The state of Louisiana, with its strategic Mississippi River access and vital port city of New Orleans, played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. The numerous Louisiana Civil War battles fought across its diverse terrain shaped the course of the conflict in the Trans-Mississippi Theater and along the crucial waterways. Understanding the key engagements in Louisiana is essential to grasping the Confederacy’s struggle to maintain control of the lower Mississippi and the Union’s relentless drive to sever the South, making the region a significant theater of war.
The Fall of New Orleans: A Strategic Union Victory
The Union’s early efforts in Louisiana focused on capturing New Orleans, the South’s largest city and a critical port. This campaign, spearheaded by Flag Officer David G. Farragut’s naval forces, was a monumental undertaking with far-reaching consequences.
Head of Passes – October 12, 1861
This early engagement marked the beginning of naval activity at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Confederate forces, utilizing the ironclad ram CSS Manassas, attempted a surprise attack on Union blockading ships. While not a decisive victory for either side, it demonstrated the challenges and innovative naval tactics that would characterize the river war.
Forts Jackson and St. Philip – April 18–28, 1862
Guarding the approaches to New Orleans, Forts Jackson and St. Philip were formidable Confederate strongholds. Farragut’s fleet endured a prolonged bombardment, but ultimately, his daring decision to run his ships past the forts in the early morning of April 24 proved successful. This bold move bypassed the main Confederate defenses, leaving New Orleans vulnerable.
New Orleans – April 24-25, 1862
With the forts neutralized and Farragut’s fleet positioned above the city, New Orleans fell largely without a fight. The capture of New Orleans by Union forces under Major General Benjamin Butler was a devastating blow to the Confederacy, providing the Union with control of a vital port and a strategic base for further operations on the Mississippi River.
Confederate Efforts to Regain Control: The Baton Rouge Offensive
Following the fall of New Orleans, Confederate forces attempted to push back against Union occupation and regain strategic positions.
Baton Rouge – August 5, 1862
Confederate Major General John C. Breckinridge launched an assault on the Union-occupied state capital of Baton Rouge, hoping to dislodge Federal troops. While the Confederates initially achieved some success, the attack ultimately failed due to the timely intervention of Union gunboats and the death of Confederate General Daniel Ruggles. The Union maintained control, though both sides suffered heavy casualties.
Donaldsonville I – August 9, 1862
A smaller engagement near Donaldsonville followed the Baton Rouge offensive. Union forces, primarily naval, engaged Confederate units along the Mississippi River. These skirmishes were part of the ongoing struggle for control of the river and its vital supply lines.
Minor Engagements and Western Louisiana Operations
Beyond the major river campaigns, several other Louisiana Civil War battles were fought in different regions of the state.
Georgia Landing – October 27, 1862
This battle occurred in Lafourche Parish as Union forces moved to establish control over the bayou country southwest of New Orleans. Federal troops under Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel engaged Confederate forces, achieving a Union victory that extended their influence into the sugar-producing regions of Louisiana.
Operations in West Louisiana – April 1863
Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks conducted a series of operations in western Louisiana aimed at seizing control of the Red River region and cutting off Confederate supply lines, as well as a preliminary move towards Port Hudson.
Fort Bisland – April 12, 1863
As part of Banks’s Teche Campaign, Union forces attacked Confederate fortifications at Fort Bisland on Bayou Teche. The Confederates held out for a day, but a flanking maneuver forced them to retreat, opening the way further into western Louisiana.
Irish Bend – April 14, 1863
Just two days after Fort Bisland, another engagement occurred at Irish Bend. Union forces pursued the retreating Confederates, resulting in a battle that saw both land and naval forces involved. The Union again pushed back the Confederates, continuing their advance.
Vermillion Bayou – April 17, 1863
The Union pursuit continued, encountering Confederate rear-guard actions at Vermillion Bayou. These engagements collectively cleared much of the Teche region of significant Confederate resistance, though the main objective of completely severing Confederate lines proved elusive.
The Critical Siege of Port Hudson
The siege of Port Hudson was a prolonged and brutal engagement, essential for Union control of the Mississippi River. Coupled with the Siege of Vicksburg, its fall meant the complete severance of the Confederacy.
Plains Store – May 21, 1863
This engagement served as a prelude to the main siege of Port Hudson. Union forces moving towards the Confederate stronghold clashed with Southern defenders, effectively clearing the immediate approaches and allowing Federal troops to encircle Port Hudson.
Port Hudson – May 21-July 9, 1863
The Siege of Port Hudson was the longest siege in American history at the time, lasting 48 days. Union forces under Major General Banks repeatedly assaulted the heavily fortified Confederate position. Despite tremendous efforts and heavy casualties, the Union failed to take the fort by storm. However, the news of Vicksburg’s fall on July 4, 1863, rendered Port Hudson’s defense untenable. The Confederate garrison surrendered on July 9, granting the Union complete control of the Mississippi River, a turning point in the war.
Grant’s Operations Against Vicksburg (Louisiana Connections)
While primarily fought in Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign involved significant operations and troop movements in Louisiana Civil War battles and territories, especially in the early phases and supporting engagements.
- Grand Gulf (April 29, 1863): Though in Mississippi, Union gunboats tried to silence Confederate batteries at Grand Gulf, a crucial step for Grant’s planned crossing of the Mississippi from Louisiana into Mississippi.
- Snyder’s Bluff (April 29-May 1, 1863): A diversionary attack launched from Louisiana aimed at drawing Confederate attention away from Grant’s true crossing point further south.
- Bruinsburg Crossing (April 30, 1863): Grant’s successful crossing of the Mississippi from Louisiana into Mississippi was a brilliant logistical feat that set the stage for his campaign.
- Port Gibson (May 1, 1863): The first major battle after Grant’s successful landing from Louisiana, fought on Mississippi soil as Union forces secured their beachhead.
- Raymond (May 12, 1863) & Jackson (May 14, 1863): Battles in Mississippi as Grant moved inland, indirectly supported by the security of the Louisiana side of the river.
- Champion Hill (May 16, 1863) & Big Black River Bridge (May 17, 1863): Decisive Union victories in Mississippi that drove the Confederates into Vicksburg.
- Siege of Vicksburg (May 18-July 4, 1863): While a Mississippi siege, the Union’s ability to supply and reinforce was critically dependent on their control of the Louisiana side of the river.
- Milliken’s Bend – June 7, 1863: A significant engagement fought on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi. African American Union troops valiantly defended their position against a Confederate assault, proving their courage and combat effectiveness.
- Goodrich’s Landing – June 29, 1863: Another engagement in Louisiana, where African American Union soldiers fought to protect Union plantations and supply lines along the Mississippi, underscoring the vital role they played.
Taylor’s Operations in Louisiana West of the Mississippi
Confederate Major General Richard Taylor, son of President Zachary Taylor, led numerous operations to challenge Union control, particularly after the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson.
- LaFourche Crossing – June 20-21, 1863: Taylor’s forces attempted to cut Union lines and relieve pressure on Port Hudson, leading to clashes at LaFourche Crossing that ultimately failed to achieve their objective.
- Donaldsonville II – June 28, 1863: Confederate forces launched another attack on the Union-held Fort Butler at Donaldsonville. The Confederates were repulsed in a bloody assault, demonstrating the resilience of Union defenses along the river.
- Kock’s Plantation – July 11-13, 1863: Part of Taylor’s ongoing efforts, this engagement saw further skirmishes as Confederates tried to maintain a presence and disrupt Union movements in the bayou region.
- Stirling’s Plantation – September 29, 1863: Confederate cavalry achieved a tactical victory here, capturing a Union regiment. This was one of Taylor’s successes in his strategy to harass and impede Federal forces.
- Bayou Bourbeux – November 3, 1863: In another of Taylor’s operations in the Teche country, Confederate forces engaged Union troops. The battle resulted in a Confederate victory, showcasing Taylor’s effective leadership in western Louisiana.
The Red River Campaign – March-May 1864
The Red River Campaign was a major Union offensive aimed at seizing Confederate strongholds along the Red River, capturing Shreveport, and gaining access to Texas. It proved to be a costly failure.
- Fort DeRussy – March 14, 1864: Union forces, advancing up the Red River, captured this significant Confederate fort, opening the way for further advance.
- Mansfield – April 8, 1864: The decisive battle of the campaign. Confederate forces under Richard Taylor inflicted a crushing defeat on Union Major General Banks’s army, forcing a disorderly retreat.
- Pleasant Hill – April 9, 1864: Following the defeat at Mansfield, Union forces attempted to regroup and hold their ground. While a tactical draw, it served as a successful rear-guard action that prevented a complete rout.
- Blair’s Landing – April 12, 1864: A naval engagement and land skirmish where Confederate forces attempted to disrupt Union gunboats retreating down the Red River.
- Monett’s Ferry – April 23, 1864: As Union forces continued their arduous retreat, they faced further Confederate harassment, including at Monett’s Ferry, where Federal troops successfully crossed the Cane River.
- Mansura – May 16, 1864: Often referred to as the ‘Battle of Mansura Plains,’ this engagement saw the Union rear guard fight off Confederate pursuit as Banks’s army continued its retreat towards the Mississippi.
- Yellow Bayou – May 18, 1864: Also known as Norwood’s Plantation, this was the final engagement of the Red River Campaign. Union forces successfully fended off Confederate attacks, allowing the main army to complete its withdrawal across the Atchafalaya River.
Conclusion
The Louisiana Civil War battles were diverse and impactful, ranging from crucial naval victories on the Mississippi to hard-fought land engagements across the bayous and plains. Louisiana’s strategic location, particularly its control over the lower Mississippi River, made it a focal point of Union strategy to divide the Confederacy. While the Union ultimately achieved its goal of securing the Mississippi and maintaining control over significant portions of the state, Confederate forces under leaders like Richard Taylor consistently challenged Federal authority. The battles fought in Louisiana left a lasting legacy, shaping the state’s post-war identity and contributing profoundly to the Union’s ultimate victory in the Civil War.
