Port Hudson State Historic Site, Civil War fortification site in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
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.
African American soldiers serving in the Union Army fought from these positions with officers of their own race commanding them, a rare moment of leadership that shaped how people thought about military service.
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.
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