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Show LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. body, too, were there, who did not despond.* Might IX. not patriotism then, have admonished these men, ho· ~ ' noured as they were with the confidence of the people, 1814" rather to have pursued a course, having for its object to keep alive excitement, than to have endeavoured to introduce fear and paralyze exertion. Such conduct, if productive of nothing worse, was well calculated to ex· cite alarm. If the militia, who had been hastily drawn to the camp, and who were yet trembling for the safety of their families, had been told, that a few private men, of standing in society, had expressed their opinions, and declared resistance useless, it would, without doubt, have occasioned serious apprehensions ; but, in a much greater degree would they be c~culate~ to arise, when told that the members of the leg1slature, chosen to pre· side over the safety and destinies of the state, after due deliberation, had pronounced all attempts at successful opposition, vain and ineffectual. . Here was an additional reason why exped1ents should be devised, and every precaution adopted, to prevent any communication, by which the slighte~t intelligence should be had of our situation, already, mdeed, suffi· ciently deplorable. Additional guards ~ve:e . po~ted along the swamp, on both sides of the MisSISSippi, to arrest all intercourse ; while on the river, tl1e comn:on highway, watch boats were constantly plying dunng • Only four memuers of the legislature appeared in the field, to Uefend their country. 'Ve regret not knowing the name or one of these persons: those '"-e have learned arc, general Garrigue Flojack, major Ezicl, and :Mr. Dufort, w~o abandon· ed their civil duties for the fi eld, wl1 crc they afforded exam· pies worthy of imitation. LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. the night, in diiferent directions, so that a log could CHAP. scarcely pass unperceived. Two flat-bottomed boats, IX. on a dark night, were turned adrift above, to ascertain~ i f v10 g1" la nce were preserved, and whether there would be 1814. any' chance of passing in safety to the British lines. The light boats discovered them on their passage, and on the alarm being given, they were opened upon by the Louisiana sloop, and the batteries on the shore, and in a few minutes were sunk. In spite, however, of eve-ry precaution, treason still discovered avenues through which to project and execute her nefarious plans, and which constantly afforded information to the enemy, ~:arried to them, no doubt, by adventurous friends, who sought and eff~cted tl1eir nightly passage through the deepest parts of the swamp, where it was impossible for sentinels to be kept.* Much inconvenience was sustained for the want of arms, and much anxiety felt, lest the enemy, tl1rough their faitluul adherents, might, on this subject also, obtain information ; to prevent it, as far as possible, ger: eml Jackson endeavoured to conceal the strength and Situation of his army, by suffering his reports to be seen by none, but himself and the adjutant general. Many of the troops in the field were supplied with common guns, which were of little service. The Kentucky troops, who were daily expected, were also understood to be badly provided with arms. Uncertain but the city might still contain many articles that would be serviceable, orders were issued to Mr. Girod, may· or of New Orleans, to search every store and house, • See note C. |