the Battle of New OrleansA Look at the Final Battles of the War of 1812
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"Map of New Orleans and Adjacent Country. " This contemporary map of the approaches to New Orleans was published on 14 March 1815, just weeks after the war was officially over, as part of the atlas: A Military and Topographical Atlas of the United States; Including The British Possessions & Florida, published by John Melish. Locations of key positions and sites ofthe Battles ofLake Borgne and New Orleans have been highlighted. Lockyer established a base on Pea Island, but quickly moved the camp across the lake and into the bayous, to Jacques Villere's plantation which, in the face of the enemy, had been evacuated. This would serve as British headquarters for the capture of New Orleans. The bulk of the British army would be moved to the plantation by boat, and the attack would commence once a sufficient force was in place. It proved to be a long and tedious process. In November of 1814, Militia Major General A ndrew Jackso n responded to the British threat and brought hi s army to Florida, attacking Pensacola with a force of 4, 100 regulars, militia, and Indians. The British had vacated the fort, leaving a small garrison of 500 Spanish troops to defend it in the unlikely event of an Ameri-
SEA HISTORY 141 , WINTER 2012- 13
can attack. Jackson took the fort virtually unopposed. Pensacola was neutralized and Jackson departed, marching to Mobile. Realizing the British were headed for New Orleans, he force marched his army to the Crescent City, arriving 1 December. The citizenry there was nervo us; word was spreading that a British arrack was imminent and the people were defenseless. Jackson's arri va l gave them hope, as his reputation was already legendary. He mapped out the city and its approaches, ordered all water ro utes into the city blocked, and established gun batteries at strategic points . H e received help from John Coffee, who force marched (135 mil es in three days) 850 militiamen from Tennessee to ass ist the Louisiana militia, as well as from a co mpa ny of free black men,
refugees from Sa m o Domingo. 1he Baratarian pirates, most notably Jean Lafitte, offered their ass istance, which was readily accepted. Lafitte proved so helpful that Jackson nam ed him his special aide-decamp. His m en, experts on the swamps and bayous surroundin g New Orlea ns, provided intelligence that proved invaluable and as the British moved closer. Laffite and his men kept Jackson informed of the enemy's movements, disposition of their troops, and location of gun emplacements. On C hristm as Eve (the ve ry day the treaty to end the war was approved in G hent) the British reinforcements began arriving, and on Christmas D ay, Pakenham himself appeared with more soldiers, bringing the British strength to more than 4,000 men. The soldiers had to be ferried
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