Port Hudson National Cemetery, Military cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana, United States.
Port Hudson National Cemetery is a burial ground for fallen soldiers established on the site of a major Civil War siege in Louisiana. The grounds span about 20 acres and preserve original entrenchments, cannon positions, and earthen fortifications that shaped the 1863 conflict.
The cemetery was established after a 48-day siege in 1863, when roughly 30,000 Union troops fought against 6,800 Confederate soldiers for control of the Mississippi River. This place marks a turning point in the Union's strategy to secure the vital river during the war.
The cemetery holds deep meaning for understanding African American military service, as many Black soldiers rest here after fighting in one of the Civil War's longest sieges. Their graves represent an important part of the nation's military history that is often overlooked.
The grounds are open for visitors from sunrise to sunset every day of the year and are maintained by the Veterans Affairs department. You can walk the grounds on established paths and explore the preserved military features at your own pace.
The land preserves one of the few remaining Civil War battlefields with largely unaltered terrain features since 1863, allowing visitors to walk through original trenches and earthworks. This intact landscape offers a window into how the siege unfolded across the land.
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