The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-04-23

LANDED from his shipping, numbering, as II Is sup
posed, about 5000 men, who, for the perfection
OF their appointment and eXactness of discipline
were probably never exceeded by any troops thai
ever left the shores of Great Britain, --cOmmandet
! by Sir Edward Packedham, brave aud skfu
General, who, MS well as the men he commanded
had distinguished themselves upon the battle field:
OF Europe, against one of the greatest Generals and
the bluyest soldiers of any age. They knew that
the eyes of their country were upon them, and that
it expected nothing less than victory to mark the
progress of so proud and powerful an armament
Thus lar they had met but disappointment and de-
feat Every motive, therefore, urged them TO re-
trevo then beclouded fortunes and fulfil the high
expectations of their country.
General Jackson and his little band were not idle
spectators of the passing scene, but with sleepess
vigilance they watched the progress of the coming
storm. Their lines were every where strengthened
and perfected, and every means taken to meet the
crisis that all perceived was coming on Gen. Nor
gan was appointed TO command on the right bank,
aided by the marines under the command of Com.
Patterson. On the 4th, Gen. Adair arrived with
about $500 volunteers, who, though badly armed,
added to the number, and increased the confidence
of our little army, which now numbered about 5000
men. The motives which prompted the little
phalanx OF Gen. Jackson TO put forth IFS mighlest
efforts, were far different from those of their enc
mics These were most happily and graphically
set before them by Gen. Jackson previous to the
conflict They were upon the soil Of their country,
and they knew that its holy cause rested alone upon
their valor; that in the coming struggle they would
strike to save their happy homes and fresides from
the foul pollution Of brutal and liceEtOus enemy,
and that the eyes of their fathers, their wives and
their children were upon them, and that they in
yoked the God of battles for their success.
Early on the morning of the sth, signal rockets
from the enemy's encampment told that he was
ready for the onset A strong detachment Of his
forces under the command of Col. Thornton, pass
ed over TO the right bank in order to make sim
ullGneous attack upon both sides, while the main
body under The general command of Sir Edward
PaCkcnham, moved forward in two immense col
umns, commanded by Generals Gibbs and kcan,
and n reserve under the command of Lieut., Lam
bert. The air was filled ms on former occasion,
with war-like music, with flying shot, shells and
congrevc rockets Nothing could exceed the grand
eur OF the scene as these immense masses of men
moved slowly onward TO the deadly conflict In
addition to their ordinary arms, they bore iascnes
and scaling ladders to insure success in storning
the American lines Fully prepared for the event,
u Stiffness hushed as The grave, prevailed every
quarter of the American works but there was
sleadincss Of bearing and expression, fixed reso-
luton, n firm grasp Of arms, and steady gaze that
told the experienced eye, that deadly would be the
encounter. Our batteries opened upon them
most destructive fire, still the columns moved stead
lily onward, filling mp the long avenues Of death
they were made; but when they came in reach of
our rifles and musketry, such IN avalanche of dcs-
lructon was poured upon them, as 10 put all COM
malld and subordnaion at defiance. Twice they
receded lroma slaughter so terrific, and twice they
were reformed and brought back TO the carnage;
but the tide of death that was poured from our
lines swept away their columns like whirwind-
no troops could withstand it and perhaps the an
nails of war will hardly exhibit parallel Vgor-
Gus and desperate were the attempts of the British
officers 10 rally their men. Gen. Packrnham fell
MORALLY wounded in this attempt and was succeed
ed by Gen. Gibbs. A third effort was made upon
our lines as unavailing us the former the same
destruction overwhelmed them. Generals Gibbs
and Kcan fell, the former MORALLY and the latter
desperately wounded, and were carried from the
field as well as the commnnder-in-chicl. No eff
forts could now rally the reGoing masses. Gen.
LANDER, who succeeded to the command, unable
to ehook the flight Of the re,reatng columns Of the
British army. retrea,cd also to his inirenchments
The plain was covered with more than 1000 Of the
dead and dying of the invading army, while but Z
Americans were killed in the battle. On the right
bank the enemy was more successful /; but the sg-
nal defeat and destruction Of the man army, in
duced him TO abandon bis advantage and JON the
remainder Of the main body, which Immediately
reirca,ed to its ships, leaving the wounded to the
mercy of the Americans.
The brilliant example which The defence Of New
Orleans affords, as well as numerous other battles
which the history of our country furnishes, is a
bundantly conclusive of the position that The mill
ia, under proper regulations, is fully capable Of
meeting every eSgency of the country in war as
well rs in peace. Here, we see 1t demonstrated,
That the sturdy yeomanry Of our country, with the
mechanical discipline which only few weeks could
give, were rendered capable of being led into the
very heart of IA superior onemy's encanpmont,and
that enemy, among the best disciplined, best APP
pointed troops in the world. Such examples should
never be forgotten by those who love, and would
preserve unchanged, the free Institutions which
have come down from our fathers and when we
are tod that this great feature of those institutions
is useless and unnecessary, we may, we should, !
poin, 10 The history Of the past and pronounce it an
falsehood. Better material for an army
than the hardy yeomanly ol our land affords never
stood on military parade. 2,00O0O0 of frccmen,
which on emergency our country might now throw
into the field, armed in The holy cause Of freedom,
would cover this land with an impenarabe pgis |
which might bid defiance to the world in arms
Thus closed one Of the most brilliant campaigns,
rs well as one Of the most unparalleled events in
The history Of war. II is needless TO enlarge upon
The consequences Of this achievement, they are
known and will forever be felt and acknowledged
vith mingled feelings Of gratitude and pride by
every tue lover of his country Here ceased too,
The last act in the great diana of the second war
Df Independence, which secured TO our nation
fame in arms not less enduring than that of our
fathers Of the revolution. Every hostile foot had
now been drvcn from our shores, and peace Off
cially proclaimed.
To the thousand calrmnies, falsehoods, and de-
fractions, which the en,ious and political opposers
Of General Jackson have henpcd upon his devoted
head, ii is no longer necessary TO recur. His
deeds have been fully canvassed before The grand
tribunal of his country and the verdict has been
monument Of enduring fame, and
niche in the proud temple Of his country's glory,
by the side of his country's father has been de-
creed him-and when the calumnia'or and his ca
unny, shall have been ages in oblivion, the name
Of Andrew Jackson, shall still be held in grateful
surrounded by halo Of glory.
In republic like ours, indeed in every free gov
prnment f,ro pariiss must ever exist and though