Battle of New Orleans

The American frontier burned with revival when the War of 1812 broke out. For the second time in a hundred years, God was calling America out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Today, by contrast, doctrines of demons proliferate in the minds of men. Delusions abound.

The American people mimic sheep in the face of oppression. Our ramparts have fallen.

But in the early 1800’s, with the American Revolution miraculously won, and the seeds of Abolition already sown, Americans harbored no illusions about the nature of despotism. Nor would they allow the British to reestablish dictatorial rule on their watch.

Andrew Jackson was the last U.S. president to have involvement in the Revolutionary War, and is the only president to have been a prisoner of war. As a thirteen-year-old POW, a British officer slashed Jackson with a sword when he refused to clean the officer’s boots. The scars on Jackson’s head and left hand were still visible when he led his unorthodox Army against British regulars at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

Fighting for America were U.S. Army regulars alongside New Orleans militia, slaves and former slaves, Choctaw Indians, Kentucky and Tennessee frontiersmen, and a band of cutthroat pirates led by the notorious Jean Lafitte. Jackson’s forces numbered about 5,000. The British: 10,000. But the Battle of New Orleans was a decisive American victory and horrific slaughter of British troops. According to Thomas Fleming writing for MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Winter 2001, British General “Pakenham’s assault had consumed 3,326 men. Of those, 828 were killed and 2,468 were wounded—with more than half of the latter listed as ‘permanently disabled,’ a medical term that usually meant an amputated leg or arm. The remainder were taken prisoner. The losses in individual regiments make the slaughter even more apparent. The

Highlanders lost 868 men out of 1,000. In Gibbs’ column the light infantry lost 650 out of 862. Only 134 survived from the 816 men in the luckless, badly led 44th Regiment. Jackson’s men, behind their mud rampart, had lost only eight men killed and 14 wounded. Old Hickory could only express a sense of wonder at these numbers. ‘The unerring hand of Providence shielded my men,’ he said.” The battle lasted about two hours with the greatest carnage occurring in thirty minutes as Britain’s most professional officers made huge tactical blunders. For example, the 1000 “Highlanders” were annihilated when ordered to march diagonally across the field of battle directly in front of the American rampart.

American folk music song writer Jimmy Driftwood gave a pretty accurate description of the battle in his Battle of New Orleans lyrics:

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 a town near New Orleans

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'

There wasn't nigh as many as there was

We fired once more and they begin to runnin'

On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Tragically, the battle was fought after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent between the U.S. and Great Britain, formally ending the War of 1812. Later, President Andrew Jackson was asked if the battle had been fought in vain. He replied that, had the British won the Battle of New Orleans, and fortified the southwestern frontier with British troops, Great Britain would have reneged on the Treaty of Ghent. Had that happened, we might, today, be a much smaller nation, if a nation at all.

The Chalmette National Cemetery lies about 500 meters to the southeast of the American line of defense. It’s the final resting place of Union soldiers who died in Louisiana during the Civil War. This hallowed ground also contains remains of veterans of the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam; and four Americans who fought in the

Reenacters

Battle of 1812, including one who fought in the Battle of New Orleans.

Notable structures at the battlefield site include the Malus-Beauregard House built about 20 years after the Battle, and the Chalmette Monument. The monument was constructed between 1855 and 1908. The cornerstone of this impressive obelisk was laid within days of Andrew Jackson’s 25th Anniversary visit to the battleground. Visitors are allowed to climb to its top for views of the surrounding area.

The small Visitors Center features displays, a short video, souvenirs, water and snacks. When we visited the site on the 208th anniversary of the battle, reenactors were present conducting canon and musket firing demonstrations, and discussing history with attendees. For maximum enjoyment, plan to go on a day when the weather is beautiful. Be prepared, depending on the number of visitors, to park a couple of miles away at the Civic Center to catch the yellow-schoolbus shuttle. While there, remember to pray against the progressive forces of spiritual darkness undermining our nation, that we might continue to live in peace and freedom; and triumph over tyranny.

For more info use keyword “Chalmette” at www.nps.gov

Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC (www.cindybarganier.com). He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact: Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Instagram: @jeffbarganier. You may print out Jeff’s features at www.jeffbarganier.com and take them with you when you travel!