Battle of New Orleans-Chalmette Monument and Battlefield
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Colonial Andrew Jackson arrives into a city in chaos with no defenses in place. Through shrewd politics and negotiations Jackson was able to assemble a motley crew of troops. These included militia men, regulars, frontier men, free Blacks, Indians, and even pirates in defense of the city. General Jackson was able to set up a defense with using sharpshooters and pirate cannoneers for the incoming battle. The British General Pakenham launched a reckless frontal attack on the Americans’ fixed fighting positions. Within the opening moments of the battle Pakenham was wounded, which put the British forces into chaos. The ensuing battle resulted into more of a slaughter than actual fighting. After sustaining massive losses, the British retreated back down the river to their ships. One important fact about the Battle of New Orleans was that it was fought after a peace treaty had already been signed.
Sources
Remini, Robert. "The Battle of New Orleans". Penguin Putnam Inc, New York. 1999.
Borneman, Walter. "1812: The War that Forge a Nation". Harper Collins Publishers, New York. 2004.