The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
dangerous expedition, and on the first day walked eighteen miles, being
sheltered at night in the house of a benevolent planter. The next day he
pushed on for Rio Bueno, which he had almost reached, when, overcome by
thirst, he stopped by the way to refresh himself, and imprudently
standing in an open piazza exposed to a smart easterly breeze, whilst
his lemonade was preparing, contracted a severe chill that almost took
from him the power of motion, and left him to crawl along the road
slowly and with pain, until he reached his destination.
Having finally arrived, friendless and moneyless, in New-York, then in
the occupation of the British, he endeavored first to obtain a
commission in the New-York volunteers, and afterwards employment as mate
in the Naval Hospital. In his endeavors, he was kindly assisted by a
Jamaica gentleman, a fellow-passenger, whose regard during the voyage he
had succeeded in conciliating by his amiable manners and evident
abilities; but his efforts were all in vain, and poor Jackson, familiar
with poverty from childhood, began now to experience the misery of
destitution. In truth, starvation stared him in the face, and a sense of
delicacy withheld him from seeking from his Jamaica friend the most
trifling pecuniary assistance. In this, his state of desperation, he
determined upon passing the British lines, and endeavoring to obtain
amongst the insurgents the food he had hitherto sought in vain;
resolving, however, under no circumstances to bear arms against his
native country. Whilst moodily and slowly walking towards the British
outposts to carry into execution this scheme, having in one pocket a
shirt, and in another a Greek Testament and a Homer, he was met half-way
by a British officer, who fixed his eyes steadily on him in passing.
Jackson in his agitation thought he read in the glance a knowledge of
his purpose and a disapprobation of it. Struck by the incident, he
turned back, and, after a moment's reflection, resolved on offering
himself as a volunteer in the first battalion of the 71st regiment
(Sutherland Highlanders), then in cantonment near New-York. Arriving at
the place, he presented himself to the notice of Lieutenant-Colonel
(afterwards Sir Archibald) Campbell, who, having first ascertained that
he was a Scotsman, inquired to whom he was known at New-York. Jackson
replied, to no one; but that a fellow-passenger from Jamaica would
readily testify to his being a gentleman. "I require no testimony to
your being a gentleman," returned the kind-hearted colonel. "Your
countenance and address satisfy me on that head. I will receive you into
the regiment with pleasure; but then I have to inform you, Mr. Jackson,
that there are seventeen on the list before you, who are of course
entitled to prior promotion." The next day, at the instance of Colonel
Campbell, the regimental surgeon, Dr. Stuart, appointed Jackson acting
hospital or surgeon's mate--a rank now happily abolished in the British
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account