The Battle of New Orleans

On January 8, 1815, nearly 10,000 battle-hardened British troops advanced on Andrew Jackson's defensive positions under the cover of a dark, heavy blog.  They were intending to launch a surprise attack on Jackson's Kentucky and Tennessee soldiers aided by pirate Jean Lafitte and his men.

The Battle of New Orleans is portrayed  in the 1958 movie "The Buccaneer," starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brenner.

As the British neared Jackson's line, however, the fog lifted. and the British were exposed on the open field.  The Americans opened fire.  British commanding officers fell and their troops fell into confusion.

In the next 30 minutes, the British sustained 2,042 killed and wounded.

American losses were 13 killed.

This is generally considered the greatest American land victory of the war.

--Brock-Perry