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Jean Lafitte A French pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico. He commanded over 1,000 men and was Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Jackson. In mid-December, Jackson met with Lafitte, who offered to serve if the United States would pardon any of his sailors who would agree to defend the city. Jackson agreed, despite calling his men hellish Banditti just weeks earlier. Lafitte encouraged his Baratarian pirates to join the New Orleans militia, and many of them signed up as marines. Others formed three artillery companies. On December 23, advance units of the British fleet reached the Mississippi River. Lafitte realized that the American line of defense was too short, allowing the British to potentially encircle the American troops. He proposed that the line be extended to a nearby swamp, and Jackson immediately ordered the extension. The British began firing at the American lines on December 28, but were repulsed by an artillery crew manned by two of Lafitte's former lieutenants, Renato Beluche and Dominique Youx. The pirate's skill at artillery was much greater than their British counterparts. Jackson formally requested clemency for Lafitte and the men who had served under them. They were all granted a full pardon on February 6.
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