Nathaniel P. Banks receives orders assigning him to command the Federal Department of the Gulf, operating mostly in Louisiana and Texas. Banks would eventually succeed the controversial Benjamin F. Butler.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Nathaniel P. Banks receives orders assigning him to command the Federal Department of the Gulf, operating mostly in Louisiana and Texas. Banks would eventually succeed the controversial Benjamin F. Butler.
Confederate forces try to retake the Louisiana capital with the help of a mighty but unreliable ironclad.
Former U.S. vice president John C. Breckinridge leads a Confederate force in a campaign to regain the Louisiana capital of Baton Rouge.
Benjamin F. Butler, commanding Federal occupation forces in New Orleans, uses dubious legal proceedings to make an example of a citizen for dishonoring the U.S. flag.
Commanding the Federal occupation forces in New Orleans, Benjamin F. Butler issues an order that solidifies his infamous reputation among southerners.
Benjamin F. Butler arrives with his Federal troops to impose military rule over New Orleans.