As a tour guide at the Fort Butler Historic Site in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, I have shared the captivating story of this star-shaped fort built during the Civil War by African-American slaves who were turned soldiers. Engineered by West Point graduates, Fort Butler successfully defended its position from Confederate forces on June 28, 1863, marking one of the first occasions when free blacks defended a Union post. The historic site stands as a proud symbol of resilience and strength, offering visitors insight into Louisianas past during the Civil War era.