2 casualties

January 13, 1815

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – The British continue to launch shells across the bend in the river. One American is wounded. A pig is killed. The Americans make cochon de lait.

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

Fort St. Philip Engagement Continues

January 12, 1815

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – The British fire 427 cannon balls at the fort, 197 striking the fort. US Maj. Overton is tired of his inability to fire back. Jean Lafitte has a solution. Steamboat USS ENTERPRISE can run downriver with two heavy mortars for the fort, so the Americans can launch shells over the bend in the river. Choctaw and Chickasaws report British troops moving through the swamp for Fisherman’s Village. Gen. Jackson sends more troops to Gentilly. Just in case.

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

Terror Still

January 11, 1815

Chalmette Plantation – While the British continue a clandestine and orderly retreat through the swamp, American dragoons, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Attakapas tribesmen continue to terrorize and harass the British camp. The enemies meet to set up an exchange of prisoners.

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

Sixth and final engagement

January 10, 1815

Villeré Plantation – The decimated 93^rd Regiment of Foot, Sutherland Highlanders, is the first to leave for fisherman’s village as Gen. Lambert begins a strategic withdrawal of the British army.

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – Royal Navy mortars launch 411 rounds at Fort St. Philip. 58 strike the fort, inflicting no casualties.

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

The Day After

January 9, 1815

Chalmette Plantation – The British bury their dead. A lone piper begins a mournful strain that bounces off the trees of the cypress swamp. Americans behind their breastworks watch as other bagpipers pick up the song and ‘Amazing Grace’ echoes over the battleground. Gen. Jackson had commented earlier, “They bring hundreds of years of history at us.” Capt. Carmenbray replied, “Gen. Jackson, I think we made a little history ourselves today.”

Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans – Arrogant British Admiral Cochrane has not given up. He sends a frigate, a sloop-of-war, a schooner and two bomb-ketches, each with a large sea-mortar, to anchor around the bend in the Mississippi from the American fort blocking the Royal Navy from coming upriver. The mortars fire 43 cannon balls at the fort. The nearest plops in the river fifty yards away. British Captain McGovern discovers the mortar’s artillery commander is cross-eyed. Seriously.

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

THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, the battle ends

January 8, 1815

The Battle Ends – As the British withdraw to de la Ronde Plantation, Gen. Jackson is urged to pursue, destroy the British army. He does not rise to the bait. His job is not to destroy the British, but to protect New Orleans, which he has. NO – the British did not run through the brambles, rush through the bushes where the rabbits couldn’t go. They withdrew orderly and wait. Casualties on the British side are over 2,000. Eight Americans were killed at the Rodriguez Canal.

NOTE: Best friends Poul and Gérard went to the battle with Lucia’s kiss on their lips. Matthew passionately kissed his Aimée before joining Catoire who departed for the canal with a kiss from Tiffany, while Carmenbray has to pull himself away from his Elizabeth. One of these men is killed at the Rodriguez Canal, another severely wounded and clings to life. Of the three British brothers, Godfrey, William and Harold Lowe, only one emerges unscathed.

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

THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, the battle continues

January 8, 1815

The Battle Continues – British riflemen storm the redoubt near the river and the fighting is close, man against man, but there is no support for the British and US Marines, Infantrymen and New Orleans Riflemen kill the British now trapped in the redoubt.

Near the swamp, Gen. Pakenham is blown from his horse. Wounded, he mounts another horse to be hit again by grapeshot and rifle fire. He dies on the battlefield as best friend Gen. Gibbs is also mortally wounded. Near the river, Gen. Keane is critically wounded.

Maj. Gen. Lambert, the lone surviving British general, sees the attack has made no impression on the American line and brave soldiers are dying under withering American fire. He withdraws the army. Gen. Andrew Jackson, standing near the center of the US line is amazed at the carnage. This he did not expect. No one expected such a lopsided victory.

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