Port Hudson State Historic Site

236 Hwy 61
Jackson., La. 70748
Local: 225-654-3775
Toll: 1-888-677-3400
Fax: 225-654-4413
Email: porthudson@crt.state.la.us
PLEASE NOTE:
ALL PROPER1Y ALONG THIS TOUR,
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
NATIONAL CEMETERY, IS
PRIVATELY OWNED.
PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND
OBSERVE THE OWNERS' PRIVACY. Ex-
TREME CAUTION SHOULD BE USED
ALONG THE TOUT ROUTE. THE ROADS
ARE NARROW AND CROOKED AND
THERE ARE NO PULL OVER POINTS..
l.The Priest Cap was the focal point of the June 14th Union assault.
The federals suffered over 2000 casualties making it the bloodiest
battle per 1000 men engaged in the Civil War.
2. Seven-tenths of a mile from Port Hudson SHSs' front gates is the
location where the ClintonIPort Hudson Railroad intersected what is
today Hwy 61. The railroad was founded in 1839 so that Clinton
would have access to a Mississippi river port.
3. The Port Hudson-Plains Rd. intersects Hwy 61 one mile south of
Port Hudson SHS. This road was present during the 1863 siege and
was the route of one of the major Union assaults on May 27th.
4. Approximately six-tenths of a mile west of Hwy 61 is the site
a-nee used as a Confederate field hospital. Just right of the Port Hud-
son-Plains Rd. is a ravine described by a captured Union officer as
being the hospitals location.
5.The mound directly across from the intersection of Port Hickey
Rd.lPort Hudson-Plains Rd. is what remains of a post-siege Union
earthwork. Approximately 100 yards out is the site of the old rail-
road depot and the hotel used by confederate general Gardner as hi s
headquarters. Nearby stood a house which served the same purpose
for General W.N.R. Beall.
6.The left fork of the three pronged, gravel road is the last remaining
road of the town of Port Hudson. To the North is the old town site.
At the dead end, one tenth of a mile from the fork, is the only re-
maining structure of old Port Hudson. This home is privately owned.
7. The Confederate cemetery is located just north of what was once
the bend in the river. Unfortunately, it is currently on private prop-
erty and is no longer accessible to visitors.
8. Two tenths of a mile form the intersection is the approximate
location of the Confederate surrender site. After the fall of Vicks-
burg, the window adjoining the east and west of the Confederacy
was no longer open. This rendered. the defense of Port Hudson point-
less. Upon receiving word of Vicksburg's surrender, General Gard-
ner informed General Banks that he was no longer bound by duty to
defend his position. He surrendered port Hudson on July 9, 1863.
9. Approximately one mile from Port HickeylPort Hudson-Plains
Rd. intersection to the east is the Port Hickey Plantation. It ' s a red
brick house with a white picket fence. Prior to the siege, it was used
to house Confederate engineers during the construction of the earth-
works. Some 300 yards to the southwest is the former site of the
Citadel. The Confederate stronghold was an important point during
the siege but has since washed away.
10. One mile north of the Port Hudson national Cemetery is Slaugh-
ter' s field. Prior to the siege, a Confederate officer was reported to
have asked one of his men the field 's name. When told, his reply
was that he expected it to become just that. The prophecy became
true during the bloody assault of May 27th, 1863.
11. The Port Hudson National Cemetery was established in 1867. At
that time, Federal soldiers were taken from shallow battlefield
graves and reinterred here. Today the cemetery is the final resting
place of veterans ranging from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf
War.
12. The old Plains Store battlefield is 3.5 miles east ofhwy 61 on the
port Hudson-Plains Rd. Pictures of the original store are on display
at the present day Plains Store. The fight here was a prelude to the
siege.
PORT HUDSON
STATE HISTORIC SITE
LONGEST TRUE SIEGE IN
AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
'\f:fJJ
p ' 'C/ Prepared by the Interpretive Staff at Port
Hudson State Historic Site

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
SA lTLEFIELD FEATURES
1- - The Priest Cap
2- -ClintonfPort Hudson Railroad
3- -Port Hudson-Plains Road
4 - - Confederate Hospital Site
5 - - Port Hickey Road
6- -Old Port Hudson Road
7 - - Confederate Cemetery
8 - - Confederate Surrender Site
9 - - The Citadel
10--Slaughter's Field
ll--Port Hudson National Cemetery
12 --Plains Store
LEGEND
- Bluffs
D Current Mississippi River
D Siege Location of Mississippi River
000 River Batteries
..... . ... Trenches
Mus
Redoubt
Native .,.... ,. .... F,ort Babcock
GJiatdsAttatk .... '
t
,j 1
"Port 1Jlldson ' i f 1
C$1hi\,el1 ... I 1. t: ""':1.;;.'
" , Piieal C&P
CommLm.ry Rlll'
Devll's' Elbow
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3;5 mUM to rri\
Pltlns store
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