FORTS RANDOLPH & BUHLOW STATE HISTORIC SITE

In 1864, three years after Louisiana joined the Confederacy, the Union sought to control the state's waterways. Alexandria was completely burned by the Union during the war. After the Battle of Mansfield and the Union defeat, the Confederates regained some hope. In anticipation of Union attacks, the troops built two forts, Randolph and Buhlow, to protect the Red River. But they would not be used, as the war ended within the year.