033-630315-[B]Port Hudson-20 - WDS Forgotten Campaigns

(Alternative 20 minute turns) After initial attempts to close the Red River supply routes to Confederate shipping failed, Rear Admiral David G. Farragut determined to run the ships of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron upriver past the heavy batteries at Port Hudson. To pass Port Hudson, the Union ships would have to run a gauntlet of batteries atop a high bluff on the eastern shore of the Mississippi while fighting a strong current and hidden shoals. In many ways, the Confederate bastion at Port Hudson was more intimidating than Vicksburg. If Farragut could get his ships above Port Hudson, then he could block the mouth of the Red River and prevent the transport of southern soldiers and supplies from points west. Farragut made his attempt on the night of March 14th and successfully passed two ships upriver but suffered heavy damage to the rest. This "What If" scenario begins the action early on March 15th -- the time Farragut originally had plan to make the attempt. To aid in the attempt, Gen. Banks stands ready to demonstrate against the fortress by land to divert attention from the river. Banks' command boasts 3 divisions totaling over 20,000 men. Confederate forces under the command of MG Gardner number slightly less. Reference: "Port Hudson: Confederate Bastion on the Mississippi" by Lawrence Lee Hewitt