Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-28

by the people of New Orleans few days after the battle was characteristic of the people and the times.
 The story of the fight has often been told. The fact, not known for some weeks afterward. that the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent day and a fort night before the battle does not detract a jot from the fame of the sturdy soldier who won along with his victory over the British the idolatry of his contempora- ries and shrine in the hearts of Ameri cans as long as the republic shall last.
 Jackson did some hard fighting in Florida just before he went to New Or leans. Victory had been uniformly with his arms, and his coming was eagerly awaited at the Crescent City. As soon as he arrived on Dec. 3, 1Sl4, he set about putting the city in state of defense. On Dec. 23 he made the celebrated night attack on the first division of the British, which had effected landing some eight miles down the river from the city. The losses on both sides from this engage ment were about 200 killed and wound ed equally divided. On New Years day there was another engagement. which re suited in defeat for the British. Then both sides began to prepare for what both thought was sure to be a decisive engagement as far as New Orleans was concerned. little dreaming that neither had any further cause to fight.
 The British forces numbered 12,000 men. There were but 1000 Americans, and hardly half of them fired shot during the short, hot fight that began with daybreak on that January morning NTha,, l,a over. the loss in killed to the English many and in prisoners 800. The Ameri- cans lost but 6 killed and 13 wounded, and but 9 minutes elapsed between the | firing of the first and last shots.
 It was not until Jan. 21 that Jackson | with his army re-cntered New Orleans. | The conquering hosts were met in the suburbs by an enthusiastic throng. in l cluding almost the entire population of the city, of all ages and both sexes, and were greeted with the most extravagant expressions of gratitude and delight. l Jan. 23 was set apart by the municipal authorities as a day of thanksgiving. l To the preparations for the observance | of that day the utmost energies of all were bent. Booming of cannon ushered in the dawn of typically bright sub tropical winter morning. During the previous day and night men and women had been busily engaged ill decorating with evergreens the old Spanish cathe- dral in which the religious ceremonies were to be held. In front of the cathe dral in the center of the public square where the equestrian statue of Jackson now stands. q temporary arch of triumph had been erected. It was supported by six Corinthian columns and festoonec with flowers and evcrgreens.
 Beneath the arch stood two beautiful little girls holding in their hands civic crown of laurel. Near them were two young women personating Liberty anG Justice. Ranged in two rows, extending from the arch to the cathedral, wer, young girls, the very flower of the creol, beauty of that city, full of female lowell ness, robed in white, yelled in blue gauz, and each bearing on her brow a silve, star. These personated the states anC territories of the Union that the hero O the day had done so much to preserve iron the vandal hand of the British invader Each of these girls carried basket O flowers and flag bearing the name O the state or territory she represented Behind each lance upholding shield