Prodominant Players

 Jean and Pierre Laffite

Jean and Pierre Laffite

Step brothers Jean and Pierre Laffite would have a major role in The War of 1812.  Their father was a merchant and likewise the brothers took the family business to Louisiana in 1803. Pierre would open a black smith shop and would get involved in the slave trade. Jean was known to be a man of the sea where he would take part in the slave trade and bring slaves back to Louisiana. These two men were influential in retrieving goods from Europe. During the Battle of New Orleans Pierre acted as a guide for the United States Army and Jean helped the US Army by help blocking a back way into New Orleans. Both aided the Army by providing weapons and ammunition for the fight against the British. 

Jean's blacksmith shop

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

The final engagement between Great Britain and The United States during the War of 1812 happened under the command of Andrew Jackson. 'Old Hickory', as he was called by his troops, was the commanding officer of non-US Army personnel. Jackson was against a insurmountable task of holding the lines in New Orleans against the British Army. The regiment Jackson was up against was the same British regiment that defeated Napoleon just a few months prior to the New Orleans battle. The British had close to 8,000 compared to a few hundred men for Jackson. His militia made up of slaves, pirates, local men, and friendly Indians who were up against the battle proven British army.  His (Jackson) forces ultimately killed, wounded or captured some 2,000 British with little loss to his own military force. This battle could have been avoided had the information about the treaty been received in a timely matter.

Andrew Jackson Battle of New Orleans 

New Orleans battle

Andrew Jackson was a force to be recond with.  His over all tuffness earned him the name of Old Hickory.  Jacksons was a key player in defeting the British in the Battle of New orleans.  He strategicly stopped the British form gaining control of the New Orleans port.  Saving New Orleans from being took over by the British.  

Work Cited

History.com Staff. “Battle of New Orleans.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/battle-of-new-orleans.

Ijerkov. “Jean and Pierre Laffite.” Know Louisiana, www.knowlouisiana.org/entry/jean-and-pierre-laffite.

myrahmcilvain, Posted by. “Jean Lafitte, Gentleman Pirate.” Myra H. Mcilvain, 21 Sept. 2012, myrahmcilvain.com/2012/09/21/jean-lafitte-gentleman-pirate/.