What School Histories Teach.
Here are the extracts from the Tennessee authorized school Histories:
School History of Tennessee: S. E. Scates, page 225:
“Though the battle resulted in great victory for the Americans, it was
sad indeed that so many brave men lost their lives at New Orleans quite
uselessly. At Ghent, Belgium, a treaty of peace for the war of 1812 had
been signed Christmas Eve, 1814. Because messages travelled so slowly,
by sailing vessels, news of peace did not reach New Orleans until after
the fighting had taken place.”
A History of American Government and Culture: Harold Rugg, page 192:
“Two weeks after the Treaty of Peace had been signed, another battle was
fought. This may seem strange to you, but in those days transportation
and communication was so slow that news of the making of peace reached
the country long after it had happened.”
History of the United States: Beard & Beard, page 238:
“The Treaty of Peace. Both countries were in truth sick of a war that
offered neither glory nor profit. So after an exchange of notes they
sent representatives to Ghent to discuss a settlement. Long negotiations
were finally ended by an agreement on Christmas Eve, 1814, a few days
before Jackson’s victory at New Orleans. When the treaty reached America
the people were surprised to find it said nothing about the seizure of
American sailors, the destruction of American trade, the searching for
American ships, or the support of Indians on the frontier. Nevertheless,
we are told, the public ‘passed from gloom to glory’ on the arrival of
the news of peace. Bells were rung; schools were closed; flags were
displayed; and many a rousing toast was drunk in taverns and private
homes. The rejoicing could continue. With Napoleon definitely beaten at
Waterloo in June, 1815, Great Britain had no more need to impress
sailors, search ships, and seize American goods bound to the Continent.
Once more the terrible sea power sank into the background and the ocean
was again white with the sails of merchantmen.”
History of the American People: Latane, page 284:
“Jackson’s brilliant victory at the Battle of New Orleans caused great
rejoicing throughout the country, but it did not affect the outcome of
the war, for the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent two weeks
before it was fought. Its effect on the course of American history,
however, was far-reaching, for it brought the West into greater
prominence and made Andrew Jackson the military hero and political
leader of that section.”
A History of the People of the United States: Waddy Thompson, page 220:
“Treaty of Peace; Results of the War: The great victory of New Orleans
was won after peace had been made. A treaty had been signed at Ghent,
Belgium, on December 24, 1814. But as only sailing vessels then crossed
the ocean, and as about six weeks were required for the voyage, news of
peace did not reach America until February, 1815.”
First Book in United States History: Waddy Thompson, page 253:
“A Victory after Peace: Brilliant as was the victory at New Orleans, it
was won after peace had been made between the United States and Great
Britain. Both sides having become tired of the War, a treaty of peace
was signed in Belgium in December, 1814; while the Battle of New Orleans
was fought on January 8, 1815. Steamboats did not then cross the Ocean,
and no electric cable connected America with Europe, so news of the
treaty did not reach America until a month after the Battle of New
Orleans.”
The American People: Muzzey, page 218:
“Jackson, henceforth, the ‘Hero of New Orleans’ was rewarded in the
following years by the command against the Indians of Florida (1817),
the governorship of Florida territory (1821); a seat in the United
States Senate (1823), and the Presidency of the United States (1829). If
the Atlantic cable had existed in 1814, it would have brought the news
of the treaty of peace in time to turn Pakenham’s expedition back from
the Mississippi, to prevent the bloodiest battle that had ever been
fought on American soil, and perhaps to keep from the pages of American
history the administration of the most masterful of our Presidents
between Washington and Lincoln.”