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Further Reading
The Attack at the Villere Plantation
More Eyewitness accounts of the Battle of New Orleans
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Andrew Jackson orders Jacques Villere
to block all waterways from the lakes leading to the Mississippi River
This general order from Andrew
Jackson was sent to Jacques Villere ordering him to block all waterways
from the lakes leading to the Mississippi River. It was not clear whether
Jackson had heard that Villere had left some passages unblocked. By the
time Villere received this, it was clear that the British were already
planning to use the Bayou Bienvenu and the Villere Canal as inland accesses.
The British eventually extended the canal from Villere’s property
in order to move men across the Mississippi.
It is interesting to note Jackson’s reference to the state of martial
law. Jackson imposed this measure because he was badly in need of supplies
and needed to improvise a defense of the city without interference from
civil authorities. Notice how Jackson includes the Black slave population
in his list of raw materials. Also of interest is Jackson’s drafting
of Natives into the militia. No doubt many of those Natives who ended
up fighting at New Orleans were Choctaws and Creeks who had fought alongside
the Americans against the Red Sticks.
Head Quarters New Orleans
General Orders Decr. 19th 1814
Major General Villere will without delay obstruct the passage from the Lakes Borgne Pontchartrain and Maurepas to the Mississippi, and station at every important point a guard or post of observation, and report regularly to head Quarters every occurance of importance - The Major General is authorized to make such requisitions upon the Inhabitants within his District for negroes, Horses, Oxen, Carts &c. as he may deem necessary and to enroll and receive into the service all the Indians within his District and upon their enrollment will deliver to them one Blanket and two shirts the value thereof to be deducted from their pay - to ensure the completion of the above order Major General Villere will make return for such arms ammunition and provisions as he may deem necessary.
Andrew Jackson
Major Genl. Commanding |
