USA > Louisiana > A history of Louisiana, revised edition > Part 15
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Jackson Marches to Meet the Enemy .- General Jack- son was quietly sitting in his headquarters at New Orleans when Major Villere and two other gentlemen came rushing
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in to inform him that the British were approaching. When the General heard this news, it is said that he started up, and striking the table with his fist, cried out : "By the Eternal, they shall not sleep on our soil." As we shall see, no British soldier closed his eyes that night.
All the available troops under Jackson's command were ordered to march out to meet the enemy. The General took a position in the lower part of the city, where the mint now stands, to see the battalions go by. The right, composed of eight hundred and eighty-four men, was to be commanded by Jackson himself. Then came Major Plauche's battalion of Frenchmen and Creoles ; next, the free-men-of-color under Major D'Aquin, and next, the left, under General Coffee, which was composed of Tennesseeans, Mississippians, and the Orleans Rifle Company.
Jackson's whole force was only two thousand, one hun- dred and thirty-one men.
Commodore Patterson, of the United States navy, was or- dered by Jackson to let two gunboats, the Carolina and the Louisiana drop down the river and bombard the enemy. As there was little wind, the Louisiana, which was a heavy vessel, could not be steered ; and so the Carolina, which was much lighter, sailed down alone and took up her position op- posite the British camp.
In the meantime it had grown dark, and when the British saw the Carolina they thought she might be one of their own cruisers, and hailed her from the levee. All at once they heard some one on board cry : " Give them this for the honor of America! " Then the guns flashed out, and a deadly hail of shot swept over the British camp, and in ten minutes cov- ered the ground with dead bodies. Those who were able, rushed to take refuge under the levee, where they lay for an hour shivering in the dark, but afraid to move.
Suddenly the rapid firing of the pickets informed the Eng- lish that the Americans were attacking them on the land side.
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Rushing to their arms, they defended themselves as best they could. At first there was a thick fog, and the contest was almost in the dark, but the moon, then in her first quarter, afterwards gave a feeble light. The fighting lasted from 7 o'clock till 9:30.
During the battle the English landed and brought up addi- tional troops till they had about five thousand on the field. Both sides fought with great bravery, but the advantage re- mained with the Americans. The English fell back to their camp, where they passed the night under arms. Jackson, hear- ing that large reinforcements of the enemy had come up, stopped his men. His loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners was two hundred and thirteen, while the English lost over four hundred. For the most part it was a hand-to-hand con- test. An English officer, who afterwards went over the field, declares that in some places he found two soldiers lying dead together, each pierced with the other's bayonet.
Jackson was seen in the very front of the battle, exposing himself to every danger, and exhorting his men until their courage rose to the level of his own.
This bold attack on the British saved New Orleans. If the enemy had been allowed to march forward with their large army, Jackson would not have had time to build the fortifications necessary to resist them. But after the battle of the 23d of December, the British, seeing that the way was not open and that the Creoles would not join them, did not venture to advance till they had received large reinforcements.
QUESTIONS.
Tell about Jackson's arrival in New Orleans. How did he defend the city? Describe the battle of Lake Borgne. What is martial law? Describe the landing of the British. Describe the battle of Decem- ber 23.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.
Preliminary Skirmishing .- Jackson now fell back two miles nearer the city and fortified the Rodrigues canal on the plain of Chalmette. The English spent the next few days in bringing up more troops, landing heavy artillery, and pre- paring for a vigorous campaign. This delay was fatal to them, for it gave Jackson time to build those terrible breast- works which the English long remembered.
Until the 25th instant, the British had been commanded by General Keane ; but on Christmas morning the army was delighted by the arrival of the commander-in-chief, Sir Ed- ward Pakenham, brother-in-law of that famous Duke of Wellington who, some months later, was to overthrow Na- poleon at Waterloo.
The Louisiana, the other American war ship, had now dropped down the river and anchored above the Carolina. As these two vessels rendered any advance very dangerous, Pakenham's first step was to attack them. Bringing up his artillery, he threw red-hot shot at the Carolina until she took fire and blew up. The crew, however, escaped, and the Louisiana, finding herself in danger, succeeded in sailing up the river.
On the 27th of December the British troops advanced once more as if to attack the breastworks that Jackson was com- pleting along the Rodrigues canal. But it was a useless at- tempt; for the American batteries poured a heavy fire into their ranks and forced them to retire.
On the 31st instant, Pakenham threw up embankments in front of the American lines, and having placed his heaviest artillery, he prepared to silence the American guns. The morning of January 1, 1815, dawned upon a thick Louisiana fog ; but as soon as the mist cleared away both sides began a
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
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tremendous cannonading, which was continued till late in the afternoon. The Americans proved themselves so much more skilful in the use of artillery that the English despaired of overcoming them by this method of fighting. Nearly all the British batteries were silenced.
Arrival of the Kentuckians .- On January 5th the Ken- tucky militia arrived in New Orleans, and were put under the command of Major-General John Thomas. These troops, however, as well as many soldiers from other States, were in want of proper clothing to protect them from the intense cold and the rains of the month of January. " The Legisla- "ture of Louisiana," says Latour in his history, " voted six " thousand dollars, and this amount was increased to sixteen " thousand dollars by the private subscriptions of the New " Orleans Volunteers and the inhabitants of Attakapas and " the German Coast. With some of this money blankets " were bought, and the ladies of New Orleans quickly made " them into clothes. The rest was expended in the purchase " of shoes, mattresses, and other necessities, till all the needy " soldiers were well provided." In this noble way did Lou- isiana show her gratitude to those who had come to her de- fence.
Preparations for the Fight .- The 8th of January was the day chosen by the British to decide the fate of New Or- leans and Louisiana. From the first of that month to the seventh they had busied themselves in digging out and ex- tending Villeré's canal till it reached the Mississippi. It was Pakenham's intention to transport a body of troops on barges through this canal and land them on the opposite bank of the river. Colonel Thornton, who was put in command of these troops, was directed to cross the river before day on the morning of January 8, seize the American batteries on the right bank, and turn them against Jackson's lines as soon as Pakenham's army advanced. Unfortunately for Thornton, his barges stuck in the heavy mud of the canal, and when he
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reached the other bank with six hundred men, day had dawned and he was too late to render any assistance to Pakenham.
Jackson's Line .- Jackson's breastworks, which were one mile long, extended from the Mississippi back to a cypress swamp. They were thrown up behind an old mill race, or canal, which separated the plantation of Rodrigues from that of Chalmette .* At first some bales of cotton had been used to strengthen portions of the embankment, but this inflam- mable stuff had been set on fire by the enemy's shot, and the heavy Louisiana mud was found to be far more useful. ; In some places the works were twenty feet across the top and seven feet high, in others they covered the men only to the breast. The long line was defended by eight batteries and 3200 men. In the rear there were 800 more troops, consisting of the Mississippi cavalry and Attakapas dragoons, to act as a reserve and rear guard.
The line of 3200 was composed of various bodies of troops. Among them may be mentioned the uniformed militia of Creoles, under Major Plauche ; Captain Beale's company of riflemen, stationed near the river, and the two battalions of free-men-of-color, under Lacoste and D'Aquin. Further on were the Kentuckians and Tennesseeans, under Major General Carroll and General Coffee; nor must we forget the Baratarian privateers under Captain Dominique, who commanded Battery No. 3.
The Fight .-- Long before dawn on the morning of the 8th, the Americans, lying in their intrenchments, had heard sounds in the British camp which told them there was to be an attack on their lines. They waited calmly for the sun to rise and show them the enemy. It was a cold foggy morn- ing. At dawn two rockets went up from the British camp. They were the signal of attack. The mist that covered the
* Alexander Walker's Life of Jackson.
t Hence the old story that Jackson fought behind cotton bales on January Sth is a mistake.
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plains as with a veil slowly lifted, and revealed the English columns approaching under General Gibbs. In front was the famous 44th regiment, composed largely of Irish soldiers. It was intended that these should bring up bundles of sugar cane to fill up the canal, and short ladders to mount the American fortifications. But by the negligence of their col- onel they came unprovided, and had to be sent back to get them. Before they could fall back, however, the American batteries had opened upon them a murderous fire, which cut great gaps in their ranks. Jackson was everywhere along his lines, crying out : "Stand to your guns; don't waste your ammunition ; see that every shot tells!" The Ten- nesseeans and Kentuckians came forward in turn and poured a shower of bullets into the advancing British col- umns, while the American batteries on the other side of the river broke the enemy's lines with their shells. The effect was terrible ; the field in front of Jackson's works was strewed with dead bodies. The 44th, headed by Pakenham him- self, now advanced; but what could bravery do against opponents that never showed themselves, while they swept the field with volley after volley of grape-shot and shell and bullet? All that was left of Gibbs' command had to give way, and Keane brought to the front his splendid body of troops, headed by the Scottish Highlanders. As these gal- lant soldiers swept forward, Pakenham raised himself in his stirrups and cheered them .* But all was in vain. Out of the body nine hundred strong that advanced, only one hundred and thirty left that bloody field alive. Pakenham himself, as he bravely led his men, was wounded in the arm ; but still he pressed forward. Suddenly a shell burst near by, killing his horse and wounding him in the thigh. He fell into the arms of his aid, and, as he was raised up, another shot struck him. Borne to the shelter of an oak near by, the young commander-in-chief expired before he witnessed the
* Walker's Life of Jackson.
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total defeat of his army. Nor did the other principal officers escape. Gibbs received a mortal wound and welcomed death as a release from pain, while Keane was wounded too severely to take command.
Still the British pushed forward under Major Wilkinson, who succeeded in climbing to the top of the American forti- fications. Here he too fell, pierced by twenty bullets. His
E Isworth wouldwand
PAKENHAM'S OAK.
men were glad to fall upon their faces in the muddy canal and thus escape the hail of lead. Near the levee the British, under a brave officer named Rennie, rushed forward and captured the redoubt that guarded this point. But to take it was one thing, and to hold it another. The Ameri- can riflemen soon forced them to retire with the loss of their commander.
General Lambert, who on Pakenham's death became com- mander-in-chief, brought up his reserve to shelter the columns as they fell back, but he did not venture to renew the attack on Jackson's lines. As the British retired, the American artillery continued to fire upon them, and the cannonading did not cease till 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
The Contest on the Right Bank .- Jackson had placed General Morgan on the right bank to oppose the advance of
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the British. Morgan's position, though it was protected by a canal, was not a strong one, and could easily be turned by the enemy. His force was composed partly of Louisiana and partly of Kentucky troops-in all about six hundred men. These troops, however, seem to have been without disci- pline, and General Morgan did not manage them wisely. On the morning of the 8th, as we have seen, Colonel Thornton crossed the river with about six hundred men. He immedi- ately began to advance up the right bank towards Morgan's lines. Almost no resistance was offered by the Americans. The Kentuckians fled in disorder, and were followed by the rest of Morgan's command.
The British, however, when they heard of Pakenham's defeat on the other bank, retired across the river, and the Americans occupied their former position. The flight of Morgan's troops, though they seem to have had some excuse for their conduct, brought a sharp rebuke from General Jackson, who did not understand how an American could retire before an Englishman.
British and American Losses .- An English writer who was present at the battle of New Orleans, states that Pakenham had seven thousand men on the field, and lost two thousand. Jackson lost only eight killed and thirteen wounded !
Fort St. Philip. Retreat of British. - The British fleet sailed up the Mississippi and attacked Fort St. Philip, but it was so bravely defended by the Americans under Major Overton that, though the English bombarded it from the 9th to the 18th of January, they were unable to take it. Finally, on the ISth, they retired down the river. On the same day General Lambert commenced his retreat across the marshes to Lake Borgne. He had given up all hope of taking New Orleans.
QUESTIONS.
Who cominanded the British? What was Pakenham's first step? Tell about the arrival of the Kentuckians. Give the date of the Battle
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of New Orleans. How did the British prepare for the battle? Did Jackson fight behind cotton bales? What troops fought under Jack- son? Describe the battle. Tell about the contest on the right bank. What were the losses on both sides? Describe the retreat of the British. Point out on the map the position of the British and the Americans.
CHAPTER XXVIII. AFTER THE BATTLE.
Rejoicings in New Orleans .- What had been happening in the city during this time? The roar of the cannon on the morning of the Sth had been distinctly heard by the inhabi- tants. Some veterans, who were no longer fit for active service in the field, had been left to defend the city ; but the women and children were in a state of great excitement. Few persons believed that Jackson would be able to resist such a splendid army as Pakenham was known to have. There was a rumor, moreover, that the British had sworn to give over the city to a pillage of the most dreadful kind. Every from Photo one trembled at the thought of JACKSON'S STATUE. such a fate. From the battle- field no message had come. Suddenly, however, the sound of a horse's hoofs was heard, and a messenger almost breath-
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less, galloped through the streets, crying: "Victory! Vic- tory ! Pakenham is defeated ! Hurrah for General Jackson !"
Then the people poured out into the public square, and there was shouting and rejoicing such as had never been heard before in New Orleans. Not only had Jackson won a great victory, but he had lost only a few of his brave sol- diers ; and had not these met a glorious death in dying for their country ?
All hatred of the English was lost in pity. The wounded British soldiers were brought up to the city on the steam- boat, and everything was done for their comfort. Many of them were nursed by the colored women of New Orleans, who volunteered their services.
The Treaty of Peace .- Two weeks before the battle of New Orleans a treaty of peace between Great Britain and America had been signed at Ghent in Belgium; but alas! this was not known in Louisiana till February 10th. For the war took place before there was any telegraph and before a steamer had ever crossed the Atlantic, so that news traveled very slowły.
Jackson's Praise of His Troops .- On Jannary 2Ist, Jackson issued general orders praising in the highest terms the conduct of the soldiers under his charge. The volunteers from the other States were thanked for their brave services, as were also the Creoles, many of whom he mentioned by name. The free-men-of-color, he declared, had acted with courage and perseverance; and the Baratarians, under the Lafittes and Dominique, had all deserved the thanks of the country. At his suggestion, the President of the United States pardoned the Baratarians for all their past misdeeds.
Jackson's Reception in New Orleans. - The 23d of Jan- uary was appointed as a day of thanksgiving for the great victory. A triumphal arch was erected in the middle of the large square in which Jackson's equestrian statue now stands. The scene that followed is thus described by an eye-witness,
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Major Latour : "The windows and balconies of the city " hall (the old Cabildo) and all the adjacent buildings were " filled with spectators. When General Jackson, accom- " panied by the officers of his staff, arrived at the entrance " of the square, he was requested to proceed to the cathe- " dral by the way prepared for him. As he passed under the " arch he received crowns of laurel from two children, and " was congratulated in an address spoken by Miss Kerr, who " represented the State of Louisiana. The General then pro- " ceeded to the church amidst the salutations of young ladies " representing the different States, who strewed his passage " with flowers. At the entrance of the church he was re- " ceived by the Abbé Dubourg, who conducted him to a seat " prepared for him near the altar. Te Deum was chanted " with solemnity, and soon after a guard of honor attended " the General to his quarters; and in the evening the town, " with its suburbs, was splendidly illuminated."
The Trial of Jackson .- It would be pleasant to record that General Jackson left New Orleans with the praises of the whole population ringing in his ears. But such was not the case. By a mistake of the authorities at Washington the General did not receive official notice that the Treaty of Peace had been ratified by Congress till March 13th, 1815. It is true that he had heard the news of the peace on the 10th of February ; but as he believed in strict discipline, he in- sisted on keeping New Orleans under martial law till the official notice reached him ; and he even went so far as to ar- rest Dominic Hall, judge of the District Court, who had dis- pleased him.
After the official notice arrived the hero of Chalmette was summoned before Judge Hall, and fined one thousand dollars for having made an " unnecessary and arbitrary use of martial law." This fine the General promptly paid. As he left the Court House his friends hauled a carriage to the door, and, forcing the General to enter, they dragged him in triumph to
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a neighboring coffee-house. Here he made a speech, which concluded with these noble words: "Considering obedi- " ence to the laws, even when we think them unjustly ap-
COURT HOUSE IN WHICH JACKSON WAS TRIED.
"plied, as the first duty of every citizen, I do not hesitate to " comply with the sentence you have heard pronounced. Re- " member the example I have given you of respectful sub- " mission to the administration of justice."*
QUESTIONS.
How did New Orleans receive the news of Jackson's victory ? If the telegraph had been in use at this time, would the Battle of New Orleans have been fought ? How was Jackson received in New Or- leans ? Tell about Jackson's trial. What did Jackson say about obedience to law ?
* Soon after this General Jackson left Louisiana. When he visited New Or- leans again in 1828, he came as the guest of the State, and was received as a national hero. In the same year he was elected President of the United States. In 1845 Congress paid back to him the fine of one thousand dollars, with interest for thirty years ; the Legislature of Louisiana offering at the same time to give the required amount out of the State Treasury. A few years later a splendid eques- trian statue of the General was placed in the old Place D' Armes, which was re- christened " Jackson Square."
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PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
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CHAPTER XXIX.
GROWTH OF THE STATE.
James Villere, Governor. 1816-1820 .- After the British retired from Louisiana, no war came for many years to dis- turb the peace and happiness of the State, and Louisiana began to enjoy a period of wonderful prosperity. As soon as the soldiers who had served under Jackson laid down their arms, they returned to their various occupations and went to work with a new spirit. The fame of Louisiana's fertile lands had spread in all directions; and very soon settlers from Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia came crowding in to find homes in the new State. For many years, how- ever, no great events took place; as we glance over the period, there seems to be nothing worth relating. But if we look more closely we find that what an English historian calls a " noiseless revolution " was going on. It was the revolution caused by the increase of population and the development of industries. In 1815 the population of the State, white and black, was only 90,000, but in 1820 it had grown to 153,407. Sugar and cotton were produced in greater quantities ; and before many years had passed new methods of refining sugar had made this staple more profitable than ever before.
In 1816 Claiborne's term as governor came to an end. For twelve years he had held this office ; and as a mark of their esteem for his high qualities, the legislature, in 1817, elected him as a representative of Louisiana in the United States Senate. A few months afterwards, however, he died. His successor as governor was General James Villeré, a Creole, who had distinguished himself alike in war and peace. It
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will be remembered that he was a rival candidate in the elec- tion of 1812.
GOVERNOR JAMES VILLERE.
Governor Villeré found that with the new population a great many persons of bad character had slipped into the State, and that the morals of New Orleans needed correc- tion. Measures were quickly taken to put down all lawless- ness in the city by establishing a Criminal Court and by pass- ing severe regulations. By this means good order seems to have been very soon re- stored, for we hear no further complaint of the evil-doers.
Yellow Fever and Overflow .- The only things that in- terrupted the prosperity of the State at this time were the yellow fever and the overflows of the Mississippi, both of which came with terrible regularity. There was a great deal of discussion in regard to the necessity of building better levees, but very little work seems to have been done. In fact the native inhabitants appear to have regarded the over- flows and the fever as a matter of fate-something that could not be avoided. Moreover those who were acclimated soon ceased to fear the fever ; its victims were to be found chiefly among the new settlers. According to Gayarre, many of the old Creoles even welcomed its coming, because they hoped it would keep out the bustling, pushing Americans, who threat- ened to take possession of the State. This jealous feeling toward the Americans continued for some years, and kept the Creoles a kind of separate race in Louisiana. Finally, however, the two mingled freely, and all ill feeling was for-
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