Battle of New Orleans – War of 1812

In This Week in Military History we explore the United States victory over the British in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
The port city of New Orleans held crucial value to the United States. The U.S. Gained control of it as part the Louisiana purchase in 1803 providing them with an important international trade hub at the terminus of the Mississippi River. The British believed that seizing this area would provide them with control of the waterway and claim to America’s land and irrefutable victory in the war.
British Major General Sir Edward Pakenham’s forces advanced on new Orleans on January 8, 1815. First, he dispatched a group of British Soldiers across the Mississippi river to the west bank to overtake a U.S. Battery capable of firing across the river upon his forces. Then, marched from the east over the fields in Chalmette toward the fortified American defenses along the Rodriguez Canal. There, he led a direct frontal attack on the American position before him.
The United States forces, under the command of General Andrew Jackson, had prepared strong defensive bastions with well positioned artillery. Though outnumbered and mostly untested, Jackson’s army’s cannon barrages and musket volleys, repelled the British attack. Choctaw sharpshooters located in the bayou on the American left flank stymied enemy progress as well.
The British troops that crossed the Mississippi to the west bank experienced delays in completing their mission. Though they ultimately succeeded, the frontal assault on the opposite bank had already faltered. During the onslaught, Packenham was wounded mortally as was his subordinate and left the beleaguered British with no option but to withdraw.
The decisive Battle lasted a mere 30 minutes and left the British with 291 dead, 1,262 wounded and 484 missing or captured compared to the American casualties amount of 13 dead, 39 wounded, and 19 missing or captured.
Although the Treaty of Ghent was signed prior to the Battle of New Orleans, it wouldn’t be received and ratified by Congress until weeks later. Ending the War of 1812 on February 18, 1815.
Join us next time for another segment of this week in military history, with the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.