Anglos = barbarians

[derspiess]

the poor showing of American militias in 1812.

Pakenham might disagree with that.

In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.

As the song itself notes, that battle wasn't in 1812. 

The war opened, in 1812, with a series of defeats of US forces (including militia).

Figured he was talking about the war.

[Valmy]

Pakenham might disagree with that.

Well obviously you have to exclude those under Jackson.  They were pretty badass but they also did not really behave like militia (going home after a few months and so forth).  But in general the war exposed the militia system as a joke, it would never be relied on again in a war.

[Agelastus]

the poor showing of American militias in 1812.

Pakenham might disagree with that.

In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.

I did specify "1812", not the "War of 1812", for a reason.

Although even if they were operating away from their home state, the Militia at New Orleans were technically still within the USA; I assume a chunk of them were raised locally as well, although I haven't studied that particular OoB.

Besides, as has been pointed out, New Orleans is more of a study in the quality of leadership than of the soldiers involved. [ at Pakenham]

[Valmy]

Although even if they were operating away from their home state, the Militia at New Orleans were technically still within the USA; I assume a chunk of them were raised locally as well, although I haven't studied that particular OoB.

Besides, as has been pointed out, New Orleans is more of a study in the quality of leadership than of the soldiers involved. [ at Pakenham]

The war in the South pretty much went like this:

The militias would attack the Native Americans and they would keep losing until Jackson would show up and win.

[derspiess]

I did specify "1812", not the "War of 1812", for a reason.

Thought it might be one of those Brit-speak things where you omit certain words. 

[Admiral Yi]

11,000 Brits attacking 4,000-some Americans.

I'll be damned.  You right, I wrong.

[dps]

11,000 Brits attacking 4,000-some Americans.

I'll be damned.  You right, I wrong.

Yeah, the Americans were badly outnumbered, but Jackson had chosen an excellant defensive position.  He basically couldn't be outflanked, so the British either had to launch a frontal assault or give up on advancing.

[katmai]

Yip fails.

[Admiral Yi]

[grumbler]

Yip fails.

Weep for the fact that he didn't make a bet before he found out he was wrong. 

[MadImmortalMan]

The meatloaf stuffed with popcorn chicken and covered with hot sauce sounds good.

[Siege]

Nawlins was (IIRC), 8,000 Brits advancing across marshy ground to attack 14,000 Americans entrenched with artillery.  Jackson chose his position well, and Packenham was stupid to attack, but I wouldn't call it a great feat of arms.  More of a turkey shoot.

Everything you describe is a great feat of arms. Assembling superior numbers, choosing a good defensible position, and getting the enemy to attack you despite the marshy terrain they had to cross, walking themselves into the wrong end of a turkey shoot, is exactly the definition of a great feat of arms in my book.

By the way, where does the turkey shoot reference comes from? Did anybody massacred a lot of janissaries or something?

[Siege]

Please elaborate.

11,000 Brits attacking 4,000-some Americans.

Near 1 to 3 odds? Perfect ambush.
Only retards believe in Sun Tzu.

[Admiral Yi]

By the way, where does the turkey shoot reference comes from? Did anybody massacred a lot of janissaries or something?

My guess is it comes from the old American rural practice of staging shooting competitions in which the person who shot a turkey tied to the ground got to take the turkey home.

See the movie "Sergeant York" for an example.

[MadImmortalMan]

Welcome to America.