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Show S66 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. though, for the present, there was an abandonment of ...;::::_the enterprise, still it behoved him not to relax in his 1815• system of defence ; but be in constant readiness to maintain the advantages he had gait~ed; and not to risk a loss of the country, by a careless indifference, growing out of the belief that danger had subsided. To prevent such a result, suitable arrangement& were made. The enemy being now again at their shipping, with entire control on the lakes and gulf, it could not be known at what point they might venture a second attack. General Jackson determined to withdraw his troops from the point they had so" long occupied, and place them about the city, whence, to repel any fmther attempt that might be made, they could be advanced wherever it became necessary. The seventh regiment of infantry remained to protect the point he was leaving; while, further in advance, on Villery's canal, where a landing had been first effected, were posted some of the Kentucky and Louisiana militia. To secure this point fnore effectually, orders were given, on the 22d, to throw up a strong fortification, at the junction of Manzant and Bayou Bienvenu ; which order was again attempted to be executed, on the 25th. On both occasions, failure was the result, from the circumstance of the enemy having, on their retreat, left a strong detachment at this place, which, from their situation, defied approach by a force competent to their reduction. Their occupying this position afforded strong evidence that further hostilities were not wholly abandoned. To counteract, however, any advantages which might be thence derived, different points, along the swamp, and in the direction LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. Sp7 of Terre au Bamf, were occupied, and strong wo~·ks CHAP. thrown up, to prevent their again reaching, in this di- XI. rection, the banks of the Mississippi. ._...._ These arrangements being made, calculated, if not 1815" to prevent, at least to give intelligence of an approach, in time to be resisted; on the 20th, general Jackson, with his remaining forces, commenced his march to New Orleans. The general glow' excited, at beholding his G cnera, . entrance into ~he city, at the head of his victorious ar- ~~::,1110 my, was manifested by all those feelings which patri- New Or· otism and sympathy inspire. The windows and streets leans. were crowded, to view the man, who, by his vigilance, decision, and energy, had preserved the country from the fate to which it had been devoted. It was a seen€ well calculated to excite the tenderest emotions. But a few weeks since, and every bosom throbbed for its safety. Fathers, sons, and husbands, urged by the necessity of the times, were toiling in defence of their wives and children. -A ferocious soldiery, numerous, and skilled in the art of war, to whom every indulgence had been promised, were straining exertion to effect their object. Every cannon that echoed from the line was perhaps the signal of their approach, and the commencement of indescribable horrors. But those feel-ings had subsided: the painful scenes, which had last-ed so long, were gone, The tender female, r<Jiieved from the anguish ?f danger and suspense, no longer trembled for her safety and her honour : a· new order of things had arisen : joy sparkled in every count~- nance ; while scarcely a widow or orphan was seen, to cloud the general transport. The commanding general, under whose banners every thin,g had beet\ |
