Source: Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger. Andrew Jackson And The Miracle Of New
Orleans - The Battle That Shaped America's Destiny (2017)
Orleans - The Battle That Shaped America's Destiny (2017)
Lt. Jones was on board one of the five gunboats, waiting for the British advance across the lake. During the previous few days, the 24 yr old commander had been playing cat-and-mouse with the British, and reporting to Patterson everything he observed. The British started to move across Lake Borgne on 13 December 1814 at 10 am, and their attack on New Orleans had officially started. Jones ordered the schooner to blow up the US supplies located on a nearby shore so the British wouldn’t get any “freebies”, but there was little else he could do other than be an irritant to the British advance.
Jones kept waiting for the British barges to move south and land their troops, but instead the British kept advancing on his position, and by 2 pm Jones became 100% sure the were targeting his gunboats. Jones retreated further into Lake Borgne, heading to the Rigolets as Patterson had ordered, and if his stand there failed, he would retreat into Lake Pontchartrain. However, the waters had become even more shallow and three gunboats became stuck, and it wasn’t until 3:30 pm that the boats were freed.
Jones noticed that three barges veered to the north to attack the schooner, which navigated as close to shore as possible, and the men were able to fend off the British from both ship and land. But by 7:30 pm, the crew of the schooner set their ship ablaze, knowing they could not withstand any further attacks. Jones soon thereafter lost the wind, while the British barges were powered by oarsmen; Jones knew he would have to turn and engage the British the next morning.
Jones kept waiting for the British barges to move south and land their troops, but instead the British kept advancing on his position, and by 2 pm Jones became 100% sure the were targeting his gunboats. Jones retreated further into Lake Borgne, heading to the Rigolets as Patterson had ordered, and if his stand there failed, he would retreat into Lake Pontchartrain. However, the waters had become even more shallow and three gunboats became stuck, and it wasn’t until 3:30 pm that the boats were freed.
Jones noticed that three barges veered to the north to attack the schooner, which navigated as close to shore as possible, and the men were able to fend off the British from both ship and land. But by 7:30 pm, the crew of the schooner set their ship ablaze, knowing they could not withstand any further attacks. Jones soon thereafter lost the wind, while the British barges were powered by oarsmen; Jones knew he would have to turn and engage the British the next morning.
The British started off by capturing the converted fishing vessel which was used for communications, and the British continued to advance on the five gunboats who were anchored in place. Jones had no choice, since the winds were still calm and the current worked against them. More than 40 British barges closed on the five gunboats, and Jones ordered the boarding nets to be released into the water (which would make it far more difficult for the British to board a gunboat).
The British waited just out of range of the cannon on the gunboats in essence to rest up for the final assault. The gunboats were not in an even row of five due to the current, and Jones’ boat was actually the first which would be in the line of fire. While the US smooth bore cannon on each gunboat had longer range, able to fire more than a mile away, the barges were small targets. Despite the best efforts of the crew of Jones’ gunboat, Jones was shot in the shoulder and the British boarded and took the vessel, and in less that two hours the rest of the gunboats fell into the hands of the British.
Despite the defeat, Jones had served Jackson well, in that he bought Jackson valuable time. Under interrogation, Jones and his men exaggerated the size of Jackson’s force, which created some hesitation and concern in Cochrane’s decision-making. Cochrane may have gained the necessary foothold to bring British troops to the immediate vicinity of New Orleans, but he had no idea of the strength of Jackson’s army.
The British waited just out of range of the cannon on the gunboats in essence to rest up for the final assault. The gunboats were not in an even row of five due to the current, and Jones’ boat was actually the first which would be in the line of fire. While the US smooth bore cannon on each gunboat had longer range, able to fire more than a mile away, the barges were small targets. Despite the best efforts of the crew of Jones’ gunboat, Jones was shot in the shoulder and the British boarded and took the vessel, and in less that two hours the rest of the gunboats fell into the hands of the British.
Despite the defeat, Jones had served Jackson well, in that he bought Jackson valuable time. Under interrogation, Jones and his men exaggerated the size of Jackson’s force, which created some hesitation and concern in Cochrane’s decision-making. Cochrane may have gained the necessary foothold to bring British troops to the immediate vicinity of New Orleans, but he had no idea of the strength of Jackson’s army.
Jackson would not learn of the defeat on Lake Borgne until a day after the citizens of New Orleans heard the bad news. Before hearing the bad news, and despite another round of dysentery, Jackson went to the mouth of Lake Borgne, opposite where Jones had faced the British, and then to view the expanse of Lake Pontchartrain, and then to Chef Menteur Road, which to Jackson seemed the most likely avenue for the British advance on land. Then, on 15 December 1814, Jackson received the news of Jones’ defeat on Lake Borgne.
Jackson had written Monroe that the lakes around New Orleans had been secured, and now Jackson wished he could get that letter back. Jackson knew that he, with only about 1000 men, had to pull a rabbit out of his hat to protect the city. Jackson sent out emergency missives ordering the men he had positioned in such locations as Baton Rouge to come back immediately. Jackson was also waiting for around 2500 Kentucky Riflemen under the command of General John Thomas to arrive, and he also worrying if the supplies and ammunition from Pittsburgh would arrive on time. Jackson ordered that two battalions of free blacks be incorporated into his command, but he also ordered that they be treated equally.
Jackson had his hands full, in that he needed to calm a panicked city while also uniting various factions. In order to try and accomplish both of those tasks, Jackson announced that a procession (parade) would occur in the city’s central square, knowing that those in New Orleans loved a parade. Citizens cheered for all the various elements of Jackson’s army as they proceeded through the central square, honoring those whose loyalties/qualities had been recently questioned.
Jackson had written Monroe that the lakes around New Orleans had been secured, and now Jackson wished he could get that letter back. Jackson knew that he, with only about 1000 men, had to pull a rabbit out of his hat to protect the city. Jackson sent out emergency missives ordering the men he had positioned in such locations as Baton Rouge to come back immediately. Jackson was also waiting for around 2500 Kentucky Riflemen under the command of General John Thomas to arrive, and he also worrying if the supplies and ammunition from Pittsburgh would arrive on time. Jackson ordered that two battalions of free blacks be incorporated into his command, but he also ordered that they be treated equally.
Jackson had his hands full, in that he needed to calm a panicked city while also uniting various factions. In order to try and accomplish both of those tasks, Jackson announced that a procession (parade) would occur in the city’s central square, knowing that those in New Orleans loved a parade. Citizens cheered for all the various elements of Jackson’s army as they proceeded through the central square, honoring those whose loyalties/qualities had been recently questioned.
Through Livingston, a resplendent Jackson complimented the citizens and encouraged them to further heroism, and then he addressed each faction of his army. Jackson left his audience reassured/inspired, but he also declared martial law the day before, meaning that there was no longer any free entry/exit from the city, and that there was a city-wide 9 pm curfew with lights-out. Through his martial law proclamation, Jackson ordered that every able-bodied man was to fight (even though that may not have been exactly legal). That order also meant that Patterson could conscript who he needed, since he was desperate for additional numbers as well. While Jackson succeeded in reducing panic, he didn’t know that the British were well on their way to New Orleans a full day before the parade.
Barges propelled by oarsmen dealt with the shallow waters and brought forth many soldiers, but it was still a hard crossing given that the barges were overloaded, and the 30 mile / 10 hour voyage each way was miserable (storms made the crossing even more unbearable). Pea Island, which was little more than a sandbar, would be the staging location for the advance. The oarsmen had to make three complete round trips, and then another hard row of 30 miles awaited to reach real landfall. Pea Island had no cover or shelter, and the British misery continued. It took five days to get the British forces on Pea Island, but morale remained high due to the anticipated spoils of war.
Barges propelled by oarsmen dealt with the shallow waters and brought forth many soldiers, but it was still a hard crossing given that the barges were overloaded, and the 30 mile / 10 hour voyage each way was miserable (storms made the crossing even more unbearable). Pea Island, which was little more than a sandbar, would be the staging location for the advance. The oarsmen had to make three complete round trips, and then another hard row of 30 miles awaited to reach real landfall. Pea Island had no cover or shelter, and the British misery continued. It took five days to get the British forces on Pea Island, but morale remained high due to the anticipated spoils of war.
Jackson remained clueless about which route the British would take from Lake Borgne, and from which location the British would actually launch their ground assault. After Jackson received word that the British were on Pea Island, he knew from his own reconnoitering that the best route was along the Plain of Gentilly, and he sent men to that location. However, it was also possible that the British would travel south of that plain at Jumonville, and it was also possible to advance via the English Turn.
While the most direct routes were manned, Jackson still had two problems, in that he did not have enough ammunition, and he didn’t have enough knowledge of the bayous in order to repel every possibility of attack. In order to strengthen his defenses, Jackson needed to add one more group to his motley collection of troops. For months, Jackson had resisted making any agreements with pirates, and the motives of Lafitte were hard to decipher in any case. On 14 December 1814, the Louisiana state legislature in effect granted amnesty to Lafitte and his pirates for all previous transgressions, and Jackson was under increased pressure from the numerous and influential Creoles to enlist Lafitte.
For the last three years, Livingston had been Lafitte’s legal advisor, and Jackson asked Livingston for his advice, and Livingston recommended that Jackson at least meet w/ Lafitte. Jackson was also interested in that Lafitte had boasted that he could supply an army of 30k, so in effect Jackson had little choice but to meet with the pirate leader. After obtaining secure passage to enter the city (since there was still a warrant out for his arrest), Lafitte explained to Jackson that he offered more than just his allegiance; he had over 1000 men willing to fight, and he had powder, shot, and flints, all of which Jackson desperately needed.
Just as Jackson had recognized a military kindred spirit win Red Eagle, Jackson saw Lafitte in the same way. And Lafitte knew the backwater bayous intimately, and Jackson had Volunteers and Riflemen that hit what they aimed at, and Lafitte had the necessary ammunition. So, Jackson arranged that after Lafitte was through organizing his men and distributing the ammunition, etc, that he would join Jackson as a de facto officer.
While the most direct routes were manned, Jackson still had two problems, in that he did not have enough ammunition, and he didn’t have enough knowledge of the bayous in order to repel every possibility of attack. In order to strengthen his defenses, Jackson needed to add one more group to his motley collection of troops. For months, Jackson had resisted making any agreements with pirates, and the motives of Lafitte were hard to decipher in any case. On 14 December 1814, the Louisiana state legislature in effect granted amnesty to Lafitte and his pirates for all previous transgressions, and Jackson was under increased pressure from the numerous and influential Creoles to enlist Lafitte.
For the last three years, Livingston had been Lafitte’s legal advisor, and Jackson asked Livingston for his advice, and Livingston recommended that Jackson at least meet w/ Lafitte. Jackson was also interested in that Lafitte had boasted that he could supply an army of 30k, so in effect Jackson had little choice but to meet with the pirate leader. After obtaining secure passage to enter the city (since there was still a warrant out for his arrest), Lafitte explained to Jackson that he offered more than just his allegiance; he had over 1000 men willing to fight, and he had powder, shot, and flints, all of which Jackson desperately needed.
Just as Jackson had recognized a military kindred spirit win Red Eagle, Jackson saw Lafitte in the same way. And Lafitte knew the backwater bayous intimately, and Jackson had Volunteers and Riflemen that hit what they aimed at, and Lafitte had the necessary ammunition. So, Jackson arranged that after Lafitte was through organizing his men and distributing the ammunition, etc, that he would join Jackson as a de facto officer.
By December 1814 in Ghent, the US contingent started to believe that an agreement might be within reach, with fishing rights in the North Atlantic and navigation on the Mississippi River the only apparent remaining issues. John Quincy Adams valued the fishing rights far more than Clay, and Clay valued navigation on the Mississippi far more than JQA. Then the British introduced a new wrinkle to the negotiations, focusing yet again on language that kept lands in possession held by either side at the end of the war. JQA started to think that something was up (catching up to Gallatin), and he started to wonder what the British really wanted to achieve with that language; JQA wondered what would happen if the British captured New Orleans.
The new draft of the document indicated that all territories, places, and possessions captured during the war would be returned, but was that phrase accurate, and to be trusted? Would the treaty mean that the US would get New Orleans back if the British took possession of the city? To John Quincy Adams, the key word was “possessions”, in that the British had never officially recognized the Louisiana Territory as an American possession. Unknown to JAQ, Clay, and Gallatin, General Pakenham’s orders were to keep going after New Orleans until he had confirmation by the British government of a finalized treaty. Pakenham was told to gain “possession of the country”. If JQA didn’t fully understand what was going on, Jackson had no chance, but Jackson’s instincts told him that holding on to New Orleans was beyond-vital.
The new draft of the document indicated that all territories, places, and possessions captured during the war would be returned, but was that phrase accurate, and to be trusted? Would the treaty mean that the US would get New Orleans back if the British took possession of the city? To John Quincy Adams, the key word was “possessions”, in that the British had never officially recognized the Louisiana Territory as an American possession. Unknown to JAQ, Clay, and Gallatin, General Pakenham’s orders were to keep going after New Orleans until he had confirmation by the British government of a finalized treaty. Pakenham was told to gain “possession of the country”. If JQA didn’t fully understand what was going on, Jackson had no chance, but Jackson’s instincts told him that holding on to New Orleans was beyond-vital.
Cochrane sent out spies (including Spaniards), and after hearing the information that was brought back, he concluded that the best approach to New Orleans was via Bayou Bienvenue, in that it was unguarded and without obstructions. Also, ten-to-twelve Spaniards would act as pilots along the complex waterway. On 22 December 1814, Cochrane gave the order to advance with an expeditionary force of 1600 men, and they entered the Bayou Bienvenue that night. US pickets were captured, so Jackson knew nothing about the advance.
The next day, the swamp gave way to firmer ground for the British, and New Orleans was only seven miles away on dry ground. The British expeditionary force decided to rest overnight instead of taking the fight right to the Americans, which was the first major British mistake of the campaign. The British had taken possession of a plantation as their new staging ground, and took prisoners, including the ower, Major Villere. Villere escaped by exiting a window, knocking down a few British soldiers, and running away to a nearby dense cypress woods, somehow avoiding getting shot. Villere knew he was being pursued, but he knew the area, and the British did not. Villere hid himself by climbing up a huge cypress tree, and the British failed to find him, returning to the plantation knowing that news of the presence and approach would now reach New Orleans.
Addendum: The First Battle of New Orleans . . .
The next day, the swamp gave way to firmer ground for the British, and New Orleans was only seven miles away on dry ground. The British expeditionary force decided to rest overnight instead of taking the fight right to the Americans, which was the first major British mistake of the campaign. The British had taken possession of a plantation as their new staging ground, and took prisoners, including the ower, Major Villere. Villere escaped by exiting a window, knocking down a few British soldiers, and running away to a nearby dense cypress woods, somehow avoiding getting shot. Villere knew he was being pursued, but he knew the area, and the British did not. Villere hid himself by climbing up a huge cypress tree, and the British failed to find him, returning to the plantation knowing that news of the presence and approach would now reach New Orleans.
Addendum: The First Battle of New Orleans . . .