200 YEARS AGO JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 1795: Pichegru's French cavalry rides over the frozen Texel to capture the Dutch fleet, the only instance in history of cavalry capturing warships. Occupied Holland is transformed into the Batavian Republic, a satellite and military auxiliary of Republican France. 190 YEARS AGO JANUARY 4, 1805: Spain signs a new treaty with France after declaring war on Britain in December, 1804. The Spanish fleet is put at Napoleon's disposal. 180 YEARS AGO JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 1815: Napoleon is making plans to escapefrom Elba. In America, from December 1814 to January 1815, the British and Americans reinforce their troops around New Orleans. General Andrew Jackson strengthens his position along the canal to await the expected British attack. January 8, 1815. The Battle of New Orleans. The British infantry tries to storm Jackson's defences, but are repulsed, suffering very heavy casualties. British commander General Packenham is killed, about 2,100 British are killed or wounded, and 500 more are captured. The British withdraw, but Jackson wisely does not pursue with his motley force. The Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 is signed on December 24, 1814. The news reaches New York on February 11 and, with New Orleans safe, there is no obstacle to the treaty's ratification on February 15. Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 2 No. 10 Back to EEL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1995 by Emperor's Headquarters This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com