BRITISH SUFFER DISASTROUS DEFEAT AT NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans (JFK+50) On January 8, 1815, the Battle of New Orleans was fought on Chalmette Plantation about five miles from the French Quarter. It was to be the last major battle between Great Britain and the United States in what was known as The War of 1812.
The British, led by Major General Sir Edward Packenham, launched an assault on the American position defended by Major General Andrew Jackson. It proved to be a disaster for Great Britain.
The British suffered 2000 casualties while the Americans took only 71.
The 8th of January would be a federal holiday from 1828 to 1861.
JFK+50 NOTES
According to the White House, on the morning of January 8, 1815, General Jackson "bellowed" to his soldiers...
"Give it to them, my boys! Let us finish the business today!"
Ironically, a peace treaty had been signed at Ghent in December 1814 but news of the peace had not reached America at the time of the battle. The treaty officially ended the War of 1812 reverting to pre-war conditions. Thus, the war technically ended in a draw.
"In 1814 we took a little trip, along with Col Jackson down the mighty Missisip' We took a little bacon & we took a little beans & we fought the bloody British in a town called New Orleans."
The Battle of New Orleans, by Johnny Horton (1959)
SOURCES
"America 250: President's Message on the Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans," The White House, January 8, 2026, www.whitehouse.gov/
"January 8, 1815," JFK+50, January 8, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/
