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Show 25G LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. tain their disposition and force; and, in the event they VIII. should attempt, tlu·ough this route, to effect a disem~ barkation, to retire to the Rigolets, and there, with his 1814. . . d j flotilla, make an obstmate resistance, an contenc to the last. He remained off Ship island, until the 12th of December ; when, understanding the enemy's forces were much increased, he thought it most advisable to change his anchorage, and retire to a position near Malheureux island. This course was rendered more necessary, because affording a safer position, and, in the event of being attacked, a better opportunity of making good his retreat to the Rigolets, where alone he was instructed tcf attempt opposition. Whoever looks upon a map of the country, will at once discover the importance of the place, if drl'ven into action with a greatly superior force. This, and Chef Menteur, which unite at the entrance to the lake, and form a narrow channel, constitutes the only pass into Pontchartrain. By reaching it, the gun boats would pre· sent as formidable an opposition as could be made by all the force that could be brought against them, and put at defiance any effort that could be made, to gllin the city through this route. . On the 13th, Jones discovered the enemy movmg off in his barges, and directing his way towards ~ass Christian. He was not long in doubt, as to the objects , probably had in view; for, although at first it was sup· posed to be " a disembarkation, intended to b_e landed there yet on their passing it, and pursuing the1r course still fu' rthe' r westwardly, he at once concluded an at ta _c k on the gun boats was designed." His orders lefthml no discretion, as to the place he should meet and fight LtFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 257 them Indeed, his flotilla, although quite inconsider- CHAP. · Vill able in numbers, was of too much consequence to the~ nation, at this juncture, to be inadvertently risked; or 1814• in fact risked at all, unless under circumstances giving a decided superiority. In no other way was this to be obtained, than by reaching the point to which he had been ordered : this he endeavoured to effect, as soon as he became satisfied of what was intended by their present movement. Weighing, tl1erefore, his anchors, wiili the design of reaching the position referred to in his orders, he soon discovered it to be wholly imprac-ticable. A strong \~ind having blown for some days to the east, from the lake to the gulf, had so reduced the depth of water, that the best and deepest channels were insufficient to float his little squadron. The oars were resorted to, but witl10ut rendering the least as-sistance : it was immoveable. Recourse was now had to throwing every tl1ing overboard that could be spared, to lighten and bring them olf; all, however, was inelfectual,-nothing could alford relief. At ti1is moment of extreme peril and danger, the tide coming suddenly in, relieved from present embarrassment and lifting them from tl1e shoal, they bore away fro~ the attack meditated; directed tl1ei.r course for t11e Riga-lets; and came to anchor at one o'clock the next morn-mg, on the ~vest passage of Malpel!re,ul' isle ; where, at day, they discovered the pursuit had been abandoned. At the ~ay of St. Louis was a small depot of public s_tores, wluch had, that morning, been directed, by ~eutenant Jones, to be brought of£ Mr. Johnston, on oard the Sea Horse, had proceeded in the execution ef this order. The enemy, on the retreat of Jones, K k . |