The War of 1812 Conflict and Deception by Ronald J. Drez

Perhaps no conflict in American history is more important yet more overlooked and misunderstood than the War of 1812. Begun by President James Madison after decades of humiliating British trade interference and impressment of American sailors, the war was in many ways the second battle for United States independence. 

Inspired by the defeat of Napoleon in early 1814 and the perceived illegality of the Louisiana Purchase, the British devised a plan at the climax of the war to launch a three-pronged attack against the northern, eastern, and southern U.S. borders.  Concealing preparations for this strike by engaging in negotiations in Ghent, Britain meanwhile secretly issued orders to seize New Orleans and wrest control of the Mississippi and the lands west of the river.  They further instructed British commander General Edward Pakenham to maintain his attack even if rumors of a peace treaty reached him. Great Britain even covertly installed government officials within military units with the intention of immediately taking over administrative control once the territory was conquered.

According to author Ronald J. Drez, the British strategy and the successful defense of New Orleans through the leadership of General Andrew Jackson affirm the serious implications of this climactic battle. Far from being simply an unnecessary epilogue to the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans firmly secured for the United States the territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. 

Ronald J. Drez, an award-winning author and former U.S. Marine Captain, served as the Assistant Director and Research Associate to Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose at the Eisenhower Center, and to Dr. Douglas Brinkley at the University of New Orleans for twenty years. 

Drez is the principal historian and president of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, Inc.