Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Batteries Two and Three
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Sailors from the USS Carolina and Jean Lafitte's Baratarian pirates manned the cannons at Batteries 2 and 3. General Andrew Jackson had once described the Baratarians as "hellish banditti," but now their artillery experience was invaluable. Dominique Youx and Renato Beluche, allies of Jean Lafitte, led the Baratarians. There is no evidence that Jean Lafitte himself was at the battle. Batteries 2 and 3 were crucial in turning back the British attack along the river. To the left of these batteries were local militias: one made up of free men of color, the other of Irish immigrants and members of the French Creole elite.
(captions)
This engraving from about 1850 shows American Major General Andrew Jackson behind the American lines; he spent the battle to the right of Plauche's battalion near Battery Three.
Troops
Jean Lafitte's Baratarian pirates
Lacoste's Firt Free Colored Battalion
Plauche's Uniformed Battalion of Orleans Volunteers
USS Carolina sailors
Artillery, Battery 2
24-pound naval cannon
Artillery, Battery 3
Two 24-pound naval cannons
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.
Location. 29° 56.469′ N, 89° 59.682′ W. Marker is in Chalmette, Louisiana, in St. Bernard Parish. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Battlefield Road and Tour Loop Road. Marker can be reached from Battlefield Road 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. Chalmet Plantation (a few steps from this marker); Rodriguez Plantation and Macarty House (within shouting distance of this marker); Batteries 2 and 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); The West Bank Assault (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery One and Forward Redoubt (within shouting distance of this marker); Attack Along the River (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Major Samuel Spotts U.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodriguez Canal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chalmette.
More about this marker. This marker replaces an older marker (#6218) of the same name that no longer exists.
Also see . . . Chalmette Battlefield. NPS Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve website entry (Submitted on August 22, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 22, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 2. submitted on January 29, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on January 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.