Siege of Port Hudson-- Part 3: Another Assault Repulsed and Confederate Surrender After Vicksburg Fell

Another attempt to take Port Hudson failed on June 13, when the Confederates inflicted 1,805 casualties on Union forces while losing fewer than 200.  Those gad to be some strong earthwork defenses.  The Confederates at Port Hudson held out until they learned of the surrender of Vicksburg.

Without its upriver (Mississippi River) position it lacked  strategic significance and the garrison surrendered on July 9, 1963.  This gave the Union control of the entire Mississippi River, though ships on the river came under Confederate attacks from time to time throughout the rest of the war.

Today the Port Hudson State Commemorative Area  (Commemorative Area?  Really?) has 889 acres on the northern portion of the battlefield, three observation towers, six miles of trails an a museum.

Four thousand Civil War veterans are buried at the Port Hudson National Cemetery which stands just outside the Confederate lines.

--Old Secesh