Lot 18
Jackson, Andrew. Document Signed "Andrew Jackson Major Genl Comdg," one page, 12¼ x 8½ in., Hospital, New Orleans, March 3, 1815. Very good; browning along edges and at folds. Strong, bold signature and rank.
Less than two months after Jackson’s dramatic victory on the battlefield at New Orleans, he authorizes payment "for Rosina a free girl of colour For 1 month's service as a wash woman in the Hospital for Genl. Cofee's Brigade of T[ennessee] V[olunteer] M[ounted] Gunmen at $10 p[er] m[onth] commencing 3rd Feb & ending 2 March inclusive."
Robert S. Cobb, L.T.C.B., certifies that the price was the lowest "at which, under existing circumstances, washwomen could be procured," which is endorsed by David C. Ker, Hospital Surgeon & Director. Jackson then signs off on the order that Colonel William Piat, the quartermaster general, should pay Rosina $10. Rosina makes her mark on March 5, 1815, acknowledging that she received payment, to which John M. Walker signs as a witness.
At New Orleans, Jackson commanded a motley 4,700-man army composed of volunteers, militia, free blacks and freebooters of Jean Laffite. British General Packenham’s attack on January 15 was decimated by accurate American fire. The seventy American casualties of the battle were subsequently treated in battlefield hospitals already occupied by numerous comrades stricken with climate-induced diseases.
General John Coffee, whose brigade played an integral role in the victory at New Orleans, was a former business partner of Jackson's in Nashville and was married to Jackson's niece, Mary Donelson. In 1806 Coffee had fought a duel with a man who made derogatory remarks about Jackson. Coffee raised the 2nd Regiment of Mounted Riflemen early in the War of 1812 and when the 2nd Regiment was combined with Col. Cannon's Mounted Regiment and the 1st Regiment of Volunteer Mounted Gunmen in 1813, Coffee was promoted to brigadier general and put in command of the brigade. After the War of 1812, Coffee led his brigade under Jackson's command in the Creek War.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000.
Christie’s, The Forbes Collection.
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