The Battle of New Orleans 253 



capable of defence when regularly attacked on its 

 land side. The British landed, February 8th, some 

 1,500 men, broke ground, and made approaches; 

 for four days the work went on amid a continual 

 fire, which killed or wounded II Americans and 31 

 British ; by that time the battering guns were in po- 

 sition and the fort capitulated, February I2th, the 

 garrison marching out with the honors of war. 

 Immediately afterward the news of peace arrived 

 and all hostilities terminated. 



In spite of the last trifling success, the campaign 

 had been to the British both bloody and disastrous. 

 It did not affect the results of the war; and the de- 

 cisive battle itself was a perfectly useless shedding 

 of blood, for peace had been declared before it was 

 fought. Nevertheless, it was not only glorious but 

 profitable to the United States. Louisiana was 

 saved from being severely ravaged, and New Or- 

 leans from possible destruction; and after our hu- 

 miliating defeats in trying to repel the invasions of 

 Virginia and Maryland, the signal victory of New 

 Orleans was really almost a necessity for the pres- 

 ervation of the national honor. This campaign was 



tents. . . . With the reduction of this trifling work all hos- 

 tilities ended." (Gleig, 357.) 



General Jackson impliedly censures the garrison for sur- 

 rendering so quickly; but in such a fort it was absolutely 

 impossible to act otherwise, and not the slightest stain rests 

 upon the fort's defenders. 



