Jean Lafitte

December 4, 1814

New Orleans – Beyond the mosquito fleet of gunboats on Lake Borgne, the US Navy has two ships in the Mississippi River – USS Carolina (15 guns) and USS Louisiana (20-gun sloop). There are only enough seamen to man the Carolina.

Fort St. Philip – This distant fort, positioned at a sharp turn in the river, is the only good sign for Gen. Jackson. Manned by artillerymen of the US 7^th Infantry, its massive 24-pounder cannons command the river as ships must stop and turn to head upstream against the strong current. The fort is surrounded by impenetrable swamp. Jackson will strengthen this fort hoping to keep the Royal Navy from coming upriver. On their way back to the city, Governor Claiborne and the general discuss making a deal with the devil – The Buccaneer. The Great Corsair of the Caribbean. Terror of the Gulf of Mexico. The King of Barataria, himself. Monsieur Jean Lafitte.

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