numerous difficulties would present themselves, which might be avoided so long as he could hold the enemy in check, and foil their designs.

Being firmly persuaded that it was important to pursue a course calculated to insure safety, and believing it attainable in no way so effectually, as in occupying some point, and by the strength he might give it, compensate for the inferiority of his numbers and their want of discipline, Jackson determined to make no further offensive efforts until he could more certainly discover the views of the enemy, and until the Kentucky troops, which had not yet arrived, should reach him. In pursuance of this idea, after having ordered Colonel Hinds to occupy the ground he was then abandoning, and to observe the enemy closely, he fell back in the morning, and formed his line behind a deep ditch that extended to the swamp, at right angles from the river. There were two circumstances strongly recommending the importance of this place: the swamp, which, from the highlands at Baton Rouge, skirted the river at irregular distances, and in many places was almost impervious, at this point, approached within four hundred yards of the Mississippi, and hence, from the narrowness of the pass, was more easily to be defended; in addition to this, there was a deep canal, the dirt from which having been thrown on the upper side, already formed a tolerable work of defence. Behind this his troops were formed, and proper measures adopted for increasing the strength of the position, with the determination never to abandon it.

The soldier who is familiar with the scenes of the battlefield, and understands what slight circumstances frequently counteract the operations of a whole campaign, and produce the most decided advantages, where a different issue might not unreasonably have been expected, will be able properly to appreciate the effect of the attack made by General Jackson on the advance of the enemy, upon the night of the 23d of December. Although the dreadful carnage of the 8th of January was, in point of fact, the finishing blow that struck down the towering hopes of the invaders, and put an end to the contest, yet in

But

the previous engagement there was much to excite their fears and apprehensions. They had reached the Mississippi without the fire of a gun, and encamped upon its banks as composedly as if they had been seated on their own soil, and at a distance from all danger. These were circumstances which impressed them with the belief that they need expect but little opposition; that success was certain; and that the troops with whom they were to contend would scarcely venture to resist them. So confident were they in their expectations, that they intended to move forward the next day, and attack the city. Jackson well knew how essential an early impression was to ultimate success, and resolved to assail them at the moment of their landing, and "attack them in their first position." With a force inferior by one-half to that of the enemy, at an unexpected moment he had broken into their camp, and with his undisciplined yeomanry driven before him the pride of England and the conquerors of Europe. It was an event that could not fail to destroy all previous theories, and establish a conclusion which the British had not before formed, that they were contending against valor inferior to none they had seen, and before which their own bravery and skill availed nothing. It had the effect of satisfying them, that the quantity and kind of troops it was in our power to bring into action, were very different from any thing that had been represented to them; for much as they had heard of the courage of the man with whom they were contending, they could not suppose that a general, having a country to defend, and a reputation to preserve, would venture to attack a force greatly superior to his own, on ground they had chosen, and one too, which, by the numerous victories it had achieved, had already acquired the highest distinction. All these circumstances tended to convince them that his force must far surpass their expectations, and be composed of materials very different from what they had imagined.

The American troops which were actually engaged in the action, did not amount to two thousand men, as appears by the following statement:

This small body of men, for more than an hour, mainained a severe conflict with a force of four or five thousand, and retired in safety from the field, with the loss of but twenty-four killed, and one hundred and fifteen wounded, and seventy-four made prisoners; while the killed, wounded, and prisoners of the enemy, were not less than four hundred. The officers and soldiers under Jackson executed every order with promptitude, and nobly sustained the honour of their country. Lieutenant-Colonel Lauderdale, of Coffee's brigade, an officer of great promise, and on whom every reliance was placed, fell manfully fighting at his post. He entered the service, and descended the river with the volunteers under General Jackson, in the winter of 1812; passed through all the hardships and difficulties of the Creek war; and ever manifested a commendable alacrity in the discharge of his duty. Young, brave, and skilful, he had already afforded evidences of a capacity which promised to be exceedingly useful in the career he had embraced. His exemplary conduct, both in civil and military life, had acquired for him a respect that rendered his death a subject of general regret. Lieutenant McLelland, a valuable young officer of the 7th, was also among the slain. General Coffee's brigade imitated the example of their commander during the action, and bravely and ably supported the character they had previously established. The unequal contest in which they were engaged never occurred to their minds, nor checked, for a moment, the rapidity of their advance. Had the British known that they were merely riflemen, and without bayonets, a firm stand would have arrested their progress, and destruction or capture would have been the inevitable consequence; but this circumstance being unknown, every charge they made was crowned with

success, producing discomfiture in the opposing ranks, and routing and driving superior numbers before them. Officers, from the highest to the inferior grades, were alike prompt and efficient. Ensign Leach, of the 7th regiment, being wounded through the body, still remained at his post, in the performance of his duty. Colonel Kemper, amid the confusion introduced on the left wing, found himself at the head of a handful of men, detached from the main body, and in the midst of a party of the enemy: never did any man better exemplify the truth of the assertion, that discretion is sometimes the better part of valor; to attempt resistance was idle, and could only end in certain destruction. Calling to a group of soldiers who were near him, in a positive tone, he demanded of them where their regiment was. Being themselves at fault, they were unable to answer; but supposing him to be one of their officers, they obeyed his orders, and followed him to his own line, where they were made prisoners.

The 7th regiment, commanded by Major Piere, and the 44th, under Major Baker, aided by Major Butler, gallantly maintained the conflict; forced the enemy from every position they attempted to occupy; and drove them some distance from the first point of attack. Confiding in themselves, and in their general, who was constantly with them, exposed to danger and in the midst of the fight, inspiring them by his ardor and encouraging them by his example, the American soldiers bravely advanced to the conflict, nor evinced a disposition to retire, until the prudence of their commander dictated the necessary order.

THE AMERICANS FORTIFY THEIR POSITION. 117

1814.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Americans fortify their position-Jackson's peremptory orders to Major Lacoste-Defence of the Pass Barrataria-Captain Lafitte-Attack made by the British on the 28th of December -Defensive preparations hastened-Death of Colonel HendersonDisaffection in New Orleans-Information communicated to the British fleet Stratagem of Mr. Shields Conduct of the Louisiana legislature-Patriotic reply of Jackson to the committee-Attempt to supply his troops with arms-Gallantry of Colonel Hinds-Cannonade on the 1st of January-Position of the American armyJackson's orders to the Frenchman to defend his property-Defences on the right bank of the river-Caution of Jackson in concealing the number of his troops. 1815.

THE distinguishing traits in the character of General Jackson, as a military commander, were clear-headed sagacity, promptness of decision, and rapidity of execution. He had no sooner resolved on the course which he thought necessary to be pursued, than he hastened with all possible dispatch, to secure its completion. After the engagement with the British on the night of the 23d of December, it was evident to his mind that it would be exceedingly unwise to risk an encounter with the enemy, in an open field, at the head of an inferior, undisciplined, and unarmed force. He conceived, therefore, that a defensive policy was the most judicious, and that by prudence and caution he would be able to preserve what might be endangered by any offensive movement. Hence, he determined to fortify himself as effectually as the peril and exigencies of the moment would permit. When to expect an attack, he could not tell; preparation and readiness to meet it, were for him to determine upon; all else was for the enemy. He proceeded promptly with his system of defence, and such was his thoughtfulness and anxiety, that, until the night of the 27th, when his lines were com