The daily union., 1852-11-03
An Incident OF the Battle OF New orleans


mentions an incident OF thrilling strangeness, and one
very descriptive OF the western hunters, many OF whom
marched TO the defence OF New Orleans volunteers in
the army under the renowned Andrew Jackson.
We marched, said the officer, in solid column of
twelve thousand men, in direct line upon the American
deences. | belonged TO the staff, and we advanced
we watched through our glasses the position and
menls OF our enemy with that intensity officer only
feels when marching into the jaws OF DEATH with the
surance that, while he thus offers himself sacrifice
to the demands OF his county every action be ne sue
cessiul or otherwise, VIII be judged with the most heart
less scrutiny
1t strange sight, that long range OF cotton bales
material for breastworks, with the crowd Il human
beings behind their heads only visible above the line of
defence We could distinctly their long rifles lay
ing the bales and,the battery OF Gen Coffee direct
y in front with its great mouth gaping towards US, as
they waited TO devour us, and the position OF Gen. Jack
with his staff around him. But what attracted our
attention most was the figure of tall man standing on
the breastworks dressed in insey wooen, with buck
skin leggngs, and broad brlmmed felt hat that Tell
around the face, almost concealng his features. He
standing in OF those picturesque and graceful
tlades peculiar 10 those natural dweers in the for
ests The body rested the left leg, and swayed with
curved line upwards the right arm was extending,
the hand graspng the rifle the muzze the butt OF
which rested near the toe Of his right foot, while with
his hand he raised the rim OF the hat from his eyes and
seemed gazing from beneath intensely upon advanc
ing column. The cannon OF Gen Coffee had opened
upon us, and tore through our ranks with dreadful
slaughter but we continued 10 advance, unwavering
and cool, as II nothing threatened our progress.
The roar OF cannon seemed TO have no effect upon the
figure standing The cotton bales. but he seemed fixed
and motioness as statue. AT last he moved, threw
back the hat rim over the crown with his left hand
raised the r to his shoulder and took aim group
Our eyes were rveted upon him. At whom had he lev
eled his piece But the distance was great that we
ooked at each other and smiled We saw The rifle fash
and my righthand companion, as noble looking fellow
rode at the head OF his regiment, fell from his
saddle. The hunter paused few moments without
moving the gun from his shoulder, then reloaded and
sumed his former attitude. Throwing the hat rim over
his eyes, and again hoiing il up with The lett hand he
HyaA ntaV hpng
victim. Once more the hat rim thrown back and
the gun raised TO the shoulder. This time did
smile, but cast Short gances at each other, which
OF must die, and when again the rifle flashed another
one OF US dropped 10 the earth. There something
most awful in thus marching on TO certain death.
Gen Codees battery, and thousands OF musket balls
playing upon our ranks we cared not for--there was
chance OF escaping unscathed Most of us had walked
upon batteries hundred lines more destructive with
quaiing but 10 know that every time that rife was
leveed towards and its bullet sprang from the bar
rel of must assuledly fall 10 the cleaning
flash the deadly iron down. and il rest
motioness as poised upon rock, and know when the
hammer struck and the sparks flew TO the full primcd
pan that the messenger oil dealh drove unengy 10 its
goai--,o know this and still march on, was awful
could nothing bat the tall figure standing on the
breastwork He seemed 10 grow phantom. like higher
and higher assuming through great spirit Again did he
reload and discharge his rifle with the ndescriba.
BILE pleasure that beheld, as we neared the American
lines suphurous clouds gathered around US, and shut
that spectral hunter from my gaze. We lost the battle
and TO my mind the Kentucky rifeman contributed
TO our defeat than anything else Tor while be remained
to our sight attention drawn from our duties,
and when al last he become enshrouded 10 the smoke,
the work was eomplee-we were IN utter confusion, and
unable in the extremity TO restore order sufficient
make any successful attack.
So long thousands and thousands OF rifles remain in
the hands OF the people, 50 long men up from
their childhood able the down appears the chin
hit the centre OF mark strike the deer at l5o yards in
the most vital point 20 long there is great proportion
OF the republic who live free the wild Indian, know
ing no leader but their own choosing knowing no law
bal that OF right and the honorable observance OF friendly
intercourse, America is unconquerabe, and all the
mics OF the combined world, though they might drive
them from the and the Allegheny
ans would not be able 10 subdue the soued hunter
amongst ths mountains and great praifies and mighty
rivers OF the West.