A Rare and Early Andrew Jackson Military Document

Greenville, (Tennessee), September 18, 1802. Manuscript document, boldly signed by Andrew Jackson as General of the Tennessee State Militia, appointing George Duffield his aid-de-camp; paper seal at bottom right. Creasing from old folds, separations along same, affecting some letters and words; presumably trimmed along edges, with portion of docketing or transmittal leaf now mounted to top left recto ("Commission of Geo: Duffield"); sheet toned and spotted. 9 3/8 x 5 7/8 in. (238 x 149 mm).

A rare and very early military-related Andrew Jackson document, signed by him as General of the Tennessee State Militia, appointing George Duffield one of his aide-de-camps. This was Jackson's first military command, to which he was elected only seven months earlier. He won command over his rival, the Revolutionary War hero and first Governor of Tennessee, John Sevier, by a tie-breaking vote cast by Jackson's friend, Tennessee Governor Archibald Roane. Jackson's election to this command contributed to his and Sevier's bitter relationship that the following year would result in a near-duel.

Jackson's command of this militia would be his only public role for the next decade. It was his command of this militia in the War of 1812 that contributed to the rise of his national fame, and that would eventually lead him to the White House, in 1829.

Duffield was a Tennessee lawyer, who likely became acquainted with Jackson during the latter's time serving as a Justice on Tennessee's Superior Court. They remained friends and correspondents for years afterwards.