The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution

by L. Carroll Judson

HOUSTON JOHN was one of the nucleus of patriots who put the Revolutionary ball in motion at the Liberty Pole meeting in Georgia. Himself and Mr. Bullock were among the few who dared express their opinions at that meeting. Before it adjourned the fire of patriotism was kindled in so many bosoms that royal power trembled at the probable result. Mr. Houston was a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and performed his duty nobly. He was subsequently a judge of the Supreme Court and governor of his state. He was a man of fine talents, great energy, sterling integrity and devoted patriotism. He enjoyed the full fruition of the love of his country and friends until 1796 when he passed peacefully from time to eternity.

HOWARD JOHN EAGER commenced infancy in Baltimore Md. in 1752. He resolved on Liberty or death at the commencement of that long and doubtful struggle that resulted in Freedom to America. He was among those who dared snatch the laurels from the proud sons of mother Britain and place them upon their own manly brows. He entered the army with the commission of Captain and was raised to the rank of Lieut. Colonel in 1779. He was one of the bravest of the brave. At the victory of Cowpens he held the swords of seven British officers at one time who had surrendered personally to him. His skill and bravery were exhibited at the battles of Germantown, White Plains, Monmouth, Camden and Hobbick's Hill. So highly were his services appreciated by Gen. Greene that he used this strong language—"As a patriot and soldier Col. Howard deserves a statue of gold no less than the Roman and Grecian Heroes." This short sentence is the crowning capital of the climax of eulogy. At the close of the Revolution Col. Howard returned to his large real estate in the city of Baltimore. Subsequent to the formation of the Federal government he was a member of the United States Senate and Governor of Maryland. No man was more beloved by his fellow citizens—no one better deserved their esteem. He died at his residence in 1827.

HUMPHREY DAVID commenced his career of life in Derby, Conn. on the—of July 1752. He was a graduate of Yale college and frequently danced attendance to the muses. He was a staunch friend of his country and entered the army a Captain. In 1778 he was aid to Gen. Putnam and in turn aid to Parsons, Greene and in 1780 became an aid to Gen. Washington with the rank of Lieut. Colonel with whom he remained until Lord Cornwallis fired his last gun at Yorktown. On all occasions Col. Humphrey acted a brave and noble part. His chivalrous conduct at the siege of Yorktown induced Congress to vote him an elegant sword. In 1784 he was the secretary of Mr. Jefferson then minister to France. In 1786 he retired to his native place and was elected to the legislature. In 1788 he was placed in command of a regiment raised for the western service. In 1790 he was appointed ambassador to the Court of Portugal and in 1797 minister plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid. On his return from Spain he introduced the Merino sheep into the United States and deserves great credit for his successful exertions in the improvement of wool and its manufacture. In all the multiform duties of his active life Col. Humphrey had the full approbation of his country. In private life he exemplified the virtues that make a good citizen. He closed his useful career at New Haven Connecticut on the 21st of February 1818.

HUNTINGTON JEDEDIAH was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1743. He was a graduate of Harvard College, an enterprising merchant and a whig of the first water. He led his regiment to the head quarters of the army at Cambridge early in 1775. His activity, zeal, courage and efficiency in the field gained the admiration of Washington who procured his advancement to the rank of Brigadier General. He rendered his best services to promote the glorious cause of Independence and remained in the field during the whole period of the war. He subsequently filled various civil offices. He was appointed Collector of the Port of New London by Washington and performed his duties faithfully during four consecutive administrations. He enjoyed the profound respect of the very intelligent citizens of New London until the 25th of September 1818 when he took his departure to the spirit world.

IRVINE ANDREW was a native of Ireland, brother to Gen. William Irvine spoken of more at length [in Part I]. Dr. Matthew Irvine of Charleston, South Carolina was a third brother and served in the Continental army. Andrew entered the regiment of his brother William as Lieutenant and was engaged in the Canada service under Gen. Wayne. He was in every action with that General up to the massacre of Paoli where he received seventeen bayonet wounds and miraculous as it was, recovered and was actively engaged in the northern and southern campaigns. No officer of his rank did more service—no one could do it in a more heroic manner. After the war he lived in the esteem of the citizens of Carlisle, Pa. where he died on the 4th of May 1789.

IRWIN JARED was born in Mecklinburg, North Carolina in 1751. At the age of seven years he became a resident of Georgia. At the commencement of the Revolution he was a pioneer in one of the frontier settlements adjacent to the Indian tribes where he became the leader of his neighbors in keeping the red men at bay and teaching the tories salutary lessons. In that department he rendered himself eminently useful during the war. He was a member of the first legislature of Georgia under the new government which convened at Savannah in 1784. From that time forward he became emphatically a leading public man. He was long a member of the Georgia Senate and for many years its president. He was repeatedly Governor of the state. He filled every station in a manner that gained the unqualified approbation of his constituents. His public life was adorned by those private virtues that are indispensable to render a man truly great. He died at Union, Washington County, Georgia, on the 1st of March 1818.

JACKSON ANDREW commenced his brilliant life in the Waxhaw settlement, S. C. in 1767. He was constitutionally a patriot, soldier and statesman. He enlisted in the Continental army at the age of 14 and performed feats of noble courage that would have honored manhood. When fighting bravely for his country he was wounded and taken prisoner. After much suffering he was exchanged and at the close of the war prosecuted his studies and became a respectable member of the Bar. He commanded a successful expedition against the southern Indians—in 1820 was the commissioner to receive the Floridas from Spain—was made governor of that territory and performed many public duties with great energy. He was a major-general during the last war with mother Britain. His defence of New Orleans against the veteran army of Gen. Packenham has no parallel in modern warfare. In 1828 Gen. Jackson was elected President of the United States and served two terms. He was emphatically a man of the people. In point of physical and moral courage he had no superior. He was stern in his integrity, honest in his purposes, unbending in his resolves—determined in his course of action. When time shall absorb the bitterness of party spirit that his bold administration created—the historian will trace the fair lines of the career of Andrew Jackson and present a picture to after generations that will command their profound admiration. He lived a patriot—he died a Christian in 1845.

ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A DRAWING BY J.B. LONGACRE.

JACKSON JAMES first inhaled the atmosphere at Moreton Homstead in the County of Devon, England, on the 21st of September 1757. His father was a strong whig and brought him to Georgia in 1772 and left him with his friend John Wereat, Esquire. James Jackson did not fancy hereditary monarchy or purse-proud aristocracy. His very nature was republican. At the dawn of the Revolution he was ready to peril his life in the cause of equal rights. The war cry that came rushing on mighty wind from the blood stained heights of Lexington he hailed as the day-spring of freedom—the morning star of liberty. At the age of 18 he was a volunteer in the party of bold spirits that made a descent on Savannah. At the attack on Tybee his dauntless courage attracted the attention of Archibald Bullock who was the acting head of the patriots. In a short time Jackson was in command of a volunteer company of light infantry. In 1778 he rose to the rank of brigade-major of the Georgia militia. At the storming of Savannah his gallantry could not be excelled. He was in the battle of Blackstocks on the 20th of August 1780. After Tarleton had retreated Major Jackson was put on his track and brought back 30 horses. At the battle of Cowpens the Major received the thanks of Gen. Morgan on the battle field. When in service under Gen. Pickens his noble daring was particularly noticed in the reports of that officer. About this time he was made a Colonel with the privilege of raising his own regiment, which he quickly accomplished. He commanded at the capture of the British fort at Ogechee, the post at Butler's White house and seemed to court danger whenever an opportunity presented. In his victory over Col. Brown on the 21st of May 1782, Gen. Wayne awarded great praise to Col. Jackson. On the 12th of July of that year the British surrendered Savannah and by arrangement delivered the keys to this brave Colonel who continued to command it until the close of the war. He then commenced a successful practice of law and stood on a lofty eminence of merit. He was hailed as one who had contributed largely towards achieving the Liberty all then enjoyed. He was raised to the office of major-general of militia—was a member of the legislature—quorum of the state and a member of the U. S. Senate. He was found equal to every station he was called to fill. He died at Washington city while at his post in the Senate on the 19th of January 1806.