A nonprofit organization, the American Battlefield Trust, is working to expand the footprint of one of Louisiana’s most significant historic sites by acquiring additional land connected to the Battle of New Orleans.

Historic Significance

The land is historically significant because it was the site of the British Army’s main advance during the Battle of New Orleans, according to the trust. The Battle of New Orleans was fought in January 1815 between British forces and the young United States, even though the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 had already been signed.

More than 2,000 people were killed during the battle, most of them British soldiers. The American Battlefield Trust has secured much of the funding through federal and state grants and private donations. Organizers say they are now less than $1 million short of their fundraising goal.

Preservation Efforts

The American Battlefield Trust has also helped preserve land associated with the Battle of Mansfield in northwest Louisiana. Those interested in learning more about the preservation effort or making a donation can visit the American Battlefield Trust’s website.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.