66

affairs, placed the city under martial law, erected fortifica. tions, and organized and drilled the militia. He was at this time 47 years of age, and is described as a tall gaunt man, of very erect carriage, with a countenance full of stern decision and fearless energy, but furrowed with care and anxiety. His complexion was sallow and unhealthy; his hair was iron-gray, and his body thin and emaciated. But the fierce glare of his bright hawk-like gray eye betrayed a soul which triumphed over the infirmities of the body." He wore a short blue cloak, high dragoon boots "long ignorant of blacking", a small leather cap, and threadbare regimentals. 508. Information respecting the designs of the British, had been obtained, among other sources, from Lafitte [lah-fit'], the chief of several hundred adventurers, charged with be ing pirates and smugglers, who occupied the Bay of Bar-ata'-ri-a, an inlet from the Gulf of Mexico just west of the Mississippi. Plundering Spanish merchant-vessels, through the connivance or indifference of the authorities of New Orleans they sold in that port the products of their buccaneering voyages. Early in September, the British commander at Pensacola, with the view of securing the aid of this company, had offered to receive them into his country's service, and unfolded to their leader the details of the intended attack. The latter sumptuously entertained the British messenger at his luxurious home on one of the islands in the bay, but declined his offers. Though an adventurer, Lafitte was no traitor. He had lived among the citizens of New Orleans; and he resolved not to desert them in the hour of need. Laying before the authorities the information he had received, he offered, on condition of pardon for past offences, to lead his men to the defence of the city. After the invasion of his stronghold and the seizure of papers which confirmed his statements, his proposal was accepted, and the Baratarians did good service in the hard-fought battles that followed.

Jackson described at this time? How was he dressed? 508. From whom had information respecting the designs of the British been obtained? Give an account of La fitte and his company. What proposition was made to them? How was it met? On

1814]

THE BRITISH REACH THE MISSISSIPPI.

383

509. On the 24th of November, the army destined for the invasion of Louisiana was reviewed at Jamaica. It consisted of the force that had been serving in the Chesapeake, and strong reinforcements from Europe, making in all 50 vessels, carrying 1,000 guns, and, including some subsequent additions, 12,000 troops, the flower of the British army. The chief command was intrusted to Sir Edward Packenham, a brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington, and next to him the most distinguished of English military leaders. The invaders had no doubt of their success. They had already organized a government for Louisiana, and carried with them a printing-press to announce the proclamations of the new authorities. Boldly entering Lake Borgne [born], the enemy, on the 14th of December, captured a flotilla of gunboats, which had been stationed there for the defence of the city. An unfrequented bayou, the guards of which, with a single exception, were captured, brought them to within a few miles of the Mississippi, and on the 22nd, their advanced guard reached the bank of that river nine miles from New Orleans.

510. Within a few hours after Jackson received this in telligence, he had 2,000 men in motion. Many of them were from Tennessee, unerring marksmen, arrayed in homespun, with slouched hats of wool or fur, and tomahawks in their deerskin belts. Shortly after dark [December 23rd], the Caroline, a schooner of 14 guns, dropped down the river, and opened a destructive fire on the British camp. Generals Jackson and Coffee followed up the attack in front. The darkness rendered it almost impossible to distinguish friend from foe, but both parties fought with the greatest bravery. At length, Jackson, finding himself unable to drive the enemy from their position, withdrew his men, having lost 213, to over 300 killed and wounded on the part of the enemy.

which side did Lafitte engage? 509. Where did the invading force assemble for review? Of what did it consist? By whom was it commanded? What were the feelings of the British? What did they carry with them? What lake did the enemy enter? What did they do on the 14th of December? How did they reach the Mississippi? What was their position on the 22nd? 510. What did Jackson do on receiving this intelligence? Describe the Tennesseeans. How was the attack opened on the 23rd? Give

The next day, he fell back to the Rodriguez [ro-dree'-gath] Canal, where he determined to make a final stand. Extending his line from the river to an impassable swamp on the

left, he threw up strong intrenchments, sent for the rest of his men from New Orleans, and ordered a detachment across the Mississippi, to prevent the enemy from reaching the city in that direction.

Packenham having joined the army, and his preparations being completed, the invaders, on the 28th of December, made a vigorous attack on the American lines, but were repulsed with a loss of nearly 200 men. A supply of heavy cannon was sent for from the fleet; and on the 1st of January, 1815, having the night before planted batteries within 400 yards of the American works, they opened a tremendous cannonade. A thick fog concealed their movements, till a terrific crash of balls from thirty guns of heavy calibre, together with hissing shells and glaring rockets, announced

an account of Gen. Jackson's attack. What was the result? What position did Jackson take the next day? [See Map.-What was on Jackson's left? Who commanded there? What was on Jackson's right?] How did he strengthen his position? What took place Dec. 28th? What did the British then send for? What took place on the

1815]

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

385

that a severe struggle was at hand. The Americans had only ten cannon; but these were handled with such spirit that they were more than a match for those of the enemy. Both parties had made a mistake in constructing their works. The British had used hogsheads full of sugar, supposing that they would act like sand-bags; but the well-aimed balls of the Americans shattered them to fragments, and spread destruction around and behind. Jackson, in his breastwork, had used cotton bales, which seemed to answer the purpose, till a red-hot shot from the British set one of them on fire and scattered its blazing fragments among the barrels of powder which stood ready for use. The flames were extinguished without accident; but the cotton bales were taken out, and a breastwork of earth about five feet high, with trusty rifles behind it, was the only defence employed in the conflicts that followed. The British, after a loss of 70 men to 34 on the part of the Americans, drew off their guns and fell back.

511. Preparations were now made on both sides for a decisive battle. Gen. Lambert brought up a fresh division of British troops, which increased their number to 10,000; while Jackson, also reinforced, found himself in command of 6,000 men, 3,200 of whom defended the breast work. Before daylight on the 8th of January, a detachment was sent against the Americans on the right bank of the Mississippi, while the main body, led by Packenham in person, advanced to storm Jackson's position. As soon as they came within reach of the American cannon, a terrible fire thinned their ranks, but still they moved on in good order. "Stand to your guns," shouted Jackson, as they approached; "don't waste your ammunition, see that every shot tells." In another moment, the order to fire was given. Under the murderous discharge that followed, the advancing column wavered. A fresh regiment, with Packenham at its head,

1st of January, 1815? How many cannon had the Americans? How were they handled? What mistake was made by the British in constructing their works? What, by the Americans? What was the result of the cannonade? 511. For what did both parties now prepare? What was the force of each? What was the first movement of the British on the 8th of January? Who led the main body? Give an account of the

hastened to their support. All that brave men and expe rienced leaders could do, was done; but before those fatal rifles no foe could stand. Packenham had his right arm shattered, and his horse killed under him; his broken ranks retired in confusion.

The sun was now rising, and his early beams fell on the gleaming arms of a fresh division of British advancing to the attack. Again a cloud of smoke curled up from the breastwork, and again fearful havoc was made in the ranks

of the assailants. Packenham, struck by a grape-shot, fell back into the arms of the same officer, who, under similar circumstances, received the body of Gen. Ross at Baltimore.

first assault. How did it result? Give an account of the second assault. What did