While the armies were burying their dead on the field of strife near New Orleans after the battle there (Jan. 8, 1815), some of the
British troops sought to secure the free navigation of the
Mississippi for themselves by capturing
Fort St. Philip, at a bend of the stream, 70 or 80 miles below New Orleans in a direct line.
It was regarded as the key to
Louisiana.
It was garrisoned by 366 men, under
Major Overton, of the
Rifle Corps, and the crew of a gunboat which had been warped into a bayou at its side.
A British squadron of five vessels appeared near the fort on the morning of Jan. 9 and anchored, out of range of the heavy guns of the fort, two bomb-vessels with their broadsides to the fort.
These opened fire in the afternoon, and continued a bombardment and cannonade, with little interruption, until daybreak on the 18th.
During that time the
Americans were much exposed to rain and cold.
The British cast more than 1,000 shells, besides many round and grape shot, upon the fort, the result of which was two
Americans killed and seven wounded. They had expended 20,000 lbs. of powder, and withdrew without gaining the fort, spoils, or glory.
See also
Jackson and
St. Philip, forts.
