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Major General John Keane Maj. Gen. John Keane was one of the experienced commanders that made his way to North America after the British war with Napoleon ended in the spring of 1814. After being promoted in June of 1814, Keane accompanied Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane's fleet in the campaign against New Orleans later that year. Keane's division landed southeast from New Orleans. By 23 December a camp was established at the Villere plantation. Conditions were deplorable and many men fell sick. That night, the camp was attacked by the Americans but the engagement achieved nothing other than weakening the British force. Troops from Keane's dispersed army continued arriving at the plantation, while Keane considered a direct attack on the town. On Christmas Day, Pakenham arrived to supersede Keane as commander of the expedition. With him came additional reinforcements. The division was also reorganized and Keane received command of a brigade. Pakenham placed Keane to the left of the British main assault on the American lines on 8 January 1815. His task was to follow an advance guard under Col. Robert Rennie that was to break into the forward American redoubts and exploit Rennie's success or move against the American center, as circumstances indicated. Keane was severely wounded early in the battle and the added loss of both Pakenham and Gibbs left the main attack without any commander. The attack floundered and Keane's brigade was destroyed.
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