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Show ~16 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. at once presuming all danger had subsided, made a ~most courageous sally from their strong hold ; and, 1814_ pushing towards their vanquished foes, were already calculating on a rich harvest of blood and plunder : but a well-directed fire checked their progress, dissipated their expectations, and drove them back, with a rapidity, even surpassing the celerity of their advance. Taking into consideration the inequality of force employed on the opposite sides of this contest, it will appear a matter of surprise, that the attack should have terminated in the way it did ;-that it was not attended with success. This circumstance would be a sufficient evidence of the bravery and correct conduct of its gallant defenders, were there a total absence of all other facts ; but their belief, that the best way to avoid disaster was to be in a state of readiness to meet it, and a constant assiduity, which urged them forward, day and night, that they might be in a situation calculated for successful defence, are facts remembered, and entitle them to the highest commendation. From the bay, the attack was waged with a force of six hundred men, and ninety guns, of larger caliber than any opposed to them; whilst upwards of four hundred Indians and other troops were on the shore, in rear of the fort. Law· renee's strength was scarcely a tenth of the enemy's. His fort, hastily prepared, with not more than twenty guns, was ill calculated for stubborn resistance ; most of these were of small caliber, whilst many, from being badly mounted, rendered no essential service in the action : yet, with this great inequality, he well maintained the honour of his flag, and compelled the enemy, resting in full confidence of success, to retire, LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 211 with the loss of his best ship, and two hundred and CHAP. thirty men killed and wounded ; whilst the loss sus-' Vlf. tained by the Americans did not exceed ten. ....,...,--...; V d·rr h c . 1814. ery me~·ent were t e ,eelmgs of the leaders of this expedition, from what they had been on setting out from Pellsacola, where every thing had been pre-pared for giving success to their plans, and where scarcely a doubt had been entertained of tl1e result. Numerous advantages were expected to arise from a victory, not in expectancy, but already looked to as certain ;-as an event that could not fail. From it, greater facility would be given to their operations ; while Mobile would fall, of course. This being ef~ fected, independent of the strong hold already pos-sessed in East Florida, an additional one would be acquired, calculated to prevent all intercourse with New Orleans, from this section of the country, to ena-ble them more easily to procure supplies, and, having obtained their expected reinforcements, to proceed across to the Mississippi, and cut off all communica. tion with the western states. To render the blow ef-fectual was important ; that, by impressing at once the inhabitants with an idea of their strength and prowess, the proclamations already disseminated might claim a stronger influence on doubting minds. The force employed, and its disposition, was calculated to attain these wished for events. While the attack should be furiously waged by the ships from the bay, that the yells of three or four hundred savages in ti1e rear should strike the defenders of this fort with such a panic, as to make them, at the first onset throw dowP tl. ' • leu arms, and clamour for mercy, was a belief so Ee |