Chapter 9

LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND NEW ORLEANS

Arrival of large British re-enforcements in Canada 355

Objects of the British northern campaign of 1814 356

Previous neglect of lake Champlain by both belligerents 357

Operations on the lake in 1813 358

British attempt in spring of 1814 361

Macdonough in control of lake, in summer of 1814 362

British "Confiance" building to contest control 362

Instructions of British Government to Prevost 362

Prevost in August reports approaching readiness to move 363

Treasonable actions of American citizens about Lake Champlain 364

Izard, with four thousand troops, leaves Plattsburg for Sackett's Harbor 365

Consequent destitution of the Champlain frontier 365

British advance to Plattsburg 366

Relative positions of American squadron and land forces 367

Question of distance between squadron and land batteries 368

Opinions of Izard and Yeo as to the relations of the batteries to the squadron 370

Proper combination for Prevost 371

Backward state of "Confiance" upon Downie's taking command 372

Urgent letters of Prevost to Downie 373

Downie's expectations in attacking 375

Macdonough's dispositions 376

Downie's consequent plan of engagement 377

Naval battle of Lake Champlain 377

Decisive character of the American victory 381

Preoccupation of the British Government with European conditions 382

Episodical character of the New Orleans expedition 382

Negotiations of Admiral Cochrane for the co-operation of the Creek Indians 383

His measures for training them, and preparations for the expedition 384

Objects of the British ministry 385

Attack upon Fort Bowyer, Mobile Bay, by a British squadron 386

Previous occupation of West Florida to the Perdido, by the United States 387

Pensacola, remaining in Spanish hands, utilized by British 387

Seized by Jackson, and works destroyed 388

Arrival of British expedition in Mississippi Sound 388

Gunboat battle of Lake Borgne 390

British advance corps reaches the bank of the Mississippi 391

Night attack by American Navy and Jackson 391

Sir Edward Pakenham arrives from England 392

His preliminary movements 392

Particular danger of Jackson's position 393

Details of the final day of assault, January 8, 1815 394

The British withdraw after repulse 396

Capture of Fort Bowyer, Mobile Bay 397

Final naval episodes 397

Sailing of the "President." She grounds on the New York bar 398

Overtaken, and is captured, by the British blockading division 398

The "Constitution" captures the "Cyane" and "Levant" 404

Capture of the British sloop "Penguin" by the "Hornet" 407