Battle of New Orleans Timeline-- Part 3

DECEMBER 16--  The British begin landing troops at Pea Island.  The Louisiana legislature goes into a panic and Jackson declares martial law in New Orleans.  A curfew is enforced and sailors are impressed.

DECEMBER 20--  Jackson orders Coffee and his troops at Baton Rouge to come to New Orleans.

DECEMBER 23--  British occupy the Villere plantation.  Jackson launches an Indian-style night attack on the British at Lacoste's plantation.  British have 46 killed, Americans 24 killed.

DECEMBER 24--  Jackson withdraws to the Rodriguez Canal and begins building a defensive rampart along it.  British finish ferrying troops from Pea Island.  Unknown to all, the Treaty of Ghent is signed in Belgium, on paper, at least, ending the war, though they had no way of knowing it and it still had to be ratified by both countries.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: Battle of Villere's Plantation

DECEMBER 23RD, 1814:  Battle of Villere's Plantation, Louisiana.  The British take the plantation and set up an encampment for the army that will attack New Orleans.  They repel a heavy American counterattack that lasts well into the night.

This is the opening engagement of the New Orleans Campaign.  Americans launched a surprise attack on an advanced British force camped at Major General Jacque Villere's plantation on the east bank of the Mississippi River, about seven miles below New Orleans.

Real big news tomorrow, 200 years ago!!!

--Brock Perry