Earning "Old Hickory"

Due to his reputation for rashness President Madison hesitated to call on Jackson’s proffered services. His friendship with Aaron Burr did not endear him as a choice either since Burr was suspected of using his political power to convince western states to secede from the United States in order to start his own country. However, Madison gave way in December of 1812 and commissioned Jackson Major General of U.S. Volunteers, ordered him to lead 1,500 troops south to Natchez and to eventually defend New Orleans.

Believing the threat to New Orleans abated, the U.S. War Department ordered the immediate dismissal of Jackson’s forces in March 1813 making no offer to compensate the troops or provide for their food or return travel to Tennessee.

Outraged, Jackson decided that he would return his men home through hostile Indian lands even if he had to pay the expense himself. Not only did he successfully lead his poorly provisioned army back to Tennessee intact but he also encouraged them by sharing in all the hardships they faced along with them. His troops compared Jackson’s toughness to a hickory tree and nicknamed him “Old Hickory.”