Port Hudson State Historic Site, State historic site in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States

Port Hudson is a Civil War military site with earthwork fortifications built on elevated ground overlooking two creeks in Louisiana. The remains of trenches, gun positions, and defensive structures are distributed across the property, preserved and accessible to visitors.

The site saw one of the longest sieges in American military history, lasting about 10 weeks in 1863 as Union forces surrounded the Confederate position. This campaign became a turning point in how the Union Army deployed Black soldiers in combat roles.

On the morning of May 27, 1863, General Banks ordered the 1st and 3rd Louisiana Native Guards, two units of African-American soldiers, against the Confederate batteries south of Foster Creek. The Guards reached within 50 feet of the guns three times before being repulsed, losing 37 killed, 155 wounded and 116 missing. Annual historical reenactments are held at the site.

Walking paths and information signs cover the grounds to help visitors understand the siege layout and key positions. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the terrain is uneven and sometimes steep on the elevated areas.

Archaeologists found military graves by locating buttons lost by soldiers from both armies over the years. These discoveries revealed details about the individuals who fought and died at the site.