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Title: Historical Memoir of the War in West Florida and Louisiana in 1814-15: With an Atlas by Arsene Lacarriere Latour, Gene A. Smith, Historic New Orleans Collection, Araenelacarrier LaTour ISBN: 0-8130-1675-4 Publisher: University Press of Florida Pub. Date: June, 1999 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $55.00

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (1 review)

Rating: 5
Summary: First rate book from a first rate authority
Comment: Being a student of the War of 1812 and of the Battle of New Orelans in particular I eagerly awaited the delivery of this book. The book has four main parts; firstly, the atlas; second, Gene Smith's introduction; third, the extensive appendices; fourth, the narrative or memoir.

The atlas (actually a series of maps in a seperate docket showing the contemporary battlefields and approaches used by the US and British forces)is worth the cost of the book alone. Coming as it does from Latour's hand, Jackson's principal military engineer, it is, put simply, priceless to the serious student. Not only does it help visualise the struggle but much can be deduced by a simple comparison of Latour's battlefield and environs maps with, say, John Peddie's equally contemporary print for the British forces. Also the maps illustrate a host of detail not covered in the general histories (i.e. the correct anchorages and approach points for the British fleet - these I checked with the original ship logs that survive in England).

Mr Smith gives a very interesting introduction. His detail of Latour's life before, during and after the Battle is informative and really helps underpin the memoir by putting it in its proper place (i.e. he highlights the 'blurring' around Latour's actual location on the 8th January itself - was he with Jackson or Morgan? If so did he actually see the battle?) As good as the introduction is, however, I must point out that it is imperfect. The Commander of the British forces was EDWARD and not EDWIN Pakenham and I wish he had said more about Latours relationship with the Jean Lafitte and why Latour latter became an agent for Spain.

The appendix table is extensive and full of that incidental detail that brings history to life. It gives an added dimension to the memoir. Most students will be familar with the key documents repeated here but hidden in the despatches, letters and orders are nuggets of pure gold (i.e. the exchange of letters between opposing commanders - many not always in the official archives). Some of the items appear direct transpositions from already published sources particularly on the British side (i.e. from the London Gazette). This is unfortunate as Lambert's despatch of the battle was censored and an important paragraph excluded which, is turn, is likewise excluded from the tables.

Turning to the narrative itself it is surprisingly short. Of some 400 pages Latours memoir accounts for only 160 pages plus some notes. Of these not all are of real use to the student (i.e. Latour's preface and the war's origins I found superficial and vague). However, Latour more than makes up for this in his specialist areas such as his description of New Orleans and its defences and his descriptions of the Battles of Lake Borgne and New Orleans (not to be read without the appropriate maps) are vivid and substantial. Latour obviously conducted a lot of far ranging research (i.e. with bearly concealed contempt he provides tantalizing details of the fishing village and inhabitants and a number of Pensacola inhabitants who helped the British in their approach. He lists names and places and these too are borne out by the surving records (i.e. Guillemard p.71 received a large some of money from General Keane for his services).

All in all I found Latour's memoir to be an excellent and rewarding read. However, to get the maximum benefit from this book it is suggested that it is read in conjunction with a more modern work on the subject perhaps Frank Oswley's 'Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands' or Robin Reilly's 'The British at the Gates'.