promptly offered me a plan of the works. He furthermore stated, that the above information was received from seven or eight persons in the city of New Orleans, from whom he could, at any hour, procure every information necessary to promote his majesty's interest. I have the honour to be, &c. To Major General Jackson. CHARLES K. BLANCHARD. GENERAL JACKSON'S Farewell address to his army. The major general is at length enabled to perform the pleasing task of restoring to Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and the territory of the Mississippi, the brave troops who have acted such a distinguished part in the war which has just terminated. In restoring these brave men to their homes, much exertion is expected of, and great responsibility imposed on, the commanding officers of the different corps. It is required of major generals Carroll and Thomas, and brigadier general Coffee, to march their commands, without unnecessary delay, to their respective states. The troops from the Mississippi territory and state of Louisiana, both militia and volunteers, will be immediately mustered out of service, paid, and discharged. The major general has the satisfaction of announcing the approbation of the President of the United States to the conduct of the troops under his command, expressed, in flattering terms, through the honourable the Secretary of War. In parting with those brave men, whose destinies have been so long united with his own, and in whose labors and glories it is his happiness and his boast to have participated, the commanding general can neither suppress his feelings, nor give utterance to them as he ought. In what terms can he bestow suitable praise on merit so extraordinary, so unparalleled? Let him, in one burst of joy, gratitude, and exultation, exclaim, "These are the saviours of their country; these the patriot soldiers, who triumphed over the invincibles of Wellington, and conquered the conquerors of Europe!" With what patience did you submit to privations-with what fortitude did you endure fatigue-what valor did you display in the day of battle! You have secured to America a proud name among the nations of the earth; a glory which will never perish. Possessing those dispositions which equally adorn the citizen and the soldier, the expectations of your country will be met in peace, as her wishes have been gratified in war. Go, then, my brave companions, to your homes; to those tender connexions, and blissful scenes, which render life so dear-full of honour, and crowned with laurels that will never fade. When participating, in the bosoms of your families, the enjoyment of peaceful life, with what happiness will you not look back to the toils you have borneto 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 watchfulness, 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 passions 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 ra vished 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 yours-yours the applause of an admiring world. ANDREW JACKSON, Major General Commanding. New Orleans, March, 1815. SIR, AFFAIR AT POINT PETRE. POINT PETRE, GEORGIA, January 10th, 1815. 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 It has just been reported that he has effected a landing on the north enemy. 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. A. A. MASSIAS, Capt. U. S. Rifle Corps, Brigadier general Floyd. SIR, comdg. U. S. forces near St. Mary's. KING'S BAY, 12 O'CLOCK, January 11th, 1815. 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 fleet is now beating off and on St. Andrew's bar, at which end they came in. 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 a 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. Brigadier general Floyd. SIR, Very respectfully, &c. A. A. MASSIAS, comdg. U. S. troops, St. Mary's station, SWEET WATER BRANCH, January 13th, 1815. 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 made 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 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 in 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 relusttauce 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 miller'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. Our loss was very inconsiderable, as will appear by the report annexed to |