Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-06

lines, and, with the Louisiana, the latter in
an advantageous position about a mile fur
Their up the river, by a well directed fire,
kept the enemy at bay, for no column could
be formed upon ground constantly torn up
by cannon balls. Seldom had an army been
SO comp .etely paralyzed, or the purposes of
its general defeated. Keanc found himself
actually beseiged. and as one English officer
wrote, ''All things had turned out dia-
metrically opposite to what we eX-
pected' Keane was afterward much
censmed by some of his brother officers for
giving Jackson time to throw up his breast
works; but, believing us he did, that the lat
ter had q large body of men at his command,
while his own soldiers could do nothing but
sllulll behind huts or lie low in bitches to
avoid the balls of Jnckson's vessels, he could
not be honestly blamed.
The whole of the 18th was passed
in much the same way, the Americans work
ing at their defenses, deepening the trenches
in front of them, jackson seeming to be in all
places at once, as he rode up and down the
line, giving a word of encouragement here
and of caution there; while the British,
stopped in their career of expected triumph,
anXiOusly await Mai. Gen. Sir Edward Pack
enham, brother-in-law of the Duke of Well
ington, hero of Salamanca and the idol of the
English army With Ism, at Icngth, came
Maj Gen. Samuel Gibbs, beside several
staff officers of experience and distinction.
To blow the Carolina ont of the water was
Packenham's first resolve, and nine field
pieces, two hoWitzcrs, one mortar, a furnace
for heating balls with all the requisite am
muniton had been brought from the ships
into the British camp.
One half hours cannonade the next morn
ing, amid the alternate cheers of both armies,
as a well directed shot was heard by ono and
the other, sufficed to dispose of the fatal yes
sci Capt. Henly, her commander, finding
that red hot shot were passing through her
cabin and filing room, ordered his crew to
abandon her, which was done with the loss of
but one man killed and six men wounded.
But the Louisiana was still there and against
her the enemy now turned their guns Red
hot balls, kissing in the water where they
reached it, fell thick and fast, but the
boats were manned and 100 men were seen
Juggling at the oars, III order to tow her up
the stream. Jackson watched every stroke
with his old telescope.
The Carolina had done much for him. the
Louisiana thus saved by the bravery of her
gallant crew was destined to do quite as
first upon the Louisiana, both vessels might
have been destroyed.
On the 2Sth the British resolved to have a
look, at least, of their wary and active foe.
Forward they came says the author OF
jackson and New Orleans I'm solid
columns, as compact and orderly as if on
parade, under cover of a shower of rockets,
and continual fire from their artillery in
front and their batteries on the lcvee. Their
muskets catching the rays of the morning
sun. nearly blinded the beholder with their
brightness, while their gay and various uni
fOrms-red, gray, green and tartan-affOrded
a pleasing relief to the winter clad field and
the somber objects around
They had scarcely gotten within good
view. and to do this they were obliged to
pass some houses, which Jackson unknown
to them had filed to the roof with com
bustible matter, when Jackson opened upon
them with a deadly fire on front and flank
from his batteries and from the Louisiana.
Scarce q bail passed over or fell short Of its
mark. but all as disclosed in n British account.
striking full in the midst of the enemy
occasiOned terrible havoc The mansions.
with their OuthOuses, began to burn. and
maddeaed with the searching heat and blind
ing smoke in the rear and the nusketrv in
front they ceased their magnificent marching
order and yielded to confusion. The infan.
try were ordered to quit the path and form
into line in the fields, while the artillery was
brought up to oppose that of the enemy. In
half an hour two field pieces and one mortar
were dismounted and many Of the gunneTs
killed: the rest were compelled to retire. The
infantry, formed once more into line, adj
vanced under a heavy discharge Of round
and grape shot till they were checked by a
glance at the canal. They knew not its
depth. had no idea where it could be forded
or what might be concealed on the other side
of those unTniIitary looking earthwOrks
and after an ordered halt they hurried into
the welcome shelter Of q wet ditch with water
Of sufficient depth TO cover their knees.
hoping thus TO escape the bullets Of Jackson's
sharrshooters. who never missed man. a
irving position. truly, for the heroes Of the
Peninsula and the proud Ninety-third High.
landerS. Seven hours elapsed before they
were able to get away from their hiding
places, leaving many brave fellow behind
them.
/ Thus was it with the left Of the army: but
( the right, under Gen. Gibbs Jared no better
{ Their opponent. Coffee. with his Teuuss
scans, stood ready TO meet them, and after
+ a vain effort TO penetrate the marsh, this
{ too. was commanded 70 halt. The dis
/ mounted guns we're carried of by q party Of
T sailors. and as soon as this was accomplished
+ a general retreat was ordered. ard one by
I one the regiments found their way back, dis
! heaTtened at their repulse