A Walk in Swamp and Fire: Islenos in the Battle of New Orleans

By William R Gallaher

This work of historical fiction follows a family of soldiers from the 3rd Regiment of Louisiana Militia and Volunteers through the Battle of New Orleans. Recruited from among the planters and farmers downriver from New Orleans on both sides of the Mississippi River, the 3rd included a company of Islenos, immigrants from the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Throughout the campaign, elements of the 3rd would in direct contact with the invaders. They would be first to encounter the landing British invasion force, the first to notify General Jackson of the British presence, serve as guides to the local topography of the battlefield, engage the British multiple times, and be the last to exchange fire with the retreating British forces. This is a story of war from the viewpoint of the individual volunteer, picking up his musket to defend home and family, along with family, neighbors and friends. Years later, one-third of the heads of household in Saint Bernard Parish were veterans of the 3rd Regiment. The author's children can count three 4X great grandfathers who were veterans of the Battle of New Orleans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1980507759
• ISBN13: 9781980507758
• Release Date: March 2018
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.3" x 5.5"