An Epic Novel

Cover art by Dana De Noux

In my novel BATTLE KISS, I describe the six engagement of the Battle of New Orleans in 1814-1815 as accurately as possible. But the book is not just about the battle. It is about Lucia Rodriguez and Aimée Monlezun and the men enamored of them – Matthew, Harold, Gérard, and Poul. It is about free man of color Sam Catoire and his Tiffany, about US Infantry Capt. Carmenbray and his Elizabeta. It is about the British Lowe brothers and master spy Alicia Allenwood. It is a book about love and war. And in war, not everyone survives.

BATTLE KISS is told from multiple points of view – American, British, Creoles – through the eyes of women and men who are soldiers, seamen, marines, pirates, free people of color, slaves, native Americans, Acadians.

It is about New Orleans and from where we came.

BATTLE KISS by O’Neil De Noux www.oneildenoux.net

SIGNIFICANCE of The Battle of New Orleans

The significance cannot be understated. It ended European ambitions in the US. Forever. It re-affirmed the American Revolution and put the US on the world stage as a maritime power. It strengthened our manifest destiny to rule our land from the Atlantic to the Pacific (which still took a while), but the Battle of New Orleans solidified US control of the Mississippi River. For many years, January 8^th was a national holiday.

Many Catholics still believe the victory was a ‘miracle’, that prayers to the city’s patron saint Our Lady of Prompt Succor drew heavenly attention to the battlefield and guided cannonballs and bullets from General Jackson’s rag tag army across the Chalmette sugarcane plantation to forever stain it with the blood of the invaders.

POINT OF FACT – The Battle of New Orleans was the last time British and Americans met as enemies on a battlefield.

BATTLE KISS is an epic novel by O’Neil De Noux www.oneildenoux.net

FOUGHT AFTER THE WAR ENDED

The myth that the Battle of New Orleans was fought “after the war” is just that. A myth. While US and British envoys agreed to a treaty in Ghent, Belgium, on December 24, 1815, this was AFTER the first two engagements of the Battle of New Orleans and the British army already occupying the Villeré and LaCoste Plantations just south of the city. The treaty was not ratified by the US Senate and Parliament until February 17, 1815, and the war ended.

BATTLE KISS is an epic novel by O’Neil De Noux www.oneildenoux.net

The British Leave

January 18 and January 19, 1815

The British army leaves Louisiana. Gen. Lambert, needing re-supply, captures Mobile on February 12, 1815. He will be decorated later for his brilliant withdrawal of the defeated army. Although these British troops leave American dispirited and beaten, many of these veterans will see action at the titanic Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, where, on the eve of the battle, the Duke of Wellington lamented the absence of his favorite field commander, Sir Edward Pakenham.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 4, “Aftermath” www.oneildenoux.net

Last Shots Fired

January 17, 1815

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – Jean Lafitte’s mortars quickly find their range and the British ships around the bend are struck. Captain McGovern has had enough and withdraws and the final shots of the Battle of New Orleans have been fired.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 4, “Aftermath” www.oneildenoux.net

It Ain't Working

January 16, 1815

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – British Captain McGovern reports to Admiral Cochrane that the attacks on Fort St. Philip have failed to produce the desired effect. They have fired 3,281, two-thirds of their ammunition and damage to the fort is slight. The fort is constantly re-supplied. US Major Overton is having his own troubles. All day and they are finally able to wrestle the land mortars into positions sheltered from British fire and able to fire on the enemy.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 4, “Aftermath” www.oneildenoux.net

Deaths at Fort St. Philip

January 15, 1815

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – The British bombardment finally manages to inflict casualties at the fort, killing two Americans.

de la Ronde Plantation – The British continue withdrawing through the swamp. Gen. Jackson is aware but will not be coaxed from behind his breastwork. Let them leave.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 4, “Aftermath” www.oneildenoux.net

US prepares to fight back downriver

January 14, 1815

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – USS ENTERPRISE arrives with the heavy mortars as the ineffective British bombardment continues.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 4, “Aftermath” www.oneildenoux.net