days the line extended about a thousand yards to the swamp, which was there impassible. A swell in the river, somewhat unusual at this season of the year, enabled them to make an opening in the levee, and to flood the ground in front of the line, and when the water subsided, a sufficient quantity was left in the ditch. On the opposite bank of the river some works were also constructed, and batteries erected. On the 26th the British directed hot shot at the Caroline, who from her position annoyed them exceedingly. They succeeded in blowing her up. Two days afterwards, they made a general attack on the American lines with bombs, rockets, and artillery, but after a fair experiment, they retired in the evening with considerable loss. On the 1st of January, having during the night erected batteries within a few hundred yards of the American works, they made another attack, and were compelled once more to retire with the loss of seventy men. The brig Louisiana, had taken the place of the Caroline, and greatly incommoded the British. On the 4th, Generals Thomas and Adair, arrived at the head of 2500 militia from Kentucky. On the 6th the British were re-enforced by General Lambert, their whole force under General Packenham, was little short of ten thousand men, and it was now resolved to force the American lines by main strength. These were manned by heterogeneous materials; men of different countries and languages, and not all armed, particųlarly the militia last arrived.

In the night of the 7th, the enemy with infinite labour succeeded in widening and deepening, the swamp drain by which they had approached the river, so as to get a sufficient number of their boats into the Mississippi. During the whole night from the movements of the Bri

tish camp, it was evident that something unusual was going forward, and there was every reason to believe that a general attack had been resolved upon. With the appearance of light these conjectures were fully confirmed; the whole British force was seen to advance in columns, with a steady and determined appearance, many of them carrying ladders and fascines. The utmost silence pervaded the American lines, while the British were permitted to approach within the range of grape, when the artillery opened upon them a tremendous fire, and as their columns were entirely uncovered and on a level plain, they were mown down with prodigious slaughter. They still, however, courageously moved forward, closing up the broken ranks with fresh troops. But when they came within reach of the musket and deadly rifle, the whole American line was one sheet of fire. It was in vain that the British officers endeavoured to urge forward their troops to certain slaughter: the bravest of them fell at the head of their columns. They at last shrunk from the contest, in which they saw nothing but universal ruin. The columns broke, and fled in the utmost confusion. A few detachments only could reach the ditch where they were devoted to sure destruc tion. A few platoons led by Col. Renee, reached the ditch and clambered up the rampart; but in an instant not one of them was left alive. The repulse was universal. The astonished Britons stood aghast for a few minutes, when in a fit of phrenzy they made a second effort; but with the same unfortunate result. They were now rolled away from the field, which was left covered with the slain; a most shocking and pitiable scene of carnage. The commander in chief General Packenham, fell almost at the commencement of the action; soon af

ter him Generals Kean and Gibbs were dangerously wounded, and General Lambert retired from the field with the fragments of the army, the flower of the British forces, accustomed to conquer in the wars of Europe. Two thousand men, fell in this ill-fated assault, which will be remembered while history lasts.

On the opposite side of the river things were not so brilliant. The British had crossed over under Col. Thornton, and marched to the attack of the entrenchments. The reception was very different from that of the opposite side. The militia of the state, with some of the Kentuckians, under General Morgan, after one fire retreated, leaving the batteries in the hands of the British. The enemy had been enabled to outflank them, in consequence of the giving way of a battalion of Louisiana militia. The loss of the Americans on both sides of the river, did not exceed twenty killed and forty wounded.

The British were now only studious of effecting their retreat. On the 18th they were discovered to have quietly descended the bayou during the night, leaving a great number of wounded officers and privates. The inhabitants were filled with joy for this providential deliverance, and hailed Jackson as their deliverer. They poured forth their gratitude in public thanksgiving for this signal escape, from a foe who would have doomed their city to pillage and destruction. The utmost tenderness and humanity were exhibited by all the inhabitants, to the unfortunate victims of war, who required the assistance of their fellow creatures. Every house was a hospital for the reception of the wounded; and the benevolent sisters the nuns, were actively engaged in pouring oil on their wounds, and in discharging all the

offices of Christian charity.

In a few days afterwards it was discovered that the enemy had entirely disappeared, and the state of Louisiana, then the latest star of the confederation, shone with beauteous lustre.

The British proceeded soon after to attack Fort Bowyer, and being able to bring an overwhelming force against it they took possession of the place. Not however to retain it long, as the news of peace soon after caused it to be restored to the Americans.

This event, so welcome to all, at last arrived. It was concluded between the British and American commissioners, on the 24th of December, 1814, and ratified by the Prince Regent on the 28th, and by the President and Senate on the 18th of February, 1815. All parties in the United States heartily rejoiced. America was victorious, in the struggle; the enemy had been signally vanquished both by sea and land; and although the change which had occurred in Europe had rendered it unnecessary to insist in the treaty on any provisions against future abuses, the manly resistance of this country had convinced Great Britain, and the whole world, that America was not to be insulted with impunity.

APPENDIX.

TREATY OF PEACE.

JAMES MADISON,

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

To all and singular to whom these presents shall come, greeting :

WHEREAS a treaty of peace and amity between the United States of America and his Britannic majesty was signed at Ghent, on the twenty-fourth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, by plenipotentiaries respectively appointed for that purpose; and the said treaty having been, by and with the advice and consent of the senate of the United States, duly accepted, ratified, and confirmed, on the seventeenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen; and ratified copies therof having been exchanged, agreeably to the tenor of the said treaty, which is in the words following, to wit: