The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-02
FEBRUARY 2, 1926.

the defence of the Emporium of the West
crn world, the most dangerously vulnerable
point in our confederacy. We are the more
surprzed at this, as two Generals had held
this command previously to the arrival of
him, who was afterwards to be the g Hero
of Orleans" AS the storm, which had long
been gathering, was now about to burst,
Government awoke from sleep, which had
nearly proved to her that OF death ; but
willing to make an atonemcnt for her almost
fatal inactivity, she looked around, among
her sons of war, to make a selection of one
who combined energy and experience with
unloubted talent and invincibe bravery.
The Genius of our country presided at the
choicc and he was selected, who alone. per-
haps, was qualified. Previously to his arri-
val all had been dire confusion and wild
disnay. The banks had suspended pay
ment, commercial houses had refused to
answer their bills, distress was seen depict
ed on every countenancc, and the hydra fac
ton ruled for her brief hour. The leSisla-
turc-no, of them will be silent for there
were those among them, who we're brave
and honourabc men. The field Of Villere
and the city of Orleans can tell it. The
British were already on our coast with a
tremendous torce--the Indians were In train
ing at Pensacola, under white barbarians-
the Corsairs of Barrataia were tampered
with, and to the negroes were held ont the
hopes of freedom and Of honour. Seditious
Droclamations we're issued to the French and
Spanish inhabitants. Man looked upon his
brother in dismay, and knew not whom to
call his friend. AS were the Jews, when
surrounded by Titus, SO were the citizens of
New -Orleans-divided among themselves,
they must have fallen but one had come
who was determined td preserve them at
every peri.-Every counrenance assumed
new aspect OH his arrival, he had their con-
| fidence, and full well he deserved it. 1t was
soon fonnd absolutely necessary to place the
city under martial law. / arrived in the ci-
ty on the 9TH of January, and it was well
known there, the expected assault would
take place on the morrow, and all able to
bear arms had repaired 70 the camp and
none remained but the aged and in6rm, wo-
men and children, it was fearful thought
to them that their all depended upon the is
sue of battle. cannons' roar and the
war-drum's s roll, had been for some time the
only music that had lued them to their
slumbers but now it sounded more awful
" dreadful. All many were the rosy
cheeks blanched with terror-many were
the lips that quivered with fear; and many
we're the mothers that clasped their chill
dren wildly to their breasts, "whilst they
bitterly thought Of the morraw." They
had much to lose, even were they successful,
for husbands, brothers, sons and lovers were
about to enter the bloody lists of DEATH
The CITY was as still as the house of mourn
ing, the inhabitants had all now retired to
spend night of anxiety, of watching, per-
haps, of praver.-The only sound that broke
the silence, was the heavy tread of the senti-
mel on his post Finding it impossible to
sleep,T walked upon the street. At distance
Was heard that indescrlbable sound which
precedes great convulsion in nature. The
; affecting silence OF the city, the intermit-
ting roar of the artillery and "the bombs
E bursting in air. conspired to render it one
of the most sublime and affecting sights that
=, | ever witnessed. have seen the ocean in
: its rage and the elements on fire; / have
seen the thunder roll and the winds rush up
: the waters | have seen the hero die, and
the brave man struggle with the storms oi
fortune; but never was so forcibly affected
as on the present occasion. Wearied nature
required some repose and retired, but my
dreams were Of battles lost and won. The
war-cry of the British as they advanced to
the attack, distinctly resounded in my car,
the rafting of the small arms, mixed with
the roar of the artillery was heard; then
the clashing of the bayonets.-Now the
shrieks of the wounded and the groans ol
i the diving were borne on the sighing wind
above the noise of battle, and the rushing
sound of many men was followed by all the
horrors of night -storm--I awoke in terror,
I seized my sword and rushed to the window
1 -Ah full glad was to find it all the Gre
alton of troubled fancy. The British were
under arms during the night and advanced
a in solemn silence before day. When first
!, discovered, single gun was fred at them,
to which they answered with a shout that
distinctly re-echoed thro' New Orleans. 1t
came like the toll of the bell of death upon
the widowed heart. An awfnl cannonading
I succeeded, which, in a short time, suddenly
{ ceased, and now the most fearful fnrebod-
ings of the result WAS entertained. The rose
a fled the cheek of female beauty, the hair OF
the brave bristled with anxiety, and the
Y blood OF all rushed cold to the heart. In
Y this dreadful moment all the pangs Of death
:. were experienced and "the 5oldest held his
breath. 1T passed, and again was heard
S the defying shout, and again the battles din
We now breathed freely, we knew that our
t brethren had met the " Heroes of Weiling-
! ton" in deadly conflict and had not cravenly
quailed beneath them. No intelligence had
vet reached US; all communication having
been cut off between the camp and city by
the Martial Law. At o'clock the firing
,r.;p ceased and arain fear usurDed her