Age of Jackson
Battle of New Orleans
Jackson stationed his troops in Mobile to try and block an expected British invasion there. He then received information that the British were going to attempt to take New Orleans. Jackson moved troops into the city in December 1813.
The British invasion force came by water. The soldiers left the ships and started marching toward New Orleans.
Jackson brought his men south of the city next to the Mississippi River. They were positioned in a ditch to await the British troops. As the British soldiers marched across the field on January 8, 1815,, American cannon and gunfire cut them down.
Jackson brought his men south of the city next to the Mississippi River. They were positioned in a ditch to await the British troops. As the British soldiers marched across the field on January 8, 1815,, American cannon and gunfire cut them down.
In this battle, Jackson's 5,000 soldiers defeated more than 7,500 British. The British had more than 2,000 casualties to Jackson's 13 killed and 58 wounded or missing. It was a great success.
News of the victory didn’t reach the rest of the country until February. Crowds gathered to celebrate victory over the hated British. Cities such as Philadelphia had parades. Jackson became a national celebrity—the hero of New Orleans.
After the War of 1812, Jackson continued to serve in the army and was involved in many battles with American Indian tribes. Also, for a brief period, he captured and controlled Florida, even though it was owned by Spain at the time.
Picture Credits:
- Print depicting the Battle of New Orleans by John Andrews. This print was made sometime near 1855. It shows Andrew Jackson on horseback, waving his hat, with the American soldiers shown in the foreground. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 2005.100.7.
- Miniature painting of General Andrew Jackson, possibly by Ralph E. W. Earl. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 80.30.
- Anti-Jackson political cartoon by George Cruikshank entitled, “American Justice!! Or the ferocious Yankee Gen’l Jack’s Reward for Butchering two British Subjects!!!” The document was made in 1819 and continues, “… Britons! Strike home Revenge your country’s wrong!” It shows an excited President James Monroe giving an unintelligent looking Jackson, who is covered in blood, the governorship of Spanish Florida. Other American soldiers are shown in rags and holding spears. Jackson took the Spanish held territory during the Seminole Wars and ordered the execution of two British prisoners of war for aiding the Indians. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 80.159.
- Painting of the Battle of New Orleans by E. Percy Moran. It shows Jackson standing on top of the battle fortifications while the British troops advance. This painting shows the artist’s idea about how the battle looked and is not historically accurate. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 87.34.
Age of Jackson >> Tennessee's Presidents >> Andrew Jackson >> Battle of New Orleans
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