Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-01-29

10 rally n call off the shattered army.
Inc British loss was 700 killed, Loo
wounded, 800 taken prisoners. or the
Americans only eight were killed and
thirteen wounded. Ridpath saws, "Never
was there in agreat battle such disparity
OF losses"
SOME OBSERVATIONS.
This battle was fought in the iterim
between the signing Of the treaty of
peace december "a, 1914 and the public
reception of the news in the United
States. "A telegraph would have saved
all that blood she'd" But it was FORUM
ate for the United States that Jackson
won this battle. Had the British sue
ceeded, tempted by such q victory, they
might have resorted to some excuse to
set aside the treaty. of peace, and con-
niue the wal for the conquest Of LOUISE
ana.
Had not the squadron from England
under Capt. Floyd been detained at
Fayal for ten days by an engagement
with an American priyateer, the Gen
eral Armstrong, the British who were
have arrived off the mouth of Misiss-
sippi November 25, instead of December
o. This would have been seven days
before Jackson reached New Orleans;
and there would have been nothing to
prevent their taking the city.
1t had been originally decided by the
British authorities that the Duke of
Wellington, brother In law of General
Packenham, should lead this expedition
against New Orleans. This decision was
changed and Packenham was substi-
tuted in Wellington's stead. IL the
original intention had been carried out,
this great General might have persisted
In Packenham's place and we might ask
the question, "Would Waterloo have
been won."
A few incidents in this battle throw
light upon the character of Gen. Jack
son. His prompt decision to place the
city under martial law his ordering a
Judge to be imprisoned for interfering
with his authority his commanding a
gun be put into the hands of a merchant
who came to him to complain that some
of his goods had been used upon the
lines and then sternly saying to him,
snow Sir, | will make affairs right;
march down to the lines and defend your
property" his decision TO assail the
enemy at the moment Of their landing,
thus convincing them that his force must
far surpass their expectations and thus
postpone the great battle until he could
be more thoroughly reinforced and pre-
pared; his toiling for four or five days
without sleep; his influence over his
men dispelling fear and filling them
with courage-putting these together n
part Of his character stands out in bold
outline. He was a man Of promptitude
and decision, of determined will, Of keen
Judgment, military sagacity, and quick
execution. He was a man Of great nat
ural audacity and force though small in
stature and sickly in appearance. He
was made of wire, tenacious and power
full, of that class of men who can screw
their resolution up to the sticking point.
He was of that class of men who break
down old walls and bring in new ages.
He strobe with an iron tread, and struck
with a mailed hand. He combined the
nerve of Cromwell, the impetuosity of
Murat, and the resolution Of Napoleon.
His victory at New Orleans placed his
reputation for military genius and skill
securely on a level with that of the
greatest leaders of armies.