PREPARATIONS—ATTACK.
The infantry having retired, and the gunners taken their station, dawn
was anxiously expected. But the morning of the 1st of January chanced
to be peculiarly gloomy. A thick haze obscured for a long time the rays
of the sun, nor could objects be discerned with any accuracy till a
late hour.
But at length the mist gave way, and the American camp was fully
exposed to view. Being at this time only three hundred yards distant,
we could perceive all that was going forward with great exactness. The
different regiments were upon parade; and being dressed in holiday
suits, presented really a fine appearance. Mounted officers were riding
backwards and forwards through the, ranks, bands were playing, and
colours floating in the air; in a word, all seemed jollity and gala;
when suddenly our batteries opened, and the face of affairs was
instantly changed. The ranks were broken; the different corps
dispersing, fled in all directions, whilst the utmost terror and
disorder appeared to prevail. Instead of nicely-dressed lines, nothing
but confused crowds could now be observed; nor was it without much
difficulty that order was finally restored. Oh, that we had charged at
that instant!
RETREAT—PAUSE.
Whilst this consternation prevailed among the infantry, their artillery
remained silent; but as soon as the former rallied, they also recovered
confidence, and answered our salute with great rapidity and precision.
A heavy cannonade quickly commenced on both sides, and continued during
the whole of the day; till, towards evening, our ammunition began to
fail, and our fire in consequence to slacken. The fire of the
Americans, on the other hand, was redoubled: landing a number of guns
from the flotilla, they increased their artillery to a prodigious
amount; and directing at the same time the whole force of their cannon
on the opposite bank against the flank of our batteries, they soon
convinced us that all endeavours to surpass them in this mode of
fighting would be useless. Once more, therefore, were we obliged to
retire, leaving our heavy guns to their fate; but as no attempt was
made by the Americans to secure them, working parties were again sent
out after dark, and such as had not been destroyed were removed.
Of the fatigue undergone during these operations by the whole army,
from the General down to the meanest sentinel, it would be difficult to
form an adequate conception. For two whole nights and days not a man
had closed an eye, except such as were cool enough to sleep amidst
showers of cannon-ball; and during the day scarcely a moment had been
allowed in which we were able so much as to break our fast. We retired,
therefore, not only baffled and disappointed, but in some degree
disheartened and discontented. All our plans had as yet proved
abortive; even this, upon which so much reliance had been placed, was
found to be of no avail; and it must be confessed that something like
murmuring began to be heard through the camp. And, in truth, if ever an
army might be permitted to murmur, it was this. In landing they had
borne great hardships, not only without repining, but with
cheerfulness; their hopes had been excited by false reports, as to the
practicability of the attempt in which they were embarked; and now they
found themselves entangled amidst difficulties from which there
appeared to be no escape, except by victory. In their attempts upon the
enemy’s line, however, they had been twice foiled; in artillery they
perceived themselves to be so greatly overmatched, that their own could
hardly assist them; their provisions, being derived wholly from the
fleet, were both scanty and coarse; and their rest was continually
broken. For not only did the canon and mortars from the main of the
enemy’s position play unremittingly upon them both by day and night,
but they were likewise exposed to a deadly fire from the opposite bank
of the river, where no less than eighteen pieces of artillery were now
mounted, and swept the entire line of our encampment. Besides all this,
to undertake the duty of a piquet was as dangerous as to go into
action. Parties of American sharpshooters harassed and disturbed those
appointed to that service from the time they took possession of their
post till they were relieved; whilst to light fires at night was
impossible, because they served but as certain marks for the enemy’s
gunners. I repeat, therefore, that a little murmuring could not be
wondered at. Be it observed, however, that these were not the murmurs
of men anxious to escape from a disagreeable situation by any means. On
the contrary, they resembled rather the growling of a chained dog, when
he sees his adversary and cannot reach him; for in all their
complaints, no man ever hinted at a retreat, whilst all were eager to
bring matters to the issue of a battle, at any sacrifice of loves.
Nor was our gallant leader less anxious to fight than his followers. To
fight upon something like equal terms was, however, his wish; and for
this purpose a new scheme was invented, worthy, for its boldness, of
the school in which Sir Edward had studied his profession. It was
determined to divide the army, to send part across the river, who
should seize the enemy’s guns, and turn them on themselves; whilst the
remainder should at time make a general assault along the whole
entrenchment. But before this plan could be put into execution, it
would be necessary to cut a canal across the entire neck of land from
the Bayo de Catiline to the river, of sufficient width and depth to
admit of boats being brought up from the lake. Upon this arduous
undertaking were the troops immediately employed. Being divided into
four companies, they laboured by turns, day and night; one party
relieving another after a stated number of hours, in such order as that
the work should never be entirely deserted. The fatigue undergone
during the prosecution of this attempt no words can sufficiently
describe; yet it was pursued without repining, and at length, by
unremitting exertions, they succeeded in effecting their purpose by the
6th of January.
Whilst these things were going on, and men’s minds were anxiously
turned towards approaching events, fresh spirit was given to the army
by the unexpected arrival of Major-General Lambert, with the 7th and
43rd; two fine battalions, mustering each 800 effective men. By this
reinforcement, together with the addition of a body of sailors and
marines from the fleet, our numbers amounted now to little short of
6000 men; a force which, in almost any other quarter of America, would
have been irresistible. Of the numbers of the enemy, again, various
reports were in circulation; some stating them at 20,000, others at
30,000; but I believe that I come nearer the truth when I suppose their
whole force to have comprised 12,000 men of all arms. It is, at least,
certain that they exceeded us in numbers as much as they did in
resources; and that scarcely an hour passed which did not bring in new
levies to their camp.
The canal, as I have stated, being finished on the 6th, it was resolved
to lose no time in making use of it. Boats were accordingly ordered up
for the transportation of 1400 men; and Colonel Thornton, with the 85th
regiment, the marines, and a party of sailors, was appointed to cross
the river. But a number of untoward accidents occurred, to spoil a plan
of operations as accurately laid down as any in the course of the war.
The soil through which the canal was dug being soft, part of the bank
gave way, and, choking up the channel, prevented the heaviest of the
boats from getting forward. These again blocked up the passage, so that
none of those which were behind could proceed; and thus, instead of a
flotilla for the accommodation of 1400 men, only a number of boats
sufficient to contain 350 was enabled to reach their destination. Even
these did not arrive at the time appointed. According to the
preconcerted plan, Colonel Thornton’s detachment was to cross the river
immediately after dark. They were to push forward, so as to carry all
the batteries, and point the guns before daylight; when, on the
throwing up of a rocket, they were to commence firing upon the enemy’s
line, which at the same moment was to be attacked by the main off our
army.
In this manner was one part of the force to act, whilst the rest thus
appointed:—Dividing his troops into three columns, Sir Edward directed
that General Keane, at the head of the 95th, the light companies of the
21st, 4th, and 44th, together with the two black corps, should make a
demonstration, or sham attack, upon the right; that General Gibbs, with
the 4th, 21st, 44th, and 93rd, should force the enemy’s left, whilst
General Lambert, with the 7th and 43rd, remained in reserve, ready to
act as circumstances might require. But in storming an entrenched
position, something more than bare courage is required. Scaling ladders
and fascines had, therefore, been prepared, with which to fill up the
ditch and mount the wall; and since to carry these a service of danger,
requiring a corps well worthy of dependence, the 44th was for that
purpose selected, as a regiment of sufficient numerical strength, and
already accustomed to American warfare. Thus were all things arranged
on the night the 7th, for the 8th was fixed upon as the day decisive of
the fate of New Orleans.
ATTACK.
Whilst the rest of the army lay down to sleep till they should be
roused up to fight, Colonel Thornton, with the 85th, and a corps of
marines and seamen, amounting in all to 1400 men, moved down to the
brink of the river. As yet, however, no boats had arrived; hour after
hour elapsed before they came; and when they did come, the misfortunes
which I have stated above were discovered, for out of all that had been
ordered up, only a few made their appearance. Still it was absolutely
necessary that this part of the plan should be carried into execution.
Dismissing, therefore, the rest of his followers, the Colonel put
himself at the head of his own regiment, about fifty seamen, and as
many marines, and with this small force, consisting of no more than 340
men, pushed off. But, unfortunately, the loss of time nothing could
repair. Instead of reaching the opposite bank at latest by midnight,
dawn was beginning to appear before the boats quitted the canal. It was
in vain that they rowed on in perfect silence, and with oars muffled,
gaining the point of debarkation without being perceived. It was in
vain that they made good their landing and formed upon the beach,
without opposition or alarm; day had already broke, and the
signal-rocket was seen in the air, while they were yet four miles from
the batteries, which ought hours ago to have been taken.
In the mean time, the main body armed and moved forward some way in
front of the piquets. There they stood waiting for daylight, and
listening with the greatest anxiety for the firing which ought now to
be heard on the opposite bank. But their attention was exerted in vain,
and day dawned upon them long before they desired its appearance. Nor
was Sir Edward Pakenham disappointed in this part of his plan alone.
Instead of perceiving everything in readiness for the assault, he saw
his troops in battle array, but not a ladder or fascine upon the field.
The 44th, which was appointed to carry them, had either misunderstood
or neglected their orders; and now headed the column of attack, without
any means being provided for crossing the enemy’s ditch or scaling his
rampart.
The indignation of our brave leader on this occasion may be imagined,
but cannot be described. Galloping towards Colonel Mullens, who led the
44th, he commanded him instantly to return with his regiment for the
ladders, but the opportunity of planting them was lost, and though they
were brought up, it was only to be scattered over the field by the
frightened bearers. For our troops were by this time visible to the
enemy. A dreadful fire was accordingly opened upon them, and they were
mowed down by hundreds, while they stood waiting for orders.
Seeing that all his well-laid plans were frustrated, Pakenham gave the
word to advance, and the other regiments, leaving the 44th with the
ladders and fascines behind them, rushed on to the assault. On the
left, a detachment under Colonel Rennie, of the 21st regiment, stormed
a three-gun battery, and took it. Here they remained for some time in
expectation of support; but none arriving, and a strong column of the
enemy forming for its recovery, they determined to anticipate the
attack, and pushed on. The battery which they had taken was in advance
of the body of the works, being cut off from it by a ditch, across
which only a single plank was thrown. Along this plank did these brave
men attempt to pass; but being opposed by overpowering numbers, they
were repulsed; and the Americans, in turn, forcing their way into the
battery, at length succeeded in recapturing it with immense slaughter.
On the right, again, the 21st and 4th, supported by the 93rd, though
thrown into some confusion by the enemy’s fire, pushed on with
desperate gallantry to the ditch; but to scale the parapet without
ladders was a work of no slight difficulty. Some few, indeed, by
mounting one upon another’s shoulders, succeeded in entering the works,
but these were speedily overpowered, most of them killed, and the rest
taken; whilst as many as stood without were exposed to a sweeping fire,
which cut them down by whole companies. It was in vain that the most
obstinate courage was displayed. They fell by the hands of men whom
they absolutely did not see; for the Americans, without so much as
lifting their faces above the rampart, swung their firelocks by one arm
over the wall, and discharged them directly upon their heads. The whole
of the guns likewise, from the opposite bank, kept up a well-directed
and deadly cannonade upon their flank; and thus were they destroyed
without an opportunity being given of displaying their valour, or
obtaining so much as revenge.
Sir Edward saw how things were going, and did all that a general could
do to rally his broken troops. Riding towards the 44th, which had
returned to the ground, but in great disorder, he called out for
Colonel Mullens to advance; but that officer disappeared, and was not
to be found. He therefore prepared to lead them on himself, and had put
himself at their head for that purpose, when he received a slight wound
in the knee from a musket-ball, which killed his horse. Mounting
another, he again headed the 44th, when a second ball took effect more
fatally, and he dropped lifeless into the arms of his aide-de-camp.
Nor were Generals Gibbs and Keane inactive. Riding through the ranks,
they strove by all means to encourage the assailants and recall the
fugitives; till at length both were wounded, and borne off the field.
All was now confusion and dismay. Without leaders, ignorant of what was
to be done, the troops first halted and then began to retire; till
finally the retreat was changed into a flight, and they quitted the
ground in the utmost disorder. But the retreat was covered in gallant
style by the reserve. Making a forward motion, the 7th and 43rd
presented the appearance of a renewed attack; by which the enemy were
so much awed, that they did not venture beyond their lines in pursuit
of the fugitives.
Whilst affairs were thus disastrously conducted in this quarter, the
party under Colonel Thornton had gained the landing-place. On stepping
ashore, the first thing they beheld was a rocket thrown up as a signal
that the battle was begun. This unwelcome sight added wings to their
speed. Forming in one little column, and pushing forward a single
company as an advanced guard, they hastened on, and in half an hour
reached a canal, along the opposite bank of which a detachment of
Americans was drawn up. To dislodge them was the work of a moment a
boat, with a carronade in her bow, got upon their flank, gave them a
single discharge of grape, whilst the advanced guard extended its
ranks, and approached at double-quick time. But they scarcely waited
till the latter were within range, when, firing a volley, they fled in
confusion. This, however, was only an outpost: the main body was some
way in rear, and amounted to no fewer than 1500 men.
It was not long, however, before they likewise presented themselves.
Like their countrymen on the other side, they were strongly entrenched,
a thick parapet with a ditch covering their front; whilst a battery
upon their left swept the whole position, and two field-pieces
commanded the road. Of artillery the assailants possessed not a single
piece, nor any means beyond what nature supplied of scaling the
rampart. Yet nothing daunted by the obstacles before them, or by the
immense odds to which they were opposed, dispositions for an immediate
attack were made. The 85th, extending its files, stretched across the
entire line of the enemy; the sailors in column prepared to storm the
battery, whilst the marines remained some little way in rear of the
centre as a reserve.
These arrangements being completed, the bugle sounded, and our troops
advanced. The sailors raising a shout, rushed forward, but were met by
so heavy a discharge of grape and canister that for an instant they
paused. Recovering themselves, however, they again pushed on; and the
85th dashing forward to their aid, they received a heavy fire of
musketry, and endeavoured to charge. A smart firing was now for a few
minutes kept up on both sides, but our people had no time to waste in
distant fighting, and accordingly hurried on to storm the works, upon
which a panic seized the Americans, they lost their order, and fled,
leaving us in possession of their tents and of eighteen pieces of
cannon.
In this affair our loss amounted to only three men killed and about
forty wounded, among the latter of whom was Colonel Thornton. Nor could
the loss on the part of the enemy greatly exceed our own. Had they
stood firm, indeed, it is hardly conceivable that so small a force
could have wrested an entrenched position from numbers so superior; at
least it could not have been done without much bloodshed. But they were
completely surprised. An attack on this side was a circumstance of
which they had not dreamed; and when men are assaulted in a point which
they deem beyond the reach of danger, it is well known that they defend
themselves with less vigour than where such an event was anticipated.
When in the act of storming these lines the word was passed through our
ranks that all had gone well on the opposite bank. This naturally added
to the vigour of the assault; but we had not followed our flying enemy
above two miles when we were commanded to halt. The real state of the
case had now reached us, and the same messenger who brought the
melancholy news brought likewise an order to return.
The place where we halted was in rear of a canal, across which was
thrown a wooden bridge, furnishing apparently the only means of
passing. At the opposite end of this bridge stood a collection of
wooden cottages and one chateau of some size. Here a company was
stationed to serve the double purpose of a piquet and a rear-guard;
whilst the main body, having rested for half an hour, began their march
towards the point where they had landed.
RE-EMBARKATION—THE CAMP.
As soon as the column had got sufficiently on their way the piquet
likewise prepared to follow. But in doing so it was evident that some
risk must be run. The enemy having rallied, began again to show a
front; that is to say, parties of sixty or a hundred men approached to
reconnoitre. These, however, must be deceived, otherwise a pursuit
might be commenced, and the re-embarkation of the whole corps hindered
or prevented. It so happened that the piquet in question was this day
under my command; as soon, therefore, as I received information that
the main body had commenced its retreat, I formed my men, and made a
show of advancing. The Americans perceiving this, fled; when, wheeling
about, we set fire to the chateau, and under cover of the smoke
destroyed the bridge and retreated. Making all haste towards the rear,
we overtook our comrades just as they had begun to embark; when the
little corps being once more united, entered their boats, and reached
the opposite bank without molestation.