"Walker has done ample justice to American valor and patriotism." -Hunt's Merchants' Magazine
"His style is lively, often graphic... a good gift to the American people." - United States Review
The defense of New Orleans must be regarded as the most complete and brilliant in all its parts and in its results, in modern warfare. That victory affords valuable lessons and glorious illustrations of the valor of our citizen soldiers and of the genius of the great chief and hero, Andrew Jackson, whose lofty patriotism was the fountain of inspiration from which all engaged in the battle drew courage.
Judge Alexander Walker, a citizen of New Orleans, and for many years editor of a leading newspaper in that city, devoted long and laborious researches to the subject of his 1856 book "Jackson and New Orleans" and undoubtedly had access to everything that contemporary history or tradition could furnish. Although Walker was not present during the battle he knew and spoke to a number of individuals who were.
In introducing his book Walker writes:
"It is believed that the campaign of 1814-15 has not received full justice, in the narratives, which have been published, the numerous merits of which have been marred by serious errors. By comparing these various versions and by constant consultations with those, who played prominent parts on both sides in this drama, it is believed that the following account, which does not aspire to the dignity of history, and is divested of cumbrous details and of military technicalities, is as faithful and exact as it is practicable to render a narrative of this description."
Walker's account of this exhibition of combined valor and good conduct on the part of a hastily-collected and badly-equipped citizen-soldiery ; or the bright halo it set for ever around that grand old head of him whose character and services have enshrined Andrew Jackson in the hearts of the American people as second only to the Father of his country.
About the author:
Alexander Walker was born in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1819. He received a good education, taught while pursuing legal studies, was graduated at the law department of the University of Virginia, and removed to New Orleans. La., where he practised law and became a journalist at the same time. He was the editor of the" Jeffersonian," which was established as the organ of the Louisiana Democracy and afterward of the "Delta," the "Times," the "Herald." the "Picayune," and for some time of the Cincinnati " Enquirer." He was appointed judge of the city court of New Orleans by the governor, and was a member of the secession convention of Louisiana, He has published "Jackson and New Orleans" (New York, 1850): "Life of Andrew Jackson"; and, during the civil war, " History of the Battle of Shiloh '(New Orleans) and "Butler at New Orleans."
Walker's "Jackson and New Orleans" is widely considered as the standard account of details of the Battle of New Orleans, being cited in the following modern books:
1. Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans (2017), by Brian Kilmeade
2. The Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson and America's First Military Victory (2001), by Robert V. Remini
3. Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander (2012), Dr. Paul Vickery
4. The Passions of Andrew Jackson (2003), by Andrew Burstein
5. The Generals: Andrew Jackson (2005), Benton Rain Patterson
6. Glorious Victory: Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans (2015), Donald R. Hickey
7. Chalmette: The Battle for New Orleans (2001), Charles Patton
