major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) (01/12/91)
From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
8 January. Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans - 1815.
This was a battle that should never have been fought - since the
Treaty of Ghent ended the "War of 1812" in December 1814.
Among Andrew Jackson's 6,000 men were the Regulars of the U.S. 7th
Infantry Regiment which repulsed Packenham's British force of 8,000.
Today, the 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry ("Cottonbalers") serves as part of
the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Inf Div (Mech) in Aschafenburg, Germany (or did in
1983). The 1-7th wears a unique insignia - a green cloth with red stripe
signifying the cottonbales used as fortifications.
Among the British forces were Major General Lambert's brigade with the
4th Regiment of Foot (King's Own), 7th Rgt of Foot, and 44th (East Essex)
Regiment of Foot. It was an officer with Lambert's 44th that upon
meeting the fire of the U.S. 7th exclaimed, "Those are Regulars, by God!".
On January 18th, Lambert's brigade boarded ships, sailed for Europe,
landed at Ostend, and conducted a forced march to Waterloo - arriving as
the battle commenced.
Today the 7th (raised in 1685) serves as the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
stationed at the Tower of London. The 44th serves as the Royal Anglian
Regiment.
mts