1814] FALL OF GENERAL ROSS. 379 ican people, and brought down heavy censure on the administration. Gen. Armstrong, the secretary of war, indignant at the charges of inefficiency brought against him, resigned; and the duties of his office were assumed by Monroe, the secretary of state. Great alarm prevailed in the seaboard cities. The militia were organized; and defensive works were thrown up, on which citizens of all ranks, now for the first time laying party-spirit aside, labored with their own hands. At New York, $500,000 was needed to put the city in a state of defence. The money could not be procured on the public credit; and Gov. Tompkins was called upon by Senator King to raise it on his personal responsibility. The governor hesitated, on the ground that it might ruin him. "Then," said Mr. King, “ruin yourself, if it becomes necessary, to save the country, and I pledge my honor that I will support you in whatever you do." Through the efforts of these two patriotic men, the necessary sum was obtained, and the city was made ready to receive the enemy. 505. Encouraged by his success at Washington, Ross next proceeded against Baltimore, where a body of 10,000 militia-men had assembled. Gen. Smith, noted for his brave defence of Fort Mifflin in the Revolution, held the chief command. On the 12th of September the British troops landed at North Point, 14 miles from the city, while part of the fleet moved up the bay, to attack Fort McHenry, which commanded the channel. Soon after commencing their march towards Baltimore, they encountered some American sharpshooters, and Gen. Ross with several officers rode in front of his line to reconnoitre. Two mechanics of the city, belonging to one of the militia companies, immediately discharged their muskets at the party. Ross fell mortally wounded into the arms of an aide-de-camp; and his horse, galloping wildly to the rear with his empty saddle wet with blood, told the low Alexandria ?] 504. What feelings did these events excite? What change was made in the cabinet? What was done in the seaboard cities? How was the money needed for the fortification of New York raised? 505. What place did Gen. Ross next attack? What preparations had been made? Who commanded the Americans? Where did the British land? [See Map, p. 377.-Where is North Point? In what direction from Baltimore? On what river is Baltimore? In what direction from Washington?] What movement was made by part of the melancholy story to his men. The two brave Americans fell amid a shower of balls. Ross's fall did not put a stop to the attack. The British continued to advance, but, on coming within reach of the American artillery, were met with a destructive fire. After maintaining their advanced position for more than an hour, the Americans fell back to high grounds in their rear, and there prepared for another encounter. The next day, the British again approached; but the resolute front of the Americans, added to the intelligence that their fleet could make no impression on Fort McHenry, deterred them from further attempts on the city; and, taking advantage of the darkness of a stormy night, they retreated to their boats. During a bombardment of twenty-five hours, 1,500 shells had exploded around the fort, but only four of its defenders were killed. In the midst of the fire, the national song entitled "The Star-spangled Banner" was composed by Francis S. Key, an American who was detained on board of one of the British ships. The people of Baltimore have since raised a marble monument to the memory of those who fell in their defence, which, with another erected in honor of Washington, has procured for that place the name of "the Monumental City ". 506. The people of New England, most of whom had opposed the war in consequence of its injurious effects on their commerce, in the summer of 1814 proposed holding a convention, to discuss the subject and agree upon such a course as their interests required. The bombardment of Stonington, Connecticut, by a British fleet (August, 1814), and the danger of other places on the coast, gave weight to the suggestion. On the recommendation of the legislature of Massachusetts, delegates from all the Eastern States met at Hartford on the 15th of December. The Hartford Convention remained in session nearly three weeks with closed doors, fleet? Give an account of Ross's fall. What became of the Americans who killed him? Give an account of the engagement. What led the British to give up their attempts? What is said of the attack on Fort McHenry? Under what circumstances was "The Star-spangled Banner" composed? Why is Baltimore called "the Monumental City"? 506. What was proposed in 1814 by the people of New England? What gave weight to the suggestion? Give an account of the Hart 1814] JACKSON INVADES FLORIDA. 381 and, though its members seem to have aimed at nothing more than to hasten the termination of the war, yet their proceedings were regarded with suspicion and by some violently condemned as treasonable. The war had become more popular with every American victory and every new outrage of the enemy. 507. An invasion of the south-west formed a prominent part of the plan which the British had marked out for their campaign. Jackson, who had been appointed to the command in that quarter with the rank of major-general, heard towards the close of the summer that several British vessels had arrived at Pensacola, that the troops they conveyed had been allowed to land there by the Spanish authorities, and that the Creeks had been invited to join in an attack on the American posts in the vicinity. Hastening to Mobile, he found these statements true. On the 15th of September, an attack was made by a party of British and Indians from Pensacola on Fort Bowyer [bo'-yer], which commanded the approaches to Mobile. With the loss of only eight men, Major Lawrence repulsed the enemy, destroying one of their ships and disabling 234 men. Jackson now felt justified in assuming the offensive. Reënforced by some mounted Tennesseeans, he marched into Florida and took Pensacola, the British blowing up the fort which they had occupied, and retreating to their vessels. Having thus accomplished the object of his enterprise, Jackson forthwith proceeded to New Orleans, now threatened by a formidable armament of the enemy. On arriving at New Orleans (December 2d), Jackson found the people in great alarm. Some, believing it impossible to make good a defence, were even in favor of surrendering. After Jackson's appearance, however, no such idea was entertained. He assumed the entire control of public ford Convention. How were those who took part in it regarded? 507. What formed part of the British plan for the campaign of 1814? Who commanded the Americans in the south? What did Jackson hear towards the close of summer? Whither did he proceed? What was done by the British on the 15th of September? How were they received? [See Map, p. 368.-How is Mobile situated ?] How did Jackson retaliate? Whither did he next proceed? What did he find on arriving at New Orleans? Give an account of his measures. How is Jackson affairs, placed the city under martial law, erected fortifications, and organized and drilled the militia. He was at this time 47 and is described as “a tall gaunt man, years of age, of very erect carriage, with a countenance full of stern decision and fearless energy, but furrowed with care and anxiety. His complexion was sallow and unhealthy; his hair was iron-gray, and his body thin and emaciated. But the fierce glare of his bright hawk-like gray eye betrayed a soul which triumphed over the infirmities of the body." He wore a short blue cloak, high dragoon boots "long ignorant of blacking", a small leather cap, and threadbare regimentals. 508. Information respecting the designs of the British had been obtained, among other sources, from Lafitte [lah-fit'], the chief of several hundred adventurers, charged with being pirates and smugglers, who occupied the Bay of Bar-a-ta'-ri-a, an inlet from the Gulf of Mexico just west of the Mississippi. Plundering Spanish merchant-vessels, through the connivance or indifference of the authorities of New Orleans they sold in that port the products of their buccaneering voyages. Early in September, the British commander at Pensacola, with the view of securing the aid of this company, had offered to receive them into his country's service, and unfolded to their leader the details of the intended attack. The latter sumptuously entertained the British messenger at his luxurious home on one of the islands in the bay, but declined his offers. Though an adventurer, Lafitte was no traitor. He had lived among the citizens of New Orleans; and he resolved not to desert them in the hour of need. Laying before the authorities the information he had received, he offered, on condition of pardon for past offences, to lead his men to the defence of the city. After the invasion of his stronghold and the seizure of papers which confirmed his statements, his proposal was accepted, and the Baratarians did good service in the hard-fought battles that followed. described at this time? How was he dressed? 508. From whom had information respecting the designs of the British been obtained? Give an account of Lafitte and his company. What proposition was made to them? How was it 1814] THE BRITISH REACH THE MISSISSIPPI. 383 509. On the 24th of November, the army destined for the invasion of Louisiana was reviewed at Jamaica. It consisted of the force that had been serving in the Chesapeake, and strong reënforcements from Europe, making in all 50 vessels, carrying 1,000 guns, and, including some subsequent additions, 12,000 troops, the flower of the British army. The chief command was intrusted to Sir Edward Packenham, a brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington, and next to him the most distinguished of English military leaders. The invaders had no doubt of their success. They had already organized a government for Louisiana, and carried with them a printing-press to announce the proclamations of the new authorities. Boldly entering Lake Borgne [born], the enemy, on the 14th of December, captured a flotilla of gunboats, which had been stationed there for the defence of the city. An unfrequented bayou, the guards of which, with a single exception, were captured, brought them to within a few miles of the Mississippi, and on the 22d, their advanced guard reached the bank of that river nine miles from New Orleans. 510. Within a few hours after Jackson received this intelligence, he had 2,000 men in motion. Many of them were from Tennessee, unerring marksmen, arrayed in homespun, with slouched hats of wool or fur, and tomahawks in their deer-skin belts. Shortly after dark (December 23d), the Caroline, a schooner of 14 guns, dropped down the river, and opened a destructive fire on the British camp. Generals Jackson and Coffee followed up the attack in front. The darkness rendered it almost impossible to distinguish friend from foe, but both parties fought with the greatest bravery. At length, Jackson, finding himself unable to drive the enemy from their position, withdrew his men, having lost 213, to over 300 killed and wounded on the part of the enemy. met? On which side did Lafitte engage? 509. Where did the invading force assemble for review? Of what did it consist? By whom was it commanded? What were the feelings of the British? What did they carry with them? What lake did the enemy enter? What did they do on the 14th of December? How did they reach the Mississippi? What was their position on the 221? 510. What did Jackson do on receiving this intelligence? Describe the Tennesseeans. How |