"American Frontier; Decisive Battles Series:
New Orleans"
For The History Channel, cable TV.

All Rights Reserved.
 

 

Guideposts

Parade Ground

The Chart Room (Links)

Officers' Mess

Sergeants' Mess

Other Ranks barracks.

Duty Roster (Schedule of events)

The Library (93rd History)

Recruiting Sergeant (JOIN)

Portrait Gallery (Photos)

Quartermaster's (Reproduced kit)

Records Vault (THC TV Documentary Film)

Command Offices:

Crown Forces North America.

British Division (Napoleonic Association).

World Wide Highland Brigade-1815

Members of the 93rd SHRoFLHU with a few other reenactors kitted out as 93rd.

In mid May of 1999 reenactors were hired to work on battle scenes for a documentary film shown on The History Channel. The documentary first aired Thursday July 13, 2000. Principle photography took place just north of Indianapolis, Indiana (Believe it or not, the Midwest passed well enough for the Mississippi River-side plantation fields of Chalmette, Louisiana).

 


Jackson's Line for the filming outside of Indianapolis. For the camera it actually resembled Chalmette's field if one is looking toward the swamp's tree line.


The 93rd "in column" portraying the main body of the Regiment led by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Robert Dale (portrayed by Major B. Jennings) during the assualt on 8 January 1815. There is no primary source which states whether Dale was on foot or on horseback. Normally a C.O. would be mounted.

The "magic" of film making. Col. Dale suddenly becomes one of Gen. Packenham's staff for another scene!

The production also utilized the skills of three reenactor/actors as historical consultants and advisors: Tim Pickles, General of the Crown Forces North America, a founder of the Napoleonic Association in Britain and professional historian and film consultant; B. Jennings, founder and C.O. of the 93rd SHRoFLHU, C.O. of the World Wide Highland Brigade-1815 and professional actor; and Steve Abolt, founder and C.O. of the 7th US Infantry Living History Association and professional actor.


The "Light Infantry Company" of the 93rd advancing in the attack on the forward US redoubt near the river at the beginning of the assualt.


A scene one will never see in any version of "The Buccaneer"! The US redoubt being overrun and captured by the British Light Infantry companies!


More British troops pour into the redoubt.
Historically what must be remembered is there were upwards of 400 British soldiers engaged in attacking and overrunning the redoubt which was defended by probably no more than 20 men. The assualt here was complete and overwhelming, though in turn without reinforcements and unable to move forward the attackers eventually became pinned down in the small enclosure.


General Packenham awaits his death scene.


The aftermath of battle. The casualties.
Some of the film crew is seen on the left moving off having just completed a very somber shot using a steadicam to hover and move over the battlefield looking down at the bodies.