The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of New Orleans

He has been called "The Corsair," "The Buccaneer," "The King of Barataria," "The Terror of the Gulf," "The Hero of New Orleans". At three separate times, U.S. presidents have condemned, exonerated and again condemned his actions. He is known for his piracy in the Gulf of Mexico, and lauded for his heroism in the Battle of New Orleans. Each personae seems to balance the other. He hated being called "pirate," for, as he saw it, he was a "privateer" serving an economic purpose in an economically frugal time in a new country that needed to economize. When he at last sailed away from American shores, he felt betrayed by a country that didn’t understand the difference.

He was Jean Lafitte.

From the Gulf of Mexico through a vast uncharted maze of waterways to New Orleans, his name was legend even in his day. Entrepreneur and astute diplomat, he took an island-full of bloodied seafarers, rovers and fishermen and turned them into an organization of buccaneers, smugglers and wholesalers. From the ships they plundered off the Caribbean Coast and in the Atlantic he and his "crew of a thousand men" kept a constant cargo of black-marketed and very necessary provisions (including Negro slaves, a very important "commodity" to the early South) moving through the Mississippi Delta to help feed and clothe a part of the nation that the government overlooked. As a result, he won the praise of the local rich and poor alike.

He never attacked an American ship. A man without a country, he nevertheless respected the constitution of American ideals and hoped that what he called his "kingdom by the sea" might someday meld into like ideals.

His self-made kingdom, from the Gulf of Mexico through the villages and plantations to and including New Orleans, was a part of an untamed wilderness that came as part of the package called the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This delta was a new and lusty territory, overgrown with willows and wildlife. Within its miles and miles of marshlands a man could get lost and wander until he maddened and died of starvation. Unlike anything the government knew; the topography, coupled by its habitation of misunderstood Cajuns and Creoles, confused and perplexed Washington decision makers. Much more, overcome with other, deepening international problems, the nation more or less abandoned this wetland with its foreign cultures to fend for itself. Lafitte’s commerce of merchandise -- of cloths and linens, spices and trinkets, furniture and utensils -- sold at discount prices, avoiding high tariffs, to the grateful citizens of New Orleans. In short, Lafitte’s piratical methods, despite their negative connotation, proved to be a survival factor for what was to become a major American city.

And then came a new territorial governor who decided that it was not conventional to let an outsider -- let alone a notorious pirate -- become a part of the blossoming American texture. Harassment and imprisonment followed, even destruction of Lafitte’s Valhalla. But, the governor and the rest of burgeoning America were to learn that Lafitte’s importance to this new territory meant much more to him than his own personal prosperity. When men were needed to keep New Orleans and the entire Mississippi River from enemy hands, Lafitte -- despite the chastisement and near ruination he faced from American mediators -- stepped forward to defend them.

Many stories have been told of Lafitte. To quote author Jack C. Ramsay, Jr. from his excellent and concise Jean Laffite, Prince of Pirates, "Some considered him a rapacious rogue, a man of unmitigated violence. Others, many of whom were young women, regarded him as a charming person. He was seductive, perhaps deceptive, but always elegantly gracious."

He writes that contemporaries described "(Lafitte) as ‘graceful and elegant in manners...accomplished in conversation.’ And yet this was the man who was often described in very different terms as the ‘Prince of Pirates’ or the ‘ferocious’ head of ‘desperadoes.’"

Lord Byron sketched a poem about him even in his day. Countless books have been written about his adventures. He has inspired many moves, the finest being Cecil B. DeMille’s classic, The Buccaneer. There is a national park named after him, and along the Mississippi below New Orleans sits the City of Jean Lafitte. To some, however, he is still a pirate.

But -- pirate, thief, swordsman, businessman or savior, Lafitte’s legend grows. Complex in nature, shrouded in mystery, and often painted in splashes of color, he lives on in the role of auspicious hero.

Thanks, Sam!

You're Welcome. It's a good song, I like to hear it again.

I am making a fleece pullover for my uncle, so have been away from the computer. It's actually fun to be able to do pretty much whatever I want to do, as long as I stay close by and take care of all the little dilemmas that pop up. Since we have been here I have had to replace the refrigerator, the dryer, sink parts, walls, ceilings, you name it!!! I think my uncle thinks it is all a conspiracy! LOL. Just kidding. He is loving it.

Lafitte the Man

"Character is destiny."

-- Heraclitus

Most physical descriptions of Jean Lafitte seem to agree with that of him found in a letter written by an excited little Louisiana boy named Esau Glassock who had accompanied his father to New Orleans to purchase slaves. Esau wrote his brother that, "I have just seen the notorious Captain Lafitte. He is tall, with pale skin, and he has large black eyes. He is clean shaven except for a beard extending part-way down his cheeks." Additional others said his hands were small and delicate for a pirate; that he was "remarkably handsome" with Gallic features and possessed a "brilliancy of teeth". Says author Jack C. Ramsay, Jr., "When he walked the streets of the city, he exhibited an aire of gentlemanly self-confidence."

His temper was ferocious; most accounts support that; a man who could be kind and serene, but turn panther-like when pushed. When a small group of armed and boisterous Baratarians gathered outside his home threatening mutiny, Lafitte appeared on the porch, pistol in hand, and shot their leader at point-blank range. The mutiny ended.

But, this need for violence to maintain order was rare. To lead, he depended on and honed his innate flexibility; he knew how to adjust to the moment -- to be the gentleman, the rascal, the radical, entrepreneur, the patron of the arts, the lover or the pirate to fit the situation at hand.

Many stories exist, most of them founded on fact, attesting to his chivalry. When a family named Martin found itself in danger caught in a rowboat during a violent storm in the Gulf of Mexico, a vessel manned by Lafitte took them aboard. Mrs. Martin’s diary reads: "Lafitte the Pirate...treated us with all kindness possible (providing us with) a bountiful breakfast (and) even supplying a hat for my husband who had lost his own."

Once after he and his lieutenants divvied up their treasure evenly, two gold coins remained on Lafitte’s desk unclaimed. He turned to the wife of Louis Chighizola and motioned, "Those are for you." But, her husband’s quick hands claimed them. "I’ll hold them for her," Chighizola said. Lafitte’s eyes darkened as he rose from his chair and shot a hand forward, palm up. "Louis," he replied, "Give them to me." His subordinate knew better than to argue. Lafitte then turned to his blacksmith, Thiac. "From these coins, create a thimble of gold and give it the misses." That thimble still exists in the Chighizola family that has remained in Barataria.

A charming story relates the night that the pirates were playing cards in Lafitte’s den. An argument had broken out between Lafitte’s crew and Gambi’s, the latter blaming the others for cheating. "We shall have a third party cut the cards," Lafitte announced and sent Thiac to summon one of the fishermen from the coast up to his house. When the fisherman arrived he looked nervous; he had brought with him his little daughter in hopes that these pirates wouldn’t harm him in front of his child.

Lafitte smiled when he saw the girl and asked her to cut the deck, explaining to her in a gentle voice what that meant. She did, and Lafitte went on to win the play. Gambi stormed out. Before they left, the island chief called the little girl to his lap, thanked her for her help and dropped a $20 gold piece into her palm. She grew up never forgetting the dashing pirate who had been so kind to her.

Women loved Lafitte. That he was aware of his seductive qualities is evidenced in the manner by which he sought -- and won -- female company. A regular at the formal balls in town, usually a guest of some rich merchant or landowner, he tantalized the belles in the room with his courtly demeanor and fine-cut figure, which he primped in the finest cloths and silks of the day. He waltzed as well as the high society crowd. It is said he preferred the company of the quadroons, dark-eyed beauties one-quarter Negro who in Southern society were demanded by wealthy men as mistresses. Lafitte had several and would provide for them well-furnished apartments in town. One of these was a lady named Madeleine Rigaud. Another, whom he visited regularly was Catherine Villars, whose sister Marie lived with and gave children to Pierre Lafitte. Church records indicate that "an illegitimate child" named Pierre was born to Jean and Catherine in 1816.

The second wife of Mrs. Claiborne seems even to have been attracted to him. By chance, both she and the privateer showed up at the same time at the home of a mutual friend, a plantation owner who lived along the Mississippi River. Afraid that his friendship with Lafitte would harm his professional association with the governor, the planter created an alias for his male guest, introducing him as "Monsieur Clement". During dinner, legend has it, Lafitte’s charms oozed to totally captivate the attentions of the governmental wife. Unfounded rumors suggest a tryst afterward.

In no other field of activity is early New Orleans more identified with than that of dueling. As noted in Stuart O. Landry’s Dueling in Old New Orleans: "You had to be careful what you said or how you acted. If you criticized the leading soprano at the opera or inadvertently spilled a little of your mint julep on the cuff of the gentleman standing next to you at the bar, you might be called upon to expiate these delinquencies on the field of honor."

Both Creoles and Americans practiced the sport to avenge their name or sometimes merely to impress their women. Insulted by a statement made by a congressman, Governor Claiborne was once compelled to cross swords, as were many other members of the gentry. Two popular dueling spots were the gardens behind the St. Louis Cathedral after Mass on Sundays or under the weeping willows of a park near Bayou St. John outside of town

One frequent practitioner was Jean Lafitte, adding the term swashbuckler to his romantic image. He excelled in the art of the rapier and never lost a bout, although he was "called out" many times by men testing his skill. One evening, legend has it that, while dining with his lady at what later became the famous restaurant Courtyard of Two Sisters, he fought three separate unrelated duels beneath the magnificent oak that centered the open air inn. Unscathed and unflustered, he finally sat down to eat his dinner.

But, a much bigger battle remained to be fought than a code duello. One that involved thousands of men and would result in thousands of deaths. The War of 1812 had begun with England and Jean Lafitte, never before considering himself a man with a country, would be forced to choose sides.

A woman's work is never done.

Jean Lafitte

Jean Lafitte, or Laffite, c.1780-c.1826, was a Louisiana privateer and smuggler who helped U.S. forces in the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the WAR OF 1812. About 1810 he and his men settled in the area of Barataria Bay, near New Orleans, and preyed on Spanish ships in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1814 the British attempted to buy Lafitte's aid in attacking New Orleans. Instead he passed their plans onto the Americans and helped Andrew Jackson defend the city in January 1815. Lafitte later returned to privateering.

Lafitte was not a native of Louisiana. He was born in Southwest France and moved with his family to Santo Domingo in the early 1800's. He and his is family were forced to leave after a slave uprising, and LaFitte found work as a blacksmith in New Orleans. He fought valiantly in the Battle of New Orleans and was a proud and devoted advocate of the exiled French emporer, Napoleon.

Though no one knows for sure, many scholars believe that Lafitte took up residence on the Southwest Louisiana coast for several years toward the end of his life. It is said that Lafitte's schooner was finally sunk by a United States gunboat and now lies in its underwater grave at Shell Beach.

When ya can't find the words a nice graphic does wonders.

Thanks for all the effort of this thread.

The importance of the Battle of New Orleans in American history

The headlines that you see in the newspapers when word of this thing reaches are just...they're trying to figure out how to put enough exclamation points, and the whole country just erupts with pride.

It's hard to overestimate the importance of the battle in American history. It secured the Louisiana Purchase. In terms of American nationalism, it gave people a sense - you know, the outcome of this battle and the outcome of the war has been called a second American Revolution, a kind of a feeling of having decisively defeated the former Mother country. It set the stage for the march across the continent and what became Manifest Destiny - the notion that somehow America was destined to extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It propelled [General Andrew] Jackson into politics. You know, General Washington was our first President. General Eisenhower was a President. Jackson is another one of our notable military figures who goes on to capture the White House. In newspapers throughout the country, as late as the 1840's, you'll see...particularly at Democratic Party events...there'll be toasts that are offered to the 8th of January. It became sort of like the 4th of July in terms of American nationhood, I suppose, until it was eclipsed by other wars. Certainly, you don't see that kind of celebration after the Civil War, for example, because I think the perspective changed.

Do you find beauty in stucco and stone, poetry in ironwork and archways? Then welcome to the French Quarter, one of the country's most remarkable collections of living architecture and history. If you're like many visitors, you'll begin your rambles at Jackson Square, a lovely, cast-iron-fenced oasis of grass and flowering trees located between St. Ann and St. Peter Streets across Decatur Street from the river. Originally called the Place d'Armes, the square in the past served as both a military parade ground and the staging point for public executions. Its bloody history long behind it, Jackson Square is now a popular gathering spot and tranquil anchor for some of the best-preserved 19th-century architecture in the U.S. Encircling the square are the magnificent St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the U.S., the two-hundred-year-old Presbytere and Cabildo , both of which house prized collections belonging to The Louisiana State Museum , and the oldest apartments in the U.S., a pair of handsome, 1850's-era red-brick structures called the Upper and Lower Pontalba buildings. In the Lower Pontalba, on the downriver side of the square, one can visit another adjunct of the Louisiana State Museum, the 1850 House , with its compelling depiction of life during New Orleans' heyday, or Belle Époque. The Louisiana Office of Tourism (http://www.louisianatravel.com) has an office here as well, and is an excellent information resource for visitors to the French Quarter. Downriver from Jackson Square on Decatur Street is the historic French Market (http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/1850ex.htm), which began its existence in 1791 as a farmer's market and continues to house vendors selling produce, fresh seafood, and assorted Louisiana delicacies 24 hours a day. The oldest in the U.S., the farmer's market has been expanded and today incorporates a bustling flea market as well. Just past the French Market lies the Old U.S. Mint (1835), which is now part of the Louisiana State Museum and houses interesting exhibits relating to the histories of both Mardi Gras and Jazz. The French Market and Jackson Square offer a delightful taste of the French Quarter but are merely a prelude to its architectural majesty. For many, the enchantment begins on Rue Royale - Royal Street, the Quarter's most fashionable boulevard throughout much of its past and an absolute must for lovers of history and architecture. Royal runs the length of the Quarter on the other side of the Cathedral from Jackson Square; here, one will find a virtually unbroken string of well-preserved Creole buildings dating to the early 1800's. Heading upriver (towards Canal Street and the CBD) on Royal Street, one encounters the LaBranche House (700 Royal) with its multi-storied tiers of lacy ironwork balconies, the striking Court of Two Lions (541 Royal), built in 1798, and The Merieult House (533 Royal), the oldest house on Royal Street (1792) and gateway to The Historic New Orleans Collection (http://www.hnoc.org). THNOC is a complex of historic buildings and courtyards that offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era. Further down Royal one can view the richly crafted cast-iron balconies of the Coudreau Mansion (427 Royal) and the place where the cocktail was invented (437 Royal) before reaching the imposing Municipal Courts Building at 400 Royal. An entire block of old Creole homes and businesses was razed to built it in 1908, bringing attention to the need for preservation in the French Quarter. Even so, its majestic appearance and fine detailing now make it an architectural beauty in its own right. Some of the finest wrought iron in the Quarter is found at the old Bank of the United States (343 Royal), which dates to the early 1800's (most of the ironwork in the French Quarter is actually cast iron and dates to the 1850's when this type of adornment became wildly popular). Also of note on this end of Royal is the Bank of Louisiana (1826) at 334 Royal, now home to the Vieux Carre Commission and Police Station. You've just been on a virtual tour of half of one of the French Quarter's most captivating avenues. Now, we'll traverse its upper end, which in typical, topsy-turvy New Orleans fashion is actually downriver. Heading to the right after reaching Royal from the Cathedral, one finds the wonderfully Creole Dejan House at 824 Royal, which has changed little since it was constructed in 1813. The magnificent Cornstalk Fence at 915 Royal stands in eternal tribute to the man who in the 1850s commissioned the fence for his homesick Midwesterner wife. Their home burned shortly thereafter and was replaced with the present hotel, which offers a suitable counterpoint to the iron treasure. At 934 Royal stands the home of Civil War General P.G.T. Beauregard, who lived here with his son after the war. Farther along at 1105-1141 Royal one finds Architect's Row, a series of once-identical row houses built in 1832 and modified individually over time. Across from them, at 1132 Royal, is the Gallier House , a fabulous structure built in 1857 that now houses a superb collection of furnishings and decorative accessories from the 1860's. At the very edge of the Quarter on the corner of Esplanade and Royal stands the Gauche Villa, a sumptuous Italianate mansion built in 1856. (When the Quarter became too crowded, the wealthy Creoles built many fine mansions along Esplanade Avenue, which forms the downriver boundary of the French Quarter.) Our stroll down Royal Street has introduced you to much, but not all, of its glorious history. Even with all its magnificence, however, Royal represents a mere fraction of the grandeur of the Vieux Carre. Architectural jewels are sprinkled about the Quarter like doubloons thrown from a Mardi Gras float - to visit them all would take days, if not weeks. Of special note is the old Ursuline Convent at 1112 Chartres. Dating to 1727, it is quite possibly the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. Its challenger is the recently reopened, Louisiana State Museum-run Madame John's Legacy at 632 Dumaine, which was built in 1727 and either rebuilt or repaired after the fire of 1788 (therein lies the controversy). Among the many structures of note throughout the Quarter are also the Mercier House (1806) at 630 St. Peter Street, the Formento House (1835) at 823 Chartres, and the DeLaronde House (1807) at 1021 Chartres. Arguably the most striking homeplace in the Quarter is the 175-year-old Beauregard-Keyes House at 1113 Chartres, which was formerly the home of both General P.G.T. Beauregard and author Frances Parkinson Keyes. Another contender is the Hermann-Grima House (http://home.gnofn.org/~hggh) at 820 St. Louis Street, an 1831 Federal mansion painstakingly restored to its former glory and now open as a museum depicting Creole life in the mid 1800's. Are you curious as to what we've overlooked? Well, we've intentionally saved a few interesting places for other itineraries - visit our other itineraries to indulge in fine food, enjoy good music, discover the world of art and antiquities, and more.

I've been to Louisiana, but never made it to New Orleans. I was in the northern part of the state.

Hey Sam, thanks for posting North to Alaska. You have really made my day. Johnny Horton was really good. It is sad that his life was cut so short. Jim Crose was another one. Both of them did songs that really take me back, if you know what I mean.

"Time in a Bottle" was a good song. The good old days right?

That's how I see it. Oh to be young again. Well maybe not, I don't know how I got through alot of it! LOL

I have never been anywhere in that state. My uncle was there during WW2 and he said he was never so cold as he was in Louisiana. I love Cajun stuff though. I love the music and the people and food, although I have only ever seen them on tv and in books (the people, that is).

Well, I will always be young. It's a state of mind, you know! :)

Here's the missing picture from the opening thread. Thanks for allowing me to use it, marks26thmed.

Battle of New Orleans ping

Battle anniversary BTTT