This small body of men, for more than an hour, maintained a severe conflict with a force of four or five thousand, and retired in safety from the field, with the loss of bit 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 regimert, 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.

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CHAPTER VIII.

1814. 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

pleted, he never slept, or closed his eyes for a moment. Resting his hopes of safety and security to the city, on his ability to check the advance of the enemy, he was everywhere present, encouraging his troops, and hastening a completion of the work. The concern and excitement produced by the important object before him, were so great, that for five days and four nights he was constantly employed. His line of defence, the celebrated. cotton embankment, being completed on the night of the 27th, for the first time since the arrival of the enemy, he sought that rest and repose he so much needed.

The violence of the attack made on the night of the 23d of December, naturally excited the fears of the British troops, and it was considered important to keep their apprehensions alive, with a view to destroy the overweening confidence with which they had arrived on our shores, and to compel them to act for a time upon the defensive. To effect this, General Coffee, with his brigade, was ordered down on the morning of the 24th, to unite with Colonel Hinds, and make a show in the rear of Lacoste's plantation. The enemy being not yet recovered from the panic produced by the assault of the preceding evening, believed it was in contemplation to urge another attack, and immediately formed themselves to repel it; but Coffee, having succeeded in recovering some of his horses, which were wandering along the margin of the swamp, and in regaining part of the clothing that his troops had lost the night before, returned to the line, leaving them to conjecture the object of his movement.

The scanty supply of clothes and blankets that remained to the soldiers, from their long and exposed marches, had been left where they dismounted to meet the enemy. Their numbers were too limited, and the strength of their opponents too well ascertained, for any part of their forces to remain and take care of what was left behind; it was so essential to hasten on and reach their destination, that they might be ready to act when the signal was given from the Caroline, that no time was afforded them to secure their horses, which were turned loose, and their recovery trusted entirely to chance. Al

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though many were regained, many were lost; while most of the men remained with but a single suit, to encounter in the open field, and in swamps covered with water, the hardships of a camp, and the severity of winter. It is a circumstance which entitles them to much credit, that under privations so severely oppressive, complaints or murmurs were never heard. This state of things fortunately was not of long continuance. The story of their sufferings and misfortunes was no sooner known, than the legislature appropriated a sum of money for their relief, which was greatly increased by subscriptions in the city and neighborhood. Materials having been purchased, the ladies, with that Christian charity and warmth of heart characteristic of their sex, at once exerted themselves in supplying their wants; all their industry was called into action, and in a little time the suffering soldiers were relieved. Such generous conduct, in extending assistance, at a moment when it was so much needed, while it conferred on those females the highest honor, could not fail to nerve the arm of the brave soldier with new zeal for the defence of his fair benefactors. This distinguished mark of their patriotism and benevolence is still remembered; and often, as these valiant men are heard to recount the dangers they have passed, and with peculiar pride to dwell on the mingled honors and hardships of the campaign, they breathe a sentiment of gratitude for those who conferred upon them such distinguished marks of their kindness, and who by their timely interference alleviated their misfortunes and their sufferings.

In order to prevent the advance of the enemy, and keep up a show of resistance, detachments of light troops were occasionally kept in front of their line, assailing and harassing their advanced posts, whenever an opportunity was offered for acting to advantage. Every moment that could be gained, and every delay that could hinder or retard the enemy's attempts to reach the city, was of the utmost importance. The works were rapidly progressing, and hourly increasing in strength. The militia of the state were every day arriving, and every day the prospect of successful opposition became brighter and more auspicious.