Battle of New Orleans: Causes, Combat, and Consequences

Overview and Background

The Battle of New Orleans occurred on January 8, 1815, between the United States Army, led by Major General Andrew Jackson, and the British army, led by Major General Sir Edward Pakenham (Smith, 1904). The battle took place approximately 8 kilometers southeast of the French Quarter of New Orleans (Arthur, 1915).

The battle was considered the climax of Britain's Gulf campaign, which ran from September 1814 to February 1815, with the goal of seizing West Florida, New Orleans, and, if possible, the Louisiana Territory. The campaign began at the initial Battle of Fort Bowyer (Remini, 2001). On December 14, 1814, Britain opened 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 final battle.

The battle occurred 18 days after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which formally ended the War of 1812 on December 24, 1814 (Carr, 1979). However, the United States had not yet ratified the treaty, so it did not take effect until February 16, 1815, because news of the agreement had to travel from Europe to the United States (Tregle, 1981).

Despite the British soldiers' advantages in experience, training, and numbers, American troops defeated a poorly executed assault in approximately 30 minutes (Remini, 2001). While the British suffered over 2,000 casualties, the Americans suffered only 71 (Carr, 1979). The British also lost their commanding general, Sir Edward Pakenham, and his second-in-command, Major General Samuel Gibbs, both killed in action.

The Battle and Casualty Figures

The Battle of New Orleans has been recognized for its casualties and apparent brevity. However, some figures are disputed and are inconsistent with the official data (Carr, 1979). Troops defending the Left Bank suffered severe casualties totaling 23 wounded and 11 killed (Tregle, 1981).

American casualties on that day included 39 wounded, 19 captured or missing, and 13 killed (Remini, 2001). According to Anthony S. Pitch and Robert Remini, British casualties amounted to 1,262 wounded, 484 missing, and 484 killed, totaling 2,037 — though other accounts place the killed figure at 1,262 as well, for a combined total of 2,087 (Arthur, 1915). According to Jackson, approximately 300 of the prisoners taken when the British retreated from the battlefield were wounded (United States, 1966). Colonel Arthur P. Hayne, by contrast, reported 1,400 British wounded and 700 fatalities, with 501 prisoners in custody (Carr, 1979).

The British's massive number of casualties on the Left Bank reflected their failure to maintain the element of surprise. Defenders had received considerable prior notice, and delays in attacking the Right Bank compounded the problem (Carr, 1979). According to Reilly, the assertion that American artillery won the battle is well founded (Tregle, 1981).

Regimental losses out of range of small arms fire were disproportionately high, with nearly all British accounts emphasizing the devastating effects of heavy gunfire (Smith, 1904). Conversely, the 95th Foot riflemen, deployed in skirmish order and therefore the most difficult targets for artillery, lost only 11 killed (Remini, 2001).

According to one eyewitness, the British were within musket-shot range for fewer than five minutes (Carr, 1979). Latour's findings further revealed that the battalions of Daquin, Plauché, and Lacoste, together with three-quarters of the 44th U.S. Infantry, did not fire at all (Tregle, 1981). Inflicting such heavy losses on the British could not have been achieved primarily through musket fire, given that even the best-trained forces could take only one shot per minute.

Military Advantages and British Failures

Compared to their British counterparts, American soldiers had more and larger guns (United States, 1966). They also took cover in well-protected earthworks, complete with a stockade and a ditch (Carr, 1979). These advantages were significant, but they did not diminish the skill and bravery of the American gunners.

Colonel Mullins of the 44th Foot had been ordered to bring ladders and fascines to the front to allow British troops to cross the ditch, scale the parapet, and fight their way into the American breastwork. He was entirely blamed for the failure to do so (Tregle, 1981). Though needed at the front, he was found half a mile to the rear (Arthur, 1915).

Upon learning of Mullins' conduct, Pakenham personally took charge of the 44th Foot and led them toward the front with the required equipment (Carr, 1979). In doing so, Pakenham was wounded by grapeshot while approximately 500 yards from the front line (Remini, 2001). While being assisted onto a horse, he was struck again and mortally wounded.

Despite reports that American batteries had been captured on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, British commanders decided that continuing the Louisiana campaign would be too costly (Remini, 2001). General Lambert convened a council of war three days after the battle (Carr, 1979). Having resolved to withdraw, the British departed their camp at Villere's Plantation on January 19.

References

Arthur, S. C. (1915). The Story of the Battle of New Orleans. Louisiana Historical Society.

Carr, J. A. (1979). The Battle of New Orleans and the Treaty of Ghent. Diplomatic History, 3(3), 273–282.

Remini, R. V. (2001). The Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson and America's First Military Victory. Penguin.

Smith, Z. F. (1904). The Battle of New Orleans (No. 19). Binker North.

Tregle, J. G. (1981). Andrew Jackson and the continuing Battle of New Orleans. Journal of the Early Republic, 1(4), 373–393.

United States. Battle of New Orleans Sesquicentennial Celebration Commission. (1966). Battle of New Orleans Sesquicentennial Celebration, 1815–1865: Final Report to the United States Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office.