During the battle of New Orleans in January, 1815, as his artillery hammered the British lines, Andrew Jackson stood beside the gunners to observe the effect of their fire. Apparently unsatisfied, he then issued the order: "Elevate them guns a little lower."

[According to Maxim magazine: "A ragtag American force under Andrew Jackson trounced the more numerous British troops, leaving 2,000 Englishmen dead... Great job, but the War of 1812 had been officially over for two weeks."]

[Jackson was the first (and thus far only) president to have been a prisoner of war. At the age of thirteen, he joined the South Carolina militia to fight in the Revolutionary War. Captured by the British, he was ordered to clean the boots of a British officer. When he refused, the officer drew his sword and slashed Jackson across the forehead, leaving his distinctive scar.]