Buildup to artillery duel

December 31, 1814, New Year’s Eve, New Orleans

Plantations south of New Orleans – As larger cannons arrive, the British struggle to set up firing positions. The must rely on barrels of sugar and molasses as platforms. They plan to surprise the Americans on New Year’s morning with a barrage and if they are able to knock out the American cannons, will advance immediately, all the way to New Orleans. Gen. Jackson also receives larger cannons as well and they are established at the strong fortification behind the Rodriguez canal.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

Picquets murdered

December 30, 1814, New Orleans

Bienvenue and de la Ronde Plantations – More British picquets are murdered by Jackson’s Choctaw and Chickasaw, throats sliced, some beheaded, as additional troops arrive, along with cannons. The first two land battles have gone against the British and Gen. Pakenham determines he must first destroy the American artillery. He waits for larger cannons while the American build up their earth-mud rampart, deepen the Rodriguez Canal. Gen. Jackson still worries about an attack through Gentilly and reinforces his troops there.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

Buildups continue

December 29, 1814, New Orleans

de la Ronde Plantation – The winter of 1814 is icy-cold, wet, miserable around New Orleans. The British are freezing and hungry, dispirited. The Royal Navy struggles through the swamp to deliver larger cannons. Gen. Pakenham rallies his officers, declaring, “It unthinkable for this army to retreat from this battle.”

Rodriguez Plantation – The Americans build up their breastworks, bring up bigger cannon and construct a cheniére (ridge) in the swamp to secure their left flank. They feast on excellent Creole food. In the city, women and children pray to the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, to deliver them from the damn British.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

Reconnaissance-in-Force - third engagement of the Battle of New Orleans

December 28, 1814 – 

Rodriguez Plantation – A Reconnaissance-in-Force. At dawn, the British advance in two columns, one at the river, one near the swamp. The Americans stand behind partially-constructed ramparts at the small Rodriguez Canal. The British have twice their number. A cannonade begins from both sides as USS LOUISIANA swoops down to fire on the advancing British. The line staggers from American artillery. At the swamp’s edge the British are at the gates, almost flanking the American line. At the critical moment, Gen. Pakenham calls a retreat as his companies are decimated by cannon fire. He’s learned a hard lesson, artillery wins battles and the American cannoneers, especially the Baratarians, are lethal.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

USS CAROLINA destroyed

December 27, 1814

Chalmette Plantation – Heated shot from British cannons set USS CAROLINA ablaze and the schooner blows up, but only after the Baratarians aboard remove her cannon. The larger USS LOUISIANA escapes upriver, while American artillery blows up the Chalmette and Bienvenu Plantation Houses to prevent their use by the enemy. Gen. Pakenham plans a Reconnaissance-in-Force tomorrow morning. He will not yet commit his army to a full attack. If a weakness is discovered in the US line, if the American militia run as the did outside Washington City, his Recon will push through all the way to New Orleans.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

Clarification

In my Christmas posting beneath the image of Gen. Pakenham, I put the following:

Sir Edward Michael Pakenham

brevet Lt. General, Commander-in-Chief of the New Orleans Expedition

Future British Royal Governor of Louisiana

Brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington

When Gen. Pakenham departed England for the campaign to capture New Orleans on November 1, 1814, he carried a decree proclaiming him Royal Governor of Louisiana. That is why I listed it under his image. To the British he was the future governor. It was contingent on his capturing New Orleans, of course. And we all know how that turned out

Sorry for the confusion.

De Noux

December 26, 1814

Plantations south of New Orleans – Gen. Jackson’s Choctaws and Chickasaws murder British picquets near the swamp in the early morning hours as the general sets up his headquarters in Macarté House, using the Rodriguez Plantation House as a forward observation position. Gen. Pakenham sets up his command at de la Ronde Plantation. First course of action, bring up guns with heated shot to rid the river of the American ships whose cannons command the battlefield.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

Sir Edward Michael Pakenham

brevet Lt. General, Commander-in-Chief of the New Orleans Expedition

Future British Royal Governor of Louisiana

Brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington

December 25, 1814, Christmas

Villére Plantation – British Commander-in-Chief Sir Edward Pakenham arrives at this plantation, eight miles below New Orleans, to find his army on the verge of collapse, men cold, hungry and dispirited. Worse, he discovers his Wellington’s Heroes have suffered a strategic defeat by a rag-tag American army. His command has little artillery and faces a fortified enemy position which he must attack head-on across open, flat land along a narrow corridor between an almost impenetrable swamp and the Mississippi River, which (unbelievably) the Americans also command with two ships.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

December 24, 1814, Christmas Eve

Rodriguez Plantation – This morning, after a strategic victory over the British south of the city last night, Gen. Andrew Jackson’s troops begin constructing their breastworks behind the Rodriguez Canal five miles below New Orleans. The British claim a tactical victory as they command the battlefield after the American attack, however, they are stopped cold and will not attempt another advance until their commanding general arrives.

New Orleans – Gen. Jackson inspects his troops again and receives a surprise visit from British spy Alicia Allenwood, who comes to expose Harold Lowe as a spy and offer her services as a double agent. Her price – make her an American citizen. It is an old espionage ploy, one spy exposing another to gain favor. Capt. Carmenbray is assigned to handle these spies.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

The Night Battle – second engagement of the Battle of New Orleans

December 23, 1814

12:22 a.m., Royal Marines capture most of the US detachment at Fisherman’s Village where Admiral Cochrane raises his flag on American soil. Exhausted seamen continue rowing as the army begins moving along bayous and canals through the swamp.

7:12 a.m., green clad British riflemen and Royal Marines arrive at the Villére plantation where the first shot is fired by Louisiana militaman Lt. Bachot before the lone company of Louisiana militia is overwhelmed by the British. Maj. Villére manages to escape.

A furious General Andrew Jackson gathers his available troops. The goddamn British have come through the back door. The damn canals were NOT blocked. Jackson is surprised to learn the British have stopped and set up camp. After freezing days and nights on Pea Island and after a sixty mile trek in row boats over open water, the British troops are too exhausted to continue. The men collapse on dry ground, some starting fires, others scavenging for food. Jackson will attack immediately with USS CAROLINA and every available man.

In darkness, at 7:30 p.m. USS CAROLINA opens up on the British camp as a three prong attack by the Americans sends the British reeling. However, these are Wellington’s Heroes and the British rally as more troops arrive through the swamp and the bloody fight is a stalemate. The Americans fall back but have bloodied the British.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

The Invasion Begins

December 22, 1814

5:22 a.m., lead elements of the British invasion force leaves Pea Island for a sixty mile trek across Lake Borgne to Fisherman’s Village and Bayou Bienvenue. They plan to use the bayous and canals to take New Orleans via the plantation land below the city.

10:02 a.m., HMS STATIRA with Commander-in-chief General Sir Edward Pakenham and his staff arrives at the mouth of the Mississippi River to learn the general’s invasion force is anchored near distant Cat Island. STATIRA heads there immediately.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

December 21, 1814

Villére Plantation – About ten miles south of the city, Maj. Gabriel Villére commands a platoon of Louisiana militiamen who are confident they will not be engaged in hostilities as the British will surely attack via Gentilly. Lt. Renard Bachot is sent to the other plantations to assure any owners still there that their property will be protected when they evacuate. A detachment is sent to Fisherman’s Village at Lake Borgne in the unlikely event the enemy will come through the swamp.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

December 20, 1814

New Orleans – What a man must do for his country. Gérard has a rendezvous with the amorous vixen and British spy Alicia Allenwood to pump her with misinformation. It is a hard assignment, enjoyed by many as they forget to close the blinds. General Jackson’s staff enjoys the view from across narrow Royal Street. War is not always unpleasant.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

December 19, 1814

New Orleans – Inspections of troops continues with Major Joseph Savary assembling the Second Battalion of Free-men of Color, which includes Gérard and Poul’s friend Catoire. General Jackson meets with his staff and re-enforces his order to Louisiana militia General Villére to block those canals south of the city. Seal that back door. Villére assures Jackson the canals are blocked. He HAS blocked some, but not his Villére Canal. It would take a year unblocking this waterway he needs to run his plantation. Let the other plantation owners unblock their canals when this unpleasantness is over. He will not have to.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

December 18, 1814

Pea Island – As British troops suffer freezing temperatures on this barren island, Admiral Cochrane and General Keane meet with their staffs to decide the invasion route. Americans fortifications and troops are visible at the Chef Pass, The Rigolets and Gentilly while the plantations south of the city are undefended and there is a route through the swamp via row boats. It is decided to make a surprise attack via the plantations. By the time General Pakenham arrives, they will present him the city as a fait accompli.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net

December 17, 1814

Mouth of the Mississippi – American defenders barely escape their fortification called The Balize as the Royal Navy attacks and captures the small fort. Riding a strong wind, a British frigate attempts to go upriver and is pummeled by cannons from Fort St. Philip and must withdraw. Meanwhile, British troops on Pea Island suffer from malnutrition and hypothermia.

New Orleans – Journalist Matthew recovers from his wound as British spy Alicia Allenwood fishes for information. Families living in the plantations south of the city plan to evacuate, since the British are on nearly Lake Borgne.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 2, “The British Invade” www.oneildenoux.net