Hardened to Hickory: The Missing Chapter in Andrew Jackson’s Life  nonfiction book reveals newly discovered facts about a critical time in Andrew Jackson’s life and the story of Jackson’s alleged mutiny, battle with a spy, and rescue by Native Americans on the Natchez Trace.  Turnbow’s book tells the story of Jackson’s command of the Tennessee Volunteers down the Mississippi River and Natchez Trace against the turmoil of the War of 1812.

Mr. Turnbow writes, “No one seemed to know what to do to defend the country against enemies thought to be surrounding them. Jackson blamed the establishment of his day, and he rushed ahead to lead a military response before he had experience.

“But his commanding officer General Wilkinson also worked as a spy known as ‘Agent 13’ on the payroll of a European enemy. Jackson was convinced that Wilkinson was a spy, and he spent years trying to prove it. Both generals tried to destroy each other for almost a decade. Behind the scenes, Wilkinson used Aaron Burr to pull Jackson into a scheme that made Jackson appear to be a traitor.

“The fight came to a climax in 1812 when Jackson and his Tennessee Volunteers were ordered to serve under Wilkinson’s command in New Orleans. Jackson packed his dueling pistols.”

Turnbow calls it a battle between two American political titans.