three o'clock in the morning before
He had , besides , eight batteries at proper distances from each other , and Patterson 's marine battery across the river , mounting nine guns ; also the _ Louisiana _ near at hand and ready to take any part she could in assisting him . `` The plain of Chalmette was in front of Jackson 's line . His whole force on the New Orleans side of the river was about 5000 ; only 2200 of them were at his line ; only 800 of them were regulars , most of them being new recruits commanded by young officers . `` The British attempted to carry out Packenham 's plans , but Thornton was delayed in reaching Morgan by the falling of the water in the canal and river , so that the sailors had to drag the boats through the mud in many places , and it was three o'clock in the morning before half his force had crossed . Besides , the powerful current of the Mississippi carried them down stream , and they were landed at least a mile and a half below the point at which they had intended to disembark , and the roar of the cannon on the plain of Chalmette was heard before all had landed . The British had formed in line and advanced to within 450 yards of the American intrenchments , and there , under Gibbs and Keane , they stood in the darkness , fog , and chilly air , listening for the boom of Thornton 's guns . `` The time must have seemed long to them , and doubtless they wondered what delayed him .