(November 27, 2010)  Enlarge Entrance to Forts Buhlow and Randolph Park

The former road over the Allen Bridge to Fort Buhlow is closed so the visitor must cross the Red River from Alexandria to Pineville and go northbound on Riverside Drive until it ends at the entrance to the park.

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(November 27, 2010)  Enlarge Forts Buhlow and Randolph Park Museum and Visitor Center

The Visitor center and Museum opened Nov 18, 2010. This photo was taken Nov 27, 2010 with a steady stream of visitors from various locations coming to view the trails, forts, and museum. Notice the USA, Louisiana, and 2nd National CSA flags flying in the crisp cool air.

(November 27, 2010)  Enlarge Louisiana Battle Sites Map

We were told by the curator that this Louisiana State Historic Site was given the task of connecting the battles and actions that took place between Port Hudson and Mansfield Battlefield, as well as Fort Buhlow and Fort Randolph and Bailey's Dam.-A tall order...

The display shows some of the major actions in Louisiana, that perhaps do not get the attention they deserve because they were too far away from Richmond.

(November 27, 2010)  Enlarge Construction Display

This section of the museum focuses on the construction of Fort Buhlow and Fort Randolph, as well as some other important forts, via computer generated graphics on the panel behind the figure. When the visitor walks the wooden walkways the depth and height of the works at Alexandria can be appreciated. Apparently the CSA Engineers learned their lessons well from previous actions so these earthen forts are still impressive today-150 years later!

(November 27, 2010)  Enlarge Union Navy vs. Confederate Cavalry

The USS Eastport was sunk thanks to Cornay's Louisiana Artillery, Harrison's 15th Texas Infantry and Likens' 35th Texas Cavalry, assisted by Liddell's Louisiana troops on the opposite shore. A number of other US Navy ships were also sunk, destroyed, damaged, or captured in the Red River Campaign.

The brown-water navy suffered so greatly during the Red River Campaign to the point an official board of inquiry was held after the war due to the losses suffered by the US Navy.

(November 27, 2010)  Enlarge CSA Troops vs Union Navy

This display springs to life when the visitor steps near the display. The sounds of rifle fire and cannons echo as the narration tells of CSA efforts to destroy and harass the Union Navy under Admiral David Dixon Porter. After the war a court of inquiry was held, but much of the blame was placed on Union General N. P. Banks, a political appointee who had served as Speaker of the House of Representatives with absolutely no military experience.