Years flown: 1863-1865

Presidents: Abraham Lincoln (1863-1865) and Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

State added: West Virginia

On July 4^th, 1863, the 35 Star Flag became the Official United States Flag with the addition of West Virginia. It would remain the official flag for 2 years, rounding out the end of the Civil War.

With the American Civil War in full swing, there were many significant events taking place—some of which happened right here, near Southwest Louisiana and the home of The Avenue of Flags. One such event was the siege of Port Hudson.

The siege of Port Hudson was an important account in Louisiana history as well as American history.  It was a takeover that helped to end the American Civil War. During this time, the Union forces knew the Confederacy had a stronghold in Louisiana and would need to figure a way to take control in order to control the war. In May 1863, the Union forces began their attempt to take control of Port Hudson, Louisiana—an area located about 20 miles northwest of current day Baton Rouge. The Confederate army knew that control of the Mississippi River was a goal for the Union forces so protecting Port Hudson was a must. On May 22^nd, Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks and Union forces devised a plan invading Port Hudson from multiple sides—moving down the Red River from the north, Baton Rouge from the east and New Orleans from the south. During this takeover, 7,500 Confederate soldiers resisted about 30,000 Union soldiers. The Confederate forces in Port Hudson held out until they learned of the surrender of Vicksburg, which took place on July 4^th, 1863. Knowing their strategy was no longer viable without their counterpart upriver, they surrendered on July 9, 1863. The siege lasted 48 days—the longest in American history.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/andrew-johnson/