Benjamin C. Douglass joined the Connecticut 26th Volunteer Infantry, Company D in November, 1862, with a nine-month commitment. His regiment, along with several others including the 4th Wisconsin Infantry, took part in the Siege of Port Hudson, May 23 - July 9, 1863. He was injured during the horrific battle that took place on June 14, 1862. He settled in La Valle, Wisconsin, after the war. This is his story.

Siege of Port Hudson

The Siege of Port Hudson took place from May 22 to July 9, 1863, during the American Civil War. Located on the Mississippi River in Louisiana, Port Hudson was a strategic stronghold for the Confederacy. Union forces, led by General Nathaniel Banks, sought to capture Port Hudson as part of their plan to gain control of the Mississippi River. The Confederate defenders, commanded by General Franklin Gardner, were determined to hold the fort despite being outnumbered.

The siege was marked by intense fighting, as Union troops attempted to breach the fort's defenses through numerous assaults. The Confederate soldiers, facing shortages of food and supplies, endured weeks of bombardment and skirmishes. After 48 days of continuous siege, Confederate forces finally surrendered on July 9, 1863, following the fall of Vicksburg to Union forces. The capture of Port Hudson was a significant victory for the Union, as it secured control of the entire Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two.

The Siege of Port Hudson was one of the longest sieges in American history and was a turning point in the Civil War. It demonstrated the Union's determination and ability to overcome heavily fortified positions, further weakening the Confederate war effort.