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in the United States | in Canada
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans with General Andrew Jackson at right
Source: The War of 1812, by Peter I. Bosco
The Napoleonic Wars in Europe had come to an end. Napoleon had been exiled to Elba, and the British government could at last deploy a large enough force to open a new front in the War of 1812. The target for the strike was the city of New Orleans in the southeastern United States.
The United States army at New Orleans was under the command of General Andrew Jackson. The American forces were warned of the impending attack and were waiting for the British. After several preliminary skirmishes, the Battle of New Orleans began.
A field artillery piece is stationed in the camp
Source: Michael Karpelson (Team 22916)
On January 8, 1815, the British advanced at the American lines, but American fire cut them down. Several times the British infantry charged, but could not reach the American troops. Major General Edward Pakenham, the British commader, was killed in the attack.
The outcome of the battle was disastrous for the British. They lost over 700 men killed, and over a thousand more wounded. American deaths numbered less than 10. And neither side knew that the war was officially over, and the Peace Treaty of Ghent signed. The last battle of the War of 1812 happened after the war.
