in the bosoms of your families, the enjoyment of peaceful life, with what happiness will you not look back to the toils you have borne to the dangers you have encountered ? How will all your past exposures be converted into sources of inexpressible delight? Who, that never experienced your sufferings, will be able to appreciate your joys? The man who slumbered ingloriously at home, during your painful marches, your nights of watchfulöess, and your days of toil, will envy you the happiness which these recollections will afford; still more will he envy the gratitude of that country, which you have so eminently contributed to save. Continue, fellow-soldiers, on your passage to your several destinations, to preserve that subordination, that dignified and manly deportment, which have so ennobled your character. While the commanding general is thus giving indulgence to his feelings, towards those brave companions, who accompanied him through difficulties and danger, he cannot permit the names of Blount, and Shelby, and Holmes, to pass unnoticed. With what generous ardour and patriotism have these distinguished governors contributed all their exertions, to provide the means of victory! The recollection of their exertions, and of the success which has resulted, will be to them a reward more grateful than any which the pomp of title, or the splendour of wealth, can bestow. What happiness it is to the commanding general, that, while danger was before him, he was, on no occasion, compelled to use, towards his companions in arms, either severity or rebuke. If, after the enemy had retired, improper passiops began their empire in a few unworthy bosoms, and rendered a resort to energetic measures necessary for their suppression, he has not confounded the innocent with the guilty-the seduced with the seducers. Towards you, fellow-soldiers, the most cheering recollections exist, blended, alas! with regret, that disease and war should have ravished from us so many worthy companions. But the memory of the cause in which they perished, and of the virtues which animated them while living, must occupy the place where sorrow would claim to dwell. Farewell, fellow-soldiers. The expression of your general's thanks is feeble; but the gratitude of a country of freemen is yourg--yours the applause of an admiring world. ANDREW JACKSON, Major General Commanding New Orleans, March, 1815. AFFAIR AT POINT PETRE. POINT PETRE, GEORGIA, January 10th, 1815. SIR, The collector having informed me he was about to despatch an express to Savannah immediately, I avail myself of a few mo ments allowed me to apprize you of the movements of the enemy. It has just been reported that he has effected a landing on the north point of Cumberland. A frigate is at anchor off that point. As my order contemplate a retreat, I have thought it best to prepare in time, and to direct the assistant deputy quarter master general to remove the most of the provisions (of which we have a large supply) together with all the ammunition except what shall be necessary for immediate defence of the battery, and troops under marching orders, to a safe point near St. Mary's. But I hope to have it in my power to give the enemy a brush before I leave the ground. I have had an interview with colonel Scott of the Georgia militia. He promises, in the event of an attack of my post, to co-operate. I advised him to take post at Sweet Water branch, should the enemy attack me in my rear. This will place him between two fires. Colonel Scott thinks he can bring two hundred men with him; if so, we shall do something. Very respectfully, &c. comdg. U. 8. forces near St. Mary's. Brigadier general Floyd. a KING'S BAY, 12 O'CLOCK, January 11th, 1815. SIR, I deem it expedient to apprize you of the movements of the enemy, by express. They effected a landing on the north point of Cumberland Island this morning. This moment two divisions, with nineteen barges, attended by two look-out boats in front, and flanked by two large boats mounting one gun each, are passing within my view. At first they discovered a disposition towards King's Bay; but ascertaining we were prepared to receive them, they altered their course and took the Plumb Orchard passage, keeping Cumberland close aboard. The first division effected its landing at Plumb Orchard, the second at first shewed a disposition towards the point. The officer left in charge of the battery (at the point) was ordered to be on the look out and not to let him approach with impunity, which it appears he promptly obeyed. One of the enemy's barges went out of line in chase of a boat making its retreat towards St. Mary's, but on receiving a shot from a long eighteen which came rather too near him, he gave up the chase. A. A. MASSIAS. Brigadier general Floyd. POINT PETRE, 3 O'CLOCK, P. M. January 11th, 1815. We are now against the Point. Sixteen of the enemy's barges of the largest size have passed to Dunginess and have landed. I compute his force to be about fifteen hundred white and black. Their feet is now beating off and on St. Andrew's bar, at which end they came is. It was my intention at first to receive them at Cabin Bluff with riflemen. This could have been done with much advantage, but it seems they were apprized of our intention, and altered their course for the other side and took the Plumb Orchard passage. We are now at the point, and on the alert, waiting an attack, which I expect momently. I shall do my best in the event of retreat. The assistant deputy quarter master general has been ordered to place a supply of ammunition and provisions at a post in my rear (selected by myself.) The men have always four days provisions in advance (cooked and in their havresacks) and ready to move to any point at a moment's warning. I have the pleasure to anticipate the best of conduct from the officers and men under my command. Though few, they are well chosen; they discover great eagerness for battle. They behaved well this morning in preparing to receive the enemy at King's Bay. Very respectfully, &c. A. A. MASSIAS, comdg. U. S. troops, St. Mary's station. Brigadier general Floyd. SWEET WATER BRANCH, January 13th, 1815. SIR, The enemy moved against Point Petre this morning, at half past 7 o'clock, with his whole force (about fifteen hundred.) 'His operations were simultaneous. At an early hour this morning I received information of his approach on my picket, near major Johnson's, about four and a half miles from this point, with about eight hundred to a thousand men, a rocket machine, and two pieces of artillery: aware of his intentions to place himself in my rear, while he at the same moment was advancing in considerable force in front (about six hundred) to attack the battery at Point Petre (on the St. Mary's) with an evident view to cut off my retreat; I accordingly inade the following disposition of my brave little force. I ordered captain Stallings to remain at the point, with about thirty-six effectives, with orders to defend it as long as possible, and if overpowered, to spike the guns, fire the train (already prepared at the magazine and works) and retreat to me, with the remainder, (about 80 men, riflemen and infantry.) I moved out against the main force in the rear, determined to oppose his passage to the point, at a narrow defile near major King's, and make good our retreat (if it should be found necessary) at all hazards. At about 9 o'clock we came up with the defile, near major King's and Johnson's ; it is flanked by a deep marsh on each side, and has a complete cover for riflemen (in a thick live oak underwood) on the right and left; the evening previous (at a late hour) I had a a in caused some large trees to be fallen and placed across the defile in several places, with a view to obstruct his passage as much as possible. As we entered the defile at one end, the enemy did so at the other. It was my intention (if possible) to gain the cross roads near Major King's; but finding myself stopped, I ordered 1st lieutenant Holt, of the 43d infantry, with a detachment of riflemen, to advance and gain the thicket on the enemy's left ; at the same time 1st lieutenant Harlee, of the 1st rifle regiment, with another detachment of riflemen, was ordered to take post the thicket on their right, and to be in readiness to pass the thicket in the enemy's rear : this order was promptly obeyed. Captain Tattnall, of the 43 infantry, who was with me with the remainder (infantry) was ordered to advance in close column and pass the defile. At this moment the enemy's bugle sounded, when a brisk fire commenced on both sides, the riflemen on the right and left keeping a deadly fire on the enemy, who was in close column; we had already passed the defile some distance, and the enemy had given way twice, when captain Tatnall, who stood near me, received a severe wound which obliged him to retire. This produced a momentary pause, when the enemy, being, encouraged, pressed forward, but was received with unequalled firmness by the infantry and riflemen with me. By the absence of captain Tatnall, his platoon became in charge of a serjeant(Benson) from whom I received unexampled support. But alas ! our efforts were unavailing, the number of the enemy too imposing, a thousand to eighty was too much odds : and finding it impossible to maintain my position, and believing the battery to be in the hands of the enemy, (as three signal guns had been fired) it was with relucttance I ordered a retreat, and which I am happy to state was effected in good order. We took the path to Mrs. Gordon's plantation on the North River, at which point I had in the event of my not being able to maintain myself in my position or pass by major King's,) previously secured a large boat; but this was by some one taken away. I had then but one resource left to pass the North River (at mil. ler's Bluff) in a paddling canoe ; upon which orders were sent to captain Stallings to retreat to me, which he promptly obeyed; the enemy following close in his rear. I have nevertheless the pleasure to state we effected the retreat without the loss of a man. While I lament the necessity of informing you of the loss of the battery at Point Petre, I console myself with the consciousness of having done my best for its preservation, and of being peculiarly fortunate in making good a retreat by many considered impracticable. The enemy's loss must have been considerable. The defile was covered with blood. It is reported an officer of distinction, wearing a pair of gold epaulets, was among their slain. Oụr logs was very inconsiderable, as will appear by the report annexed to this; and I have reason to hope that some of our, men who were missing will yet join. I should not do justice to the gentlemen I had the honour to command, did I not say they all performed prodigies, beyond reasonable expectation; they were equally brave. But if I may be allowed to discriminate and to recommend any to your particular notice and attention, it would be captain E. T. Tatnall, of the 43d infantry. He was conspicuous in every act, and gave me the utmost support. I cannot but consider my little band highly complimented by the number of the enemy thought necessary to bring against them. Very respectfully, &c. Å. A. MASSIAS, Capt. Comdg. U. S. forces, near St. Mary's, Geo. Brig. Gen. Floyd. In this affair there was 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 9 missing. GENERAL JACKSON'S ADDRESS, Read at the head of each of the corps composing the line below New Orleans, January 21st, 1815. CirizENS AND FELLOW SOLDIERS, The enemy has retreated, and your general has now leisure to proclaim to the world what he has noticed with admiration and pride your undaunted courage, your patriotism, and patience under hardships and fatigues. Natives of different states, acting together for the first time in this canıp, differing in habits and in language, instead of viewing in these circumstances the germ of distrust and division, you have made them a source of honourable emulation, and from the seeds of discord itself, have reaped the fruits of an honourable union. This day completes the fourth week since fifteen hundred of you attacked treble your number of men, who had boasted of their discipline, and their services under a celebrated leader in a long and eventful war-attacked them in their camp the moment they had profaned the soil of freedom with their hostile tread, and inflicted a blow which was a prelude to the final result of their attempt to conquer, or their poor contrivances to divide us. A few hours was sufficient to unite the gallant band, though at the moment they received the welcome order to march, they were separated many leagues in different directions from the city. The gay rapidity of the march, the cheerful countenances of the officers and men, would have induced a belief that some festive entertainment, not the strife of battle, was the object to which they hastened with so much eagerness and hilarity. In the conflict that ensued, the same spirit was supported, and my communications to the executive of the United States have testified the sense I have entertained of the |