Battle of New Orleans
British General Edward Pakenham was expecting an easy victory as his soldiers marched through the swamps to New Orleans on January 8, 1815.  American General Andrew Jackson arrived in New Orleans in December with his ragtag army.  They joined members of the Louisiana militia, free blacks and slaves, Choctaw Indians, and civilians of all ages.  A band of pirates, led by Jean Lafitte, also defended the city.  The Americans were happy about defeating the British, but the war was already over.  The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814, and the Americans had won the War of 1812.