PORT HUDSON FREEMAN, Louisiana, July 15, 1863 

* Extremely rare Southern Civil War publication
* Post siege & capture Union soldiers occupation

 This is the volume 1, number 1 issue of a title that existed for just two issues, the other dated July 21.
 A rare copy of this title published by Union soldiers, this issue announced the capture of Port Hudson, the fall of Vicksburg, and other news, including updates on other Union forces.
The issue is printed on brown necessity paper, wide margins, nice condition.
We believe this is the first of this title we have offered in our 50+ years.
Single sheet, nice condition.

Background: The surrender of Port Hudson on July 9, 1863—coming just five days after the fall of Vicksburg—marked a decisive, irreversible turning point in the American Civil War by delivering total control of the Mississippi River to the Union. This dual victory successfully executed a core objective of the Union's "Anaconda Plan," effectively cleaving the Confederacy in two and severing vital supply lines that funneled Texas cattle, European imports via Mexico, and western troops to the eastern theaters. By opening the entire length of the Mississippi to Federal commerce and military transport, these events prompted President Abraham Lincoln to famously declare, "The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea." Furthermore, the brutal 48-day siege of Port Hudson was historically significant as the first major combat test for African American regiments, including the 1st and 3rd Louisiana Native Guards; their immense bravery under fire proved their battlefield mettle to a skeptical northern public and fundamentally altered Union recruitment strategy for the remainder of the war.