Realistically, the actual battle occurred on the outskirts of
New Orleans in Chalmette, Louisiana 200 years ago, January 8,
1815. There had been several earlier battles and skirmishes
where the British tried to take New Orleans but none were
decisive. Not until The British army led by General Edward
Pakingham tangled with General Andrew Jackson's ragtag army at
what is now known as Pakingham Oaks, so named for the majestic
oaks there and the attacking general.
 |
| Old Cannon at Battlefield |
Jackson's army was made of a strange
mixture of 4,732 men comprised 968 US Army regulars, 58 US
Marines, 106 seamen of the US Naval battalion, 1,060 Louisiana
Militia and volunteers (including 462 free people of color),
1,352 Tennessee Militia, 986 Kentucky Militia, 150 Mississippi
Militia and 52 Choctaw warriors, Jean Lafitte and his Baratarian
pirate crew. Jackson had backup on the river from three ships
none of them actually warships. Pakingham had 11,000 and the
force of the powerful British Royal Navy supporting him.
Contrary to popular opinion, the war had
not officially ended even though the Treat of Ghent, ending the
war had been signed. The treaty did not take effect until it was
ratified by both sides. The U.S. Congress did not ratify it
until February of 1815.
When I visited the battlefield a few months
ago, the song seemed to play once again in my imagination as I
looked on the actual battlefield, laid out as it was in 1815. I
stood at the rough wooden battlements and touched the old
cannon. It took me back to that fateful day in American history.
 |
| Malus-Beauregard House |
In the background of the battlefield lies
the Malus-Beauregard House built in 1830
whose owner Rene Beauregard, was the son of the Civil War
Confederate General, P. G. T. Beauregard. The house although
typical of a Louisiana plantation in style was never a working
plantation. It serves as the visitor center and had several
exhibits explaining the battle.
The Battlefield is part of six sites of
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve which consist
six parks all together. Each represents a part of Louisiana'
unique history.
 |
| Signage helps explain what
happened in the battle |
The adjourning Chalmette National Cemetery,
also part of Jean Lafitte National Park, was established in 1864
as a final resting place for Union Soldiers who died in the
Civil War. It is the
final resting place of a unique soldier Rosetta Wakeman, who
passed as a man using the name Lyons Wakeman and enlisted in the
New York Volunteer Infantry. She died of dysentery in 1865 at
Jackson Barracks.
Confederates were originally buried there
but later moved to Cypress Grove Cemetery. American Soldiers
form later wars are also buried there including some of the
Buffalo Soldiers. It is located about
where the British
artillery was set up during the Battle of New Orleans
 |
| Chalmette Monument |
The National Park Service will be holding
commemorative activates this January at the park. There will be
a reenactment of the battle, the "soldiers" will be wearing
authentic period uniforms, with exhibits of authentic armaments,
tents, cooking utensils, and historical discussions about the
battle. Do not miss this once in a century celebration.
For
more info:p>
http://www.nps.gov/jela/war-of-1812-bicentennial.htm
|