ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Jackson.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, given to Major-General Jackson, and, through him, to the officers and soldiers of the regular army, of the militia and of the volunteers, under his immediate command, and to the officers and soldiers charged with the defence of Fort St. Philip, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct, conspicuously displayed against the enemy, from the time of his landing before New Orleans until his final expulsion from the State of Louisiana, and particularly for the valour, skill, and good conduct on the eighth of January last, in repulsing, with great slaughter, a numerous British army of chosen veteran troops, when attempting by a bold and daring attack to carry by storm the works hastily thrown up for the protection of New Orleans, and thereby obtaining a most signal victory over the enemy with a disparity of loss, on his part, unexampled in military annals.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with devices emblematical of this splendid achievement, and presented to Major-General Jackson, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his judicious and distinguished conduct on that memorable occasion.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolution to be communicated to Major-General Jackson in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the objects thereof.
Approved February 27, 1815.
General Jackson to the Secretary of War.
Head Quarters,
Camp 4 miles below New Orleans,
January 13th, 1815.
To the Honourable
Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C.
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 he met with. That report having been sent by the mail which crosses the lake, may possibly have miscarried; for which reason I think it the more necessary briefly to repeat the substance of it.
Early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy having been actively employed the two preceding days in making preparations for a storm, advanced in two strong columns on my right and left. They were received, however, with a firmness which it seems they little expected, and which defeated all their hopes. My men, undisturbed by their approach, which indeed they long anxiously wished for, opened upon them a fire so deliberate and certain as rendered their scaling ladders and fascines, as well as their more direct implements of war, perfectly useless. For upwards of an hour it was continued with a briskness of which there have been but few instances, perhaps in any country. In justice to the enemy, it must be said, they withstood it as long as could be expected from the most determined bravery. At length, however, when all prospect of success became hopeless, they fled in confusion from the field, leaving it covered with their dead and wounded. Their loss was immense. I had at first computed it at 1500, but it is since ascertained to have been much greater. Upon information which is believed to be correct, Colonel Hayne, the inspector-general, reports it to be in total 2600. His report I enclose you. My loss was inconsiderable, being only seven killed and six wounded. Such a disproportion in loss, when we consider the number and kind of troops engaged, must, I know, excite astonishment, and may not everywhere be fully credited; yet I am perfectly satisfied that the account is not exaggerated on the one part, nor underrated on the other.
The enemy, having hastily quitted a post which they had gained possession of on the other side of the river, and we having immediately returned to it, both armies at present occupy their former positions. Whether, after the severe losses he has sustained, he is preparing to return to his shipping, or to make still mightier 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.
I have the honour to be, &c.,
Andrew Jackson.
General Jackson to the Secretary of War.
Camp below New Orleans,
January 19th, 1815.
To the Honourable
Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: Last night at 12 o'clock, the enemy precipitately decamped, and returned to their boats, leaving behind them, under medical attendance, eighty of his wounded, including two officers, 14 pieces of his heavy artillery, and a quantity of shot, having destroyed 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 has 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 commanded 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.
I have the honour to be, etc.,
Andrew Jackson.
General Jackson's Farewell Address to his Army.
New Orleans, March, 1815.
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 Secretary of War.
In parting with those brave men, whose destinies have been so long united with his own, and in whose labours 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 valour 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 connections 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 borne, to 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 ravished 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.
Resolutions of Congress complimentary to Commodore D. T. Patterson and others.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the Congress entertain a high sense of the valour and good conduct of Commodore D. T. Patterson, of the officers, petty officers, and seamen attached to his command for their prompt and efficient co-operation with General Jackson in the late gallant and successful defence of the city of New Orleans when assailed by a powerful British force.
Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the valour and good conduct of Major Daniel Carmick, of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and marines under his command, in the defence of the said city, on the late memorable occasion.
Approved February 15, 1815.
Resolutions of Congress complimentary to the People of the State of Louisiana, etc.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That Congress entertain a high sense of the patriotism, fidelity, zeal, and courage with which the people of the State of Louisiana promptly and unanimously stepped forth, under circumstances of imminent danger from a powerful invading army, in defence of all the individual, social and political rights held dear to man. Congress declare and proclaim, that the brave Louisianians deserve well of the whole people of the United States.
Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the generosity, benevolence, and humanity displayed by the people of New Orleans in voluntarily affording the best accommodations in their power, and giving the kindest attention to the wounded, not only of our own army, but also to the wounded prisoners of a vanquished foe.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to His Excellency the Governor of Louisiana, accompanied with the request that he cause the greatest possible publicity to be given to them for the information of the whole people of Louisiana.
Approved February 15, 1815.
February 20, 1815.
Carolus Stewart navis Amer. Constitution dux. ℞. Una victoriam eripuit ratibus binis.