What was Andrew Jackson's nickname, and did he earn it?
Andrew Jackson was an inexperienced military leader who had already drawn the ire of the Madison administration.Jackson was known for his sudden flashes of rage and propensity for dueling.He earned the respect of his men when he was given the chance to command troops.
Jackson was given his first chance to lead.Washington was sent to defend against an attack on New Orleans by the British.Jackson battled a lack of supplies for his troops and confusion over who had ultimate control of his militia: Jackson, as an elected Major General in the militia, or James Wilkinson, an experienced leader in charge of the regular US troops in New Orleans.
When Jackson received an order to destroy his troops immediately, he refused to leave his volunteers adrift to find their own way home, and pledged his own money to finance the supplies needed for the trip back along the Natchez Trace to Tennessee.He gave up his horses for the sick, and walked along side of his men disciplining them when necessary.His determination, combined with his willingness to suffer, caused his men to come up with a nickname.