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Show sou LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. ing along the sides of the swamp; and in regaining ~part of the clothing his troops had lost, returned to the 1814• line, leaving to be conjectured the objects of his movement. The scanty supply of clothes and blankets, that re-mained to the soldiers, from their long and exposed marches, had been left where they dismounted to meet the enemy. Their numbers were too limited, and d1e strength of their opponents too well ascertained, for ~ny part of their force to remain and take care of what was left behind : it was so essential to hasten on, reach their destination, and be ready to act, "hen the signals of the Caroline should announce their cooperation necessary, that no time was afforded them to secure their horses ;-they were turned loose, and their recovery trusted entirely to chance. Although many were re~rained,-;-1)1any were lost ; while most of the men remained with but a single suit o encounter in d1e open ·field, and in swamps, covered with water, the hardships of camp, and the severity of winter. It is a circumstance which entitles them to much credit, that un~er privations so severely oppressive, complaints or murmurs were never heard. This state of things was not of long continuance. The story of their sufferings and misfortunes was no sooner known, than the legislature appropriated a sum of money for d1eir relief, which was greatly increased, by subscrip- . tions, in the city and neighbourhood. Materials being purchased, the ladies, with that Christian charity, and warmth of heart, characteristic of tl1eir sex, at once exerted d1emselves in removing their distresses: all d1eir industry was called into action, and in a little. LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 3.07 time, d1e suffering soldier was relieved. Such ge- CHAP. nerous conduct, in assisting at a moment when so IX. much needed ; while it conferred on those females the_..,..,_, highest honour, could not fail to nerve the arm of the 1814· brave, with new zeal, for the defence of their benefactresses. This distinguished ma;k of their patriot-ism and benevolence, is still remembered ; and often as these valiant men recount the dangers they have passed, and with peculiar pride dwell on the ming-led honours and hardships of the campaign, they breathe a sentiment of gratitude to those, \vho confer-red upon them such distinguished marks of their kind-ness, and, by timely interference, alleviated their misfortunes. To present a check, and keep up a shew of resistance,. detachments of light troops were occasionally kept m front of the line, assailing and harassing the enemy's advanced posts, whenever an opportunity was offered of acting to advantage. Every moment that could be gained, and every delay that could be extended to the enemy's attempts, to reach the citv was ofth~ utmost importance. The works were rapitli; pro~ essmg, and hourly increasing in strength. The mili! ta of the state were every day arriving, and every day the prospect of s~ccessft~l opposition was brightening. T The _enemy still rernamed at his first encampment. o be m readiness to repel an assault when attempted the most active exertions were made on the 24th and 25th. The canal, covering d1e front of our line was deepened and widened, and a strong mud wall fo~med of the earth, that had been originally thrown out. To prevent any approach until his system of defence |