Battle of New Orleans Page #7

---

Madison especially, who started

this cursed war and he will be the

one to finish it. For now we focus

solely on our self-preservation.

31.

EXT. FRENCH QUARTER - DAY

The day is cold and damp. Jackson and his men approach theoutskirts of the Quarter after another arduous journey.

TITLE:
DECEMBER 1, 1814

The troops are covered in mud. Even the uniformed soldiers

look like backwoods castaways. Jackson himself is tired and

weak. Lieutenant Adler comments to another officer nearby --

DANIEL ADLER:

Heard he’s sh*t blood for a week.

Jackson turns on to ROYAL STREET and is surprised to seehundreds of faces looking in his direction. The PEOPLE OF

NEW ORLEANS are here to witness his arrival...

But it’s far from a hero’s welcome. The diverse crowd --

from French and Spanish Creole to African to transplantednortherners -- ranges from curious to scared to indifferent.

A concerned HOUSEWIFE turns to her friend --

HOUSEWIFE:

They’re just so -- dirty.

Jackson ignores the crowd and heads for Claiborne’s office.

INT. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE - DAY

Claiborne is dressed for the occasion. He introduces Jackson

to several of his advisors who have formed a greeting line.

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

-- Edwin Tolliver, Bank of New

Orleans. Morris Van Percy, 3rdWard. Dr. Julien Bouchard --

DOCTOR BOUCHARD:

General, you seem pale. If youwish to stop by my office --

But Jackson has no time for formalities. He sees Livingstonrelegated with Major General Villere across the way.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Edward Livingston, as I do breathe.

Jackson steps away from the line. They’re old acquaintances.

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

General, thank you for coming.

32.

ANDREW JACKSON:

A soldier goes where he is needed.

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

The sentiment has never meant more.

This is Major General Villere, headof the Louisiana militia.

MAJOR GENERAL VILLERE

A true honor, sir. My men and Iare at your service.

Jackson and Villere shake hands. Claiborne is quick to guideJackson back toward the rest of the room -

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

As are we all, General. You will

witness we are doing our absolutebest during these terrible times -

ANDREW JACKSON:

Is that why my men found nary adefense as we approached the city?

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

Our resources have been utilized in

the most efficient manner possible.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Then perhaps we have differingdefinitions of efficiency.

Jackson isn’t exactly making friends here. He walks to the

window. There’s quite a CROWD gathered under the balcony.

ANDREW JACKSON (CONT’D)

Have you told them our intent?

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

General, please -- we are a diversepopulation. I felt it best to wait

for your arrival before making anyconsiderations. Now perhaps youwould like to rinse the dirt from -

But before Claiborne can finish, Jackson steps out onto -

EXT. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE - BALCONY - DAY

Where a few hundred people murmur at the sight. Jackson

raises his hand for silence. A pregnant pause, and then --

33.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Citizens of New Orleans. I am

Major General Andrew Jackson and I

am humbled to be in your presence.

I wish the circumstances different,

for the task before us is great,

but I pledge to you now this -- I

have come to protect your fair city

and will drive the vile and

reprehensible British into the sea

or I will perish in the effort.

Jackson speaks with a commanding voice. The crowd is in awe.

ANDREW JACKSON (CONT’D)

You are a people of many origins,

but know that we are not bound by

geography in this battle, but by

loyalty to our Fore Fathers and the

disparagement of tyranny. It is

time to cease all differences and

unite to save not only this city,

but the country at large. And for

those unwilling to sacrifice, I

give fair warning -- if you are not

with us, you are against, and

whether you sit at the head of the

table or the foot, you will be

dealt with as such. New Orleans

must not and will not fall.

A long beat. And then a CHEER rises from the back of the

crowd. Slowly at first, starting with the poor and workingclass, but then it overtakes the city. “Jackson has come!”

At last, the people have found their leader. And as a

worrisome PIERRE LAFITTE watches the scene from afar --

INT. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE - DAY

Claiborne and his advisors are dumbstruck.

LAWYER:

What have we wrought?

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

A storm.

Jackson finally enters from the balcony -

ANDREW JACKSON:

Make no mistake, Governor -- our

only consideration is to fight.

(MORE)

34.

ANDREW JACKSON (CONT'D)

(to the room)

Where shall we begin?

EXT. SWAMP - DAY

The next day. A CROCODILE swims past in the water. Jean

Lafitte meets with his brother Pierre and a few lieutenants.

The lieutenants have brought Lafitte a TRUNK with a samplingof fine MENSWEAR -- bright whites and beiges, very plantationchic. Lafitte dresses using a mirror hung from a tree.

Pierre has, as always, a slightly nervous energy about him.

PIERRE LAFITTE:

It was a sight, mon frere. Jackson

will surely come for us now.

JEAN LAFITTE:

But we are not against him, Pierre.

In fact we are the opposite.

PIERRE LAFITTE:

(that’s not the point)

Claiborne was a gnat to be toyedwith, Jackson is decidedly not.

The marshals have surely doubledtheir efforts in our pursuit.

Lafitte tries on a hat. He isn’t taking this as serious as

Pierre would like. Pierre tries another tactic --

PIERRE LAFITTE (CONT’D)

These stories of Jackson -- he’s a

hard man, a swindler. Said to be

the best shot in all Tennessee -

JEAN LAFITTE:

And if I believed half the stories

told about me?

PIERRE LAFITTE:

Most are true! And even if theyweren’t, Jackson is one man against20,000. There is still time, Jean.

The bounty is gone, yes, but theBritish would listen to reason --

JEAN LAFITTE:

They would hang us from theirgallows. Our path has been struck.

35.

PIERRE LAFITTE:

And look where it has led us! You

in hiding wearing that ridiculouscostume, the rest of us to follow.

Dominique, he still sits inshackles! Our people will followyou to their death, Jean. You must

bear that responsibility.

(softens)

These men, this society -- theywill buy our goods and drink ourwine but they will never invite usinto their homes. No matter what

we may offer. We are who we are.

Jean finishes dressing -- now the perfect SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN.

JEAN LAFITTE:

We are who we are and Jackson is

who he is. There are many waysthrough this storm, Pierre.

Claiborne was blinded by pettiness,

but with Jackson we hold a distinct

advantage.

PIERRE LAFITTE:

What’s that?

JEAN LAFITTE:

We know what he has to fight with.

EXT. PLACE D’ARMES - COURTYARD - DAY

And what he has isn’t much. Jackson and his high-command gettheir first look at the men who will defend the city.

It’s a sorry lot. Roughly 3,000 troops stand in formationaround the courtyard. Jackson and Coffee ride through asMajor General Villere handles introductions. Livingston isthere, but Claiborne and his cronies are noticeably absent.

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