In the War of 1812 Jackson gained the nick name “Old Hickory.” He was given this nick name because one of his men said that he was as tough as hickory so that became his nick name following his military career. The Federal government commissioned Jackson a major general in the regular army. The army expected a British attack at New Orleans and Jackson was assigned to command the U.S. forces along the southern coast. Jackson asked permission to seize Pensacola in Spanish, Florida.