The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-25

II was long, thick, and very heavy; was
made by expert workmcn, whose cunning
In the manufacture OF firearms taught
them what was the best form OF rsne 10
| suit their purposes. The STOCK was sihaIi
but strong, and extended the entire length
Of the barrel, being wcll-braced and orna-
mented with steel or brass mountings.
The stock was provided with well-pro-
tected cavity in which was always kept
an amount OF grease and buckskin. These
were used IN loading the gun. The ball,
which was always spherical, was creased
and then wrapped in a small piece OF
fine buckskin. was rammed down into
the chamber OF the rife. These rifles
were exploded by lock and flint, and II
was necessary that the men should carry
a small powder horn, scored by a thong
over their shoulders. We have reason
for giving this description Of the rife
in general use about that time.
a British Fleet.
Jackson had not been In the city when
it was announced that a British fleet was
in the Gulf. When he heard the news of
their approach 10 the waters in the neigh
bOrnoOd Of New orleans, he at cnce be-
came the impcrsonation Of energy and
activity. The city was oil hustle
aud preparation. He summci cd his
aids Inspected his troops ar
ranged them according TO their special
adaptation 10 the occasion, and gave such
evidence of his military capacity as TO
inspire the inhabitants with every con-
fdence in their intrepid defender. Every
body Knows that the country around New
Orleans is low. fat and wet. No enemy
could approach it, except over the low
grounds. unless he navigated the strong
and turbid stream OF the MISSISSIPPI
river. The distance from the sea TO the
city made this ineXpedient 10 the invader,
who at that date had not the use OF
steam. jackson. therefore, saw that the
enemy would have 10 land at point
as near TO the city as he could, and then
direct his movements as circumstances
should suggest. He foresaw also That
land defences would have to be construct
ed TO imp de the enemy when he should
attempt an advance. He knew that the
place could only be taken by campaign
on the land and he had the sense to see
that the nemy knew this as well as HIM
self 1t was not long before his antici-
pations were realized. News arrived on
the 2Sd Of December that the English had
landed in force on the plantation Of
Mr.. Where, a few miles east of the city
His usual ardor and impetuousity were at
once aroused When the special messen-
ger delivered his dispatch, he at once eX-
claimed. I'VE will now give them taste
of what they may expect, they shall soon
find out whom they have to deal with.
The enemy had approached the land
through Lake Borgne an inlet from the
Gulf. At narrow pass connecting this
inlet with the interior, the Government |
had a small hottilla Of armed boats. |
These had been surprised and captured by |
the overwhelming numbers Of the British, |
who were now slowly, but steadily, gath |
ering In force. Every item of informa- |
ton gotten. by Jackson added TO his de- |
sire TO drive the red coats from the |
soil Of his country. \ witness Of these /
events declares that the General was |
burning with impotence 10 come TO
close quarters with the red-coats,
as he called them" IF Will smash them"
he would exclslm. $50 help me God
Acting upon these impulses he at once
a force. Of artillery, volunteers
and rihemen 90 resist the further advance
of the British. This force was hurried off
as far as the Where plantation, where the
enemy were posted. The General soon
followed in person and made every pre-
to attack the enemy, establish
ing his headquarters at convenient |
distance from his lines. After considera-
bic skirmishing, the capturing Of few
prisoners on both sides and some heavy
night came on and prevent
ed the contemplated attack upon me
enemy. IL had been Jacksons desire To
attack at daybrcak next morning but
he in the meantime had learned through
his scouts that the English general |
J<tane. Who commanded the 200 men iirst
embarked. had been 50 reinforced That
his force now amounted 10 5000 men. lie
did not need the advice Of MORGAN or any
body else what TO do In order 10 decoy
the enemy further to the interior, he re-
treated 10 within a few miles of the
city. Hero he knew ne would be followed
y the British. Consequently he began at
once 10 throw up land defences. II IS just
at this point OF his preparations that the
author Of Fifty Years in Both hems-
pherCs" SAYS Jackson was persuaded 70
consult Major ST. Cerue a French onsi-
neer. who had been with MORGAN on his
visit 60 New Orleans. The difficulty in
that low, wet country was TO erect sub
stdntial field works, which WOula resist |
heavy artillery and at the same time az
ford "a foundation upon which TO construct
substantial batteries fer defence. u may
be that Jackson or some Of his men con-
suited Nhad perhaps taken advice Of this
practical field engineer TO aid I'm the |
work At al events, everybody knows |
that Jackson5 little army managed 10
construct their defensive works In time !
10 receive the fire Of the English artillery.
nd 10 resist the attack OF then heavy
masses OF infantry. 1t has always been
, popular deiusion that the success of
Iackson's defence was due 10 the use of
Otton bales. So FAR from this being trae,
recording to the last accounts he scout
"a the idea. No such thing as cotton
,alc, as now known, WAS a. a IN exist
nee. They were merely bags loosely
lied with the picked cotton. through
which il might be difficult FOR a musket
all 10 pass, but which would have been
asily set on fire by stray cartridge J
more 10 the detriment than 10 the benefit
f the defenders. Jackson knew this, and
would not allow them 10 be used. Still | .
is true that bags of cotton were used l
u constructing tho foundations for the | )
latforms In which the American artillery
vas posted and Tor the other entrcach-
lpnts. At depth OF "A few feet the ]
nire ana water interfered with the for {
nation OF solid work. To remedy this
ags of cotton. wet with the Shiny con-
ents OF the bitches. were packed in for
foundation This being done the sur |
ace earth was thrown into the necessary
eight and then protected by heavy TIM |
ers and plank. This was really the only !
sc made Of cotton in the famous repulse :
{ the British at New Orleans. J
w. =. y.