Victory Celebration
There was a grand victory celebrating in New Orleans on Jan 23. The center of the public square, in front of the Cathedral, where the equestrian statue of Jackson now stands, was erected a temporary triumphal arch, supported by six Corinthian columns, and festooned with flowers and evergreens. Beneath the arch stood two beautiful little girls, each upon a pedestal, and holding in her hand a civic crown of laurel. Near them stood two damsels, one personifying Liberty and the other Justice. From the arch to the church, arranged in two rows, stood beautiful girls, all dressed in white, and each covered with a blue gauze veil and bearing a silver star on her brow. These personified the several States and Territories of the Union. At the appointed time, General Jackson, accompanied by the officers of his staff, passed through the gate of the Grand Square fronting the river, amid the roar of artillery, and was conducted between lines of Plauché’s New Orleans battalion of Creoles (which extended from the gate to the church) to the raised floor of the arch. As he stepped upon it the two little girls leaned gently forward and placed the laurel crown upon his head. A Te Deum was held in St. Louis Cathedral.
Battle of New Orleans ping
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Wasn’t the battle fought two weeks after the war end d?
All I know about the war of 1812 is from Johnny Horton.
I lived in new Orleans in the early 60’s. Jackson Square, with the iconic statue of Andrew Jackson and the Saint Louis Cathedral was my favorite place!
It were better did the author employ a proofreader.
That is the song I was thinking when I read the headline!
Pakenham was appointed to replace General Ross, killed at Baltimore, as head of British land forces in North America in September 1814. At New Orleans however, he was subordinate to British Royal Navy Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, a fact that led the Duke of Wellington to blame Pakenham's death upon the Admiral. Pakenham did have secret orders to continue fighting until officially and personally informed that the Peace Treaty (Treaty of Ghent) had been ratified by the US President's signature.
While the British were expecting to fight the local militias, they thought that New Orleans, having only become part of the US in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase, would offer weak resistance. Before Pakenham arrived on the battlefield, a night battle on 23 December was fought by advancing US forces under General Jackson with 2100+ men against a weaker British force, General John Keane and 1800 men. While the American forces withdrew, the strength of the battle at Lacoste's Plantation, 'stood up' the British, giving Jackson time to fortify his defense lines.
In sum, the veteran British, leaders and troops, were first class and able soldiers. The fact that they were completely defeated at New Orleans probably had a lasting impression on Great Britain and may have kept them from further mischief in the following US Civil War. They were twice burned and that does give pause.
I saw the title and the first thing I thought of was that song :)
Was going to look up the YT for it, but looks like that isn’t necessary ;^)