Mar 31

Mar 31 Andrew Jackson's Revolutionary War

Was Andrew Jackson a Founding Father?

This is a question I have struggled with for many years.

On the one hand, Jackson participated in the Revolutionary War and served in the early Federal Government.

On the other hand, his Presidency was after the American Revolution concluded and in fact the Age of Jackson is given its own place in historical textbooks.

Today we will look at Jackson’s adventures during the Revolutionary War.

Interesting Note: I ran a poll on my Twitter account this week and 92% of the people who voted gave a resounding NO to this question.

While I agree with this view, it is still valuable to look at his experiences during the Founding.

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was born just three weeks after his father had been killed in a tree felling accident.

Jackson grew up with two older brothers, the first of which joined the Continental Army. This brother, Hugh, was killed at the Battle of Stono Ferry when Andrew was just 12 years old.

Andrew and his other brother, Robert, were encouraged by their mother to assist the Patriots in any way they could.

Battle of Hanging Rock

The two Jackson boys began attending drills with the local militia.

Though they were too young for actual service, they delivered messages for the commanding officer (and future Constitutional Convention Delegate) William Richardson Davie.

They served in this capacity during the Battle of Hanging Rock in August of 1780.

Scarred For Life

Andrew and Robert Jackson were on leave at their uncle’s house in early 1781 when they were captured by British soldiers.

During his time as a prisoner of war, Andrew was instructed to shine the boots of a British officer. When he refused, he was slashed in the hands and face with the man’s saber.

Jackson would bear the scars from this incident for the rest of his life.

Orphaned by the British

While jailed, both Andrew and his brother contracted smallpox.

Still afflicted with the disease, they were released to their mother who walked them 40 miles home.

Robert died shortly after arrival and Andrew came within an inch of his life.

Jackson’s mother died just months later after volunteering to help nurse sick soldiers led to her contracting cholera.

Now, just 14 years old, Andrew Jackson was orphaned and alone.

He blamed the British and would carry that resentment with him the rest of his days.

Do you want to read about other men who joined the Revolutionary War as teenagers?

Here you go:

The Real Treason of Aaron Burr

Isaac Bronson Gets Everyone Paid

Let’s Steal Their Cannons - The Hearts of Oak and Hamilton’s First Taste of War

There are hundreds of books about Andrew Jackson.

I really liked ‘Avenging the People’ because it looks at Jackson as both a man of the people and a possible tyrant. If you’d like to read it, I suggest putting aside any preconceived notions about this President.

Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).