le
to guess, ignorant as we were of the position of his main body,
at what moment opposition might be expected. Nor, in truth, was
it matter of much anxiety. Our spirits, in spite of the troubles
of the night, were good, and our expectations of success were
high, consequently many rude jests were bandied about, and many
careless words spoken: for soldiers are, of all classes of men,
the freest from care, and on that account, perhaps, the most
happy. By being continually exposed to it, danger, with them,
ceases to be frightful; of death they have no more terror than the
beasts that perish; and even hardships, such as cold, wet,
hunger, and broken rest, lose at least part of their
disagreeableness, by the frequency of their recurrence.

Moving on in this merry mood, we advanced about four or five
miles without the smallest check or hindrance; when, at length,
we found ourselves in view of the enemy's army, posted in a very
advantageous manner. About forty yards in their front was a
canal, which extended from the morass to within a short distance
of the high road. Along their line were thrown up breastworks,
not indeed completed, but even now formidable. Upon the road at
several other points were erected powerful batteries; whilst the
ship, with a large flotilla of gun-boats, flanked the whole
position from the river.

ATTACK.

When I say that we came in sight of the enemy, I do not mean that
he was gradually exposed to us in such a manner as to leave time
for cool examination and reflection. On the right, indeed, he
was seen for some time, but on the left a few houses built at a
turning in the road entirely concealed him; nor was it till they
gained that turning, and beheld the muzzles of his guns pointed
towards them, that those who moved in this direction were aware
of their proximity to danger. But that danger was indeed near
they were quickly taught; for scarcely had the head of the column
passed the houses when a deadly fire was opened from both the
battery and the shipping. That the Americans are excellent
marksmen, as well with artillery as with rifles, we have had
frequent cause to acknowledge; but, perhaps, on no occasion did
they assert their claim to the title of good artillery-men more
effectually than on the present. Scarce a ball passed over or
fell short of its mark, but all striking full into the midst of
our ranks, occasioned terrible havoc. The shrieks of the
wounded, therefore, the cra