Mansfield Battlefield - Mansfield, LA (The Three-Day Bloodbath)

15149 Highway 175

Mansfield, LA 71052

32.043022,-93.692883

            Just south of Shreveport, lays the small town of Mansfield and the site of a very significant Civil War battle. Once again, history would repeat itself as an undermanned and underequipped Confederate Army battled the odds in overcoming a powerful Union Army.  
            After Union troops seized Vicksburg and Port Hudson in July of 1863, the Mississippi River area was under their full control. Their next plans were to progress north, taking over the Trans-Mississippi headquarters in Shreveport, making their final stop in Texas. The Union assumed that the trek to Shreveport would be a cake walk, possibly only dealing with minimal Confederate resistance.
            Such was not the case, as Union army, let by General N.P. Banks, encountered a Confederate squad of ten thousand and fifty, led by General Richard Taylor. Taylor, the son of President Zachary Taylor, planned to spread out the larger Union army and fight them in smaller groups.

Ft. Jackson - Buras, LA (The Failed Fort of the Confederacy)

Fort Jackson/Fort St. Phillip (Buras)

29.356594,-89.454718

            By the early 1800’s, New Orleans and the surrounding areas were no stranger to war and attacks, specifically from Spain and Britain. After several skirmishes and attempts to seize New Orleans, the city’s hero, General Andrew Jackson ordered that a fortification be built to not only protect the city but to secure the river from any future attacks. Construction of Fort Jackson began in 1822 and was completed and occupied in 1832. It was then garrisoned by a small force until February 9, 1842, when it was declared a military reservation by executive order of President John Tyler.


Map of Ft. Jackson

            With the American Civil War now under way, the Union had their eyes set on capturing New Orleans and it would not be long before a deadly attempt would be made. The infamous battle to gain control of New Orleans took place at Fort Jackson and St. Phillip from April 16, 1862 until April 28, 1862. During these tense 13 days, Union soldiers, led by Flag Officer David G. Farragut, commanded naval ships into the murky waters and unleashed a barrage of mortars onto the Confederate forts. For several days, the bombardments continued, with the river obstructions being partially destroyed on the night of April 22^nd. The Union and their firepower was too much for the Confederacy to contend with, as ships pushed through the barricades and made their way to New Orleans, ultimately seizing the city. After putting up a great fight, the forts officially surrendered on April 28^th. The final death toll from the battle was approximately 1,011!