Port Hudson, LA

Date(s): May 21-July 9, 1863

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Siege of Port Hudson [1863]

Battles in Campaign:

• Plains Store, LA - May 21, 1863 C¹

• Port Hudson, LA - May 21-July 9, 1863 A

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks

• Confederate:  Maj. Gen. Franklin Gardner

Principal Forces:

• Union: XIX Army Corps, Army of the Gulf

• Confederate: Confederate forces, 3rd District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Port Hudson

Description:

• In cooperation with Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s offensive against Vicksburg, Union Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks’ army moved against the Confederate stronghold at Port Hudson on the Mississippi River.

• On May 27, after their frontal assaults were repulsed, the Federals settled into a siege which lasted for 48 days.

• Banks renewed his assaults on June 14 but the defenders successfully repelled them.

• On July 9, 1863, after hearing of the fall of Vicksburg, the Confederate garrison of Port Hudson surrendered, opening the Mississippi River to Union navigation from its source to New Orleans.

Slide Presentation:

Classification²: A

Casualties³:

• Union: 5,000

• Confederate: 7,208

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Website:

• The Battle of Port Hudson - Thehardparty.com

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.