the position so judiciously chosen for the action, was placed in a sufficient state of defence, to become the theatre of a future and signal victory. It was a most encouraging example for those who love the institutions of our country. If three thousand three hundred men, with no other discipline than a few weeks could produce, in the simplest line of defence that the art of fortification knows, could prove themselves an over match for four times their number of the best troops in the world, used to conquest, well appointed, and led by experienced officers: to what can we attribute it, but to that moral force which is inspired by love of country, and by that alone? And it will be found that from Thermopyla to Morad, those astonishing efforts in which troops without discipline have successfully contended against superior numbers, have been made in defence of liberty.* *Livingston's Address. CHAPTER VIII. Effects of the battle of the twenty-third-Ladies of New Orleans-Their patriotic exertions—American lines of defence-General Jackson's exertions-Loss of the schooner Caroline-Battle of the 28th December-Battle of the 1st January-Repulsion of the enemy on that occasion-Sir Edward PackenhamDiscoveries made by time. The result of the battle of the twenty-third December, though not decisive, produced the happiest effects. It animated the inhabitants, and encouraged them to prosecute with still greater vigor the measures of defence. Nothing could exceed the ardor with which it inspired the army of General Jackson. His soldiers obeyed his orders with the utmost alacrity and promptitude, and held themselves in readiness, at a moment's warning, to face again their invaders, and add fresh laurels to those they had already won. The patriotic exertions of the ladies of New Orleans to render every assistance in their power to the besieged, do honor to their sex. The modest, unobtruding, virtues and excellencies of woman, are too often forgotten, in times of peril and danger. Man's aims are ambitious and aspiring; he seeks his enemy in the battle-field, and by deeds of desperate daring, in many a fierce encounter, acquires a name that will live till the end of time. But woman acts in a different sphere; hers is the task of soothing the wounded spirit; of binding up the broken heart. There is a point of time in the life of every man, however lofty may have been his aspirations, or towering his hopes, when the world and all its seductive pageantry pall upon his spirit-when the plaudits of the multitude fall tuneless upon his ear; it is in the hour of nature's agonizing conflict with dissolution; then it is that woman's excellences are called into exercise; then her enduring virtues-her watchful vigils-her ceaseless solicitudes-her untiring patience, and ever watchful sympathies, are felt and acknowledged; and although her name may not be trumpeted by the clarion of fame throughout the universe, or encircled in the halo of glory that illumines the pathway of the conqueror, yet she reaps a rich reward from the gratitude, the blessings, and benedictions of thousands of the children of misery and misfortune, who have been made the recipients of her soothing kindnesses, and bountiful benefactions. The ladies of New Orleans admirably sustained those virtues which do honor to their sex. With their own hands they manufactured clothing for distribution among their brave defenders, and the sick and wounded received from them those soothing attentions and kindnesses which are so peculiarly acceptable to the debilitated and war-worn soldier. The hospitals were abundantly supplied with all attainable comforts; the nunnery was converted into an extra hospital for the wounded, and the surgeons and physicians exerted themselves without fee or reward. After the battle of the 23d, General Jackson encamped his army near the field of battle, intending in the morning to renew the engagement. But the disadvantages of his situation, and the numerical superiority of the enemy, induced him to change his plan. It has already been mentioned, that the gun-boats, commanded by Lieutenant Jones, were captured upon the 14th, and the commander severely wounded. His force consisted of a few gun-boats, the whole mounting twenty three guns, and having one hundred and eighty-three men on board. The British force that attacked this little gallant flotilla, consisted of forty-five boats, forty-two guns, and twelve hundred men, commanded by Captain Lockyer, whose loss in killed and wounded exceeded three hundred men; and he received three severe wounds himself. Upon Lieutenant Jones, Captain Patterson bestows the highest applause, and most deservedly too; for considering the species of force he had under his command, and the great superiority of the enemy, his gallantry is scarcely exceeded by any officer in our navy. The various passes at the mouth of the Mississippi were guarded in the best possible manner, by different forts; and considering the short time allowed to construct them, and the few men only who could be spared to garrison them, their defences entitle the garrisons to the highest applause. Major Overton, at Fort St. Philips, determining never to surrender, nailed the American flag to his standard, and resolved that it should triumphantly wave over that of Britain, as long as a living man remained in the fort to defend it. The troops at the mouths of the river, were as much inspired with fortitude by the addresses and examples of General Jackson, as those under his immediate command. Having these forts, as well as the current of the Mississippi to oppose, the British admiral was prevented from bringing any of his larger vessels, to co-operate with the land forces, in their various attacks upon the American lines. Had he been enabled to effect this, it is difficult to conceive how the city could have been saved. On the 24th, General Jackson took his final position. It extended in a direct line from the east bank of the Mississippi, into the edge of the Cypress Swamp, a distance exceeding a mile. For the whole distance, the troops almost incessantly labored, and with a vigor worthy of the cause that called forth their laborious exertions, in throwing up a strong breastwork, under the protection of which they were to be intrenched. From the bank of the river to the edge of the Cypress Swamp, a distance of very near a mile, the country was a perfect plain. The small force under General Jackson were in full view of the greatly superior force in the British camp. Although they had received a check in the brilliant affair of the 23d, it would seem to be the result of infatuation itself, that they remained unmoved spectators of the measures of defence the American commander was taking, which, if prosecuted to completion, would render them hopeless of success. ers. Adjoining the river, and in advance of the main work, a redoubt was formed to protect the right wing of the army, upon which were mounted a number of pieces of heavy artillery. Through the whole line were mounted, at proper distances, cannon from six to thirty-two poundThe breastwork was extended from four hundred and fifty to five hundred yards into the swamp, to prevent the enemy from turning the left wing of the army. This part of the intrenchment, was constructed with extreme difficulty, and with excessive fatigue; being erected in a morass, almost impassable from the depth of the mud and water. It was wisely supposed that the British commander would conclude that the American intrenchment reached only to the edge of the swamp; and that he would endeavor to force a passage through it, and gain the rear of the American army. At the immediate edge of the swamp, an angular indent was made in the intrenchment, upon which heavy pieces of artillery were placed so as to rake the enemy in the swamp, from one side of it, and in the open field, from the other. Every hour's labor increased the strength of the intrenchment, and every event that transpired, augmented the confidence of the troops. Notwithstanding the rapidly increasing security of his |