248 Naval War of 1812 



So he stationed the four hundred best disci- 

 plined men to defend the two hundred yards of 

 strong breastworks, mounting three guns, which 

 covered his left, while the two hundred worst dis- 

 ciplined were placed to guard six hundred yards of 

 open ground on his right, with their flank resting 

 in air, and entirely unprotected. 47 This truly phe- 

 nomenal arrangement ensured beforehand the cer- 

 tain defeat of his troops, no matter how well they 

 fought ; but, as it turned out, they hardly fought at 

 all. Thornton, pushing up the river, first attacked 

 the breastwork in front, but was checked by a hot 

 fire ; deploying his men, he then sent a strong force 

 to march round and take Morgan on his exposed 

 right flank. 48 There, the already demoralized Ken- 

 tucky militia, extended in thin order across an open 

 space, outnumbered, and taken in flank by regular 

 troops, were stampeded at once, and after firing a 

 single volley they took to their heels. 49 This ex- 

 posed the flank of the better disciplined Creoles, who 

 were also put to flight, but they kept some order and 

 were soon rallied. 50 In bitter rage Patterson spiked 



41 Report of Court of Inquiry, Maj.-Gen. Wm. Carroll 

 presiding. 



48 Letter of Col. W. Thornton, Jan. 8, 1815. 



49 Letter of Commodore Patterson, Jan. 13, 1815. 



50 Alison outdoes himself in recounting this feat. Having 

 reduced the British force to 340 men, he says they captured 

 the redoubt, "though defended by 22 guns and 1,700 men." 



