The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-09
THE CELEBRATION YESTERDAY.
THE MOST BRILLIANT MILITARY pa
GEANT EVER SEEN IN NEW ORLEANS.

How the Eighth Of Janu airy was observed
January 0, 1878, dawned not unlike that th
memory OF which our city yesterday turned on
on masse TO celebrate. A long stretch OF mis-
hung over the fields and com mons, and the plain
OF Ohalmette were obsoured In veil of fog
Overhead the sky gsve portents OF anything bu
bright, sunsbiny day. while splits OF rain dis
turbed the anticipstions OF our citizen sodiery
Bunsrlse WAS welcomed hy an artillery salute ths
gave SOU. stirring announcement that the da
OF Jsckson's great victory had once more arrived
and that the sons OF those who vanguisbed
great nations veteran hosts had not forgotten 1T
traditions, or lost their appreciation of Its treas
ursd memories.
Referring 10 the day brings US to the events
once 20 fraught with Importance TO the deDizen'
OF our Crescent City that happened few miles
from Clay Statue iust sixty three years ago.
The Battle at C,aImette.
The 9th Of January at length arrived. As the
day dswned signals intended to produce concert
OF action In the British lines were deserted
On The left Of Jackson's line near the swamp q
pky rocket was perceived rising in the air, and
presently another from the right near the river.
They announced TO each other that all was pre-
pared and ready TO carry by storm 3 defense
that had twice foiled the enemy's IL most efforts.
The British batteries which had been demol-
ished during the preceding night had been re.
established.
Instantly after the rockets had exploded In
high air. the charge was made, aud our ouiposts,
such was Its impetuosity, had barely time to flee
within our works. In the batteries referred TO-.
and which had suffered 80 much, the British had
mounted some heavy pieces Of artillery, to aid
them In their intended operations. These now
opened, and showers of bombs and ball were
pour ed upon our line. whilst the air was lighted
with
THEIR ooNaREvH ROCKETS.
The two divisions commanded by Sir Edward
pskenham In person, and supported by Gems.
Keane and Gibbs, poured forward, the right against
tho centre OF Gen. CAROLS command,
che left against the redoubt on
The levee. thick fog thai obsoured
Che morning enabled them 10 approach within
short distance OF our entertainments before they
were discovered. They were now perceived ad-
vancing with firm, quick and steady pace, in
column, with front of sixty or seventy deep,
The brave defenders, who had for some time
been In readiness and waiting their appearance,
gave three long and ringing cheers, and instantly
che whole line was lighted up with the blaze OF
their
DEATH.DEALING FIRE.
burst OF artillery and small arms poured with
destructive aim upon them and moved down
their front and arrested the advance. In
the fire OF our mueketry there was not
moments intermission; as one party
discharged their pieces another succeeded,
alternately loading and appearing, and not
pause could be perceived. II was one coninu.
Gus volley. The British already appreciated
their position Battery No, Z, on Jackson's left,
and CALAMITY served by Lieut.. SPOTS. CALLED
them with an incessant FIRE, whilst batteries Nos.
0 and were no less actively employed
Notwithstanding the severity OF our fire,
which fcw troops could have withstood, some Of
these brave men pressed on and succeeded in
gaining . ditch In front OF our lines, where they
remained
DURING THE ACTION.
and were afterward made prisoners. The horror
Of this place OF death wss too great to be
withatood, and already the British troops were
seen wavering and retiring. AT this moment Sir
Edward Pakenhan endeavored TO encourage
and inspire them with renewed vigor. His exam |
pie, however, was of short continuance. He soon |
fell mortaly wounded in the arms of his abide. |
Keane also fell. and were borne from the FIELD |
just then, Gen. Lambert, who was next in COM |
mand, who was short distance in the rear, met |
the British columns preoipitately retrestlng and
In great confusion. His efforts to stop them we're
unavailing, and they continued TO fall back
until they reached ditch some few
hundred yards off, where they were halted
and rallied. The field before them was
atrewn with the dead and dying. Danger still
threatened them; yet encouraged by their off.
cers, who feared their own disgrace, they again
moved TO the charge. When they were near
enough to deploy, they attempted to do 40, but |
our batteries, which had never ceased firing,
opened ON them
WITH GRAPE AND CANISTER,
and they were moved down almost by companies.
"A retreat followed. The light companies OF Fus
liers the Forty third and Ninety third Begi ments,
and 100 men from the West India Regiment led
by one Col. Rennie, were then ordered to pro.
coed under cover Of come chimneys standing in
the field, and. having cleared them, to oblique
towards the river and advance under the protec-
ton of the levee against the redoubt there.
Rennie went bravely forward and arrived at the
ditch, and eaped on the wall, sword in hand, call.
spoken when he fell. Pressed by superior num-
bers, our men who we're
IN THE REpouBr
which was outside our lines, fell back. pause
ensued but only to be Interrupted with in
creased horrors. Capt. Beal, with the city rifle
BOOi Ahh Pnsrerseuy psECelNlUR tue enc
my Ia his 'front.' opened upon them, aud death,
retreat or surrender were the only alternatives,
and they hastily left the field When Gen. Jack
son heard of the British being for short time in
OF the redoubt. he pushed forward q
but before our troops had time to
get there the enemy had vacated 1t. They were
severely CALLED by the cannon that could be
brought TO bear; yet the levee afforded them
some protection. Patterson's redoubt, ON the
other side of the river, played upon them with
marked effect. Affrighted at the carnage, they
moved of n much confusion. Again they fad to
the ditch referred to, and remained there until
night permitted them to retire. Thus ended
January 8, 1915.
YESTERDAYS CELEBRATION,
Hardly had the sound OF the gums that greeted
the day died away when there was an unusual
hustle and stir on the streets, and come time
before business hours flags were boisted, the
shipping in the harbor trimmed with bunting, and
people put on q holiday air. Many places of
business closed their doors, whilst all gave up its
quota Of volunteers to the parade.
THE WEATHER
xaa cartanly English ma IL To reaent TIM ,oIabra |