Port Hudson in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Desperate Artillery

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, July 30, 2016

1. Fort Desperate Artillery Marker

Inscription.
"Seeing Colonel Steadman's right wing...heavily pressed and in danger of being flanked, I ordered Lieutenant Edrington to open upon him [advancing Union forces] with shrapnel and shell. He fired with great rapidity, coolness and precision"
Colonel Benjamin W. Johnson
15th Arkansas Regiment
Commander of Fort Desperate

Taken shortly after the siege, this photograph shows a 12-pounder howitzer lying on its wooden platform. On May 27, one of the Union batteries located opposite Fort Desperate fired a shell, which destroyed the gun and also killed Lieutenant Jesse B. Edrington, the gun's commander.
The gun platform was located to your front in Fort Desperate's right front corner and its location is marked today by a raised area of earth. Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Mississippi Artillery Regiment, manned it. The same shell that killed Lieutenant Edrington injured two of these men. Afraid of losing another 12-pound howitzer, the only other artillery piece at Fort Desperate, Colonel Johnson moved it to a safer position near the rear of the works.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.

Location. 30° 41.282′ N, 91° 16.563′ W. Marker is in Port Hudson, Louisiana

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, in East Feliciana Parish. Marker can be reached from U.S. 61, one mile north of Plains/Port Hudson Road. The marker is located about 1 mile along the trail to Fort Desperate, part of a 6-mile walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 US Hwy 61, Jackson LA 70748, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sharpshooter Tower (here, next to this marker); Fort Desperate (a few steps from this marker); Union Sap (a few steps from this marker); Subterranean Torpedoes (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Tunnel (a few steps from this marker); Exterior Rifle Pit (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Trench (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Batteries 7 and 8 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hudson.

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, July 30, 2016

2. Fort Desperate Artillery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2016, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2016.