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settled in Jefferson County, N. Y., building the first human habitation within thirty miles of Lake Ontario. He was appointed a colonel of militia in 1809, and a brigadier-general in 1810. At the commencement of the war he was temporarily employed to defend the northern frontier from Oswego to St. Regis, which he did with success, defeating the British on the 4th of October, 1812, in their attack on Ogdensburg. At the expiration of his term he declined further service, unless given a commission in the regular army equal to his former rank. In the spring of 1813 General Brown, as a volunteer, took charge of the army, and successfully resisted the attack on Sackett's Harbor. In the same year he was appointed a brigadier, and in 1814 a major-general. Early in 1814 he took Fort Erie, and soon after fought with success the battle of Chippewa. The battle of Niagara was won by him on the 25th of July, 1814, where, for the first time, bayonets accomplished the work which bullets began. At the reduction of the army, General Brown was retained, and in 1821 became commander-in-chief. He was a wise and prudent general, and was remarkable for making the most of his means. His countrymen

were proud of him and his successes.

An order from the War Department announcing his death, drawn by General John A. Dix, then one of his aides, pays a most beautiful tribute to the services and memory of the deceased. In it is this sentence, "Quick to perceive, sagacious to anticipate, prompt to decide, and daring in execution, he was born with the qualities which constitute a great commander.”

38.-ANDREW JACKSON.

The name and character of Andrew Jackson are as widely known as any in our history. Every hamlet is familiar with both from Maine to the Pacific. General Jackson is a household word, and in matters of instructive sagacity, boldness, inflexible firmness, purity, patriotism, honesty, and faithfulness in friendships, his name is with the Americans a standard of comparison. In another part of this work we shall give sketches of his administration and political principles. We here give only a few dates and references to his military achievements.

He was born on the 15th of March, 1769, at Waxsaw, South Carolina, and died at the Hermitage, in Tennessee, on the 8th day of June, 1845. He commenced the study of the law in North Carolina in 1784, was admitted in 1786, and removed to Nashville, Tennessee, and began practice in 1788.

In 1796 he was elected to Congress, and the next year to the United States Senate. He soon resigned, alleging as a reason his distaste for the intrigues of politics. He was chosen major-general of the State militia, and held that office until called to the same rank in the regular army, in 1814.

On leaving the national Legislature, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the State, but soon resigned. He became distinguished in the Indian wars. He fought the great battle at New Orleans on the 8th of January, 1815. In 1823 he was elected to the United States Senate, but he resigned before serving out his second session, because his friends had made him a candidate for the presidency. At the election of 1824 he had a plurality of votes only, and the House elected Mr. Adams. In 1828 he was elected President, and in 1832 reëlected. He retired from office on the 4th of March, 1837, proceeded to the Hermitage, where he devoted himself to his private affairs until his death.

If our space would permit, we should feel a proud gratification in extending this list of officers of the army of 1812. It would give us pleasure to review the career of Jessup, Lawson, and Gibson, whose chivalrous conduct won them bureaus in the War Department, which they filled through life with high honor; of Croghan, who became an inspector-general. We would be glad to speak of McArthur, the younger Hull, and Cass, who since became so distinguished in civil life; of Harrison, who became President of Carroll, Coffee, and Houston, and a host of others. They all proved by their devotion to the public service, hazarding their lives for their country, that they had faith in the principles of Jefferson and Madison, and those associated with them in the Government. Their acts showed them to be supporters of true Democratic principles, whatever name politicians may have given them. They materially aided in securing to their countrymen

freedom and protection, enabling them to pursue happiness in their own way.

39.-ELEAZAR W. RIPLEY.

General Ripley was born in New Hampshire, in 1782, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1800. He studied law, and commenced practice in Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. He became a member of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1811, and was elected Speaker. At the commencement of the War of 1812, he received the appointment of lieutenant-colonel, and early in 1813, colonel, and in April, 1814, brigadier-general. None were more distinguished for soldierly qualities. At the battle of Chippewa he took a distinguished part, and contributed largely to our success. At Fort Erie he was conspicuous for his daring and zeal. He was most distinguished at the battle of Niagara, often called "Lundy's Lane.". Much of the hard fighting fell upon him and those under him, neither of whom flinched when bayonets were crossed. In this action he was severely wounded in the neck, greatly affecting the muscles. He was brevetted a major-general and furnished with a gold medal by Congress. At the reduction of the army in 1816 he was retained, but in 1820 voluntarily resigned, and removed to Louisiana, where he continued to reside until his death in 1839. For the last four years of his life he represented one of the Louisiana districts in Congress. A few years before his death his old wound in the neck seriously affected him, so much so, that he could not prevent a constant motion of his head. Without an application from him, but merely from what every member daily saw, Congress, on the 4th of July, 1836, unanimously voted him a pension of $30 per month, commencing in 1820, when he left the army, and to continue during life. This vote was alike honorable to him and to Congress. It was well deserved by a noble soldier and devoted patriot.

40.-PETER B. PORTER.

General Porter was a native of Connecticut, born in 1773, and graduated at Yale College at the age of twenty. Having studied law at the Litchfield law school, he settled and began practice at

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