Port Hudson was a significant site during the American Civil War, located along the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It was the location of a major Confederate stronghold, which played a crucial role in controlling river traffic and supply routes. The Union aimed to capture Port Hudson to gain full control of the Mississippi River. The Siege of Port Hudson lasted from May 1863 to July 1863, making it one of the longest sieges in American history. Union forces, led by General Nathaniel P. Banks, ultimately succeeded in capturing the fortification, which contributed to the Union's overall strategy to divide the Confederacy and secure the Mississippi River.