The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-02-18

Grand
Truly reported l. or. those on file in tins Office.
ROBERT BUTLER,
Id afasn Gciicrdk
A 'jn'ant, Generals ofice..e ,o,<
Eew-oslca.s, JANUARY i6, 1875
C'ohv OF a letter f-on, an officer N the U
aatsd STATES Army, TO his Jfiend in this CT
~, dated
CAMP, near New Orleans,
Januar,' %, 1915.
The enemy have at length taken their de-
palturs after having remained 0f, the banks
Of the Mississippi for A weeks, within five
miles of New Orleans The left their en-
campnent on the night of the 1871. Instant, IN
the most secret and prccipitate manner;
they left on the field 70 pieces CT cannon,
their equipments and IN immense nunIber OF
ball their dead were lefC-iv the ost sha'ie G.
full manner, not hat buried. i'aey l.tt7 of
their wounded IN then camp, and two sur
seons, with request from General Lambert
to General jackson t. console, them IS pris-
oners of war they being nangled IN such
manner on tie mDrning st the Sth ty our
cannon. that they found it impossible to take
thesn of. Among the number are several
officers. We had an exchange OF prisoners
3 day or two before they left here, those Ia
ken in the gun boats and about 40 We lost ON
the night Of the 2Sd ult.--We also received
an express from Fort St. Philip yesterday
The British feet left there and returned
down the river on the morning of the 18th
instant after bombaydmens of days, tlu-
ring which tiine they threw better than 1000
shells in and about the Fort We have ascer-
tanned the enemy's loss be better than 1000
on the etn, Sad by their own accouats
since the evening of the 22d they have lost
: 500 men, while ours docs not amount TO 100
In killed and wounded ; We are also perfectly
acquainted with their Regiments x strength
they had landed g, 400. Gen. Gibbs is also
dead.
From the Alississithi RehW5Kcan-Ertra.
New Orleans, Jan. 30 1915. N
Messrs. IsLER * M'CuRDY,
GENPLEMEN,
Immediately after the re-
pulse Of the British forces on the 9Th instant,
they commenced active preparations fora
decentralization Of the troops. Al the sick
and wounded were sent on board together
with such baggage and munitions of war as
Could be safely spared-During these opera
tons, the enemy kept up a raenscing atti-
tude-frequeut indications were given of an
Intention to renew the attack on our lines, and
vigoro is works of defence were thrown up in
front If our camp. The rear of their army
retired first, while they displayed numerous
Cody OF men to oar view, and at night their
fires seemed rather t. mere SC than diminish.
They had erected batteries to cover their
retreat, in advantage Gus positions, from their
original encampneit, to the bayou through
which they entered l. kc Bourne. The en-
non placed on these batteries could have ra-
kcd pur-uing army in every direction, and
any attempt u storm them would have been
attended with great slaughter ind ed II "
ing made the necessary arrangements, on the
mig It o! the 18Th instant, the whole army pre-
Cipitately retreated to Their boats, which were
prepared to receive them, leaving behind d
bout 20 pieces of artillery, which were spil-
ed, and from 100 to 100 prisoners incluiing
the wounded, who could not be conveniently
removed. On the morning Of the iGth, the
cavalry, commanded by mi Kinds, were
ordered to pursue the ,cu'y, and make pri-
Soners Of such as could be overtaken, & as
certain whether the enemy had re-embarked
his whole force or not.
This duty was performed by that valuable
oihcer with his usual vigilance and prompt
tude. l joined in the pursuit, and had the
pleasure Ot receiving the surrender Of about
ninety prisoners, nceding the wounded who
had been left by the British commander to
the mercy OF General Jackson. | acCompa-
MEG the surgeon, who remained with those
sent to the head quarters Of the General, who
confirmed the assurances had previously gi-
ven, that the unfortunate wounded prisoners
who had thus fallen into our hands, should
be treated with the utmost humanity. The
watCh-woTd and countersgn Of the enemy on
the morning Of the 81h, was BEAUTY and
BOO lH.-C0Inment is unnecessary ON these
significant illusions held out to a licentious
soidlery Had victory declared on their side,
the scenes OF Havre de Grace, Of Hampton. Of
Alexandra, & Of ST. Sebastans, would with
out doubt have been reacted at New Orleans
with ali the unfeeins and brutal inhumanity
OF the savage foe with whom we are Contend
ing. But Heaven be praised, we are reliev-
ed from all apprehension our arms have
been crowned with triumphant success -
tho enemy IS driven in disgrace from our soil,
and } trust ere long our shores will he re-
deemed from the desolating visits of Ills Ma
.Jesty'S army and uuUy.
Information has this moment arrived, that
Thomas Shields, who was lately confined on
board tie British fleet, has made an attack on
some Of the boats OF the enemy, and taken 81
prisoners.
am, gentlemen,
Your ebedient servant,
enc pa yNrD ETTKR