New Orleans 1815 : Andrew Jackson Crushes the British

The conflict that broke out in 1812 seemed born of an almost subconscious desire for a war to complete the separation of America from England begun by the War of Independence.

The war was bloody and hard fought. In one last attempt to break the deadlock the British sent Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham to capture New Orleans.

The troops he commanded were elite, veteran regiments. Andrew Jackson, leading the defenders, commanded a mixed force including militia, free Negro battalions, Indians and a group of local pirates.

This title describes how this mixed force decisively defeated the British veterans in a battle that has become part of American legend. The conflict which broke out in 1812 seemed borne of an almost a sub-conscious desire for a war to complete the separation of America from England begun by the War of Independence.

The war when it came was bloody and hard fought. By the end of 1814 all that had been achieved was a bloody stalemate and a series of outrages (including the burning of the White House) which would continue the bitterness for years to come.

In one last attempt to break the deadlock the British sent the Duke of Wellington's brother-in-law, Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham to capture New Orleans and remove Louisiana from the United States.

The troops which he commanded were elite, veteran regiments from the campaigns in Europe. Andrew Jackson, commanding the defenders had withdrawn to a line of fortifications with his flanks resting in swamps.

To defend this line he had a mixture of regiments including militia, free Negro battalions, Indians and a group of local pirates.

In the battle which followed, this mixed force decisively defeated the British veterans in a battle that has become part of the American legend.