New Flag

[BigEasy]

Don't think it would have made a difference as the "Battle of New Orleans" was only a practice battle fought after the peace was signed. Poor communications back in the day.

Incorrect; a common misconception. The treaty was agreed to but never signed / ratified until April 1815, Approximately 3-4 months after the “Battle of New Orleans.” You are correct that poor communications were a factor; if word had reached the US and British, the battle would probably not have occurred. Most historians agree that had the Brits won the Battle at New Orleans, they would have controlled all of the Mississippi Valley, including all of the lands that encompassed the LA Purchase in 1803. The Brits already had a strong foothold in Canada and most of the Atlantic Coast after repeated battles throughout the war of 1812. Bottom line is that if the US lost the Battle of New Orleans, the Brits would have ignored the verbal peace accord. Further proof was that the Brititsh navy and army took up a position on Dauphin Island (off the coast of AL) to regroup after they retreated from New Orleans. They over ran a fort at Mobile Bay and did not depart from the Gulf until May of 1815 until after the treaty was finalized, ratified, and signed by both countries. There are several good books on the subject, if you’re a history buff.

 

[Justin_NSA]

 

[Michael Davis]

Incorrect; a common misconception. The treaty was agreed to but never signed / ratified until April 1815, Approximately 3-4 months after the

I didn't realise it took so long to get ratified. Should have thought about having to sail it across the Atlantic so Congress could have a look. Easier for the Brits. only having to cross the channel to get it to Parliament. My reference said it was signed Dec.24 1814 but only by those negotiating it I guess.

 

[Rick Webb]

British would likely have lost without Laffite's artillery. They made some serious blunders and trying to flush out a very well entrenched much more dedicated force would have cost them dearly. The Brits still were using similar tactics with similar results 100 years later.

 

[shemandr]

Is that the original version of that song? I'm going to download it. I think it was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that did my favorite cover. I'll have to look for that too! Good stuff.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Is that the original version of that song? I'm going to download it. I think it was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that did my favorite cover. I'll have to look for that too! Good stuff.

That's the only version I know.

 

[BigEasy]

British would likely have lost without Laffite's artillery..

Rick, think that you are absolutely correct. The Kentucky regiments also made a big difference using “long guns” with rifled barrels vs the Brits with short range muskets. British troops were getting slaughtered before they could get within musket range. The Kentucks also picked off British commanders that lead to mass confusion during the final battle.

 

[BigEasy]

I didn't realise it took so long to get ratified. Should have thought about having to sail it across the Atlantic so Congress could have a look. Easier for the Brits. only having to cross the channel to get it to Parliament. My reference said it was signed Dec.24 1814 but only by those negotiating it I guess.

Michael, that is my understanding, that those who were negotiating it signed the treaty on 12/24/1814. It took an additional 3 to 4 months for congress and parliament to ratify. British admirals and generals were notified about the ratification while anchored at Dauphin Island in April 1815.

 

[dlochner]

Michael, that is my understanding, that those who were negotiating it signed the treaty on 12/24/1814. It took an additional 3 to 4 months for congress and parliament to ratify. British admirals and generals were notified about the ratification while anchored at Dauphin Island in April 1815.

I'm not surprised that it took that long to ratify. Probably took 4 to 6 weeks, if not longer, just to get the treaty back to the US. And that would be crossing the N Atlantic by sail in winter or by sailing down to the Caribbean and back up to the US. Then it would take several weeks to notify Congress to go back to Washington to debate and ratify the treaty. In those days Congress was in session as much as it is today. And finally several more weeks to send notice to the troops that were far afield. How many days does it take to ride a horse from Washington to New Orleans?

 

[Rick Webb]

Rick, think that you are absolutely correct. The Kentucky regiments also made a big difference using “long guns” with rifled barrels vs the Brits with short range muskets. British troops were getting slaughtered before they could get within musket range. The Kentucks also picked off British commanders that lead to mass confusion during the final battle.

The attack on Washington (at the time a small and relatively insignificant city) was the only one to succeed. The attack on Baltimore was soundly defeated and the attack through new Yok state though initially successful failed as well. Other than burning the White House the British did very poorly through the whole war.

 

[Rick Webb]

The treaty was signed December 24, 1814, in the city of Ghent.
Ratified by the Parliament on December 30, 1814
The Battle of New Orleans was won on January 8, 1815.
Ratified by Congress on February 17, 1815

 

[NotCook]

Some people, including sailors, take themselves a little too seriously. If you can’t take flying a pirate flag or derivative of it with a sense of humor, you don’t need to berate fun loving people who do have a sense of humor. Of course, surely no one is advocating flying it in place of the national ensign, at least not after being enlightened. It is decoration, for Pete’s sake. I think bow ties are tacky, unless worn with a tux, but I don’t call someone who likes to wear one a lowlife.

I think it is a stretch nowadays to suggest that flying a Jolly Roger is somehow supporting or condoning the actual pirates operating around Somalia or the Caribbean. And, regardless of what you may say, they are not an embarrassment - perhaps just to those without a sense of humor. Smacks of political correctness, to me. Not everyone bases their value on what you think (or certainly what I think, for that matter). Lighten up.

 

[justsomeguy]

Of course, surely no one is advocating flying it in place of the national ensign, at least not after being enlightened.

What is this "enlightened" of which you write?

 

[NotCook]

What is this "enlightened" of which you write?

As another poster mentioned, explaining that flying something else where the ensign belongs is inappropriate in any case.

Maybe “informed” would be a better choice of words. “Enlightened” probably carries to much of a self righteous connotation...

 

[justsomeguy]

...inappropriate in any case.

Friggin' control freaks.

 

[Kermit]

I flew my American and state flags from the starboard spreader until y’all “informed”, “enlightened” (insert verb of choice) me. Although I’ve read and now sorta understand the rules, I still think they look nice there. I now fly my American flag on the transom. I still fly my state flag from the starboard spreader. I like it and will continue to fly it there.

“Come and Take It.”

 

[DJAY]

Is that the original version of that song? I'm going to download it. I think it was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that did my favorite cover. I'll have to look for that too! Good stuff.

The Horton tune had new lyrics applied to an old fiddle tune called "The Eighth of January" that likely dates to the early 19th century and refers to the date the battle was won. If there were lyrics originally they have likely been lost over time.

 

[Justin_NSA]

It's about tradition, and the Navy is big on it. We Marines were instructed the first time we were to board ship, how to do it correctly. I'm sure Navy etiquette is drilled into them in boot camp.

 

[Meriachee]

This all may be well and fine, but by the same token, there are those of us who fly some seriously coded (code flag) messages from the spreader that, and oddly enough -nobody- has ever asked about.

 

[Ron20324]

That's the only version I know.

Google says it was written by Jimmy Driftwood. It was on the charts in 1959.