Louisiana Forts

American Forts: East

LOUISIANA

Last Update: 03/MAY/2008

Shreveport Civil War Defenses
(1864 - 1865), Shreveport
Fort Jenkins, located at the site of the old Schumpert Hospital.
Fort Johnston, located at present-day Clay and Webster Streets.
Fort Turnbull, located on East Stoner Ave. at Bayou Pierre (Confederate Memorial Park). Confederates used charred logs to simulate cannons. The Union scouts who saw the fort were "humbugged", hence the nickname Fort Humbug (1).
Shreveport Arsenal (1860's ?), a state arsenal, of about 70 acres, located on Arsenal Hill. Taken over by the Union after the war concluded.
The city was never captured by the Union during the Civil War.

Camp Boggs (2)
(1864 - 1865), Shreveport
A CSA camp guarding a POW camp, located one and one-half miles south of town.

Fort Kirby Smith (park)
(1864), Bossier City
A CSA fort. Monument on Coleman Street between Monroe and Mansfield Streets. Some remains.
The town was known as Cane City during the Civil War.

Camp Beach Creek
(1862), near Homer
A CSA camp located eight miles west of town.

Camp Vienna
(1862 - 1864), Vienna
A CSA training camp.

Fort Jesup (State Historic Site)
(1822 - 1848), Fort Jesup
First known as Cantonment Jesup until 1833. This was the staging area for US troops invading Mexico after Texas' independence. Reconstructed.
Adjacent to the fort was Camp Wilkins (1844 - 1845).

Located 13 miles west of Many was Camp Sabine (1836 - 1838), consisting of a blockhouse and eight storehouses. It was built to project American influence closer to the Texas border during the Texas War of Independence in 1836. The blockhouse was converted after the Mexican-American War into a church.

Presidio de los Adaes (State Historic Site)
(1721 - 1773), Robeline
A reconstruction of a Spanish stockaded fort to defend against the French in Louisiana, formally named Nuestra Señora del Pilar de los Adaes. Also spelled Adais. The fort was hexagonal, about 150 feet to a side, enclosing several adobe buildings used for Officers' quarters, barracks, storehouses, magazines, and a chapel. The Spanish Mission de San Miguel de los Adaes (1721) was one-half league away. The presidio was rebuilt in 1726. This was the capital of Spanish Texas until 1773. The American-Spanish border was fixed by treaty in 1806.

Fort St. Jean Baptiste (State Historic Site)
(1719 - 1769), Natchitoches
A 1979 reconstruction of a French fort to defend against the Spanish in Texas. The settlement was originally fortified in 1714. This was the first permanent European settlement in present-day Louisiana. The fort was originally located on an island in the Red River, located at about present-day Jefferson Street to the Cane River, and Sibley and College Aves.. It was rebuilt in 1721 due to flooding. Attacked by Natchez Indians in 1731. The post was moved to the mainland in 1736, at about the present-day American Cemetery on New Second Street. Known as Fort les Natchitoches (1766 - 1769) under the Spanish.

American Fort Claiborne (1804 - 1819) was located nearby, also known as Post at Natchitoches or Post on Cane River. It was originally named Camp Claiborne (1). It was a palisaded work with two barracks and a two-story blockhouse. A government Indian Factory was established here in 1805. The Fort Claiborne Guest House (1810 ?) at 801 Second Street was located in front of the former stockade, but was perhaps not originally a military structure.
(Natchitoches is pronounced "nak-i-tosh")

Fort Charles ?
(Beau Fort Plantation)
(1760's), Natchitoches
The plantation house was built in 1790 on the site of the old fort. The fort's cisterns still exist on the grounds. Located south of town. Admission fee.

Camp Butler (2)
(1860's), Natchitoches ?
A CSA camp of this name is thought to have been located in the area (possibly at Grande Écore ?).

Fort Seldon
(1820 - 1822), near Grande Écore
Short-lived Headquarters of the Western Dept. of the US Army. Originally named Camp Ripley. Site located on Bayou Pierre two miles above town. The post was moved to Fort Jesup when the boundary was changed.

Grande Écore Battery
(1863), Grande Écore
A temporary CSA gun battery was located here.

Camp Salubrity
(1844 - 1845), near Natchitoches
A temporary Federal camp located three miles northwest of town, in preparation for the Mexican-American War.

Fort Bon Dieu Falls
(1712), near Montgomery
A French fort on the Red River.

Fort Miró
(1790 - 1804), Monroe
A Spanish fort at the village of Prairie des Canots (1785), now present-day Monroe (renamed 1819). Site is located on or near South Grand Street, between Calyso and Oak Streets.

The American log stockade Post at Ouachita (1804 - 1808) was actually located about 400 yards south of the Spanish fort, which was considered private property at the time.

Camp Butler (3)
(1863 - 1864), Lake Providence
A Union camp.

Camp at Young's Point
(1863), near Mound
A temporary Union encampment on the Mississippi River near Milliken's Bend, following the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (December 1862). Attacked by the CSA in June 1863. Still in use by the Union during the Vicksburg Campaign.

Winter Quarters Encampment (State Historic Site)
(1863 - 1865), Winter Quarters
A Union encampment on the grounds of the Winter Quarters Plantation near Lake St. Joseph.

Camp Bruin
(1861), St. Joseph
A CSA training camp.

Fort Necessity ?
(1860's ?), Fort Necessity
The town's name was changed from Boeuf Prairie. Origin of name undetermined. There may have been a CSA fort here.
(thanks to Marshall Sitrin for info)

Fort Beauregard (2)
(1863), Harrisonburg
One of four Confederate forts guarding the Ouachita River. It was a casemated earthen redoubt. Unsuccesfully attacked by four Union gunboats in May 1863. Attacked again in September 1863, then abandoned.

Fort San Luis de Natches
(1767 - 1769), Vidalia
A Spanish fort built to counter the British presence in Natchez across the Mississippi River. It was abandoned after the British withdrew from the region.

Concordia Post
(1801 - 1804), Vidalia
A Spanish palisaded blockhouse and barracks.

Vidalia Redoubt
(1864 - 1865), Vidalia
A Union six-gun square redoubt with bastions located by the river. The ironclad U.S.S. Benton provided added protection.

Rapides Post
(1766 - 1769), Rapides
A Spanish garrison was here.

Alexandria Civil War Defenses
(1864 - 1865), Alexandria
Two Confederate earthworks were built to defend against an expected third Union Red River Campaign in October 1864, which never came. These were:
Fort Buhlow, located on the east bank of the Red River, north of present-day US 71.
Fort Randolph, located 500 yards south of Fort Buhlow, south of US 71, on the grounds of Central Louisiana Hospital.

Camp Buckner (1864), located outside of town.

Camp Beauregard (3) (State Military Reservation)
(1917 - present), near Alexandria
A Federalized National Guard training encampment and demobilization center for the 39th Division. Originally briefly named Cantonment Alexandria. Located five miles northeast of town at the former site of the Louisiana State Seminary, which later became Louisiana State University. Reverted to state ownership in 1920 and renamed Camp Hunter (2), but the former name was restored soon thereafter. The camp was Federalized again in 1940 for training purposes, with much new construction. Reverted back to state ownership in 1947.

Camp Stafford
(1905, 1916 - 1917), Pineville
A Louisiana National Guard summer encampment. Used again to mobilize troops for the Mexican Border Crisis in 1916, and again briefly used before Camp Beauregard (3) was built nearby. The Camp Beauregard post hospital was located here.

Camp Blanchard (1)
(1862 - 1863), Lecompte
A temporary CSA camp.

Camp Boggs (1)
(1864), near Lecompte
A temporary CSA camp located five miles from town.

Camp Boeuf
(1863), near Cheneyville
A temporary CSA camp.
(NOTE: this may or may not be the same as CSA Camp Bayou Boeuf (1862), located on Bayou Boeuf south of Alexandria.)

Camp Cotton
(1863), near Cheneyville
A CSA camp.

Fort DeRussy
(1862 - 1864), Marksville
Also known as Camp DeRussy. This was a 100-square yard earthen redoubt with ironclad casemates, built to prevent Union gunboats from proceeding upriver to Alexandria. Occupied by the US Navy in 1863. Reoccupied and rebuilt by the Confederates during the winter of 1864. The US Army captured the fort again in March 1864. Once again occupied by the Confederates by the summer of 1864. The main redoubt still exists but the water batteries do not. Two Confederate gunboats defeated three Union gunboats here in 1863.
(info provided by Steve Mayeux of The Friends of Fort DeRussy.)

Camp Custer
(1927), Marksville
An Army encampment during the Flood of 1927.

Fort Scurry
(1864), Simmesport
Actually two Confederate works on either side of the road, along the Yellow Bayou at Bayou de Glaize. The troops suffered from boredom, and nicknamed the fort Fort Humbug (2). Also known as Fort #2 on the Yellow Bayou, and also Old Oak Fort or Norwood Plantation Fort. The Battle of Yellow Bayou was in May 1864.

Camp Hamilton
(1804 - 1808), Opelousas
A temporary Federal garrison was located near Bayou del Puent. Also known as Post at Opelousas.

A Spanish garrison may have previously been here (1766 - 1769).

Burr Ferry Breastworks
(1864), Burr Ferry
CSA breastworks were built here in anticipation of a Union advance up the Sabine River. A small section of the works is preserved in a small park on the river just west of town on LA 8.

Camp Barri Croquant
(1863), near Port Barre
A Union encampment located on the north-side of Bayou Maria Croquant, about two and one-half miles south of town.

Camp Atkinson
(1830 - 1832), Lake Charles
A temporary Federal camp located on the Calcasieu River. Also known as Cantonment Atkinson. Site located on South Lakeshore Drive.

Niblett's Bluff Fort
(Niblett's Bluff Park)
(1863), Toomey
A CSA fortified camp built by slave labor. Breastworks still remain along the Sabine River.

Calcasieu Lake Redoubt
(1861 - 1862), Calcasieu Lake
A CSA two-gun battery. Exact location undetermined.

Camp Davis
(1861 - 1862), Calcasieu Pass
A CSA two-gun battery.

¤ TEMPORARY HARBOR DEFENSES of CALCASIEU PASS

¤ Calcasieu Pass Military Reservation
(1942 - 1944), Cameron
A two-gun 155mm battery was located here to defend the city of Lake Charles. The Panama mounts were built, but the defense was never officially activated.

Fort Burton
(1861 - 1862), Butte la Rose
A CSA two-gun fort on Cow Island in the Atchafalaya River. Also known as Fort Butte a la Rose. It was captured by the Union in April 1862 and later destroyed.

Post at Attakapas
(1804 - 1808, 1818 - 1819), near St. Martinville
A Federal garrison was here.

A Spanish garrison may have previously been here (1766 - 1769).

New Iberia Post
(1790's), New Iberia
A Spanish garrison was here.

Camp Pratt
(1862), near New Iberia
A CSA training camp located on Spanish Lake five miles north of town.

Camp Bayou Portage
(1863), Lake Dauterive
A CSA camp located just north of the lake on Bayou Portage. Captured by the Union in 1863.

Camp Dauterive
(1862 - 1863), Iberia Parish
A CSA post near Grand Lake.

Camp Hunter (1)
(1863), near Charenton
A Union encampment along Indian Bend on Bayou Teche.

Fort Bisland
(1863 - 1865), near Patterson
A CSA earthwork fort, also known as Camp Bisland. Captured by the Union in April 1863. The site is located five miles west of town.

Fort Berwick
(1861 - 1863), Wax Bayou
A CSA two-gun moated quadrangular earthwork located four miles from Morgan City, on the north-side of Wax Bayou at the Atchafalaya River. It was abandoned after New Orleans fell to the Union (April 1862), but was briefly re-occupied by the CSA for one month in June 1863.

Morgan City Civil War Defenses
(1862 - 1865), Morgan City
Fort Brashear the largest of five earthen forts built by the Union to protect the city, formerly known as Brashear City. They were captured by the Confederates in June 1863, but retaken by the Union after the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi (July 1863). Site is marked on Fourth Street. Known today as Star Fort (2).
Fort Buchanan (1863 - 1864), a six-gun earthwork located one mile north of Fort Brashear opposite the entrance to the Teche River.
Fort Ridley (1863), a CSA fort, either a new work built (June 1863), or a captured Union work.
Fort Weitzel located east of the city.
Berwick City Battery (1863 - 1864) a fortified bridgehead on Berwick Bay, with flanks on the river and enclosing a 20-foot high mound for one gun.
Camp Lovell (1861 - 1862), a CSA camp in Berwick City. Possibly occupied by Union forces after 1862.

Fort Chene
(1861 - 1863), near Amelia
A CSA five-gun moated and stockaded earthwork located on Mossy Point, at the junction of Bayou Chene and Bayou Shafer. Captured by the Union in April 1862. Recaptured by the CSA for one month in June 1863 before abandoned.

Fort Quitman
(1861 - 1862), Grand Caillou Bayou
A CSA two-gun redoubt. Abandoned in May 1862 after New Orleans fell (April 1862). Afterwards occupied by the Union and renamed Fort Butler (1).

Fort Butler (2)
(1862 - 1863), Port Barrow
A Union star-shaped bastioned fort, with a brick-lined moat, it was attacked and captured by Confederates in June 1863. The foundation has recently been excavated, and a reconstruction is planned. Located across Bayou Lafourche from Donaldsonville.

Union Camp Weitzel (2) (1863) was nearby.

Camp Hubbard
(1863 - 1864), Thibodaux
A Union encampment.

Camp Martin
(1862), Lafourche
A CSA training camp.

Camp Hopkins
(1814), Lafourche Parish
A LA state militia camp located somewhere on the lower Bayou Lafourche. Also known as Bayou Lafourche Camp.

Fort Guion
(1861 - 1862), Lafourche Parish
A CSA two-gun water battery located on the lower Bayou Lafourche. Also known as Bayou Lafourche Redoubt. It was abandoned after New Orleans fell.

Fort Blanc
(1806), Lafourche Parish
A settlers' fort on Fort Blanc Bayou at Bay St. Honore. Possibly located on the north-side of Camandia (Caminada) Island.
(info provided by Marshall Sitrin)

Cantonment Caminada
(1813), Caminada Island
A LA state militia camp.

Fort Livingston
(1841 - 1893), Grand Terre Island
Located near Grand Isle, directly across the inlet from Grand Isle State Park. Pirates were kicked off this island in 1814 so the government could built a fort. Named in plans as Fort on Grande Terre Island until 1833. Construction did not actually start until 1841 however. A lighthouse was built nearby in 1856. The fort was briefly occupied by Confederates, but never saw combat. Placed in caretaker staus in 1866. The guns were removed in 1872. Abandoned after a hurricane destroyed most of the structure in 1893. Some ruins remain. It was built in similar fashion as Fort Barrancas in Pensacola, Florida.

A new fort, Fort Lafitte, was proposed during the early 1850's for the north side of the island because of the encroaching shoreline on the south-end, but it was never built.

NEED MORE INFO: a small Spanish garrison was at Comichi (1803 - 1806) (location ?). Confederate forts (1864) somewhere on the Red River: Fort Carroll, Fort Lafayette, Fort Taylor.

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