Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-08
THE BATHS Of .ssw ORLEANS.

'eS S'c
of skirmishes had indeed been rams
piring since December 23d, but it was
not until January sth that the decisive
engagement took place. The British
troops, all tried veterans, who had
proseH sinvineible in the wars with
Franceand Spain, we're commanded by
Sir Packenham, in experienced and
successful General, assisted by Generals
Gibbs and Keane and Colonel Thorn
ton. The English were reinforced
January 9Th, aud their entire army on
the 9Th, including sesmen and mari
ners, probably consisted Of $4,000 ef-
fective men, backed up by a powerful
naval fleet and many guns ofheavy cali
Der. General 'Jack>on's army num-
bered but 1900 men, mostly raw mill
tia. To this many he added twelve
guns of inferior pattern. The Ameri-
can forces had been stationed in hasti-
ly prepared entrenchments and be
hind long rows Of cotton bales, General
Jackson displaying remarkable tact
and genius in making the most of the
situation. In all of the preliminary
skirmishes the English were repulsed
and beaten back in dismay. Among
General Jackson's forces was a battal
ion Of colored troops that ''fought
nobly." In the final advance of the
snemy on the 9Th. the Americans fired
with such wonderful precision and
deadly aim that the sol d columns
of the British melted away a.
IL by magic; and when the retreat was
ordered General PAckenham was left
dead on the field and General Gibbs
MORALLY, and General Keane severely
wounded. No troops could stand be
fore the CALLING fire of that little patri-
otto band of American heroes. One
Brinshf authority says that not even
from st. Sebastian had so severe a fire
been poured upon an attacking force.
General Jackson, at all stages OF
the contest, inspired his men with
tho f,lpltisst zeal and courage. Not
only did the success of the Ameri-
cans depend on cotton bales and para
pets, but largely npon the personal
bravery and military genius Of sold
Hickory" The enemy's loss was
1000 in killed and wounded, and the
American loss, seven killed and six
wounded. General Lambert, who had
succeeded to the command of the Brit
ish army on the fall of his %superiors.
sent y flag OF truce to General Jack
son, proposing an armistice, which
was acceded to on terms satisfactory to
the American commander, and which
consisted In the British withdra wing
such forces rs threatened = further in
vasion of American soil.
General Jackson was involved in
much trouble by the conduct of many
civilians during the campaign, who
forgot that a dictatorship alone could
ave the State, which the enemy, had
they been victorious, would probably
have retained, in spite of the treaty OF
Ghcnt, on the ground that the treaty
Of 1903, by which France had coded
Louisiana to the United States, was
void and of no effect, because
she had no claim to the terri
tory she, had sold. The Generals
enemies were conspicuous in attempt
ing TO thwart his plans, tor the reason,
a. they claimed, that he had IN a
rantably declared mrrtial law. Judge
Hall, of the United States District
Court, for his failure to recognize the
suspension Of the writ Of habeas cor
pus, was arrested and banished from
the city. On the abrogation of martial
law, however. q few days later [Jan.
lSl. Judge Hall returned to the city, had
Ganeral jackson arrested for contempt
OF. court. and fined him 1000. This
created much indignation, and but for
General Jackson protecting the court
It would have been mobbed and torn
to ATOMS by the excited populace.
O0us 08GNS0AA oSVuNy ANS 81 bbNVsS
Of assistance, paying the fine out OF
his own pocket. In 1914, long after he
had served " terms ~ President and
retired permanently from public life,
Congress passed . bill refunding the
money, principal and interest.
For many years after its occurrence
the anniversary Of the battle of New
Orleans was observed pretty generally
throughout the Union by civic and
military displays. Since our late civil
strife. however, in which SO many
grand battles were fought, recollec-
lions Of the brilliant achievements OF
the heroes Of New Orleans seem to
have grown dim, and now the anniver-
sary OF that very important event in
the history Of our country is hardly
thought OF, except Is tho press directs
attention to it Is we have attempted to
do In the foregoing imperfect sketch.