Editing Battle of New Orleans (section)

====Preparation for the assault by the 44th Foot====
The [[44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot|44th Regiment of Foot]] was assigned by General [[Edward Pakenham]] to be the advance guard for the first column of attack on 8 January 1815, and to carry the [[fascine]]s and ladders which would enable the British troops to cross the ditch and scale the American ramparts. The commanding officer of the 44th, Lieutenant Colonel [[Thomas Mullins (British Army officer)|Thomas Mullins]] had been commended twice during the Chesapeake campaign, and was recently promoted. He was noted as being haughty, and less than diligent in his duties as a staff officer in the days prior to the attack.{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=200}} Pakenham ordered Mullins to determine the locations of those fascines and ladders that evening of the 7th, in order that there would be no delays in retrieving them the following morning.{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=200}}

Gibbs also instructed him to confirm the locations of those fascines and ladders. Mullins delegated this to a subordinate, Johnston, who went to headquarters to do so. Whilst there, he was observed by General Gibbs, who enquired what he was doing. Upon being told, Gibbs wrote a formal order to Mullins that 'The Commanding Officer of the 44th will ascertain where the fascines and Ladders are deposited this evening.' A map of where the items were stored was given to Johnston. Upon returning, he presented the map to Mullins, which he dismissively put in his waistcoat.{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=224-225}}

At 5&nbsp;pm that evening, Mullins summoned his officers for a meeting, to discuss the attack. One of his subordinates questioned the location of the ladders, and received a caustic rebuke. He was approached by his Captain and hut-mate at 8&nbsp;pm, and diplomatically suggested preparing for the next day, including the order from Gibbs to personally see where the items were stored. Mullins was dismissive, and stated there would be plenty of time in the morning.{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=224-225}} Pakenham sent an order to an engineer officer to communicate with Mullins as to where the items were stored, in the redoubt. Coincidentally, Mullins arrived in the presence of the engineer officer and the artillery officer. Upon being read Pakenham's instructions, and being asked if he had any questions, Mullins replied that it was clear.{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=225-226}}

During the night, an ''advance battery'' was set up forward of the ''advance redoubt'', a distance of about {{convert|880|yd|m}}{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=226}} or {{convert|500|yd|m}},{{sfnp|James|1818|p=374-375}}  positioned {{convert|800|yd|m}} south from Line Jackson.{{NoteTag|'An advanced battery in our front was thrown up during the night about 800 yards from the enemy's line.'{{sfnp|Hughes|Brodine|2023|p=1004}} }} Mullins, thinking this to be the location of the [[materiel]], passed the advance redoubt and halted the regiment at the battery. Upon discovering his mistake, he sent about 300 of his 427 men back to the redoubt at the double-quick to pick up the fascines and ladders, but it was too late. The other regiments were already advancing behind the 44th, the party of 300 lost formation as they struggled to reach the redoubt, and as day dawned, the attack commenced before the supplies could be brought forward.{{sfnp|Gleig|1840|p=339}}{{sfnp|Davis|2019|p=232-237}}