Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an EXPEDITION

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery Directly across and downriver from downtown New Orleans in Chalmette Louisiana is the location of the Battle of New Orleans which took place January  8, 1815 :  It is believed that this was the last major battle in the War of 1812 (between the United States and Britain). The American victory at the Battle of New Orleans soon became the over-arching symbol of American democracy winning out over European aristocracy and entitlement. Commanding an  all-volunteer   army,  the most diverse ever to have served our nation, including  slaves, free men of  color ,  pirates, Native Americans, and other non-professional soldiers many of whom volunteered at the last minute The volunteer army assembled by General Andrew Jackson soundly defeated the superior veteran British forces, and for decades Americans celebra...

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Tower Dupre Tower Dupre was the inspiration for this entire project. I originally began developing this idea before Hurricane Katrina.  Conceived as an expedition to document the fortifications, lighthouses and historic properties along the US Gulf Coast, not so much out of fear for their loss, as I had never experienced such an event as "Katrina", but more so due to a keen interest in coastal history and how it helped to forge our nation. Following Hurricane Katrina, and the destruction she wrought on our coast, my interest became more focused on preserving history as it was, for the future generations. One specific fortification that has now been lost to history, entirely destroyed by Katrina was a gun emplacement in Lake Borgne on the Mississippi River approach to New Orleans. Built as a fortified two-story hexagonal tower guarding the entrance to Bayou Dupre from Lake Borgne...

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Fort Proctor Fort Proctor, a ruined 19th-century coastal fortification located in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Otherwise known as Fort Beauregard or Beauregard's Castle after P.G.T. Beauregard, who supervised its construction. The fortification is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Borgne just north of the entrance to Bayou Yscloskey near the modern-day village of Shell Beach. When the fort was constructed, it was adjacent to a railroad shipping port called Proctors' Landing or "Proctorville." The Proctorville settlement later became known as Shell Beach. Primary Entrance to Fort Proctor looking Southeast. Intended to be part of the defensive fortifications protecting water access to New Orleans, following the British Naval incursion into New Orleans in 1814.  Due to delays and damage caused by recurrent hurricanes in the Gulf region, and the subsequent o...

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Battery Bienvenue  Battery Bienvenue is a coastal gun battery lying in ruins in the marsh offshore St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. The battery was constructed as part of the harbor defense system for the city of New Orleans following events of the war of 1812. The battery is located at a strategic junction where Bayou Bienvenue and Bayou Villeré join together in a direct approach to downtown New Orleans, as seen in the distance in several of the images. Southeast Battery Corner Bayou Bienvenue, as accessed through Lake Borgne, was the route of attack used by the British in 1814 to breach the city. from "The Battle of New Orleans" Zachary Smith, 1904 The battery was built in 1815 and improved several times over the years. Initial armament was planned for one 24pound and two 18pound cannons. The plan was expanded to twenty-four 32-pound cannon and two 13-inch mortars with a ...

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Fort McComb The United States built this fortification in 1822, seven years after the British forces invaded the city of New Orleans, towards the end of the War of 1812. It was initially named Fort Wood it was renamed Fort Macomb in 1851, after General Alexander Macomb, former Chief of Engineers and second Commanding General of the United States Army. This fortification has a curved outer wall facing the river, overlapping the two side walls, forming what is know as demi-bastions. At the point of the two straight walls is a full bastion which faces landward. The fort was surrounded by a moat with extensive outworks in the channel. On the parade ground in the center lies a citadel, with a  barracks attached. A garrison from the Army of the Confederacy occupied the fort early in the War, however, 1862 the Union forces regained control of the fort following the occupation of New Orleans...