During the Battle of New Orleans Latour served as General Andrew Jackson's principal engineer, designing the defensive works behind which the rag-tag American army fought the British. Afterward, Latour collected first-hand information and wrote the first book-length historical account of the battle--a patriotic book in which he attributed the glorious American victory to Jackson's selfless service. Although Latour appeared to be a patriot-historian, he soon began another career. Working as a Spanish operative, he explored the American Southwest and wrote thoughtful reports warning Spanish officials of the continued land desires of American settlers; Spanish officials in Cuba, Mexico, and Madrid paid little attention to his prophetic warnings. Latour lived in Cuba from 1818 to 1834, before returning to his native France, where he died three years later.
Latour's service with France, the U.S., and Spain and his changing loyalties reflect the international uncertainty that the Gulf borderlands experienced during the first two decades of the nineteenth century. By 1820, however, increased American westward expansion had settled the uneasiness by removing most French and Spanish influences from the region; Latour's arrival, services, and departure illustrate the opportunities that existed for adventurers who were willing to divide their loyalties between many flags.