Fort Jackson was constructed for the costal defense of New Orleans during the period of 1822 and 1823.
It was the site of the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip from April 16 to April 28, 1862, during the American Civil War. The Confederate-controlled fort was besieged for 12 days by the U.S. Navy. Fort Jackson fell on April 28 after the Union fleet bombarded it and then sailed past its guns. A mutiny of the Confederate soldiers against the officers and conditions then occurred and the fort fell to the Union. Union forces then went on to capture New Orleans and continued to occupy Fort Jackson.

Capt. Thomas W. Fry, of Company A, 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery in a letter dated from Fort Jackson, Sept. 21, 1864, says:
"It is very sickly here. Since coming to this post in July, I have lost twenty-three men by death. I have lost twenty-eight in all. None of the officers have died as yet, but all have been sick with the fever; three of them are at present in the hospital at New Orleans. I have not been sick enough to be off duty, having been in this climate two years before. We expect the paymaster here to-day to pay off the battalion. I am very glad the amount of pay is settled, as it has been a serious drawback to the regiment, and has at times caused insubordination that has required very severe measures to check. During my temporary absence as brigade inspector my own company refused to answer their names when I inspected them, thinking that I had left the company, and was trying to make them take seven dollars per month. The consequence was, fourteen of them I preferred charges against and sent to the Tortugas; but after all I know of no white regiment that would have remained in the service thirteen months as my company has, without any pay, that would have given us less trouble."