The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-13
INCIDENTS Connected WITH THE little or
NEW ORLEANS ~ sltI lhU

AT an adjourned meeting OF the New York Historical
Society lately paper read Of much interest giving
minute account In relation to event which has
important bearing in the of army at New Or
leans under General jackson.
The omission OF this fact in the history of the British
INVASION made II necessary in the opinion of the author
Of the paper after so long lapse OF time to give de-
tailed statement, whichand his remarks TO illustrate
the truth of his declaaton with account of the at
tack made by the enemy lines and their final de
feat importance TO the subject, which cannot
fail to interest the public. AIff .e
A gentleman now advanced In life, who for the last
thirty years has been resident of this city, had both be
fore and atterthe Of 1872 lived at Nachez ia the
Mississippi Territory.
1t appears that in the summer of 1914 Thomas L.
Servoss well known in the commercial world Of those
and after days. had occasion TO visit New York bust
He performed this long journey ell the way by
land. When hs reached New York the citizens we're
busily engaged in making preparations to meet the
my . expected attack A short time elapsec when it
was ascertained that New Orleans aud not New York
was certainly the place intended to be invaded. s,
Mr. Seryoss in daily correspondence with the Hon
DR.. LAtmore the delegate from Mississippi then at
Washington who gave him reliable information as to the
Immediately left New York. and returned by the way
Pittsburg, where he found two keel boats laden with
muskets destined for the defence Of the country below
They to start In company the next day He took
passage in the commanded by inexperienced but
well disposed, young man. s tg
Anxious and determined to hasten with all possible
speed to his family, being in possession Of of the
greatest Importance Mr. Servoss. who was Acquainted
with river navigation prevailed on the Captain to depart
that evening" and then used every exeron In his
aud by personal constant efforts succeeded in placing this
boat in advance of the Tennessee troops the Miss
spp riverwhich fortunate circumstance enabled Gen.
Carroll who commanded them, to arm every man. and
TO drill them the way, before their arrival at New Or
leans while the other boat, commanded by old, ex
perienced boatman did not reach New Orleans in time
until the final battle over and then was brought
down charge of the express which Gen. Jackson sent
in pursuit. and when found, four hundred miles above
the captain put in irons to await strict examine
ton into the of his surprising delay This delay
and disappointment had caused the greatest distress
New Orleans the Kentucky troops, under Gen Adair
who arrived the 4th January thereby deprived
of their expected means of defence. Had they been
armed the Tennessee troops were, not of the
enemy could have escaped and the victory would have
been still more wonderful than it was.
The Tennessee troops arrived ON the 2lst December
two days before the INVASION when Gen. Carroll reported
himself ready for duty Mt headquarters t
The of his approach had week before
given life and confidence and at removed the despon
dency that pervaded all ranks, especially when it
announced that boat laden with guns had been over
taken by him.
History gives true account of the efforts of the Ten
militia and of their effective service in the bril-
liant achievements Of army, the day Of the
orable 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 wildly portrayed and Mr. Ser
voss being the ground, gave also glowing picture of
important events which transpired there.
General Eaton, the historian, emphatically expressed
his belief in several parts of his Life Of Jackson that
had the Tennessee troops not overtaken the boat with
muskets, the victory could not have been but
the contrary that New Orleans would have fallen into tho
hands of the British
After period of more than forty three years tho true
knowledge of the circumstances which led to the advance
of the boat with muses and essentially contributed
to the glorious victory Of the 9Th of January is brought
light and will add to the interest of the whole affair at
New Orleans. tls I.
If the statement which Mr.. Scrvoss has furnished the
Historical Society be trueand do not doubt 1.-THE
provdenal events which he relates and his agency and
services to his country in this highly important matter
leave the mind the impression that he truly
strumental in preventing, what would certainly have
happened without them, dsfaa Mr. Servoss reach
ed New Orleans the 10th December, which was
several days before the INVASION and week prior to the
arrival Of the Tennessee troops and himself engaged
in the Defence where his 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 great southern ciyan event important in
its consequences to the natont is not too late at
this distant time to supply the omission in history