Gilpin observer., 1906-12-27

l have heard my grandfather tell
time and time again of the reception
which Gen. Jackson gave to the British
on New Years day in the year of grace
1915, and believe l can write 1t down
exactly as he repeated it to me, for
he was there, taking very active part
in the ceremonies, if the reports of his
superior officers are entitled to credit
as of course they are.
You must know first of the situation
at New Orleans on the dawning of this
New Years day, and that can be told
in few words.
General Jackson had on Christmas
day 1000 men, 20 pieces Of artillery.
and two armed schooners with which
to defend the city; and the defense of
New Orleans meant the defense of
the state of Louisiana and the entire
Mississippi valley. The whole British
army consisted of 1000 land troops,
with fleet numbering more than so
vessels of all sizes and rigs, not a few
of which were well armed.
Two days after Christmas the enemy
had succeeded in destroying one of
Gen. Jackson's vessels, the schooner
Caroline. thus leaving him only the
schooner Louisiana, and "a hours later
battle was fought in which the Amer
leans gained slight advantage.
Our people had thrown up breast
work three feet in height along the
entire front of the army. and now the
British built three half moon" batter
les. at equal distances apart, about 600
yards from Jackson's line, arming
them with 80 heavy guns, which had
been brought up from the fleet. These
batteries were formed OF earth, hogs
heads of sugar, and. in fact. of every
thing which it was supposed would
offer resistance to the missiles OF the
Americans.
when both armies were hidden under
a dense fog which did not lift until
nearly eight o'clock: but as soon as
1t was possible to see surrounding OBJ
jects the British opened fire from their
batteries, and 1t seemed much as II
every gunner aimed at the house in
which was Gen. Jackson's headquar-
ters. In less than ten minutes the
building had been struck by more than
hundred shot and shell. and the COM
mander-in chief. with his stan, was
forced to seek some other place from
which to direct the troops in the battle
then just beginning.
American Fire Effective.
AS matter of cour3e, the American
guns had not heen silent while the
enemy was pouring into the city such
a shower of iron. The 20 cannon,
which had been mounted at different
points along the line of breastworks,
were opened on the British batteries
on the levee. and those in front OF our
position. until the enemy began to un-
derstand that hogsheads OF sugar Of
fered poor resistance to a solid shot.
for Immediately one was knocked into
splinters its contents ran out, thereby
making big breaches in the works.
When this battle OF the guns had
continued for an hour or more. with
the American lines comparatively un-
harmed and the enemy's batteries
showing here and there great gaps
which told that they would be speed
lily demolished unless there was
change In the method of fighting, the
British made determined attack on
the left Of Gen. Jackson's line, which
extended into the swamp, and my
grandfather was among those sent for
ward to meet 1t.
And now to tell the story from my
grandfather's own lips, as It were:
when Coffee's Tennessee regiment,
OF which was a member, gained that
portion OF our line which the British
were threatening, they were advanc.
ing on the charge. most likely thinking
to frigbten us by that long line OF glis-
tening steel bayonets; but we had
gone there for Just such kind OF work,
and venture to say that never one OF
US showed the white feather.
I'VE poured into their ranks a show
er Of lead which cut many wide gap,
but the Britishers only closed up the
line. coming forward like machine,
and showing us that Americans were
not the only ones who knew how TO die
at such time.
well, for a few moments they actu-
ally overran us with that line OF steel
points, and. having once discharged
our weapons. we had no chance to re-
load. The only thing for us, who did
not intend to be put out Of the fight
until II couldn't be helped was to grap-
ple with that red coated machine. for
We couldn't get near enough. owing to
tho bayonets. to strike decent blow
with our clubbed muskets.
TT was as rough.and.tumble night
- I ever saw, even when the COM
batants were unarmed, and the fact
that We chung to them like cats was
What knocked the. Pritishers out Of