War-dated manuscript DS, signed “Andrew Jackson, Major Genl,” one page, 7.75 x 13, March 8, 1813. Document headed “Provision return for the Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry under the command of Col. Coffee a part of the detachment under the Command of Major Genl Jackson for the 8th Day of March 1813.” Jackson orders a day’s rations for 519 soldiers. Crisply penned and ruled in tabular format, headed “Camp Jackson Companies &c,” ten companies are listed by Captain, plus “pack house Man,” and, in columns, are listed the numbers of “Men,” “rations per day,” “days,” and “Total No of rations.” Signed beneath the table “John Coffee” as Colonel of Cavalry and boldly signed by Jackson beneath a statement reading: “The Contractor will issue five hundred & nineteen complete rations agreeable to the above return.” Captains listed are Coleman, Byrne, Bradley, Motten, Jetton, Baskerville, Kavanaugh, Smith, Terrell, and McKeen. Three horizontal folds, some professional restoration having been done, areas of light circular discoloration, show-through from docketing on reverse, and uniform toning, otherwise very good condition.
In November 1812, Governor Willie Blount ordered the Tennessee Militia—under Jackson’s command—on an expedition to Natchez to defend the Mississippi River frontier. Coffee, a colonel who raised the 2nd Regiment of Volunteer Mounted Riflemen, was a close friend of the major general. Six days after Jackson signed this order of rations, he received orders from the secretary of war to disband his army and return its provisions. Refusing to abandon his men so far from home, he marched them back at his own expense, winning the admiration of his troops and gaining the nickname ‘Old Hickory’ for his toughness.
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