Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-23
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

the successful defence Of a city, by weak
ly armed and unorganized militia, against
powerful and well disciplined body of
the best soldiers in Europe.
News of the landing Of the British
at point on Lake Borgne reached the
city on the forenoon of December 23d.
and Jackson's resolution was at once
taken. He was eager for a fight, and
sought the contest with perfect confidence
in its result. Il will smash them, so
help me Godp be is said to have fire.
quently exclaimed, and when he was
informed that the women were crying for
terror in the streets, lac ordered Judge
Livingston, his Aid, to tell them that
ale was there, and that the British
should never get into the city as long
as he held command"
The city was in a comparatively de-
fenceless state and the most vigorous
measures were required to put it in q
condition for defence under the energetic
direction Of Jackson. Every able bod
led inhabitant between the age Of 10
and 30 were summoned into the ranks
no distinction being made between
strangers and citizens in the military
service required Of them; battalion of
mulatto and negro were also organized,
and the proffered aid of LATTE the
pirate, accepted; the Legislature was at
the time holding its session in New
Orleans, and several of its members are
said to have debated the ACCESSIBILITY
OF surrendering the city, which coming
TO the ears Of the resolute commander
in chief. he openly declared that he
would initiate the example of tn e.
Russians at Moscow, and ordered Gov.
VIM. c. Claiborne to dispense the As
sembly, which he reluctantly did.
The famous cotton bale defence was
suggested to jackson by The difficulty of
throwing up entertainments along GER
tain canal, in consequence Of the marshy
nature Of the soil, and the General learn
ing that ship laden with cotton was in
the stream, ordered her cargo TO be
landed and used in the construction Of
breastworks. A French merchant TO
whom the cotton belonged, immediately
fastened to the Commander in Chief and
complained of the appropriation of his
first quality cotton, while an inferior
article could be obtained by the delay of
only one day. Jackson, with quiet.
though grim jocoseness, replied that
you at least then will not think it any
hardship to defend your cotton"
Early on New Years morning the
cannonade upon the American entrench-
ments was commenced by the English
and continued until the Sth, with only
an occasional reply from the latter, owing
TO the scarcity of ammunition, and to the
hardness Of Governor Claiborne in dis
trbuting it, until jackson sent him the
characteristic message that by the AL
mighty God, if you don't send me balls
and powder instantly, I'll chop off your
head and have it rammed into one of my
field pieces"
The battle Of New Orleans was began
at day break on the morning of January
the 9Th. The British, $4,000 strong
advanced in three columns, under the
command Of General Pakenham brother
in laT Of Wellington, and for some time
head Of his staff in the Spanish PENN
sula, and seconded by General Lambert,
Gibbs and Keane.
As the right wing of the enemy, G,OOOI
strong, and led by General Packenham
in person, reached the American left, a
cypress wood in which were posted a
body OF Tennessee and Kentucky rife
men ; it was received with such deadly
fire, that they wavered and finally re
coiled in confusion. Twice afterwards.
they were induced by the bravery off
their officers to renew the attack, but
were again and again repulsed with ter
rible slaughter, until at length staff
officer mounted upon a black charger.
who continually urged the column forward
was seen to fall back wards from bis horse.
and he was borne from the scene by the
defeated and retreating enemy. 1t was
not ascertained until the evening, that
the slain officer was General Packen-
ham, the English Commander in Chief
A similar reception awaited the British
along the entire line Of redoubts they
were driven back with slaughter, throw
ing away the fascine and scaling ladder.
which they bore, in order to facilitate
their flight. One officer alone of the
enemy, Major Rennie, managed to mount
the parapet Of the American breast work
but IN an instant after he had shouted