This dramatic Battle of New Orleans etching and engraving, drawn by William Edward West and engraved and published by J. Yeager, is a sober depiction of a critical encounter during the War of 1812. This print presents the American perspective of a critical blow to the British forces, the death of General Pakenham's amidst the fray of battle.
The view shows British troops advancing while American defenses hold firm. The print's lower margin features a portrait of General Andrew Jackson, underlining his leadership in the American victory.
The image is intentionally redolent of Benjamin West's "The Death of General Wolfe" the famous image of the battlefield death of another British General some sixty years earlier during the French and Indian War.
General Pakenham's Death
General Sir Edward Pakenham, a British Army officer, met his end on January 8, 1815, during the Battle of New Orleans, part of the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. Leading an assault against American forces commanded by future President Andrew Jackson, Pakenham was struck by grapeshot from American artillery as he rode forward to encourage his troops amidst the assault. The injuries proved fatal, leading to his death on the battlefield. His demise marked a significant moment in the battle, which ultimately resulted in a decisive victory for the American forces, and it underscored the high cost of the conflict for both sides. Pakenham's death was a poignant symbol of the end of the War of 1812, coming shortly before the Treaty of Ghent was ratified, officially ending the war.
States
This would appear to be the third state of the engraving.