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Show 284 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHA but two who fleeing to the swamp, endeavoured to ~Vrlle ach th'e city ' ; but, owm· g _to the th1·_ ck un~ergrowth, 1814_ and briars, which rendered 1t almost 1mperv10us, they did not arrive, until after the enemy had reached the banks of the Mississippi, and been discovered. Bayou Bienvenu, through which the landing was made, is an arm of considerable width, stretching towards the Mississippi, from lake Borgne, and about fifteen miles south-east of New Orleans. It had been reported to general Jackson, on the 23d, that, on the day before, several strange sail had been descried, off Terre au Breuf. To ascertain con·ectly the truth of the statement, majors Tatum and Latour, topographical engi· I}eers, had been sent off, wid1 orders to proceed in that direction, and learn if any thing were attempting d1ere. It was towards noon, of the 23d, when they started. Approaching general Villery's plantation, and perceiv· ing, at a distance, soldiers, and persons fleeing hastily away, they at once supposed d1e enemy had arrived. What, however, was but surmise, was presently, and on nearer observation, rendered certain; and it was now no longer a doubt, but that the British had land· ed, in considerable force, and had actually gained, un· observed, the house of general Villery, on the bank of the Mississippi, where they had surprised, and made prisoners, a company of militia, there posted. . . Major Tatum, hastening back, announced h1s discovery. Preparations to act were immediately made by general Jackson. The signal guns were fired, and expresses sent forward, to concentrate the forces ; r:solving, that night; to meet the invaders, and try h1s own and their firmness. LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAPTER IX. General Jackson concentrates his forces, and marches to fio-ht tbe enemy.-Alarms of the city.-Mode of attack, and battle of the 23d of December.-British reinforcements arrive during the action.-Arrival of general Carroll's division.Our army retires from the field.-Effects of this battle.Jackson establishes a Jine of defence.-General Morgan is ordered on the right bank of the Mississippi.-Destruction and loss of the Caroline schooner.-Battle of the 28th December.- Conduct of the legislature of J..Jouisiana; their deliberations suspended.-Scarcity of arms, in the American camp. 285 THE hour to test the bravery of his troops had now CHAP. arrived. The approach of the enemy, flushed with the IX. hope of easy victory, was announced to Jackson a...,...,....,.. little after one o'clock in the afternoon. There w~re 1814• too many reasons, assuring him of the necessity of acting speedily, to hesitate a moment, on the course proper to be pursued. Could he assail them, and ob- ~n even a partial advantage, it might be beneficial- It might arrest disaffection-buoy up d1e despondentdetermine the wavering, and bring within his reach · resources for to-morrow, which might wholly fail, should fear once take possession of the public mind. It was a moment, too, of ~11 others, most propitio.us to success. He well knew the greater part of his lroops were inured to marching and fatigue, while |