Army of the Gulf facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Army of the Gulf
Active	1862–1865
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Army
Type	Field Army
Engagements	American Civil War

The Army of the Gulf was a special group of soldiers from the Union Army during the American Civil War. They mostly operated in the areas near the Gulf states that were controlled by the Union. These soldiers were very active in places like Louisiana and Alabama.

What Was the Army of the Gulf?

The Army of the Gulf was a key part of the Union Army's efforts in the southern United States. It helped the Union gain control of important areas along the Gulf Coast. This army played a big role in several battles and sieges.

How the Army of the Gulf Started

General Nathaniel P. Banks led the Army of the Gulf in many important operations.

The idea for the Army of the Gulf began after the Union captured the city of New Orleans in 1862. This victory was led by Admiral David Farragut. After New Orleans was taken, a new military area called the Department of the Gulf was created.

General Benjamin Butler was put in charge of this new department. In March 1862, he took command, and the Army of the Gulf was formed from the soldiers assigned to his department.

Early Actions and New Leaders

The Army of the Gulf didn't see much fighting for the rest of 1862. Then, in December, General Butler was replaced by Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. General Banks took over both the Department of the Gulf and the Army of the Gulf.

At first, the Army of the Gulf had only one main group of soldiers, called the XIX Corps. General Banks also commanded this group.

Major Battles and Campaigns

General Banks led the army in several fights in southern Louisiana. These battles eventually led to the Siege of Port Hudson. This was the Army of the Gulf's first major battle. The soldiers bravely held out during the siege. Finally, the Confederate forces at Port Hudson surrendered on July 9, 1863.

The next year, two more groups of soldiers, the XIII Corps and parts of the XVI Corps, joined the army. This made the Army of the Gulf much larger. General Banks remained in charge of the whole army and department.

In March 1864, General Banks started the Red River Campaign. This campaign did not go as planned. After it ended, General Banks left the army. Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut took his place.

The XIX Corps was sent to another area, the Shenandoah Valley. The remaining soldiers in the Army of the Gulf helped in a land attack during the Battle of Mobile Bay.

End of the War Operations

Later in the war, Major General Edward Canby took command of the army's two remaining groups, the XIII and XVI Corps. He planned to capture the city of Mobile. For this operation, General Canby changed the army's name to the Army of West Mississippi.

Even with a new name, it was mostly the same group of soldiers. They fought in important battles like the Battle of Spanish Fort and the Battle of Fort Blakely. As the war ended, General Canby was put in charge of the Department of the Gulf again. The soldiers once more became known as the Army of the Gulf.

Who Led the Army of the Gulf?

Here are the main commanders who led the Army of the Gulf:

Battle Orders

• Port Hudson order of battle