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