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Show S10 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. controllable judgments on the sons of men, according XI. to the dictates of his own unerring justice." He con· ~ . th 1815• eluded his impressive address, by presentmg . e gene-ral with a wreath of laurel, woven for the occasiOn, and which he desired him to accept as "a prize of victory." General Jackson, accepting the pledge, presented by the reverend prelate, as a mark of distinguished favour, returned him a reply no Jess impressive than the address he had received. He was now conducted in, and seated near the altar, when the organ, and church ceremonies commenced, and inspired every mind with a solemn reverence for the occasion.* These being ended, he retired to his quarters, to renew a system of defence, which should ensure entire safety, and lvard off any future danger that might arise. The right bank of the Mississippi was now strengthened by additional reinforcements, and a strong position taken on La F ourc)1e, to prevent any passage in that direction, Suitable arrangements for security having been already made below the city, generals· Coffee and Carroll were in~ tructed to resume their former encampment, four miles above, where they had been stationed previously to the landing of the enemy. The rest of the troops were arranged at different points, where necessity seem· ed most to require it, and where they might be convenient'ror action, on the first appearance of danger. Previously to general Lambert's departu~e, articles of agreement had been entered into, by the _comman~crs of the two armies, for an exchange of pnsoners ; Ill pursuance of which, sixty-three Americans, taken on '"Sec note E. LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. I the night of the 23d, from the left wing of general Cof- CHAl'. fee's brigade, had been delivered· up: the remainder, XI. principally those who had been taken at the capture of~ . lS!o. our gun boats, were shortly afterwards surrendered by admiral Cochrane, and an equal number of British prisoners, in our possession, sent off to be delivered at the Balize. The enemy had now withdrawn from the shore, all the troops which had been landed, and occupied their Febi'Uary. former position at Cat and Ship Island. Mortified at their unexpected disaster, they \v.ere projecting a plan, by which it was expected a partial advan-tage would be secured, and the stigma of defeat obliterated. Fort Bowyer had been 0)1ce assailed, with a considerable force, by land and water, and failure had resulted. This post, the key to Mobile, and considered of infinite consequence, had been retained under the command of him, who heretofore had defended it so valiantly. The British commander, turning from those scenes of disappointment and wretchedness lately witnessed, and anxious to retrieve his fortunes, before he retired with his shattered and diminished forces, perceived no place, against which he might proceed, with better founded hopes of success: Its importance, in a military point of view, has been already shewn: but, dispirited and reduqed as the enemy now were, even should they possess it, they would not have it in their power to derive those advantages, whi<jh were heretofore so greatly apprehended. On the 6th of February, t11e British shipping appeared off Dauphin Island, fronting the point on whic)l |
