Second Battle of Donaldsonville

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Second Battle of Donaldsonville
Began:

June 28, 1863

Ended:

Same day

Location:

Ascension Parish, Louisiana

Theater:

Lower Seaboard Theater

Campaign:

Taylor’s Operations in West Louisiana

Outcome:

Union victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Fort Butler Garrison

Green’s Texas Brigade
Major’s Texas Brigade

Commanders

Joseph D. Bullen
Major General, USA

Tom Green
Brigadier General, CSA

Strength
Casualties

23

301

  

On June 28, 1863, Confederate Brig. Gen. Jean Alfred Mouton ordered Brig. Gen. Tom Green’s and Col. James P. Major’s brigades to take Donaldsonville. The Union had built Fort Butler, which was staffed two companies of the 28th Maine Volunteer Infantry and some convalescents from various regiments, and which the Rebels had to take before occupying the town. On the night of June 27, Green, within a mile and a half of the fort, began moving troops ahead to attack. The attack started soon after midnight, and the Confederates quickly surrounded the fort and began passing through the various obstructions. Unfortunately, those troops attacking along the levee came to a ditch, unknown to them, too wide to cross, that saved the day for the Union garrison. A Union gunboat, Princess Royal, came to the garrison’s aid also and began shelling the attackers. Futile Confederate assaults continued for some time but they eventually ceased their operations and retired. This point on the Mississippi remained in Union hands and many other Mississippi River towns were occupied by the Yankees: the Confederates could harass but not eliminate these Union enclaves. (NPS summary)