USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume I > Part 33
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General Harrison, in his official report, says
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of Colonel Johnson's regiment: "It would be useless to pass encomiums on Colonel John- son and his regiment. Veterans could not have manifested more firmness. The colonel's wounds prove him to have been at the post of danger. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson and Majors Payne and Thompson were equally active."
These gallant Kentucky cavalrymen were not the only Kentuckians who won the praise of the commanding officer. After evincing his high appreciation of the services rendered him by Capt. Charles S. Todd, General Harri- son says, and again a quotation is made from Smith : "I am at a loss how to mention the merits of Governor Shelby, being convinced that no eulogium of mine can do them justice. The governor of an independent state and greatly my superior in years, in experience and in military fame, he placed himself under my command and was not more remarkable for his zeal and activity than for the promptitude and cheerfulness with which he obeyed my or- ders. Major Generals Henry and Desha, and Brigadier Generals Allen, Caldwell, King, Chiles and Trotter, all of the Kentucky volun- teers, manifested great zeal and activity. Of Governor Shelby's staff, Adjutant General McDowell and Quartermaster General Walker rendered great services, as did his aides, Gen- eral Adair and Majors Barry and Crittenden."
Going back to the results of this battle, it may be stated that in addition to the loss of Tecumseh, an irreparable one, the Indians were driven away by a force of not one-third their number and that every member of this force was a Kentucky volunteer. So great was the victory won by General Harrison that the shattered tribes sent messengers to him begging for peace. He, on the principle of fighting the devil with his own fire, had en- gaged certain Indians in his service with the rigid restriction that they should observe the rules of civilized warfare and indulge in none of the murderous excesses which had marked
the career of Proctor and his fellow-savages. Others of the Indians now came seeking ser- vice under him, but none were received who would not accede to the severe terms he had prescribed.
The victorious Kentuckians, after the suc- cess that had attended their service, returned to their homes crowned with the sense of a duty well performed, and were mustered out of the service.
There was little more of service for Ken- tucky troops in the north after this, with one exception. The Pottawottomie Indians did not seem to know when they were whipped and showed an inclination to continue in the service of the English government. Ohio and Kentucky were called upon for five hundred men each to teach these Indians the pleasant- ness of the paths of peace. Kentucky re- sponded with seven companies of volunteers, under the command of Major Peter Dudley, who joined the body of troops commanded by General McArthur, who forthwith marched into Canada into which he penetrated some two hundred miles, having almost daily skir- mishes with the enemy. Finally, he struck a force of about five hundred men whom he at- tacked and dispersed, with a loss to the enemy of one hundred and sixty, killed, wounded and prisoners. Having accomplished this complete success, the volunteers returned to Sandwich, where the enlisted men received honorable dis- charges. They had not met the Pottawatto- mies against whom they were supposed to proceed, but by a military diversion against others of the enemy, they had won a success which taught the Pottawattomies a useful les- son and that tribe no longer disturbed them. General McArthur generously awarded praise to Majors Todd and Dudley and Captain Bradford for the excellence of their service in this short campaign.
The English, despite their use of the savage tribes in the north and northwest, had stead- ily lost in some important engagements. It is
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true that Hull had ignominously surrendered to them and that Winchester. by his strange failure to throw out videttes. had permitted the enemy to surprise him. but we had won some victories nevertheless when General Harrison came upon the scene. Harrison made no mistakes. no surrenders. If there was fighting to be done. he was there on the spot and ready to do it. If a retreat was to be made, he conducted it without permitting it to become a rout. In a word, he was a soldier who knew his business and when he joined hands with bluff old Governor Shelby, of Ken- tucky, there was no English general who was their equal, and neither of them knew the meaning of the word defeat. When they put their forces and their heads together things began to happen with a celerity which sur- prised and demoralized the enemy.
The eyes of the country now turned to the south, as England had been whipped every- where else and there needed but one more vic- tory to convince our English cousins that their room was better than their company on this continent. And they did not have to wait long for the lesson. They had won a great victory at Waterloo, assisted as usual, by the forces of another country; Napoleon had taken up his residence at St. Helena, and for the first time since the beginning of his me- teoric career England was able to take a free breath. She had the scourge of Europe safely cooped up, and from him no longer feared reprisals. She would send over to America the troops who had successfully met the French at Waterloo-Blucher and his Ger- mans helping them-and speedily reduce the Americans to a state of subserviency. That was the plan of the British cabinet, but they reckoned without their host. There were some people on this side of the Atlantic who had not been consulted and who held views dia- metrically opposed to those of the cabinet. They also held guns with which to enforce those views.
The English troops who had taken and burned Washington, were to proceed to New Orleans. there to be joined by the victors of Waterloo. This was a beautiful scheme. had it worked out as arranged by the English cab- inet. but there was a failure in the plans and England suffered ye: another humiliation.
When the plans of the English became known. the war department ordered twenty- five hundred Kentucky militia to join the Georgia and Tennessee recruits as reinforce- ments for General Jackson at New Orleans. thus increasing his force of regulars and vol- unteers from Louisiana and the Mississippi territory to about fourteen thousand men.
New Orleans, then as now, had a population largely composed of people of Spanish and French blood. These people had never taken kindly to the possession of Louisiana by the United States. The French avowed allegiance to the crown of France, while it was believed that the Spaniards would declare sympathy with the English. There were but a few Americans, comparatively speaking, in the city. but these were loyal to their country. The legislature which was in session was thought to be disloyal to the United States and was taking no steps for the protection of the city of New Orleans against the threatened inva- sion by the English. But there was a strong body of citizens who welcomed the coming of General Jackson and gave him a moral sup- port which was of great value in the trying days which confronted him.
By the latter days of November, the Ken- tucky. Tennessee and Georgia militia which had been ordered to the support of General Jackson, were en route down the river. The Kentucky forces were under the command of Gen. John Thomas, whose adjutant general was John Adair, a trained and gallant sol- dier, who should have been in command by reason of his experience in the field and the splendid record he had made.
General Jackson, late in November. trans-
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ferred his command from Mobile to New Or- leans, reaching the latter place about Decem- ber 1. 1814. He at once began preparations for defense and was fortunate in having the governor of Louisiana order the organized militia to his support, several bodies thereof being already in the field at the time of his ar- rival at New Orleans. Guards were posted by General Jackson at all points by which it was expected the coming enemy would at- tempt to reach the city. New Orleans is vul- nerable to attack from many directions, owing to the deep water of the various bayous which surround it, most of which lead into Lake Pontchartrain which lies in its rear. But Gen- eral Jackson was on the ground in advance of the enemy and omitted no defensive opera- tions along any of these waterways.
The hostile fleet made its appearance on the 12th of December, making its rendezvous, with forty sail, at Ship Island, off Bay St. Louis, whence, if unopposed. it could make its way, to Lake Pontchartrain and attack the city from the rear. Lieutenant Jones, in com- mand of the American naval forces, was at- tacked by a flotilla of the enemy largely out- numbering him. The action which lasted for about two hours, was a very bloody one. the enemy losing about three hundred men. The American loss was but five killed and thirty wounded. Among these latter were Lieuten- ants Jones and Lockyer. These gallant young officers had been under fire before at Valpa- raiso where the gallantry of themselves and the men under their command, had added new laurels to the American navy.
That portion of the population of New Or- leans which was loyal to the American cause, was alarmed by the result of this engagement. The English army was not far away and the last barrier to its approach and capture of the city seemed to be now swept away. Jackson had four thousand men for the defense of the city, three thousand of whom were volunteers and with these he had to meet and. if possi-
ble, defeat the best trained soldiers of Eng- land.
General Jackson was not a soldier to hesi- tate; he knew the conditions surrounding him and met them as a soldier should. Fearing that steps might be taken by the civil authori- ties which would interfere with his plans for the protection of the city against the enemy, he placed New Orleans and its immediate sur- roundings, under martial law. The word "fearing" was used at the beginning of the preceding sentence. It was incorrect, for it is not on record that General Jackson ever feared anything. "Anticipating" would more prop- erly describe the feeling which prompted the issue of his order. Those who sympathized with the plan of defense approved the order ; those who did not, and there were many of these, were careful not to make publicly known their opposition. The order was dras- tic in its terms. All persons entering the city were required to report their arrival to the adjutant general of the army; those leaving the city must have a passport from the mili- tary or naval authorities. All lights on the city streets were required to be extinguished by nine o'clock in the evening, and those per- sons found abroad after that hour were under suspicion as spies. All male persons within the limits covered by the order were forced into the service and required to join either the land or naval forces.
There will be those who read these words who will esteem these orders as harsh and in- fringing on the rights of the citizen. But in the midst of arms, the laws are silent. To such as would too harshly criticize these orders of General Jackson. it may only be necessary to call attention to conditions existing in Louisville in 1862, when the Confederate army under command of General Bragg threatened to occupy the city. Citizens were forced at the point of the bayonet, to assist in the con- struction of fortifications; their horses were taken from the carriages containing the fe-
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male members of their families; no one was permitted to leave or enter the city without permission from the military authorities, and in every respect Louisville in September, 1862, occupied the position of New Orleans in De- cember, 1814. War is not a respecter of per- sons nor of civil laws, a fact which those within its midst cannot too soon nor too fully recognize.
Along with the proclamation of martial law, General Jackson issued an address to the people of New Orleans, as follows :
"The Major General commanding has learned, with astonishment and regret, that great consterna- tion and alarm pervade your city. It is true that the enemy is on our coast and threatens an invasion of our territory; but, it is equally true, that with energy, union and the approbation of Heaven, we will beat him at every point where his temerity may induce him to set foot on our soil.
"The General, with still greater astonishment, has heard that British Emissaries have been permitted to propagate a seditious report among you that the threatened invasion is with a view of restoring the country to Spain, from a supposition that some of you would be willing to return to your ancient gov- ernment. Believe no such incredible tales. Your government is at peace with Spain. It is the mortal enemy of your country, the common enemy of man- kind. the highway robber of the world who threatens and has sent his hirelings among you with this false report, to put you off your guard that you may fall an easy prey to his rapacity. Then look to your liberties, property and the chastity of your wives and daughters. Take a retrospect of the conduct of the British army at Hampton and other places where it entered our country, and every bosom which glows with patriotism and virtue will be inspired with in- dignation, and pant for the arrival of the hour when we shall meet the enemy and revenge these outrages against the laws of civilization and humanity.
"The General calls upon the inhabitants of the city to trace this unfounded rumor to its source and bring the perpetrator to condign punishment. The rules and articles of war annex the punishment of death to the crime of holding secret correspondence with the enemy, supplying him with provisions or creating false alarms, and the General announces his unalterable determination rigidly to execute the
martial law in all cases which may come within his province.
"The safety of the district entrusted to the pro- tection of the General must and will be maintained with the best blood of the country and he is confi- dent that all good citizens will be found at their posts with arms in their hands, determined to dispute every inch of the ground with the enemy, and that unanimity will pervade the whole country. But, should the General be disappointed in this expecta- tion, he will separate our enemies from our friends. Those who are not for us are against us and will be dealt with accordingly."
This proclamation had the desired effect. Those not in sympathy with the American cause, knew the stern character of General Jackson and that he would execute to the letter, the laws of war to which he had re- ferred in his address to the people of New Orleans. Therefore, they remained silent and desisted from any action denounced by the stern old warrior, who always said what he meant and acted in accordance with his pro- nouncements. While the disaffected were thus driven to an enforced silence, the patri- otic residents of the city had new life instilled within them. Arms and accoutrements were issued to them and they were daily drilled in the duties of the soldier. General Jackson, for the encouragement of these citizen volunteers and those in sympathy with them, issued a second address from which the following ex- tract is taken :
"The General, commanding in chief, would not do justice to the noble ardor that has animated you in the hour of danger; he would not do justice to his own feelings, if he suffered the example you have shown to pass without public notice. Inhabitants of this opulent and commercial town, you have, by your spontaneous efforts, shaken off the habits which are created by wealth and shown that you are resolved to deserve the blessings of fortune by bravely defending them. Long strangers to the perils of war, you have embodied yourselves to face them with the cool countenance of veterans ; with motives to disunion, that might operate on weak minds, you have for-
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gotten the difference of language and the prejudices of national pride and united with a cordiality that does honor to your understanding as well as to your patriotism."
To the defense of that portion of the city approachable by the innumerable bayous and passes in the vicinity of Lake Borgne, a force of volunteers was assigned under command of General Villere, who was fully acquainted with the territory between the lake and the Mississippi river. General Jackson had espe- cially ordered that navigation of the Bayou Bienville be prevented, but these orders Villere had not observed, a fact of which the Eng- lish commander took immediate notice and advantage. Villere had placed a picket guard at the mouth of the bayou, near his own plan- tation, but this was not sufficient, and on De- cember 23d, the enemy surprised and cap- tured this guard and a company of troops on Villere's plantation. Troops to the number of three thousand were then taken up the bayou and encamped on a neighboring planta- tion. Notice of this movement was quickly brought to General Jackson, who decided upon an immediate attack. General Carroll, commanding the militia from Tennessee had made an unprecedented march to the scene of action and was ready for any orders that might take him and his gallant volunteers into action. General Carroll had his command of mounted men also in readiness for active ser- vice. Coffee and Carroll were encamped near each other, four miles above New Orleans, and the general commanding notified them to be in readiness for a general attack, either offensive or defensive. An attack was ex- pected by the way of Chef Menteure and Car- roll's forces were so distributed as to properly meet it. General Jackson had an inferior force, but this did not deter him. He was not only ready for action but anxious for an op- portunity to meet the enemy. On the 23d of December, the commander-in-chief ap- proached the encampment of the British com-
mand under cover of darkness. General Cof- fee was ordered to attack the British right, while General Jackson led the other forces and attacked them upon the left, while, at the same time, Commodore Patterson, command- ing the schooner "Caroline," was to fire upon the English camp. At half past eight Com- modore Patterson opened fire upon the ene- my's camp, Coffee's forces rushed forward with impetuous attack, entering the enemy's camp, while General Jackson, with equal ar- dor, attacked their left, being supported by the fire of the "Caroline" and two field pieces. The contest was a warm one for a time, but a fog arising caused trouble among the Ameri- can troops and a cessation in the battle.
General Jackson maintained his position un- til four o'clock on the next morning, when he withdrew his forces without the enemy's hav- ing ascertained his numerical weakness. Re- treating to a point up the river where he could defy the enemy with even fewer troops than he had under his command, General Jackson calmly awaited attack confident in his capac- ity to defeat his enemy when a general en- gagement came, notwithstanding the superior force of that enemy. The British General Keane, commanding some of the men who had followed the Duke of Wellington in his successful campaigns, was disdainful of the volunteers who confronted him and imagined an easy victory as within his reach. But he had met with an unexpected reception on his first attack, which taught him a new lesson in warfare. Braddock, years before, had un- derestimated the military character of the American and sneeringly refusing to accept the counsel of the young American soldier, George Washington, had rashly gone to de- feat, and to death. General Keane, perhaps, remembering the lesson of Braddock's defeat and Burgoyne and Cornwallis' surrenders, put a higher estimate upon the military genius of American soldiers, determined to hold his present position, if possible, until the arrival
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of General Packenham and his forces, avoid- ing, in the meantime, further contest with the forces under the command of General Jack- son. He had lost four hundred killed, two hundred and thirty wounded and seventy pris- oners captured by the American forces. The loss of the forces under General Jackson were twenty-four killed, one hundred and fifteen wounded and seventy-four missing, supposed to have been captured. The large number of the British forces reported killed, as compared with those wounded, shows the superior marksmanship of the frontiersman to that of the ordinary soldier. These men had carried a rifle from their earliest boyhood; they had used it against the savage and the wild beasts of the forest and had learned what it meant to make every shot count. Not only in this minor contest, but in that which was to come soon after, did this early attained facility with the weapons of warfare, stand them in good stead and teach such a lesson to England as has made that country ever since hesitate to come in contact with the American volunteer, the finest soldier who ever marched to battle.
General Jackson was not yet ready for bat- tle, preferring to await the arrival of the rein- forcements which he knew were en route from Kentucky. But he lost nothing by this delay. Intrenchments were thrown up wherever the engineering force found them necessary ; artil- lery was placed in the most advantageous po- sitions, cotton bales, being used to strengthen the works. Fronting these works were wide ditches filled with water to retard the advance of the enemy. These ditches, it was after- wards developed, were unnecessary as the English forces never reached the immediate intrenchments of the American lines.
The two American vessels, the "Louisiana" and the "Carolina," on December 26, drop- ping down the river, shelled the English lines and drove the enemy into the swamp. On the 27th, the enemy sent a fire of red-hot shot into these two vessels, the "Louisiana" escap-
ing injury by its distance from the assailants. The schooner "Carolina" being becalmed within range of the enemy's guns, was less fortunate, and soon after being abandoned by her commander, was blown up and destroyed.
General Packenham, soon after his arrival, with large reinforcements, made an attack upon the defensive works of General Jackson on December 28, advancing his entire force and opening a cannonade with his entire artil- lery. The air was filled with every character of shot and shell known to the artillery service of that day. But artillery attacks are but sound and fury signifying little. Few men are ever killed by artillery fire. A tremendous noise is made; the earth trembles under the impact of the heavy gun fire and when all is over, it is usually found that a certain number of men have been frightened by the uproar and that but few have been killed or injured compared to the noise that has been made.
In this instance, that was the real result. The militia, whom it was expected to throw into a panic with the cannonade, had speedily gauged the danger and found that, in no sense, did it compare with the noise made. They, therefore, declined to be stampeded by the up- roar, but held their ground like veterans, while our own artillery took the measure of the English and kept them at a respectful dis- tance. In this encounter, the enemy lost one hundred and twenty killed, while the Amer- ican loss was seven killed and eight wounded. For several days after this the English nursed their wounds in comparative quiet, nothing more serious than picket skirmishing occur- ring, the "Louisiana" occasionally making her- self disagreeable by dropping shells into the English camp.
Admiral Cochran, of the English naval force, had boastfully sent word into the American camp that he proposed to eat his Christmas dinner in New Orleans, while Gen- eral Packenham, more disposed to delay, hav- ing met the volunteers unsuccessfully, named
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January Ist as the day when he would dine in the Crescent City. But man proposed and God and General Jackson disposed in each of these cases. Admiral Cochran missed his Christmas dinner and General Packenham went where New Year's dinners are probably unknown.
January 1, 1815, was Sunday, a day on which many great battles have been fought, not only on this continent, but in other parts of the world. Under cover of a heavy fog, the enemy advanced to a point six hundred yards from General Jackson's works, and erected three batteries mounting fifteen guns ranging from six to thirty-two pounders. The opposing forces were now closer to each other than they had before been. When the fog had lifted, they began a heavy fire upon the American works, attempting, at the same time, an assault in column with their infantry. These latter were speedily driven back, but the cannonade was continued throughout the day until late in the day, when the well-di- rected fire of the American artillery had si- lenced most of their guns, and, under cover of the night, they withdrew. The American loss
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