I never realized how important the Battle of New Orleans, at the end of the War of 1812, was. Indeed, since it came after signing of the peace treaty, I thought it was meaningless. Not at all.
First, it was a stunning defeat by irregulars of a battle-experienced British force of twice our size. They were stunned. And without the victory the British might have stayed in New Orleans and made it an outpost like Gibraltar, enabling them to interfere with our key shipping route, the Mississippi River.
Second, domestically. The New England merchants were unhappy with how the war interfered with their trade. They were unhappy to the point of drawing up a the list demands that concluded by threatening secession! But their delegation arrived in Washington the same day as news of the great victory. They were instantly disgraced.
In total, it was a very important event in US history. Read more at:
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