| OCR Text |
Show 258 LH'B OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. despatched three of their barges to capture him; but, V Ill. unable to effect it, they were driven back. An addi· ...,...,...._,tiona! force now proceeded against him ; when a smart 1814' action commenced, and the assailants were again compelled to retire, with some loss. Johnston, satisfied that it was out of his power successfully to defend himself, and considering it hopeless to attempt w1iting, in face of so large a force, with the gun boats off Mal· heureux, determined to blow up his vessel, bum the Loss of stores, and effect his retreat by land. A prodigious the Sea explosion, and flames bursting on his view, assured Horse. Jones of the probable step that hacl been taken. Early on the morning of the 14th, the enemy's barges, lying about nine miles to the east, suddenly weighed their anchors ; and, getting under way, pro· ceeded westwardly to the pass, where our gun boats still lay. The same difficulty they had experienced yesterday was now encountered. Perceiving the ap· proach of the enemy's flotilla, an attempt was made to retreat; but in vain. The wind was entirely lulled, and a perfect calm prevailed ; while a strong curren~ setting to the gulf, rendered every effort to retire _una· vailing. No alternative was at hand; but a smgle course was left ;-to m.eet and fight them. At once the resolution was adopted, to avail themselves of the best position they co~l!i <;>b!ain, wait their approach, and defend themselves, whilst there was a hope of success. The line was formed, with springs on the cables, and all were waiting, composedly, the arrival of a foe, who imagined himself advancing to an easy c?nqu.est. The contest in so open· and unfavourable a SituatJOn, and against 's o super.w r a force, promi·s ed, · deed to Il1 • UFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 259 be a very unequal one: yet the firmness and bravery CHAP. which had always characterized our fearless tars in~ battle, were, on this occasion, not to be tarnished. An 1814. unfortunate state of things, which they could not con-trol, had brought them into battle at a moment, and under circumstances, their discretion did not approve ; but, being inevitable, every mind was determined on a desperate stand; and still, though beaten, to preserve unsullied their reputation,-their flag from dishonour. Forty-three boats, mounting as many cmmon, with twelve hundred chosen men, well armed, constituted the strength of the 'assailants. Advancing in extended line, they were presently in reach : and, at half after . eleven o'clock, commencing a fire, the action soon ~::\~k;," became general. Owing to a strong current, setting ~'f~~~~;"' out to the east, two of the boats, numbers 156 and boo!s. 163, were unable to keep their anchorage, and floated about an hundred yards in advance of the line. This circumstance was unfortunate; for although it could by no means be calculated, that victory could be at-tendant on a conflict, where strengtl1 and numbers were so disproportionate, yet, could tl1e line have been preserved, the chm1ces for defence would have been increased,-the opportunity more favourable for inflict-ing injury, and crippling the foe, while the period of the contest would have been protracted. Every mo-ment this could have been prolonged would have proved essentially advantageous; for soon as the wind should spring up, which yet continued lulled, the boats '~auld be rendered more manageable, and an opportu-mty afforded of retiring from the battle whenever the rcsul\ promised to become fatal. ' |
