Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/113

The Tin Horn Defense seeing his division on the west bank "abandon their position and run in headlong flight towards the city." Old Hickory naturally cussed 'em out for their disobedience, insubordination and cowardice.

The Battle of New Orleans occurred two weeks after a treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, and before the news reached this country. Now suppose this unnecessary battle had never been fought, my son, can you point to a single big victory that we gained upon the land? Yet we outnumbered the British more than 32 to 1.

Our navy, on the contrary, waged a bold and successful warfare. But they were sea-faring men, trained, skillful and obedient. All of which further emphasizes the point that I have been trying to make clear — the transformation which can be accomplished by discipline.

Let me throw at you one more big detail, then I'm done with the War of 1812. In that war, by the same wasteful militia system, we employed first and last 527,654 men — more [95]