Section of Bugle recovered at Port Hudson Battlefield

This is another nice piece being offered, it is the brass bell section of a small bugle. It is flattened and measures approximately 3 ½” x 2 ¾”. It was recovered years ago at the Port Hudson battlefield by the late legendary Louisiana relic hunter, author and historian, William A. “Billy” Spedale.

The Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana (May 22 – July 9, 1863), was the final engagement in the Union campaign to recapture the Mississippi in the Civil War. While Union General Ulysses Grant was besieging Vicksburg upriver, General Nathaniel Banks was ordered to capture the Confederate stronghold of Port Hudson, in order to go to Grant's aid.

When his assault failed, Banks settled into a 48-day siege, the longest in US military history. A second attack also failed, and it was only after the fall of Vicksburg that the Confederate commander, General Franklin Gardner surrendered the port. The Union gained control of the river and navigation from the Gulf of Mexico through the Deep South and to the river's upper reaches.

Being a non-regulation small size, this possibly could have been used by a cavalryman. Regardless, any excavated bugles or even parts are very hard to come by. This piece still has dirt inside and Billy marked it on one side with “Bugle / Port Hudson”. This is a nice solid piece and comes in the glass top display case pictured.