Sir Edward Pakenham
Major General, British Army
""
Biography
Sir Edward Pakenham was one of Wellington's most trusted lieutenants, a veteran of the Peninsular War who had distinguished himself at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812. He arrived in Louisiana in December 1814 to take command of the British expedition against New Orleans, replacing General John Keane. The Duke of Wellington himself had considered the New Orleans assignment and reportedly said he could take the city — but declined the post. Pakenham arrived to find his forces bogged down in the Louisiana bayous, facing an improvised earthwork line manned by Andrew Jackson's remarkable mixed force. He launched a frontal assault on January 8, 1815 — unaware that the Treaty of Ghent had already ended the war two weeks earlier. He was killed leading the assault, shot twice while on horseback. His body was preserved in a cask of rum for the voyage home to Ireland.
Did you know?
Pakenham was the brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington. After his death at New Orleans, his body was shipped back to Ireland preserved in a barrel of rum — a common method for preserving officers' remains for transport in the era. He is buried in Pakenham Hall, County Westmeath.
Key Battles
Battle of New Orleans
United States victoryJanuary 8, 1815 · 2,792 total casualties
Though fought after peace was concluded, New Orleans was the most lopsided American battlefield victory of the entire war. It erased the memory of earlier humiliations and gave Americans a triumphant narrative to conclude the conflict. Jackson became the hero of a generation and rode his fame to the White House in 1828. The battle also secured American control of the Mississippi River and the Louisiana Territory.
Life Journey
Timeline
November 19, 1778
🌅 Birth
Born at Pakenham Hall, County Westmeath, Ireland
July 22, 1812
event
Distinguished himself at Battle of Salamanca under Wellington
December 1814
event
Arrived in Gulf of Mexico to take command of New Orleans expedition
January 8, 1815
✝️ Death
Killed leading frontal assault at Battle of New Orleans