During the days of the 6th and 7th, the enemy had been actively
employed in making preparations for an attack on my lines. With
infinite labour they had succeeded on the night of the 7th, in getting
their boats across from the lake to the river, by widening and
deepening the canal on which they had effected their disembarkation.
It had not been in my power to impede these operations by a general
attack: added to other reasons, the nature of the troops under my
command, mostly militia, rendered it too hazardous to attempt
extensive _offensive_ movements in an open country, against a numerous
and well disciplined army.
Although my forces, as to number, had been increased by the arrival of
the Kentucky division, my strength had received very little addition;
a small portion only of that detachment being provided with arms.
Compelled thus to wait the attack of the enemy, I took every measure
to repel it when it should be made, and to defeat the object he had in
view. General Morgan, with the New Orleans contingent, the Louisiana
militia, and a strong detachment of the Kentucky troops, occupied an
entrenched camp on the opposite side of the river, protected by strong
batteries on the bank, erected and superintended by Commodore
Patterson.
In _my_ encampment everything was ready for action, when, early in the
morning of the 8th, the enemy after throwing a heavy shower of bombs
and congreve rockets, advanced their columns on my right and left, to
storm my entrenchments. I cannot speak sufficiently in praise of the
firmness and deliberation with which my whole line received their
approach—_more_ could not have been expected from veterans inured to
war. For an hour the fire of the small arms was as incessant and
severe as can be imagined. The artillery, too, directed by officers
who displayed equal skill and courage, did great execution.
Yet the columns of the enemy continued to advance with a firmness
which reflects upon them the greatest credit. Twice the column which
approached me on my left, was repulsed by the troops of General
Carroll, those of General Coffee, and a division of the Kentucky
militia, and twice they formed again and renewed the assault. At
length, however, cut to pieces, they fled in confusion from the field,
leaving it covered with their dead and wounded.
The loss which the enemy sustained on this occasion, cannot be
estimated at less than 1500 in killed, wounded and prisoners. [_The
British actually lost over 2,000. American casualties: 8 killed, 13
wounded._] Upwards of three hundred have already been delivered over
for burial; and my men are still engaged in picking them up within my
lines and carrying them to the point where the enemy are to receive
them. This is in addition to the dead and wounded whom the enemy have
been enabled to carry from the field, during and since the action, and
to those who have since died of the wounds they received. We have
taken about 500 prisoners, upwards of 300 of whom are wounded, and a
great part of them mortally. My loss has not exceeded, and I believe
has not amounted to, 10 killed and as many wounded....
I have the honor to be, etc.
Andrew Jackson
Incidentally, this battle was the last time that British and American
troops ever fought each other. The next time they met on the field of
battle they were allies in World War I.