Battle of New Orleans

The Battle of New Orleansoccurred between the United States Army, led by Major GeneralAndrew Jackson, and the British army, led by Major General SirEdward Pakenham, on the 8th January 1815 (Smith, 1904). The battle took place about 8km southeast of theFrench QuarterofNew Orleans (Arthur, 1915).

The battle was considered the climax of September 1814 to February 1815 Gulf campaign by Britain to grab West Florida, New Orleans, and, if possible, Louisiana Territory that started at the initial battle of Fort Bowyer (Remini, 2001). On 14th December 1814, Britain began the New Orleans campaign at the Battle of Lake Borgne, and several artillery duels and skirmishes took place in the days leading up to the last battle.

The battle occurred 18 days after the subsequent Treaty of Ghent signing, culminating in the official termination of the war of 1812 on 24th December 1814 (Carr, 1979). However, the United States failed to ratify it, so it failed to take effect until 16th February 1815 because the news of the agreement had to reach the United States from Europe (Tregle, 1981).

Irrespective that British Soldiers had an advantage in experience, training, and numbers, the American troops defeated a poorly carried out assault within around 30 minutes (Remini, 2001). While the British suffered over 2000 casualties from the battle, the Americans only suffered 71 casualties (Carr, 1979). British also lost through death, the commanding General Sir Edward Pakenham and his second-in-command, Major General Samuel Gibbs.

The Battle of New Orleans has been recognized for its casualties and apparent brevity. However, some figures are disputed and are not rhyming with the official data (Carr, 1979). Troops defending Left Bank suffered severe casualties totaling 23 wounded and 11 killed (Tregle, 1981).

On the other hand, the American casualties included 39 wounded, 19 captured or went missing, and 13 killed in total on that particular day (Remini, 2001). According to Anthony S Pitch and Robert Reminis references, British casualties amounted to 1262 wounded, 484 missings, and 1262 killed, totaling 2087 (Arthur, 1915). According to Jackson, three hundred of the prisoners picked when the British retreated from the Battlefield were wounded (United States, 1966). While according to ColonelArthur P. Hayne, the British got 1400 wounded and 700 fatalities, with 501 war prisoners in custody (Carr, 1979).

The Britishs massive number of casualties experienced on the Left Bank mirrored their failure to keep the surprise aspect, with much prior notice dispatched to the defenders, following delays in attacking the Right Bank (Carr, 1979). On the other hand, according to Reilly, the assertion that American artillery won the battle is true (Tregle, 1981).

The regiments losses out of range of small arms fire were unproportionate high, with close to all British accounts focusing on the heavy gunfire effects (Smith, 1904). Conversely, the 95th-foot riflemen in skirmish order, the artillerys most challenging target, lost 11 killed only (Remini, 2001).

According to an eyewitness, the British were only within musket-shot range for a few minutes below five (Carr, 1979). Also, according to Latours findings, the battalions of Daquin, Plauch, and Lacoste, together with three-quarters of the 44th US Infantry, failed to fire at all (Tregle, 1981). To have put such a massive toll on the British could not have been doable primarily with musket fire, where the best-trained forces could only afford to take shots every minute.

Contrary to their British counterparts, American soldiers had more prominent and more guns (United States, 1966). Moreover, they took cover in more protected earthworks with a stockade and a ditch (Carr, 1979). As a result, Americans had several advantages; however, they did not undermine the bravery and skill of their gunners.

Colonel Mullins of the 44th Foot, who was mandated to take ladders and fascines to the front to allow British troops to cross the ditch to conduct parapet scaling and fight their way into the breastwork of the Americans, was wholly blamed (Tregle, 1981). Even though Mullins was needed at the front, he was found half a mile to the rear (Arthur, 1915).

Having learned of Mullins behavior, Pakenham decided to take charge and head the 44th foot, leading them to the front with the required implements to ambush the work (Carr, 1979). In the process, Pakenham got wounded after a grapeshot hit from the front line some 500 yards (Remini, 2001). While being assisted to mount a horse, he got another hit that mortally wounded him.

Irrespective of the news that American...…by the French Consul and remonstrated with him (Arthur, 1915). His explanation and replies were such unsatisfying to Jackson that he decided to issue a general order on 28th February demanding all French nationals to exit the city and were not to be allowed any place closer than Baton Rouge.

Later on, those French nationals were allocated three days to comply with the order, after which all individuals who shall not have complied were to be registered and put to the generals orders (Carr, 1979). As a result, great consternation among the city residents who were majorly French-speaking was experienced (Tregle, 1981). However, Governor Claiborne failed to mediate, arguing that the issue should be resolved by judicial power (Arthur, 1915). Otherwise, considering that the city was under martial law, Jackson was practically the jury and judge.

Subsequently, one of the New Orleans papers brought matters to climax when it published a communication urging those impacted by Jacksons expulsion order to stop being guided by the military tribunals and instead appeal to the regular courts (Remini, 2001). Jackson was not pleased with the writers publication, and having obtained his name from the Editor, he ordered the arrest of M. Louaillier, a member of the state legislature (Arthur, 1915).

The orders of arrest by General Jackson were based on the passage in articles and rules of war which stipulated that: In a time of war all persons, not citizens of, or owing allegiance to, the United States, who shall be found lurking as spies in or about the fortifications or encampments of the armies of the United States, or any of them, shall suffer death, according to the laws and uages of nations, by sentence of a general court-martial (Tregle, 1981).

After some time, Louaillier was charged with general misconduct, illegal misconduct, being a spy, violations of the proclamation of martial law, unsoldierlike behavior, disobedience and misconduct to orders, exciting mutiny, and mutiny, amongst other charges (Tregle, 1981). He was tried before a court-martial (Arthur, 1915). Even though the court did not find the accused Louaillier guilty, Jackson disagreed with the courts finding and failed to release him from prison (Carr, 1979). Later on, Louaillier was released upon presidential pardon of all military detainees.