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 Siege of Port Hudson - Port Hudson, LA
N 30° 41.624 W 091° 16.486
15R E 665236 N 3396930
Reenactment held on the actual battlefiled, located about 20 miles north of the city of Baton Rouge, LA. Spectators are treated to a great time while learning alot of history. Entire site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waymark Code: WM66HD
Location: Louisiana, United States
Date Posted: 04/12/2009
Views: 7
Fun! From the State of Louisiana Official website, here is a brief history on the "Siege of Port Hudson" Here.When New Orleans fell to Federal troops in late April 1862, Confederate control of the Mississippi was in jeopardy. The Confederate army had already fortified the river bluffs at Vicksburg, Mississippi, but it needed another series of river batteries below the mouth of the Red River. The Red River was the primary route for the shipment of supplies from Texas to the heartland of the Confederacy.
The bluffs near the small town of Port Hudson represented a perfect site for the river batteries. These bluffs were the first high ground upstream from Baton Rouge and overlooked a severe bend in the river. This bend presented an additional obstacle for Union warships.
The siege of Port Hudson began on May 23, 1863. Roughly 30,000 Union troops, under the command of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, were pitted against 6,800 Confederates, under the command of Major General Franklin Gardner. The ensuing battles constituted some of the bloodiest and most severe fighting in the entire Civil War.
As the siege continued, the Confederates nearly exhausted their ammunition and were reduced to eating mules, horses and rats. When word reached Gardner that Vicksburg had surrendered, he realized that his situation was hopeless and nothing could be gained by continuing the defense of Port Hudson. Surrender terms were negotiated, and on July 9, 1863, after 48 days and thousands of casualties, the Union army entered Port Hudson. The siege became the longest in American military history.
Prior to one of the most intense attacks by the Union soldiers, on May 27, a bold experiment was decided upon. Two African-American regiments were chosen to participate in the fight. The First and Third Louisiana Native Guards proved their worth by pressing an attack against a well-fortified Confederate position. After the siege, the garrison at Port Hudson became a recruiting center for African-American troops.
In 1974, the Port Hudson battlefield was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It joined a select group of properties which have been recognized for their importance in American History. Port Hudson State Historic Site hosts several living history events. Visitors can watch authentically costumed interpreters demonstrate Civil War weapons and equipment.
Dates of reenactment: From: 03/28/2009 To: 03/29/2009
What the reenactment is related to: Battle
Cost to attend reenactment: Free
Cost for parking: Free
Special Events:
Reenactment of a "Gentlemans Duel"
Artillery Demos
Period campsites
Numerous battle reenactments all weekend
Website for further information: [Web Link]
Additional parking coordinates (if necessary): Not Listed
Cost for participants: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
At least one photo of the reenactment taken by you along with your thoughts and impressions on the event and any changes in location or date the original waymarker may need to know about.
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