PORT HUDSON. A small village in Loui siana, on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, about 133 miles above New Orleans, lo cated at the outward angle of an abrupt bend of the river. In 1862, during the Civil War, the Con federates constructed formidable batteries for a distance of three miles along the high bluffs around Port Hudson, and thus secured effectual control of the river at this point. In the spring of 1S63 General Banks, with a large Federal force, proceeded against the position, and after trying ineffectually to turn it on the west. in vested it on March 26th, Admiral Farragut hav ing previously, on the night of, March 1401-151h, run by the batteries with two vessels of his fleet, the Hartford and the Albatross, and thus secured the control of the river both above and below Port Hudson. This control, however, was bought at the cost of one vessel, the Mississippi, de stroyed, and four vessels, which had been forced to turn back, disabled. On _March 27th Banks made a determined but unsuccessful assault, and on the following day began a regular siege. On
June 14th another unsuccessful assault was made, and then the siege continued until early in July, when a third assault was planned. On 'July 7th. howuver, news of the surrender of Vicksburg to General Grant received, and on the following day General Gardner. in com mand of the Confederates, agreed upon terms of surrender, a Federal force taking possession, on the 9th. The Federal attacking force numbered altogether about 20,000, though its effective strength never exceeded about 13,000. Of these 707 were killed, 3336 were wounded, and 319 were reported missing. The Confederate garrison numbered about 7500. of whom about 700 were killed or wounded, 500 were reported missing, and 6340 were surrendered. Consult Johnson and Buel (eds.), Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, vol. iii. (New York, 1887).