January 8, 1815
AT DAWN. Gen. Pakenham
realizes his west bank attack will be only a diversion as most of the cannons
and only part of his force is able to cross the Mississippi. He is unaware that
the men with the fascines (to fill the canal in front of the American line) and
the ladders are NOT in front of his troops. He has 8,000 men hidden in fog,
within range of US artillery. Gen Jackson’s 4,000 Americans watch and wait.
Just before 6 a.m., a signal rocket rises into the gray sky from the British
line and the wail of bagpipes echoes across the Chalmette Plantation, along
with the steady beat of drums. They are coming!
from BATTLE KISS, Part 3, “The Battle of New Orleans” www.oneildenoux.net
