On June 28, 1863, Confederate Brigadier General Jean Alfred Mouton ordered Brigadier General Tom Green's and Colonel James P. Major's brigades to take Donaldsonville. The Union had built Fort Butler, which the Rebels had to take before occupying the town.

On the night of June 27, Green, within a mile and a half of the fort, began moving troops ahead to attack. The attack started soon after midnight, and the Confederates quickly surrounded the fort and began passing through the various obstructions. Unfortunately, those troops attacking along the levee came to a ditch, unknown to them, too wide to cross, that saved the day for the Union garrison.

A Union gunboat, Princess Royal, came to the garrison's aid also and began shelling the attackers. Futile Confederate assaults continued for some time but they eventually ceased their operations and retired.

This point on the Mississippi remained in Union hands and many other Mississippi River towns were occupied by the Yankees: the Confederates could harass but not eliminate these Union enclaves.

Result(s): Union victory

Location: Ascension Parish

Campaign: Taylor's Operations in West Louisiana (1863) next battle in campaign previous battle in campaign

Date(s): June 28, 1863

Principal Commanders: Major Joseph D. Bullen [US]; Brigadier General Tom Green [CS]

Forces Engaged: Fort Butler Garrison: two companies of the 28th Maine Volunteer Infantry and some convalescents from various regiments [US]; Tom Green's Texas Brigade and Colonel James Patrick Major's Texas Brigade [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 324 total (US 23; CS 301)

• 25 Union and 25 Confederate Soldier Figures, 18 Horses, 10 Cannon
• 2 Covered Wagons, 2 Tents, 2 Canoes, 2 Flags, 16 Fences
• Size: Figures Stand up to 2-1/8 inches tall
• Scale: 1/32nd, Wagons and Horses slightly smaller

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