Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Batteries Seven and Eight
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
When the British attacked the American rampart during their reconnaisance in force on December 28, they almost succeeded in outflanking the rampart and capturing the American positions at this end of the line. The Americans responded by extending the rampart farther into the cypress swamp. This new section was defended by Kentucky militia, General John Coffee's Tennessee militia, and Captain Pierre Jugeant leading a group of Choctaw Indians. On January 8 the British concentrated their main attack here. According to tradition, Lieutenant Samuel Spotts of the Artillery Corps gave the order at Battery 7 to fire the battle's first shot.
(captions)
This engraving from about 1892 portrays the determination of the volunteer troops at the American rampart's swamp end.
Troops
Coffee's Tennessee militia
Jugeant's Company of Choctaw Volunteers
Kentucky militia
U.S. Artillery Corps
Artillery, Battery 7
Probably one six-pound canon and one 18-pound cannon (sources disagree)
Artillery, Battery 8
9˝-inch howitzer or small cannon (sources disagree)
Erected by National Park Service - United States Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812 . A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 29° 56.73′ N, 89° 59.532′ W. Marker is in Chalmette, Louisiana, in St. Bernard Parish. Marker is at the intersection of Chalmette National Park Scenic Rd (Battlefield Rd) and Chalmette National Park Scenic Rd (Tour Loop Rd), on the left when traveling south on Chalmette National Park Scenic Rd (Battlefield Rd). The Chalmette National Park Scenic Road, or Battlefield Road, is located within the Chalmette Battlefield portion of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chalmette LA 70043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Batteries Five and Six (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chalmette Battlefield And National Cemetery (about 400 feet away); The Kentucky Rifle (about 700 feet away); Chalmette Battlefield (about 700 feet away); Fazendeville (about 700 feet away); Battle Of New Orleans 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Main Attack (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pakenham's Fall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chalmette.
Also see . . . Chalmette Battlefield. NPS Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve website entry (Submitted on August 23, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 23, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 2. submitted on January 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on August 23, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.