THE SECOND AMERICAN WAR.
The Canadian incidents in this war have been glanced at in the
chapter on the Old Tenth Battalion; and the actions, in which the
various Companies were engaged, have been given in the tables of
the Battalions to which they belonged. No allusion has, however,
been yet made to the disastrous chapter in the history of the war,
in which the scene was laid at New Orleans; and, as the largest
Artillery force together during the campaign was with the army on
that service, it is proposed in this chapter to devote the chief
space to the incidents connected with it.
The story of the second American War may be summarised as follows.
On the 18th June, 1812, the Government of the United States
declared war against Great Britain. It is not uncharitable to
repeat what is matter of history, that the United States have
always found their grievances against the mother-country more
intolerable, when that country has happened to be engaged in war.
It was so in 1812; and the dream of annexing Canada, which has
haunted American statesmen for nearly a century, seemed likely to
be realised. But, then, as since, the United States underrated the
loyalty of the Canadians; and their attempted invasion in 1812
proved a ludicrous failure. Their first [Sidenote: Cust.] attempt
was made with a force of 2500 men under a General Hall, who
invaded Upper Canada, but was successfully resisted by a force of
Regulars and Militia under a British General, Brock, and had to
retire to the American side of the St. Lawrence, where he took
shelter in Fort Detroit. Here he was followed by General Brock, to
whom he surrendered on the 16th August. A similar fate awaited the
second attempt made by the United States. A force of 1400 men,
under General Wadsworth, crossed into Canada, near Niagara, in
October 1812. The reception he met was a warm one; the American
fort at Niagara was captured by the English; and after a few minor
operations, in which, unfortunately, General Brock was killed, the
American General surrendered himself, with 900 men, to General
Sheaffé, who had succeeded to the command on the death of General
Brock. A third invasion, on a larger scale, was then decided on.
One detachment crossed the frontier between Chippewa and Fort
Erie, but was repulsed with loss; while the main body menaced
Montreal. Such, however, were the preparations made by the English
General, Prevost, at the latter place, that the Americans withdrew
into their own country without an engagement.
The operations during the year 1813 were on a larger scale, and
success was not always on the side of the British. The year
commenced with the defeat of the Americans at Fort Detroit by a
mixed force under Colonel Procter; but was followed by the capture
of York, the capital of Upper Canada. The lakes became the scene
of very active hostilities. A severe engagement took place at the
rapids of the Miami, a river flowing into Lake Erie, in which the
English were successful, but could not maintain their position.
[Sidenote: Russell.] The loss of Fort George, at Niagara, by the
English followed; and this became for a time the American
General’s head-quarters. Disasters on the lakes, which ensued,
made the English position in Upper Canada very feeble; but affairs
brightened in the autumn with the discomfiture of the Americans in
their attempted invasion of Lower Canada. Operations were
therefore ordered to be resumed in the west with vigour; and it
having been found that the Americans had evacuated Fort George and
set fire to many Canadian villages, the English followed them
across the frontier, and took Fort Niagara and Buffalo, setting
fire to the latter city in retaliation for the injury done to the
Canadian settlements.
The attempts made by the Americans in the beginning of 1814 to
invade Lower Canada were so unsuccessful, that the [Sidenote:
Cust.] war was now limited to the more western districts, where
they had the advantage on the lakes. The commencement of the
campaign in the west was favourable to the Americans, but the
arrival of reinforcements from the Duke of Wellington’s army in
France speedily gave a change to the aspect of affairs. While the
British troops were retreating in good order before the Americans,
they were joined by General Drummond, with these fresh troops, and
had hardly formed up before they were attacked by the enemy, and
the combat known as the battle of Lundy’s Lane followed. It was a
very fierce engagement, and lasted till midnight; and [Sidenote:
Ibid.] so closely was it fought, that “several of the British
Artillerymen were bayoneted at their guns;” but it ultimately
resulted in the precipitate retreat of the Americans. This part of
the enemy’s force was subsequently cooped up in Fort Erie, which
was invested by General Drummond during the rest of the war. The
strength of the Royal Artillery [Sidenote: Kane’s List.] in Canada
had increased in 1814 to eight companies, under the command of
Major-General Glasgow.
The commanding officers of Artillery at the various affairs which
took place during the war in Canada, hardly worthy of the name of
battles, were as follows:--
[Sidenote: Browne’s ‘England’s Artillerymen.’]
At Detroit: Lieutenant Felix Troughton.
At Queenstown: Captain Holcroft.
At Fort Erie, in Nov. 1812: Lieutenant King, who was wounded, and
subsequently died of his wounds.
At Frenchtown, in Jan. 1813: Lieutenant Troughton:--wounded.
At Fort George, in 1813: Major Holcroft.
At Black Rock, in July 1813: Lieutenant R. S. Armstrong.
At Christler’s Farm, in Nov. 1813: Captain H. G. Jackson.
At Fort Niagara: Captain Bridge.
At Fort Oswego, 1814: Captain Edwin Cruttenden.
At Lundy’s Lane, 1814: Captain Mackonochie.
At Fort Erie, 1814: Major Phillott, assisted by Captain (now Sir
Edward) Sabine.
At Moose Island, 1814: Captain W. Dunn.
At Hamden, 1814: Lieutenant Garstin.
At Castine, 1814: Major G. Crawford.
At Machias, 1814: Lieutenant J. Daniel.
It had been decided by the English Government to carry the war
into the enemy’s country in another direction, and the energy of
the officer who commanded the expedition against
Washington--Major-General Ross--was a marked contrast to the
nervous indecision of Sir George Prevost, in the operations of the
latter against the States from Canada. General Ross’s force came
from France, and the companies of Artillery were those commanded
by Captain--afterwards Sir John--Michell, Captain Carmichael, and
Captain Crawford. Some rocket detachments, under Captain Deacon,
formed part of the force. The engagements in which this army was
engaged were the battle of Bladensburg, the capture of Washington,
and the battle of Baltimore; on all which occasions--as in the
previous operations in Canada--the Artillery earned the
commendations of the Generals under whom they served. In one
despatch it was said, that “the Royal Artillery, in the laborious
duties they performed, displayed their usual unwearied zeal.” It
is pleasant to find how often, in various campaigns, the services
of the Corps are alluded to in almost these words. Courage is
expected from every soldier; but a zeal, which no labour can
weary, is a nobler, and as necessary a quality.
The next episode in the war is one which it is intended to treat
at somewhat greater length,--the New Orleans expedition. On the
25th November, 1814, a squadron arrived [Sidenote: MS. Journal of
the operations against New Orleans by Major Forrest, A.
Q.-M.-Gen.] from England, with a body of troops under the command
of Major-General Keane, and cast anchor in Negril Bay, Jamaica.
Here the force, lately commanded by General Ross, who had been
killed at the battle of Baltimore, was also assembled; and General
Keane, as senior officer, assumed command of the whole, viz.:--
No.
1 squadron 14th Light Dragoons 160
Royal Artillery 320
Captain Lane’s Rocket Brigade 40
1st Brigade, {93rd Regiment 907
Major-Gen. Keane {1st West India Regiment 0
{5th ” ” 643
2nd Brigade, {4th Foot 893
Colonel Brooke, {44th ” 647
44th Regiment {21st ” 995
Advance, } 85th Light Infantry 456
Colonel Thornton, } 95th Rifles 488
85th Regiment }
-----
Total 5,549
-----
It will be observed, that the numbers of the 1st West India
Regiment are not given. This is because at the date of both forces
uniting, only seventy men of that Regiment had yet arrived.
Some modifications in the strength of the Royal Artillery took
place during the campaign, but it may be as well to anticipate
matters, and to give now the exact details of the force as it
ultimately stood, on Christmas Day, 1814.
The information is obtained from the MS. official returns of that
date; and those shown as “on board ship” were those who had not
landed in time for the engagement on the 23rd December. They were
landed immediately after the arrival of Colonel Dickson on the
25th December, which is mentioned hereafter.
ROYAL ARTILLERY. ROYAL ARTILLERY DRIVERS.
N.-C. O. N.-C. O.
and and
Officers. men. Officers. men.
Effective present 14 224
” Rocket Brigade 2 96 2 62
-- --- -- --
Total present 16 320 Total present 2 62
On board ship 1 114 On board ship 0 184
-- --- -- ---
General Total 17 434 General Total 2 246
-- --- -- ---
NOMINAL LIST OF OFFICERS, ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Major Alex. Munro.
” J. Michell.
Captain L. Carmichael.
” H. B. Lane.
” Charles Deacon.
” Adam Crawford.
” W. C. Lemprière.
1st Lieutenant John Crawley.
” Charles Ford.
” R. A. Speer.
” Francis Weston.
” Benson E. Hill.
” Alexander Ramsay.
” Frederick Bayley.
” James Christie.
” Henry Palliser.
2nd Lieutenant T. G. Williams.
” B. L. Poynter.
” Henry Williams.
The fleet sailed from Jamaica on the 27th November, 1814, General
Keane and the Admiral, Sir A. Cochrane, having preceded the others
to make the necessary arrangements.
[Sidenote: Sir A. Dickson’s MSS.]
On the 24th December, a frigate from England joined the fleet,
having brought out Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham, as Commander
of the Forces, accompanied by Colonel Dickson and Colonel
Burgoyne, as commanding officers, respectively, of Artillery and
Engineers. On their arrival they learnt that--certain difficulties
in the way of a passage to New Orleans through the lakes having
been removed--the army had landed at a creek at the head of Lake
Borgne on the 24th December. Being very anxious to join them, Sir
Edward Pakenham and his staff pushed on in a boat without delay,
for a distance of forty miles, through a number of dismal
reed-covered islands, reaching the ‘Britannia’ transport at 10
P.M. Here they learnt that General Keane had landed on the morning
of the 23rd with 2000 men at the upper part of a creek called
Bayou Catalan, at the head of Lake Borgne;--that he had advanced
to the bank of the Mississippi, and on the evening of the same day
had been attacked by a strong force of the enemy, which he had
repulsed, but not without considerable loss;--that the army had
not yet moved farther forward, but was waiting for more troops to
join,--only 2000 having been landed at first, and the remainder
having gone up the creek in schooners, many of which had gone
aground. By rowing all night, and adding thirty miles to the
journey already made, Sir Edward Pakenham and his staff reached
the head-quarters of Sir Alexander Cochrane, which were
established in a few fishermen’s huts,--the only habitations that
existed for miles round in that most melancholy and unhealthy
district. By 11 A.M. on the 25th December, they succeeded in
reaching the landing-place at the head of the creek; and
ascertaining that the army head-quarters were only 2½ miles
farther on, they proceeded to join them. The road which they
traversed was merely a wretched marshy footpath along the bank of
a little canal or _bayou_, which extended from the creek almost
to the Mississippi, and was navigable for canoes to within 1000
yards of that river. On arriving at headquarters, they found the
army on the ground on which they had fought on the 23rd; the
number of men landed having been increased to 3500. The Artillery,
which had been landed and equipped, was as follows:--
2 9-prs. with 110 rounds per gun.
4 6-prs. with 120 ” ” ”
1 heavy 5½-inch howitzer, with 60 rounds.
1 light ” ” ”
4 light 3-prs. with 150 rounds per gun.
--
Total 12 guns.
--
Captain Lane’s rocket equipment, with 150 field rockets.
Three 5½-inch mortars (brass) under Captain Lawrence, of the Marine
Artillery, with 20 rounds each.
The officers and men who had already landed were as follows:--
Royal Artillery: 16 officers, and 320 non-com. officers and men.
R. A. Drivers: 2 ” and 61 ” ”
Sixty-four horses had also been landed.
The Marine Artillery numbered 1 officer and 26 men, and they were
assisted by 3 naval officers and 39 seamen.
The guns were distributed as follows:--
2 9-prs.} Major Michell.
2 6-prs.}
4 light 3-prs.: Captain Deacon.
2 6-prs. } Capt. Carmichael.
1 light 5½-inch how^r. }
1 heavy 5½-inch how^r. : Capt. Crawford.
The first duty which Colonel Dickson had to perform was to place what
guns he had in battery, to destroy a 14-gun corvette, which lay in the
Mississippi, and annoyed the camp. The gallant Colonel had a weakness
for hot shot, and having made the necessary arrangements, placing all
his guns on the levée (as the river embankment was called), except his
3-pounders, which were sent on with the advanced guard, he opened fire
at 8 A.M. on the morning of the 27th December. He fired hot shot from
his 9-pounders and shell from the other guns. He got the exact range
almost at once, and the practice was excellent. The enemy returned a few
random shots, and then the crew made for the shore; and until half-past
10, when the vessel blew up, not another shot was fired from it. The
number of rounds expended in destroying this corvette was 191.
The army now prepared to advance against New Orleans; but, from want of
horses, Colonel Dickson was obliged to leave two 6-pounders and a light
howitzer behind; and as it had been resolved to make the ground which
was their first head-quarters a sort of depôt for stores, &c., Captain
Crawford was also left behind to superintend the forwarding of the
necessary ammunition, &c., for the Artillery. The cold was so intense
that the men of the West India Regiments suffered greatly, many dying
from its effects, and all being more or less torpid. It seems
superfluous to inform the reader that no change had been made in their
dress or equipment, on leaving the West Indies, to prepare them for the
change in temperature and the continued exposure.
On Sir E. Pakenham’s arrival, a rearrangement took place among the
troops of the divisions. Major-General Gibbs was placed in command of
the 4th, 44th, 21st, and 1st West India Regiments; and Major-General
Keane in command of the 85th, 93rd, 95th, and 5th West India Regiments.
The Artillery was distributed, as follows, for the advance:--Captain
Deacon’s 3-pounder brigade and half the rocket equipment under
Lieutenant Crawley, were to advance with General Gibbs’s brigade by a
road leading through the fields to the main piquet-house of the enemy,
against which they were to be employed to drive the enemy from the post,
and to cover the advance of the column. The small mortars, and the other
half of the rocket equipment, under Captain Lane, were attached to
General Keane’s brigade, ordered to advance by the chief road, running
along the bank of the river. Major Michell’s two 9-pounders and heavy
howitzer, and Captain Carmichael’s two 6-pounders, were to be in
reserve, and to move with General Keane’s column. The guns left behind
with Captain Crawford were placed in battery on the river, to prevent
boats or vessels passing up or down.
On the morning of the 28th December, at daybreak, the army moved
forward; but the results of the day’s operations were far from
favourable. General Gibbs’s column marched against the enemy’s
piquet-house, known as La Ronde’s, and the 3-pounders and rockets having
opened on it, it was soon evacuated by the American troops. Both columns
then pressed on, and suddenly, at a turn of the road, found themselves
within 700 or 800 yards of the enemy, whose force was drawn up behind an
entrenchment flanked on either side by the river and a wood. A corvette
was at anchor in the stream, to assist the American troops. A brisk
cannonade was immediately opened against the English, and, although
heartily replied to, the advantages of the enemy’s position were such
that it was found advisable to withdraw to a distance of about 2200
yards from the enemy’s line, and to take up a position parallel to that
of the Americans, and flanked by the river and the wood. Captain
Carmichael’s 6-pounders had been disabled by the enemy’s fire, and were
therefore exchanged for those left behind at the depôt. Entrenchments
were thrown up in front of the 9-pounders, and a battery commenced in
which it was proposed to place two 18-pounders which had been brought
from the ships, transported on bullock-waggons originally intended for
the conveyance of sugar hogsheads. This battery was at the angle of a
field adjoining the high road to New Orleans, which ran parallel to the
river. It was placed under the command of Lieutenant Speer, with a
detachment of twenty gunners; and, as might have been expected from
Colonel Dickson’s well-known proclivities, it was speedily supplied with
the necessary apparatus for heating shot.
As Sir Edward Pakenham had decided on deferring any assault on the
enemy’s position until some effect had been produced by heavy artillery,
every exertion was used to land 18-pounder guns and 24-pounder
carronades from the ships, and to draw them as far as La Ronde’s house,
to remain there until the batteries should be got ready. Ammunition was
also landed; but it was found necessary to take all the made cartridges
to pieces and make fresh quantities, for which purpose all the
available cotton and sheeting were taken from the houses in the
neighbourhood, and all the regimental tailors were employed in making
cartridges. The want of any artillery machines for the transport or
placing of heavy ordnance was severely felt; the necessary guns however
having been brought up on the 31st December, and ammunition having been
prepared at the rate of 68 rounds per gun and 40 for each carronade, Sir
Edward Pakenham directed that batteries should be made and armed that
evening, as follows,--their position being where the army had penetrated
when the first encounter with the enemy behind his entrenchments took
place--about 800 yards distant from the American line:--
1. On the high road, and immediately adjoining the river, two
18-prs., with 50 rounds a gun, to fire upon the enemy’s defences
on the right: officer in charge, Captain Lemprière. This battery
was the most advanced of all.
2. A little in rear, and to the right of No. 1, was a battery of
three 5½-inch mortars, with 30 shells each, under Captain
Lawrence. A little in front of this battery, Captain Lane with the
rocket battery was stationed.
3. To the right of the rocket battery a 7-gun battery was erected
for Major Michell’s two 9-prs. and one heavy howitzer, and Captain
Carmichael’s three 6-pounders (one of the disabled 6-prs. having
been repaired) and his light howitzer. This battery was to be
employed against the enemy’s guns, and the centre of his line.
4. On the centre road, which was parallel to the river and main
road, and at right angles to the enemy’s entrenchments, there was
a 10-gun battery, consisting of six 18-prs. under Captain
Crawford, R.A., and four 24-pr. carronades under Captain Money,
R.N. These guns were to be employed in the first instance against
the enemy’s artillery, and afterwards to break down the
entrenchment a little to the left of the centre.
5. To the right of the 10-gun battery was a second rocket battery
under Lieutenant Crawley.
As these batteries had to be erected between 8.30 P.M. on the 31st
December, 1814, and 5.45 A.M. on the following day, they could not be
very strong. They were constructed of sugar casks filled with earth
_not_ rammed, one cask in thickness, and backed up. They were only one
cask in height, and, as the platforms were also a little raised, it
followed that the gunners, when standing erect, were head and shoulders
above the parapet. The platforms were very ill-laid, uneven, and
unsteady.
The night was very dark, and the working parties were not collected
without much difficulty; but on Sunday morning, New Year’s Day, 1815, at
daylight, all was ready. A heavy fog, however, came on at 4 o’clock, and
not until 9 o’clock was it possible to see the enemy’s works. During the
interval, the columns of Infantry moved to their respective posts to be
in readiness for the assault.
On the fog clearing away, the English batteries opened vigorously, and
at first a little confusion was apparent among the Americans. This soon
disappeared, however; and, as their batteries were strong, and the
embrasures strongly constructed with cotton bags, they soon served their
guns admirably, and their heavy shot, penetrating the slight English
batteries, caused a considerable number of casualties. After about three
hours’ firing, the ammunition in the 10-gun English battery was nearly
exhausted, the 7-field-gun battery had been silenced, a cheek of the
heavy howitzer carriage was shattered, and several other injuries to the
gun-carriage had been received. The heavy guns had, fortunately,
received no injury; but want of ammunition soon compelled them to be
silent also, to the great delight of the enemy. Even, however, if the
ammunition had not failed, the nature of the batteries was such that the
men could not have gone on much longer. The Americans fired from ten to
twelve guns in their lines, and from four to five on the other side of
the river, many of them being heavy guns--32-pounders and
24-pounders;--and although several of them had been dismounted by the
fire of the English, the remainder were as active at the last moment as
at any time during the day. The casualties among the Royal Artillery
were as follows:--
Lieutenant Alexander Ramsay: mortally wounded.
12 Artillerymen killed.
13 ” wounded.
Owing to the uneven and loose state of the platforms, the ship
carriages were found to be very awkward and unmanageable, so that the
fire did not attain the necessary precision, nor could it be kept up
with the rapidity necessary to silence the enemy’s guns. The carronades
recoiled off the platform every round. The insufficient strength of the
batteries, and the fact of the men being so unprotected, also tended to
make the fire less active, and to prevent its silencing guns which were
protected by good and solid cover. Colonel Dickson, in his report, said
that if he had had heavy ordnance on proper travelling carriages, he was
convinced that, with the same quantity of ammunition, he would have
silenced or dismounted every gun in the American lines. It has been
urged, and with reason, that it was a mistake to commence with so small
a quantity of ammunition; but it must be remembered that there was no
immediate certainty of a further supply, and the necessity of doing
something had become every hour more urgent, as the Americans were busy
daily in strengthening their position.
In consequence of the failure on the 1st January, Sir Edward Pakenham
resolved to defer further action until the arrival of some
reinforcements which he knew to be on the way, and in the meantime to
withdraw the guns from the batteries, and the troops from the advanced
position which they had taken up. The removal of the guns was not
effected without great difficulty. The rain, which was falling
continuously, had made the batteries and roads knee-deep with mud; but,
thanks to the energy of Sir Edward himself, the whole was effected
before daylight on the 2nd.
Although superfluous, it will confirm what has been so often said in the
course of this history, with reference to the supply department of the
Ordnance, if a few words written by Colonel Dickson be now quoted, with
reference to the expedition against New Orleans, which had begun so
unfortunately, and was to end so disastrously. “With respect,” he wrote,
“to our own ammunition and stores, great quantities of articles have
been sent that are perfectly unnecessary and never have been demanded,
whereas others greatly required have never been sent, although demanded
in the most urgent manner.” In this respect the narrative of the
services of the Royal Artillery is singularly monotonous.
On the 3rd January, General Lambert arrived at head-quarters, and on the
following day the 7th and 43rd Regiments marched in. The attack, which
was now decided upon, cannot be understood without some preliminary
explanation. It must be borne in mind that the Americans did not content
themselves with remaining idly behind their entrenchments. They had
erected flanking works at each end of their line, and had also made and
armed batteries on the other side of the river, which were useful both
for direct and enfilade fire. It was therefore resolved to send a column
across the river, to attack and, if possible, capture the batteries
there, prior to the general assault on the enemy’s main work. To do this
it was necessary to obtain boats: and a canal was dug from the head of
the lake to within a few yards of the river, up which forty-two ships’
boats were brought, ready to be launched in the river on the night of
the attack. Considerable changes were made in the position and armament
of the English batteries. In order to support the attack on the other
side, the following guns were placed so as to command the river and fire
at the enemy’s batteries on the right bank:--
4 18-prs. manned by R. A. } Under the superintendence
2 ” ” seamen } of Lieutenant Speer.
2 24-pr. carronades, manned by Marine Artillerymen.
4 field-guns, under Captain Carmichael.
The batteries against the main entrenchment on the left bank were two in
number, containing four 18-pounders and four 24-pounders. It was first
intended that Captain Michell’s brigade of heavy howitzers and
9-pounders should be sent across the river, if the attack on that side
should prove successful; but this plan was subsequently altered, and
Captain Michell’s brigade, with Captain Deacon’s, was employed in the
main attack on the enemy’s line.
The attack took place on the morning of Sunday, the 8th January. As soon
as it was dark on the previous night, the operation of carrying the
boats from the canal to the Mississippi commenced, but was found to be
more difficult than had been anticipated. There was scarcely any water
in the opening which had been cut in the _levée_,--and between that and
the stream the water was shallow, and the mud very deep. The greater
part of the night was spent in getting the boats afloat. At 3.15 A.M.
only thirty boats had been launched into the deep water, and the 85th
Regiment alone had been embarked. The fatiguing nature of the work
passed description, and the exertions made by all to overcome the
difficulties were beyond praise. Many of the working parties were
obliged to stand in mud which almost reached their waists; and yet there
was not a word of complaint. Had the determination of the troops in the
battle of the 8th been equal to that displayed on the night preceding, a
painful chapter in English history need never have been written. The
difficulties experienced in getting the force under Colonel Thornton
transported across the river were almost equalled by those experienced
in getting the batteries ready for the main attack. The ground over
which the guns had to be transported was very heavy, and intersected
with ditches: and at 4.30 A.M. the batteries were not yet half finished.
The reader will bear in mind that it was necessary to defer the erection
and armament of these batteries until the night preceding the
engagement, in order to deceive the enemy.
When Sir Edward Pakenham quitted his quarters at 5 A.M. on the 8th, he
was surprised to hear that Colonel Thornton’s party had not yet crossed
the river; and, as it was so nearly daylight, he hesitated as to the
wisdom of letting them go, as there would not be time for them to get
possession of the works on the other side, and to bring up artillery to
enfilade the enemy’s line in support of the general attack, which was to
take place at daylight. Still, bearing in mind that, at the worst,
Colonel Thornton’s movements would operate as a timely diversion, he
sent to enquire how many men had been embarked: and, having been
informed that the 85th Regiment, with some Marines--amounting in all to
460--had been put on board, and that there was room for 100 more,--he
ordered that additional number to be embarked, and the whole to cross
without delay.
Too literal obedience to orders is often fatal. Had the officer
superintending the launching of the boats made use of a smaller number,
and made more frequent trips with them across the river, there is little
doubt that he would easily have succeeded in transporting the whole
force in sufficient time. But, having received orders to launch
forty-two boats, he obeyed his orders to the letter; nor did the
unexpected difficulties which he encountered suggest to him the
propriety of consulting Sir Edward Pakenham, with a view to modifying
his orders, and bringing them into accord with the altered
circumstances. The hurried embarkation at the end, and the smaller force
employed, produced the alteration already mentioned in the disposition
of the Artillery intended to accompany Colonel Thornton’s force. Major
Michell, without his guns, and Captain Lane’s rocket detachments alone
crossed the river.
[Sidenote: MS. Journal of Sir A. Dickson.]
At 5.30 A.M. Sir Edward proceeded to the front. Colonels Dickson and
Burgoyne followed him; and the description of the battle may be
summarised from the voluminous account of the former officer. Day was
fast breaking, and, as they passed the house known as La Ronde’s, a
rocket was fired, which, they afterwards learned, was a signal for the
advance of the columns to the attack. They had not proceeded much
farther when the fire of musketry commenced, followed by that of
artillery; and, as they proceeded to a point about 600 yards distant
from the enemy’s line, they observed the reserve troops moving forward
by a road on their flank. It was evident that the attack should have
been made a little earlier in the morning, as the Americans could not
have directed their fire with such certainty against the English
columns, which, as Colonel Dickson rode forward, he perceived must be
distinctly visible from the enemy’s lines. At first the musketry fire
was scattered along the line; it then became more general, although not
so incessant as might have been expected. The fire of artillery was
heavy, and kept up with the utmost vigour; but as Colonel Dickson
advanced, he observed the infantry fire to be slackening,--heard that
Sir Edward Pakenham was badly wounded,--and met the troops coming back
in great confusion, the 1st Brigade, however, which had been in reserve,
continuing to advance in good order. Seeing the field Artillery on his
left slowly retiring, Colonel Dickson rode up, and ascertained from
Captain Carmichael that he had moved forward according to order, taken
up a position, and opened as soon as the musketry fire commenced; but
that he had scarcely fired five rounds a gun when the attacking columns
broke at the head, and such numbers of men came in front of his guns
that he was obliged to cease firing; and being under a most heavy fire,
without the power of returning it, he had thought it best to fall back.
One 3-pounder gun had been dismounted, both gun-wheels having been shot
away. It was soon apparent that the attack had entirely failed; but the
sight of the 1st Brigade continuing to advance, and the 2nd commencing
to re-form, gave some hopes of its renewal. These were, however, soon
dissipated; the artillery and musketry fire of the enemy continued
unslackened; and the 1st Brigade, followed by the other troops, was soon
observed to move to the right towards the wood, and to lie down under
cover. During the whole of these events, the fire from the Royal
Artillery batteries, under Major Munro, was kept up with the greatest
vigour. Colonel Dickson then moved the brigades of Artillery, and formed
line for action on the road. While doing this, he heard that both
General Gibbs and [Sidenote: MS. Journal of Sir A. Dickson.] General
Keane were wounded,--the former mortally. “A little afterwards,” he
wrote, “I heard of the death of Sir Edward Pakenham, who perished in a
noble effort to re-establish the confidence of the troops, which had
halted from panic just as they were arriving at the line of the
enemy,--a panic which no exertion could restore, and which occasioned
their total repulse and defeat. Major Macdougal, Sir Edward’s
aide-de-camp, informed me that at the moment the column of General
Gibbs’ brigade stopped they began firing front and rear, and Sir Edward,
who was at some distance behind to observe the operation, immediately
galloped up to the head of the column, exclaiming, ‘Lost from want of
courage!’ and was trying to encourage the troops on, which he succeeded
in doing for a few yards, when he was wounded in the thigh, and his
horse killed. Major Macdougal having extricated and raised him from the
ground, he was in the act of mounting Macdougal’s horse when he was hit
again, and fell into Macdougal’s arms, ejaculating a few words, which
were the last he spoke. He expired just as he was conveyed to General
Gibbs’ house, thus falling a sacrifice to the misconduct of his troops,
by which Great Britain lost one of her ablest and bravest soldiers, and
myself one I must ever regret both as a commander and a friend.”
The troops advanced until very near the enemy’s line; but, the enemy’s
fire becoming extremely heavy, they stopped, and began firing; and,
confusion taking place, nothing could induce them to advance farther; so
that, after losing a great number of officers and men, they fell back. A
party, consisting of the light companies of the 7th, 43rd, and 93rd
Regiments, with one hundred negroes, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Rennie, 21st Regiment,--taking with them a spiking party of Artillery,
under Lieutenant Ford,--attacked the advanced work on the right of the
enemy’s line, which they succeeded in carrying, but not without great
loss, Colonel Rennie and many officers and men being killed. They kept
possession of the outwork for some time, and at last were obliged to
leave it, in consequence of the heavy fire from the main work. This
force was the advanced part of General Keane’s column, which consisted
of the 93rd Regiment, with two companies of the 95th. It had been
arranged that, in the event of Colonel Thornton succeeding in capturing
the works on the other side of the river, General Keane’s column should
press after Colonel Rennie’s force, and endeavour to turn the right of
the enemy’s line through the small outwork. Unfortunately, the delay in
sending Colonel Thornton’s force across caused Sir Edward Pakenham to
alter this plan; and General Keane’s column was ordered to join the left
of the 2nd Brigade in the main attack. What was the result? General
Keane complied with the new order, and attacked the line to the left of
the 2nd Brigade; but the ditch was found to be too deep at this place,
and, after the most gallant exertions, his attack was repulsed with
heavy loss. Had Colonel Rennie’s force, on taking the outwork, been
followed by the 93rd Regiment, it is extremely probable that, by means
of the open communication between it and the main work, the latter might
have been entered and carried.
In the meantime, Colonel Thornton’s force, which had crossed the river
without opposition, advanced rapidly, and carried everything before
them. They turned and captured with great gallantry the whole of the
enemy’s entrenchments, becoming possessors of the flanking batteries,
which it had been decided, if possible, to secure and silence before the
main attack commenced. These batteries contained sixteen [Sidenote:
Major Michell to Colonel Dickson, 8 Jan. 1815.] guns and howitzers; and
on one of the latter was found the inscription, “Taken at the surrender
of York Town in 1781.” Major Michell’s conduct during this attack was
thus described in Colonel Thornton’s despatch: “Major Michell of the
Royal Artillery afforded me much assistance by his able direction of the
firing of some rockets, it not having been found practicable in the
first instance to bring over the artillery attached to his command.” Had
the attack on the left bank of the Mississippi been as well carried out
as that on the right, the defeat of the Americans would have been
certain. As it was, General Lambert, to whom the command fell on the
death of Sir Edward Pakenham, seeing how desperate the state of affairs
was, and bearing in mind that no fewer than 2000 men had been killed or
wounded, decided on withdrawing the army to its old encampment, which
was to be strengthened to prevent surprise--should the enemy adopt the
offensive. He also recalled Colonel Thornton’s force from the other
bank, but not until that gallant officer had demolished the captured
batteries and spiked their guns. He then decided on abandoning the
expedition;--levelling the batteries which had been thrown up;--and
rendering the heavy ordnance unserviceable. The boats were removed from
the river and placed in the canal, and the wounded were sent away as
rapidly as the limited boat accommodation would permit. In answer to
some proposals made by General Lambert, the Americans agreed that all
prisoners should be returned on both sides; and promised that the
wounded in their possession should be sent down the river to the English
ships.
The retreat of the English army towards the landing-place, where they
were to re-embark, was admirably conducted in the face of great
difficulties. The design was so effectually concealed from the enemy,
that by the 18th January the whole army, with its field artillery and
stores, had moved, and the bridges in its rear had been destroyed,
without attracting the enemy’s notice. It may interest the reader to
know that the rocket detachments acted as the Artillery of the
rear-guard. On the evening of the 28th January the whole of the army had
embarked on board the fleet. In the despatch from General Lambert
reporting the [Sidenote: ‘London Gazette,’ 8 March, 1815.]
re-embarkation of the army, he wrote: “Lieut.-Colonel Dickson, Royal
Artillery, has displayed his usual abilities and assiduity: he reports
to me his general satisfaction with all the officers under his command,
especially Major Munro, senior officer of the Royal Artillery previous
to his arrival, and the officers commanding companies.”
Before the news of the Peace, which had been concluded between England
and America, reached the army which had been discomfited at New Orleans,
a successful affair for the English arms took place. General Lambert had
now proceeded with his force against Fort Bowyer, Mobile, and, after
deliberate approaches by the Engineers, and the erection of powerful
batteries, the fort was summoned. After a short parley, its Governor
surrendered: begging, however, to be permitted to defer its evacuation
until the following day, _as so many of his men had got drunk_. This was
agreed to: but the gate of the fort was immediately given over to a
company of British Infantry, and the British flag was hoisted. On the
12th February, the garrison marched out; and on the 13th, the arrival of
the news of the Peace, which had been signed at Ghent, put an end to
further operations.
The Second American War was unjustifiable in its commencement--was
unpopular with the majority of the Northern States--and failed to effect
either of the two great objects desired by the Americans--the annexation
of Canada, or the coercion of embarrassed England into their own terms.
Sixty years have passed away; and the first of these dreams is as
visionary as it ever was. The loyalty of Canada is undimmed; and her
power for self-defence is marvellously increased. She remains a Naboth’s
vineyard in the eyes of American Ahabs: but their power for gratifying
their lust is diminishing yearly with the development of Canadian
resources, and the political manhood of the Canadian people. What is to
be said of the second of the two objects which inspired the men who
declared the war of 1812? For nearly three years--while they were
fighting obscure and petty battles in the north and west, in which the
combatants were numbered by hundreds only--the country, which they had
attacked so wantonly while bearing her Titanic burden of war, was
writing on the pages of history tales of conquest in Europe, which shall
never die. Not until her hands were free again did England suffer the
disaster at New Orleans: as if the fates grudged her unfilial sons their
wish to strike with disaster the parent country, while in the agony of
another struggle. And ere they obtained this one solace from New
Orleans, the hand of the invader had reached the American capital.
But what better description of the uselessness of this war can be given
than the words used by a modern historian in describing the Peace agreed
to between the two countries? [Sidenote: Russell’s ‘History of Modern
Europe.’] “_No notice whatever_,” he writes, “was taken of the
circumstances which occasioned the war.”