Port Hudson was one of the most critical battles of the civil
war, and was one of the most devastating losses of the confederacy.
Control of the Mississippi River was important to both sides during
the American Civil War. The North wanted to control the river and
split the Confederacy in two. The South wanted to maintain control
and ensure the flow of supplies back and forth across the river.
It was located high on the bluffs in an ideal location, overlooking
a bend in the Mississippi River.It formed the southern end of the
Confederate defenses of the Mississippi while Vicksburg, which was 150
miles north, was the northern end.
The guns on these bluffs were well placed and posed
a distinct threat to ships of the United States Navy, which had to
navigate the river.
Maintaining this control was crucial to the confederacy. The
battle to retain this location was long and hard and the
confederate armies fought against tremendous odds. This defeat was
the beginning of the downfall of the confederacy.
On May 23, 1863, Port Hudson was attacked by 30,000 Union troops
under the command of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. There were
6,800 confederates under the command of Major General Franklin
Gardner. What followed was the longest battle and some of the
bloodiest fighting of the civil war.
The sheen of a bright moon revealed the sad carnage of the day,
and the horrors of war became vividly distinct.
The vastly outnumbered confederates held their ground into July.
When word of the Vicksburg defeat reached General Gardner, he
realized that the situation was hopeless and nothing could be
gained by continuing the defense of Port Hudson.
Surrender terms were negotiated, and on July 3, 1863, the Union
Army entered Port Hudson. This was a final blow in a week of
catastrophe for the confederacy and it would never recover.
Officers were captured and taken prisoners. The enlisted men were
paroled, and asked to sign an oath.