Battle of New Orleans

The Battle of New Orleans 1815

The Battle of New Orleans was fought on 8 January 1815 in the area that is now called

Chalmette Battlefield in Bernard Parish seven miles south of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

The battle was fought between American Forces led by General Andrew Jackson and British Forces led by Major General Sir Edward Pakenham. The Battle of New Orleans was the final battle in a series of battles and skirmishes that lasted from December 1814 to January 1815.

The British defeat at Chalmette Battlefield is what caused the British to begin to withdraw from the New Orleans Campaign. Although The Treaty of Ghent had been signed on 24 December 1814 in Ghent, Belgium, news of the signing had not reached America. The British suffered over 2,000 casualties in the battle while American forces suffered less than 100. Chalmette Battlefield is located downriver from New Orleans approximately seven miles.

On 18 July 1812, the United States of America declared war on Great Britain. Reasons for declaring war were forced enlistment of American sailors in the Royal Navy, continuing violations of American neutrality, rumors of British alliances with American Indian tribes and a desire by some Americans to annex British Canada. The Campaign took place during the Winter of 1814-1815 in Louisiana. I have not found any information providing any indication that the winter was either unseasonably warm or frigid. Normal temperatures in southern Louisiana during this time of the year range between 40s for the Low up to upper 60s for the High.

The terrain on which the Battle took place is bordered on the south by the Mississippi River. On the north side of the field approx...

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...ed by a numerically smaller force, especially if the superior force becomes confined by terrain. A second lesson is that terrain can be a deciding factor. In this case the British were forced into a field between the Mississippi River and a swamp. This put them in an open area in the direct line of fire of artillery, muskets and rifles. A third lesson is to never underestimate the tenacity or lack of formal training a military may or may not have despite your military’s training and ability. The last lesson learned is (writer’s comment) that you don’t mess with America, especially if Pirates are involved.

Works Cited

WWW.CRT.STATE.LA.US/MUSEUM/ONLINE_EXHIBITS/CABILDO/6.ASPX

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WWW.NPS.GOV/JELA/WAR-OF-1812-BICENTENNIAL.HTML

WWW.OFWST.TECHAPPLICATION.COM/THE-WAR-OF-1812/WAR-OF-1812INTRODUCTION/WAR-OF-1812-INTERESTING-ENDING.HTML