The Journal Of Jean Laffite: The Privateer-Patriot's Own Story

The Battle of New Orleans: Dec., 1814 British troops were preparing to land in force when a harried Andrew Jackson, charged with mounting an urgent defence of the critical port city, was confronted by the leader of the notorious Baratarian pirates. Jackson had already refused to collaborate with these "hellish banditti," but the charismatic smuggler would not be deterred. "You want flints?" he offered, "I have 7,500 flints available at a snap of my fingers. You want powder? I have kegs-full. You want rifles, axes, men? They're yours. I have a thousand fighting men, eighty of which are now rotting in the Cabildo. Jackson," he addressed the General flamboyantly, "I and my followers want to fight for America..." This was Jean Laffite, a 19th century Han Solo at war with the British Empire. His men, supplies, and counsel proved instrumental to winning the final battle of the War of 1812 for the fledgling American republic.