ANCHOR

Old Hickory-Nickajack Chapter Newsletter

May 2015 EDITION

Dear Ladies,

2012 – 2015

CHAPTER OFFICERS President – Felicia Wilt

Vice President – Dorothy Pouder

Chaplain – Linda Tripp

Recording Sec. – Harriette Maloney

Treasurer – Candance Sands

Registrar – Cindy Waters

WEBSITES

Old Hickory-Nickajack Chapter

www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~

tnohcusd/oldhickorynickajackusd/

State Society

www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnusd

State Society – members only

tnusd1812members.weebly.com

National Website:

www.usdaughters1812.org/

Jodi Killen &Cher Sesma holding the

newspaper donated by our chapter.

The bicentennial has come to a close. It has been an

exciting three years to be involved in this organization. Thanks

to everyone for their continued support. We want to welcome

our two new members; Janelle Kutterer and Janet Payne. It

saddens me to report the death of our member Anne Koonce

in March. Our next meeting will be May 21 at Belmont Village.

New officers will be installed. They are President- Felicia Wilt,

Vice President-Wanda Meadows, Chaplain-Linda Tripp,

Recording Secretary-Susan Gould, Registrar-Cindy Waters, &

Treasurer-Candace Sands. Dues of $35 are also due by

September 1.

In Sisterly Love,

Felicia Wilt

Associate Council

Felicia Wilt, Charlotte Miller, Bettie Gustafson

National Pages at the Memorial

Battle of New Orleans Celebration

Top left: Felicia Wilt with PN Ginger Apyar at Jackson Square

Chalmette Monument

Felicia Wilt and Bettie Gustafson with aka General Andrew Jackson

The townspeople gathered to hear Jackson’s speech as they looked in 1814

Hanging with the Texas Daughters

TN Daughters wreath by Bettie Gustafson

Associate Council

Associate Council began with a tea on Thursday to

celebrate the end of the bicentennial. Historian

National, Mary Casper gave a talk on The Treaty of

Ghent. Ghent was a convenient location for the

British. The British stalled because they still planned

on taking Louisiana. The America and British

delegates were given yellow roses when the citizens

heard that a treaty had been reached.

Council began on Friday. The National Chairmen

gave their reports. Saturday began with the state

reports. Our chapter donated an 1812 era newspaper

and a book that once belong to President National

Mrs. Samuel Shope. Tennessee received a lot of

awards at the luncheon.

New officers were elected. Many qualified candi-

dates ran for the offices. Even though I lost, it was

sadder to see ladies that had been long-time

members and very hard workers for the society not

get elected. As my friend, Jan Johnpier says, why

can’t everyone win? Since it’s not that way. These

are our new officers: President-Jacque-Lynne

Schulman, 1st VP-Mary Jackson Duffe , 2nd VP- Mary

Webster Glenn, 3rd VP- Edith (Adele) Davenport

Bowyer, 4th VP-Mary Raye Kiser Casper, Chaplain-

Roberta Donaldson Jordan, Recording Secretary-

Susan Franks Leininger, Corresponding Secretary-

Dianne Brown Cannestra, No Treasurer was elected,

Registrar- Margaret Isabelle Board Obert, Historian-

Jan Brooks Johnpier, Librarian- Cheryl (Cher) Miller

Sesma, and Curator- Michelle W. Thornton. Barbara

Allison is covering the Treasurer office until July 1,

2015. Then the new Treasurer will be Catherine

(Cathy) Ball.

National Defense Medals

Our chapter gave 3 ROTC medals and 4 JROTC

medals. The ROTC awards went to Vanderbilt Army-

Sean J. Lee, Vanderbilt Navy-Stephanie Lyons, & TSU

Airforce-Adin Turckovich. The JROTC medals went to

Mt. Juliet-Sabrina Dunn, Franklin-Samantha Fullerton,

Dickson-Jillian Cunningham & Cane Ridge (unknown).

We presented a certificate to Samantha Fullerton of

Franklin signed by the new President and Chairman. A

special thanks to our National Defense Chairman,

Marilyn Burchett. Also thanks to Harriette Maloney

for presenting Dickson High School. These ceremo-

nies are worth attending if you have never been.

TSU Airforce Adin Turckovich

Vanderbilt Navy-Stephanie Lyons

Mt. Juliet-Sabrina Dunn Dickson-Jillian Cunningham

New Officers being sworn in. Jacque-Lynne Schulman, Mary Duffe, Mary Glenn, Adele Bowyer, Mary

Casper, Roberta Jordan, Susan Leininger, Dianne Cannestra, Margaret Obert, Jan Johnpier, Cher Sesma, &

Michelle Thornton. Charlotte Hubbs is Parliamentarian National.

State Council

On March 5, The State Council met in

Chattanooga. The weather was cold and wet.

Chapter members in attendance were Linda

Tripp, Felicia Wilt, Cindy Waters, Sue

Thompson, Betty Rchards, and Marilyn

Burchett. Our chapter received several

awards. New officers were elected. They are

President-Linda Tripp, 1st VP-Jo Hill, 2nd VP-

Felicia Wilt, 3rd VP-Nancy Carr, 4th VP-Carolyn

Christian Martin, Chaplain-Shirley Hall,

Treasurer-Mary Nell Clevenger, Registrar-

Debra Wilson, Recording Secretary-Kathy

McClelland, Corresponding Secretary-Carol

Teeters, Historian-Annette Floyd, Librarian-

Sharon Taylor, & Curator-Olivia Chandler.

Future meetings will be held in the Middle

Tennessee area if an agreement is reached

with Colonial Dames and DAC. Summer Board

will be held in August. Details will be sent

later.

Front Row: Carolyn Christian Martin, Felicia Wilt, Linda Tripp,

Jo Hill, & Nancy Carr. Back Row: Shirley Hall, Kathy

McClelland, Mary Nell Clevenger, Debra Wilson, Annette

Floyd, & Olivia Chandler.

Natchez Trace Association

There will be an encampment in Tuscumbia june 12-14.

A wreath laying at the grave of John Coffee will take

place on Saturday June 13. A parade will be held followed

by a victory ball. Tickets are $40. The next victory ball will

be at the Hermitage July 3-4. Details will come later.

CELEBRATING UNITY – THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS

On Tuesday we went to The Historic New Orleans Collection to see the exhibition on Andrew Jackson, Hero

of New Orleans. They had objects on loan from the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee. These included a

pistol with silver plates, silver spurs, a silver punch cup made by a fine New York silver firm, gold-rimmed eye

glasses with a sharkskin case, a Turkish pipe, a French watch, a cane, and a lock of Jackson’s own hair. Jackson

was a man who appreciated nice things. While there, we had tea and biscuits with the British Consulate.

General Pakenham’s Final Supper was held Tuesday night. Guests were dressed in period costumes. A five

course meal was served with wine. General Edward Pakenham made a guest appearance. The Honourable Sir

Edward Michael Pakenham had been a member of Parliament. He was the brother-in-law to Arthur Wellesley,

the 1st Duke of Wellington. General Edward Pakenham was promoted to Major General to replace General

Robert Ross as the commander of the British North American Army after Ross was killed in Baltimore.

Pakenham arrived in Louisiana in December 1814 only to find that the Royal Navy had landed his troops in

malaria-infested swamps south of Louisiana. His men were getting sick and dying in the swamp. This forced

Pakenham to move on the city of New Orleans. He was out-gunned. The American’s cannons were larger and

better placed. General Andrew Jackson, having unsuccessfully attacked the British encampment on December

23rd gave the British a strong sense of confidence. General Pakenham was fatally wounded in New Orleans on

January 8, 1815. Tradition has it that his heart was removed and buried at the battlefield. His body was

returned to Ireland in a cask of rum. Pakenham was known for being an unpleasant person. One of his

relatives wrote “The General has returned home in better spirits than he left.”

The Battle of New Orleans bicentennial theme is “Celebrating Unity”. This was to recognize and honor the

unity shown by the men and women from Great Britain who fought for and supported the British cause. Some

English ladies accompanied their husbands across the ocean. As the soldiers slept in swamps, the women

remained on the ships. They waited for news of a British victory and the opportunity to visit the city of New

Orleans. These women would never see New Orleans. Some would never be reunited with their husbands,

because the fallen soldiers were buried at the plantations near the battlefield. The women returned to

England with the fleet.

To recognize and honor the unity shown by those who came together under the 15-star American flag. The

men and women, free and enslaved, of a wide range of backgrounds, races, regions, and languages that came

together under Major General Andrew Jackson. There were US Army soldiers, sailors, and marines, members

of a local hunting club, local sons of old families and newly immigrants, free African Americans, criminal

privateers, citizen soldiers from Tennessee and Kentucky, Choctaw Indians, French-speaking Creoles, Spanish-

speaking Islenos from the Canary Islands, Irish and German immigrants.

While the men were fighting in battle, the women joined the Ursuline nuns to pray for a miracle. The

Americans were outnumbered and it appeared that the city of New Orleans was in danger of being captured.

They prayed to the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the safety of the men. They spent the night

before praying and crying before the holy statue. On the morning of January 8, Rev. William Dubourg, Vicar

General, offered mass at the altar where the statue was placed. Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin vowed to

have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung annually should the American forces win. At the very moment of

communion, a messenger entered the Old Ursuline Convent shouting “Victory is Ours”. General Jackson went

to the convent himself to thank the nuns. The vow made by Mother Ste. Marie has been faithfully kept

throughout the years.

To recognize and honor the unity, the lasting peace, and the special alliance between the United States and

Great Britain. Two hundred years and counting. And to recognize and honor the unity shown by people from

every walk of life who keep the tradition of commemoration alive year after year at Chalmette Battlefield.

Americans took great pride in the victory and for decades celebrated January 8 as a national holiday, just like

the Fourth of July. The holiday ceased during the civil war.

On January 7, a “Call To Arms” was held at Jackson Square. A group of volunteers dressed in costumes

representing the people that would have been here in New Orleans in 1815 gathered to hear what Andrew

Jackson had to say. General Jackson and Edward Livingston would speak to the crowd. General Jackson’s

speech:

There are volunteers portraying the men and women of New Orleans who gathered right here 200 years ago

in the midst of the War of 1812. And the war of 1812, in case you don’t remember. What was that about?

Some Americans in 1812 believed that we needed a second war for independence against Great Britain.

About thirty years after the end of the American Revolution. They believed we needed it for free trade. The

right to send our American goods anywhere in the world without foreign interference. For sailors’ rights. The

rights for sailors on American ships to be safe from being seized by the British Navy. And for Canada. With

Great Britain distracted by the war with France, there was never before and never would be again a better

time to seize Canada and make it a part of the United States.

In 1812, America is a young country. It’s about thirty years old. It does not yet command respect on the world

stage. Honor is the prize if we win our war of 1812. However, the loss of our hard won independence could

be the cost if we lose. It is the first time America voted to go to war and it is the closest war vote in America

history. Two and a half years later, the American army had failed in every attempt to invade Canada. We

have not won our free trade or our sailors’ rights on the battlefields. America is almost bankrupt. Our credit is

exhausted. There is no more money to fight this war.

In January of 1815, there is nothing more to gain and everything to lose from the war of 1812. In January of

1815, we in New Orleans have just received the news that a British army has marched into Washington, DC.

They have destroyed our capital building. They have burned the White House to the ground. In January of

1815, the citizens of New Orleans know that that same British army is on the way here. When are they going

to get here? We don’t know. What direction are they coming from? We don’t know. In this square, which

was not a landscaped garden. It was an open grass field. But every able-bodied man in New Orleans gathered

here to hear a speech. Major Andrew Jackson of Tennessee was here. But he couldn’t speak to a lot of the

residents of the city. A city that was founded by the French and governed for forty years by the Spanish.

To assist him, he enlisted the help of a prominent and most important multi-lingual lawyer of New Orleans,

Edward Livingston. The speech was written by a lawyer to be given to a diverse audience. There are with us

here uniformed soldiers of the US army, navy, and marines. There are volunteers from the wilderness of

Kentucky and Tennessee. There are pirates and smugglers from the Bariterious swamp. There are also the

free men of color. Part of New Orleans’ own citizen defense force. Warriors from the neighboring Choctaw

tribes were on their way here as well to join in the fight. And of course, these men could not succeed without

the tireless work and support and effort of the women of New Orleans as well. What you are about to hear is

the big half-time speech. It projects confidence and an assurance of victory because it has to. Edward

Livingston is a lawyer and he is making the most important argument in his career that the fate of the new

republic of America is in your hands. And why you, people from different nations, different backgrounds, and

different cultures should share the burden of defending that idea. If we succeed, not only will America be

saved, but by working together, we will have changed forever what it means to be American. Ladies and

Gentlemen, this is the speech that Edward Livingston delivered here on this square on General Jackson’s

behalf.

Edward Livingston’s Speech given in English, French, and Spanish:

Fellow Citizens and Soldiers: The General commanding in chief would not do justice to the noble ardor that

has animated you in the hour of danger, he would not do justice to his own feeling, if he suffered the example

you have shown to pass without public notice. Inhabitants of an opulent and commercial town, you have, by a

spontaneous effort, shaken off the habits which are created by wealth, and shown that you are resolved to

deserve the blessings of fortune by bravely defending them. Long strangers to the perils of war, you have

embodied yourselves to face them with the cool countenance of veterans; and with motives of disunion that

might operate on weak minds, you have forgotten the difference of language and the prejudices of national

pride, and united with a cordiality that does honor to your understandings as well as your patriotism. Natives

of the United States! They are the oppressors of your infant political existence with whom you contend; they

are the men your fathers conquered whom you are to oppose. Descendants of Frenchmen! Natives of

France! They are the English, the hereditary, the eternal enemies of your ancient country, the invaders of all

that you have adopted, who are your foes. Spaniards! Remember the conduct of your allies at St. Sebastian

and recently at Pensacola, and rejoice that you have an opportunity of avenging the brutal injuries inflicted by

men who dishonor the human race.

Free Men Of Color: From the shores of Mobile, I collected you to arms. I invited you to share in the perils

and to divide the glory of your white countrymen. I expected much from you, for I was not uninformed of

those qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe. I knew that you could endure hunger

and thirst and all the hardships of war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity, and that, like ourselves,

you had to defend all that is most dear to man. But you surpass my hopes. I have found in you, united in

those qualities, that noble enthusiasm which impels to great deeds.

Fellow-citizens, of every description, remember for what and against whom you contend. For all that can

render life desirable for a country blessed with every gift of nature for property, for life for those dearer than

either, your wives and children and for liberty, without which, country, life, property, are no longer worth

possessing; as even the embraces of wives and children become a reproach to the wretch who would deprive

them by his cowardice of those invaluable blessings. You are to contend for all this against an enemy whose

continued effort is to deprive you of the least of these blessings; who avows a war of vengeance and

desolation, carried on and marked by cruelty, lust, and horrors unknown to civilized nations.

Citizens of Louisiana! The General commanding in chief rejoices to see the spirit that animates you not only

for your honor but for your safety; for whatever had been your conduct or wishes his duty would have led,

and will now lead him to confound the citizen unmindful of his rights with the enemy he ceases to oppose.

Now, leading men who know their rights, who are determined to defend them, he salutes you, brave

Louisianans, as brethren in arms, and has now a new motive to exert all his faculties, which shall be strained to

the utmost in your defense. Continue with the energy you have begun, and he promises you not only safety,

but victory over the insolent enemy who insulted you by an affected doubt of your attachment to the

Constitution of your country.

When I first looked at you on the day of my arrival, I was satisfied with your appearance, and every day’s

inspection since has confirmed the opinion I then formed. Your numbers have increased with the increase of

danger, and your ardor has augmented since it was known that your post would be one of peril and honor.

This is true love of country! You have added to it in an exact discipline, and a skill in evolutions rarely attained

by veterans; the state of your corps does equal honor to the skill of the officers and the attention of the men.

With such defenders our country has nothing to fear. Everything I have said to the body of militia applies

equally to you, you have made the same sacrifices, you have the same country to defend, the same motive for

exertion but I should have been unjust had I not noticed, as it deserved the excellence of your discipline and

the martial appearance of your corps.

Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your conduct on the present occasion, and

the voice of the Representatives of the American nation shall applaud your valor, and your General now

praises your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But the brave are united; and if he finds us

contending among ourselves, it will be for the prize of valor, and fame its noblest reward!

Next we went to Chalmette Battlefield. The battlefield celebration was scheduled for the next day. The

park was closed to the public and only vendors were in the park setting up. We were allowed to enter and

visit the park. The entrance road is known as Battlefield Road. The Rodriguez Canal runs parallel to the left of

the road. At the intersection of the Battlefield Road and the Loop Road was the Game Field. Midway from the

entrance to the monument was the American Camp.

General Jackson and his men had attacked the British camp the night of December 23, 1814. The British had

camped across the field where the smokestacks stand. Jackson had been forced to retreat back to this spot.

Since General Pakenham and his men did not immediately attack, it gave Jackson’s troops time to construct a

defensive rampart behind the Rodriguez Canal. On January 8, 1815, the rampart or wall was nearly eight feet

tall and up to 20 feet thick in some places. It was tall enough to duck behind and reload and thick enough to

stop a cannon ball. On that densely fogged morning of January 8th, Tennessee and Kentucky militias along

with the Choctaw Indians repelled an attack of about 5,000 British troops at the point where the open field

met the cypress swamp.

General Pakenham led his attack under the darkness and heavy fog. Lt. Col. Thomas Mullins, British

commander of the 44th Regiment of Foot (East Essex) discovered that they had forgot the fascines (bundles of

sticks tied together for bridging the canal) and ladders for scaling the ramparts. This delayed their

advancement. Mullins was court-martialed later. The fog had lifted just as the British were in artillery range of

the Jackson Line. Jackson’s men were armed with Kentucky Long Rifles. Grapeshot killed Pakenham’s horse

and shattered his left knee. As his aide helped him to his feet, a musket ball hit his shoulder wounding his right

arm. After mounting another horse, grapeshot ripped through his spine. With an artery severed, he died on

the battlefield.

General Samuel Gibbs, second in command, got within 20 feet of the rampart before being shot. He died in

agony. General John Keane was badly wounded in the neck and thigh. Colonel Robert Rennie had also been

killed. Major Wilkinson made a third assault. He made it to the top of the rampart before being shot. Major

Wilkinson and Lt. Lavack and about 20 other men mounted the rampart by standing on each other's shoulders.

Wilkinson was riddled with rifle and grapeshot. The Americans were amazed at his bravery and carried him

behind the rampart. Major Smiley of the Kentucky militia said " bear up dear fellow. You are too brave to die."

Wilkinson asked Smiley to tell his commander that he reached the rampart and "died like a soldier and a true

Englishman." He died two hours later. Lavack mounted the parapet unharmed and demanded the swords of

two American officers there. They asked him to turn around. He was alone, the rest of his men having fled or

thrown themselves into the ditch. Lavack was made a prisoner. After about thirty minutes of fighting, the

fate of the United States was sealed along with the lands of the Louisiana Purchase.

In front of the rampart are cannons. This was where General Jackson had his biggest guns. A 32-pound

cannon from a US Navy ship launched bowling ball size ammo across the field. These cannons were loaded,

aimed, and fired by members of the US Artillery Corps, US Navy, Baratarians, smugglers, and pirates. Also

fighting in this area were the citizen soldiers of New Orleans, French-speaking Creoles, Spanish-speaking

Islenṍs from the Canary Islands, Irish immigrants, German immigrants, and free African-Americans.

The monument was straight ahead. The American flag flies in the breeze on the left as you approach. It is

a 100 foot high obelisk that honors the troops of the Battle of New Orleans. Visitors may climb the 122

interior steps to the top where there is a viewing platform. The army, navy, and marine flags are erected on

the left side of the monument. To the right of the monument toward the back are the state flags that were

involved in battle. The Tennessee flag is the last flag around the side. These flags may have been placed there

just for the ceremony. The visitor center is on the back side of the monument. To the left is the MaLus-

Beauregard House which was not here in 1815. The Chalmet house had been destroyed in the battle.

The Mississippi River flows at the back of the plantation. Buried under the levee is a road that ran alongside

the Mississippi River in 1815. More than 2,000 British troops attacked the American line which was defended

by the 7th US Infantry, US Artillery Corps, US Marines, and Beale’s Rifles. The 93rd Regiment of Foot

(Sutherland Highlanders) was ordered by General Keane to leave the assault on the river end, cross the field,

and join the main assault at the far end near the swamp. Out of the 950 Highlanders 825 fell on the

battlefield. The ones that made it would see that General Pakenham, General Gibbs, and General Rennie were

killed. General Keane was wounded. Near the levee is a stone marker erected in the 1890s known as Spotts

Monument. It reads:

"IN MEMORY OF MAJOR SAMUEL SPOTTS USA”

Who shot the first gun at the Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815.

Third Regiment Seventh Battery Artillery Corps.

Born November 30, 1788 in Philadelphia PA

Died July 11, 1833 in New Orleans, Louisiana"

At the far left of the battlefield flies the British flag. Chalmette Cemetery lies beyond the wall. Loop Road

circles around the battlefield next to the cemetery and in front of the MaLus-Beauregard House. Markers

describing the events of the battle are located along this route.

As you enter the battlefield, the section on the left before Loop Road will be the future sight of “Passage to

Unity” Memorial. The Battle of New Orleans was a great victory for the young United States but a great loss

for Great Britain. Two thousand brave British soldiers lost their lives during the battle. This memorial will

bring closure and celebrate the lasting peace between the two countries. The Rodriguez Canal and the

rampart was the line that separated the US troops from the British troops on the day of the battle. Visitors

will cross over a bridge to the Alliance Garden. The canal is lined with Blue Iris to symbolize the American

stronghold. The bridge handrail is lined with 2000 bronze British military buttons representing those that lost

their lives, were injured, or went missing during the battle. As hands rub on the buttons, they will remain

polished, symbolizing the valor of each military member. Eighteen vertical supports for the handrail represent

the 18 British military units that fought.

The Alliance Garden will be located on the US side of the canal. It represents the unity that exists between

the two countries. The garden will have life and color year round with Sweetbay Magnolias. Possumhaw

Hollies provide a red berry representing British unity on the US side. Integrated stone slabs from both Great

Britain and the United States make up a horizontal plane. A series of stone walls with text such as “Alliance”,

“Unity”, and “Peace” proclaim the relationship between the two countries for the last two centuries.

A metal boardwalk, derived from the fascines (material used to make a path in wet terrain) that were used

by the British on January 8, 1815 extend through the woodlands. This is the Passage To The Unknown &

Solitude. A stone art piece, made from English stone, marks the location where General Pakenham fell. There

will also be 18 British military unit memorial markers and benches to offer a place to sit for reflection and

serenity.

The Louisiana Daughters will give us more details in the future. I look forward to attending the grand

opening. Two hundred years of peace memorialized in a beautiful setting.

Next was the Alliance Tea held at the Ritz Carlton. We were welcomed by Louisiana State President,

Patricia Gallagher. The special guests were the National President of the United States Daughters of 1812,

Virginia Apyar and the National President of the Daughters of the British Empire, Libby Peters. We began with

the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the British National Anthem. Guests sipped on tea or champagne.

A Tea Etiquette List was given to the attendees.

Etiquette When Attending A Tea Party:

Greeting / Handshake

After sitting down, put purse on lap or behind you against chair back.

Napkin placement – unfold napkin on your lap. If you leave temporarily place napkin on chair.

Sugar/Lemon - Sugar is placed in cup first, then thinly sliced lemon and never milk and lemon together. Milk

goes in after tea, according to Washington School of Protocol. The habit of putting milk in tea came from the

French. “To put milk in your tea before sugar is to cross the path of love, perhaps never to marry” (tea

superstition).

The correct order when eating on a tea tray is to eat savories first, scones next and sweets last. Scones may

be served first while they are hot.

Scones – split horizontally with knife, curd and cream is placed on plate. Use the knife to put cream/curd. Eat

with fingers neatly.

Proper placement of spoon – the spoon always goes behind the cup; also don’t leave the spoon in the cup.

Proper holding of cup – do not put your pinky “up”, this is not correct. A guest should look into the teacup

when drinking - never over it.

Since ancient Rome, a cultured person ate with 3 fingers, a commoner with five. Thus, the birth of the raised

pinkie as a sign of elitism. This 3 fingers etiquette rule is still correct when picking up food with the fingers and

handling various pieces of flatware. This pinky “up” descended from a misinterpretation of the 3 fingers versus

5 fingers dining etiquette in the 11th century.

Registration for the General Society of the War of 1812 was held at The Westin. Refreshments were served

with a live band. Guests were dancing around the room to a lively beat.

Thursday morning, we gathered at the Westin to board a bus for Chalmatte Battlefield. Only the buses

were allowed into the park. We entered from the back by the cemetery and were only allowed up to the

intersection of Loop Road and Battlefield Road. It was a frigid 26° F. We walked up Battlefield Road toward

the monument. Tents had been set up along this road named after trees. A stage had been built in front of

the monument. Only the very top was visible above the stage. An American flag had been placed on the left

side of the stage and a British flag on the right.

The American flag was raised on the battlefield flagpole. The invocation was given by the Ursuline Sisters of

New Orleans. Since their prayers were a big part of the January 8th battle, it was only fitting that they should

lead the prayers for the bicentennial. A wreath procession for each of the represented groups was held. The

wreath for the Daughters of 1812 was presented by President General Virginia Apyar and Patricia Gallagher.

The wreath for the General Society of the War of 1812 was presented by President General Thomas Jacks.

We were welcomed by Shawn Benge of the Park Service. The National Anthem of the United Kingdom of

Great Britain and Northern Ireland was played. That was followed by The Star Spangled Banner and a musket

salute. Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu brought greetings. Sir Peter Westmacott, British Ambassador to the

United States, gave the British Address. The US Postal Service unveiled the commemorative postage stamp of

the Battle of New Orleans. It went on sale following the ceremony. Next was the unveiling of the “Passage to

Unity” design. The ceremony was closed with “Taps” and a military salute.

We had to immediately board our buses and head to Jackson Square where another wreath ceremony was

held at the statue of Andrew Jackson. The statue built in 1856 was cast from a cannon used in the battle.

Lunch at the Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum, followed with some local treats even King Cake. Yes, I got the

baby. So I need to bring the next King Cake. Then we went to one of the above ground cemeteries and laid a

wreath for soldiers of the War of 1812. Later that night was a Victory Banquet. After the banquet, the

Daughters stood on the staircase for a group photo.

On Friday morning, after breakfast, most of the group headed home. For the ones that remained, a Victory

Ball was held on Saturday night. A celebration to end the bicentennial.

The War of 1812 had shown the British that Americans would not back down even when it dealt with

fighting the world’s most powerful nation at that time. The conflict between the two countries was finally

settled. Louisiana citizens had an American cause for the celebration of the Fourth of July. The victory in New

Orleans made Andrew Jackson a hero. As for Canada, it was part of Great Britain before the war. And after

the war, it was still part of Great Britain. It’s independence began in 1867 and was fully accomplished in 1982.

My Bicentennial celebration began with the Natchez Trace marker in 2012 and recreating the march of

Andrew Jackson and his men on the return from New Orleans. Then a celebration at the Hermitage in 2013

followed with the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. In 2014, it was the Battle of

Baltimore at Fort McHenry. This all led up to January 8, 2015 and New Orleans. The hype is over for many of

the spectators as they move on to other events. But for myself and my 1812 sisters, this will never be over.

Year after year, we will honor and remember the heroes and the fallen that bravely defended our young

country. I challenge all the members to keep the momentum going. It is our duty to teach and educate the

public and our youth the history of the war of 1812. For us, it is not the “Forgotten War”. These last three

years have brought our history to a national level. Those involved have done an outstanding job. The

enthusiasm has been amazing. Twenty-five years, fifty years, and especially one hundred years from now,

when none of us are here, the enthusiasm needs to be at that same level. What will they do for the tri-

centennial?

DON’T GIVE UP THE memberSHIP!

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER STILL WAVES!