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

calbre, was far more encouraging to the
invaded than any advantage they had yet
obtained. Satisfied with the result, ,ofthe
affair, they made no attempt to carry of
the guns, which were accordingly remo-
we'd by the English, with much labor, on
the ensuing night. Five however, were
ultimately left behind.
Once more frustrated in his hopes, Sir
Edward Packenham changed his plan of
attack. 1t was now determined that a
body troops should cross the river, and
that an advance should be made on both
banks at once. A canal two miles in
length by six feet in breadth was commen-
ced, in order to convey the boats from
the Bayou to the river. 1t would seem
never to have occurred to the general
that ships, and boats could be pushed on
rollers over land in halt the time it would
take to dig such canal. Meantime the
work was continued, and completed on
the evening ofthe seventh.
Jackson had not been idle during these
five days. The Rodriguez breast-work
was now raised to the ordinary altitude,
covered by a ditch, and fifteen guns Pla.
ced at proper distances along the line; and
and moreover abattery mounting eighteen
guns had been erected on the other side
Of the river, so as completely to enfilade
the English bivouac. No precaution was
ommitted nor labor spared to strengthen
the position and to harrass the enemy.
Major General Lambert's arrival with
two regiments had increased the British
army to nine thousand effective men. The
Americans although rated at twenty-five
thousand by the aBritish Officer" mus
tered but four thousand men on the lines.
Fascines and scaling-ladders had been
prepared by the invaders for the troops
on the left bank, who were to advance at
the sound of Thornton's guns on the oppo-
site side. The Louisianians were fully
apprized ofthe approaching attack by the
activity and turmoil they had remarked in
the enemy's camp, and were ready at all
points to encounter it. :,
On the 9Th Of January took place the
last desperate effort Of the British to obtain
possession of the prize they had been
taught to deem 50 easy.
General Keane with twelve hundred
men was to makea sham attack on the
river bank, while General Gibbs, with the
main body, was to storm the works on the
right, in the direction of batteries six and
seven. Fascines and scaling ladders
were entrusted to the Forty-Fourth Regi-
ment, and success was considered certain.
Jackson, on the other hand, lay snugly
entrenched behind his embankment Of
mud and cotton bales,his left appuye on
the swamp, his right on the Mississippi.
General Coffee and the Tennessceans
occupied the extreme left of the line, and
the batteries were served by the United
States artilerists and militamen, except
No. 3, commanded by payateer captains
and served by Laftte's men.
The attack was to have taken place
before sunrise but owing to the cavlng in
ofthe canal, the army did not arrive with.
in musket range until dawn. They were
received by well directed volley, which
threw them into disorder; but they soon
rallied, and were advancing steadily TO the
assault, when Packenham discovered that
the Fortv-Fourth Regiment had come into
the field without the fascines and ladders.
Colonel Mullens was ordered to return
for them, but losing all command of HIM
self, forsook his men. Packenham imme-
dlateIy despatched an aid to bring them
up. This officer found them in the great
est confusion. The General, upon hear.
ing this, placed himself at their head, and
ordered the column to press on at double
quick time. Twice they charged, exposed
to murderous fire ofmusketry ad can
non, which moved them down by ranks.
The deeds of the thirty-two Founders are
especially commemorated: "One single
discharge" says the "Subaltern," "served
to sweep the centre ofth attacking force
into eternity" The officers exerted
Al tho r,,,ef 10 ro 1lxy thor mon