and strong, and one battery of four pieces.
He had not been in chief command many days ere his restless spirit began to appear, and he seemed bent on mischief — if he could not beat the enemy, he was determined to annoy them.
As Washington was blockaded on the Lower Potomac by our batteries at Cockpit Point and other places, they still received large supplies by the Baltimore and Ohio Canal, which runs parallel with the Potomac from Washington, and branches off on the Upper Potomac to Wheeling.
If the dams could be destroyed up the river, Jackson conceived that it would sorely perplex the enemy to supply their large army around Washington.
Accordingly the General marched his force to the Potomac, and amid the cold and snows of this region had his men waist-deep in the river, endeavoring to tear down Dam no. 5.
Although much labor was expended night and day for several days, we did not accomplish our object, but lost somewhat from the continual fire of the enemy.
We desisted
t of the eminence had now continued three hours, and was evidently approaching its crisis.
Both of Jackson's flanks were threatened.
Upon his front the enemy was pressing with overwhelming numbers; the ammunition and the strength of his cannoneers were failing together; and the red cloud of dust, in which the advancing line of the Federalists shrouded itself, was rolling perilously near to his batteries.
Jackson saw that the moment had come to appeal to his supreme arbiter, the bayonet.
Wheeling his guns suddenly to the rear by his right and left, he cleared away the arena before his regiments, and gave them all the signal.
Riding up to the 2d regiment, he cried, Reserve your fire till they come within fifty yards, then fire and give them the bayonet; and, when you charge, yell like furies!
Like noble hounds unleashed, his men sprang to their feet, concentrating into that moment all the pent — up energies and revenge of the hours of passive suffering, delivered one deadly volley,
