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U.S. Braces for War
Tennessee's Motives for War
The War Hawks
"Remember the Raisin"
Creek War
A War Within a War
Massacre at Fort Mims
U.S. Victories
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
New Orleans Under Threat
"The Glorious 8th of January"
Treaty of Ghent
Era of Good Feelings
Tennessee's Rise to National Prominence
Drawing of the Battle of New Orleans by Hyacinth Ladott, 1815
Tennessee Historical Society Picture Collection
In the foreground is Colonel Rennie's charge on the right end of Line Jackson, drawn from the perspective of the west bank of the Mississippi.
On Sunday, January 8, 1815, an early morning fog enveloped the open fields of Chalmette as a British Congreve rocket arched its way into the sky. This signaled the initial charge of Pakenham's army against the well-fortified Americans, entrenched behind a moat-like canal. "Line Jackson" consisted of a mile-long earthen breastwork extending from the Mississippi River to swamp-filled woods on the extreme left of the American position. The British plan called for a three-pronged attack. Colonel Rennie's force would attack the right end of Line Jackson. The main force, under Major General Samuel Gibbs, would attack the American center, a section manned mostly by Carroll's Tennesseans and artillery. A third force would cross the Mississippi River to capture the American artillery on the west bank. The aim was to then turn the guns upon the Americans in Line Jackson and fire into the flank and rear of the line.
"The Battle of New Orleans," ca. 1861
Rennie's force achieved initial success, but was beaten back by a counter charge. The British attacking the American center were devastated by rifle and artillery fire. In a matter of hours, the British suffered nearly 3,000 dead and wounded (including Pakenham, Gibbs, and Rennie), while the Americans lost only thirteen men. Though the British attack on the west bank proved effective, the demoralizing destruction on the main field of battle drove the British to withdraw. The defeat of the British was so great that even Jackson was stunned by its proportions.
Engraving of William Carroll,
William Carroll served as Jackson's Inspector General during the Creek War and was severely wounded at Horseshoe Bend. After Jackson's promotion to the regular army, Carroll commanded the Tennessee militia and held the center of the line at New Orleans. He later became governor, holding that position longer than anyone else. He served all but two years between 1821 and 1835.
"Pakenham's Charge"
"Death of General Pakenham," 1878
"Death of Colonel Rennie," 1848
Library Photograph Collection
"Fall of General Gibbs," ca. 1848
"Battle of New Orleans," 1860
"General Jackson Relieving the Wounded after the Battle"
Tennessee State Library and Archives
403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243
Email:exhibits.tsla@tn.gov
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