The final major battle of the War of 1812, The Battle of New Orleans, took place on January 8, 1815 on the grounds of the Chalmette Plantation. British aggressors were determined to take New Orleans and gain control of the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase Territory. American troops, led by General Andrew Jackson defeated the larger and more experienced British Army and secured the continued growth of the new nation. To better understand the importance of that victory and its effects on our state and nation, Louisiana Public Broadcasting presents The Battle of New Orleans: A Closer Look. Our panel discussion is hosted by Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne who is joined by a panel of experts in this filed. Guest panelists include: Ronald J. Drez, an award-winning author and former U.S. Marine Captain who served in combat in Vietnam. Drez's recent book, The War of 1812, Conflict and Deception offers a perspective of the British attempt to seize New Orleans and void the Louisiana Purchase; Jason Wiese, a curator at The Historic New Orleans Collection. His subject specialties include the maritime and military history of the Gulf South, especially the Battle of New Orleans. He has curated several exhibitions, including "The Terrible &the Brave: the Battles for New Orleans, 1814-15 and, most recently, Andrew Jackson: Hero of New Orleans; Patricia Brady, a social and cultural historian who has published extensively on first ladies, women, free people of color, literature, and the arts in the South. Her publications include: Martha Washington: An American Life and A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel and Andrew Jackson;and Gary Joiner who serves on the Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Commission and is the Chair of the Department of History and Social Sciences at LSU in Shreveport. Dr.Joiner is the author or editor of numerous publications including Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862; and Mr. Lincoln's Brown Water Navy: Mississippi Squadron."