Battle Of Pak Marro Essay

Prior to the battle on 8 January, the British had already lost a few hundred men to smaller skirmishes with American troops. The losses caused Pakenham to lose confidence is an immediate retaliation against the U.S. forces, giving MG Jackson and his men time to set up a defense and rest. Going into the Battle of New Orleans, the British forces consisted of a main force of 5,300 soldiers under the command of Pakenham, and a smaller force of approximately 700 men under Colonel William Thornton, who was to attack General Morgan and his men. Pakenham split his main force into two larger formations and one smaller unit. The first half of the force was composed of 2,600 soldiers from the 93rd Highlanders and 95th Rifles, while the other main force

Furthermore, Pakenham’s entire plan revolved around morning fog to disguise their advance, but by daybreak the fog had disappeared and the British formations, being only one-half mile away from Line Jackson, were clearly visible to the Americans. Pakenham gave the order to start the advance and the British marched 60 soldiers abreast and four deep, once they closed in on the American’s Jackson ordered for artillery fire, immediately causing large numbers of casualties. The American’s gained the advantage from the start of the battle being able to hit the British with barrages of fire, while limiting the British’s ability to return fire because of distance and fortifications of the canal. Despite the American’s clear advantage, the British continued to advance. Once MG Gibbs formation was within 300 yard of the American line they began taking fire from the American sharpshooters, causing the lead element to disperse in all directions. The rear units, seeing their comrades run in fear, began seeking cover and concealment in tall grass and ditches, delaying the