Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-30
CDe late ICar.
From "a Subaitern in .9nericG."
THE ATTACK ON NEW ORLEANS.

THE ATTACK On NEW ORLEANS.
We must refer the reader to our author for
the topography of the field of operations
aThe place where we landed was as wtId as il
is possible 80 imagine. Wherever we looked
nothing wss to be seen but one huge marsh,
covered with tall reeds; not a house. not a yes
tige of human industry could be discovered;
and even OF trees, there were but a few grow.
ing upon the banks oft creek.-Yet it was
such a spot as, above all others. favoured cur
operations. No eye could watch us, or report
our arrival to the American General. by re-
naming quietly among the reeds, we might eff
~fsctually conceal ourselves from notice: be-
cause, from the appearance Of all around, it
was easy TO perceive that the place which we
occupied was seldom, ii ever before, marked
with a human footstep. Concealment, howe.
yer, was the thing of all others which we re-
CURED; for be 1t remembered, that there were
nov oaly sixteen hundred men on the main
land. The rest We're still at Pine Island, where
they must remain till the boats which had
transported us should return for their convey.
ance. consequently many hours must elapse
before this small corps could be either reinfor
ced or supported. If Therefore, We mad sought
for a point where a descent might be made in
secrecy and safety, we could not have found
one be ter Calculated for that purpose than The
present: because it afforded every means Of
conceaiment to one part OF our force, until the
others should be able to come up"
Here General x an shOdld have halted till the
other brigades could have joined him; but de.
celved, as it is SAID, by deserters, be iocal.
tously advanced into the open country. BY
the culpable negligence of an officer a prisoner
was suffered to escape, and ~ the imprud nee
OF the gene al, the troops we're permitted to
light hges. tue consequence was a surprise.
In this msuner the day passed wlthou. any
turtaer alarm, and darkness having set in, the
hres we're made to blaze with increased splen.
dout, our evening meal was eaten, and we
prepared to sleep. But about half past seven
O'Clock, the attention Of several individuals
was drawn to a large vessel, which seemed 10
BE stealing up the RIVER till she came opposite
to our camp, when her anchor was dropped.
and her sails ~leisureIy furled. Atfrst we were
doubtful whether she might not be one of our
own cruisers; which had passed the post un.
observed; and bad arrived to render her assist
2nce in our future operations.--To satisfy this
doubt, she was re peatediy hailed, but returned
no aqswet: when an alarm spreading through.
out the bivouac, all thought of sleep was laid
sslde. Several muskets shots were now fired
a her with the design of exscting a reply, of
which no notice was taken; till at length, hav.
ING fastened all her sails, and swung her broad.
side towards US, we could distinctly hear some
one cry out IN a commanding voice. 'Giye
them this tor she honor Of A1nerica.' The
words were instantly followed BY the flashes of
her guns, and a deadly shower of grape swep.
down numbers in the camp.
Against thus dreadful fire we had nothing
Whatever to oppose. The artillery which we
bad landed was too light TO bring into compe-
tiuon WIN an adversary SO powerful; and as
she had anchored within a short distance OF the
opposite oank, no musketry could reach her
with any precision OF effect. A few rockies
we're discharged, which made a beautiful an
pearsnce IN the air; but the rocket is an uneer.
tam weapon, ana these devIated too tar from
their object to produce even terror among those
against whom they were directed. Under
ihese circumstances, as nothing could be done
ohensiVeiy, our sole object was to shelter the
men as much as possible from this IRON hail.
"|th tbs view, they were commanded to leave
me hres,and to hasten under the dyke. Thither
al, accordingly repaired, without much regard
'9'he order or regularity, and laying ourselves
aon6 wherever we could 6ld room, we listened
IN painful silence to the scattering Of grape
shot among our hurs, and to the shrieks and
Btoahs OF those who lay wounded beside them.
"lhe night was now dark as pitch, the moon
peilS Out young, aad totally Obscured with
Clouds. Our fires deserted by us, and beat a.
bout by the enemy's shot, began to burn red
ana dun; and, except when the flashes Of those
guns winch played upon US cast a momentary
Sar<, not All object could be distinguished at
lae distance OF d yard.-ln this state we lay for
nearly an hour, unable to muve from our ground
OF o'ieF any opposition to those who kept US
mere; when a Struggling fire OF musketry call
gu cur attention towards he plquets, and war
heu us TO prepare for d closer and more desper-
ave slrlte. as yet, however, II was uncertain
rom what Cause Ibis dropping fire arose. Ii
mSht proceed from the sehlneis, who, alarm
Gu by the csaonade from the river, mistook e.
yer! tree for an American; and ull tins should
DC more fully ascertained. il would be impro.
Feft to expose the troops, by moving any oil
ulem from TIE shelter which the bank afforded.
nuN these doubts we're not permitted TO On
u"ue iohs IA existence. The d~roopinYs hire
haH'' < peused for flew moments, was succee
Ieu uy a ieartul yeh' and the heavens were H.
llth'natsc on al sides by a semi circular blaze
ot MusAetry. IL was now clear that we were
S1rtonhded, and that by a very Superior force,
aud therefore, no alternative remaining, but
V'her 70 surrender at discretion, or 10 beaj
0ack the a~sssiianls.
the Whole detali of this action is given IL
ou5 authoFs best manner. The loss sustsineC
i" ] amounted TO about 500 men, most Of whom
''Eht have been saved, a: Gen. Kean had no
moved ftom hs position in the wood until hi
l@'cc would have enabled hm TO advance a
"N'e asaluSt The town. On the 25th Sir I'd
NeF' iaoktuhsm and General Gibbs ioineC
Vie Si'ny At would have been fortunate a thel