In 1814, British forces fresh from the Napoleonic Wars, set sails for New Orleans in hopes to its ports as well as the rest of the Mississippi River. This would in turn give them control of goods and supplies of the western frontier, west of the Mississippi River, and its settlements on the east banks of the mighty river. On December 23, 1814 an advance party of 2,000 British soldiers reached banks of Lake Borgne located roughly tenmiles southeast of New Orleans. This advance party landed after part of its naval fleet, commanded by General Edward Pakenham, had defeated a small group of American naval ships near Lake Borgne. The 2000 British regulars along with 6000 troop reinforcements did not go unnoticed. They were met by a stern Major General Andrew Jackson …show more content…
While rallying his men he shot in the thigh and mortally wounded in the spine. Soon after in a matter minutes the entire British command was decimated. “With the majority of their officers out of commission, the British attack descended into bedlam. A few valiant troops tried to climb the parapets by hand, only to withdraw when they found they had no support. Pakenham’s secondary assault on Jackson’s battery across the river had met with more success, but it was too little too late. By the time the British seized the American artillery position, they could see the day was already lost.”-History.com Staff.
Victory!!
Battle facts:
British:
• The British Supply lines were stretch thin. Their food, supplies and ammo had to be rowed ashore to the encampment and then marched to the battlefield. This decreased the moral of their soldiers and hindered there combat effectiveness.
• The command did not take into account the terrain, water levels and the affects of land deformation.
• I’ll equip and unable to adapt to the enemies fortifications.
• Greatly outnumbered the enemy. (8,000 to 10,000)
• Poor leadership.