"Try Us: The Story of the Washington Artillery in WW II" by Powell A. Casey Col. James R. Winn joined the unit overseas. Home base for the WA is Historic Jackson Barracks, situated between New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. Beautiful multi-story homes on the base (named for Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans, 1812) date back to the 1800s. Not far from the site of the Battle, where re-enactments take place annually, and the beautiful cemetery where all of the crosses are adorned with American flags for the event. Quite a sight.