This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

has not amounted to ten killed and as many wounded. The entire destruction of the enemy?s army was now inevitable, had it not been for an unfortunate occurrence, which at this moment took place on the other side of the river. Simultaneously with his advance upon my lines, he had thrown over in his boats a considerable force to the other side of the river. These having landed, were hardy enough to advance against the works of general Morgan; and, what is strange and difficult to account for, at the very moment when their entire discomfiture was looked for with a confidence approaching to certainty, the Kentucky re-enforcements, in whom so much reliance had been placed, ingloriously fled, drawing after them, by their example, the remainder of the forces; and thus yielding to the enemy that most formidable position. The batteries which had rendered me, for many days, the most important service, though bravely defended, were, of course, now abandoned; not however until the guns had been spiked.
This unfortunate rout had totally changed the aspect of affairs. The enemy now occupied a position from which they might annoy us without hazard, and by means of which they might have been able to defeat, in a great measure, the effects of our success on this side the river. It became therefore an object of the first consequence to dislodge him as soon as possible. For this object, all the means in my power, which I could with any safety use, were immediately put in preparation. Perhaps, however, it was owing somewhat to another cause that I succeeded even beyond my expectations. In negotiating the terms of a temporary suspension of hostilities, to enable the enemy to bury their dead and provide for their wounded, I had required
44
)
certain	propositions to	be acceded	to as a basis,
among	which this was	one?that,	although	hostilities	should cease on this side the river	until
twelve	o?clock of this	day, yet it	was not	to be
understood that they should cease on the other side; but that no re-enforcements should be sent across by either army until the expiration of that day. His excellency major-general Lambert begged time to consider of those propositions until ten o?clock of to-day, and in the meantime re-crossed his troops. I need not tell you with how much eagerness I immediately regained possession of the position he had thus happily quitted.
The enemy having concentrated his forces, may again attempt to drive me from my position by storm. Whenever he does, I nave no doubt my men will act with their usual firmness, and sustain a character now become dear to them.
I have the honour to be, &c.
ANDREW JACKSON. * * *
Letter from Major-General Jackson to the Secretary of War.
Camp, four miles below Orleans, January 13, 1815. Sir:
At such a crisis I conceive it my duty to keep you constantly advised of my situation.
On the 10th instant I forwarded you an account of the bold attempt made by the enemy on the morning of the 8th, to take possession of my works by storm, and of the severe repulse which he met with. That report having been sent by the mail which crosses the lake, may possibly have mis-
45