The War of 1812:Role of the French

The Role of the French in the War of 1812

By Jeffrey D. Murrah

Two aspects of the Battle of New Orleans often marginalized are those of the roles played by the French, and the Guitterez-Magee expedition in that action. Even the national parks website carries no mention of these groups. Since I dealt with the Guitterez-Magee when I previously spoke to this group, today we will look at the role of the French.

There is a popular saying that often provides clues to unraveling political events. The saying “Follow the Money” often leads to some unlikely places. If one follows the money for the War of 1812, where does it lead? Who stood to gain from the war and for what reason? It is also of interest that in other parts of the world, the "War of 1812" is referred to the Second War for Independence", yet in the United States, it is called the 'War of 1812'.

A Frenchman, Steven Girard, provided the bulk of the financing for the War of 1812. When the United States had it first national bank (Bank of the United States), he invested in it. When that bank ceased to exist in 1811, he purchased its assets, hired its officers and resumed its business.It was bad enough that the bank had been used to create inflation in the young nation. Despite being required to only issue money that was backed by gold and silver, the bank lent $6.2 million out on loans that it only had $2 million in specie to cover which led to some economic issues. When the charter of the bank expired, it was thought that problems were over.

It was through his bank in Philadelphia that Girard financed the war. At one point, the young nation needed money, but only had $20,000 available in credit. Girard advanced the government 5 million dollars. Since governments can not fight wars without money, having access to these funds allowed the war to continue as long as it did.

Girard maintained a strong hatred of the British ever since his days of sailing a French merchant vessel and having to deal with the British blockade. He had lived in the United States since 1776, knowing full well how what the British were like. He maintained strong loyalties to the French cause, naming his ships after French philosophers and assisting French military campaigns, including the Leclerc's campaign to Haiti. He also maintained strong business connections in the city of New Orleans. He was by no means a Christian, yet exemplified the spirit of charitable giving and philanthropy.

Are there any other ‘French Connections’ associated with the war?

Before answering that question, it is important to consider the context of world events in that period. The War of 1812 began as America’s response to high-handed British policies regarding trade on the high seas. At that time, Britain attempted ruling the seas and maintaining a blockade of all French ports. This prevented American goods from getting to market and French goods from leaving the country. Such a blockade threatened free trade. American merchants wanted the freedom to trade with whom they wished. Americans needed trade for their young nation, to allow it the capital needed for growth, so a war was declared. This was also America’s first declared war.

The war’s first year lead to America loosing Detroit, the Michigan territory and failing to capture to capture Quebec. The war on land seemed to be filled with disasters. The same year Washington was burned by the British, and the Russians burned Moscow to prevent it from falling into Napoleon’s hands. Much like Napoleon’s Russian campaign met with defeat, America failed in its efforts at invading Canada.

As the war continued, America faced threats from Britain and its recent ally, Spain. This is one of the few times the two nations of England and Spain worked as allies. The situation was aggravated by Andrew Jackson’s seizure of Pensacola in Spanish Florida. In 1814, the Spanish agent in New Orleans expressed concerned that so many ‘enemies of Spain’ were still in the city. Even though the city was now property of the united States, Spain maintained a spy network there. Spain was still on high alert after the episode of Guiterrez-Magee expedition and the Hidalgo revolution episodes. America has been unable to keep its citizens from venturing into Spanish lands, despite threats from the government to prevent them from doing so. Spain had reason for concern, since the united States had provided aid and assistance to the Guiterrez-Magee expedition.

A former Vice-President of the United States, Aaron Burr, was arrested while leading his own personal expedition to Texas. Burr had secured thousands of acres in Texas from Baron de Bastrop. He had raised a group of 'armed' farmers to go with him and work the land. Prior to arriving in Texas, he was intercepted and arrested.

Former President Thomas Jefferson publicly stated that Texas will be the richest state in the Union, which inspired more expeditions. The success of Lewis and Clark made others eager to expand the American frontier. President Madison’s administration pursued a policy of mixed messages toward New Spain. Madison’s administration met with the leaders of the Guiterrez-Magee expedition, and introduced them to delegates from other nations, yet officially did not condone the actions of the expedition. They had sent orders to Zebulon Pike to intentionally veer off course to the south and explore some of the Spanish lands. Unofficially, the Madison administration supported some expeditions, yet officially they speak out against them. Such mixed messages confused those adventurers who wished to set up in Texas.

The recent independence movements in New Spain were considered uprisings which were promptly put down by Spanish authorities. Many in Mexico wished for all Europeans to be expelled as the Monroe doctrine advocated, others wished to form a State on the basis of French type liberties. These influences created a volatile mixture of nationalism and race that threatened the whole of Mexico.

The American and French revolutions inspired many with hopes of a government ‘of the people’ rather than by a monarch. The Hidalgo revolution used a tri-colored banner of red, white and green patterned after those used by the French. Since French ideals are alien to those of the Spanish kings, they are considered a threat. The Spanish were also highly suspicious of many persons, since one of their main spies had been transferred out of the city of New Orleans (James Wilkinson). The Hidalgo revolution is still simmering in Mexico, with one of its leaders, Peter Ellis Bean forming an alliance with the French veteran, Jean Lafitte.

Britain hoped that with the culmination of another of its long wars with France, that it could bring its veteran troops from Europe to America.

In the aftermath of the first Napoleonic threat, the remnants of French forces earlier sent to the Caribbean flowed into New Orleans. Some Imperial French soldiers saw the writing on the wall, and chose to leave the country rather than face harsh treatment by the kings who had returned to power in France during Napolean's first ouster.

Many French soldiers who participated in the Leclerc expedition to Haiti eventually found themselves in New Orleans, since the British blockade prevented their return to France. Many of the veterans wished to go home, but were unable to do so due to the British blockade. Since New Orleans was considered friendly to the French and was civilized, many of the French veterans began gathering there.

These and other French soldiers participated in what New Orleans residents then called “the Battle”.

To fully understand “the Battle” requires a knowledge of French, Irish, American, Mexican and Texas histories. It is in the blending of them, that one fully understands some of the events that transpired.

The Guiterrez-Magee expedition had recently been chased out of New Spain, after a briefly declaring the Republic of Texas. Its veterans filled the cities of New Orleans, Louisiana, Natchitoches, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi. These experienced veterans were eager and willing to fight. There were Europeans, Americans, Tejanos and Indians among them, including the young Juan Seguin. Many also wanted to return to Texas for another expedition. They were betrayed by a British agent, with some of them having wives and children still being subjected to abuse and ethnic cleansing in Texas. The betrayal by the British agent did not engender a love for the British by these frontiersmen.

What seemed to be a ‘backwoods army’ contains many experienced French commanders trained in artillery, and military siege procedures. Napoleon and his artillerymen were the best available in the world at that time. These were men trained at the university level, not OTJ in the military bases. These veteran French soldiers were eager for a chance to get back at the British. Many of the other “volunteers” were veterans of fighting in Texas, Florida, Haiti, Mexico or South American liberation movements. They were essentially 19th century mercenaries in terms of being professional soldiers.

The Hidalgo movement was out recruiting military talent in its revolution. They sent Peter Ellis Bean to New Orleans in order to obtain recruits and supplies. Bean had a long history as an adventurer and was wanted by Spanish authorities for his numerous prison escapes. He just happened to arrive in the city as action began taking place. He gave instructions to artillery officers on how to construct furnaces so as to supply hot shot.

Now that the context and background are clear, what are the other French connections?

It was trained Frenchmen who planned, designed and built the defensive works at Chalmette (the location near New Orleans where the battle of New Orleans was fought).

General Jean Victor Marie Moreau selected the location in Louisiana to fortify. The position forced the attacking British forces into a bottleneck. He was former commander of the Army of the Rhine under Napoleon. He was experienced in the ways of war and what was needed to defend one’s position and the latest technology to do so. His military experience provided an edge to the defensive position of the American forces.

Major Lacarriere Latour supervised defensive works construction at Chalmette. He was trained as an engineer architect. He was saved as an orphan by the Marquis de Lafayette. Besides laying out the defensive line, he also designed some parts of the City of New Orleans and founded Baton Rouge. After the battle, he went with Lafitte to meet with President Madison concerning the reimbursement for their services and losses in the battle.

Who manned the guns?

-It was trained Frenchmen who manned, directed and commanded many of the artillery batteries.

Renato Beluche a favorite admiral of Simon Bolivar. Involved in the Venezuela independence movement around 1810. Beluche had a reputation as a smuggler who joined with Lafitte brothers. A Frenchman born in New Orleans and by vocation a wig maker. Commanded the 4th Battery.

Dominique You served in the French military in the wars of the Republic. Came with General Leclerc to Haiti in the Caribbean campaign as an artillery officer. Their mission was to quiet Toussant L’Overture’s slave revolt. Later joined with the Lafitte brothers in their privateering. Fought against Spain when Venezuela declared its independence. He was often called “Captain Dominique”. He commanded the 3rd Battery during the Battle of New Orleans.

General Garrigues de Flageac- Veteran of Napoleonic Wars in Italy, where he was an infantry commander. Veteran of the Leclerc campaign. Assisted with the artillery at the Battle of New Orleans commanding the 7th Battery. Was reportedly the first to fire a canon at the British. During the Napoleonic Wars, he was captured by the British. Although released later, he continued nursing a grudge toward them.

Where there any other French connections?

Jean Lafitte-Rumored to be one of Napoleon’s Lieutenants. Upon arrival in New Orleans opened a fencing school. Fencing was a sport of military trained gentlemen (e.g. officers). His fellow Frenchmen and adventurers in Barataria assisted Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans directly and by providing the flints needed for their rifles.

Fleury Generelly. A veteran of the Leclerc/St. Domingo campaign. A former Hussar who served in the French revolution and early Napoleonic Wars.

Nicholas Girod-Frenchman, served as mayor of New Orleans. He was inaugurated to the office in French, since he spoke no English. It is said, he bled red, white and blue due to the French tricolor, not the American flag. An ardent Bonapartist. Even after the war, he was a major player in efforts at transporting Napoleon from St. Helena to New Orleans.

Tullius de St. Ceran a French veteran in the battle. A street in New Orleans is named after him. Also a poet who wrote about the battle.

General Jean Joseph Amable Humbert. A French General who led a campaign that culminated in the invasion of Ireland in 1798. British oppression of the Irish people led to revolts throughout the island. France responded by sending troops under Humbert to assist. After being captured, the French troops were treated as prisoners of war. The Irish were summarily rounded up and shot. He is held as a hero in Ireland, with statues and historical trails named in his honor. After being defeated by Cornwallis in Ireland, he was sent as part of General Leclerc’s campaign against Haiti. He was made governor of Port-Au-Prince. Humbert’s invasion of Ireland gave him a reputation for daring and courage.

Thanked by Jackson with “exposed himself to the greatest danger with his characteristic bravery”.

The British sent a party to Jean Lafitte's headquarters at Barataria in 1814 asking for assistance. After being refused, they raided the camp, taking many of the remaining residents prisoners. (note: unlike militia, where you could easily conscript someone to carry out assigned tasks., men who were experienced sailors possessed skills that were needed by the British). Their hostility served to push any wavering privateers into alliance with the Americans. The British landed between 11,000 and 14,000 seasoned troops in their bid to take the war to America. The British troops were veterans of the Peninsula campaign. The American side had between 3,500 and 5,000 men. In the Battle, which occurred after the war officially ended, they experienced 2000 casualties, while those on the American side were eight killed and thirteen wounded. The defensive line of the Americans was judged to be “impenetrable” after several assaults by British troops failed to breach it.

When word of the British defeat at New Orleans arrived in Europe, Napoleon had just returned from exile in Elba and had arrived in Cannes, France. The news encouraged Napoleon, who then swiftly journeyed to Paris.

So Frenchmen provided the funding, artillery expertise, manpower, naval support and fortification expertise that allowed the American forces to triumph in the War of 1812 at New Orleans. American soldiers were sheltered behind fortifications designed and built by Frenchmen, they were using ammunition provided by Frenchmen, and many of their artillery batteries were commanded by French trained officers. The war was bankrolled by a Frenchman when the American government lacked the credit to fight a war. Despite these facts, the credit for this victory has been attributed to American troops and American commanders. The discovery of the prominent role of the French prompts new questions. Why has this information been kept out of the public sphere? How would this knowledge change the way people look at American history? Who benefits from this information being kept out of the public sphere? If the French were given credit for the key role they played in the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans, then many myths about American superiority are suspect.

Presented to the Veterans of War of 1812, Houston, Texas 10 April 2006