Battle of New Orleans and Death of General Packenham on the 8th of January, 1815

Book Description

Philadelphia: J Yeager, 1815 [November 16, 1816]. Copper engraving by J. Yaeger after West, printed by Y. Saurman. Excellent condition. Plate mark: 15 7/8 x 20 5/8 inches. Sheet mark: 17 3/4 x 22 1/2 inches. The news of the victory at New Orleans "came upon the country like a clap of thunder in the clear azure vault of the firmament, and traveled with electromagnetic velocity, throughout the confines of the land." (John William Ward). The victory turned a frustrating war into a triumph and created a surge of American nationalism. The battle boosted the reputation of Andrew Jackson and helped to propel him to the White House. The battle of New Orleans had no strategic value, since unbeknownst to the combatants, the Treaty of Ghent had been signed on 24th December 1814 and the war was officially over. It did however have immense importance for the American people. The most significant military action in the war prior to Jackson's victory had been the taking of Washington and burning of the White House by the British. This was seen as humiliating proof of British superiority, so the unequivocal victory near New Orleans was a great morale booster. Without it, the War of 1812 would have been merely settled. With it, the United States of America could say that they had won. The print is a wonderfully naïve, American attempt at artistic (British style) sophistication. The battlefield death of a hero was an essential element to the ideal Romantic Age battle. Pakenham's death fitted the requirements (with a little twisting of the historical truth) even though his death as he urged his troops on, did not determine the outcome of the battle, and even though he was not highly regarded by either side. The truly significant figure is, of course, Andrew Jackson planted in an arrangement of flags in the middle of the title. He really was an important factor, and it is entirely conceivable that the Americans would have lost had he not been there and taken the decision to mount a delaying attack on the night of December 23rd. John Carbonell Prints of the Battle of New Orleans in Prints of the American West, Ron Tyler, ed.

Not sure what some of these terms mean? Look it up in our glossary.