New Orleans 1815: Andrew Jackson Crushes the British

Osprey Campaign #28

by Tim Pickles

Osprey's examination of the War of 1812, which was  the product of the United States' wish to free itself from the British Empire. The conflict that broke out in 1812 seemed born of an almost subconscious desire for a war to complete the separation of America from England begun by the War of Independence (1775-1783). The war, when it came, was bloody and hard fought. In one last attempt to break the deadlock the British sent Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham to capture New Orleans. The troops he commanded were elite, veteran regiments. Andrew Jackson, leading the defenders, commanded a mixed force including militia, free Negro battalions, Indians and a group of local pirates. This title describes how this mixed force decisively defeated the British veterans in a battle that has become part of American legend.

Genres: Military History, History, Nonfiction, American History, American

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 1994

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 1 out of 5]

British military historians are rather infamous for jingoistic prose and a narrow focus on their "heroic little island" but even this volume would make even most of them shudder. In fact, even their rank and file might join me in calling Pickles "an arrogant ass." Hell, Osprey itself rarely (but occasionally) goes in for this kind of dreck!

What we have here is a lopsided account from a wholly British point of view, made worse by a piss poor narrative of the fighting and weird political asides. For instance, Pakenham's subordinates are discussed in detail but Jackson's are all but ignored in the text. Pickles takes every chance to denigrate the Americans, mention the "glories" of the British empire, and then take a stab at Thomas Jefferson as a "left-wing revolutionary" with idiotic ideas. He slanders the Creoles of New Orleans, using language he would no doubt apply to the hated French. He replaces one set of nationalistic myths for another. If I met Pickles in an alleyway I would not hesitate to to kick him in the balls.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without a doubt, so far it's the most peculiar book I've encountered in Osprey Campaign series. Not only is the choice of the subject matter a huge mystery to me - neither the war nor this particular campaign were of any real historical significance - but also, the tone of the author gives the impression of being strangely sardonic, at times even spiteful. In all other respects, it's a standard Osprey Campaign volume and since the scale of the engagement in question is rather small, the book is both informative and coherent. Graphics material consisting of first class maps, drawings mixed with contemporary art and photographs of the battlefield is, as always, worth especial praise.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Not just for its content, a lot of good direct information on a Iconic Battle of the War of 1812. But also because for many Wargamers/Modellers/Military Enthusiasts, this can be the only book they may require to be able to Game/Model/visit the Battle site. As a formerly VERY budget conscious player/modeller/reader, I appreciate a complete package that can cover a lot of bases.
The basics of the story are well known- and almost inexplicable to students of the Napoleonic Wars, used to British competence in Spain and Belgium from 1809-15. A British Expeditionary force, fresh from a drubbing of the Americans in Maryland and Burning parts of Washington DC, comes to a cropper in the face of a fortified line manned by American Soldiers, Militias, and "Pirates", led by Andrew Jackson. Pickles shows how much more complicated the situation was. In the classic Osprey Campaign 96 page format, we get history, maps, diagrams, discussion of tactics and engineering, some naval explanations, MANY GOOD Uniform illustrations for both sides, a guide to the present day battlefield, AND some help on Wargaming the Campaign. It's one of the best supported books of this type I have ever seen. I mean it - a War of 1812/Napoleonic casual or introductory gamer can probably make do for several campaigns (Peninsular British/1812 Americans and Brits/Waterloo Brits) with this book alone.
Pickle covers the complex American politics of the era and Louisiana in particular, the massive logistical challenges the British faced and overcame to deal with the Bayou, the Lafitte's Pirates/Smugglers story, the weaknesses of the British plans, and the tendency for things to go wrong in period warfare generally. He even shows us how the West Bank action, where British superiority in Command and Control and morale/training was properly applied, was not able to turn the flank due to the fog of war. At every turn, British missed opportunities have become American legends of Victory.
This is a great book for a junior reader, a quick read that will educate and entertain. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, a real boon. As I've said before, if you are a gamer on a budget, this is a great choice for a myriad of uses (might also cover British Royal troops, NOT "company" troops in India in the period) and campaigns. American War of 1812 player/modellers will find it a wonderful resource as well. A strong recommendation.

[Jason Ginsburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of this largely forgotten but hugely important battle that saved New Orleans, kept the British out of the US, became a key part of young America's identity, and catapulted Jackson to the national stage, where he would found the Democratic Party and change the presidency forever.

Pickles gives a brief but compelling background of the War of 1812, along with the strategy and tactics of the skirmishes leading up to the fateful charge of January 8. Pickles is a knowledgeable military historian, and his work is well researched and written. It's a good introduction to the battle, which can be followed up in several books, like that of Robert V. Remini.

[Dimitri · Rating 2 out of 5]

As good as any Osprey - their format fits small-scale engagement better than the world war battles - but no matter how big a deal the American mythology makes of this, the war of 1812 can't thrill me