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Show 294 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. A fog rising from, the river, which, added to the ~IX. SlflOk e ,r.r om the guns, was coven. ng t.h e p Ia .m ,-gradu- ' 1814. ally diminishing the little l,ight shed by the m,oon, and greatly increasing tl1e darkness of the night : no clue was left, to. tell how or \yhere. the enemy were situated- Ther<: was no altemative but to move on, in the direction of their fire, which subjected the assailants to material disadvantages. The British, driven from their first position, had retired back, and occupied another, behind a deep ditch, that ran out of the Mississippi towards tl1e swamp, on the top of which was a high fence- Here, strengthened by increased numbers, they again opposed the approach of our troops. Having waited, until they had come sufficiently near to be ~liscovered, they discharged, from their fastnesses, a fire upon the advancing army. Instantly our battery was formed, and poured destructively upon them; while the infantry, coming up, aided in the conflict, which was for some time spiritedly maintained. At this moment, a brisk sally was made upon our advance, when the marines, unequal to the assault, were already giving away. The adjutant general, and colonels Piatt and Chotard, with a part of the seventh, hastening to their support, drove the enemy, and saved the artillery from Cflpture. General Jackson, perceiving the advantages ti1ey derived from their position, ordered their line to be charged. It was obeyed with cheerfulness, and executed with promptness. Pressing on, our troops gained the ditch, and, pouring across it a well-aimed fire, compelled ti1em to retreat, and abandon their entrenchment. The plain, on which they were contending, was cut to LIFE OF GEN.' JACKSON. 295 pieces, by races from the river, to convey the water. CHAP. They were, ti1erefore, very soon enabled to take ano-~ ther situation, equally favourable with ~e one whence 1814. they had been just driven, where they formed for bat-tle, and, for some time, gallantly maintained them-selves; but were at length forced to. yield it, and re-treat. The enemy, discovering the firm and obstinate resistance made by the right wing of the American army, and perhaps presuming its principal strength was posted on ti1e .road, formed the intention of attacking violently the left. Obliquing for this purpose, an attempt was made to turn it. At this moment, Daquin's and the battalion of city guards were marched up, and, being formed on the left of ti1e forty-fourth, met and repulsed them. The time of the contest prevented many of those benefits which n'light have been derived from the artillery. The blaze of ti1e enemy's musketry was the only light by which they could judge of ti1eir positions, or be capable of taking their own to advantage ; yet, notwithstanding, it greatly annoyed them, whenever it could be brought to bear. Directed by lieutenant Spotts, a vigilant and skilful officer, with men to aid him, who looked to nothing but a zealous discharge of their duty, it rendered the most essential and important services. The enemy had been thrice assailed and beaten, and made to yield their ground for nearly a mile. They had now retired, and, if found, were to be again sought for through the dark. The general determined to halt, and ascertain Coffee's position and success, previously |
