January 1, 1815, New Year’s Day – fourth engagement of the Battle of New Orleans

Rodriguez Plantation – The Artillery Duel. Fog delays the British bombardment as the Americans celebrate the New Year with a small parade of troops behind their line. At nine a.m., the fog lifts and the British artillery opens up as redcoat troops rush to turn the American flank at the swamp. The Rodriguez and Macarté houses are struck, as well as the American fortifications. It does not take the Baratarians and US artillerymen long to react and the artillery duel soon turns sour for the British. While Jackson’s earthen-mud wall absorbs shots, British cannons are knocked off their platforms, granulated sugar soaring into the air, molasses gumming everything. In the swamp the British run headlong into the cheniére and are cut down by marksmen with Kentucky long rifles. Gen. Pakenham is handed a third set-back.

from BATTLE KISS, Part 3, “The Battle of New Orleans” www.oneildenoux.net