Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-06-15
From the \ o. Delta. Incidents Connected with the Battle of
 

Incidents Connected with the Battle of
 New Orleans.
 At an adjourned meeting of the New York Historical society lately, paper was read of much interest, giving a minute account in rela- tion to an event which has an important bear ing in the success of our army at New Orleans, under General Jackson.
 The omission of this fact in the history of the British invasion, made it necessary in the opinion of the author of the paper, after so long a lapse ot time, to give detailed statement, which, and his remarks to illustrate the truth ot his declaration, with an account of the at- JACK made by the enemy on our lines and their hnal defeat give an importance to the subject, which can not fail to interest the public.
 A gentleman now advanced in life-who for the last thirty years has been resident of this clty-had both before and after the war of 1872, lived at Natchez, in the Mississippi terri tory.
 It appears, that in the summer of 1914, Thomas l.. Servoss well known in the commer- cial world of those and after days, had occasion to visit New York on business He performed this long journey, all the way by land When he reached New York. the citizens were busily engaged in making preparations to meet the enemy's expected attack. A short time elapsed when it was ascertained that New Orleans, and not New York, was certainly the place intended to be invaded.
 Mr. Servoss was in daily correspondence with the Hon. Dr. Latmore, the delegate from Mis- sissippi, then at Washington, who gave him re- liable information as to the destination of the British fleet. Whereupon, Mr. Servoss imme- dialely left New York; and returned by the way of Piti.burg-where he found two keel boats laden with muskets, destined for the de- fense of the country below. They were to start in company the next day. He took passage in the one commanded by an inexperienced, but well-disposed young nun.
 Anxious and determined to hasten on with all possible speed to his family, being in possess sion of news of the greatest importance, MT. Servoss, who was acquainted with river naviga- tion, prevailed on the captain to depart that evening, and then used every exertion in his power; and by personal, constant efforts suc- ceeded in placing this boat in advance of the Tennessee troops, on the Mississippi river-- l which fortunate circumstance enable General | Carroll, who commanded them, to arm every man, and to drill them on the way, before their arrival at New Orleans; while the other boat, commanded by an old, experienced boatman, | did not reach New Orleans in time nor until the | final battle was over, and then was brought down Tn charge of the express which General Jackson sent In pursuit; and when found, four hundred miles above, the captan was put in irons, to await strict examination into the cause of his surprising delay. This delay and disappointment had caused the greatest distress at New. .Orleans as the Kentucky troops under General Adair, who arrived on the 4th January, were thereby deprived of their expected means of defense. Had they been armed, as the Ten. nessee troops were, not man of the enemy l been still more wonderful than it was
 The Tennessee troops arrived on the 21st December, two days before the invasion, when Gen. Carroll reported himself ready for duty at headquarters.
 The news of his near approach had, week before, given life and conhd ence at once removed the despondency that pervaded all ranks, especially when 1t announced that boat laden with guns had been overtaken by him.
 History gives true account of the efforts of the Tennessee militia and of their effective ser- wee, Tn the brilliant achievements of our army, on the day of the memorable January battle
 Without the muskets, which they obtained on their way down the Mississippi river, the enemy could not have been defeated, or New Orleans saved from capture.
 The extraordinary character of Gen. Jackson and his patriotic exertions vividly portrayed; and Mr. Servoss, being on the ground, gives also glowing picture ol important events which transpred there.
 Gen. Eaton, the historian, emphatcally ex- pressed his belief, in several parts of his Life of Jackson,' that, had the Tennessee troops not overtaken the uoat with muskets, the victory could not have been won--but on the contrary | that New Orleans would have fallen into tho hands of the British.
 After period of more than forty-three years, the true Knowledge of the circumstances which | led to the advance of the boat with muskets. and so essentially contributed to the glorious victory of the Sth of January, is brought to light and will add to the interest of the whole affair at New Orleans.
 If the statement which Mir. Servoss has fur nished the historical society be true--and we do not doubt it--the providential events which he relates, and his agency and services to his country in this highly important matter, leave on the mind the impression that he was truly instrumental in preventing, what would have certainly have happened without them, defeat. Mr. Servoss reached New Orleans on the 10th December which was several days before the invasion, and week prior to the arrival of the Tennessee troops, and was himself engaged in the defense, where he received injuries to his health, which yet remain, and will continue with him during life. If he was in any way instrumental by his efforts in saving our great southern city--an event so important in its con- sequences to the nation it not too late even at this distant time, to supply the omission in our history.
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