The Battle of New Orleans
Daniel Patterson to the Secretary of the Navy

New Orleans, 27 January 1815

The enemy having retreated, as I had the honour to inform you by my letter of the 20th instant, I have the pleasing duty only of reporting to you, that during the late most eventful sruggle for the preservation of this important portion of the United States, I have rceived from all the officers whom I have the honour to command, every aid and support which could possibly be rendered; they have been exposed to extraordinary hardships, both by day and night, to all the changes of this unstable clime, in this inclement season of the year, performing the most arduous duties on shore, out of the line of their profession, independent of their ordinary duties; and all has been borne and executed with a cheerfulness and alacrity that reflects upon them the highest credit; and that the unwearied exertions of the small naval force on this station, from the first appearance of the enemy, has contributed, in a great degree, to his expulsion, is freely acknowledged by the gallant general commanding the land forces, and will be, I trust, by all who have witnessed their endeavours to effect the end, which has so happily and with so little loss, been accomplished. It affords me great pleasure to have in all cases co-operated with the army, to the entire satisfaction of their commander.

Captain Henley merits my acknowledgments for his unremitted attention to the execution of the various duties committed to him, particularly the superintendance of the erection of two batteries on the bayou St. John, and one opposite the city. His gallant conduct on the night of the 23d ultimo, as already detailed, (the fire from the CAROLINE proving, as I have since learned, truly destructive to the enemy, and producing disorder, and confusion in their troops, giving to our army a manifest advantage) and for the able assistance I receive from him when serving at the marine battery erected by me on the right bank of the river, where he remained till the departure of the enemy.

To lieutenant Lewis Alexis, commanding the naval arsenal at this place, I am greatly indebted for his indefatigable exertions to furnish the various munitions, &c. which were constantly required for the navy, army, and militia, and which were furnished with a promptitude and correctness that reflect upon him and those under his immediate command, as named in the accompanying copy of a letter from him, the greatest credit-his services and merit entitle him to the notice of the department.

Great credit is also due to lieutenant Charles C. B. Thompson, for his great exertions in fitting his ship for service, with a crew obtained by coercion from the streets of the city, composed of all nations, (English excepted) two-thirds of whom could not speak or understand English, for the spirited fire supported by his ship on the 28th ultimo, and his continued endeavours to annoy the enemy when they approached within the range of his guns, his prompt execution of my orders, particularly in landing the guns from his ship, transporting them to my battery, and his attention in supplying the battery with ammunition from his ship, in whose magazine it was deposited. To the accompanying letter from him, I beg leave to refer for a detailed account of the merits of his officers, all of whom merit the encomiums passed on them.

Lieutenant Otho Norris, acting lieutenant Crawley, Messrs. E. Watkins, and J. Pelott, midshipmen, and William Livingston, master's mate, who were stationed at the heavy cannon in general Jackson's lines, and named in the letter which accompanies this, have, by their gallant conduct, reflected upon the navy great credit, and warranted my highest approbation.

Acting lieutenant Thomas S. Cunningham, commanding gun vessel No. 65, stationed at fort Saint Philip, solicited and obtained the command of two 32 pounders, which are mounted in the most exposed situation at that fort, being outside the walls, which he manned with his crew and rendered great service to the officer commanding at that post, during the heavy bombardment by the enemy from the 8th to the 17th instant.

Mr. Thomas Shields, purser of the station, and doctor Robert Morrell, attached to the marine corps, (who volunteered his services in any way they could be useful) and who were sent by me with a flag of truce to the enemy on the 15th ultimo, supported with becoming dignity their stations, and commanded from the enemy that respect which was due to them and their mission, during their detention by the enemy, prolonged beyond what I could have possibly expected, and have merited, in a special manner, my approbation. Of those officers, and Mr. Richard Dealey, sailing master, whose gallant conduct during their subsequent successful expedition, (a detailed account of which you will herewith receive) reflects upon them the greatest credit, and merits the particular notice of the department.

Doctor Lewis Heerman, hospital surgeon, who, with my sanction, volunteered his services to aid the hospital surgeon of the army in the various duties devolving upon him, from the number of our own sick, and the wounded of the enemy, is thereby, and from his uniform attention to his professional duties, entitled to my acknowledgments, as are all the officers of the medical department. For the particulars of his services, I refer you to the letter to him which you will herewith receive.

Mr. John K. Smith, navy agent, has, by his unremitted attention to his department, the promptitude with which he has furnished articles for both the navy and the army, and procuring me the funds that were necessary during this period of alarm and confusion, enabled me to carry on my operations in conjunction with the army against the enemy, and contributed to that success with which the arms of the United States have been crowned, and will receive my warmest thanks. His services rendered in camp will be seen by the enclosed copy of a letter from the commanding general, of the 19th instant.

To major Carmick, commanding the marine corps on this station, I am indebted for the promptness with which my requisitions on him have been complied with, and the strong desire he has always manifested to further, as far as was in his power, my views.

Mr. R. D. Shepherd, who very handsomely volunteered his services to me, and acted as my aid-de-camp, and rendered me very essential assistance by the uniform promptitude with which he bore and executed my various orders, merits my warmest acknowledgments.

Mr. J. B. Nevitt, of Natchez, formerly a lieutenant in the navy, who left his home and proffered to me his services, has rendered me important assistance from his practical knowledge, and which I acknowledge with much pleasure.

My petty officers, seamen and marines, performed their duties to my entire satisfaction.

I beg leave, sir, to solicit a confirmation of their present rank, for the different officers named herein and in the accompanying letters, acting by appointment, as also for acting lieutenants Speeden and M'Keever, and to recommend them all as meriting, in a special manner, the notice of the department.

John Brannan, ed. Official Letters of the Military and Naval Officers of the United States During the War with Great Britain in the Years 1812, 13, 14, & 15 With Some Additional Letters and Documents Elucidating the History of that Period. (Washington: 1823), pp. 461-463.