“And, of course, Jackson took an outnumbered incredibly motley force and nevertheless handed the Brits one of the worst defeats in their entire history.”
I had a least two motley forebears at the Battle of New Orleans. One was in the militia, the other was a pirate who sailed with Jean Lafitte. LaFitte and company brought cannon to the party.
Jackson’s victory was helped considerably by British officers forgetting to bring along ladders to storm the American wall.