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Show 534 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. tofore announced in the American camp, that addi~ tiona! forces were expected, and something decisive 1815• might be looked for, so soon as they should arrive. This circumstance, in connection with others, no less favouring the idea, led to the conclusion that a few days more would, in all probability, bring on the struggle, which would decide the fate of the city . . It was more than ever necessary to keep concealed the situation of his army ; and, above all, to preserve as secret as possible, its unarmed condition. To restrict all communication, even with his own lines, was now, as danger increased, rendered more important. None were permitted to leave the line, and none from with· out to pass into his camp, but such as were to be implicitly confided in. The line of sentinels was strength· ened in front, that none might pass to the enemy, should desertion be attempted : still, notwithstanding this precaution and care, his plans and situation were disclosed. On tl1e night of the 6th, a soldier from the line, by some means, succeeded in eluding the vigilance of our sentinels. Early next morning, his departure was discovered : it was at once cor· rectly conjectured he had gone over to the enemy, and would, no doubt, afford them all the information in his power to communicate. This opinion, as sub· sequent circumstances disclosed, \VaS well-founded; and dearly did he atone his crime. He unfolded to the British the situation of the American line ; the late reinforcements we had received, and the unarmed condition of many of the troops ; and, pointing to the centre of general Carroll's division, as a place occu· LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 338 pied by militia alone, recommended it as the point CHAP. where an attack might be most safely made. X. Other intelligence received was confirmatory of the~ be·l .t e f o f an .t mpend m' g attack. From some prison- 1815. ers, taken on the lake, it was ascertained the enemy British were busily engaged in deepening Villery's canal, fi~~:·r~; with the view of passing their boats and ordnance to attack. the Mississippi. During the 7th, a constant bustle was perceived in the British camp. Along the bor-ders of the canal, their soldiers were continually in motion, marching and manreuvring, for no other pur-pose than to conceal those who were busily engaged at work in the rear. To ascertain the cause of this uncommon stir, and learn their designs, as far as was practicable, commodore Patterson had proceeded down the river, on the opposite side, and, having g-ained a favourable position, in front of their encampment, discovered them to be actually engaged in deepening the passage to the river. It was not difficult to divine their purpose. No other conjecture could be enter-tained than that an assault was intended to be made on the line of defence commanded by general Morgan . which, if gained, would expose our troops on the left bank to the fire of tl1e redoubt erected on the right . and in this way compel them to an abandonment of their position. To counteract this scheme was important; and measures were immediately taken to pre-vent the execution of a plan, which, if successful, ~ould be attended witl1 incalculable dangers. An mcreased strength was given to this line. The se-cond regiment of Louisiana militia, and four hundred K~ntucky troops, were directed to be crossed over, |