camped my troops for the night, and made the necessary arrangements to carry my determination into effect the next day. On the morning of the 7th, I marched with the effective regulars of the 38, 39th, and 44th infantry, part of general Coffee's brigade, the Mississippi dragoons, and part of the West Tennessee regiment, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Hammonds (colonel Lowry having deserted and gone home), and part of the Choctaws led by, major Blue, of the 39th, and major Kennedy of Mississippi territory. Being encamped on the west of the town, I calculated they would expect the assault from that quarter, and be prepared to rake me from the fort, and the British armed vessels, seven in number, that lay in the bay. To cherish this idea I sent out part of the mounted men to show themselves on the west, whilst I passed in the rear of the fort undiscovered to the east of the town. When I appeared within a mile, I was in full view. My pride was never more heightened than viewing the uniform firmness of my troops, and with what undaunted courage they advanced, with a strong fort ready to assail them on the right, seven British armed vessels on the left, strong block-houses and batteries of cannon in their front, but they still advanced with unshaken firmness, entered the town, when a battery of two cannon was opened upon the centre column, composed of the regulars, with ball and grape, and a shower of musketry from the houses and gardens. The battery was immediately stormed by captain Levall and company, and the musketry was soon silenced by the steady and well-directed fire of the regulars. The governor met colonels Williamson and Smith, who led the dismounted volunteers, with a flag, begged for mercy, and surrendered the town and fort unconditionally; mercy was granted, and protection given to the citizens and their property--and still Spanish treachery kept us out of posses. sion of the fort until nearly 12 o'clock at night. Never was more cool, determined bravery displayed by any troops; and the Choctaws advanced to the charge with equal bravery. On the morning of the 8th, I prepared to march and storm the Barancas, but before I could move tremendous explosions told me that the Barancas, with all its appendages, was blown up. I despatched a detachment of two hundred men to explore it, who returned in the night with the information that it was blown up, all the combustible parts burnt, the cannon spiked and dismounted, except two: this being the case I determined to withdraw my troops, but before I did I had the pleasure to see the British depart. Colonel Nicholls abandoned the fort on the night of the 6th, and betook himself to his shipping, with his friend captain Woodbine, and their red friends. The steady firmness of my troops has drawn a just respect from our enemies. It has convinced the Red Sticks, that they have no strong hold or protection, only in the friendship of the United States the good order and conduct of my troops whilst in Pensacola, has convinced the Spaniards of our friendship, and our prowess, and has drawn from the citizens an expression, that our Choctaws are more civilized than the British. In haste, I am, respectfully, sir, ANDREW JACKSON, AMERICAN AND BRITISH ACCOUNTS OF THE EXPEDITION AGAINST NEW ORLEANS. Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Thomas Ap Catesby Jones to Captain Daniel T. Patterson, dated New Orleans, 12th March, 1815. Sir, Having sufficiently recovered my strength, I do myself the honour' of reporting to you the particulars of the capture of the division of United States' gun-boats late under my command. On the 12th December, 1814, the enemy's fleet off Ship Island had increased to such a force as to render it no longer safe or prudent for me to continue in that part of the lakes with the small force which I commanded. I therefore determined to gain a station near the Malheureux Islands as soon as possible, which situation would better enable me to oppose a further penetration of the enemy up the lakes, and at the same time afford me an opportunity of retreating to the Pe-, tites Coquilles, if necessary. At 10, A. M., on the 13th, I discovered a large flotilla of barges had left the fleet (shaping their course towards the Pass Christian), which I supposed to be a disembarkation of troops intending to land at that place. At about 3, P. M., the enemy's flotilla having gained the Pass Christian, and continuing their course to the westward, convinced me that an attack on the gun-boats was their design. At this time the a water in the lakes was uncommonly low, owing to the westerly wind which had prevailed for a number of days previous, and which still continued from the same quarter. Nos. 156, 162, and 163, although in the best channel, were in 12 or 18 inches less water than their draught. Every effort was made to get them afloat by ihrowing overboard all articles of weight that could be dispensed with. At 3 30, the flood tide had commenced; got under way, making the best of my way towards the Petite Coquille. At 3 45, the enemy despatched three boats to cut out the schooner Seahorse, which had been sent-into the Bay St. Louis that morning to assist in the removal of the public stores, which I had previously ordered. There finding a removal impracticable, I ordered preparations to be made for their destruction, lest they should fall into the enemy's hands. A few discharges of grape shot from the Seahorse, compelled the three boats which had attack. ed her to retire out of the reach of her gun, until they were joined by four others, when the attack was recommenced by the seven boats. Mr. Johnson having chosen an advantageous position near the 26-pounders on the bank, maintained a sharp action for near 30 minutes, when the enemy hauled off, having one boat apparently much injured, and the loss of several men killed and wounded. At 7 30, an explosion at the bav, and soon after a large fire, induced me to believe the Seahorse was blown up and the public store-house set on fire, which proved to be the fact. About 1, A. M., on the 14th, the wind having entirely died away, and our vessels become unmanageable, came to anchor in the west end of Malheureux Island's passage. At day-light next morning, still a perfect calm, the enemy's flotilla was about nine miles from us at anchor, but soon got in motion and rapidly advanced towards us. The want of wind, and the strong ebb tide which was setting through the pass, left me but one alternative, which was, to put my vessels in the most advantageous position, to give the enemy as warm a reception as possible. The commanders were all called on board, and made acquainted with my intentions, and the position which each vessel was to take, the whole to form a close line - abreast across the channel, anchored by the stern with springs on the cables, &c. &c. Thus we remained anxiously awaiting an attack from the advancing foe, whose force I now clearly distinguished to be composed of forty-two heavy launches and gun-barges, with three light gigs, manned with upwards of one thousand men and officers. About 9 30, the Alligator (tender), which was to the southward and eastward, a а and endeavouring to join the divisi n, was captured by several of the enemy's barges, when he whole flotilla came to, with their grapnels a little out of reach of our shot, apparently making arrangements for the attack. At 10 30, the enemy weighed, forming a line abreast in open order, and steering direct for our line, which was unfortunately in s me degree broken by the force of the current diving Nos. 156 and 163 about 100 yards in advance. As soon as the enemy came within reach of our shot, a deliberate fire from our long guns was opened upon him, but without much effect, the objects being of so small a size. At 10 minutes before 11 the enemy opened a fire from the whole of his line, when the action became general and destructive on both sides. About 11 49, the advance boats of the enemy, three in number, attempted to board No. 156, but were repulsed with the loss of nearly every officer killed or wounded, and two boats sunk. A second attempt to board was then made by four other boats, which shared almost a similar fate. At this moment I received a severe wound in my left shoul. der, which compelled me to leave the deck, leaving it in charge of Mr. George Parker, master's mate, who gallantly defended the vessel until he was severely wounded, when the enemy, by his superior numbers, succeeded in gaining possession of the deck about ten minutes past 12 o'clock. The enemy immediately turned the guns of his prize on the other gun-boats, and fired several shot previous to striking the American colours. The action continued with unabating severity until 40 minutes past 12 o'clock, when it terminated with the surrender of No. 23, all the other vessels having previously fallen into the hands of the enemy. In this unequal contest our loss in killed and wounded has been trifling, compared to that of the enemy, which amounts to nearly 400. Inclosed you will receive a list of the killed and wounded, and a correct statement of the force which I had the honour to command at the commencement of the action, together with an estimate of the force I had to contend against, as acknowledged by the enemy, which will enable you to decide how far the honour of our country's flag has been supported in this conflict. With much respect, I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, (Signed) THOS. AP CATESBY JONES, Lieutenant commandant, U. S. navy. Captain Daniel T. Patterson, commanding U. S. naval forces, N. Orleans station. a Copies of letters from General Andrew Jackson, to the Secre tary of War, dated Head- Quarters, Seventh Military District, Camp below New Orleans, 27th December, in the morn ing a Sir, The loss of our gun-boats near the pass of Rigolets, having given the enemy command of Lake Borgne, he was enabled to choose his point of attack. It became therefore an object of importance to obstruct the numerous bayous and canals leading from that lake to the highlands on the Mississippi. This important service was committed, in the first instance, to a detachment from the seventh regiment, afterwards to colonel De Laronde, of the Louisiana militia, and lastly, to make all sure, to major-general Villere, commanding the district between the river and the lakes, and who, being a native of the country, was presumed to be best acquainted with all those passes. Unfortupately, however, a picket which the general had established at the mouth of the bayou Bienvenu, and which, notwithstanding my orders, had been left unobstructed, was completely surprised, and the enemy penetrated through a canal leading to his farm, about two leagues below the city, and succeeded in cutting off a company of militia stationed there. This intelligence was communicated to me about 12 o'clock of the 23d. My force, at this time, consisted of parts of the seventh and forty-fourth regiments, not exceeding 600 together, the city militia, a part of general Coffee's brigade of mounted gunmen, and the detached militia from the western division of Tennessee, under the command of major-general Carrol. These two last corps were stationed four miles above the city. Apprehending a double attack by the way of Chief-Menteur, I left general Carrol's force and the militia of the city posted on the Gentilly road; and at 5 o'clock P., M., marched to meet the enemy, whom I was resolved to attack in his first position, with major Hind's dragoons, general Coffee's brigade, parts of the seventh and forty-fourth regiments, the uniformed companies of militia under the command of major Planche, 200 men of colour, chiefly from St. Domingo, raised by colonel Savary and acting under the command of major Dagwin, and a detachment of artillery under the direction of colonel MʻReo, with two six-pounders under the command of lieutenant Spots; not exceeding in all 1500. I arrived near the enemy's encampment about seven, and immediately made my disposition for the attack. His forces amounting at that time on land to about 3000, extended half a mile on the river, and in the rear nearly a |