which

becoming imbued with the same dauntless courage he always exhibited. Bold without being rash, daring without being reckless, his own noble bearing was sufficient to arouse emotions of patriotism where none had existed. The 8th of January was a momentous day, not merely in his history, but also in that of the country. He felt the importance of the occasion, but nothing caused him to waver or hesitate. Those who were present at the battle, concur in saying, that there was a grandeur and sublimity about him, as he rode along the lines, that was absolutely irresistible. Every order was given with promptness and decision. Above the thunder of the artillery, and the roar of musketry, he was heard cheering and encouraging his men. Wherever his eagle-eye flashed, it excited the most intense enthusiasm; and when the shrill notes of his trumpet voice were heard amidst the din of battle, every heart beat with a stronger pulsation, and every arm was nerved with tenfold vigor.

After the battle, General Jackson could have easily captured every man belonging to the British force, on the land, if he had been supplied with arms, according to his repeated and urgent requests, and agreeably to the promises that were made to him. The want of these compelled him to remain stationary in his position, until the opportunity had passed. The British crossed the river, and embarked on board the vessels waiting to receive them, without further molestation. The account given by them of the battle, is so very different from what really took place, and there is such an evident attempt to conceal the extent of their defeat, that it is well worthy the perusal. The following official bulletin, professing to give a statement of the affair, was issued from the war office in London, on the reception of the intelligence:

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"War Department, March 8, 1815. Captain Wylly arrived this morning, with despatches from Major-general Lambert, detailing the operations against the enemy in the neighborhood of New Orleans. It appears that the army, under the command of Major

general Keane, was landed at the head of the Bayonne, in the vicinity of New Orleans, on the morning of the 23d of December, without opposition; it was, however, at-tacked by the enemy in the course of the night succeeding the landing, when, after an obstinate contest, the enemy were repulsed at all points, with considerable loss. On the morning of the 25th, Sir E. Packenham arrived, and assumed the command of the army. On the 27th, at daylight, the troops moved forward, driving the enemy's pickets to within six miles of the town, when the main body of the enemy was discovered, posted behind a breastwork, extending about one thousand yards, with the right resting on the Mississippi, and the left on a thick wood.

The interval between the 27th of December and the 8th of January, was employed in preparations for an attack upon the enemy's position. The attack which was intended to have been made on the night of the 7th, did not, owing to the difficulties experienced in the passage of the Mississippi, by a corps under Lieutenant-colonel Thornton, which was destined to act on the right bank of the river, take place till early on the morning of the 8th. The division to whom the storming of the enemy's work was intrusted, moved to the attack at that time, but being too soon discovered by the enemy, were received with a galling and severe fire from all parts of their line. Major-general Sir Edward Packenham, who had placed himself at the head of the troops, was unfortunately killed at the head of the glacis, and Major-generals Gibbs and Keane were nearly at the same moment wounded. The effect of this upon the troops caused a hesitation in their advance, and though order was restored by the advance of the reserve under Major-general Lambert, to whom the command of the army had devolved, and Colonel Thornton had succeeded in the operation assigned to him on the right bank of the river; yet the major-general, upon the consideration of the difficulties which yet remained to be surmounted, did not think himself justified in ordering a renewal of the attack. The troops, therefore, retired to the position which they had occupied previous to the

attack. In that position they remained until the evening of the 18th, when, the whole of the wounded, with the exception of eighty, (whom it was considered dangerous to remove,) the field artillery, and all the stores of every description, having been embarked, the army retired to the head of the Bayonne, where the landing had been originally cfected, and re-embarked without molestation."

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CHAPTER X.

1815. Gratitude of the citizens of New Orleans to their deliverer— Jackson strengthens his position-Anonymous publications inciting his troops to revolt-The author placed in arrest-Judge Hall ordered into custody for his interference-The British retire to their shipping-Treaty of peace signed-Cessation of hostilities-Jackson submits to the fine imposed by the judge-Farewell address to his troops-Return to Nashville-Depredations committed by the Seminole Indians-Jackson ordered to take command of the southern army-Enters Florida with his army-Execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister-Capture of St. Marks and Pensacola-Termination of hostilities-Jackson's conduct approved-Appointed governor of Florida-Administration of his judicial duties-Difficulty with the Ex-governor, Callava-Jackson's ill health compels him to return home. 1821.

THE Successful defence made by General Jackson against the attempt to storm his intrenchments, banished all the apprehensions of danger which the citizens of New Orleans had previously indulged. They eagerly hailed him as their deliverer and protector. No encomium could be too exalted to express the feelings of gratitude which they cherished towards him. In the midst of dangers and difficulties, he had perseveringly continued his defensive operations, until the result of the battle fully confirmed their efficiency. Obstacles that would have disheartened another commander, neither interfered with his plans, or daunted his spirit. Every thing was made to yield to the necessities of the crisis, and the bidding of his determined will. His influence was felt everywhere around and about him. What his feeble army lacked in numbers and in equipments, was more than made up, by the high-souled enthusiasm which he infused into their ranks. Treason shrunk abashed from his presence, and cowardice itself, at his side, became the most unflinching courage and the most devoted patriotism. The harsh and vigorous measures to which he was compelled to resort,

led to frequent complaints; but when the danger was averted, and the city saved from plunder and rapine, even his arbitrary exercise of power was justified and approved. All classes and conditions united in the expression of their sincere and heartfelt thankfulness. Demonstrations of public respect succeeded each other daily; the congratulations of his fellow-countrymen, whose property and whose lives he had defended, flowed in upon him without stint; and the general sentiment of approbation which soon reached his ears was no more flattering to his pride, than it was just to his abilities and his services.

Although the defeat of the British on the 8th of January completely frustrated their plans, and put an end to their contemplated march upon the city, Jackson deemed it best to continue the same watchful discipline and care which had been attended with such satisfactory results. Had his men been properly supplied with arms, he would have completed the brilliant defence of the 8th of January, by the capture of the whole British force, but, situated as he was, it would have been rash in the extreme to have commenced any offensive operations. He confined, himself, therefore, to perfecting his line of defences, and constructing new ones at assailable points, in order that the success already obtained might not be hazarded by remissness or neglect. While actively engaged in the discharge of his duty, the traitors and spies who had previously occasioned him so much trouble and vexation, were secretly at work in their efforts to counteract his plans. Having failed in one attempt to betray the country, they adopted a different mode of proceeding. Besides affording intelligence of his movements to the enemy, they caused anonymous articles, calculated to excite mutiny among his troops, to be inserted in one of the newspapers published in the city of New Orleans. So bold an act of treason was not to be overlooked, and with his characteristic energy and decision of character, Jackson promptly demanded of the publisher the name of the writer of the articles. The demand was complied with, and the traitor was discovered to be one of the members of the legislature. An order was forthwith issued by the general for his im