Examining Andrew Jackson at 1812 bicentennial

             This summer marked the bicentennial of the signing of the Treaty of Fort Jackson, which paved the way for Andrew Jackson’s southwestern expansion through Alabama to Louisiana in the Creek War. This little known yet critical event is detailed in Tennessee state archivist Tom Kanon’s new book, “Tennesseans at War,1812-1815” (The University of Alabama Press). Kanon is an archivist for the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the writer of “Brief History of Tennessee in the War of 1812” and “Regimental Histories of Tennessee Units during the War of 1812.”
             Note: “Andrew Jackson: Hero of New Orleans,” an exhibit to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, will be at the Historic New Orleans Collection Nov. 5 through March 29, 2015.
          Another book just released on the subject is “The War of 1812: Conflict and Deception, The British Attemptto Seize New Orleans and Nullify the Louisiana Purchase” by Ronald J. Drez (LSU Press). Drez’s book forms a comprehensive guide to the famous battle, but also brings to light its massive significance, securing the expansion of the country with the Louisiana Purchase. Drez served as the assistant director and research associate to Dr. Stephen Ambrose at the Eisenhower Center and to Dr. Douglas Brinkley at UNO for 20 years. He is the principal historian and president of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours. Read more at http://www.ronalddrez.com/.

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.