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Show ·LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. :t , CHAP. Coiree had· dismounted his men, and turned his ~horses loose, at a large ditch, next the swamp, in the 1 in 4. rear of Lorond's plantation, ~nd gained, ash~ believed, the centre of the enemy's lme, when the s1gnal from the Caroline reached him. He directly wheeled his colunms in, and, extending his line pamllel with the river, moved towards their camp. He had scarcely advanced more than an hundred yards, when he received a hdtvy fire, from a line formed in his front : this, to him, was an unexpected circumstance, as he supposed the enemy lying principally at a distance, and that the only opposition he should meet, until he ap· proached tow~rds the levee,* would be from their ad· vanced guards. The circumstance of his coming up with them so soon, was owing to the severe attack of the schooner, which had compelled them to ab~don their camp, and form without her reach. The moon shone, but reflected her light too feebly to discover objects at a· distance. The only chance, therefore,. of producing certain injury, with this kind of force, wh1ch consisted chiefly of riflemen, was not to venture at random, but only to discharge their pieces when there should be a certainty of felling the object. This order being given, the line pressed on, and, having gained a position near enough to distinguish, a general fire ~vas given ; it was too severe and destructive to be_ With· stood; the enemy gave way, and retreated,-ralhed,formed,- were charged, and again retreated. These gallant men, led by their br.;ve commander, urged • 'Embankments formed along the river, to coniine it in ifs bed. LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 291 fearlessly on, and drove them from every position they CHAP, attempted to maintain. Their general was under no IX. ~ necessity to encourage and allure them to deeds of 18 14. valour : his own example was sufficient to excite them. Always in the midst, he displayed a cool-ness and disregard of danger, calling to his troops, that they had often said they could fight-n9w was the time to prove it. The e1~emy, driven back by the resolute firmness and ardour of their assailants, had now reached a grove of orange trees, with a ditch running past it, protected by a fence 'on the margin. It was a favourable position, promising security, and was occupied with a confidence they could not be forced to yield it. Coffee's dauntless yeomanry1 strengthened in their hopes of srrccess, moved on, ·nor discovered the advantages against them, until a fire from the whole British line shewed their defence. A momentary check was given; but, gathering fresh ardour, tl1ey charged across the ditch, gave a deadly and destructive fire, and forc ed them to retire. Their retreat continued, until, gaining a similar position, they made another stand, and were again driven from it, with considemble loss. Thus the battle raged, on the left wing, until the British reached the bank · of the river ; here a determined stand W'aS made, and further encroachments resisted: for lll\lf an hour, tl1e conflict was extremely violent _on both sides.. The American troops could not b~ dnven from their purpose, nor the British made to )'leld their ground ; but at length, having suffered greatly, the latter were under the necessity of taking refuge behind the levee, which afforded a breast-work, |
