The attack on Negro Fort had begun. The two gunboats opened fire and got the fort's range in four shots. The fifth shot was a "Hot Shot" one that had been heated and was fired from Gunboat #154 and scored a direct hit on the entrance to the gunpowder magazine and Negro Fort was blown to pieces. It is regarded as perhaps the single deadliest cannon shot in American history.
An estimated 270-320 men, women and children were instantly killed. Bodies and parts of bodies were found in the tall pine trees surrounding the fort..
The fort was abandoned for two years after that.
Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
No comments:
Post a Comment