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This picture shows the interior of the Confederate stronghold known as "Priest Cap", taken after the surrender. It shows the sharpened stakes to repel attackers who breach the first line of fortifications. Priest Cap was located on the northeastern side of the lines, slightly south and east of Fort Desperate. (See Port Hudson Battlefield Map for location.) This position was the target of massive attacks by Federal troops on June 14th. The first was from the east carried out by a entire division commanded by General Paine, followed immediately by an assault on the northern face by troops under General Weitzel. A number of Union troops succeeded in scaling the parapet, but were either killed or captured. Priest Cap was not taken until the surrender.
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