he 6th of January."

On January 1st H.M.S. _Vengeur_ arrived off the Chandeleur Islands with
a convoy of transports, containing the 7th and 43rd Regiments, under
Major-General Lambert, and these two battalions, each 800 strong, joined
the army on the evening of January 6th. Next day the final arrangements
were made. Colonel Thornton, with the 85th, the marines, and a body of
seamen, in all 1400 men, were to cross the river immediately after dark,
seize the batteries on the right bank, and at daylight commence firing
on the enemy's line, which at the same moment was to be attacked by the
remainder of the army. Major-General Keane, with the 95th, the light
battalion, and the 1st and 5th[38] West India Regiments, was to attack
the enemy's right, Major-General Gibbs, with the 4th, 21st, 44th, and
93rd, force the left, whilst Major-General Lambert was to hold the 7th
and 43rd in reserve.

In accordance with this scheme, Colonel Thornton at nightfall moved his
force down to the brink of the river, but no boats had arrived. Hour
after hour elapsed, and then at last only a sufficient number to
transport 350 men made their appearance. With this small force Colonel
Thornton determined to make the attempt, and pushed off. The loss of
time which had occurred was however fatal, for day began to break before
the boats had crossed the river, and though the troops carried the
batteries by assault, after a short but obstinate resistance, the alarm
had already been carried to the main body of the enemy, and they were
thoroughly prepared for defence.

The capture of the works on the right bank had, however, really made the
front attack upon the American lines unnecessary; for the passage of the
river now being clear, the armed boats from the canal could have passed
up the stream and taken the whole of the position in rear. Had this been
done, the American general would inevitably have been obliged to abandon
his defences, falling back upon New Orleans, and we should have obtained
possession of his formidable position without the loss of a man.
Major-General Pakenham, however, still persevered in his original
intention, and ordered the assault to take place.

There had been so much mismanagement, that the advance, which should
have taken place at dawn, did not commence till some time after
daylight. The officer, whose duty it was to have prepared fascines for
the purpose of filling the ditches, had neglected his work; and, at 2
a.m., t