The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-08-25

ing 50 on the present occasion. The
following proclamation was posted IN dlf-
ferent places along the high road:
"Louisianiansl-remain quiet in your
houses; your sla, es shall be preserved to
you, and your property respected. We
make war only,@against Americans"
All other hostile demonstrations were
reserved for themorrow.
One Rey, who had contrived to escape
from the English, arrived in ew-Oreans
at noon on the same day, and announced
the Decentralization Of the troops. Gen.
Jackson Immediately despatched a party
to reconnoitre the enemy. Before two
hours had elapsed, the scouts came in, a
night attack was planned, and orders IS
sued to the corps who were to take part
in it. The armed schooner, Carolina, was
directed to drop down the river, and to
take up position abreast of the enemys
camp. About seven o'clock the Carolina
came leisurely to an anchor before the le-
wee. So great was the security OF the
British that they were gathered in crowds
upon the bank, watching with an idle Gu.
riosity the manoeuvers of the vessel, which
they took for an ordinary coaster. Sud
denly the trumpet was heard from her
decks: "Give them this, for the honor of
America!' and the darkness of the winter
evening was lighted up by the flash ofher
broadside, as she poureda shower ofgrape:
and round shot among the astonished
Englishmen. More than one hundred
were killed before they recovered from
their panic. The survivors crouched be-
hind the levee for protection: and here
they lay an hour, listening in silence ito
the pattcring of grape shot among their
huts, and to the shrieks and groans ofthose
who lay wounded beside them.'f
A discharge from the picquets on the
right summoned them from their shelter.
Two thousand Americans, led on by Gen.
Jackson, in person, had forced their way
into the camp, and were bearing all before
them. In the obscurity of the night, the
ranks were broken; Americans and En-
glish mingled together, legit que uirum uir.
Every man fought for himself alone, as in
the old Homeric conflicts. Musket and
pistol were laid aside for sword and bayo-
net and the western rifle welded with
both hands like war club. After two
h ,urs ofhard fighting, the English were
reinforced bv the second detachment from
the ships, and succeeded in beating off the
attack. General Jackson withdrew his
men. and the enemy retreated once more
to the welcome shelter ofthe levee. In
this affair the British lost four hundred in
killed, wounded, and taken; the Americans
twn hundred and fifty. The prisoners
captured by Keane, consisted almost en-
tireIy of lawyers. The members of the
bar of New Orleans had enrolled them
selves in volunteer corps, and accompa-
MED General Jackson in this expedition.
They were entrapped by the English and
seized to man.
Jackson's measures were as well plann-
ed as prompt; and the employment of the
schooner in particul r, merits all praise
This vessel alone kept the enemy chained
to their position for three days. During
this aIl-precious interval, the famous em.
bankment ofcotton bales on Rodriguez
Canal was commenced, which was destin-
ed twice to foil every effort Of the inva.
ders, and to give the death blow to all
their hopes Of conquest.
The whole Of the next day the British
beneath the bank, suffering the
extremes of cold and hunger: as soon how
ever, as it was dark, the army filed off and
took up position on the right, out of the
reach of the Cardinals guns. By giving
her broadside great elevation, the schoon-
er succeeded inthrowing shot among them
causing great annoyance, though little
execution.
On the 25 Sir Edward Packenham ar
rived in camp, and assumed the command.
The next day battery of ten guns was
erected on the bank, and fire of hot shot
opened on the Carolina. The second ball
took effect, and in fifteen minutes she was
abandoned by her crew, with the loss OF
only one killed and six wounded.
On the 2Sth, the British Army, under
the command of Generals Gibbs and
Keane, advanced in two columns about
three miles, when they came in sight of
A. t,,,ore ooetol hob.nH tho