Historic Resource Study: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: Chalmette Unit
Greene JA. 1985. Historic Resource Study: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: Chalmette Unit. Historic Resource Study. NPS D-34. National Park Service. Denver, Colorado
Southeastern Louisiana is a region composed of myriad waterways and landforms all mutually impacting one another. New Orleans has always been surrounded by wet lowlands fed by closely adjacent rivers, lakes, and canals. Historically, the presence of numerous watery approaches has affected the security of the city, making it ever vulnerable to enemy ships plying the Gulf of Mexico. Several routes have drawn the attention of offensive and defensive strategists, namely Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain north and east of the city; the Mississippi River; and Barataria Bay south of New Orleans. The fact that the intervening lowlands were intersected by a plethora of canals and bayous of varying depths made the country around the city appear even more accessible for potential enemies. Especially inviting in 1814 seemed the route via Lake Borgne. Despite the shallowness of the water, a few deep channels existed that promoted navigation, particularly of flat- bottomed craft. Average depth of the lake was nine feet; its shores offered numerous passages in the form of bayous and inlets. Those located on the southeast shore afforded determined adversaries a more or less unobstructed approach to New Orleans. One of these, Bayou Dupre, twisted through the marshlands to a point within two miles of the Mississippi and but ten miles below the city. Yet another, Bayou Bienvenue, came within five miles of New Orleans,and approached the property on which the 1814-1815 Battles of New Orleans occurred.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Greene, Jerome
- Date of Issue
- 1985-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- HIST , JELA
- Keywords
- cemetery, Civil War, Cultural Resources, ehistory, History, Illustrations, monument