Despite being a “common man” with little military experience, Andrew Jackson captured
the imagination of the country by attaining victories in a series of tide-turning battles
against various opponents.
What were some of his greatest achievements?
Although he had no formal military training, Andrew Jackson was appointed to the position
of major general of the Tennessee militia in 1802.
When the US went to war with Britain in 1812, Jackson saw opportunities not only for the
young American republic, but for himself personally.
In December of 1812, President James Madison ordered Jackson to lead 1,500 troops south
to Natchez and aid in the defense of New Orleans.
During the campaign, Jackson’s men marched through hostile Native American lands, and
the soldiers suffered tremendous hardships.
Not only did Jackson successfully lead the men to victory, but he also funded much of
the campaign himself.
He insisted on sharing in all the discomforts the troops faced, and the soldiers compared
Jackson’s toughness to a hickory tree and nicknamed him “Old Hickory.”
Despite the popularity Jackson enjoyed amongst his soldiers, leading troops and officers
on the frontier had many difficulties.
Due to the harsh conditions and scarcity of supplies, desertion was a constant problem.
Tensions were also high.
Upon returning to Tennessee, a quarrel between two of Jackson’s officers spilled over into
a gun battle in the streets of Nashville, and a gunshot wound from the fight left Jackson’s
left arm horribly wounded.
Yet, Jackson had little time to recover.
While still nursing his injury, word reached Tennessee of hundreds of settlers being massacred
by a hostile faction of Creek Indians at Fort Mims (in present-day Southern Alabama).
Jackson was ordered to put down the warring Creeks, known as the Red Sticks.
Despite his wounds, Jackson gathered his forces and marched south in a five-month campaign,
handily defeating the Creeks at Tallushatchee and Talladega.
The campaign culminated with Jackson’s army surrounding the remnants of the Creek forces
at Horseshoe Bend, killing 800 warriors.
The victory effectively ended the Creek War and led to the ceding of nearly 23 million
acres of Creek land to the US.
As a result of his success, Jackson was promoted to major general in the US Army.
With his new commission, Jackson found himself responsible for the defense of Tennessee,
Louisiana, and the Mississippi Territory.
Without being authorized to do so, Jackson took it upon himself to lead his army into
Spanish-held Florida to neutralize hostile forces there.
Jackson seized the outpost of Pensacola in November of 1814 and set out in pursuit of
British troops who were advancing on New Orleans.
For several weeks, Jackson’s ragtag army of volunteers skirmished with the enemy as
British forces attempted to find a way around the defenses of New Orleans.
Finally, perhaps in frustration, the British army launched a frontal assault on January
8, 1815.
Although outnumbered nearly two-to-one, Jackson’s 5,000 soldiers handed the British a devastating
defeat in the last major engagement of the War of 1812.
Jackson’s crushing victory ignited a wave of celebration and patriotism in America,
and the event made him a national hero.
He received the thanks of Congress, a gold medal, and command of the US Army’s Southern
Division.
Jackson, always ambitious, determined that he would use this commission to its fullest
potential.
Jackson believed that the US needed to secure its southern border, as Native Americans on
the frontier and Spanish possession of Florida posed security concerns.
Following a series of raids by Seminole Indians into Georgia, Jackson invaded Spanish Florida
to pursue the warriors.
After three months of fighting, Jackson declared his campaign a success and withdrew.
However, the event led to a realization for Spain that they could not defend Florida.
Spain ceded the territory to the United States when they signed the Adams-Onis Treaty in
1819, and Jackson reluctantly resigned his commission in the US Army to become the military
governor of Florida.
Jackson’s military achievements made him a household name, and the newfound fame brought
the general increased business and political opportunities.
He had whipped the British, put down Native American rebellions, expanded US territory,
and secured the southern border.
The new land and sense of security helped to fuel a “Cotton Boom” across the Deep
South, and the young nation began to push ahead with a newly-revived pioneer spirit.
The “common can” loved Andrew Jackson, and his countrymen would soon call on him
to be a candidate for President of the United States of America.