History comes to life during Battle of New Orleans anniversary

Photo By Cpl. Jad Sleiman | Scottish Highlander role players fire muskets during a demonstration. The Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve hosted a series of living history events on the Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette, La., Jan. 7-8 in remembrance of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.  

CHALMETTE, LA, UNITED STATES

01.08.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Jad Sleiman 

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

CHALMETTE, La. — The Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve hosted a series of living history events on the Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette, La., Jan. 7-8 in remembrance of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.

British and American camps staffed with role players in period dress demonstrated the weaponry and lifestyles of the men and women who were there when the final major battle of the War of 1812 was decided.

It was 296 years ago that American forces under Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson, mostly Army troops along with militia men, pirates and a number of local Marines, defeated a vastly superior invading British army and saved New Orleans while protecting access to the Mississippi River.

Though a peace treaty had already been signed weeks earlier, news didn’t reach the opposing forces until after the battle was over. Still, organizers said, this battle was important for an America that was only just beginning to step onto the international stage.

“All of a sudden the world stood up and realized, ‘Hey, this democracy experiment might just work,’” said JLNHPP Park Ranger and Public Information Officer Kristy Wallish, adding that had the British won, they may very well have reneged on their treaty and used the Mississippi to conquer the American interior.

In fact, for some 50 years after the battle, Americans celebrated Jan. 8 the same way they celebrated the Fourth of July, and some historians consider the War of 1812 a kind of second American War of Independence.

Tom Turner, also known as militia commander, Gen. John Coffee, said reenactments offer people a uniquely realistic understanding of how history happened.

“If I read something in a book it’s one thing, but actually going out and seeing it makes a real impression,” said the veteran historical role player and Jonesborough, Tenn., native.

Chris Webre, a Destrehan, La., physical therapist, brought his young son to the battlefield as part of a Boy Scouts event.

“It shows this resilience of the people from this area goes back a long time,” he said. “I wanted my son to continue to be proud of New Orleans.

• Date Taken: 01.08.2011
• Date Posted: 01.14.2011 08:22
• Story ID: 63534
• Location: CHALMETTE, LA, US