The Gathered Confederate Dead Before Battery Robinett--taken the morning
after their desperate attempt to carry the works by assault. No man can
look at this awful picture and wish to go to war. These men, a few hours
before, were full of life and hope and courage. Without the two last
qualities they would not be lying as they are pictured here. In the very
foreground, on the left, lies their leader, Colonel Rogers, and almost
resting on his shoulder is the body of the gallant Colonel Ross. We are
looking from the bottom of the parapet of Battery Robinett. Let an
eye-witness tell of what the men saw who looked toward the houses on that
bright October day, and then glanced along their musket-barrels and pulled
the triggers: "Suddenly we saw a magnificent brigade emerge in our front;
they came forward in perfect order, a grand but terrible sight. At their
head rode the commander, a man of fine physique, in the prime of
life--quiet and cool as though on a drill. The artillery opened, the
infantry followed; notwithstanding the slaughter they were closer and
closer. Their commander [Colonel Rogers] seemed to bear a charmed life. He
jumped his horse across the ditch in front of the guns, and then on foot
came on. When he fell, the battle in our front was over."
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.
_Painted by E. Packbauer._
_Copyright, 1901, by Perrien-Keydel Co.,
Detroit, Mich., U. S. A._]
[Illustration: GENERAL JOHN POPE]