The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1880-01-15
Battle OF NEW ORLEANS.
January 8th. 1915.

S1uUsSy oHs tot9s
The abdication and Punishment OF
Napoleon BOnaparte, i'm the spring OF
1914, left England at liberty. to send
her immense military forces against
the United States. Accordingly she
sent an army of IA 900 men to augment
her forces in Canada fleet Of fifty
sail, with large land forces, to ravage
the Atlantic coast, and to devastafe
and burn the border towns-and later
in the same season, q fleet of sixty
sail, with 1000 sailors and marines,
and an army of 1900 men to invade
Louisiana.
The Northern army was signally
defeated, and routed with great loss ut
the battle of Plattsburgh.
The Atlantic feet accomplished its
object more disgraceful than servicea-
BILE to the British arms. 1t made a
sudden and surprised attack OH Wash
ingtOn, burnt the Capitol, the Presi-
ces aud buildings, together with the
works of art and treasures of science.
The operations of the Southern fleet
and army it is our purpose to trace
HuoTt ueiIDittlN.
The anniversary Of the Sih Of Janu-
airy, the chiefest of the holidays in
New Orleans, and one of the most glO-
riOus i'm the history of our Republic,
should not be suffered to pass by with
out refreshing our minds with the
events that made it memorable. The
battle of New Orleans was the last Oi
that series of brilliant engagements
whici, characterized the bravery ANA
intrepidity of the American arms,
both on sea and land, during two and
half years of war with Great Britain.
Louisiana at this time was perfectly
defcnceless. She had been admitted
as a state into the American L MON the
same year in which war was declared,
lSl2 New Orleans, the principal
Southern city, had population of
about lJ,o0o. Half were slaves, and
many of the white population were
strangers, who had little interest in
the defence of the city. The British
Government calculated on an easy and
bloodless victory, still they sent an ar
my which they thought would lie
equal to any emergency, and invinci-
BILE by any forces that could be brought
against them. The generals and the
army destined for the conquest of Lou
isiana were selected from WellingtOn's
peninsular troops. Pakenham, keene,
Lambert and Gibbs. with 1900 land
forces and large fleet, with ample
munitions of war, landed ut Cat Island,
off the southern coast of Mississippi,
early i'm December, 1914.
Gen. Jackson, who had been APP
pointed TO the command Of the Suuth-
ern forces. fastened with few regu
lars to New Orleans, and there armed
and organized the militia of the city
and country. These recruits, with
COfiee's mounted brigade, and Car
rolls Kentucky and Tennessee militia,
in all to less than 5000
men, were all the forces that Jackson
expected or could obtain, with which
to meet the British army.
The American flotilla, on Lake BOr-
gne, consisting of five gun boats and
one small schooner, was captured on
effected a landing, about fifteen miles
below New Orleans, with 1000 light
troops. Gen. Jackson Immediately
to give him battle, though
but poorly prepared for the encounter
-CarrOlrs troops not having yet ar
rived.
1t was dark when the action COM
menced. With the regulars, the mill
tia, and two pieces of artillery, Jack
son attacked the front of the British
line; Coffee's men dismOuntet, and
the Mississippi dragons attacked the
right wing, while the ship Louisiana
and the schooner Caroline did great
execution upon the left, near the riv-
er. After desperate conflict, In the
darkness of the night, by which the
parties became mixed to-
gether so that they could not distin-
guish friend from foe, and aftera loss
in killed and prisoners of about 800 on
each side, the Americans were forced
to retire.
The next day, the 9th of December,
Jackson took up his permanent posi-
ton OH the plains of Chalmette, about
four miles below New Orleans. The
distance between the river and the
swamp ut this place i'm less than a mile.
Here jackson, without a moments
hesitation. commenced to fortify him
self. \ line ofearth-WOrh was thrown
up from the river 70 the swamp. All
the energies of Jackson, and of the
brave men under him, were severely
tasked i'm constructing this redoubt.
On Christmas and the days and nights
preceding and following it. those val
liant men toilcd incessantly, every mo-
ment expecting the attack of the enc
my The British were strongly refill
forced, yet they hesitated to attack the
American line. They waited for Paicn
ham and Gibbs, :,i,d all -. arm, ani
artillery Ia be brought up. Mean
while, jackson employed every mo-
ment's delay in strengthening his ro-
siiion.
On the 9Th, the British destroyed
the Carolina 10y hot shot But the
Louisiana WAS towed further up the
river. where she did good execution
till the ciCsr OF ho-tiliiics. On the 18th
the British attacked the Americans;
hu! after conflict OF nlary hours, l!iey
were forced III retire.
On the Ith Of January, CAROLS
Kentucky and Tennessee militia ar
rived. Up to this time Jackson's for
ces had numbered less than 1000 men.
At least one-haif of the 900 addition
al troops were unarined, and many of
them were unable to procure arms, or
to give any assistance To their brave
comrades in thetrying hour.
The S,h of January. ISIS, fell on
SUNDAY. Perhaps the British thought
To surprise the Americans by making
the attack on this day However this
maybe all Acknowledgements wcrecom-
pleted, and they resolved to give battle.
Pakenham had arrived, and fixed his
camp with all the formality and os-
which characterized the |
of Brlddock. The whole |
English army, Of about 12.OO0 men, |
with their artillery, fascines and seal
ing ladders. were on the ground. The |
plan of attack had been given out.
Everything was now ready. Booty
and Beauty" was the watchword to /
which they marched. rakenham lei
in person. The artillery were on the
British left, near the river. while the
main column, led by Gibirs and Keene,
was near the swamp. CAROLS divis-
ion opposed them The Kentucky and
tennessee sharp-shooters soon threw
the enemy snto confusion aud retreat
I'm attempting Ia rally their broken
columns. Pakenham was killed, Gibbs
wounded. keene and Lam
"A. IF lai On the sa,,nH attach knf nm |