Battle of New-Orleans

In December 1814 during the War of 1812 between the the United States and the British Empire, a British force under the orders of the general Major Edward Pakenham unloaded close to the mouth of the river the Mississippi. At the beginning, it met only some franc-tireurs.

Countryside preceding the battle

Shouldered by the men of the Flibustier Jean Lafitte, American under the orders of Andrew Jackson installed defensive positions with Chalmette with eight kilometers of La Nouvelle-Orléans. The avant-garde reached them on January first and an exchange of gunfire of artillery take place. Pakenham decided to await the remainder of its army before launching an attack.

Weather, other factors

Unfolding

The 8, Packenham ordered three attacks which were pushed back with strong losses, Pakenham itself having received with the third a wound mortal. The British fought valiantly but they missed scales which would have enabled them to climb the fortification. They were made draw with discovered and there was only the fear of the troops beginners states-uniennes which made them flee. On other bank the British had an easy victory.

Assessment

The British withdrew themselves having lost more 2 000 men against the 71 for the United States. Without the knowledge of the two parts the war was already officially finished, a treated having been signed with Ghent the December 24th 1814. The battle had, nevertheless, of the historical consequences. In assumption if the British had had the control of the key port of New-Orleans they could have obtained additional concessions. What is certain it is that this victory was celebrated with much glare in the United States and gave to Jackson the reputation of a hero and propelled it to the presidency.

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