This is coolbert: The Battle of New Orleans is another example of the strategic defensive. Or is it? The British troops fighting under Pakenham were at the time probably the finest troops in the world at the time [veterans and victors of the Peninsular campaign against the forces of Napoleon]. Were soundly, even obscenely defeated by the rag tag militia of General Andrew Jackson [fortified by U.S. regular army troops].

Whether he did it consciously or unconsciously, Jackson, defending, choose a position well suited for defense. The British troops had to advance through a swamp to get at the defenders. The artillery of the British could not follow, while the American defenders were not inhibited in such a manner, the U.S. artillery being positioned and sited. The results are well know. 2000 British dead while the American side lost 6 dead!! And of course the sad case is that the war had been over for two weeks prior to the battle being fought!! Jackson was elevated to high esteem and eventually the Presidency by this battle.

coolbert.