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

Exterior Rifle Pit

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, July 30, 2016

1. Exterior Rifle Pit Marker

Inscription.
"I had a small flanking pit constructed on the outside or rather under my works, and on the left thereof, and from which I continued a deadly fire until he [the enemy] left the ditch. This pit was subterranean and could not be seen from the outside, and could not be taken by the enemy unless he should first take my entire ditches or rifle pits."
Colonel Benjamin W. Johnson
15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
Commander of Fort Desperate

One of the tactics used to keep Union attackers from gaining entrance to Fort Desperate was the construction of an exterior rifle pit. Confederate riflemen could fire from this pit on any Union soldier attempting to scale Fort Desperate's parapet wall.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 30° 41.295′ N, 91° 16.57′ W. Marker is in Port Hudson, Louisiana, in East Feliciana Parish. Marker can be reached from U.S. 61, one mile north of Plains/Port hudson Road, on the left when traveling north. 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. Confederate Tunnel (here, next to this marker); Union Sap

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(a few steps from this marker); Union Trench (a few steps from this marker); Sharpshooter Tower (a few steps from this marker); Fort Desperate Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Desperate (within shouting distance of this marker); Subterranean Torpedoes (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. Exterior Rifle Pit Marker

Entrance to Port Hudson Site image. Click for full size.

July 30, 2016

3. Entrance to Port Hudson Site

Located on US Highway 61

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2016. This page has been viewed 475 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2016. 3. submitted on December 26, 2016.