FREEDOM SHRINE

Andrew Jackson’s letter describes the Battle of New Orleans, one of the biggest conflicts in the War of 1812. After being defeated by the United States in the Battle of Baltimore and the Battle of Plattsburg, the British planned to invade New Orleans and seize Crescent City. Doing so would ensure that the British would have control of the Mississippi River and the American south. However, the British had to face Andrew Jackson, who had rushed to defend New Orleans. After a bloody battle, the British had lost ground and hope of taking Crescent City. The enemy side had around 2,000 casualties, while Jackson’s team lost less than 100 men. The victory at New Orleans led many Americans to call Jackson a hero, and was one of the leading factors of him winning the presidency in 1829.