[StBernard] Battle of New Orleans press release attached

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish Government to Hold Battle Reenactment, Marine Band
Concert on Friday Night
January 10, 2014
 
December 23. 1814 Night Battle Recreated for 12th Straight Year 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE                                                                     

Contact Mike Bayham 
(504) 258-4467
 
 
 
CHALMETTE- St. Bernard Parish Government is sponsoring a battle reenactment
and performance by the US Marine Corps Band on Friday evening as part of the
parish’s annual celebration of the American victory at the Battle of New
Orleans. 
 
Both events will take place at the Woodlands Subdivision adjacent to Torres
Park.  Visitors are asked to take the complimentary shuttles that will leave
from the St. Bernard Parish Government Building parking lot as there is no
parking available at the reenactment site.  Buses will begin leaving for the
reenactment site at 6:00 PM.    
 
The US Marine Corps band will perform at 6:30 PM and the battle reenactment
will start at 7:00 PM sharp and will last about an hour.  
 
“This year marks the 199th anniversary of the battle and this Friday’s
concert and reenactment will help raise awareness about the approach of the
bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans and we look forward to welcoming
visitors from around the world for this major event,” said Parish President
David Peralta.    
 
“We’re grateful for the participation of the many reenactors who travel from
around the country to help us vividly recreate an important part of our
nation’s history,” said Mike Bayham, who coordinates the local commemoration
and as a parish councilman founded the parish’s annual battle reenactment in
2003.   
 
The December 23, 1814 night battle took place not long after the British
army had landed near the Villere Plantation, which was located where the
Valero Refinery is today.  Upon learning of the arrival of the British,
American General Andrew Jackson launched an immediate attack on the invaders
before their full force disembarked from their ships in Lake Borgne.
 
Though the battle was technically a draw as the American forces retired from
the field, the night skirmish proved to be a strategic victory for the
defenders, as the British army was knocked off balance and delayed their
advance upon the largely unprotected city.  Jackson used the time bought
from the skirmish to construct a rampart at a narrow neck of land between
the cypress swamp and the Mississippi River “on the plains of Chalmette”,
which was where the Battle of New Orleans would be fought two weeks
later.     
 
The United States Marine Corps Band, performing prior to the reenactment for
the second consecutive year, will play a number of traditional patriotic
songs before concluding with the Star Spangled Banner.   
 
Other event sponsors include the National Park Service, St. Bernard Parish
Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Living History Foundation, the St. Bernard
Parish Tourism Commission and Terry Tedesco Homes.  
 
The events are free and are open to the public.  For more information,
contact Mike Bayham at (504) 278-1033.