Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
Before he became the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson was a man of action. He grew up in the frontier wilderness of the Carolinas. As a teen he was a courier in the Continental Army, captured and nearly starved to death by the British. When he refused to shine an officer's boots, the officer slashed Jackson across his face and hand leaving him with a dashing scar. He became a lawyer, practicing in what is now Tennessee, at that time the remote corner of the new nation. When Tennessee became a state, Jackson was its first representative in congress, then a Senator. He was a self-made business success and when the War of 1812 began, the commander of the Tennessee militia. After successful campaigns against British-allied Native Americans, Jackson was asked to lead an army south to re-enforce New Orleans against the British. The long, cross country march was successful due to Jackson's strong leadership, a quality recognized by his men who dubbed him "tough as old hickory wood". When Jackson, now called "Old Hickory", and his men reached Nachez, Mississippi he was ordered to halt. This document dates from this moment in time. Dated March 19th, 1813, it acknowledges the return of rations from cavalry Captain Kavanaugh. Measuring 7 3/4" x 6 1/2" the document exhibits light creases and light toning with the writing bold and clear. Jackson's signature is crisp, a beautiful early example. Captain Kavanaugh has also signed this historic document. "Old Hickory" eventually led his men to New Orleans where his savvy defeat of a much larger British invasion force propelled him to national fame and ultimately, two terms as President of the United States. A wonderful piece of early American history signed by a prototypical American hero just months away from the battle that would make him famous. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.