The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-09
Weather forecast for FTed-
ericks6ur0 and oicfnftV.
Fair Tuesday, high RorfA-
east aoindS.


ths anniversary of the battle Of New
Orleans. 1t was fought in 1915, eighty
five years ago, by General Andrew
jackson, commanding the American
troops and Gen. Edward Packenham'
commanding the British.
This battle was remarkable in sew
eral particulars
1. 1t was fought fifteen days after
the treaty Of peace with Great Britain
had been agreed upon and signed.
2. There were two Britons to one
American. the former being trained
soldiers, and the latter being raw mil
itia.
3. The British forces were command
ed by q brother .in-law Of the Duke OF
Wellington, who ranked with the Dlke
as a military leader, while Gen. Jack
son was without military education
and NO experience except in Indian
warfare, which conld be bat little as
sistance to him when facing regulars.
4. The disparity in the losses OF the
two conference.-the British losing
about two thousands and the Amerl-
cams only twenty.seven
g. The battle was fought over the
opposition and protests Of she citizens
of New Orleans, including those high
in authority, not because they were dis
loyal to the government, but because
they feared il opposed the British would
sack and burn the city If il fell into
their hands, which they believed was
inevitable.
When jackson reached New Orleans
he found it in a defenceless condition,
no Notifications, the people excited and
eager to surrender the city and secure
protection for their property. He COM
nenced at once the defence Of the
place, although he was confronted
with an army twice as large as his own
and composed of the flower OF Eng
lands army. which had Just defeated
Napoleon at Waterloo. In doing this
he had to contend. not only with many
of his own men who had mutnied and
were threatening to leave for their
homes. but the officials Of the city,
members Of the Legislature and even
the Judge. of the. United States
District Court. all of whom advised
and protested against any effort to
meet the enemy at that point or to de-
fend the city against Psckenham's in
yincible hosts.
But this did not change Jsckson's
plans, or deter him from the discharge
Of his duty. He was man OF iron
will and determination Of purpose, and
finding that argument did not meet
the necessities Of the case or stop the
clamor of the people against him,
he declared martial law, arrested
some Of the prominent leaders, includ-
ing the United States judge, sent them
to the rear and commenced rapid de-
fence Of the city. Packenham was
moving up and constructing breastworks
Of earth and hogsheads of sugar, pre-
paratory to the attack. The troops
had heard Of the wealth OF the city
and the beauty Of its women, and
so the historian tells us that they
adopted the battle cry of beauty and
booty" confident of victory.
While Psckenhsm was fortifying
and getting his army in readiness, Jack
son was not idle.
Esrthworks were soon thrown up and,
with hundreds Of bales Of cotton brought
into requisition, defences were erected
that the British could not take.
These defences were scarcely COM
pleted when the British line Of battle
was seen advancing. With the steady
step of the well disciplined soldier they
came with their bright uniforms, fly
ing banners and confident hope Of sue
cess. Gen. Jackson had given orders
to his men to reserve their fire until
they could see the whites Of the eyes Of
the enemy and then aim at the buckles
of the belts. This order was implicitly
obeyed, and when within one hundred
yards the CALLING fire Of the Americans
moved them down like faded leaves
before q wind Storm" and New Or
leans was saved from pillage and de-
struction. Packenham was killed and
nearly every subordinate commander
was either killed or wounded.
After this magnificent victory that
placed Jackson in conspicuous place
in the affection Of his countrymen and
eventually landed him in the Presi-
Dental chair. the old hero declared
martial law ct an end. and in answer
to o summons appeared before Judge
Hall, whom he had sent from the city,
who fined him one thopssnd dollars.
Although many friends offered to pay
the fine, the General declined their
kind offers and paid it from his own
funds. In 1874, twenty-nine years
afterwards. the government refunded
the amount Of the fine with interest.