The Battle of New Orleans

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. When I glanced at my This Day In History calendar page for today I noticed it was the 209th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Having grown up right across the Mississippi from New Orleans I’m well aware of this historical battle but I thought I’d dig a bit deeper. Here are some of the highlights I discovered.

The Battle of New Orleans was an incredibly pivotal moment in American history. This decisive conflict, fought on January 8, 1815, demonstrated the resilience and determination of American forces. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Americans, under the leadership of Andrew Jackson, repelled the British assault. This battle not only secured the important port city of New Orleans but also instilled a lasting sense of national pride and identity.

The War of 1812, which is often overshadowed by other conflicts, was crucial in solidifying the United States’ independence and sovereignty. Sparked by issues such as trade restrictions and the impressment of American sailors, it was a war that tested the young nation’s resolve and identity. New Orleans, a bustling port critical to the U.S. economy, became the final battleground. The city’s strategic importance made it a prime target for the British, who aimed to cut off the United States from the Gulf of Mexico.

General Andrew Jackson, a rough-hewn and charismatic leader, emerged as the hero of New Orleans. His unorthodox strategies and relentless spirit rallied the diverse American defenders, which included Tennessee and Kentucky frontiersmen, local militia, free African Americans, Choctaw fighters, and even pirates led by Jean Lafitte. Opposing him was a seasoned British force led by General Edward Pakenham, a veteran of the Peninsular War, who was confident of a quick and decisive victory.

In the early morning of January 8, the British began their assault. Jackson had prepared well, fortifying his lines and making use of the swampy terrain. The British, confident and aggressive, marched into a devastating barrage of artillery and rifle fire. The Americans, well protected behind their earthworks, inflicted heavy casualties. The British, realizing the futility of their attack despite their numbers and superior weaponry, retreated, leaving the field littered with their dead and wounded. Among the casualties was the British commanding officer, Major General Edward Pakenham. In a matter of hours, the battle was over, with the British suffering over 2,000 casualties to the Americans’ few dozen.

The news of the stunning and unexpected victory at New Orleans spread rapidly, arriving before the news of the Treaty of Ghent, which had effectively ended the war weeks before the battle. Despite the treaty, the battle was seen as a necessary defense of American territory and rights. It catapulted Andrew Jackson to national fame, paving his path to the presidency. More importantly, it fostered a sense of American unity and resolve, proving to both the nation and the world that the United States would fiercely defend its sovereignty.

Here are some bits of trivia and interesting facts about the Battle of New Orleans:

  • A thick fog covered the battlefield in the early morning, which lifted as the British troops began their advance, making them visible targets for the American riflemen.
  • The pirate Jean Lafitte and his men played a key role in the battle, providing both fighters and crucial artillery.
  • The Tennessee militia, known for their sharpshooting skills, were also instrumental in the battle, taking a heavy toll on the British officers and troops.
  • While some consider the battle unnecessary due to the prior signing of the peace treaty, it was actually significant in ensuring control of the Mississippi River and the vast western territories. The victory at New Orleans boosted American nationalism and unity, showing that the U.S. could defend its territory against the world’s most powerful military.
  • The Americans used a 32-pound cannon, the largest in their arsenal, effectively causing devastating impacts on the British.
  • The battle ensured that New Orleans remained in American hands, securing an essential port for trade and western expansion.
  • The anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans was widely celebrated with as much fervor as Independence Day during the 19th century, reflecting its importance in American history.
  • The battle took place in cold and muddy conditions, which were challenging for both sides but particularly detrimental to the British who were not as accustomed to the swampy terrain of the Mississippi Delta.
  • The British were confident of an easy victory due to their numerical superiority and professional soldiers. This overconfidence contributed to their defeat.
  • Many of the American soldiers were veterans of the Indian Wars and had experience in irregular warfare, which proved advantageous in the battle.
  • The Battle of New Orleans has been commemorated in popular culture, most notably in the 1959 song “The Battle of New Orleans” by Johnny Horton.
  • The battle is still studied for its innovative use of terrain and defensive strategies, which are considered exemplary in military studies.
  • Prior to the battle, the British had established a naval blockade, severely hampering American trade and movement in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Today, the battlefield is preserved as part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, where visitors can learn about the battle and its significance.
  • Unlike many battles of the era, the Battle of New Orleans featured very little to no use of cavalry by either side due to the swampy terrain.
  • The defeat influenced British military tactics and colonial policies, and it had a lasting effect on British-American relations, leading to a more peaceful period known as the “Era of Good Feelings.”
  • While the battle is most famous for the land conflict, American naval forces also played a role in preventing British access to the Mississippi River.
  • Before the main battle on January 8, 1815, there were several skirmishes and attacks as British forces attempted to penetrate American defenses.
  • The battle occurred during a time of significant global conflict, including the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, affecting international politics and alliances.

So there you have it – a brief look at the historic Battle of New Orleans. Did you learn anything new? Did any of the highlights surprise you? Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.

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Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.

61 thoughts on “The Battle of New Orleans”

  2. Thank you for sharing this with us! I learned quite a bit! I had heard of the battle of New Orleans, but I didn’t know this much detail!

  3. I learned a lot. Thank you for the history lesson. It seems that in this day and age, some people want to erase some aspects of history. It can’t be done. We have to learn and move forward.

  4. Wow, I learned quite a bit I did not know. Thank you for giving us such a great history lesson. I grew up listening to Johnny Horton’s Battle Of New Orleans. It is still one of my favorites, but now after reading all of your details of the battle, I need to really listen to it again.
    Have a blessed day.

  5. Up until now, the only thing I knew about the Battle of New Orleans was what I learned in the song.

  7. Thank you for sharing. That was one battle I don’t remember learning about it in school so enjoyable and educating. Thanks again.

  9. Hey Winnie! I’ve never been to New Orleans. But I can only imagine the Swampy area since we have many places like that in Florida. I know that had to be hard! I knew Jackson had a hodge podge of different fighters in this battle, but interesting that he had many veterans of the Indian wars with the Indians! Thank you for the recap of history Winnie! It’s one of my favorite loves!

  10. Interesting post. I had heard about this battle before but not with so much detail. Now I have got Johnny Horton’s song on my mind, because I know it very well. In 1814 we took a little trip
    Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip’
    We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
    And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans
    This song is on my phone.

  11. Your blog was very educational, something the students of this day probably do not have the opportunity to learn. They probably won’t seek any history books out in the library either, mores the pity. History is so enthralling. Our ancestors were an integral part of all history.

  12. Thank you so much for sharing. There was a lot of new History to me. It was really interesting.

  13. Since I belong to the U.S. Daughters of 1812, this was of particular interest to me. Thank you for sharing, Winnie.

  14. I knew most of the facts you presented as I loved the song by Johnny Horton and done research about afterwards.

  16. Good morning, wow, Thank you for sharing all of this great info, alot of things I had no idea of. Have a great week.

  17. Thanks for your information on the Battle of New Orleans. Very in-depth coverage of the battle. I learned a lot of new history. I barely remember covering it in school. Thanks for sharing with me. Have a blessed day.

  18. I love history, and this is fascinating to me! I did learn some of this way back in school. I LOVE the Johnny Horton song! I used to listen to my Daddy’s album all the time! Now, I have my own albums and CD’s of Johnny’s songs! There’s quite a bit about Andrew Jackson that wasn’t very admirable, but this conflict was!

  19. Thanks, Winnie! As so many have mentioned, I knew only the highlights of this episode in our history. What struck me was that the Americans took the tactics that Native Americans used against the British from the beginning and applied them quite effectively (apparently the British military didn’t learn much from the Revolutionary War), winning the battle.

  22. I remember my history teacher playing us the song about the battle of New Orleans. I especially remember the line about the soldiers putting cannon balls in the alligators mouth and powdering their behinds. Very funny.

  25. Looks like the overconfident British underestimated the Americans & their country fighters & lost.
    The Mississippi River access would have been a big problem for this war if the American naval troops hadn’t held it. I love that song, by Johnny Horton. Yes, some of the info you provided did surprise me. I enjoy reading about all history & how American was established.

  30. Thank you for the post. To some degree, I knew a good portion of the information. I did not realize the number of troops the British had for the battle and how outnumbered the American troops were. I was also not aware how extensive the casualties were and that the British commanding general was killed. What is surprising is that such a complete defeat would result in a better relationship between the two countries.

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