Glorious Victory Essay

Andrew Jackson, the man on the twenty dollar-bill, a highly respected commander, and an individual not to be reckoned with. In Hickey’s Glorious Victory, he is regarded to be the “People’s President” and is arguably one of the best leaders to have ruled this nation (Hickey, 48). Despite his success as a president, he is bundled in many contradictions such as being known as a racist to the Natives but having adopted a native orphan; a slave-holder that welcomed free African Americans to join his army; a general who lectured his superiors and ignored orders while simultaneously demanding unquestionable obedience from his men. Although some individuals speculate the appropriateness of Jackson’s face on the twenty-dollar bill, his achievements in presidency and in the military preserved the cohesiveness of the American people through his leadership and unrelenting resilience.

          Jackson’s leadership played a prominent role in the victory of the war in 1812. Although he had disagreements with Wilkinson during the Burr Conspiracy in 1807, Jackson was able to set “aside his animosity to put the nation first” (46). One hardship Jackson faced between his men and commanding officers was the uprising of mutinies; he was able to keep his soldiers in line by instilling that his officers read the section of death penalty for mutineers in the Articles of War. Furthermore, in the middle of his campaign in Natchez, he was ordered by the Secretary of War to abandon his mission and relieve his men of duty without compensation or pay.  However, Jackson remained eager and refused to “abandon his men to their fate” (47). As a result, it took a “heroic effort” to bring those men home; he reserved wagons and horses for the sick; Jackson covered living expenses and medical supplies out of his own pocket; his “fatherly treatment to his soldiers” earned him the nickname of “Old Hickory,” one of the strongest woods of the west, which portrayed his effectiveness as a leader (48). Another example of his leadership could be taken from the Battle of New Orleans. The men described Jackson to be “ravage[d] with dysentery and perhaps malaria” with a “ghostlike yellow-complexion,” yet he still carried out his duties and secured one of the most important victories in U.S. history (86).

Aside from being a leader, Jackson had other traits that contributed to his success. He was described to be “scrupulously honest,” with a “commanding presence” that “radiated authority,” and was portrayed to have an amazing amount of spirit despite the given circumstances (44). His character traits had a profound impact on the men who served under his command and towards his superiors. Furthermore, Jackson’s character had a significant effect on the future of the nation. One example of his influence during his campaign was during the Creek War. During the conflict, the governor’s faith was beginning to falter due to all the hardships and lack of resources; he suggested that Jackson should leave with his men and return home to Tennessee. However, Jackson responded in the words “Your country is in danger,” and to “apply its resources to its defense (60). Still in great discomfort from wounds he acquired in a previous brawl, Jackson perseverance and his unconquerable will lead his men to victory against The Red Sticks. Consequently, the victory of the war brought peace to the Southwest and solidified U.S. control over the region. His efforts also aided in the setup of the “successful military operations” that followed against the Spanish and the British (67). Furthermore, Jackson’s success in the Creek War followed up in a series of more important victories, such as the Battle of New Orleans, that boosted his reputation and later supported his campaign to be the next U.S. President.