Expanding a Memorial to the Civil War Siege of Port Hudson

The map shows the Union troops on land and water surrounding Confederate fortifications at Port Hudson, La., on the Mississippi River

Library of Congress

Recipient: Louisiana State Parks and Recreation Commission

Award Amount: $ 43,296.85
Acreage: 2.57

The Mississippi River was of vital interest to both Union and Confederate forces. The river was a means of moving Confederate supplies and Union forces wanted to break that supply route. Located at a hairpin turn in the river, the Siege of Port Hudson in Louisiana was the final engagement by the Union forces to recapture the Confederate’s lower Mississippi stronghold. Beginning May 27, 1863, the siege included the first regiment to include black officers during the Civil War. Known as the “Corps d’Afrique,” the soldiers were noted for their skill and endurance, attacking the heavily defended fort five times.

The siege continued for 48 days, the longest sustained military action up to that point in the Civil War. After the July surrender by Confederate forces, Major-General W.B. Franklin and Major D.C. Houston recommended the construction of earthworks to fortify and garrison Port Hudson. The “Corps d’Afrique,” which had dissolved and reformed into the 73rd, 74th, and 75th United States Colored Troops (USCTs), would use the fortifications that they constructed here as their headquarters. The USCTs were the precursors to the Buffalo Soldier regiments of the American West.

With the help of a Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Commission with the American Battlefield Trust will extend the adjacent Port Hudson State Historic Site.

Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants empower preservation partners nationwide to acquire and preserve threatened Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War battlefields. In addition, the program administers three other grants: Preservation Planning Grants, which are open to all sites of armed conflict on American soil, the newly authorized Battlefield Restoration and Battlefield Interpretation grant programs. This financial assistance generates community-driven stewardship of historic resources at the state, tribal and local levels.

Get Your Project Funded

Check out the American Battlefield Protection Program's website for more information about various grant offerings and eligibility.

Learn More