Before peace was concluded in December 1814, the British launched an effort to seize a portion of southern Louisiana, including the prized city of New Orleans.
The renowned Battle of New Orleans occurred on January 8, 1815, several weeks after the Treaty of Ghent was signed. However, the treaty had provided that the hostilities were to continue until both sides ratified the agreement; that did not occur until February 1815.
American forces, a mismatched group of militia and pirates under Andrew Jackson, decisively defeated British regulars, veterans of the Napoleonic Wars. British losses were approximately 700 killed and 1,400 wounded; American losses amounted to only eight killed and 13 wounded. The victory obviously had no impact on the outcome of the war, but it was a major confidence builder for the American military and the nation.