Another interior view of "The Citadel" The quality of this picture is poor, but visible are the holes dug into the sides of the dirt walls of their fortifications by the Confederate soldiers to escape the Union artillery bombardments. These holes were called "ratholes". (Photo from National Park Service history lesson plan on Port Hudson)

A destroyed Confederate artillery gun. The hole in the ground at the bottom of the picture was probably from the Union shell that damaged the gun. (Photo from National Park Service history lesson plan on Port Hudson)

Battery K of the 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery Regiment, commanded by Captain Clayton Cox. This battery was located to the east of Fort Desperate, opposite to Priest Cap, and operated there throughout the siege. (Photo from National Park Service history lesson plan on Port Hudson)

This shows the trench, or "sap", dug by the Federals from the river up to the Citadel. These saps were dug in order to move troops close to the Confederate positions while avoiding fire from the snipers. During the siege period they were used against all of the major Confederate strongholds.

"The Citadel", a powerfully fortified Confederate position located near the southwestern corner of their defensive line, on the bluffs near the river. The picture, taken after the surrender, shows the effects of the Union bombardments. The men lived in holes dug into the earth to escape the shells.

Confederate gun emplacements on the cliff overlooking the Mississippi River.

The eighty-foot bluffs of Port Hudson, looking northward toward the 150-degree bend in the river. The Confederates had powerful batteries of siege guns located in earthworks along the top. The photo was probably taken sometime after the siege. Tents can be seen on the bluff, probably the occupying Union Troops.

This map shows the Mississippi River above Port Hudson, with the mouth of the Red River at the top left, and Port Hudson at the bottom right. Click on the map for a higher resolution image. (Map from "The Guns of Port Hudson, Vol. 1", by David C. Edmonds)

This is an interesting map of Port Hudson and it's surroundings, showing the nature of the terrain. It is not very accurate in its depiction of the earthworks, and has other errors. The area identified as East Baton Rouge Parish is actually West Baton Rouge Parish, and East Feliciana Parish does not actually extend as far south as shown. It does have a few notable features. Notice the river batteries and their fields of fire, and also the property boundaries and owner's names of the plantations lining the river. (Map from National Park Service history lesson plan on Port Hudson)

This map shows the Port Hudson battlefield in great detail as it was during the siege period, 15 June to 9 July 1863. The location of the Confederate line of fortifications and their batteries (designated with roman numerals), and those of the Federal forces (designated by regular numerals) are indicated, along with other important features. The commanders and their areas of responsibility are shown.