Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-20
glas5biIt aInion anS 9nsritan.



incidents Connected with the Battle fFgsgu
Orleans.
At an adjouTaed meeting Of the New York Histor
oal Society, lately, papeP was read Of mach inter
est, giving minute account in relation to an event
which hss 81 important bearing in the success OF
our army a. New Orleans under General Jackson
The omission Of tais fact, 10 The history Of the
british Invasion, made it necessary in the opinion
q the author Of the paper, after loag lapse Of
time, to give detailed statement, Which-and bis
remarks to illustrate the truth Of his declaration,
with an account ofthe attack made By the enemy on
our lines, and their faal defsat-gve an importance
to the subject, which cannot fail 10 interest thepub
lie.
A gentleman nov advanced in life, who Tor the
last thirty years has been q resident Of this city
had both before aud after the war Of 1872 lived a
Natehez, in the Mississippi Territory.
IL appears that ia the summer Of 1914 Thomas l.
SerVoss, we'll known in the commercial world Of
those aud after days. had occasion 70 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
10 meet the enemy's expected attack. short time
elapsed, when it was ascertained that New Orleans
and not New York, certainly the place intended
TO be invaded.
Mr. SsrvOss was in daily correspondence with
the Hon. Dr. Latimore, the delegate from Missis-
sippi, then az Washington who gave him reliable
WhereuPOn, Mr.. Servoss Immediately left New York
and returned BY the way Of Pitsburg, where be
found two keel boats laden with muskets, destined
for the defence Of the country below. They we're
TO start IN company the next day. BE took passage
in the one commanded by an inexperienced, but
Well-disposed, young man.
Anxious aad determined to hasien on with al
possible speed to his family being in possession Of
news Of the greatest Importance Sir. ser7oss, who
vas acquainted with river navigation, prevailed on
the Captain to depart that evening, and then used
every exertion in his power, and By personal, con
stant Efforts, sueeeeded in placing this boat in ad
vance Of the Tennessee troops, on the Mississippi
river-Which fortunate circumstance enabled Gen.
Carroll, who CO nmanded them, to arm every nan
ana 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 in charge Of the express
which Gen. jackson sent in pursuit. and when found
four hundred miles above, the Captain was put in
irons, 20 await strict examination into the cause
Of mis- surprising deley This delay and disappOnt-
ment had caused the greatest distress az New Or
leans, as the Kentucky troops, under Gen. Adair,
who arrived on the 4lh Of January, were thereby
deprived Of their expected means Of defence. Had
they been armed ss the Tennessee troOns we're, not
a man Of the enemy could have escaped, and the
victory would have been stll more wonderful than
it was.
The Tennessee troops arrived on the 21st Deoem-
Der, two days before the invasion, when Gen. Car.
roll reported himself ready for duty headquarters
The news Of his near approach had, week be.
fore, given life and confidence and al once removed
the dependency that pervaded all ranks, especially
when il was announced that boat laden with guns
had been oVertaken By him.
History gives true account Of the efforts Of the
Tennessee miiIias and Of their effective service in
the brilliant achievements Of our army On the day
Of the memorable January battle.
Without the muske,s, which they obtained on
their way down the Mississippi river the enemy
could not have been defeated, New Orleans saved
from capture.
The extraordinary Character Of General Jackson
and his patriotic exertOns wildly portrayed /;
and Mr.. oeryoss, being the ground, gaFe also .
glowing pieture CT Important events which trans
pired there
General Eaton, the historian, emphatioaIIy ex
pressed mis- belief in several parts OF his Life Of
jackson, thai had the Tennessee troops not over
taken the boat with mUskets, the victory could R0l
have bean won; but, on ne contrary, that New Or
leans would have fallen the hands Of the British
After period Of more than forty three years,
the rue kBOEledge Of the circumstances Whioh LED
TO the advance Of the boat with muskets, and es
sentiay contributed 10 the glorious victory Of the
Slh Of January, brought light. and viii add 70
the interest Of The whole affair At New Orleans
If the statement which Mr. SerVOss has furnished
the Historical Society be trUs-aad do not doubt
1.-THE prJvidenal events Bhioa be relates, and his
agency and services TO his country in this highly
important matter, leave the mind the impression
thai be was truly instrumental in preventing, what
would certainly have happened without them, de
feat Mr.. SeFT0ss reached New Orleans on the 10Th
December, which " .s several days before The inva
sion, aud week prior 10 the arrival Of the Tennes
troops, and was himself engaged in the defence
where he received injuries % his health which yet
remain, and viii continue with him during life If
he was in any way instrumental By his efforts in
ng cur great southern eity-an event 80 impcr
tant its consequences TO the natiORit is not toe
late at this distant time 70 supply the ennis
sion in cur history.