The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-18


And thus the May-ny seeks at night
The taper's brilliant rays,
Flies round and round. TIL foolish thing,
II dies within Its blaze.
From the Baltimore Sun.
THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.
The following letter, addressed by General jack
TO his victorious troops after the battle of New
Orleans as published in the Philadelphia Aurora OF
February 3, 1912, will be read with interest at the
present time, sustaining il does that patriotism
and fervent devotion to the prosperity and glory Of
his country which has distinguished his whole
life:
Directed By Major General andre,c Jackson to be read
at the head Of each Of the corps composing the line
beloU Nso Orleans, January 81, 1872
CITIZENS AND Low-SoLpIERs!--The enemy
has rctreaed, and your General has now leisure TO
proclaim to the world what he has noticed with ad-
miration and praise-your undaunted courage, your
patriotism and your patience, under hardships and
fatgues Natives of different States, acting to-
gether, for the first time, in this camp; different in
habits and in language; instead of viewing in these
circumstances the germ of distrust and division,
you have made them the source of an honorable
emulation and from the seeds of discord itself have
reaped the fruits of an honorable union. This day
completes the fourth week since fifteen hundred Of
boosted of their discipline, and their services under
a celebrated leader in long and eventful war
attacked them in their camp, the moment they had
profaned the soil Of freedom with their hostile tread
and inflicted blow which was prelude to the final
result of their attempt to conquer or their poor con
trivances to divide us. few hours was sufficient
to- unite the gallant band, though at the moment they
received the welcome order to march, they were
separated many leagues in different directions, from
the city. The gay rapidity of the march, and the
cheerful countenances of the officers and men,
would have induced the belief that some festive en-
tertainment not the strife of battle, was the object
to which they FASTENED with so much eageness and
hilarity In the conflict that ensued the same spirit
was supported; and my communications to the ex-
ecutive of the United States have testified the sense
entertained Of the merits Of the corps and oficers
that were engaged. Resting on the field of battle ),
they retired in perfect order on the next mornng|
to the lines destined become the of future
victories which they were TO share with the rest of
you, my brave companions in arms. Scarcely were|
your lines protection against musket shot, when|
on the 28th disposition was made to attack them
with all the pomp and parade Of military tactics, as
improved by those veterans of the Spanish war.
Their batteries of heavy cannon kept up an in
cessant fire; their rockets Illuminated the air; and
under their cover two strong columns threatened our
TANKS. The foe insoently thought that this spec
tacie was too imposing to be resisted and nthe in
toxicaton of his PRIDE he already saw our lines
nacing appearances metz
By shouts of defiance, by manly countenance,
not TO be shaken by the roar of his cannon by the
glare of his rework rockets; by artillery served
with superior Skill and with deadly effect. Never.
my brave friends, can your General forget the test
dignan hatred to our foe, Of affectonate confidence
in your chief, that resounded from every rank, as
he passed along your line. This animatlng and un.
expected scene dampened the courage of the enemy;
he dropped his scaling ladders and fascnes and the
threatening attack dwindled into a demonstration
which served only to show the emptiness of his pa
rade, and TO inspire you with just confidence in|
yourselves.
The new year was ushered in with the most tre-
Ynendous fire his whole artillery could produce; al
few hours only, however, were necessary for the
brave and skilful men who directed our own to dis
mount his cannon, destroy his batteries, and eifec
tually silence his fire. Hitherto, my brave friends
In the contest on lines, your courage had been
passive only; you stood with camness fire that
You'd have tried the frmness of veteran, and you
anticipated nearer contest with eagerness which
was soon TO be gratifed,
On the 9Th Of January the final effort was made.
At the dawn of day the batteries opened and the col
umns advanced. Knowing that the volunteers from
Tennessee and the militia from Kentucky were sta
TONED on your left, it was there they directed their
chief attack.
Reasoning always from base principles, they ex-
were not in uniform, who were ignorant Of the rules
Of Dress and had been caned into discipline Fa
tai mistake A fire necessarily kept up, directed with
calmness and with unerring aim, strewed the field
with the bravest officers and men of the column
which slowly advanced, according II the most APP
proved rules of European tactics and was cut down
by the untutored courage Of American militia. IN
able to sustain this CALLING and unceasing fire. some
hundreds nearest the entrenchment called for quar-
ter, which was granted the rest retreating, we're
rallied at some distance, but only to make them a
surer mark for the grape and canister shot of our
artillery, which, without exaggeration, moved down
whole ranks at every discharge; and at length they
retired from the field.
Our right had only short contest to sustain with
a few rash men, who, fatally for themselves, forced
their entrance into the unfinished redoubt on the rv
er. They were quickly dspossessed, and this glo-
rious day terminated with the loss to the enemy of
their commandcr-in- chief and one major general
killed, another wounded, the most experienced and
bravest of their officers and more than three thou
sand men killed, wounded, and missing; while our
ranks my friends, were thinned only by the loss of
six of our brave companions killed, and seven disa-
bled by wounds. Wonderful interposition of Hea-
ven! unexampled event in the history of war!
Let us be grateful to the God of battles, who has
directed the arrows Of indignation against inva
ders, while he covered with his protecting shield the
brave defenders of their country.
After this unsuccessful and disastrous attempt
their spirits broken their force was destro yed
and their whole attention was employed in proyi-
ding the Of escape. This they have effested;
leaving their heavy artillery in power and many
of their wounded to our clemency. The consequent
of this Short but decisive campaign, ncacu-
lably important. The pride of our arrogant enemy
humbled, his forces broken, his leaders killed. his
insolcnt hopes of our disnnion frustrated-his ex-
pectation of rioting in spoils and wasting our
country changed into ignomnious defeat, shameful
flight, and reluctant acknowledgment Of the hui
mainly and kindness Of those whom he had doomed
to all the horrors and humiliation of conquered
state.
On the other side, unanmity established, disaffec.
ton crushed, confidence restored, your country
saved from conquest, your property from piage
your wives and daughters from insult and violation
The Union preserved from ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and
perhaps period put by this decisive stroke to .
bloody and savage war;--these, my brave friends
are the consequences Of the efforts you have made
and the success with whcd they have been crowned
by Heaven.
Thee iv,porfant reauts have been effected bv the