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restore order in the regiments where they were, I placed the reserve in position, until I 'could obtain such information as to determine me how to act to the best of my judgment, and whether or not. I should resume the attack, and if so, I felt it could be done only by the reserve. The confidence I have in the corps composing it would have encouraged me greatly, though not without loss, which might have made the attempt of serious consequence, as I know it was the opinion of the late distinguished commander of the forces, that the carrying of After the first line would not be the least arduous service. making the best reflections I was capable of, I kept the ground the troops then held, and went to meet vice-admiral sir Alexander Cochrane; and to tell him, that under all the circumstances I did not think it prudent to renew the attack that day. At about 10 o'clock, I learnt of the success of colonel Thornton's corps on the right bank. I sent the commanding officer of the artillery, colonel Dickson, to examine the situation of the battery, and to report if it was tenable; but informing me that he did not think it could be held with security by a smaller corps than 2000 men, I consequently ordered lieutenant-colonel Gubbins, on whom the command had devolved, (colonel Thorn ton being wounded,) to retire.

The army remained in position until night, in order to gain time to destroy the 18-pounder battery we had constructed the preceding night in advance. I then gave orders for the troops resuming the ground they occupied previous to the attack.

Our loss has been very severe, but I trust it will not be considered, notwithstanding the failure, that this army has suffered the military character to be tarnished. I am satisfied, had I thought it right to renew the attack, that the troops would have advanced with cheerfulness. The services of both army and navy, since their landing on this coast, have been arduous beyond any thing I have ever witnessed, and difficulties have been got over with an assiduity and perseverance beyond all example by all ranks, and the most hearty co-operation has existed between the two services.

It is not necessary for me to expatiate to you upon the loss the army has sustained in major-general the honorable sir E. Pakenham, commander-in-chief of this force, nor could I in His services and merits are so well known, adequate terms. to express that I have only, in common with the whole army, my sincere regret, and which may be supposed at this moment to come particularly home to me.

Major-general Gibbs, who died of his wounds the following day, and major-general Keane, who were both carried off the field within 20 yards of the glacis, at the head of their brigades, sufficiently speak at such a moment how they were conducting

themselves. I am happy to say major-general Keane is doing well.

Captain Wylly, of the fusileers, military secretary to the late commander of the forces, will have the honor of delivering to your lordship these despatches. Knowing how much he enjoyed his esteem, and was in his confidence from a long experience of his talents, I feel I cannot do less than pay this tribute to what I conceive would be the wishes of his late general, and to recommend him strongly to your lordship's protection.

I have, &c.

JOHN LAMBERT,

Major-general, commanding.

No. 97.

From colonel Thornton to major-general the honorable sir Edward Pakenham.

SIR,

Redoubt, on the right bank of the 'Mississippi, Jan. 8, 1815.

I lose no time in reporting to you the success of the troop which you were yesterday pleased to place under my orders, with the view of attacking the enemy's redoubt and position on this side of the river..

It is within your own knowledge, that the difficulty had been found so extremely great of dragging the boats through the canal which had been lately cut with so much labor to the Mississippi, that, notwithstanding every possible exertion for the purpose, we were unable to proceed across the river until eight hours after the time appointed, and even then, with only a third part of the force which you had allotted for the service.

The current was so strong, and the difficulty, in consequence, of keeping the boats together, so great, that we only reached this side of the river at day-break, and, by the time the troops were disembarked, which was effected without any molestation from the enemy, I perceived by the flashes of the guns, that, your attack had already commenced.

This circumstance made me extremely anxious to move forward, to prevent the destructive enfilading fire, which would, ́of course, be opened on your columns from the enemy's batteries on this side; and I proceeded with the greatest possible expedition, strengthened and secured on my right flank by three gun-boats, under captain Roberts of the navy, whose zeal and exertions on this occasion were as unremitted as his arrangements in embarking the troops, and in keeping the boats together in crossing the river, were excellent.

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The enemy made no opposition to our advance, until we reached a piquet, posted behind a bridge, at about 500 paces from the house in the Orange grove, and secured by a small work, apparently just thrown up.

This piquet was very soon forced and driven in by a division of the 85th regiment, under captain Schaw, of that regiment, forming the advanced guard, and whose mode of attack for the purpose was prompt and judicious to a degree.

Upon my arrival at the Orange Grove, I had an opportunity of reconnoitring, at about 700 yards, the enemy's position, which I found to be a very formidable redoubt on the bank of the river, with the right flank secured by an entrenchment extending back to a thick wood, and its line protected by an incessant fire of grape. Under such circumstances it seemed to me to afford the best prospect of success, to endeavour to turn his right at the wood; and I accordingly detached two divisions of the 85th, under brevet lieutenant-colonel Gubbins, to effect that object, which he accomplished with his usual zeal and judgment, whilst 100 sailors, under captain Money, of the royal navy, who, I am sorry to say, was severely wounded, but whose conduct was particularly distinguished on the occasion, threatened the enemy's left, supported by the division of the 85th regiment, under captain Schaw.

When these divisions had gained their proper position, I deployed the column composed of two divisions of the 85th regiment, under major Deshon, whose conduct I cannot sufficiently commend, and about 100 men of the royal marines, under major Adair, also deserving of much commendation, and moved forward in line, to the attack of the centre of the intrenchment.

At first, the enemy, confident in his own security, shewed a good countenance, and kept up a heavy fire, but the determination of the troops which I had the honour to command, to overcome all difficulties, compelled him to a rapid and disorderly flight, leaving in our possession his redoubts, batteries, and position, with 16 pieces of ordnance, and the colors of the New Orleans regiment of militia.

Of the ordnance taken, I enclose the specific return of major Mitchell, of the royal artillery, who accompanied and afforded me much assistance, by his able directions of the firing of some rockets, it not having been found practicable, in the first instance, to bring over the artillery attached to his command.

I shall have the honor of sending you a return of the casualties that have occurred, as soon as it is possible to collect them, but I am happy to say they are extremely inconsiderable when the strength of the position and the number of the enemy are con

sidered, which our prisoners, (about 30 in number) agree in stating from 1500 to 2000 men, commanded by general Morgan.

I should be extremely wanting both in justice and in gratitude, were I not to request your particular notice of the officers whose names I have mentioned, as well as of major Blanchard, of the royal engineers, and lieutenant Peddie, of the 27th regi ment, deputy-assistant-quarter-master-general, whose zeal and intelligence I found of the greatest service.

The wounded men are meeting with every degree of attention and humanity by the medical arrangements of staff-surgeon Baxter.

The enemy's camp is supplied with a great abandance of provisions, and a very large store of all sorts of ammunition.

On moving to the attack, I received a wound, which shortly after my reaching the redoubt, occasioned me such pain and stiffness, that I have been obliged to give over the command of the troops on this side to lieutenant-colonel Gubbins, of the 85th light infantry; but, as he has obtained some reinforcement, since the attack, of sailors and marines, and has taken the best precautions to cover and secure his position, I will be answerable, from my knowledge of his judgment and expe.. rience, that he will retain it, until your pleasure and further orders shall be communicated to him.

I have the honor to be, &c.

W. THORNTON, colonel,
lieut.-col. 85th reg.

To major-gen. the hon. sir E. M.
Pakenham, K.B. &c.

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No. 98.

Return of the ordnance taken from the enemy by a detachment of the army acting on the Right Bank of the Mississippi, under the command of colonel Thornton.

Redoubt, Right Bank of the Mississippi,
January 8, 1815.

I brass 10-inch howitzer, 2 brass 4-pounder field pieces, 3 24-pounders, 3 12-pounders, 6 9-pounders, 1 12-pounder carronade, not mounted.

On the howitzer is inscribed, " Taken at the surrender of York Town, 1781."

J. MITCHELL, maj. capt. royal-artil.

No. 99.

From vice-admiral Cochrane to Mr. Croker.

SIR, Armide, off Isle au Chat, January 18, 1815. An unsuccessful attempt to gain possession of the enemy's lines near New Orleans, on the 8th instant, having left me to deplore the fall of major-general the honorable sir Edward Pakenham, and major-general Gibbs; and deprived the service of the present assistance of major-general Keane, who is severely wounded, I send the Plantagenet to England, to convey a despatch from major-general Lambert, upon whom the command of the army has devolved, and to inform my lords commissioners of the Admiralty of the operations of the combined forces since my arrival upon this coast.

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The accompanying letters, Nos. 163 and 169, of the 7th and 16th ultimo, will acquaint their lordships of the proceedings of the squadron to the 15th of December.

The great distance from the anchorage of the frigates and troop ships to the bayou Catalan, which, from the, best information we could gain, appeared to offer the most secure, and was, indeed, the only unprotected spot whereat to effect a disembarkation, and our means, even with the addition of the captured enemy's gun-vessels, only affording us transport for half the army, exclusive of the supplies that were required, it became necessary, in order to have support for the division that would first land, to assemble the whole at some intermediate position, from whence the second division could be re-embarkedin vessels brought light into the lake, as near the bayou as might be practicable, and remain there until the boats could land the first division and return.

Upon the 16th, therefore, the advance, commanded by colonel Thornton, of the 85th regiment, was put into the gun-vessels and boats, and captain Gordon, of the Seahorse, proceeded with them, and took post upon the Isle aux Poix, a small swampy spot at the mouth of the Pearl river, about 30 miles from the anchorage, and nearly the same distance from the bayou, where major-general Keane, rear-admiral Codrington, and myself joined them on the following day; meeting the gun-vessels and boats returning to the shipping for troops, and supplies of stores and provisions.

The honorable captain Spencer, of the Carron, and lieutenant Peddy, of the quarter-master-general's department, who were sent to reconnoitre the bayou Catalan, now returned with a favorable report of its position for disembarking the army; having, with their guide, pulled up in a canoe to the head of

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