Port Hudson drew its supplies mainly from Western Louisiana and Texas by way of the Red River.[[8]] If this river could be reached and held, these supplies could be cut off and communication could be opened with Grant near Vicksburg. The Confederates held Alexandria as their chief point of defense but they extended their outposts as far as the railroad from New Orleans to Brashear City. Another earthwork known as Fort Bisland was on the Bayou Teche and reached to the swamps south of the bayou. All this territory for 50 miles west of the Mississippi is an impassable network of swamps and lakes, but there is a road from Brashear City to Alexandria and along this road lay the line of advance to Red River. Early in January expeditions had been organized for the purpose of moving up Red River but it had been found impossible to make a way through the swamps and bayous, and it was thought necessary to abandon the project. About this time information was received that the Confederates had captured on Red River the ram Queen of the West, and the gunboat De Soto which had run past the batteries at Vicksburg and descended the river.
Farragut determined at once to patrol the river above Port Hudson with his vessels and requested Banks to make a demonstration against the fortification while he ran past the batteries.
Banks having assembled his forces at Baton Rouge, on March 13 the whole force broke camp and marched toward Port Hudson, the right and center sections with the divisions of Generals Grover and Emery on the Port Hudson Road and the left with General Auger's division on the Clinton Road. The next day Farragut with his fleet started up the river. The land forces did not get near enough to the works to use their artillery very effectively, though one section of the 2d Massachusetts was sent within shelling distance of the Confederate works and fired 50 round of shell into them.
We quote the following from an article in the Boston Journal written by C. B. Maxwell.
"The army having halted and camped for the night the sergeants of the first and third detachments came to our quarters and quietly told the drivers and cannoneers not to 'turn in.' 'You will be wanted before midnight,' they said. 'We are going out on the road and we may have some fun.' So about 10 P. M. we were told in whispers to 'hitch up.' When all was ready, the section moved out giving the rest of the battery the 'grand sneak' as it were. Lieutenant Marland was in command I think. Well, we arrived at a certain point on the road and having passed through the woods were ordered to halt, unlimber and go into battery. Said the lieutenant to the guide: 'Where is Port Hudson?' 'Right ober dar,' was the reply. 'Which way is that?' 'Right ober dat away.' 'How far is it?' 'Oh right smart aways. I done walk plumb down to de ribber from break o'day to sun-up.'
"The gunners elevated the pieces and each fired a few shots, after which all was still and dark as before. The only loud words spoken were the lieutenant's when he shouted: 'How do you like that.' Echo answered, 'Where are we at?' Then we limbered up, thinking of our tents and stole away back to camp and turned in. In the morning orders to hitch up were received and the column was soon on the march to Baton Rouge. So we claim that Nims' Battery fired the first shot at Port Hudson."
Meanwhile Farragut advanced with his fleet amid a perfect deluge of shot and shell. Two of his ships, the Hartford and the Albatross were able to pass the batteries, but all the others were sunk or disabled. Although so many met with disaster, Farragut's purpose was fully accomplished, for the Red River route was hence forward completely blockaded—a most important object at that time.
As the object of Banks' land expedition had been solely for the purpose of making a demonstration while the fleet was en route he immediately returned with his forces to Baton Rouge. He himself went on to New Orleans, leaving orders that another attempt be made to resume the movement to Brashear City.
Landing of Federal Troops from Transport Laurel Hill.