Hunters of Kentucky, ca. 1815

Broadside poem describing the valor of Kentuckians at the Battle of New Orleans.

Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

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Mss. C H

Hunters of Kentucky.

Ye gentleman and ladies fair
Who grace this famous city
Just listen if ye've time to spare,
While I rebearse a ditty ;
And for the opportunity,
Conceive yourselves quite lucky,
For 'tis not often that you see
A hunter from Kentucky.
Oh, Kentucky ; the hunters of Kentucky,
The hunters of Kentucky.

We are a hardy, free born race,
Each man to fear a stranger;
Whate'er the game we join in chase,
Despising toil and danger;
And if a daring foe annoys,
Whate'er his strength and forces,
We'll shew him that Kentucky boys
Are Alligator Horses.
Oh, Kentucky,

I 'spose you've read it in the prints,
How Packenham attempted
To make old Hickory Jackson wince,
But soon his scheme repented
For we, with rifles ready cock'd,
Thought such occasion lucky,
And soon around the general flock'd
The hunters of Kentucky.
Oh ! Kentucky.

You've heard I 'spose how New-Orleans
Is fam'd for wealth and beauty—
There's girls of every hue it seems
From snowy white to sooty ,
So Packenham he made his brags,
If he in fight was lucky,
He'd have their girls and cotton bags,
In spite of old Kentucky.
Oh ! Kentucky.

But Jackson, he was wide awake,
And was'nt scar'd at trifles ;
For well he knew what aim we take,
With our Kentucky rifles.
So he led us down to Cypress swamp,
The ground was low and mucky ;
There stood John Bull in martial pomp,
And here was old Kentucky.
Oh ! Kentucky.

A bank was rais'd to hide our breast,
Not that we thought of dying,
But that we always like to rest,
Unless the game is flying ;
Behind it stood our little force.
None wish'd it to be greater,
For every man was half a Horse,
And half an Allegator.
Oh ! Kentucky.

They did not let our patience tire
Before they shew'd their faces ;
He did not choose to waste our fire,
So snugly kept our places ;
But when so near we saw them wink,
We thought it time to stop 'em.
And 'twold have done you good, I think,
To see Kentucky drop 'em.
Oh ! Kentucky.

They found, at last 'twas vain to fight
Where lead was all their booty ;
And so they wisely took to flight,
And left us all the beauty !
And now if danger e'er annoys,
Remember what our trade is ;
Just send for us Kentucky boys,
And we'll protect ye, ladies.
Oh ! Kentucky.

Printed and Sold at NO. 25, High Street, Providence, by the Hundred, Dozen or Single.