The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-05-22
From the Louisville Democrat,
THE battle or NEW ORLEANS.
by A HUNTER OF KENTUCKY.

Ky, navy morning -We lleafu lne llf-
ing of our picket guard. For an in
slant or two there was a confused
noise all along the front of our line,
as if high wind was rushing over a
field of ripe corn. Then there were
few dropping shots, and directly
volleys of muskctry, as our guard
retreated. Our troops instantly run
up to the breastwork, and we heard
the British troops coming on, like a
confused mass and yelling like dew
lis.
Our regiment, the 10Th, was about
the centre of the line. The llth
regiment was on our left, between
us and the swamp, and the regulars
were on our right, towards the riv-
err. The Tennesseeans were scat
tered about amongst us, | don't ex-
actly know how. At any rate, a
good many Of them got mixed up
with us before the battle was over.
Our company was exactly under the
leaning oak, which stood about half
way between the river and the
swamp. We were formed into sec
tions five deep, with orders for the
sections to advance and fire alter
nately.
Captain Farmer was that morning
commander Of the picket guard, and,
of course, did not join us until after
the battle had commenced. During
the night, one Of our regular soldiers
had deserted to the enemy, and had
given them the countersign and
watchword. While on guard, Cap
tain Farmer, being dressed in dark
clothes, had left the guard fire, and
passing through his own line of sem
tinels, approached so near that Of the
British that he could hear them talk
ing. He heard them speak of the
deserter, and the advantage they
would have from knowing our pass
words. 1t didn't turn out any adj
vantage, though, for as soon as Cap
tain Farmer returned they were
changed.
The British made their attack in
three divisions. That next the river,
after forcing the picket guard, fol-
lowed it right into the works. did
not see this part Of the attack, but
heard it from Captain Farmer, Jos
Smithy, { Drum Major Of our re-
giment) and William Rcasoncr,
all of whom were Oh the guard, that
the British were completely mixed
up with them when they came to
the gate which lead through TIE
breastwork. 4 British soldier
kept launching Rcasoncr with his ell
bow, telling him to "lorm-form-
form" Finding after while that
Reasoncr was an Amcrican-in that
darkness it was hard to distinguish
friend from foe-hc fired his muSket
at him and knocked the cock of
Reasoner's gun. At this the latter
turned, and finding the lock spoiled,
he dubbed his rifle and broke it
over the Englishman's head. Capt.
Farmer was one Of the last of the
picket guard that passed through
the gateway, and just at that mo-
ment he noticed the matchman oil
the thirty-two FOUNDER that was
placed at that point Frightening his
match. The Captain turned to look
the old thirty-two went off, cut
ting wide lane through the dense
mass Of red coats that had by this
time crowded up to its very muzzle
In moment it was loaded will
grape and canister shot, and the
Captain had an opportunity to see
the effect of second fire, Just as h,
had turned to pass up the line ant
join his company. 1t seemed to Gu
another lane through the British
taking down every man within sever.
al feet of its range on either side
Still they came rushing on. A Brit
ish officer jumped on the works anc
began spikinga cannon. heard sa,
it was Colonel Gibbs. He exclaim
ed to his men "come on, boys, thu
day is our own !" but just as h,
had got the words out of his moutI
Joe Smithy stepped up to him, say
ing, "you're not so sure of that
and fired pistol into his face
Down went the officer. Severa
shots must have been fred at him a
the same time, for | was told tina
several bullets had passed through
him before he fell.
When we first ran up to the brest
work, at our part Of the lines, som,
of the men began firing, and order
were passed along rapidly, "ceas
that firing-cease that firing" Som
said the men we heard comm,
were the picket guards coming in
Colonel Smily, from Beardstown
was the first one who gave orders t
fire from our part Of the line am
then, | reckon, there was a prett
considerable noise. There were 81
brass pieces just on our right, til
noizyest kind of vermins, that bega