LOUISIANA
In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state in the Union; on January 26, 1861, it became the 6th state to secede. The state's population at the time of secession was over 700,000, with a white population of 357,00 and nearly 332,000 slaves. Louisiana contributed over 30 infantry regiments, 12 artillery units of various sizes, and 11 cavalry regiments to the cause of Southern independence. However, Louisiana also contributed over 10 infantry regiments for the Union, a few artillery batteries, and a couple of cavalry regiments, most comprised of former slaves.
The occupation of Louisiana was of prime importance for the Union, for the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf Of Mexico after cutting its long and meandering path through America's heartland, providing the best route for Midwest farmers and producers to get their products to world markets. If the Union could control the Mississippi River from its starting point to its terminus in Louisiana, then they would not only have access to world commercial markets, but could also move men and material up and down the river without fear of Confederate interference. The first step toward this goal, on the Louisiana side, anyway, occurred on April 25, 1862, when the Union Navy captured the city of New Orleans. On May 29, 1862, Union forces occupied Baton Rouge, and on July 8, 1863, Confederates surrendered Port Hudson, giving entire control of the river to the Union.
Louisiana was readmitted to the Union in 1868.
|
