The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 Part 64

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 quant.i.ty 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 ca.n.a.ls, 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 pa.s.s 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 circ.u.mstances, 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 (p. 242) 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 a.s.sure 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.

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_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 partic.i.p.ated, 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, grat.i.tude, 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 fort.i.tude 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 partic.i.p.ating 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 (p. 243) 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 grat.i.tude of that country which you have so eminently contributed to save.

Continue, fellow-soldiers, on your pa.s.sage to your several destinations, to preserve that subordination, that dignified and manly deportment, which have so enn.o.bled 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 pa.s.s 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 t.i.tle, 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 pa.s.sions 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 grat.i.tude of a country of freemen is yours, yours the applause of an admiring world.

Andrew JACKSON, _Major-General commanding_.

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_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 a.s.sembled_: 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 a.s.sailed 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.

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_Resolutions of Congress complimentary to the People of the State (p. 244) of Louisiana, etc._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled_: 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 circ.u.mstances 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.

No. 47. (p. 245) PLATE XLVIII.

_February 20, 1815._

Carolus Stewart navis Amer. Const.i.tution dux. [Rx]. Una victoriam eripuit ratibus binis.

CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART.

[_Capture of the Cyane and of the Levant._]

CAROLUS STEWART NAVIS AMER. (_Americanae_) CONSt.i.tUTION DUX. (_Charles Stewart, captain of the American vessel Const.i.tution._) Bust of Captain Stewart, in uniform, facing the right. FuRST. F. (_fecit_).

UNA VICTORIAM ERIPUIT RATIBUS BINIS. (_He s.n.a.t.c.hed victory from two vessels with one._) Naval action between the United States frigate Const.i.tution, of fifty-two guns, Captain Stewart, and the British frigate Cyane, of thirty-four guns, Captain Falcon, and the sloop-of-war Levant, of twenty-one guns, Captain the Honorable George Douglas. The Const.i.tution, to windward, is opening with her port battery on the Levant; both British vessels are returning the fire from their starboard batteries. Exergue: INTER CONSt.i.tU. NAV. AMERI.

ET LEVANT ET CYANE NAV. ANG. DIE XX. FEBR. MDCCCXV. (_Inter Const.i.tution navem Americanam et Levant et Cyane naves Anglicanas, die 20 Februarii, 1815: Between the American vessel Const.i.tution and the English vessels Levant and Cyane, on the 20th of February, 1815._) On the platform, FuRST. F. (_fecit_).

CHARLES STEWART was born in Philadelphia, July 18, 1778. He began life in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant, March 13, 1798. He served in the West Indies, and afterward in the Tripolitan campaign, commanding the Siren. He escorted the Intrepid to (p. 246) Tripoli when Decatur blew up the Philadelphia, and was promoted to the rank of master-commandant, May 19, 1804, and of captain, April 22, 1806. While in command of the frigate Const.i.tution he fought and captured, February 20, 1815, the two British ships-of-war, Cyane, Captain Gordon Falcon, and Levant, Captain the Honorable George Douglas, for which brilliant action he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He commanded in the Mediterranean from 1816 to 1820; in the Pacific from 1821 to 1823; was member of the Naval Board from 1830 to 1833; commanded the navy yard at Philadelphia, 1837; and was put on the retired list in 1857; but was replaced on the active list as senior flag officer, 1859, and was appointed rear-admiral on the retired list, 1862. He died at Bordentown, New Jersey, November 7, 1869.

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ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Stewart, etc._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled_: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested, to present to Captain Charles Stewart, of the frigate Const.i.tution, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver medal,[106] with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct and services of Captain Stewart, his officers and crew, in the capture of the British vessels of war, the Cyane and Levant, after a brave and skilful combat.

[Footnote 106: The silver medals are copies of the gold medal given to Captain Stewart.]

Approved February 22, 1816.

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