civilwar049a.jpg

The Explosion

Port Hudson Is Taken By Union
'The North's continued assault has finally eliminated all of the Southern resistance at Port Hudson. General Grant's victory here was not an easy one, but it was one of the most important triumphs of the war. union agents arrived at Port Hudson ahead of the Army and sabotaged two Southern battleships which were used for defense. When the invading military force from the North arrived, a vicious battle broke out. The Confederates realized that if they were to lose Port Hudson, the entire Mississippi River would be in the hands of the Union. Desperately trying to win, the South hoped to be able to turn back General Grant. But the Northern siege proved too overpowering. The Mississippi River was lost and the South's existence is being threatened.'