Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-03-29
Extracts from Jamaica hahcrs received 6y
The ChasScur
KINGSTON. January 81.
FROM THE EXpEDITyoN

FROM THE EXPEDITION.
His Majessy's troop ship Diomede, of Cd
guns, Captain Kppen, arrived yesterday
from the Mississippi, having sailed from
thence on the 4th inst, for the purpose OF
obtainng provisions.
BY the Diomede we have obtained the
following particulars
The expedition under Sir Alexander
r. Cochrane and Major General Kean, ar,
rived off Chaudileur Islands (Mississppi) on
the 11th Dec. and on the ii d, the boa ts of
the squadroH under the immediate com.
mand of Captain LockVer, of the Soph
brig, attacked the American flotilia, Gov.
sisting OF large scars. and gun boats
mounting each from to guns and full of
men. After desperate engagement, The
whole OF them were taken possession of by
the British. Captain Lockyer was severe.
iy wounded, but had recovered from his
wounds, and made post captain. and app
pointed to command the gun.boats. Lit.
Pratt list ofthe Seahoise, who commanded
one OF the boats. was killed while galam
~ leading his men on the decks OF one of
the largest Of the enemy's gun boats.
On the 24ih ulr the advanced guard of
the British, consisting o. the 85th and 93d
regis were landed on Blind Lake, abou 9
miles from the city If New Orleans for the
purpose of RECOMMENDING, when they were
attacked by the whole American force UNI
der General Jackson, consisting from all
accounts obtained, from ID t. Is coo men.
and 20 gun ship and a schr OF 16 guns.
which optfianked the British or the side OF
the River. After hours hard fighting the
Americans gave way, and retreated for Sc
curiiy behind some strong entertainments.
General hean, commanded on this occa.
sion, and notwithstanding he had NOT more
than 5000 men, he not only succeeded in
completely routing the Americans, out made
800 prisoners who, with several trophies,
were conducted to the main body of the
British force.
Oh this occasion we have to lament the
death ct several valuable officers among
them are capt. Gray, of the S5sh, vino was
killed early in the action. Captain Knox,
OF the same regiment was wounded--Lieut.
Sir Eaden, lost leg---Maj Hooper,
95th. also lost leg---Col. Ssovin was
woundedi in the leg.
Col. Thornton, who was second i'm com
mand, was at one time surrounded BY the
Americans. but he CALAMITY cut his way
through them.
A party of the Medical and other Staff
were also surrounded, but they were extri.
Gated, and the Americans made prisoners.
The British erected battery with 10 is
Founders, which blew up the schr. which
had been oatilanking them, and the ship inn
mediately cut her cables and stood further
up the river.
Two days after, several Eats were con.
structed by the British for the purpose of
being hauled over the river, so as TO assist
in transporting baggage. &c.
On the 24.h ult. the Statira frigate arriv.
ed from Portsmouth, with Maj General
Packenham on board few days after the
Nngeur, with General Lambert, when the
whole Of the British army, we're landed
consisting of 10000 bayonets, independent
OF seamen and marines, and the grand at /.
tack it was expected would be made on the
Sd of January.
Just before the Diomede sailed, heavy
cannoDading was heard, and accounts were
received Of two of the enemies batteries hav
ing beentaken.
The feet lay about four miles from
the city, at place called Lake Ponohar
train.
The Americans had fortified New Or
leans very strongly, two new batteries had
been erected.
The British had erected two batterie,
made OF sugar hogsheads and sand, and
mounted several guns on them.
Sir a COchrane and I'D Malcolm were
with the army.
The whole of the troops, as well as pro
visions, &c. had to be carried Ia boats about
400 miles, the weather was very cold, and
the men suffered much, many Of them being
frostbhten.
The 9Th w. India regt we're landed, bu,
the LIST suffered much from the cold. & were
still on board the ships
II was expected that ~ Orleans would
fall BY the 9th Of Jan. as Gent PackeDham
was confident of taking il.