The "Cyane" was one of the crack sloops of war in the English service. The "Constitution" after a running fight captured both this ship and the "Levant." From a painting by Carlton T. Chapman] * * * * * SUPPLEMENTARY READING HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA _By Henry Adams_ Vols. VI-IX contain the best account of the War of 1812. THE LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON _By John Spencer Bassett_ Vol. 1, chapters vi-xiii, treat of Jackson's part in the war. THE NAVAL WAR OF 1812 _By Theodore Roosevelt_ Best account of the naval strategy of the war. A FULL AND CORRECT ACCOUNT OF THE MILITARY OCCURRENCES OF THE LATE WAR BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA _By William James_ (2 vols.) The standard English account. THE CANADIAN WAR OF 1812 _By Charles Prestwood Lucas_ Recent English point of view. SEA POWER IN ITS RELATIONS TO THE WAR OF 1812 _By Alfred Thayer Mahan_ (2 vols.) A study of the whole struggle for neutral rights, and the war. RISE OF AMERICAN NATIONALITY, 1811-1819 _By Kendric Charles Babcock_ (American Nation, Vol. XIII.) Most convenient brief account of the war. Recent and impartial. NAVAL ACTIONS OF THE WAR OF 1812 _By James Barnes_ Popular and well illustrated. Information concerning the above books and articles may be had on application to the Editor of The Mentor. THE OPEN LETTER [Illustration: THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS] If the telegraph had been in existence a century ago, the battle of New Orleans would not have taken place. It was unique in history as a battle fought after a war was over. And it was the only real victory won by the land forces of America in the War of 1812. It was one of the most conclusive battles in history, and a brilliant demonstration of the military ability of Andrew Jackson. General Jackson believed in preparedness. During the second year of the War of 1812 he learned that the British planned to invade Louisiana, so he concentrated troops four miles below New Orleans in a line of entrenchments a mile in length, extending from the Mississippi River far into the swamp, making both ends impassable. Jackson had 3,500 expert marksmen at his command. They were a strange mixture of men, including long-limbed, hard-faced backwoodsmen, Portuguese and Norwegian seamen, dark-skinned Spaniards and swarthy Frenchmen, besides about 1,000 militiamen selected from the Creoles of Louisiana. They were a rough and violent lot. Theodore Roosevelt characterizes them as: "Soldiers who, under an ordinary commander, would have been fully as dangerous to themselves and their leaders as to their foes. But," he adds, "Andrew Jackson was of all men the one best fitted to manage such troops. Even their fierce natures quailed before the ungovernable fury of a spirit greater than their own; and their sullen, stubborn wills were bent before his unyielding temper and iron hand."