The Day They Pulled Old Dixie Down
The representatives settled on a surrender for today at 5:00 pm, but a heavy thunder storm put a stop to it. Lightening and rainfall, much like the weather we are having right now, made for a miserable night. The surrender was re-scheduled for 7:00 am. The honor of entering the fort first was given to Col. Henry Birge and his storm troopers.
Thus fell "Old Man River" and the key was finally in Mr. Lincoln's pocket. What was the importance of Port Hudson? Mr. Lincoln wanted to cut the Confederacy in two by taking the Mississippi River. The Confederacy held a gateway between Vicksburg, MS and Baton Rouge, LA by holding these two forts. To lose either fort would mean losing the gateway. Each one needed the other. Port Hudson was duty-bound to hold out as long as Vicksburg held. Vicksburg fell on July 4th. There was no longer any point in suffering hardships in Port Hudson.
chilidog
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