ten miles from Nashville. In this retreat he passed several years, happy in the indulgence of his, fondness for rural occupations, and in the society of an affectionate wife and a number of honest friends. His quiet felicity was, however, broken up by the occurrence of the war with Great Britain. It roused his martial and patriotic temper; and when the acts of Congress (of the 6th February, and July 1812) which authorize the President to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers, were promulgated, Jackson published an energetic address to the militia of his division, drew two thousand five hundred of them to his standard, and tendered them without delay to the federal government. In November, he received orders to descend the Mississippi, for the defence of the lower country, which was then thought to be in danger. In January, in a very inclement season, he conducted his troops as far as Natchez, where he was instructed to remain until otherwise directed. Here he employed himself indefatigably, in training and preparing them for service. But, the danger which was meant to be repelled, having ceased to exist, in the opinion of the secretary of war, he received instruc

tions, from the latter, to dismiss, at once, from service, those under his command. The number of sick in his camp was great, and they were destitute of the means of defraying the expenses of their return home: The rest of his troops, from the same dearth of resources, must have enlisted in the regular army, under General Wilkinson. Jackson felt himself responsible for the restoration of them to their families and friends, and, therefore, resolved to disobey the orders of the department of war, whose head could not be acquainted with the circumstances of the case. He retained as much of the public property in his possession, as was necessary to his purpose of marching them back. Wilkinson remonstrated and admonished in vain. Jackson replied that he would bear all the responsibility-he refused to allow Wilkinson's officers, when commissioned, to recruit from his army; seized upon the waggons required for the transportation of his sick, and set out with the whole of his force. He gave up his own horses to the infirm, and shared in all the hardships of the soldiers in a long and arduous march. It was at a time of the year when the roads and the swamps, to be trodden, were in the worst condition. His example silenced all complaint, and endeared him the more to his companions. On his arrival at Nashville he communicated to the President of the United States what he had done, and the reasons by which he had been guided. His conduct was approved of at Washington, and the expenses, which he had incurred, directed to be paid. We have mentioned this affair particularly, because it is the most remarkable among the first instances in his history, of that lofty independence in judgment and action, and that disdain of consequences in the discharge of a paramount duty, which have since signalized his career both military and civil.

We have now reached what may be called the second principal era of his life.

The British and the celebrated Tecumseh had stirred up the Creek nation of Indians, parties of whom made irruptions into the state of Tennessee, committing the most barbarous outrages upon defenceless and insulated families. Having obtained a supply of ammunition from the Spaniards, at Pensacola, a band of six or seven hundred warriors assaulted Fort Mimms, situated in the Tensaw settlement, in the Mississippi Territory, succeeded in carrying it, and butchered nearly all its inmates; three hundred persons, including women and children. Only seventeen of the whole number escaped to spread intelligence of the dreadful catastrophe. The news produced the strongest sensation in Tennessee; and all eyes were, at once, turned to Jackson as the leader of the force which must be sent forth to overtake and punish the miscreants. He was, at this time, con

fined to his chamber with a fractured arm and a wound in the breast, injuries received in a private rencontre. It was resolved by the legislature to call into service thirty-five hundred of the militia, to be marched into the heart of the Creek nation, conformably to the advice of Jackson, who, notwithstanding the bodily ills under which he laboured, readily undertook the chief command in the expedition. He issued an eloquent and nervous address to the troops, on the day of the rendezvous, in which he told them, among other things-"We must and will be victorious we must conquer as men who owe nothing to chance; and, who, in the midst of victory, can still be mindful of what is due to humanity." On the 7th October, 1813, he reached the encampment, although his health was far from being restored. It would require too much space to follow him in all the movements of a campaign, in which he appears as a most skilful commander, vigilant disciplinarian, and dauntless soldier. He had to contend not only with a formidable enemy, but with raw and mutinous followers and the severest personal hardships. The most fatiguing and prolonged marches over mountains and through morasses; the frequent and almost total want of food of any kind; the failure of contractors; the inefficiency or defection of higher officers, and a protracted and perilous absence from home, extenuate the occasional despondency and disobedience of the privates of his division. Under the worst circumstances, he displayed the utmost resolution and fortitude, and by his inflexible spirit and tone of perseverance, he brought the enterprise to the most satisfactory issue.

The first battle which he fought, in person, on this occasion, was that of Talladega, a fort of the friendly Cherokee Indians, distant about thirty miles below Fort Strother, on the north bank of the river Coosa. The Creeks were posted within a quarter of a mile of Fort Talladega, in considerable force. At seven o'clock in the morning, Jackson's columns were displayed in order of battle. At about eight, his advance having arrived within eighty yards of the enemy, received a heavy fire, which they instantly returned, and the engagement soon became general. In fifteen minutes the Creeks were seen flying in every direction, and were pursued until they reached the mountains, at the distance of three miles. Their numbers amounted to one thousand and eighty, of whom two hundred and ninety-nine were left dead on the ground. Their whole loss, in the engagement and retreat, as since stated by themselves, was not less than six hundred. On the side of the Americans, fifteen were killed and eighty wounded; and several of the latter soon died. The fort was full of friendly Indians, who had been besieged for several days, and would have been all massacred, VOL. I.-No. I.

10

but for the arrival and victory of General Jackson. Want of provisions compelled him to hasten back, after collecting his dead and wounded, to Fort Strother. He particularly lamented the necessity of this step, as it gave the enemy time to recover from their consternation and recruit their strength.

At Fort Strother, no stores were found by the famished army on their return, owing to the delinquency of the contractors. Jackson distributed all his own supplies to the suffering soldiers-tripes constituted his sole food for several days. Scarcity engendered discontent and revolt in the camp. The officers and soldiers of the militia determined to abandon the service. On the morning when they were to carry their intention into effect, General Jackson drew up the volunteer companies in front of them, with a mandate to prevent their progress-they had not courage to advance. They returned to their quarters, but, on the next day, the very volunteers who had been so employed, mutinied in their turn and designed to move off in a body. Their surprise was not slight, when, on attempting this, they found the same men whom they had intercepted the day before, occupying the very position which they had done, for a similar purpose. The militia were glad to retaliate, and the result was the same. Jackson was obliged however, to withdraw with the troops from Fort Strother, towards Fort Deposit, upon the condition, that if they met supplies, which were expected, they would return and prosecute the campaign. They had not proceeded more than ten or twelve miles before they met one hundred and fifty beeves; but their faces being once turned homewards, they resisted his order to march back to the encampment. The scene which ensued is characteristic as to his firmness and decision. A whole brigade had put itself in an attitude for moving off forcibly. Jackson was still without the use of his left arm; seizing a musket, and resting it with his right on the neck of his horse, he threw himself in front of the column and threatened to shoot the first man who should attempt to advance. Major Reid, his aid-de-camp, and General Coffee placed themselves by his side. For several minutes the column preserved a menacing attitude, yet hesitated to proceed. In the mean time, those who remained faithful to their duty, amounting to about two companies, were collected, and formed at a short distance in advance of the troops, with positive directions to imitate the example of the general, if the mutineers persisted. These, when no individual appeared bold enough to press onward, at length wavered, and then soon turned quietly round and agreed to submit. It was a critical instant; but for the firmness of Jackson, the campaign would

have been broken up, and there was no likelihood of its being resumed.

A third considerable mutiny which happened not long after, was suppressed by personal efforts of the same kind. The appeals which he made to his troops at these periods, are elevated and glowing compositions. The governor of Tennessee transmitted to him advice to desist from the further prosecution of the campaign, on account of his manifold embarrassments and inadequate means. Jackson replied to him, repelling his sug gestion, and urging him to lend assistance to sustain the honour of Tennessee, and protect the frontiers from thousands of exasperated savages. This wise and urgent remonstrance finally procured for him reinforcements; or rather, substitutes for the companies, which he deemed it advisable to dismiss in consequence of their disaffection.

Once more, in the middle of January, 1814, he was on his march, bending his course to a part of the Tallapoosa river, near the mouth of a creek called Emuckfaw. On the 21st, he discovered that he was in the neighbourhood of the enemy. About midnight his spies came in and reported that they had discovered a large encampment of Indians, at about three miles distance, who, from their whooping and dancing, were, no doubt, apprised of his arrival upon the eminences of Emuckfaw. At the dawn of day the alarm guns of the sentinels, and the shrieks and savage yells of the enemy announced an assault. The action raged for an half hour, when the Indians were put to the rout. General Coffee, with four hundred men, was detached to destroy the enemy's encampment. He found it too strong to be assailed with that force, and had scarcely returned, when the savages renewed their attack with increased numbers and the greatest impetuosity. The whole day was spent in severe fighting, attended by the destruction of a multitude of the assailants. They were quiet during the night; but, Jackson perceiving that his provisions were growing scarce and that his wounded required immediate care, determined on the next day to retrace his steps. The retreat began at ten o'clock, and was continued, without interruption, until night, when the army was encamped a quarter of a mile on the south side of Enotichopco creek, in the direction of the ford by which they had already passed. The next day, after the front guard and part of the columns had crossed, the enemy, who had been in pursuit, rushed from coverts upon the rear and threw the guard into confusion. Jackson was just passing the stream when the firing and yelling commenced. He repaired instantaneously to the place of action; formed the columns anew, and put them in motion, in the midst of showers of balls. The savages, being