New Orleans was a highly sought prize by the British army. By the time of the War of 1812, the city, founded by the French in 1718, had become the Gulf Coast’s chief port as well as one of the largest cities in the United States.  Due to its diverse population, the British high command hoped its inhabitants would fail to support around the American cause. Instead, Andrew Jackson rallied the citizens to form an army that fiercely defended the city. The British attempts to capture the city culminated in defeat at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

The heart of the city remains Jackson Square, formerly the Place
d’Armes, where grand reviews of troops marched before and after the Battle of New Orleans. At the center of the square stands a magnificent statue of Andrew Jackson. The Cabildo, the central facility of the Louisiana State Museum complex and site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, contains exhibits on Louisiana history, including information on the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans. The Historic New Orleans Collection also contains exhibits on the city’s history and its William C. Cook
War of 1812 in the South Collection is a gem for researchers seeking primary source material on the conflict.