Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-06-12

.commodatl0n OF HUI mcH, oHis
of boats sufficient to contain $50 was ena-
HE'D to reach their destination Even
these did not arrive at the time appoint
ed, According to the preconcerted pian'
Col. Thorntons detachment was TO cross
the river Immediately after dark. They
were to push forward SO as to carry all
the batteries, and point the guns before
day light; when on the throwing up OF a
rocket, they were to commence hring
upon the enemy's line, which at the same
moment was to be attacked by the main
of our army.
In this manner was one part OF the
force to act, while the rest were thus ap-
pointed. Dividing his troops into three
columns, Sir Edward directed. that Gen,
eral Keane, at the head of the 95th, the
light companies of the 2lst, 4th and 44th,
together with the two black corps, should
make a demonstration, or sham attack
upon the right; that general Gibbs with
the 18th. 2lst, 44th and esd, should force
the ene1ny's left, while general Lambert
with the 9TH and 43d remained in reserve,
ready to act as circumstances might re-
ouire. But in storming an entrenched
position, something more than courage is
required. Scaling ladders and fascines
had, therefore, been prepared. with which
to fill up the ditch and mount the wall
and since to carry these was service of
danger, requiring corps well worthy Of
dependence, the 44th was for that pur
pose selected, as regiment of sufficient
numerical strength, and already accus-
toned to American warfare. Thus were
all things arranged on the night of the
9TH, for the Sth was fixed upon as the day
decisive of the fate of New Orleans.
While the rest of the army, therefore,
lay down to sleep till they should be rous-
ed up to fight, Colonel Thornton, with the
18th, and corps of Marines and seamen,
amounting in all to 400 men, moved
down to the brink of the river. As yet,
however, no boats had arrived-hour af-
ter hour elapsed before they came; and
when they did come the misfortunes which
| have stated above were discovered, for
out of all that had been ordered up, only
few made their appearance. Still it
was absolutely necessary that this part of
the plan should be carried into execution
Dismissing, therefore, the rest of his fol-
lowers, the colonel put himself at the
head of his own regiment, about SO sea-
men, and as many marines, and with this
small force, consisting of no more than
$40 men, pushed off, But unfortunately,
the loss of time nothing could repair. In
stead of reaching the opposite bank, at
least by midnight, dawn was beginningt to
appear before the boats quilted the canal.
1t was in vain that they rowed on in per-
feet silence, and with oars muffied, gain
ing the point of debarkation without being
perceived 1t was in vain that they made
good their landing and formed upon the
beach, without opposition OF alarm; day
had already broke, and the signal rocket
wrs then seen in the air, while they were
yet four miles from the batteries, which
ought hours ago to have been taken.
In the mean time the main body armed
and moved forward some way in front of
the piquets. There they stood waiting
for day light, and listening with the great
est anxiety for the firing which ought
now to be heard on the opposite bank.
DuL tnl6 dlIcutlOu was cAcFtcu Ill Will, y
day dawned upon them long before they
desired its appearance. Nor was Sir Ed
ward Packenhsm, disappointed in this
plan alone. Instead of perceiving every
thing in readiness, for the assault, he saw
his troops in battle array, indeed, but not
ladder or fascine upon the field. The
44th, which was appointed to carry them,
had either misunderstood or neglected
their orders; and now headed the column
of attack, without any means being pro-
vided for crossing the enemy's ditch, or
scaling his rampant
The Indignation of poor Packenham on
this occasion may be imagined but cannot
| be described. Galloping towards colonel
Mullens, who led the 4Ith, he command
ed him instantly to return with his regi
ment for the ladders but the opportunity
Of planting them was lost end though they
were brought up, it was only to be scat
tered over the field by the frightened
bearers, for our troops were by this time
visible to the enemy. A dreadful fire
was accordingly opened upon them and
they were moved down by hundreds,
while they stood waiting for orders.
(TO be COntinued.)