Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-04

l have the honor 70 be, with great re.
spect. your obedicnr servant,
ANDREW JACKSON,
lfy2r Gen. Comd'g.
Hon, James Monroe,
Secretary of War.
Head Quarters, IN Military Dis,u.t,
CAN'T DC o,u Me3u DREAMS,
27tE Dec an :he gornine.
-SiR-The loss oF our gun boats near the
pass ofthe Rigolc.s having gwen the enc.
my command of LAKE Borne, he was cna.
bled TO choase his point uf attack. I be.
came therefore al object of in onr;as.e :,
oostruct the numerous hayous AMI canals
leading From that lake t. the highlands on
the Mississippi. This important service
was committed, IN the first instance to a
detachment from the 9TH regiment, after.
wards To Col. De !.sront!e of the Lcuisisnn
militia, and TASTY, % make a, sure, to Mai
Zen. Where, com nSudias tn districj be .
tween the river aul the IaFes, and who,
peinS native of tue corntry. was pcesu,
med to be best ac1C1;aed with al those
passes UbfortInatc!v, however, a picon..
which the reneral hid eStabishei 4, ia.
mouth of the Rayou Beu ,.nn, 7nd which,
Notwithstanding my orders. had been lett
~,
The enemy penetrated through a clna; lea
ding TO his farm, about two leagues below
the city, anil @ucceclel in cutting OF
company of militia stationed there. This
Intelligence was communicated TO me about
II O'Clock Of the 23d. My force at this
hme consisted of parts of the 7th and 44th
regiments, not exceeding 500 together, The
mliYa, a part of general CofFee's brigade
or mounted gunner, and the detached mi.
MA from the western division of Tennes-
see unGer the command of Major General
SaFrol. These two last corps were stati-
o1eI iour miles above tue city. Appre.
hehding double attack by the way oF
Sh'er.Mentcur, l left General Carrots
iorce and the militia of the city posted on
the Gentilly road; and at FIVE o'clock p.
M. marched to meet the enemy, whom
was resolved to attack in his first position,
with Major Kinds dragons, zen. CofTse's
brigade, parts of the 9TH and 44,h regi>
ments, the uniformed companies of militia
nnoer the Command Of Major Plaoche, 200
men Lt colour. chiehv from ST Domingo,
raised by Colonel Savarc. and ACTING under
the Command Of Major Dagwn, and dc.
tachment NJ artillery under the direction az
Noionel M'Rea, with 9 six Founders. under
t!e command OF Lieut.. SPOTS rot exces
oinS IN all 1900 / arrived near the enc
ny encampment about seven and imme
uiateiy made my dispositions for the attack.
MS forces amounting at that time on land
10 about 5000, extended half mile on the
river, and in the rear nearly TO the wood.
Ssberal Coffee was ordered to turn their
right, while with the residue of the force,
attacked his strongest position on tho left,
near the rirer. Com. Patterson having
0f0DnPd 81
Caroiine, was directed to open fire upon
their camp, which he executed at about
nall after seven This being the signal of
attack, General Coffee's men, with their
usual impetuosity, rushed ON the eneny's
right aud entered their camp. white our
right advanced with equal order. There
can DE but little doubt, that we should have
succeeded on that occasion with our infe.
'Ior force IN destroying or capturing the
enemy, bad not thick fog which arose A..
Oout O'Clock, occasioRed some confusion
among the different corps, Fearing the
consequences, under this circumstance, of
further prosecution Of night attack with
troops then acting together for the first
Tune, ] contepted myself with lying on the
held that night and at four in the morn
ing assumed n stronger position about two
miles nearer the city. At this position
remain encamped, waiting the arrival Of
the Kentucky militia and other reinforce.
ments. As the safety Of the city will de-
pend on the fate Of this army. it must not
be incautiously exposed.
In this affair the whole corps under nv
command deserve the greatest credit. The
best compliment can pay to Gen. Coffee
and his brigade is to say they behaved az
they have always done while under nv
command The 7th. led by major Pierre.
and the 44;h, Commanded BY colonel Ross
distinguished themselves. The battalion o.
civ laliIilia .I..l h..