efforts to attain his first object, I do not pretend to determine. It becomes me to act as though the latter were his intention. One thing, however, seems certain, that if he still calculates on effecting what he has hitherto been unable to accomplish, he must expect considerable reinforcements; as the force with which he landed must undoubtedly be diminished by at least 3000. Besides the loss which he sustained on the night of the 23d ultimo, which is estimated at 400, he cannot have suffered less between that period and the morning of the 18th instant than 3000-having, within that time, been repulsed in two general attempts to drive us from our position, and there having been continual cannonading and skirmishing, during the whole of it. Yet he is still able: to show a very formidable force. There is little doubt that the commanding general, sir Edward: Packenham, was killed in the action of the 8th, and that major generals Keane and Gibbs were badly wounded. Whenever a more leisure moment shall occur, I will take the liberty to make and forward you a more circumstantial account of the several actions, and particularly that of the 8th; in doing which my chief motive will be to render justice to those brave men I have the honour to command, and who have so remarkably distinguished themselves, Hon. Secretary of War... SIR, I have the honour to be, &c. CAMP BELOW NEW ORLEANS, January 13th, 1815. I have the honour to make the following report of the killed, wounded and prisoners, taken at the battle of Mac Prardie's plantation, on the left bank of the Mississippi, on the morning of the 8th of January, 1815, and five miles below the city of New Orleans. Killed, - 700 Prisoners taken-1 major, 4 captains, 11 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 483 camp officers and privates, making a grand total of 2,600. Major General Andrew Jackson. SIR, I have the honour to be, &c. CAMP BELOW NEW ORLEANS, January 19th, 1815, Last night at 12 o'clock, the enemy precipitately decamped and returned to their boats, leaving behind him, under medical attendance, eighty of his wounded including two officers, 14 pieces of his heavy artillery, and a quantity of shot, having de stroyed much of his powder. Such was the situation of the ground he abandoned, and of that through which he retired, protected by canals, redoubts, entrenchments and swamps on his right, and the river on his left, that I could not, without encountering a risk which true policy did not seem to require, or to authorize, attempt to annoy him much on his retreat. We took only eight prisoners. Whether it is the purpose of the enemy to abandon the expedition altogether, or renew his efforts at some other point, I do not pretend to determine with positiveness. In my own mind, however, there is but little doubt, that his last exertions have been made in this quarter, at any rate for the present season, and by the next I hope we shall be fully prepared for him. In this belief I am strengthened not only by the prodigious loss he has sustained at the position he has just quitted, but by the failure of his fleet -to pass fort St. Philip. His loss on this ground, since the debarkation of his troops, as stated by the last prisoners and deserters, and as confirmed by many additional circumstances, must have exceeded four thousand; and was greater in the action of the 8th than was estimated, from the most correct data then in his possession, by the inspector general, whose report has been forwarded to you. We succeeded, on the 8th, in getting from the enemy about 1000 stand of arms of various descriptions. Since the action of the 8th, the enemy have been allowed very little respite-my artillery from both sides of the river being constantly employed, till the night, and indeed until the hour of their retreat, in annoying them. No doubt they thought it quite time to quit a position in which so little rest could be found. I am advised by major Overton, who commands at fort St. Philip, in a letter of the 18th, that the enemy having bombarded his fort for 8 or 9 days from 13 inch mortars without effect, had, on the morning of that day, retired. I have little doubt that he would have been able to have sunk their vessels had they attempted to run by. Giving the proper weight to all these considerations, I believe you will not think me too sanguine in the belief that Louisiana is now clear of its enemy. I hope, however, I need not assure you, that wherever I command, such a belief shall never occasion any relaxation in the measures for resistance. I am but too sensible that the moment when the enemy is opposing us, is not the most proper to provide for them. The Secretary of War. I have the honour to be, &c. P. S. On the 18th our prisoners on shore were delivered us, an exchange having been previously agreed to. Those who are on board the fleet will be delivered at Petit Coquille-after which I shall still have in my hands an excess of several hundred. 20th-Mr. Shields, purser in the navy, has to-day taken 54 prisoners; among them are four officers. A. J. Report of the American loss in the several actions below New Orleans. December 23d,-killed 24; wounded 115; missing 74.-Total 213. December 28th,-killed 7; wounded 8; missing none.-Total 15. January 1st-killed 11; wounded 23; missing none.-Total 34. do. 8th,- do. 13; do. 30; do. 19.-Total 62. RECAPITULATION-killed 55; wounded 176; missing 93-Grand total, 324. NEW ORLEANS, January 27th, 1815. SIR, The enemy having retreated, as I had the honour to inform you by my letter of the 20th instant, I have the pleasing duty only of reporting to you, that during the late most eventful struggle for the preservation of this important portion of the United States, I have received from all the officers whom I have the honour to command, every aid and support which could possibly be rendered; they have been exposed to extraordinary hardships, both by day and night, to all the changes of this unstable clime, in this inclement season of the year, performing the most arduous duties on shore, out of the line of their profession, independent of their ordinary duties; and all has been borne and executed with a cheerfulness and alacrity that reflects upon them the highest credit; and that the unwearied exertions of the small naval force on this station, from the first appearance of the enemy, has contributed, in a great degree, to his expulsion, is freely acknowledged by the gallant general commanding the land forces, and will be, I trust, by all who have witnessed their endeavours to effect the end, which has so happily and with so little loss, been accomplished. It affords me great pleasure to have in all cases co-operated with the army, to the entire satisfaction of their commander. Captain Henley merits my acknowledgments for his unremit ted attention to the execution of the various duties committed to him, particularly the superintendance of the erection of two batteries on the bayou St. John, and one opposite the city. His gallant conduct on the night of the 23d ultimo, as already detailed, (the fire from the Caroline proving, as I have since learned, truly destructive to the enemy, and producing disorder, and confusion in their troops, giving to our army a manifest advantage) and for the able assistance I received from him when serving at the ma rine battery erected by me on the right bank of the river, where he remained till the departure of the enemy. To lieutenant Lewis Alexis, commanding the naval arsenal at this place, I am greatly indebted for his indefatigable exertions to furnish the various munitions, &c. which were constantly required for the navy, army, and militia, and which were furnished with a promptitude and correctness that reflect upon him and those under his immediate command, as named in the accompany ing copy of a letter from him, the greatest credit-his services and merit entitle him to the notice of the department. Great credit is also due to lieutenant Charles C. B. Thompson, for his great exertions in fitting his ship for service, with a crew obtained by coercion from the streets of the city, composed of all nations, (English excepted) two-thirds of whom could not speak or understand English, for the spirited fire supported by his ship on the 28th ultimo, and his continued endeavours to annoy the enemy when they approached within the range of his guns, his prompt execution of my orders, particularly in landing the guns from his ship, transporting them to my battery, and his attention in supplying the battery with ammunition from his ship, in whose magazine it was deposited. To the accompanying letter from him, I beg leave to refer for a detailed account of the merits of his officers, all of whom merit the encomiums passed on them. Lieutenant Otho Norris, acting lieutenant Crawley, Messrs. E. Watkins, and J. Pelott, midshipmen, and William Livingston, master's mate, who were stationed at the heavy cannon in general Jackson's lines, and named in the letter which accompanies this, have, by their gallant conduct, reflected upon the navy great credit, and warranted my highest approbation. Acting lieutenant Thomas S. Cunningham, commanding guns vessel No. 65, stationed at fort Saint Philip, solicited and obtained the command of two 32 pounders, which are mounted in the most exposed situation at that fort, being outside the walls, which be manned with his crew and rendered great service to the officer commanding at that post, during the heavy bombardment by the enemy from the 8th to the 17th instant. Mr. Thomas Shields, purser of the station, and doctor Robert Morrell, attached to the marine corps, (who volunteered his ser-h vices in any way they could be useful) and who were sent by me: with a flag of truce to the enemy on the 15th ultimo, supported with becoming dignity their stations, and commanded from the enemy that respect which was due to them and their mission, during their detention by the enemy, prolonged beyond what I could have possibly expected, and have merited, in a special manner, my approbation. Of those officers, and Mr. Richard Dealey, sailing master, whose gallant conduct during their subsequent successful expedition, (a detailed account of which you will herewith receive) reflects upon them the greatest credit, and merits the particular notice of the department. Doctor Lewis Heerman, hospital surgeon, who, with my sanction, volunteered his services to aid the hospital surgeon of the army in the various duties devolving upon him, from the number of our own sick, and the wounded of the enemy, is thereby, and from his uniform attention to his professional duties, entitled to my acknowledgments, as are all the officers of the medical department. For the particulars of his services, I refer you to the letter to him which you will herewith receive. Mr. John K. Smith, navy agent, has, by his unremitted attention to his department, the promptitude with which he has furnished articles for both the navy and the army, and procuring me the funds that were necessary during this period of alarm and confusion, enabled me to carry on my operations in conjunction with the army against the enemy, and contributed to that success with which the arms of the United States have been crowned, and will receive my warmest thanks. His services rendered in camp will be seen by the enclosed copy of a letter from the commanding general, of the 19th instant. To major Carmick, commanding the marine corps on this station, I am indebted for the promptness with which my requisitions on him have been complied with, and the strong desire he has always manifested to further, as far as was in his power, my views. Mr. R. D. Shepherd, who very handsomely volunteered his services to me, and acted as my aid-de-camp, and rendered me very essential assistance by the uniform promptitude with which he bore and executed my various orders, merits my warmest acknowledgments. Mr. J. B. Nevitt, of Natchez, formerly a lieutenant in the navy, who left his home and proffered to me his services, has rendered me important assistance from his practical knowledge, and which I acknowledge with much pleasure. My petty officers, seamen and marines, performed their duties to my entire satisfaction. I beg leave, sir, to solicit a confirmation of their present rank, for the different officers named herein and in the accompanying letters, acting by appointment, as also for acting lieutenants Speeden and M'Keever, and to recommend them all as meriting, in a special manner, the notice of the department. Hon. Secretary of the Navy. I have the honour to be, &c. Extract of a letter from general Jackson to the Secretary of War. "HEAD QUARTERS 7th MILITARY DISTRICT, "New Orleans, February 17th, 1815. "I have the honour to enclose you major Overton's report of the attack of Fort St. Philip, and of the manner in which it was defended, |