05/21/2026
Battle of Plains Store, fought on this day in 1863
163 years ago today, the Battle of Plains Store was fought on May 21, 1863, just a few miles away in the Zachary Plains of East Baton Rouge Parish. It was a crucial Union victory that directly initiated the Siege of Port Hudson.
Union forces were marching north from Baton Rouge to secure a river landing spot for the main army. They met 600 Confederate troops at a vital crossroads near Plains Store.
The opening skirmish forced the initially outnumbered Confederates to withdraw. Later in the afternoon, 400 Confederate reinforcements arrived from the Port Hudson garrison. These fresh troops launched a fierce counterattack, temporarily routing a Union regiment and overrunning their artillery. However, the Union army quickly regrouped, launched a massive counteroffensive, and drove the Confederates from the field.
Defeated, the Confederate forces retreated behind the main defense lines of Port Hudson. By winning this crossroads, the Union army closed the last escape route for the garrison. Two days later, the combined Union forces completely surrounded the stronghold, beginning a brutal 48-day siege that lasted until the Confederates surrendered on July 9, 1863.
• Commanders: Major General Christopher C. Augur (Union) vs. Colonel Frank W. Powers and Colonel William R. Miles (Confederate).
• Casualties (K/W/M): 100 Union and 89 Confederate.
Photo: Plains Store
