We begin our discussion of the Battle of New Orleans with this map. While this map reflects a post-battle survey, the city remained essentially the same. This is the New Orleans Andrew Jackson experienced when he arrived on 1-December-1814. He progressed from Tennessee to Mobile, then along the Gulf Coast to New Orleans. In just over a month, Jackson would lead an American force in defense of New Orleans against a force of British Army regulars, just south of the city proper.
The map displays the extend to which New Orleans had grown in almost a century. It presents what would become the three “municipalities,” later “districts.” The center is the French Quarter, the original 1721 city plan. To the left, on the west side of Canal Street, is the “Second Municipality,” also known as Faubourg Ste. Marie, the American Sector. To the right of the Quarter is the “Third Municipality,” originally the Marigny Plantation. Just above the Quarter is Faubourg Treme.
Place d’Armes
The main municipal buildings stood behind the Place d’Armes. St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytere are visible at the top of this map. Jackson initially operated from the Cabildo. The Spanish government completed the building in 1799, and the Americans continued to use it as city hall. While the Presbytere’s original purpose was to be a rectory for the priests staffing the cathedral, it was used for retail and city offices by 1814.
The three main buildings were quite different than what we see now, from the square named for Jackson. Both Cabildo and Presbytere were two-story buildings in 1814. They would not expand to three stories until 1847.
The church visible on this map is the 1794 cathedral. The original parish church of St. Louis burned in 1788 and 1794. This church took its place, only to be demolished in front of the present church in 1850.
The Ursuline Convent survived the fires of 1788 and 1794. It served as a school for young women and a residence for the nuns staffing the hospital.
The Carondelet Canal flows through Treme, to the end of Bayou St. John. The canal replaced the “old portage” between the end of the bayou and the city proper. Fort St. John, the “Spanish Fort” at the mouth of the bayou at Lake Pontchartrain, blocked access to the city by boat from the north.
The Port
The riverfront and port accommodated flatboats coming down the river with cotton and sugar. The first steamboat arrived in New Orleans only two years earlier, in 1812. So, the city did not experience the full economic impact of steamboat travel until after the battle. Ocean-going ships came up the river from the Gulf of Mexico, passing Fort St. Phillip before reaching the port. This fort, as well as Fort St. Leon at English Turn, stood as primary defense points below the city.
Daily life
The public market ran along the riverfront from the Place d’Armes to Fort St. Charles, now the Old US Mint. The French Market served as primary marketplace for New Orleans until the 1830s. This map shows the “Boucherie” at St. Ann Street and the river. The “Butcher’s Market” later expands, extending to Dumaine Street.
Given the urgency of Jackson’s mission, he did not partake in much social activity in New Orleans. After issuing orders to bolster the city’s defenses, he left the city proper for the main house at the McCarthy Plantation. The Battle of Lake Borgne made it clear the British would attack the city from the east, cutting through the swamps of St. Bernard Parish. Jackson and his officers worked tirelessly to marshal regular army and militia units in Chalmette.
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.
Plan book 95, folio 26, New Orleans Notarial Archives, February 16, 1853, unsigned. Royal between Canal and Customhouse, backed by Bourbon Street. The lot size is about 36 feet by 159 feet. The estimated building date is 1830. The sign over the wide door on the left reads, “Sewell T. Taylor.” This porte-cochère storehouse features handsom, double-paneled, square-headed doors on the right, opening to an elliptical arched passageway.
Many townhouses in New Orleans feature a porte-cochère in lieu of a classic front door. Here’s Toledano’s description of the feature:
Two or three story building with a wide carriageway is especially suitable for the twenty-first century. It allows off-street parking and a courtyard or patio, with a rear entrance stairway to the living quarters above.
While it’s referred to as a carriageway, Creole townhouses didn’t usually store a carriage in the back. The more common use case was to back a carriage into the entrance, to provide cover for riders during inclement weather. Most Quarter residents didn’t stable horses at their homes, either. Horses occupy a lot of space. There were a number of buildings that served as stables. Your coachman dropped you off at home, then took the horse and carriage off to another location.
Additionally, residents of the townhouse accessed the building via the door on the left side. This door led to an alleyway connecting the sidewalk to the courtyard. Household staff, usually enslaved people at the time of this plan book, could come and go through this separate entrance.
Now a hotel
Alas, this “store-house” Ain’t There No More. This block of Royal now contains the Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter Hotel. Many will remember this location from when it was a Holiday Inn.
Step back in time
Stepping through the Porte-cochère at Sylvain on Chartres Street. (Sylvain photo)
My favorite example of a porte-cochère is Sylvain Restaurant, located at 625 Chartres. We pass by Sylvain when I lead the Friends of the Cabildo French Quarter Walking Tour on an “up-river” walk. Since the building is a restaurant, it’s easy for visitors to walk through the carriageway to the courtyard (and the restaurant’s entrance). Close your eyes and imagine the master of the house coming into the porte-cochère on his horse, dismounting, and continuing into the courtyard. As we know, the courtyard was the center of family life in these New Orleans homes.
The house at Bourbon and St. Philip Streets is part of the Jean Lafitte legend.
Jean Lafitte Blacksmith House
via THNOC, this 1960s rendering by “Nick, D.” of the Jean Lafitte Blacksmith House offers a magical view of a popular Vieux Carré bar. While there is no record of the house being owned by the Lafitte brothers, it’s part of their legends and stories.
The image
THNOC’s record for the image:
Grisaille rendering of the Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bourbon Street at Saint Philip in the French Quarter. Shows single-story house with single chimney, two dormers, curved hipped roof and brique-entre-poteaux construction with four French doors having louvered shutters. Shows a coach lamp at left, a streetlamp at right, and a crescent moon in the sky at upper left.
It’s a writing prompt.
Meeting place
The house was purported to be where the Lafittes met with local ship captains and businessmen. The privateers needed to sell the goods they smuggled into Louisiana, and legitimate business owners were not going to invite the brothers into their homes. So, operating out of a house a bit further downriver made sense from the current bar’s website:
Between 1772 and 1791, the property is believed to have been used by the Lafitte Brothers, Jean and Pierre as a New Orleans base for their Barataria smuggling operation. The legend is based on the fact that the property was owned by the family of Simon Duroche a.k.a. Castillon and the wily privateer Captain Rene Beluche. Castillon was a rather record-shy adventurer and entrepreneur. Captain Beluche commanded his ship “Spy” in Lafitte’s Baratarian fleet. Although the owners of the property, Jean Baptiste Dominica Joly LaPorte probably lived on the premises, it is within reason that the Lafittes could have used the place as city base for negotiations with potential buyers of their goods.
From smuggler’s base to tourist watering hole!
Walking Tour
My version of the Friends of the Cabildo French Quarter Walking Tour goes past Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. We walk from Jackson Square, through the French Market, then up to Ursulines and Bourbon Streets. So, we talk about the house became one of the oldest gay bars in the US in 1933. An ownership change in 1953 forced the gay bar to move to the other end of that block of Bourbon. Now the original bar is now “Cafe Lafitte in Exile,” located at Bourbon and Dumaine Streets.
Podcast version of our Third Thursday Sicilian talk.
Podcast 61 – When the French Quarter was Sicilian
Thanks to everyone who came out last Thursday night for our fourth talk in our “Third Thursday Lecture Series.” This talk is essentially a lecture, now podcast, version of part of my “down-river” French Quarter Walking Tour. We explore the part of the Quarter known as “Little Palermo” in the early part of the 1900s. From the riverfront to the French Market, up into the neighborhood, we talk about produce farmers, market vendors, grocers, bakers, organized crime, and a well-known ice cream guy.
As mentioned in the presentation, I am a volunteer tour guide for the Friends of the Cabildo (FOC). The FOC offers one of the best French Quarter Walking Tours, and I’m proud they let me do them! This presentation is more-or-less a verbal/image “walk” like my tour. When going “down-river” from Jackson Square, you just can’t avoid talking about the Sicilian influence in the French Quarter, beginning in the 1880s. You’re most welcome to join us on the tour–click the link for more information.
Creole Italian by Justin A. Nystrom (link to bookshop.org)
While there are several good books on the Sicilian influences and history in New Orleans, I really enjoy Dr. Nystrom’s. The book goes well beyond just Da Quarters, but his thoughts on “Little Palermo” are excellent.
Scenes
Sicilian Lemons, which became part of the tariff issues in 1897.
Produce stall at the French Market, 1920s (colorized by NOLA History Guy)
While Progress Grocery ain’t there no more, Central Grocery is still selling muffulettas at 923 Decatur Street. The Peronne family closed their grocery at 1003 Decatur, but still operate as a wholesale business. You can buy Progress Grocery brand olive salad and other products at local supermarkets.
Memories of my sophomore Religion teacher, Brother Ivy Leblanc, SC.
Mr. Thomas Ridgley (SA ’51), his wife Elaine, and Brother Ivy LeBlanc, S.C., at the annual Prayer Breakfast, 2009.
Brother Ivy Leblanc, SC
I was devastated when I received an email last week, asking for prayers for Brother Ivy. The school shared that Brother was not doing well, and his doctors decided on palliative care, to ease his passing. He passed yesterday. Others will eulogize and honor a man who dedicated his life to the Institute and specifically, Brother Martin High School. Here are some personal thoughts and memories of a wonderful man.
The “cool young Brother”
I first met Brother Ivy in the fall of 1973, as a tenth grader. I walked into one of the classrooms in the downstairs Resource Center, finding a younger teacher directing us to sit anywhere for that day. He introduced himself, and that led to a fun year. My fondest memory of Brother Ivy the teacher was the second or third day of the class. Catholic school, just about every class started with a prayer. Brother Leo Godin, SC, always said a Hail Mary. Other teachers, a Glory Be. Brother Ivy starts with the Sign of the Cross, then pauses, rather than offering further prayer. He said, “You know, the Sign of the Cross is, in itself, a complete prayer. So, let us begin, In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Talk about things that stick with you, fifty years later.
Vice-Principal
My classmate Bill McGreal (BMHS 1976) did sketches of the administrative team for the 1976 edition of Yesterday, the school’s yearbook. As I assembled images for the book, including Bill’s sketches was a no-brainer. At this time, Brother Ivy was in his second year as Vice-Principal (Discipline). In the 1974-75 school year, Brother Collin Dugas, SC (another great teacher and man of faith) stepped down as Vice-Principal (Academics). He and Mr. Louis Levy were the assistants to the first two BMHS principals, Brother Mark Thornton, SC, and Brother Brice Hendrick, SC. (Brother Brice later left the Institute, but as with everything I use to document the history of the school, I go with who these men were at a particular point in time.) So, I got to the school in the 1971-72 year. It was Brother Brice, Brother Collin, and Mr. Levy. By 1974, Brother Collin struggled with health issues and retired. Mr. Levy moved to Academics, and Brother Ivy stepped into the Disciplinarian role. Bill sketched Brother Ivy a year into what is arguably the hardest job on campus. He caught Brother’s electricity.
Principal, President
Brother Brice left BMHS at the end of the 1974-75 school. So, Brother Donan Berry, SC, came down from Catholic High in Baton Rouge, becoming Brother Martin’s third principal. Brother Donan left in 1978, and Brother Ivy moved into the top job. This 1987 photo shows Brother and Mr. John Devlin, Assistant Principal, displaying an “Excellence In Education” banner awarded the school by the Department of Education. In 1988, the school created the position of President. Brother Ivy became the first in that role, with Mr. Devlin taking over as Principal. This marked the first time a lay person ran the school.
Provincal
This 1999 photo shows Brother Ivy (left), Mr. Tom Benson (St. Aloysius 1944), and Brother Jean Sobert, SC, inspecting the progress of the “St. Aloysius Class of 1944 Gymnasium” and the Ridgley Fine Arts Center. Brother Ivy had moved to the position as Provincial, in charge of the United States Province of the Institute. Mr. Devlin moved up to President, and Mr. Gene Tullier became Brother Martin’s second principal. There’s a bit of a story behind this photo. As I put together this chapter of the book, the Development Office asked if I could work in a photo of Tom Benson. Benson was a controversial figure, as a businessman and owner of the New Orleans Saints. I came across this photo in Mr. Spellman’s office and thought, this is perfect. Brother Ivy and Brother Jean were both icons.
Legacy
Brother Ivy LeBlanc guided both the school and the Institute through a period of incredible change. His memory will bless the school for generations.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Recent Comments