On this date in 1863, the siege of Port Hudson was a significant moment in the Civil War. After a long and grueling siege that lasted from May 22 to July 9, 1863, Union forces, under General Nathaniel P. Banks, finally forced the surrender of the Confederate garrison at Port Hudson, Louisiana. This victory, coupled with the fall of Vicksburg just days earlier on July 4, gave the Union full control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two and disrupting their supply lines.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the siege was the role played by African American troops. Eight Black regiments participated, marking one of the first times that Black soldiers saw extensive combat in the war. The 1st and 3rd Louisiana Native Guard, composed mainly of formerly enslaved and free Black men, demonstrated incredible bravery in direct assaults against Confederate defenses, proving their combat effectiveness and challenging racist assumptions of the time.

Their actions at Port Hudson helped pave the way for broader acceptance of Black soldiers in the Union Army, leading to the formation of more United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiments. It was a turning point in the war, both strategically and socially.