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my troops, and with what undaunted courage they advanced, with a strong fort ready to assail them on the right, 7 British armed vessels on the left, and strong blockhouses and batteries of cannon in their front, but they still advanced with unshaken firmness, entered the town, when a battery of two cannon was opened upon the centre column composed of the regulars, with ball and grape, and a shower of musketry from the houses and gardens. The battery was immediately stormed by Capt. Levall and 'company, and carried, and the musketry was soon silenced by the steady and well directed fire of the regulars.

The Gov. met Cols. Williamson and Smith, who led the dismounted volunteers, with a flag, begged for mercy, and surrendered the town and fort unconditionally; mercy was granted and protection given to the citizens and their prop erty.

On the morning of the 8th, I prepared to march and storm the Barancas, but, before I could move, tremendous explosions told me that the Barancas, with all its appendages, was blown up. I dispatched a detachment of two hundred men to explore it, who returned in the night with the information that it was blown up, all the combustible parts burnt, the cannon spiked and dismounted except two: this being the case, I determined to withdraw my troops, but before I did I had the pleasure to see the British depart.

The steady firmness of my troops has drawn a just respect from our enemies-It has convinced the Red Sticks that they have no strong hold or protection, only in the friendship of the United States. The good order and conduct of my troops whilst in Pensacola, has convinced the Spaniards of our friendship, and prowess, and has drawn from the citizens an expression that our Choctaws are more civilized than the British.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ANDREW JACKSON..

Gen. Jackson to the Secretary of War.

H. Q. New-Orleans, Dec. 27, 1814. [Extract.] SIR-I have the honor to inform you of the result of the action on the 23d. The loss of our gun boats near the pass of the Rigolets, have given the enemy com

mand of lake Borgne, he was enabled to choose his point. of attack. It became therefore an object of importance to obstruct the numerous bayous and canals leading from that lake, to the highlands on the Mississippi. This important service was committed to Major Gen. Villere, commanding the district between the river and the lakes, and who, being a native of the country, was presumed to be best acquai ted with all those passes. Unfortunately, however, a picquet which the Gen. had established at the mouth of the bayou Bienvenu, and which notwithstanding my orders had been left unobstructed, was completely surprised, and the enemy penetrated through a canal leading to his farm, about two leagues below the city, and succeeded in cutting off a company of militia stationed there.-This intelligence was communicated to me about 12 o'clock on the 22d. My force at this time did not exceed in all 1500. I arrived near the enemy's encampment about seven, and immediately made my dispositions for the attack.

His forces amounting at that time on land to about 3000, extended half a mile on the river, and in the rear nearly to the wood. Gen. Coffee was ordered to turn their right, while with the residue of the force I attacked his strongest position on the left near the river.

Com. Patterson having dropped down the river in the schooner Caroline, was directed to open a fire upon their camp, which he executed at about half after seven. This being the signal of attack, Gen. Coffee's men with their usual impetuosity, rushed on the enemy's right and entered their camp, while our right advanced with equal ardor. A thick fog arose about 8 o'clock occasioning some confusion among the different corps. Fearing the consequences, under this circumstance, of the prosecution of a night attack with troops then acting together for the first time, I contented myself with lying on the field that night; and at four in the morning assumed a stronger position about two miles nearer the city.

In this affair the whole corps under my command deserve the greatest credit. The best compliment I can pay to Gen. Coffee and his brigade, is to say, they behaved as they have always done while under my command. The two field pieces were well served by the officer commanding them.

We have made 1 major, 2 subalterns, and sixty-three privates prisoners.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ANDREW JACKSON.

AMERICAN LOSS.

Killed and Wounded 100.

BRITISH LOSS.

Killed and Wounded 344--Prisoners 66.

Gen. Jackson to the Secretary of War.

H. Q. New-Orleans, Jan. 13, 1815. [Extract.] SIR-At such a crisis I conceive it my duty to keep you constantly advised of my situation.

Early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy having been actively employed the two preceding days in making preparations for a storm, advanced in two strong columns on my right and left. They were received however, with a firmness, which seems, they little expected, and which defeated all their hopes. My men undisturbed by their approach, which indeed they long anxiously wished for, opened upon them a fire so deliberate and certain, as rendered their scaling ladders and fascines, as well as their more direct implements of warfare, perfectly useless. For upwards of an hour it was continued with a briskness of which there have been but few instances, perhaps, in any country. In justice to the enemy it must be said, they withstood it as long as could have been expected from the most determined bravery. At length however when all prospect of success became hopeless, they fled in confusion from the field -leaving it covered with their dead and wounded.

My loss was inconsiderable; being only seven* killed and six wounded.

Such a disproportion in loss, when we consider the number and the kind of troops engaged, must, I know, excite astonishment, and may not, every where, be fully credited: yet I am perfectly satisfied that the account is not exaggerated on the one part, nor underrated on the other.

Whether after the severe losses he has sustained, he is preparing to return to his shipping, or to make still migh

* This was in the action on the line-afterwards a skirmishing was kepi up in which a few more of our men were lost,

tier efforts to attain his first object, I do not pretend to determine. It becomes me to act as though the latter was his intention. One thing, however, seems certain, that if he still calculates on effecting what he has hitherto been unable to accomplish he must expect considerable reinforcements, as the force with which he landed, must undoubtedly be diminished at least 3000. Besides the loss

which he sustained on the night of the 23d ultimo, which is estimated at 400, he cannot have suffered less between that period and the morning of the 8th inst. than 300; having within that time, been repulsed in two general attemps to drive us from our position, and there having been continual cannonading and skirmishing, during the whole of it. Yet he is still able to show a very formidable force. The commanding General sir Edward Packenham was. killed in the action of the 8th, and Major Generals Kean and Gibbs were mortally wounded.

I have the honor to be, &c,

ANDREW JACKSON.

AMERICAN LOSS.

Killed seven-wounded six.

BRITISH LOSS.

Killed 700-wounded 1400-prisoners 562.

Lieut. Shields to Com. Patterson.

New-Orleans, Jan. 25th, 1815. [Extract.] SIR-I have the honor of reporting the re sult of the expedition ordered by you on the 17th inst. The 19th, at night, I left the Pass Cheuf Menteur, having made the necessary observations on the enemy before dark, with 5 boats and your gig, manned with 50 men. At 10 P. M. captured a boat by surprise, manned with 55 men. The number of prisoners exceeding my men, I thought it most prudent to land them, to prevent weakening my force. which was accordingly done, and the prisoners were put into the charge of the army at the Pass. The 21st, at day light, I again fell into the track of the fleet. Finding it impossible to make any captures, without being discovered, I determined to run down among them, and strike at every opportunity-hoisted English colors, and took a transport boat with 5 men; ordered her to follow, and stood for a transport schooner, with 10 men, which I board

ed with 8 men, and took without opposition. From 9, to 12 o'clock, we were in the midst of their boats, and succeeded in taking 5 more, with about 70 men. The enemy's loss on this occasion was 140 prisoners, 7 boats and 1 transport schooner.

I have the honor to be, &c.

THO. SHIELDS.

Sailing master Johnson to Com. Patterson.

New-Orleans, January 7, 1815. [Extract.] SIR-I have the pleasure of informing you of my succeeding in destroying a transport brig, in lake Borgne, yesterday, at 4 A. M. On the 5th inst. I pro

ceeded down to the east mouth of the Pass, to ascertain the enemy's position; finding at anchor there one brig, three gun boats, three schooners, and several barges, the brig lying a mile distant from the others, I returned, and determined to make an attempt to destroy her. My crew ow amounted to 38 men; with this force I was confident I should be able to destroy her, although I had been previously informed she mounted 4 pieces of cannon, and equipped accordingly. On the 6th at 4 A. M. we boarded the brig, her crew consisting of a Captain, a sailing master, and 8 marines, making no resistance. It being nearly day-light, I ordered the prisoners into my boat, and set fire to the brig, which proved to be the Cyrus, loaded with rum, bread, and soldiers clothing.

I have the honor to be, &c.

WILLIAM JOHNSON.

ADDRESS,

Directed by Major General Jackson to be read at the head of each of the corps composing the line below NewOrleans, January 21, 1815.

Citizens and fellow soldiers! The enemy has retreated, and your General has now leisure to proclaim to the world what he has noticed with admiration and pride-your undaunted courage, your patriotism and patience, under hardships and fatigues.-Natives of different States, acting together for the first time in this camp; differing in habits and in language, instead of viewing in these circumstances the germ of distrust and division, you have made them

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