Gen. Andrew Jackson's stunning victory over crack British troops at Chalmette plantation on January 8, 1815, was the greatest American land victory of the Was of 1812.  Commonly called the Battle of New Orleans--the last battle of the last war ever fought between England and the United States--it preserved America's claim to the Louisiana Purchase, prompted a wave of migration and settlement along the Mississippi River, and restored American pride and unity.  It also made Jackson a national hero.
The Battle of New Orleans lasted less than 2 hours, with the major fighting confined to about 30 minutes.  British casualties exceeded 2,000; the Americans reported only 13.  On January 18 the British retreated to Lake Borgne, ending the Louisiana campaign and ensuring the United States of a bright future for the lower Mississippi Valley.

Chalmette Monument
The cornerstone of this shaft honoring the American victory at New Orleans was laid in January 1840, within days after Andrew Jackson visited the field on the 25th anniversary of the battle.  Not until 1855, however, did the State of Louisiana begin actual construction.  the monument was completed in 1908, a year after it was ceded to the United States.


Malus-Beauregard House
This beautiful example of French-Louisiana architecture was built some 18 years after the Battle of New Orleans and is named for its last private owner, Judge Rene Beauregard.  Never associated with a plantation, the house served as a country residence for a succession of wealthy people in the 19th century.


The women in the triditional 19th century cloth were showing the daily life of 1840's.

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen
--one of the few remaining paddlewheelers, which brought me to visit the site of the famous Battle of New Orleans.

back to ...