Andrew Jackson (Great Generals)

225 Pages·2008·1.1 MB·English

by  Robert V. Remini

Andrew Jackson

Robert V. Remini
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Andrew
Jackson
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THE GREAT GENERALS SERIES
This distinguished new series features the lives of eminent mili-
tary leaders who changed history in the United States and
abroad. Top military historians write concise but comprehensive
biographies including the personal lives, battles, strategies, and
legacies of these great generals, with the aim to provide back-
ground and insight into today’s armies and wars. These books
are of interest to the military history buff, and, thanks to fast-
paced narratives and references to current affairs, they are also
accessible to the general reader.
Pattonby Alan Axelrod
Grantby John Mosier
Eisenhowerby John Wukovits
LeMayby Barrett Tillman
MacArthurby Richard B. Frank
Stonewall Jacksonby Donald A. Davis
Bradley by Alan Axelrod
Pershingby Jim Lacey
Shermanby Steven E. Woodworth
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Andrew
Jackson
Robert V. Remini
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ANDREWJACKSON
Copyright © Robert V. Remini, 2008.
All rights reserved.
First published in 2008 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the
US–a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10010.
Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the
world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan
Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998,
of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS.
Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above
companies and has companies and representatives throughout the
world.
Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United
States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries.
ISBN-13: 978-0-230-60015-7
ISBN-10: 0-230-60015-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Remini, Robert Vincent, 1921–
Andrew Jackson / Robert V. Remini ; foreword by General Wesley
K. Clark.
p. cm.
ISBN 0-230-60015-8
1. Jackson, Andrew, 1767–1845—Military leadership.
2. Generals—United States—Biography. 3. Command of
troops—Case studies. 4. United States. Army—Biography.
5. Tennessee. Militia—Biography. 6. Indians of North America—
Wars. 7. United States—History, Military. 8. Presidents—
United States—Biography. I. Title.
E382.R415 2008
973.5’6092—dc22
[B]
2008000394
A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library.
Design by Letra Libre
First edition: September 2008
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America.
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For Ruth
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Contents
Foreword—General Wesley K. Clark ix
Introduction 1
Chapter 1. The Indian Fighter 5
Chapter 2. The Creek War 41
Chapter 3. The Battle of New Orleans 79
Chapter 4. The First Seminole War 123
Chapter 5. The End of Military Service 165
Chapter 6. The Military Legacy 175
Notes 183
Index 197
The photosection appears between pages 122 and 123
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Foreword
EVERYYEARINMOSTSTATES, DEMOCRATSFLOCKTOTHEIRan-
nualJefferson-Jackson dinners. The emphasis is on Thomas Jefferson,
of course, considered the founding father of the Democratic Party. Al-
most forgotten is the military record and legacy of Andrew Jackson,
America’s seventh president and perhaps greatest military hero before
to the American Civil War.
Robert Remini’s sparkling biography of Andrew Jackson helps set
the record straight and reinvigorate Jackson’s military legacy for mod-
ern Americans. More than anyone else, it was Jackson, through a com-
bination of military leadership, inspired vision, and strong personality,
who insured that America retained its independence, drove out Euro-
pean rivals. Under his leadership, America’s influence grew to eventu-
ally span the entire continent.
Jackson’s was a classic American success story: a young man born
into poverty, orphaned, struggling against severe tribulations, and ulti-
mately rising to the highest levels of success. As a youngster during the
Revolutionary War, Jackson lost his mother and two brothers. His fa-
ther had died just before he was born. Like other lads, he worked as a
messenger around the American troops, was captured by the Brits, and
“bladed” by a British officer for refusing to polish his boots. It was