As we close out November, it’s time for a Battle of New Orleans re-org.
Battle of Pensacola, 7-November-1814. (Revolutionary War Trust image)
Battle of New Orleans re-org
Your humble NOLA History Guy received an invitation to speak to a group on the history of the Battle of New Orleans next March. While an undergraduate at University of New Orleans, I focused more on European history from the French Revolution to the mid-19th Century. I wasn’t all that interested in the American Southern Rebellion. Naturally, the War of 1812 comes under the Napoleonic umbrella, and a NOLA student knew the importance of the last battle of that conflict. So, I’ve been proud to speak on the subject of the 1814 Gulf Coast campaigns of the British and Americans that culminated in the “Glorious 8th of January, 1815.”
The organization of blog posts and podcasts on the battle here is quite haphazard. I want to re-organize this material so that, when I give this talk, I can point folks at a proper set of resources. Come along for the ride!
Movements prior to 1-December-1814
Andrew Jackson received a commission as Major General in the US Army on !4-June-1814. He assumed command of the 7th Military District. While the district operated from New Orleans, Jackson and his troops marched from Tennessee to Mobile. He attacked the Creek nation, forcing the indigenous to support the United States. He arrived in Mobile on 22-August. The US Army controlled Mobile, but not Florida. Then-Lt. Colonel Edward Nicholls of the British Army occupied Pensacola on 14-August. Nicholls and his troops attempted to take Mobile on 16-September. The attack failed. Jackson counter-attacked and captured Pensacola on 7-November. He established an American presence there and returned to Mobile. Satisfied that Mobile and Pensacola were secure, Jackson left Mobile for New Orleans on 22-November.
Naval Operations
Jackson focused on acquiring territory along the Gulf Coast. His operations concentrated on pushing the indigenous, Spanish, and British off the coast. The Americans ignored developments in Europe, most notably, the defeat and abdication of Bonaparte. The cessation of hostilities with France gave Britain more resources to turn on the Americans. So, Jackson didn’t consider his movements a defense, but rather an advancement of American goals.
Additionally, United States Navy ignored the movements of the Royal Navy in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Despite receiving warnings of the RN movements, Commodore Daniel Patterson attacked a potential ally–the Lafitte Brothers. Patterson attacked the Lafitte base at Grand Terre Island, on the Gulf in Jefferson Parish. Patterson’s attack was successful, and the Lafittes abandoned Grand Terre. The USN established a base there. Eventually, Fort Livingston became a permanent coastal defense position. So, in the long term, taking over Grand Terre made sense. In the short term, however, Patterson alienated the Lafittes. This threatened to cut off a significant source of intelligence and assistance for Jackson.
Royal Navy movements
As mentoned, the Royal Navy, under the command of Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, re-grouped at the Jamaica Station after the British Army burned Washington, DC. On 26-November, Cochrane led a 60-vessel force from Jamaica into the Gulf of Mexico.
Prelude to Battle
Jackson had his hands full when he reached New Orleans. December, 1814, determined the course of American history. This NOLA History Guide continues with movements leading up to the Battle of Lake Borgne on 14-December-1814.
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