front. The enemy were entirely defeated and dispersed, with the loss of 1 Capt. and 17 privates killed, and 3 Capts. 5 subalterns, and 103 privates, taken prisoners. Our loss was only one killed, and six wounded. The next day we proceeded on and took several prisoners, 200 stands of arms, and destroyed five valuable mills, when we commenced our return march for this place, which we reached yesterday I have the honor to be, &c. D. M'ARTHUR. CHAPTER XIII. Gen. Jackson to Gov. Early. H. Q. Tensaw, Nov. 14th, 1814. [Extract.] SIR-Last evening I returned from Pensacola to this place--I reached that post on the evening of the 6th On my approach, I sent Maj. Pierre with a flag to communicate the object of my visit to the Gov. of Pensacola. He approached fort St. George, with his flag displayed, and was fired on by the cannon from the fort-he returned and made report thereof to me. I immediately went with the Adj. Gen. and the Maj, with a small escort, and viewed the fort and found it defended by British and Spanish troops. I immediately determined to storm the town. On the morning of the 7th, I marched with the effective regulars of the 3d, 39th, and 44th infantry, part of Gen. Coffee's brigade, the Mississippi dragoons, and part of the West Tennessee regiment, and part of the Choctaws led by Maj. Blue, of the 39th, and Maj. Kennedy of the Mississippi territory. Being encamped on the west of the town I calculated they would expect the assault from that quarter, and be prepared to rake me from the fort, and the British armed vessels, seven in number, that lay in the bay. To cherish this idea I sent out part of the mounted men to show themselves on the west, whilst I passed in rear of the fort undiscovered to the east of the town. When I appeared within a mile, I was in full view. My pride was nev er more heightened than viewing the uniform firmness of my troops, and with what undaunted courage they advanced, with a strong fort ready to assail them on the right, 7 British armed vessels on the left, and strong blockhouses and batteries of cannon in their front, but they still advanced with unshaken firmness, entered the town, when a battery of two cannon was opened upon the centre.column composed of the regulars, with ball and grape, and a shower of musketry from the houses and gardens. The battery was immediately stormed by Capt. Levall and company, and carried, and the musketry was soon silenced by the steady and well directed fire of the regulars. The Gov. met Cols. Williamson and Smith, who led the dismounted volunteers, with a flag, begged for mercy, and surrendered the town and fort unconditionally; mercy was granted and protection given to the citizens and their property. On the morning of the 8th, I prepared to march and storm the Barancas, but, before I could move, tremendous explosions told me that the Barancas, with all its appendages, was blown up. I dispatched a detachment of two hundred men to explore it, who returned in the night with the information that it was blown up, all the combustible parts burnt, the cannon spiked and dismounted except two: this being the case, I determined to withdraw my troops, but before I did I had the pleasure to see the British de-part. The steady firmness of my troops has drawn a just respect from our enemies-It has convinced the Red Sticks that they have no strong hold or protection, only in the friendship of the United States. The good order and conduct of my troops whilst in Pensacola, has convinced the Spaniards of our friendship, and prowess, and has drawn from the citizens an expression that our Choctaws are more civilized than the British. I have the honor to be, &c. ANDREW JACKSON. Gen. Jackson to the Secretary of War. H. Q. New-Orleans, Dec. 27, 1814. [Extract.] SIR-I have the honor to inform you of the result of the action on the 23d. The loss of our gun boats near the pass of the Rigolets, have given the enemy com mand of lake Borgne, he was enabled to choose his point of attack. It became therefore an object of importance to obstruct the numerous bayous and canals leading from that lake, to the highlands on the Mississippi. This important service was committed to Major Gen. Villere, commanding the district between the river and the lakes, and who, being a native of the country, was presumed to be best acquai sted with all those passes. Unfortunately, however, a picquet which the Gen. had established at the mouth of the bayou Bienvenu, and which notwithstanding my orders had been left unobstructed, was completely surprised, and the enemy penetrated through a canal leading to his farm, about two leagues below the city, and succeeded in cutting off a com pany of militia stationed there.This intelligence was communicated to me about 12 o'clock on the 22d. My force at this time did not exceed in all 1500. I arrived near the enemy's encampment about seven, and immediately made my dispositions for the attack. His forces amounting at that time on land to about 3000, extended half a mile on the river, and in the rear nearly to the wood Gen. Coffee was ordered to turn their right, while with the residue of the force I attacked his strongest position on the left near the river. Com. Patterson having dropped down the river in the schooner Caroline, was directed to open a fire upon their camp, which he executed at about half after seven. This being the signal of attack, Gen. Coffee's men with their usual impetuosity, rushed on the enemy's right and enters ed their camp, while pur right advanced with equal ardor, A thick fog arose about 8 o'clock occasioning some confusion among the different corps. Fearing the consequences, under this circumstance, of the prosecution of a night attack with. troops then acting together for the first time, I contented myself with lying on the field that night; and at four in the morning assumed a stronger position about two miles nearer the city. In this affair the whole corps under my command deserve the greatest credit. The best compliment I can pay to Gen. Coffee and his brigade, is to say, they behaved as they have always done while under my command. The two field pieces were well served by the officer commandIng them. We have made 1 major, 2 subalterns, and sixty-three privates prisoners. I have the honor to be, &c. ANDREW JACKSON. AMERICAN LOSS. Killed and Wounded 100. BRITISH LOSS. Killed and Wounded 344--Prisoners 66. Gen. Jackson to the Secretary of War. H. Q. New-Orleans, Jan. 13, 1815. [Extract.] SIR-At such a crisis I conceive it my duty to keep you constantly advised of my situation. ap Early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy having been actively employed the two preceding days in making preparations for a storm, advanced in two strong columns on my right and left. They were received however, with a firmness, which seems, they little expected, and which defeated all their hopes. My men undisturbed by their proach, which indeed they long anxiously wished for, opened upon them a fire so deliberate and certain, as rendered their scaling ladders and fascines, as well as their more direct implements of warfare, perfectly useless. For upwards of an hour it was continued with a briskness of which there have been but few instances, perhaps, in any country. In justice to the enemy it must be said, they withstood it as long as could have been expected from the most determined bravery. At length however when all prospect of success became hopeless, they fled in confusion from the field -leaving it covered with their dead and wounded. My loss was inconsiderable; being only seven killed and six wounded. Such a disproportion in loss, when we consider the number and the kind of troops engaged, must, I know, excite astonishment, and may not, every where, be fully credited: yet I am perfectly satisfied that the account is not exaggerated on the one part, nor underrated on the other. Whether after the severe losses he has sustained, he is preparing to return to his shipping, or to make still migh * This was in the action on the line-afterwards a skirmishing was kept up in which a few more of our men were lost, tier efforts to attain his first object, I do not pretend to determine. It becomes me to act as though the latter was his intention. One thing, however, seems certain, that if he still calculates on effecting what he has hitherto been unable to accomplish he must expect considerable reinforcements, as the force with which he landed, must undoubtedly be diminished at least 3000. Besides the loss which he sustained on the night of the 23d ultimo, which is estimated at 400, he cannot have suffered less between that period and the morning of the 8th inst. than 300; having within that time, been repulsed in two general attemps to drive us from our position, and there having been continual cannoaading and skirmishing, during the whole of it. Yet he is still able to show a very formidable force. The commanding General sir Edward Packenham was killed in the action of the 8th, and Major Generals Kean and Gibbs were mortally wounded. I have the honor to be, &c, ANDREW JACKSON. AMERICAN LOSS. Killed seven-wounded six. BRITISH LOSS. Killed 700-wounded 1400-prisoners 562. Lieut. Shields to Com. Patterson. New-Orleans, Jan. 25th, 1815. [Extract.] SIR-I have the honor of reporting the result of the expedition ordered by you on the 17th inst. The 19th, at night, I left the Pass Cheuf Menteur, having made the necessary observations on the enemy before dark, with 5 boats and your gig, manned with 50 men. At 10 P. M. captured a boat by surprise, manned with 55 men. The number of prisoners exceeding my men, I thought it most prudent to land them, to prevent weakening my force. which was accordingly done, and the prisoners were put into the charge of the army at the Pass. The 21st, at day light, I again fell into the track of the fleet. Finding it impossible to make any captures, without being discovered, I determined to run down among them, and strike at every opportunity-hoisted English colors, and took a transport boat with 5 men; ordered her to follow, and stood for a transport schooner, with 10 men, which I board |