The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS

The Battle of New Orleans occurred on January the 8th, 1815. In December, 1814, 7000 British troops, under General Pakenham, were transported from Jamaica to Lake Borgne for an attack on New Orleans. General Jackson made every possible preparation to resist them. On December the 23rd, December 28th and January 1st, he had gained minor successes over them. But Pakenham was reinforced to 10,000 men. The decisive battle occurred on January the 8th, 1815.

General Jackson with 5000 men drew up his first line in three detachments, two on the left bank and one of 800 men under General Morgan on the right bank. The line was defended by numerous batteries and redoubts, and by an armed vessel, the Louisiana. General Pakenham, with 10,000 veteran troops, planned an attack in three divisions. On the night before the battle Colonel Thornton was ordered to cross the river and attack General Morgan. At dawn, the British second division, under General Gibbs, attacked Jackson's left, and soon after, the third division, under General Keane, attacked the right. This last movement was at first successful and captured part of Jackson's works, but the battery and musketry fire was so deadly that they fell back in disorder.

Meantime from this division General Keane had detached half to assist the second division under General Gibbs. This had attacked Jackson's strongest position. As they advanced to the charge they were killed by the hundreds, yet did not falter. When within 200 yards of the American line, the Kentucky and Tennessee riflemen, deadly shots, four ranks deep, fired line by line. The slaughter was terrible, but the British, now reinforced by General Keane's troops, pressed on up to the very parapets. But Generals Pakenham and Gibbs were both mortally wounded. General Keane and Major Wilkinson, the next in command, were so severely wounded that they were carried from the field and the British fell back in disorder.

Colonel Thornton's division had meantime captured General Morgan's position on the right bank of the river, but was recalled in view of the defeat on the other side. The British lost in this battle 700 killed, 1400 wounded, and 500 prisoners. The American loss was eight killed and thirteen wounded. Occurring after the conclusion of peace at Ghent, the battle had no lasting results, but was famous as the one great success won by American land forces in the War of 1812.
Research Battle of New Orleans