The "Battle of New Orleans for Freedom, September 14, 1874" is a captivating historical artifact, meticulously crafted by the esteemed City Surveyor, Thomas Sydenham Hardee. This map provides an intricate portrayal of the infamous Battle of New Orleans, a pivotal yet tragic episode in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. Hardee's detailed cartography vividly illustrates the positions and movements of the combatants, offering a rare and invaluable glimpse into the turbulent events that unfolded in the heart of New Orleans.
This city map is particularly notable for its detailed depiction of significant neighborhoods and landmarks. It showcases the strategic locations of the White League and Metropolitan Police along key streets such as Canal, Poydras, and Camp. Landmarks like the Custom House, State House, and Jackson Square are prominently featured, providing a rich historical context to the battle. The inclusion of these landmarks not only aids in understanding the flow of the conflict but also highlights the architectural and civic importance of these sites during the 19th century.
The map's depiction of the Mississippi River, which flows majestically along the city's edge, adds another layer of geographical and historical significance. The river was a crucial artery for commerce and transportation, and its presence on the map underscores the strategic importance of New Orleans as a port city. The detailed rendering of the riverbanks and the levee system further emphasizes the city's reliance on this mighty waterway for its economic and social vitality.
Hardee's map also highlights the city's vibrant public spaces, such as Lafayette Square and Tivoli Circle. These areas, marked by their lush greenery and central locations, served as key gathering points for both residents and combatants during the battle. The inclusion of these parks and squares not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also provides insight into the urban planning and community life of New Orleans in the late 19th century.
The historical significance of this map extends beyond its detailed cartography. It serves as a poignant reminder of the broader political and social struggles of the Reconstruction era. The "Roll of Honor" and the "History of the Revolution" sections offer a narrative of bravery and sacrifice, while also shedding light on the contentious and often violent efforts to shape the future of Louisiana. This map is not just a representation of a city; it is a testament to a critical moment in American history, captured through the expert lens of Thomas Sydenham Hardee.
Streets and roads on this map
- Baronne
- Camp
- Canal
- Carondelet
- Chartres
- Common
- Conti
- Customhouse
- Dauphine
- Delta
- Dryades
- Front
- Fulton
- Girod
- Gravier
- Julia
- Lafayette
- Levee
- Magazine
- Natchez
- Poydras
- Prieur
- Rampart
- St. Charles
- St. Joseph
- Tchoupitoulas
- Treme
- Ursuline
- Water
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Custom House
- State House
- Jackson Square
- Lafayette Square
- French Market
- New Orleans and Mobile Rail Depot
- Mississippi River
- Boston Club
- RR Freight Depot
Historical and design context
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Name of the map: Battle of New Orleans for Freedom, September 14, 1874
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Creation date: 1874
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Mapmaker/Publisher: Thomas Sydenham Hardee
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Context about the mapmaker: T.S. Hardee was the City Surveyor of New Orleans.
- Themes and topics:
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Themes: Detailed depiction of the Battle of New Orleans, a failed revolt by the White League against the Reconstruction government of Louisiana.
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Historical context: The map captures the positions and movements of combatants during the battle, highlighting the conflict between the White League and the Metropolitan Police.
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Countries and regions shown: The map focuses on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
- Design and style:
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Detailed street plan: Includes landmarks, military positions, and the flow of the battle.
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Textual elements: Contains a "History of the Revolution" section and a "Roll of Honor" listing participants.
- Historical significance:
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Short-term consequences: The White League temporarily took control of New Orleans, installing John McEnery as governor.
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Long-term consequences: The rebellion weakened the Republican-dominated Metropolitan Police, leading to the White League regaining control of the city by 1876 and the end of Reconstruction in Louisiana.
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Rarity: The map is extremely rare with few known copies in institutional holdings.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.