Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-03-11
THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS
EY WILLIAM coBBETT.

The 9Th Of January at length arrived. The
lay dawned and the signals intended to pro-
duce concert in the enemy's movements We're
deserted. On the left near the swamp, a sky
| rocket was perceived rising in the air; aud
presently another assembled from the right, next
| tho river. They were intended to announce
that all was prepared and ready, 10 proceed
and carry by storm a defence which had twice
foiled their utmost efforts. Instantly the charge
was made, and with such rapidly, that our
soldiers a, the outpost with difficulty fled in.
The British batteries. which had been de-
re-es,ablished du.ns tie preeed3iiag night, and
heavy pieces Of cannon mounted to aid in their
intended operations. These now opened, and
showers Of bumbs and balls Were poured upon
our line; while the air was lighted with their
conorese rockets. The two divisions, COM
manded by Sir Edward Packenham in person,
and supportedby Generals kean and Gibbs,
pressed forward; the right against the centre
Of Gen. CAROLS command, the left against
our redoubts on the levee. A thick fog that
obscured the morning enabled them TO ap.
proach within short distance Of our lntFench-
ment before they were discovered. They were
now perceived advancing with firm, quick,
and steady pace. in column, with front OF
sixty or seventy deep. Our troops, who had Tor
some time been in readiness, and waiting their
appearance. gave three cheers, and instantly
the whole line was lighted with the blaze Of
their fire. A burst Of artillery and small arms,
pouring with destructive aim upon them.
moved down their front, and arrested their adj
vance. In our musketry there was not mo-
merits intcrmisson as one party discharged
their pieces. another succeeded; alternately
loading aud firing, no pause could be perceived;
il was one continued volIey. The columns al
ready perceived their dangerous and exposed
situation. Battery 30. 7, on the left, was ably
served by Lieutenant Spots, and CALLED Them
wi,b.a ipcessant and destructive fire. Bate
ries No. 6 and were no less actively employ
ed. and no less successful in telling them to
the ground. Notwithstanding the severity Of
our fire. which few troops could for moment
have withstood, some Of those brave men pres
scd on, and succeeded il gaining the ditch in
front of oar works, where they remained dn-
ring the action, and were afterwards made.
prisoners. The horror before them was too
great to be withstood; and already were the
British troops seen wavering in their deterinl-
nation, and recedine the conflict. AT this mo-
ment, Sir Edward Rockingham, Fastening TO
the front, endeavored to encourage and inspire
them with renewed zeal. His example was
Of short continuance he soon fell, moHally
wounded, in the arms Of his aid-de-camp, not
| far from our line. Generals Gibbs and keane
also fell and were borne from the file danger
ously wounded. Atthis moment Gen. Lam
bert, who was advancing at small distance IN
| the rear. with the reserve, met the columns
precpi,ately retrealing, and IN great conusioa
His efforts 10 stop them were unavaillng; they
continued retreating until they reached Often
at the distance Of four hundred yards where q
momentary safety being found, they were raj
lied and halted.
The field before them, over which they had
advanced. was strewed with the dead aud dy-
| ing. Danger lowered still around ); yet urged
/ aud encouraged by their officers, who feared
their own dis rrace involved in the failure, they
! again moved % the charge. They were aIrea-
4 dy near enough TO depley, and were endeavor-
| ing 10 do SO; but the same constant and IN
RENTED resistance that caused their first're-
| treat, continued yet undated. Our batteries
had never ceased their fire !; their constant
discharc Of grape and canister, aud the fatal
aim Of muskeily, moved down the front o.
their columns as fast as they could be formed
/ Satisfied nothing could be done, and that Ger
! tain destruction awaited all future attempts
4 thew forsook the contest and the field in disor'
4 der. leaving I. almost entirely covered with the
dead andwounded. TWAS in vain their officers
q. enfieayored to animate them TO further resist
4 ance, and equally vain to attempt coe'clon'-