Fort Beauregard
Encyclopedia
Fort Beauregard, located half a mile north of the village of Harrisonburg
, Catahoula Parish
, Louisiana
, was one of four Confederate
forts guarding the Ouachita River
during the American Civil War
. In 1863, it was unsuccessfully attacked by four Union
gunboats.
to form the Black. The fort is situated on almost the only point where the upland hills of Louisiana come within artillery range of the Ouachita; thus the batteries of the fort controlled the water approach to Monroe
, the only city of military importance in Northeast Louisiana. Because the Confederates concentrated here, the fort took on a greater significance: it was the key to the entire Ouachita River Valley.
arrived on May 10, 1863. They anchored at the mouth of the Bushley, and immediately sent a flag of truce. Lieutenant William W. Fowler, representing the Federals, demanded the unconditional surrender of the fort and its surroundings. Confederate Captain Benton repsonded that the only answer he could give was that the fort would be defended at all hazards. The flag of truce returned, and an hour afterward three of the gunboats began shelling. After firing 150 shots, the Federal shells left one Officer seriously wounded, damaged some of the parapet and destroyed one house in the town.
and Walter Q. Gresham
, which marched up from opposite Natchez.
Harrisonburg, Louisiana
Harrisonburg is a village in and the parish seat of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 746 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, Catahoula Parish
Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Catahoula Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Harrisonburg, located on the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern boundary of the parish. In 2000, the population of the parish was 10,920.-Prehistory:...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, was one of four Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
forts guarding the Ouachita River
Ouachita River
The Ouachita River is a river that runs south and east through the U.S. states of Arkansas and Louisiana, joining the Tensas River to form the Black River near Jonesville, Louisiana.-Course:...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In 1863, it was unsuccessfully attacked by four Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
gunboats.
Significance
Fort Beauregard is located on a hill overlooking the Ouachita River, several miles north of where it joins with the Red RiverRed River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
to form the Black. The fort is situated on almost the only point where the upland hills of Louisiana come within artillery range of the Ouachita; thus the batteries of the fort controlled the water approach to Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
, the only city of military importance in Northeast Louisiana. Because the Confederates concentrated here, the fort took on a greater significance: it was the key to the entire Ouachita River Valley.
Naval attack
Four Federal gunboats commanded by Commodore Selim E. WoodworthSelim E. Woodworth
Selim E. Woodworth was a commander in the United States Navy, prominent San Francisco businessman, and member of the Woodworth political family.-Early years:...
arrived on May 10, 1863. They anchored at the mouth of the Bushley, and immediately sent a flag of truce. Lieutenant William W. Fowler, representing the Federals, demanded the unconditional surrender of the fort and its surroundings. Confederate Captain Benton repsonded that the only answer he could give was that the fort would be defended at all hazards. The flag of truce returned, and an hour afterward three of the gunboats began shelling. After firing 150 shots, the Federal shells left one Officer seriously wounded, damaged some of the parapet and destroyed one house in the town.
Evacuation
On September 4, 1863, the fort was evacuated and destroyed by Colonel George W. Logan, of the Chalmette Regiment, in the face of a formidale expedition under the Federal generals, M.M. CrockerMarcellus M. Crocker
Marcellus Monroe Crocker was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War most noted for his service in the Western Theater.-Biography:...
and Walter Q. Gresham
Walter Q. Gresham
Walter Quintin Gresham was an American statesman and jurist. He served as United States Postmaster General, as a judge on the United States Courts of Appeals, was a two-time candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and was Secretary of State, and Secretary of the Treasury...
, which marched up from opposite Natchez.