Final answer:
The British attempted to take New Orleans through small probing attacks and a major assault, not through a surprise attack on Washington or a diplomatic mission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British strategy in attacking New Orleans during the War of 1812 did not include a surprise attack on Washington, D.C., or a diplomatic mission to negotiate peace. Instead, the British conducted small attacks to find weak points in the American defenses, followed by an artillery barrage on New Year's Day. Despite these efforts, Major General Andrew Jackson and his forces were prepared and successfully defended the city, culminating in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.
The British, having underestimated Jackson's defenses and suffering from a lack of ammunition, failed to take the city. The British strategy was not a frontal assault from the beginning but involved probing attacks and a failed large-scale assault after strengthening their position and waiting for reinforcements.