New Orleans 1815 - Trade Editions Author:Tim Pickles The war of 1812 was sparked by a combination of high-handed British conduct at sea and American expansionists' desire to annex Canada. The fighting was fierce but indecisive. In an attempt to break the deadlock and seize control of the Mississippi, British General Sir Edward Pakenham led a force, veterans of the Napoleonic wars, to capture New O... more »rleans. They were faced by a mixture of regulars, volunteers, militia and even pirates under General Andrew Jackson. On 8 January 1815, unaware that a peace treaty had already been signed, the British attacked. They were defeated with over 2,000 casualties and Pakenham was killed leading his men.« less