Siege of Port Hudson, La.

Destroyed "Rebel gun" at Port Hudson, La.View of bunkers at Port Hudson, La.View of the "Priest Cap" at Port Hudson, La.Confederate bunkers at Battery No. 11 at Port Hudson, La.View from north side of Port Hudson, La.Picture of destroyed confederate cannon at Port Hudson, La.Destroyed land at Port Hudson, La.Disabled Confederate 24 pound gun at Port Hudson, La.View of bluffs at Port Hudson, La.Destruction of fortifications at Port Hudson, La.View of the Mississippi River at Port Hudson, La.

These stereo views document the damage to the Confederate fortifications at Port Hudson, Louisiana, following a 48-day siege by Union forces. After a direct Union assault on the fortifications failed on May 27, a formal siege of the Confederate bastion began. On July 9, 1863, Port Hudson surrendered to Union Major General Nathaniel Banks. An estimated 12,208 men became casualties during the siege.

The strong fortifications at Port Hudson blocked the Mississippi River from use by Union forces; the surrender of the Confederate garrison a few days after the surrender of Vicksburg opened the river to Union traffic from its source to New Orleans.