The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-01-13
JACKSON AND NEW ORLEANS.

Saturday last was the 6lst anniversary
of the memorable battle of New Orleans
and Jackson's decisive victory. Jefier-
son said-"he filed the measure of his
country's glory"
Jackson's attack on the British camp
ON the night of December %, 1914, gave
the British to understand they would
have something to do to take the city
This vigorous attack caused the British
to delay, and that was what Jackson
wanted. 1t gave him time to get addi-
tional troops, and to complete his fortih-
cations. These were mostly of mud,
The British army was composed of fchoice
and gallant regiments, and they proved
it on that fatal field ON the Sth day OF
January, 1915.
At sunrise on the morning of the Sth a
rocket was sent up from the British
camp as signal of attack to their forces
on the other side Of the river.
Gen. Jackson's riflemen were placed
in two lines. Those in the rear loaded
for those in the front, so that there could
be continuous fire. The dangerous
character of the attack was recognized
by the British officers. There was a
foreboding stiffness in Jackson's lines.
1t was the stiffness that precedes the
tempest. The Forty-third British Regi-
ment was assigned the advance. Its
commander, Colonel Mullens, showed
his appreciation of it when he remarked,
"My regiment has been ordered to exc
cution." Supporting lhe advance, but in
reserve, was the Ninety.fifth Regiment,
Highlanders, numbering nine hundred
and fifty strong. Its commander, Col.
Dale, being asked what he thought of it
previous to the action, handed the ques-
toner his watch and letter to his wife,
with the simple remark: "Deliver them.
shall fall at the head of my regiment"
The sequel justified the foreboding. The
British Generals, Packenham, the Com
mander-inAC Chief, Gibbs and Keene, no.
bly, led the advance, By example and
gesticulation they encouraged their men
to advance to the front. When within
a few wards of the American lines there
burst forth a sudden sheet of flame.
Platoons and regiments went down be-
fore it. Packenham, while gallautly in
spring his men by waving his cap i'll his
right hand, had his right arm shot off
With undaunted courage he changed it
to the left. Soon his horse was shot un-
der him. This was quickly followed by
mortal wounds in the thigh and groin.
His second in command, General Gibbs,
was mortally wounded. The third in
command, General Keene, was severely
wounded. General Lambert, the fourth
officer, then ordered a retreat. The bat
tie only lasted twenty-five minutes. In
that time $500 British troops fell. Of
the Highland Ninety-ffth Regiment, 544
were killed and wounded. Yet on the
American side there were but Z men
killed and wounded. If we had had
telegraph and steam as now, this slaugh-
ter which carried bereavement into so
many households in Great Britain would
never have happened, Peace had been
concluded between the,two countries at
Ghent two weeks before, but was not
known by the contending armies.
Had it not been for Jackson's night
attack on the 23d, the British army
would have attacked the city on the oath
and would undoubtedly have taken it,
for JaCkson's arrangements were wholly
and troops were arriving to
lim daily. Besides, the night attack in
Ipired his men with courage. 1t showed |
hem their General was not afraid of
hose Wellington invincibles, as he dared |
% attack them in their own camp, and,
t gave the British to understand they |
lad courage and determination to deal
With-no Winder at the head, as at Bla-
lensburg. They fully realized it to their
,ost