War-dated LS signed “Andrew Jackson, Major Gen'l Comd'g,” three pages on two sheets, 8 x 10, January 25, 1815. Letter to the Secretary of War sent from New Orleans seventeen days after his heroic defense of the city, reporting on movements of the enemy and making recommendations with regard to troop strength and equipment. In full: "I advised you, on the 20th that the enemy had two nights before, decamped & returned to his flotilla. No circumstances have since transpired to render it certain whether he intends to abandon his original purpose altogether, or to apply his exertions for its accomplishment at some other point. My own opinion is that his late discomfiture have left him without the means of promoting it, at present, with much likeliness of success. Having manifested, however, by bringing with him all the preparations for the immediate establishment of Colonial government, not only the facility with which he calculated on attaining his object, but the high sense which he entertains of its value, it is not improbable that tho, disappointed in the expectation of early conquest, he may still retain the hope of final success. If such be his feelings & views the interval of his absence ought to be industriously employed in making provision for his return.
For the defense of this district, should the enemy think proper to renew his attempts, five thousand Regular troops are in my opinion, necessary; & for permanent defense this is the only description of force which can be safely relied on. It is true that the militia who were sent hither from the country above have, in the late emergency, approved themselves worthy of the high confidence we had in them; but it is only for such temporary purposes that they will ever be found very valuable. The short periods of their engagements, not more than their habits of life by which, when they have an excursion or fought one battle, they are so strongly recalled to their families & home, render them a very unequal match, in continued warfare, for men who following arms as a profession, are scarcely entitled to credit for perseverance.
The secrecy & expedition with which the enemy was enabled to approach us with so powerful a force, is clear proof that that by which his future designs are to be resisted ought not to be subject to accident or delay in its collection or application.
As composing a part of the force the best adapted to the defense of this country I beg leave to recommend six companies of light artillery & 1000 riflemen as peculiarly suitable. An able engineer is exceedingly wanted, & cannot be sent too soon. Officers too are greatly needed to fill up the 3rd, 7th and 44th Regiments which are very deficient.
The numerous bayous & outlets from the Lakes which had hitherto been so little known or regarded gave to the enemy, on his late incursion, facilities of which it will be my duty to deprive him in the future; & when that object is effected, the force which would otherwise be necessary for the defense of the country, may bear considerable diminution.
I must take the liberty to add that the block ship now lying on Chefuncta in an unfinished state, ought immediately to be completed. Why, when she was so well designed for the defense of the Lakes & when her building had so far progressed, she was left in this condition, I am altogether at a loss to conjecture; the more so, as the coverings which have been provided for her have, probably, cost the government not less than it would to have completed her.
Col. Hayne the Inspector General will be enabled from the opportunities he has had & his accuracy of observation, to afford much useful information on the points I have alluded to, as well as on others relative to the situation & the proper defences of this country." In fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned engraved portrait.
In the historic Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, Jackson's outnumbered American forces defeated the British invaders, suffering only 71 casualties in comparison to Britain's 2,042. Reporting on several military matters just weeks after this decisive moment in the War of 1812, Jackson prepares to strengthen the nation's defenses—not knowing whether or not the British would return. In fact, the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed—formally ending the war—but news of it was still en route from Europe. Considered by many one of the greatest American land victories of all time, the battle made Jackson an American hero and propelled him to the presidency in 1829.
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