The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-02-22

SIR-I have the honor 20 inform you, that
on the morning Of the 28ih inst. at about half
past 7, perceived our advanced guard retreat
ing towards our lines--rhe enemy pursuing
Il ed shot, shells, and rockets, from held ar
tiilery, with which they advanced on the road
behind the levee spring the ship TO bring
the starboard guns to bear upon the enemy
at 2s minutes past A. NJ. the enemy opened
their FIRE upon the ship, with shells hot shot
and rockets, which was instantly returned with
gres, spiri: and much apparent effect, end
continued without intcrmission ill one p. M
when the enemy slsckened their hrc, and re-
treated with a part Of their batteries, evident
ly with great loss. Two attempts were made
10 screen one heavy piece Of ordnance mount
ed behind the levee, with which they threw
hot shot at the ship, and which had been
long time abandoned before they succeeded
in recovering IL, and then II must have been
with very great loss, as J distictly saw, with
the aid OF my glass, several shot strike In the
midst of the men (seamen) who were employ
ed dragging il away. A, r. M. the enemy
were silenced; at 4 P. M. ceased firing from
the ship, the enemy having retired beyond
the range of her guns. Many OF their shot
passed over the ship, and their shells burst
over her deck, which were stTewed with their
fragments /; yet, after an incessant cannonad.
my of upwards of seven hours, during which
800 shot were fred from the. ship, one man
only was wounded slightly, by the piece OF
shell, and one shot passed between the bow
sprt and neel OF the jib.boom.
The enemy drew up hrs whole force, evil
dently with an intention of Gen. Jsckson's
lines, under cover Of his heavy cannon, bur
his cannonadlng being so warmly returned
from the lines aud snip Louisiana. caused him
presume, TO abandon bis project, os he re-
tired without making the attempt You will
have learned by my former letters, iha, the
crew of the Louisiana Is composed OF men OF
all nations, (English exceptrd) taken from
the streets of New-Oreans not fortnight
before the battle yet never knew guns bet
ter served, or more animated fire, Than was
supported from her.
Lieutenant c. {. Is. Thompson deserves
great credit for the discipline to which in so
short time he had brough, such men, two
thirds Of whom do not understsnd English.
Gen. Jackson having applied tor officers
and seamen to work the heavy cannon on bis
lines furnished by me, Lieutenants Norris
and Crowley, Of the late schr. Carolina, in
stantly volunteered, and with the greater part
they served during the action herein detailed
The enemy must have suffered great loss
in that days action, by the heavy FIRE from
this ship and general Jackson's lines, where
the caneon was of heavy caiibre, and served
with great spirit.
have the honor 10 be, SC.
DANIEL L. PATTERSON.
Marine battery five miles or Ne.s. Orleans. 1871
yan.ary, 1915
SfR-I have the honor to INFORM you that
during the I'd and Sd inst. landed from the
ship, and mounted, as the former ones, on the
banks of the river, four more / 2 pounders,and
erected furnace for heating shot, TO destroy
a number Of buildings, which interviewed be.
tween general Jackson:s lines and the camp
OF the enemy, and occupied by him. On the
evening Of The 4th, succeeded in firing
number Of them, and some rice stacks by my
hot shot, which the enemy attempted TO ex-
anguish, ding the heavy fire kept
up, but which al length compelled them to
desist. On the 9Th and 7,h, l erected snoth-
er furnace, and mounted on the banks Of the
river, two more "a Founders, which had been
brough, up from the English Turn, by the
exer,ion oil colonel CALDWELL, of the drafted
militia Of this state, and brought within and
the river, one - FOUNDER in addition to
which, general Morgan, commanding the mi.
ltia on this side, planted two brass pound
field pieces in his lines, which were incom-
petc, having been commenced only on the
4th these three pieces were the only can.
non ON the lines, all the others being mount
cd on the bank of the river, with view to
aid the right of general Jackson's lines on
- IL. - H. L r.
should they attempt to march up the road
leading along the lcvee, or erect batteries on
the same OF course, could render no aic in
defence OF general Morgan's lines. My bat
,ery was manned in part from the crew Of the
ship, and 10 part by militia detailed for that
service by general Morgan, as had no, sea.
men enough to fully man them.
During greater part of the 7,h, reconnoi-
,ring the enemy at Viller's plantation, whose
Canal. l was informed, they were deepening,
and opening to the river, for the purpose of