Document 9.11 Monumental Inscriptions, 1828

Monumental Inscriptions, 1828

The 1828 election was fought with words and with images. Adams supporters seized on the controversy surrounding Jackson’s ordering of six executions during the War of 1812. The men who were eventually executed were tried and convicted of leaving their unit at Mobile, Alabama, during the summer of 1814. John Binns, a Philadelphia journalist, created the following “coffin handbill” to dramatize this story. Numerous versions of the handbill appeared throughout the campaign season. The headline and text from two of the coffins are transcribed below.

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Library of Congress

Headline for Document 9.11

These Inscriptions, compiled from authentic sources, but principally from OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, communicated by the Department of War to Congress, on the 25th of January, 1828, are, in this form, submitted to the serious consideration of the AMERICAN PEOPLE, under the firm conviction, that the facts embodied in them, ought to, and will, produce a cool and deliberate examination of the qualifications, from Nature and Education, of General ANDREW JACKSON, for the high Civil Station to which he aspires, and to attain which he electioneers with a boldness and pertinacity, unexampled in this Republic. If he shall be found guilty of having ILLEGALLY AND WANTONLY SHED THE BLOOD OF HIS COUNTRYMEN AND FELLOW SOLDIERS, ENTRUST NOT THE LIBERTY AND HAPPINESS OF THIS MOST FREE AND MOST HAPPY COUNTRY TO HIS KEEPING.

Coffin from bottom row, center

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN HARRIS. He was a Preacher of the Gospel of Christ to the Heathen in the Wilderness. His temporal substance was destroyed by Fire. TO EARN BREAD For a Wife and Nine Children, he entered as a SUBSTITUTE In the Militia during the Creek War. He sought information from his Colonel as to his legal Tour of Duty. IT WAS WITHHELD FROM HIM. He was instructed by his Officers that his Tour of duty would Expire on the 20th September; On that day he surrendered his musket to his Captain, took from him a receipt for it, Departed from Camp, and Returned to the wretched hovel which contained his family. Fearing that he might have erred, he VOLUNTARILY RETURNED TO CAMP, And offered to do duty, if he had mistaken his rights. FOR THESE ACTS HE WAS Arrested, Tried, and by the Orders of GEN. ANDREW JACKSON, SHOT TO DEATH On the 21st of February, 1815, Having only Four Days Notice of his fate, During which time, He buried himself in writing to his AFFLICTED WIFE, Consoling her, and urging her to bring up his Nine Children in the love and foot (?) of THE LORD. An outraged country erects this Monument July 4, 1828.

Coffin from bottom row, right

THIS MARBLE CELL CONTAINS THE MOULDERING REMAINS OF THE GALLANT DAVID HUNT, He was the Son of a Soldier of the Revolution. A Volunteer in the Creek War, He faithfully served his country until his Tour of Duty had expired, When he left the Camp, And returned to the home of his Brave Parent; Where learning that his tour of duty had possibly not expired He returned to the Camp and to his Duty, The Veteran Father saying, “Go my Son, I am sure no harm can come to you; I too have been a soldier, and under WASHINGTON A soldier returning to duty which he had left in error always found mercy.” But the Son never more saw the face of his Venerable Father! He was Arrested, Tried, and SHOT TO DEATH BY ORDER OF GEN. ANDREW JACKSON On the 21st February, 1815. The Militia of his Native State erected this simple slab to his Memory on the 4th of July, 1828.