CHAPTER IX.

1815. Arrival of fresh troops from Kentucky-Preparations of both armies for an attack-The disposition of Jackson's force made known to the British by a deserter-Success of Colonel Thornton on the right bank of the river-Eagerness of the American soldiers for an engagement-Activity and energy of Jackson-The eighth of January-Advance of the British towards the American intrenchments-Destructive fire from the fortifications-Repulse of the British-Death of Sir Edward Packenham-Terrible havoc made in the ranks of the enemy-Bravery of Colonel RennieNumber of killed and wounded in the battle-Watchword of the British army-Generous benevolence of the American soldiersAn armistice proposed by General Lambert and accepted, with modifications-Brave conduct of the American troops Want of arms prevents Jackson from capturing the whole British army— · English version of the battle. 1815.

AFTER the cannonade on the 1st of January, nothing of interest occurred in the movements of either army, prior to the memorable day which, while it placed the reputation of General Jackson for military genius and skill, on a level with that of the ablest commanders of the age, shed an unfading lustre on the American arms. A straggling fire was kept up, but it produced little or no effect. Both parties were actively engaged in watching the movements of each other, and in making preparations; the one for a contemplated attack, and the other for an effectual resistOn the 4th day of the month, the long-expected reinforcement from Kentucky, of twenty-two hundred and fifty men, under the command of Major-general Thomas, arrived at the American head-quarters; but they were so ill provided with arms as to be incapable of rendering any efficient service. The alacrity with which the citizens of that state had proceeded to the frontiers, and aided in the north-western campaigns, added to the disasters which ill

ance.

timed policy or misfortune had produced, had created such a scarcity of arms that they were not to be procured. The force under General Thomas had confidently expected to be supplied on their arrival. About five hundred of them had muskets; the rest were provided with guns, which were more or less unserviceable. The mayor of New Orleans, at the request of General Jackson, had already examined and drawn from the city every weapon that could be found; while the arrival of the Louisiana militia, in an equally unprepared situation, rendered it impossible for the evil to be effectually remedied. A boat laden with arms intended for the use and defence of the lower country, was somewhere on the river; but where it was, or when it might arrive, rested entirely on hope and conjecture. Expresses had been despatched up the river, for three hundred miles, to seek and hasten it on; still there were no tidings of its approach. That so many brave men, at a moment of such anxious peril, should be compelled to stand with folded arms, unable, from their situation, to render the least possible service to their country, was an event greatly to be deplored, and did not fail to excite the feelings of the commanding general. His active mind could discover no means by which their services might be made available, and no alternative was presented, but to place them at his intrenchment in the rear, conceal their actual condition, and by the show they might make, add to his appearance and numbers, without at all increasing his effective strength.

Information was now received, that Major-general Lambert had joined the British commander in chief, with a considerable reinforcement. It had been previously announced in the American camp that additional forces were expected, and something decisive might be looked for as soon as they should arrive. This circumstance, in connection with others no less favoring the idea, led to the conclusion that a few days more would, in all probability, bring on the struggle which was to decide the fate of the city. It was more than ever necessary to keep the situation of the American army concealed, and General Jackson determined at once to restrict all communication, even

with his own lines. None were permitted to leave the line, and none from without to pass into his camp, but such as were to be implicitly confided in. The chain of sentinels was strengthened in front, to prevent a passage to the enemy, should desertion be attempted; yet, notwithstanding his caution and vigilance, the condition of his army, and its disposition in the intrenchments, were made known to the enemy, by a soldier who eluded the sentinels, and made his escape, on the night of the 6th of January. His desertion was discovered early next morning, and it was rightly conjectured that he had gone to the British camp, and would afford them all the information in his power to communicate. This opinion, as subsequent circumstances disclosed, was well founded; and dearly did he atone his crime. He unfolded to the British the situation of the American line, the number of the reinforcements lately arrived, and the unarmed condition of many of the troops; and pointing to the centre of General Carroll's division, as a place occupied by militia alone, he recommended it as the point where an attack might be most safely and prudently made.

The information obtained by the commanding general on the 7th, confirmed him in the belief that an attack was in contemplation. It was ascertained from some prisoners taken on the lake, that the enemy were busily engaged in deepening Villere's canal, with the intention of passing their boats and ordnance into the Mississippi. During the day a constant bustle was perceived in their camp. Their soldiers were continually in motion along the borders of the canal, marching and manœuvring, for no other purpose except that of concealing the men who were busily engaged at work in the rear. In order to ascertain the cause and object of this uncommon movement, as far as was practicable, Commodore Patterson proceeded down the river, on the opposite side, and having gained a favorable position in front of their encampment, discovered them to be actually engaged in deepening the passage to the river. It was no difficult matter to divine their purpose. It was clearly evident that an assault was intended to be made on the line of defence commanded by General