Wednesday, December 14th marked the 202nd anniversary of the Battle of Lake Borgne, the first military engagement in the British campaign for New Orleans culminating in the Battle of New Orleans, January 8th, 1815. A British amphibious force consisting of shallow-draft vessels with canons defeated the American naval force after very fierce, bloody, hand-to-hand combat. Despite the American loss, the engagement alerted American military forces that the British had arrived in Louisiana waters and that the British land invasion was imminent. Louisianans organized a successful defense of New Orleans which secured American ownership of the Mississippi Valley.
St. Bernard Historical Society president Anthony A. “Tony” Fernandez organizes the annual anniversary observance of the Battle of New Orleans. Pat and Claire Pescay place their beautiful yacht, the September Song II at the disposal of the Society every year. “The Americans displayed unmatched courage in this important engagement” said Tony Fernandez.
The St. Bernard Parish Tourist Commission and Tourist Department support the anniversary annually. “It is so very important to remember our history and the sacrifices of American armed forces throughout our history” said Katie Tommaseo, St. Bernard Parish Director of Tourism.
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