Andrew Jackson & The Battle of New Orleans

Andrew Jackson, Jean Laffite & the Battle of New Orleans 1812

Matthew Arnold once said "Only two things are needed, the power of a man & the power of the moment." Andrew Jackson was that man. Washington DC had been invaded by the British, our capitol burned, the spirit of our people at an alltime low since we won our Independence and the victory at New Orleans gave our country renewed spirit and hope that our fledgling democracy could work. Word of its triumph (even though it occurred after the peace treaty was signed) spread like a grassfire igniting renewed optimism in our grand experiment: a democracy where freedom and opportunity prevailed over privilege and heritage.  At the time the British boasted the most powerful & well trained  military in the world. Their attempt to secure the New Orleans port was strategic in cutting off necessary trade routes for our expansion.  What is striking about Andrew Jackson is his indomitable will to succeed. When he pounded his fist on the table and yelled  the town would burn first  before he let the British take over, he meant victory.  Winston Groom does an excellent job in his book of highlighting the interesting and significant points that illustrate how the impossible can be achieved.  I have summed them up as the 4Ss:

1. Scope- A wealthy Louisiana farmer and plantation owner had the astronomical hobby of gazing into the stars. When he found out the British were invading he lent this magnificent (for its time ) telescope to Andrew Jackson. With it, Andrew could peer over the American ramparts and see all the British action. This was critical to the planning and strategy that won the war for the Americans. The British had nothing like it. They were forced to rely on spyglasses.  Moral lesson ?  Have the right equipment !

2. Sugar- The British found a plentiful supply of sugar bags along the New Orleans wharfs and they confiscated them and used them as shields on the battle fields. All this did was muck up their weapons. Imagine heating up sugar and getting  gooey caramel? Not only did bullets pierce right through killing British soldiers, the heat from the guns carmelized the sugar and rendered useless their weapons.   Moral lesson ? Don't improvise without being wise.

3. Sleep- When the British crossed the swampy marshes, they were so tired they decided to sleep not thinking the Americans would put up much of a defense. They maintained a fairly normal sleep schedule once they landed while the Americans furiously worked around the clock building up their ramparts so that the British would have to climb up and over a hill that went for miles when they attempted to invade the city. This afforded the Americans the greatest advantage although they were outgunned and outweaponed.  Moral lesson ? As Ben Franklin said "No man e'ere was glorious who was not also laborious."

4. Stairs- The British set busily about in having a troop unit build ladders so that when they charged Jackson's ramparts they could get over the hills easier and faster. When the British finally stormed they did so with poor communciation and the troop with ladders could not be located at the forefront; therefore, many British were just killed off like sitting ducks in a pond. Moral lesson: "Only fools rush in."

Men like Jackson with the heart and courage of a lion prove to us that "no guts no glory" is an age old truth and it takes a very powerful person to lead successfullly where most only capitulate unworthy tries.  The story of the Battle of New Orleans is an inspiring David versus Goliath story that proves being smart, hardworking and having your heart in the right place can lead to victory.