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Show 314 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. of her commander, tl1at she could be no longer deJX. fended,-the flames bursting out in different parts, ~d ....,..,..._,fast increasing induced a fear, lest the magazme 1814. should be soon' reached , and every tl1'm g d est royed . One of his crew being killed, and six wounded, and there being not the glimmering of hope tlmt she could be pil'eserved orders were given to abandon her. The Schooner ' · ft d Caroline crew reached ilie shorl'!, and in a short time a erwar s btown up. she blew up. Although thus unexpectedly deprived of so mater.ial a dependence, for successful defence, an opportumty was soon presented, of using her brave crew to advantage. Gathering confidence, .from what had been just effected, the enemy left ili~u· encam~ment, and moved in the direction of our \me. Therr numbers had been increased, and major general Sir Edward Attack of Packenham now commanded in person. Early on ~~c~~~~r.the 28ili, his columns commenced their advance. to storm our works. At ilie distance of half a mile, their heavy artillery opened, ancl quantities of bombs, balls and congreve rockets, were discharged. It was a scene of terror ~md alarm, which tl1ey had probably calculated would excite a panic in the minds of the raw troops of our army, and make them surrender at discretion, or abandon tl1eir strong hold. But o~r soldiers had afforded abund<mt proof, thai, whether dis· ciplincd or not, they well knew how to defend the .ho- . 1. 1 · u11 .... y . and sufficient nour and mterests o t lCir co " ' v·llour not to be alarmed at tlle rcality-stilllc~s the se' mblance of danger. Far f.r om exct·t·J ng ileii r~." . · 1 fr the· r ground their 11rehensions and drtvmg t 1em om 1 ' • firmness sti'l l remained unchange d ;-c-st·ln wa s mam· LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. tested a determination not to tarnish a reputation the)' CHAP. had hardly earned ; and which had become too IX dear,~ from the difficulties and dangers they had passed to 1814. acquire it, now tamely to be surrendered. These con-greve rockets, though a kind of instrument of destruc-tion, to which our troops unskilled in the science of desolating warfare, had been hitherto strangers, excited no other feeling than that which novelty inspires. At the moment, therefore, that the British, in difrerent columns, were moving up, in all the pomp and parade of battle, preceded by these insignia of terror, more than danger, and were expecting to behold their " Y an· kee foes," tremblingly retire and flee before them, our batteries opened, and halted their ad vance. In addition to the two mounted on the works, on the 24th, three other heavy pieces of cannon, obtained from ilie navy department, had been formed along the line ; these opening on the enemy, cl1ecked. their progress, and disclosed to them the hazard of the project they were on. Lieutenants Crawley and Norris, volunteered, and with ilie crew of the Caroline rendered important services, and maintained, at the guns they commanded, iliat firmness and decision, for which, on previous occasions, they had been so highly distinguished. They had been selected by the general, because of their superior knowledge in gunnery; and, on this occasion, gave a furtl1er evidence of their skill and judgment, and of a disposition to act, in any situation where they could be serviceable. The line, which, from the labours bestowe~l on it, was daily strenb>thening, was not yet in a situation effectually to resist l |