The Arkansas banner., 1845-07-09

moment they had proianed the soll oi rec dom with their hostile tread, and inflicted a blow which was prelude to the final result of their attempt 10 conquer, or thef poor eonrivanccs 10 divide us. A few hours was sufficient 10 unite the gallant band, though at the moment thcy 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 cheer ful couutcnances of the officers and men, would have induced belief that some ies- tive entertainment, not the strife ol battle, was the object to which they hastened WIlh SD much cagcrncss and hilariy. In the con ' dict tIat cHsucd, the same spirit was supPoT- ted, aad my communications to the eNecu- tive of the United States have testified the senseI entertained of the mcrits of the corps and officers that were engaged. Resting on the field of battle, they retired m perfect or der on the next morning to tine hnes' dfs- tiucd To become the scene of future vIcto- rics which they were to share with the rest of you. my brave companions in arms.- Scarcely were your lines protection against musket shot, when OH the 18th disposition | was made 10 attack them with all thc PomP and Paade ol military tactics as improved by those veterans of the Spanish War
 Their batteries of heavy cannon kept up an inccssmt fire; their rockets illuminated thc air; and under their cover two strong columns threatened our Hanks. l'he foe insolentIy thought that tHs spectacle was too imposing 10 be resisted, and i'll the intoXlca- tion of his pride he already saw our lines abandoned without d eontest-hoW were those meHacing appearances met:
 By shouts ol defiance, by manly coun- tenaacc H0 to bc shaken by the roar ot his cannon, by the glare of his lirework rockets; by aa artillery served with superior skill and with deadly effect Never, mv brave friends, can your General forget the testimonials oi :, attachment to our glorious cause, ol HdIg- nant hatred lo our foe, of afleetionac conl- denee in Sour chicf, that resoHnded from ey- cry rank, as he passed along your line. This anin@ting and unexpected scene damPencd lhc courage of the enemy; he dropped his scaling ladders and lascines, aud the thfeat- ened attack dWindled into q demonstration, which served only to slew the emptiness of his parade, and to inspire you with just confidence in yourselves.
 The new year was ushefed i'll with the most tremendous fire his whole artillery could pro- f duce; a few hours only, however, were ne ccssary for the brave aud skilIul men who directed our own to dsmount his cannon. : destroy his batteries, and c1eetually silence his fire Hitherto, my brave friends, in the contests on our Imes, your courage had been passive only; you stood with calmness, fire that would have tried the iirmness of q veteran, and yon anticipated nearer contest with an eagcrness which Was soon to be gratilied.
 On the Slh of January the final effort was made. At the dawn of day the batteries opened and the colGmns advanced. know ing that the volunteers from Tennessee and the militia from Kentucky were stationed on yourlclt, it was there they directed their chief attack.
 Reasoning always from false principles, they expected little opposition from men whose officers even were not H uniform, who were ignorant ol the rules ot dress, and had never been caned into discipline-latll mis- take! a fire necessarily kept up, directed with calmness and with unerring aim, streWcd the field with the braycst officers and men ol the column which slowly advanced, according to the most approved rules of European tac- tics, and was cut down by the untutorcd courage of American militia. Unable to sustain this gallng and unccasing fire, some hundreds nearest the cntfenchmcnt called for quarter, which was gfanted-thc rest retrca- ting, were rallied at some distance, but only to make them a surer mark for the grape and
 
 eyaggcraton, moved down whole ranks al every discharge; and al length they precipi- latcly retired from the field.
 Cur right had only short contest to sus- tain with few rash men, who fatally for themselves, forced their entrance into the untiaiscd redoubt on the riycr They were quickly dispossessed, and this glorious day terminated with the loss to the enemy of their commander in chief and one major gen eral killed, another wounded, the most cx- pcricnccd and hravest of their officers, and moee than three thousand men killed, wouu- ded, and missing, WhieeNr ranks, my friends. were lhnncd only by the loss of six of our brave companions killed, and seven disabled ny wounds-wonderiul Interpretation ofhaav- eni-uaexamped event ill the history oI. war!
 Let Us be grateful to the God of battles who has directed the arrows of indignation against our invaders, while he covered with his protecting shield the brave defenders ol their country.
 After llis unsuccessful and disastrous at tempt, their spirits were broken, their force Was destroyed, and their whole attention was employed :n providing the means of escape. This they have effected; leaving their heavy artillery in our power, and many of their wounded to our cIemcncy. The consequent ccs of this short, but decisive campaign. are incidentally important. The pride of our arrogant enemy humbied, his forces broken, his leaders killed, his insoent hopes of our disunion lrustrated-his expectation of riot ing in our spells and wasting our country changed into ignomnous defeat, shameful flight, and q reluctant acknowledgment of the humanity and kindness 0! those whom he had doomed 10 all the horrors and humi- iation ol conquered state.